South Hadley eyeing September for another tax override vote

The Selectboard discusses another potential tax override vote during its May 5 meeting.
Photo credit: SHCTV15.

SOUTH HADLEY — Residents may once again be asked to pay more in taxes in light of the fraught budget situation that the town is currently facing.

On May 5, the South Hadley town administration and Selectboard announced that they might set a special election for Tuesday, Sept. 1, to see if voters would approve a tax override to help save city services.

Since the failed $9 million and $11 million tax override votes took place on April 14, the town and Selectboard have continued to look at options to save proposed positions and service cuts, and look at ways to save money and balance the budget.

During the May 5 Selectboard meeting, Town Administrator Lisa Wong presented the board with four potential dates for a tax override vote: June 23, Sept. 1, Nov. 3 or April 13, 2027.

The Selectboard voted that they prefer the Sept. 1 date for the override vote, but they have until July 27 to make it official. There was also a possibility of holding the special election on June 23, but the board had to approve that date during the May 5 meeting/ They didn’t.

The proposals from Wong included a $3.5 million tax override, but the exact amount hasn’t been finalized yet. Wong said there are still things the town needs to do in the meantime to figure out before deciding on an override tax amount. The Selectboard also discussed whether to use free cash to help close the town’s budget gap.

The Sept. 1 date is in line with the primary election. Wong said the September vote will have the same effect bill-wise as the June date. Bills affected in FY27 include December/January and March/April.

Wong said that if the Selectboard waited until the next Annual Town Meeting in April 2027 for the special election, it wouldn’t raise any taxes in 2027, and the override would only last “probably two years, maybe, or maybe a year and a half.”

The town administrator said holding the special election on Nov. 3 would not work because it would coincide with the local/general election and negate any of the contingent budget votes at Annual Town Meeting.

“There’s just not enough time between a vote on that date and the ability to include that into the bills for 2027,” Wong stated. “Should you want an override to pass in 2027 that includes raising money in 2027, it is split over the bills that are in the fiscal year.”

The Selectboard members were in favor of the Sept. 1 date because it gives them time to take a more in-depth look at the budget while the town attempts some financial progress without relying on an override.

“That gives us some time to implement some of the recommendations from the budget task force, look at other areas where we could strategically try and make some cuts and possibly show some tangible progress to the town by September 1,” Selectboard member Priscilla Marion said.

Selectboard member Renee Sweeney explained that she liked the September date because it gives time for any residents who are confused to get the clarification they need.

“I think a longer timeline, less compressed, might be better,” Sweeney stated.

Selectboard Chair Jeff Cyr was in favor of the April 13, 2027 timeline because, in September, the town will not know where the free cash has been certified. It is not certified until Oct. 15.

He added that he was in favor of an override and wished he had fought harder for a lower tax override the first time around.

“No doubt we need an override. We need something. We need to continue the continuity of this community.” Cyr stated. “I said it once; I apologize that I didn’t fight for the lower amount because I honestly believe it probably would’ve passed with a [$3 million or a $5 million or $6 million tax override].”

South Hadley is still discussing adding approximately $1.5 million in free cash to the school budget. The town will vote on the budget and other articles on May 13 at Town Meeting.

The Selectboard emphasized that they will continue to work with the Budget Task Force, reach out to the state legislature and give updates to the town about progress after Town Meeting.