FORUM | FROM PAGE 8 nel positions or city services, but would only enable the city to continue to provide services at the same level” heading into Fiscal Year 2027. The Mayor also said that even with the requested and hoped-for $8.2 million in tax levy funds, he and his staff are intending to institute $2 million in budget cuts for FY27. Mayor Christenson and all of the other officials on stage stressed that the crux of the cause of the structural deficit that precipitated the override request was a substantially flawed state funding system, which consistently has shortchanged Malden when it comes to Chapter 70 school funding. “This [Chapter 70 funding shortfall] is not something that has snuck up on us,” the Mayor said. “We have been dealing with this major problem for close to a decade, and despite the efforts and attention of many city officials, City Councils and state legislators, there have been no changes.” The Mayor explained the main issue with lack of changes to the formula is the fact that “there are 351 cities towns in the Commonwealth and any change that may potentially provide relief to Malden might affect some other community in another way.” Other communities are feeling the financial pain across the state as well, he said, and have either taken up override campaigns or successfully seen them passed by voters, including next door in Melrose, where the highest Proposition 2 1/2 Override in state history passed, a $13.5 million increase in the tax levy. In nearby Stoneham, voters in a special election this past December 2025 approved a $9.3 million override. “Malden is not alone, there are many communities facing similar challenges and seeking overrides,” the Mayor said, referencing the Melrose and Stoneham ballot question passages. In the past three years, over 170 overrides have been supported statewide in Massachusetts. “It is not unchecked spending; it is a severe lack of revenue to match our rising costs over which we have no control, such as health care for our employees and many of the costs of operating our schools,” the Mayor said. City Controller Ranaghan refTHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 20, 2026 erenced a slide shown at the forum, outlining the key reasons the override is being sought: —A multiyear structural deficit driven by cost increases in key areas have left the municipal budget at a breaking point. —Costs in core areas like employees’ health insurance costs, wages, facilities maintenance and education have overwhelmed revenue growth. —A $1.4 million (minimum) annual cost in required funding for the Northeast Vocational new school, a 30-year commitment continuing through 2052, approved by Malden voters in 2022, in addition to the annual operating cost paid by the City of Malden for about 150 local students —Additional pressures unique to Malden from a flawed school-funding formula that overburdens Malden as compared to other similar communities About 20 residents gave opinions at the forum — seemingly split between either expressing their support for the city’s overPage 9 ride request, making challenges in opposition or simply asking questions clarifying some of the information presented. All of those who spoke — either in favor of the override or against — who referenced public safety personnel all agreed that “no one wanted to see any police and fire personnel cut.” Those comments referencing public safety personnel came following one of the informational slides, which projected potential job cuts if both override ballot questions fail. If the ballot questions do not pass, city projections are that 15 police officers (of 116 on duty) and 15 firefighters (of 108 on duty) could be laid off. In addition, other job cuts could follow in General Government (18 of 137), DPW/Cemetery (9 of 48) and Library (3 of 20) for a total of 60 layoffs. Other staff reductions would loom in other departments as well, city officials said. Chief Strategy Officer Ron Hogan — who has spent a great deal of time on the Chapter 70 dilemma alone, and others — said this is a financial morass that is continuing to affect Malden annually. “We cannot let the safety of the residents of our community be endangered by job cuts to the Fire Department and Police Department, regardless of where we stand on the override,” said one woman, who said she was the wife of a retired Malden firefighter and mother of a working Malden firefighter as well. “The dynamics change every year,” Hogan said of the Chapter 70 shortfall, “and something has to change at the state side. The $8.2 million just gets us back to square one.” City Council President Linehan and Councillor-at-Large McDonald thanked all who attended the two-hour-plus forum and invited the public to attend the fourth one scheduled for March 25. “We are happy to see so many residents in attendance this evening and thank all those who offered opinions and insight,” Councillor Linehan said. “You care about your community.” Steps Stoops Rebuilt or Repaired Chimney Rebuilt or Repaired House Foundation Leaks Repaired All Basement Repairs Walkways, Driveways & Patios Installed Chimney Inspection Roofing & Siding Installed Masonry Repairs Window Installation & Repairs Drywall & Carpentry Waterproofing
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