BRIDGEWATER — The Town of Bridgewater would like to share the following information about a proposed Proposition 2 1/2 operational override to assist residents in casting an informed vote this year.
As part of its commitment to full transparency, the Town of Bridgewater has created an FY26 Budget Override page on its website. The site includes a tax calculator, budget documents, frequently asked questions, and a form for residents to submit questions regarding the override. The Town will be posting answers to residents’ questions here.
The Town is also hosting a series of informational forums for residents to learn more and ask questions about the proposed override:
- Monday, June 2, from 5-7 p.m., Bridgewater Public Library, 15 South St.
- Friday, June 6, 10 a.m., Bridgewater Senior Center/Council on Aging, 10 Wally Krueger Way
- Tuesday, June 10, 6-8 p.m., Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, 415 Center St.
The Town Council has approved the Town’s FY26 operating budget, but it does not meet the needs of the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District (BRRSD) or Town operations. Bridgewater is experiencing the same challenges as many Massachusetts communities, as the cost of providing services has outpaced tax levy growth allowed under Proposition 2 ½.
The Town is proposing an operational override to address increases in fixed costs and a substantial funding gap for both schools and municipal services.
The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional District School Committee certified an FY26 budget that includes a 15% increase in Bridgewater’s assessment, a level of funding the Town cannot fully meet under existing revenue constraints.
Bridgewater’s overall revenue is projected to grow by 4.67% in FY26, which will be applied to increase funding for the BRRSD budget. This falls well short of what’s needed to maintain current service levels and fully fund the BRRSD’s certified budget.
Therefore, the Town is facing a shortfall of $6,034,614.95, which could lead to significant cuts in services across departments unless additional revenue is approved by voters.
To address this challenge, the Bridgewater Town Council has proposed an $8,008,272.33 operational override, which aims to preserve core services and meet critical educational and municipal needs.
The estimated total FY26 override tax impact is $1.56 per $1,000 valuation. The Town projects that the owner of an average-priced home, valued at $593,992, will pay an additional $927 in taxes.
To pass, the override will require approval by voters at a Special Town Election on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Residents are urged to visit the Town’s website to explore the FY26 Budget Override page and learn how the proposal may affect them and their families.
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