SOUTH HADLEY — Fire Distri`ct No. 2 voters will vote to approve a $1.73 million fire department budget and a roughly $902,000 water department budget during its annual meeting on Monday, May 6.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the district headquarters, 20 Woodbridge St.

Besides articles related to the fiscal year 2025 budget and debt service expenditures, the 23-article warrant includes a bylaw change to alter the number of voters constituting a quorum from 40 people to 30 people.

“The last two annual district meetings, we’ve had to tell everyone to get on their phones and call people to get to the meeting,” Clerk/Treasurer Barbra Miller said. “We usually get 30 without a problem, it’s the last six or seven people that slow us down.”

Some articles also move money to stabilization funds for future capital projects.

The total district spending equates to $2,808,828, or a 3.22% increase from last year’s budget. The spending breaks down to $793,635 for the fire department operations, an increase of 0.6% from last year; $339,518 for ambulance operations, up by 4.61%; $902,391 for water department operations, an increase of 3.47%; and $600,590 for Prudential Committee operations, a 7.28% increase.

Preliminary numbers from Miller show the proposed tax levy increase will be $1,483,789, up by 12.62%. Miller explained that the district has less free cash this year to cover all of the vehicle stabilization budget, so part of it will be on the tax rate.