Belchertown Finance Committee reviews $141,000 cherry sheet gain amid deep FY27 uncertainties

BELCHERTOWN — February 24, 2026 — Belchertown Finance Committee previews a tight FY27 budget with $199,000 in required town-side cuts and unresolved free cash questions. The committee reviewed a preliminary cherry sheet showing a net available increase of $141,000 — described by the town manager as consistent with recent years but not enough to offset rising costs. Health insurance rates are projected at 12.5 to 16 percent depending on a Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust vote, with the town budgeting the high end. A shift in the free cash split from 50-50 to 60-40 would increase required school cuts from $215,000 to $298,000 and town cuts from $199,000 to $234,000. The manager flagged roughly $250,000 in annual debt rolling off and advised the committee that the Division of Local Services expects the town not only to maintain but to add to its debt load — with a 10-year note potentially supporting $2 million in borrowing and a 20-year note supporting roughly $3.25 million. Finance Committee member Brian presented documents on a Chapter 40R smart growth overlay district as a potential revenue tool, but members noted the program has been underfunded statewide — with only $1.5 million allocated across all of Massachusetts — and that Belchertown does not currently meet the minimum affordability threshold required.