Hadley Select Board Approves Two Override Articles Totaling $1.5 Million for Town Meeting

HADLEY — April 21, 2026 — Hadley Select Board votes unanimously to pursue two override articles totaling $1.5 million at annual town meeting. The board approved an $850,000 first article allocated as $210,000 to the fire department, $590,000 to the school department, and $50,000 to the police department — departing modestly from the Finance Committee's recommendation of $640,000 to schools and $210,000 to fire only. A second $650,000 supplemental article would, if passed, fund a third firefighter, DPW highway and building maintenance staff at $125,000, support staff at the Board of Health, Council on Aging, and Library, a portion of future Hadley Media operating costs, and additional school funding to bring total school support across both articles to roughly $670,000. Town Administrator Jennifer noted that health insurance costs have risen from $1.576 million in FY25 to a projected $2.504 million in FY27, calling the increase "unforeseen," and that even the full $1.5 million does not put the town in a structurally balanced position. The board also voted to close the annual town meeting warrant and entered executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy with town unions.