Hatfield Select Board Approves Retiree COLA, Weighs $1.6 Million Override

HATFIELD -- April 4, 2023, Hatfield Select Board unanimously approves a retiree cost-of-living increase while confronting a potential $1.6 million Proposition 2½ override. The board, chaired by Luke Longstreeth, voted without dissent to endorse Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022, boosting the annual COLA for Hampshire County retirees from 3 percent to 5 percent on the first $13,000 of retirement benefit, retroactive to July 2022, with costs drawn from the pension fund. State Senator Jo Comerford then briefed the board on Chapter 70 and Chapter 90 formula reform, rural policy initiatives, and charter school reimbursement failures she called "a state issue." The joint Finance Committee session that followed revealed a working override figure of roughly $1.6 million, covering school, fire, police, ambulance, and public works needs, with school officials warning that a failed vote would eliminate eight teaching positions, cut elementary music and art, and reduce Smith Academy to single sections per grade with class sizes near 25. The board and Finance Committee agreed to reconvene April 10 to set a final number before the town meeting warrant deadline.