ROWLEY — As voters consider a $1 million tax override to fund the Triton Regional School District and vital town services, local candidates are offering sharply different perspectives on how Rowley should move forward.
Candidate Brian Grenier opposes the override, urging residents to reject the tax increase. A longtime part-time Ipswich police officer with a background in public administration and large-scale budget management, Grenier supports 24/7 fire staffing and infrastructure upgrades—but only through budget-neutral means. He also opposes re-votes on decisions already made by Town Meeting.
Grenier criticized the proposed re-vote on funding for the Harborlight housing project, calling it a “blatant” disregard of the voters’ will. He’s running a self-funded, sign-free campaign to highlight his frugal approach.
Former library trustee Maura Mastrogiovanni supports the override, calling it essential to maintain services like public safety, senior programs, and library staffing. She estimates it would add about $439 per year in taxes for the average homeowner but sees it as a critical investment in Rowley’s future.
SelectBoard member Christine Kneeland, formerly a Pine Grove Elementary principal who then went on to serve as Admin. of Pupil Servics at Trtion, H.S., has helped guide recent efforts to improve police services through regional dispatch. Her experience in school negotiations and municipal planning adds further depth to the conversation as voters weigh fiscal restraint against service preservation.
Election day is May 13. ♦
