Belchertown Faces $414,000 FY27 Budget Gap as Three Boards Convene

BELCHERTOWN — February 9, 2026 — Belchertown's three boards face a $414,000 budget gap heading into fiscal year 2027. At a joint special meeting February 9, the Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee reviewed an early FY27 financial picture presented by Town Manager Steve and Town Accountant Jill, who noted the shortfall is unusually slim for a first-round budget submission. Total estimated revenues came to approximately $61.3 million against department requests of $61.75 million; the school department would need to cut $215,275 from its $36,331,226 request to reach a target of $36,115,951. Officials are tentatively applying a 50-50 free cash split, though at least one board member pushed for a side-by-side comparison with the previously discussed 60-40 arrangement before any vote is taken. The school department's informal presentation flagged enrollment declining toward 1,965 students this year and projected near 1,830 by FY31, with Cold Spring School closure expected to yield $433,000 in savings through position reductions.