Debate emerges in Hadley over timing of new override vote

HADLEY — Voters are likely to be presented another Proposition 2½ tax-cap override this spring, with the amount yet to be determined as the Select Board and Finance Committee continue to review budget forecasts.

A majority of the Select Board, at a joint meeting with the Finance Committee Wednesday, March 11, appeared inclined to have a ballot vote just after annual Town Meeting on May 7, possibly coinciding with the May 19 annual town election.

That would also mean a townwide vote prior to a contractual June 15 deadline for the schools to notify staff about possible layoffs.

While there are different views on how to approach an override after a $2.25 million measure failed last September, Select Board Chairman Randy Izer said that both panels need to be fully supportive of the spending to get community buy-in.

“We all have to be in agreement or whatever it is will go down in flames,” Izer said.

But there is uncertainty about the date for the override. “My opinion is we need an override sooner than later,” Izer said. 

The idea, he said, would be to figure out what amount of money is needed to maintain the status quo, meaning the necessary staff for town and school operations.

Board member David J. Fill II, though, said the override should wait until fall. He worries that a limited override right after Town Meeting would crash and burn, with people not experiencing enough pain to give it support.

“If you just make the threat and it never happens, it’s a hard argument to make,” Fill said.

Select Board member Molly Keegan said she feels the town is in a different place now than last fall, and worries about cuts that would affect schools and make them less attractive, especially for school choice families, and “unravel a decade worth of investments that have been made.”

A modest override, for now, is supported by board member Jane Nevinsmith, who credits the town with efforts to streamline and combine positions.

“It’s going to be hard to get people into a town once it starts going downhill, so I’m in favor of an override sooner,” Nevinsmith said.

Select Board member Amy Parsons said people in town have lost a lot of trust in the Select Board and, like Fill,suggested that the proposed cuts alone may not convince people to support an override.

“Unfortunately for people who feel it, it may actually have to be in the fall,” Parsons said.

But the idea of feeling pain could put the town in a tough situation. 

Izer said he doesn’t want to get to the point of layoffs just to prove a point.

Nevinsmith said she rejects the notion that people should feel the pain. “That’s not the job of the Select Board. The Select Board’s job is to run the town the best for all people,” she said.

Keegan said she believes a narrowly focused override can win support, especially with the fire department being affected by cuts.

“My druthers would be that we look for a more limited, more palatable override that people can get their heads around now that they’ve seen what’s happened with the fire department and all these other things,” Keegan said.

A split tax rate, with commercial properties picking up more of the burden could be explored, though Fill said that some residents are mistaken and think this will generate more revenue.

Keegan said a more thoughtful, long-term plan is needed, and split tax rate could be part of the planning.

Izer said he wouldn’t support having a nonbinding question on split tax rate, a decision the board could make on its own for the good of the town as a whole.

Members of the Finance Committee appeared to support the override, though are not convinced of its future success.

Paul Mokrzecki said the override has to be a “reasonable amount” and will need compromise.

Chairwoman Amy Fyden said a cafeteria style would give residents a choice to direct spending where they want it to go. She also advised that an override at the same time as the town election would save money and lead to a better turnout.

“I’m in favor of an override,” said committee member Pam Hague. “I think we need to keep the schools intact, they’re doing an awesome job,” adding that it could also bring the fire department up to a sustainable level.

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