A Proposition 2.5 override is a Massachusetts ballot measure that allows voters to permanently raise a city or town’s property tax levy limit above the state’s standard 2.5% annual cap. This gives municipalities the authority to generate additional revenue needed to cover ongoing operating expenses and essential public services.

In Reading, town officials are seeking to place a Proposition 2.5 override on the November 3, 2026 ballot. While the proposal is still under discussion, the specific terms and dollar amounts have not yet been finalized. As noted in the example below, a $10M override would cost the average single-family homeowner about $1,133/year, or about $94/month. *These numbers do not include the ~$500 increase from Killam and ReCal that have not hit the tax bills yet.