Malden’s Proposition 2 1/2 Override proposal gains support from elected officials, city personnel

Mayor, nine City Councillors, several School Committee members and municipal unions back initiative, saying it will prevent budget cuts, layoffs

By Steve Freker

Malden voters will go to the polls in a historic, first-ever Special Election in six weeks, where they will be asked to support — or deny — a Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot question. On Tuesday, March 31, voters will decide whether to accept either a $5.4 million or $8.2 million override proposal, which Mayor Gary Christenson and other city officials, both administrative and elected, have deemed critical to Malden’s financial status, both present and future.

Officials have stated that if the override proposal — either option — does not pass, then serious budget cuts and probably layoffs of municipal personnel would follow as soon as this spring and into the next FY2027 fiscal year. Most recently, a coalition of elected and appointed city officials and several of the city’s unions, including police, fire and Malden Education Association — the city’s largest — have come out publicly to support the override measures.

Across the state, due to shrinking state-sponsored funding of local budget and growing fixed costs to municipalities, Proposition 2 1/2 Override campaigns have increased substantially in number, with 63 communities across the state requesting 68 override ballot questions in 2025 alone. Nearly 60% have been successfully passed by voters.

In the past three years, 2023-2025, the Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot questions are over 170, according to Massachusetts state data. Historically, nearly every town and city across the state has requested a Proposition 2 1/2 override since at least 2000, with a majority of the campaigns achieving success. Most recently, the nearby communities of Melrose and Stoneham saw Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot questions passed, for a total combined amount of over $22 million.

Melrose’s successful campaign, where voters approved a $13.5 million override in November 2025, stands as a state record for highest amount. The previous high was $11.3 million in 2023 by Brookline voters. The Melrose passage gives a one-time hike of $1,837 in the property tax to the average single-family homeowner, with an average assessed value of $871,123.

Stoneham voters approved a $9.3 million override ballot question on December 9, with officials there sounding a similar alarm to Malden’s, seeking to prevent eliminating dozens of town and school positions and deep cuts to the library, senior center and ice arena

For Malden single-family homeowners, the “1A” ballot question, which would approve a $5.4 million override, would mean an increase of $356 in the tax levy for the average homeowner, or, 54 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The average Malden single-family home is assessed at $660,542. If the “1B” ballot question approving an $8.4 million override is passed, it would mean an additional 84 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or an increase of $516.

The Malden drive for the override began with a presentation and formal request by Mayor Gary Christenson in October 2025. Since then the Malden City Council’s Finance Committee, led by chairperson and Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald, have held numerous meetings where details of the override request and plans for the Special Election and ballot question were hammered out. In mid-December 2025, the City Council unanimously approved a request from the city’s administration to hold a Special Election on March 31 where local residents will be asked to vote on a proposed Proposition 2 1/2 property tax override.

The proposal has been met with debate both public and online in favor and in opposition. At several City Council meetings and Finance Committee meetings, a number of residents have spoken out against the override proposals. Nearly all cited perceived possible fiscal management issues and called for independent audits of Malden’s spending and revenue.

At this week’s City Council meeting, the members discussed proposals by two Councillors-at-Large, Karen Colón Hayes and first-term Michelle Luong, regarding the possible pursuit of outside audits.

A group formed to support the Malden override proposal. Yes for Malden this week announced more than a dozen endorsements in support of the Proposition 2 ½ override ballot question. The campaign is run by Malden residents and has launched the website yesformalden.org, which includes information on the override, including “how this ballot question is uniquely tiered to ensure maximum flexibility to voters, and how residents can pitch in to help ensure success before the March 31 election,” according to a news release this week.

According to Yes for Malden, many public officials — including nine City Councillors, have announced their support, including Mayor Gary Christenson, City Council President Amanda Linehan (Ward 3), Councillors Carey McDonald, (At Large), Karen Colón Hayes (At Large), Michelle Luong (At Large), Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Paul Condon (Ward 2), Ari Taylor (Ward 5), and Steve Winslow (Ward 6). Malden School Committee members Michael Drummey (Ward 1) Dawn Macklin (Ward 4), Elizabeth Hortie (Ward 5), Peter Piazza (Ward 6) and Keith Bernard (Ward 2) are also endorsing the effort.

“As a fiscal conservative, I’m generally skeptical of tax increases. But I’ve looked at the budget, I’ve asked the questions, and I’m voting Yes for the override because Malden doesn’t have a spending problem — we have a revenue problem.” Councillor Condon said.

Additionally, the Malden Police Patrolmen’s Association, the Malden Education Association, Greater Boston Labor Council, Malden Firefighters 902 and Malden Public Library Local 3945 have all endorsed the campaign. More unions have indicated they will take votes in support of the measure, which is slated to increase revenues by either $5.4 million or $8.2 million with the stated intention “of offsetting budget pressures and preserve jobs.”

“Without additional revenue, Malden will be forced to make cuts that touch nearly every aspect of civic life. Public safety, services for seniors, educational supports, and access to community programs would all be placed at risk”, stated Deb Gesualdo, Malden Education Association (MEA) president, in the news release.

“Educators and municipal employees are already working within systems stretched thin. Any further reduction in personnel or services will have a disproportionate effect on families and neighborhoods across the city,” Gesualdo added.

SIDE BAR

Malden residents invited to Educational Forum series on Proposition 2 1/2 Ballot Initiative

All are welcome to attend and be informed of the issues around the March 31 Special Election

Special to the Advocate

Malden residents are invited to attend a series of five educational forums focused on the upcoming Proposition 2½ ballot initiative special election taking place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Each session will cover the same material, allowing residents multiple opportunities to attend at a time and location convenient for them. There will be one online forum as well.

Proposition 2½ is a state law that gives voters the power to raise additional funds for City services through property taxes. Last year, facing a significant budget gap that could greatly reduce City services, the Mayor and the City Council worked together to put a Proposition 2½ question on the ballot.

The forums are designed to provide residents with clear, factual information about Proposition 2½, explain how it affects local government services and school funding and outline what the ballot question would mean for the community. The forums are intended to be informational only and will offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of the issue before the March 31 Election Day.

The educational forums will be held:

—The first forum was held this week on Wednesday, February 11, at Salemwood School Auditorium, 529 Salem Street, Malden.

—Saturday, February 28, at 10 a.m.: online forum (TEAMS)

—Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m.: Beebe School Auditorium, 501 Peasant Street, Malden

—Monday, March 16, at 6 p.m.: Ferryway School Auditorium, 150 Cross Street, Malden

—Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m.: Linden STEAM Academy Auditorium, 29 Wescott Street, Malden

Presentations will be made by Mayor Gary Christenson, City Councillors and City Finance employees, who will discuss Proposition 2½, and the potential implications of the proposed ballot initiative.

“Understanding Proposition 2½ is critical for voters,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “The forums are designed to ensure residents have accurate, factual information so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

The forums are open to the public and accessible to all residents. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at ml****@**********en.org or 781-397-7000 Ext. 2005. For more information, please visit cityofmalden.org/override.