Belchertown Finance Committee Drains Reserve Fund, Approves $45,400 Legal Transfer

BELCHERTOWN — June 8, 2026 — Belchertown Finance Committee zeroes out its reserve fund and approves five budget transfers to close out fiscal year 2026. The four-member committee voted unanimously June 8 to transfer $45,400 — the entire remaining reserve fund balance — to the law account to cover labor and general counsel fees driven by what Town Accountant Steve called "an exceptional year" of HR investigations, terminations, and a single inquiry exceeding $22,000. The committee also approved five municipal relief act transfers totaling roughly $26,900, covering shortfalls in hydrant services, fire station building maintenance, unemployment compensation, and Medicare costs. On a more favorable note, Brian, the committee chair, reported that the Senate budget could deliver a net increase of $366,191 in state aid above the governor's proposal that underpinned Belchertown's annual budget — money Steve recommended routing to the stabilization fund to push it toward the town's 5 percent target, a goal that has been years in the making.