Hatfield postpones election to June 23, orders tiered pandemic budget cuts

HATFIELD — April 21, 2020 — Hatfield's Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday to postpone its annual town election to June 23 and annual town meeting to June 16, and directed all departments to prepare budget scenarios reflecting zero, two, five, and ten percent cuts as COVID-19 threatens revenue collections and state aid. The board, meeting remotely for only the second time, also voted to seat Lucinda Williams on the Cemetery Commission and appoint Deborah Nimitz and Kathy Tzemre to three-year terms on the Cultural Council. Accounting firm Lot and Heath reported fiscal year 2019 books would be closed by week's end, with a longstanding school choice fund discrepancy largely resolved — a relief given that free cash cannot be certified until the books are closed. Finance Committee member Shawn Hunter warned that revenue projections "could turn out to be substantially less" than anticipated, with collections on excise taxes, water, and sewer all at risk. Town Administrator Marlene announced an $11,150 Community Compact grant to fund new municipal budget software, replacing the town's Excel-based system, with an annual subscription cost of $8,715.