Hadley Holds Finance Listening Session Amid Looming 20 Percent Insurance Hike

HADLEY — January 28, 2026 — Hadley Select Board holds public finance forum as insurance costs and structural deficit dominate discussion. Town officials told roughly two dozen in-person and Zoom attendees Wednesday that health insurance premiums have risen more than $1.4 million in recent years and could climb an additional 16 to 20 percent — roughly $650,000 more — beginning July 1, driven largely by GLP-1 drug costs that ran to approximately $600,000 per month in the Hampshire County insurance trust before carriers restricted coverage. Police Chief and de facto Town Administrator Mike Mason said the town is currently bargaining with nine union units across municipal and school departments before it can switch providers or adjust plan design. Finance Director Linda reported a $220,000 increase in projected net state aid from newly released cherry sheets, which Select Board member Molly called welcome but nowhere near sufficient, adding, "I don't think we can expect to be bailed out by the state anytime soon." Residents proposed a split commercial tax rate, a 40R mixed-use zoning program along Route 9, expanded volunteerism, and better town marketing, but officials repeatedly noted that every available revenue lever — local option taxes, permit fees, and development — is either already at the legal maximum or years from producing meaningful income. A second listening session is scheduled for February 11.