NEWBURYPORT — Local voters overwhelmingly approved spending $6.5 million to pay for most of a proposed $8.3 million recreation center on Low Street.
Yes votes totaled 2,539 with no votes totaling 1,627, according to unofficial results. The vote authorizes the city to float a debt exclusion for that amount with the rest of the money coming from expected donations, proceeds from selling municipal property and opioid settlement funds.
Mayor Sean Reardon, a dedicated advocate for the proposal, was at The Port Tavern when the vote came in.
“I guess the people have spoken,” he said. “It looks like this was a 60-40 split. So I’m thrilled.”
Reardon added that the road to approving a rec. center was long in the making but was glad to see residents cast their votes in favor of it.
“There was only a short period of time to get the right information out to the people to make an informed decision,” he said. “The mental and physical well-being of our community for not only this generation but generations to come I think was decided tonight.”
Former Mayor Donna Holaday, who was at City Hall when the vote came in, said she was extremely happy with the results.
“This has been a very long process and I am so grateful to the voters of Newburyport who came out,” she said. “They really stepped up to support the city.”
With the debt exclusion OK’d by the public, the city will now start on its plans to build a new center at the site of a former National Guard building at 59 Low St.
The new building will include a gymnasium, lobby and early education, meeting and quiet study space, a flexible art/maker space, as well as multipurpose space along with offices for RYS staff.
A half-basketball court will also be built outside to go along with a new patio, enclosed play space as well as an open lawn area.
The additional annual cost in property taxes for the average homeowner to pay for the debt exclusion has been estimated at up to $55, or $4.50 a month, according to city projections.
Recreation and Youth Services has been looking for a new home ever since fall 2021 when the boiler at the former Brown School was deemed unusable.
Early Tuesday, Vote Yes For the Rec. supporter Scott Yewell stood outside Newburyport Public Library holding two signs while waiting for fellow group members. Smiling as he was approached, Yewell spoke about why he joined the cause.
“I have an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old, and they’ve participated in the youth services activities. It’s been great. I’d love to see how much more that group could do with a facility,” Yewell said.
He said the city in general needs a reliable place for kids to go after school.
“I know a number of kids who aren’t typical, don’t fit in, maybe don’t have the biggest friend group – and having a location like that can make a huge difference,” Yewell said.
Asked about how things were going early into Election Day, Yewell said he was approached by multiple people.
“The majority were telling me why this wasn’t a good idea, but it’s been conversations,” Yewell said.
He said overall the discussion between those in favor of the rec. center and those opposed have ranged in terms of civility.
“What I understand to be their main point is that there are a lot of other expenses coming that we need to be mindful of, and I think that’s smart to pay attention to. But this is a defined opportunity we can make a decision on now,” Yewell said.
There was a bit more diversity outside the Senior/Community Center as Vote No on May 13 Chairperson Liz McCauley stood just a few feet from representatives for the yes group.
“We just feel the city can do better with their choices. We need a full-size facility in this town. What we’re getting is a very small elementary school. It’s a lot of money for what we’re not going to get,” McCauley said, when asked why she was leading the no vote.
She said her group is focused on meeting the city’s needs without overspending.
“We want to stop the building and try to reuse what we already have. We’ve got empty spaces and buildings that could be put to better use,” McCauley said.
She was especially worried about the impact a yes vote could have on residents’ taxes, noting they have already been steadily rising.
“For me, it’s gone up nearly $400 every year for the past four tax seasons. It’s getting ugly out there,” McCauley said.
Among those standing just past her championing the yes vote was Lisa Medina Smith, who said Recreation and Youth Services needs a permanent home to operate to its fullest potential.
“This replaces what they had at the Brown School and Kelley School. It’s going to have such a meaningful impact and will really invest in our next generation across all populations,” Medina Smith said.
She said the energy at the Senior/Community Center had been great.
”We’ve had tons of honks, lots of thumbs-up and waves. We’re cautiously optimistic. There are people from all different points of view,” Medina Smith said.
Asked about the dialogue between the yes and no sides, Medina Smith had the most positive outlook.
“In general, it’s been pretty respectful. There’s been a lot of discussion around facts and opposing views, but it’s been good dialogue. Ultimately, I just want to make sure everyone is making an informed vote,” Medina Smith said.
The voting seemed to be going strong early at the Senior/Community Center, with a steady stream of cars coming in and out of the lot.
Polling stations at Newburyport Public Library and Hope Community Church were a bit slower in comparison, with only a few folks trickling in and out of the library and a smaller cluster of cars in the Hope parking lot. There were sign holders for both sides at the church.