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Summary of Question 1
The Act authorizes the Town, in lieu of any obligations under any other general or special law, to pay an accidental death benefit to Claire B. McNamara, the widow of fallen firefighter Martin H. McNamara V, equal to 2/3 of the average annual salary of a first-year career firefighter in the local area. The Act authorizes the Town to fund the purchase of an annuity through an "override" of the provisions of Proposition 2 1/2 , so called. Proposition 2 1/2 imposes limits on the amount a town may raise by taxation. The Act allows the Town to raise through taxation, for one year only, the sum of $650,000 in addition to the amounts permitted under Proposition 2 1/2 . The Town Department of Finance and Budget estimates the tax rate will increase by approximately $1.17 per thousand dollars of valuation for one year only. On March 22, 2004, Town Meeting voted to appropriate the $650,000 contingent upon approval of this ballot question. Thus, approval of the question will constitute approval of the override and will ratify Town Meeting's contingent appropriation of such funds. The Act also makes Claire B. McNamara and her dependents eligible for health insurance, subject to certain conditions, provided that she bears responsibility for a retirees' percentage share for the premium for such insurance. A YES VOTE would: (1) accept Sections 280-282 of chapter 149 of the Acts of 2004 authorizing the Town to provide a substantial accidental death benefit to Clair B. McNamara, widow of firefighter Martin H. McNamara V; (2) approve a special one-year override of the limitation imposed by G.L. c.59, §21C, Proposition 2 1/2 , so called, in the amount of $650,000 for the purchase of an annuity to pay the accidental death benefit; and (3) ratify Town Meeting's contingent appropriation of such funds. A NO VOTE would: (1) reject Sections 280-282 of chapter 149 of the Acts of 2004, thereby precluding the Town from paying a substantial accidental death benefit to Claire B. McNamara, widow of firefighter Martin H. McNamara V, and allowing the Town to pay only the minimal benefit allowable under state law; (2) make no change to the limitations imposed by Proposition 2 1/2 with regard to the amount the Town may raise by taxation; and (3) nullify Town Meeting's contingent appropriation of funds for the purchase of an annuity to pay a substantial accidental death benefit to Clair B. McNamara.

2004 - Lancaster - Question 1Shall the sections 280, 281, and 282 of chapter 149 of 2004, which authorized the town of Lancaster to pay a survivor benefit and extend health insurance coverage to Claire B. McNamara and her dependents' be accepted?

View as: # | %  
City/Town Ward Pct Blanks Total Votes Cast
Lancaster More »
 
1,607
1,623
169
3,399
Totals
1,607
1,623
169 3,399