On Tuesday, April 14th, South Hadley voters will be asked to consider an override that will help our town avoid devastating cuts to our FY27 budget and beyond.
As you probably know, Proposition 2 ½ is a Massachusetts state law that requires towns to increase their tax levy no more than 2.5% per annum. At the same time, unlike the federal government, towns in Massachusetts are required by law to operate on a balanced budget (e.g., expenses < revenue).
South Hadley has consistently produced a balanced budget—but over the past several years, we’ve accomplished that primarily by cutting needed staff and services in town, including the funds needed for maintaining our schools.
That strategy can no longer work for us. We’ve now cut so close to the bone that there’s very little left to cut.
Furthermore, a “perfect storm” outside South Hadley’s control has led us to the same structural deficit facing many towns across the Commonwealth—unexpected and unprecedented health insurance rate increases of 40%; state aid that’s declined from 32% of the town’s budget in 2006 to 25% today; unfair school funding formulas; and limited prospects for local growth, especially commercial growth.
A South Hadley Budget Task Force comprised of local volunteers, who varied by age and experience, spent seven months looking at a range of options for our town. Ultimately, they felt a Proposition 2 ½ override was important to maintaining even the level services we now have.
The Budget Task Force recommended an $11M override, with the increase to our tax levy to be spread out over five years. Ultimately, the Selectboard voted to put two options before the voters on April 14th—an override of $9M (rolled out over 4 years) and $11M (rolled out over 5 years).
I value the many services that make South Hadley a great place to call home. But like many residents, I also understand the potential impact of increased tax rates on affordability.
So, I used the South Hadley Override Tax Calculator that’s now on the Town website to help residents understand the impact on property taxes with two override levels: $9M and $11M.
The calculator showed that I’d pay an additional $1,743 four years from now with a $9M override, and $2,131 five years from now with an $11M override. That’s a sizeable increase.
But the more I considered that, I couldn’t think of a better investment I could make ANYWHERE within the next 4-5 years.
Without an override, the cuts this coming year ($3.5M) will be draconian, but the compounding effect of insufficient funds year after year ($10.5M in FY31) could be disastrous. We could well end up living in a South Hadley that we don’t recognize in five years—and a place where others won’t want to live either, which could be reflected in decreasing property values.
My ballot choices concerning the override will look thus:
Questions 1A and 1B are separate questions. You may vote for or against each question independently. Each question requires a majority of those voting on that question to pass. If both questions pass, the question with the higher dollar amount prevails.
1A. Shall the Town of South Hadley be allowed to assess an additional $11,000,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of operating the Municipal Government and Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026?
1B. Shall the Town of South Hadley be allowed to assess an additional $9,000,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of operating the Municipal Government and Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026?
In other words, I plan to vote YES for BOTH of the override questions.
I’m most in favor of the $11M option because I feel that it’s the best investment that I and others can make in the future of our town.
However, if it fails to reach a majority—i.e., more than 50% of those voting—then I will have joined with others who voted “Yes” to a $9M override. If both the $11M AND the $9M ballot questions exceed 50%, the larger override will prevail.