Hatfield voters approve budget corrections, balancing $14.91M spending plan

HATFIELD — A series of budget transfers and line item reductions, totaling in excess of $300,000, will balance the town’s $14.91 million fiscal year 2026 budget.

Voters at a special Town Meeting Tuesday, held at the Hatfield Elementary School, approved two warrant articles at a session that lasted about 25 minutes.

The results mean the tax rate can be set and property tax bills can go out.

Finance Committee Chairman Sean Barry explained that the articles address an accounting error related to state Chapter 90 transportation money the town receives. That pot of money has been increasing due to the state’s Fair Share Amendment, but the way the town has been calculating it wasn’t correct, he said.

“It’s led to us thinking we have more revenue than we actually had,” Barry said.

The fiscal year 2026 budget currently exceeds the Proposition 2½ tax-cap levy limit due both miscounting $400,000 in these state road funds and an $80,000 overestimation of state aid.

The budget cuts, totaling $172,313, and transfers of $135,103, will show the state’s Department of Revenue that Hatfield has a balanced budget. The cuts are not expected to affect any current services or municipal positions.

“We’re voting to fund the budget we’ve passed already,” Barry said.

Michael Cahill of North Street asked what controls and actions would be put in place to ensure such a situation doesn’t happen again.

Town Administrator Andrew Levine said town officials intend to use a new budget workbook that will match the state recap sheet.

“That will make sure that we are presenting a budget that is indeed balanced and matches up with the state’s Department of Revenue projections,” Levine said.

In addition, the town will ask accountants to put a brief statement before annual Town Meeting each year that certifies the budget will be balanced.

Barry said it also is important the chapter 90 numbers are accurate.

“We’re exploring some opportunities with the accountants to do some more work relative to this,” Barry said.

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