Last modified: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 1:05 AM EDT Mansfield officials cautious on override talk BY TED NESI / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF MANSFIELD - Town officials are expressing skepticism about asking voters to approve a property tax override to cover the large deficit in the school department’s operating budget for next year. Some parents and school committee members have suggested asking Mansfield taxpayers to approve a property tax override this spring that would cover the schools’ looming budget gap, which Superintendent Brenda Hodges estimates will be at least $1.7 million. School committee member Steven Greenberg has noted that passing an override would give Mansfield a larger tax revenue base in future years, which could help as the cost of town government continues to rise. But other town officials are decidedly cool to the idea. Town Manager John D’Agostino reiterated last week his longtime opposition to passing overrides to cover operating budgets, as opposed to infrastructure projects. "An override won’t fix the problem," he said, because it would only put off tough budget choices for another year. Finance committee member James Lazzara also questioned the wisdom of an override, pointing out that the town also has a pressing need to fund capital projects. "This year is not remarkable for any cost that we have," Lazzara said, adding that "to discuss an override to feed an ever-increasing salary base that we can’t afford and isn’t in line with our revenue isn’t going to solve our problem." In an interview, school committee Chairwoman Jean Miller distanced herself from talk of an override. "I want to work cooperatively" with the board of selectmen and the finance committee, she said. "I am positive that we will be able to work together to solve this problem — because it’s a townwide problem, and it’s not just affecting the schools." Miller added, "I’m sure that we’ll be able to work together and come to some solutions that will be satisfying for everybody." TED NESI covers Mansfield for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at tnesi@thesunchronicle.com or 508-236-0434.