Belchertown Select Board Approves $61 Million FY27 Budget After Tie Vote Fails

BELCHERTOWN — March 23, 2026 — Belchertown Select Board approved a $60,977,278 fiscal year 2027 operating budget Monday after a two-to-two tie vote rejected a motion to redirect a proposed $20,000 finance director stipend to the deputy fire chief. Town Manager Steve Williams and Town Accountant Kate Nadeau presented a spending plan allocating $36,281,955 to public schools, $14,551,873 to town government, and $10,143,450 to fixed costs, funded in part by $1,418,350 in certified free cash. The budget restores a police lieutenant position at half-year funding and adds a half-year deputy fire chief beginning January 1, financed through internal reallocation. Superintendent Brian Cameron told the joint session that closing Cold Spring School and restructuring grades pre-K through 8 saved $930,000, allowing the school budget to carry only a 2.4 percent increase. Capital Improvement Planning Committee Chair Eric Weiss reported $1,781,800 in FY27 capital requests against $920,000 available, with the town planning to seek borrowing authorization at town meeting against roughly $250,000 in annual debt-service capacity coming free from retiring bonds — a package that could reach $2 million to $3 million — while Jabish Brook Middle School roof and window projects await Massachusetts School Building Authority review.