EASTHAMPTON — Voters approved a $6.9 million Proposition 2½ override by a 237-vote margin at a special election on Tuesday, preventing deep cuts to all city services and particularly the schools.
The override was the only question on the ballot, passing with 3,310 “yes” votes to 3,073 “no” votes, with a total of 6,383 cast, according to unofficial results. The city proposed the override in an attempt to fill an approximate $6.5 million deficit heading into fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1.
Residents funneled in and out of the polls at Easthampton High School on Tuesday, with voters both in favor and against the override standing outside with signs supporting their opinions.
City officials, residents and public school students in favor of the override rejoiced once it was clear it had passed.
Ahead of the election, city officials said that nearly every corner of city government would see cuts if the override failed, including the elimination of about 40 teachers, three firefighters/paramedics, two police officers, two public works positions and other employees. There would have also been a 40% budget reduction in the Health Department, along with funding impacts to Veterans Services, Parks and Recreation and the Planning Department.
Mayor Salem Derby said the cuts would have been a reality if the override had failed. “These cuts, all of these things (were) not scare tactics, they’re just reality,” he said.
A meeting with all department heads is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss the results of the override.
“I’m very optimistic for our ability to move into the next step,” Derby said in an interview after the results were in. “Easthampton has come a long way but there’s still more to come.”
Derby said the city will look for ways it can be more financially efficient. While being interviewed, a resident walking by, Beth Tiffany, thanked Derby and other elected officials for the information they have been providing in recent meetings.
“Either way, pass or fail, the city is going to take a really hard look and already has taken a hard look at the way that we’re spending, the way that we’re organized and efficiencies across the board,” Derby said.
Superintendent Michelle Balch, and several Easthampton Public Schools educators and administrators met for a group hug after the results were announced. Certain cuts will still be made to services for Easthampton schools, which will be discussed at the School Committee meeting June 11, Balch said.
“Our students deserve all that Easthampton Public Schools have to offer,” Balch said. “While this preserved level services for us, we will make sure to provide a high-level education while being fiscally responsible.”
Voter opinion
Resident Ginny Lapointe has lived in Easthampton for more than 50 years and said she voted “no” on the override. The last time the city proposed an override, Lapointe said she voted “yes,” but as a U.S. Army veteran who uses Social Security and is on a fixed income, she couldn’t vote in favor this year.
“For us, it would be almost $200 a month,” Lapointe said emotionally, adding that amount would make it more difficult to pay for medication she needs for a disability. “I feel sorry for the kids, but what about us?”
A $6.9 million override is expected to mean an estimated $1,100 annual increase in property taxes based on an average single-family home assessed at $418,000. The increase would be roughly $655 for a $250,000 home, $1,179 for a $450,000 home, $1,703 for a $650,000 home and $2,227 for a $850,000 home.
City Councilor At-Large Nathan Markee voted “yes” on the override as a first-term councilor. He thought the margins would be tight, but felt the override would pass.
“Easthampton tends to have a very unified spirit. We all want a strong public education, and police and fire well funded,” Markee said at the polls Tuesday. “Nobody wants tax rates to go up. Plenty of blame can be spread around but most of the (financial) forces are out of our control.”
The City Council will meet on June 17, when it is expected to approve an approximately $65.3 million spending plan reflecting the override’s passage.
Chatting inside the polls earlier in the day, residents Tom Vinci and Evelyn Kessler were discussing the vote, both having voted “yes.” Vinci said he wasn’t sure if the override was going to pass.
“We can’t afford to lose all those people,” Vinci said, referencing the potential cuts to educators in particular. “It’s not like it happened overnight too, it’s been going on for years. Unfortunately, it’s a big jump right now.”
Kessler, who has lived in Easthampton her whole life, said she was on the fence. However, she and her husband are on Social Security and have needed the assistance of EMTs multiple times in the past. She didn’t want those services impacted in the event of a failed override.
Resident Mike Carriveau voted “no,” holding a sign outside the polls on Tuesday all day, starting at 7:30 a.m. He said he voted “yes” on both debt exclusions that funded the Easthampton High School building in 2010, and Mountain View School in 2018, but feels the city mismanaged funds to get into the current deficit.
“I voted ‘yes’ on the schools. Those are something they (his children) can put their hands on and see. This (override) is all smoke and mirrors,” Carriveau said. “I think I would be a ‘yes’ (vote) if I thought the money was being spent well.”
Resident Micha Haftl voted “yes” and said they have been following other overrides in neighboring communities, mainly South Hadley, where a friend works as an educator. As a social worker, Haftl said they see firsthand how prices are increasing, but wanted to vote in favor of the override to help support public education.
“I can handle the choices I make with my finances but kids don’t have a choice with their education,” Haftl said. “They get what we give them.”
