SOUTH HADLEY — The Select Board is seeking public input on a $3.5 million Proposition 2½ override proposal to assess what might pass when it goes to a vote on Sept. 1.
After both $9 million and $11 million override votes failed at the ballot box this spring, South Hadley is trying a different approach to deal with projected budget deficits in the upcoming years by asking voters to approve a smaller override this fall.
Should it pass, the town is proposing using $1.5 million to replenish its free cash account that officials used to prop up the fiscal year 2027 budget. The remaining funds would be placed in a Override Stabilization Fund to accrue interest for the next two fiscal years.
A public information session will take place during June 16 Select Board meeting at 7 p.m. in the South Hadley Senior Center. Residents are encouraged to comment about the proposed override number and the services they wish to see level-funded.
A majority of the Select Board expressed support for a $3.5 million override at meetings on May 19 and June 2, saying it seemed like “the sweet spot” to maintain some level services over the next three years. Select Board member Kevin Hennessy, however, said this number is unpopular with many in the community.
“I worry this override is going to be [dead on arrival],” said resident Catherine Allen. “We bought time by using free cash to fund sports, fund the schools. We found money to support the library. I think everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.”
The board is expected to vote on June 27 whether to send the override to the ballot.
From $6M to $3.5M
On May 19, Hennessey stressed the need for more transparency from Town Administrator Lisa Wong to gain public trust. At his first meeting as a Select Board member on April 21, he was presented with a $4.35 million override number. The municipal leaders have since inquired into override amounts ranging from $6 million to the proposed $3.5 million. Hennessy feels there is little context for these numbers.
“No override is going to pass unless you are completely transparent with people, and that’s not the case right now,” Hennessey said. “I can’t support something I don’t see.”
Wong agreed there has been a lack of robust conversations around the override numbers. Despite spending hours in meetings, Wong never got consensus from municipal leadership about their funding priorities to determine how much to ask voters to approve.
“I am definitely 100% on board with making this as transparent as possible.” Wong said.
The most feedback she received was from public comment about maintaining the school and library departments. The $3.5 million request reflects these concerns. Wong took the $6 million projection from the Budget Task Force report and factored in budget changes already in motion, including regionalizing emergency dispatch, cutting to Other Post Employment Benefits contribution and increasing in local fees.
Select Board priorities
Honoring Wong’s request, each Select Board member gave a slightly better picture of their ideal override question. As she has stated in the past, Carol Constant would like to provide the school department with enough resources to turn around the $3 million school choice deficit. She would also like to maintain essential services like Department of Public Works employees and the Police Department.
“We have to back into what we really want for our community and what we think the voters will vote for,” Constant said.
Priscilla Marion also wants a single question with all the money raised over one or two years. Both she and Hennessey want to see the lowest number possible, accompanied by strategic cuts to all departments.
“I know as much as all of us want to level-fund the town right now, the feedback I’m getting from the community is that they do want to see strategic cuts happening,” Marion said, “And they do want to see us make the hard decisions before they would even consider (passing an override).”
Marion did not give a number, but Hennessey finds $3 million to be the best option. He continually hears from residents that $3.5 million is too high, and would like to see cuts in all departments.
“I think it would go a long way in good faith with the voting public if the cuts were across the board for all departments and we are not cherry-picking one or two departments and completely funding them,” Hennessey said.
At the June 2 meeting, Chair Jeff Cyr supported the $3.5 million override to replenish the town’s reserves. Sweeney and Constant concurred.
“Any insights into what we have to do to earn the trust of the voters would be very helpful,” Constant said.
