The candidates in the 10th Norfolk District State Representative race agreed to participate in an online debate — responding to questions suggested by Observer readers — in writing, in the Observer. One question and the candidate’s respective responses will be published for a total of seven weeks leading up to the election.

Here is question number 6 and Rep. Roy’s response on the override question.

What is your position regarding bringing back another override vote in Franklin and why?

It is vital that community members have the opportunity to express their opinion about whether they want to raise taxes above the levy limit set by Proposition 2 ½.  A vote on this question allows the residents — the investors in the community — to weigh in on a matter of direct consequence to them.

While Proposition 2 ½ places constraints on the amount of the levy raised by a city or town and on how much the levy can be increased from year to year, a community can permanently increase its levy limit by successfully voting an override.

Our community rightfully has high expectations for the delivery of local services and the academic performance in our schools.  As Franklin residents, we elect a Town Council and School Committee to help us meet these expectations through an annual budget and present us with options when the budget falls short of these expectations.

In the case of budget shortfalls, the town leaders can elect to make budget cuts or allow the citizens to vote on raising the level limit through an override. The discussion on an override question should center on whether the community finds these cuts acceptable, or whether they are willing to pay more for the critical services they expect and deserve. Those decisions are best left to the voters.

A fundamental building block of our democracy is the right of citizens to vote and thus an override, if our town leaders deem it a viable option, should be decided at the ballot box.