Select Board reviews FY27 budget with $414,000 preliminary deficit.
Select Board · Meeting of February 9, 2026
BELCHERTOWN — Select Board examines FY27 budget showing $414,000 shortfall despite strong revenue growth. Town Manager Steven J. Williams and Town Accountant Jill Rossi detailed revenues of $60.9 million against expenditures of $61.3 million, with a 70/30 split directing additional funds to schools ($571,598) and municipal departments ($244,971), offset by required reductions of $215,275 from schools and $198,807 from departments.
School Superintendent Brian Cameron presented a proposed 2.4 percent budget increase of $786,000, which incorporates the closure of Cold Spring School and staff reductions generating $930,538 in savings as overall enrollment declines toward 1,830 students by FY31. Health insurance costs are projected to increase 15 to 16 percent.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 376 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of February 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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