Hadley Select Board and Finance Committee back $2.3 million tax override for FY27

HADLEY — July 16, 2025 — Hadley boards back roughly $2.3 million tax override to close a yawning FY27 budget gap. The Select Board and Finance Committee met jointly on July 16 and reached informal consensus, with Finance Committee member Peter Matusko the lone dissenter, to pursue a single operational override rather than a phased approach. Chief Administrator Michael Spanknabel and Town Accountant Linda Hatch had presented a recommended shortfall of approximately $1.8 million — but hours before the meeting, Human Resources Director Lauren Delisle reported that the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust is weighing a 15 to 20 percent mid-year premium hike effective October 1, with additional increases projected through mid-2026, pushing the projected cost as high as $380,000 in additional annual insurance spending. With a capital and maintenance reserve contribution factored in, boards converged on $2.3 million as the working override target, which would raise the annual tax bill on a $450,000 home by approximately $787.50 and leave Hadley second-lowest in residential tax rate among its neighbors. The insurance trust votes on its increase July 30; four public forums are scheduled starting July 31. The board also voted 4-0 to purchase a $363,000 replacement backup generator for the Bay Road water treatment plant under an existing emergency declaration, after DPW Director Scott McCarthy confirmed the 18-year-old unit is beyond repair and the town has been paying roughly $7,300 per month for a rental since February.