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SPENCER – As the time draws closer to holding public hearings about a Proposition 2 ½ override, Selectmen in Spencer on February 24 reviewed the revised ballot questions voters could be asked.
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges incorporated the wishes of board members into two options: a single total ask and another spread out over three years.
Overall, the total request is $2.4 million.
Broken down by three years, it is $796,000 for the first year and includes $290,000 for the required local contribution for schools; $100,000 for other post-employment benefits; $100,000 for unfunded benefits pension liability; $85,000 for a highway employee; $121,000 for an additional police officer; and $100,000 for the Spencer Rescue Squad.
This request would be for the fiscal year beginning July 1,2025.
The changes are the inclusion of post-employment benefits and unfunded benefits pension liability that Selectman Tony Pepe had advocated for at a previous meeting.
The second-year request totals $840,575 and includes $260,000 for the required local contribution for schools; $180,575 to pay half year for four firefighters coming off grant funding; $125,000 for an additional police officer; $250,000 for public infrastructure (roads, drainage, public buildings); and $25,000 in support of the Spencer Rescue Squad.
All these items would be for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
The money for public infrastructure represents a change from previous versions. It was another item that Pepe proposed at a previous meeting.
In the third year, the request of $828,815 breaks down as follows: $187,815 to pay for the second half for four firefighters, previously grant funded; $86,000 for an additional highway employee; $280,000 for the required school contribution; $250,000 for public infrastructure (roads, drainage, public buildings); and $25,000 to support the Spencer Rescue Squad.
The public infrastructure request is again the new inclusion.
The third-year requests are for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027.
Bridges displayed a chart showing the tax impact. He said an average Spencer home is valued at $390,000. Taxes would increase from $4,578 to $4,845 in the first year. In the second year, the bond for the David Prouty High School project kicks in, he noted, increasing taxes to $5,297 for an average home in 2027. In 2028, the amount would be $5,388.
Without the school bond included, the increases would range from $200 in the first year decreasing to around $160-$170 by year three, Bridges said.
If Selectmen chose to go with a “one-shot deal,” option, seeking $2.4 million, the increase would be $635.54 on an average home valued at $390,000, he added.
Selectman Gary Woodbury said once again that people need to know what it is going to take to balance the operating budget. “We need to get that information out to the public. The voters are going to decide.”
Other than the Pine Grove Cemetery, Bridges said the last time a Proposition 2 ½ override (operating) request was considered was in 2014. At that time, the ask was for about $1 million ($484,000 and $538,000).
The question was resoundingly voted down with Selectmen recalling how upset taxpayers were at the time.
Pepe suggested three public hearings should be conducted while Vice Chair Jared Grigg said there should be more.
Selectman Ralph Hicks noted the hearings should be held at different locations like the senior center, Town Hall, Howe Village, etc.
Woodbury noted that it is important Cable Access TV broadcasts the hearings.
Mary Braney from the Finance Committee, who was in the audience, said it would be a good idea to hold one hearing during the day because some people cannot drive at night.
Sue the Commonwealth?
In a related matter, Selectmen discussed the possibility of joining with other communities to sue the state over the formula for required school contributions.
Hicks noted that Longmeadow had taken that action. He said other cities and towns also could not afford the mandatory contribution and would likely “want to jump on,” an effort to change the formula.
“We can’t go it alone. To be more meaningful, it has to be more than a 12,000-person town,” Hicks said.
Woodbury said towns could all end up in receiverships if things proceed the same way.
Resident Matt Defosse encouraged citizens to get involved, attend meetings and call their representatives. “Come in and make a difference,” he said.
Solar credits sold to generate funds
Bridges spoke about unused credits as the result of buying 25% of the power generated by Syncarpha Palmer solar field.
He explained that the town receives credits back at almost a 2:1 ratio. The credits have “racked up,” over time with the utilities, water and sewer departments “taking up the lion’s share.”
However, the town has $140,000 worth of credits, which Bridges proposed selling to Billerica to receive $76,600 back. Spencer would not lose money because it would be selling at the same price it paid to Syncarpha Palmer, he said.
The town will still have about $40,000 worth of credits left, to be moved “where it is most needed and the accounts it affects,” Bridges said.
Selectmen voted to approve the metering credit purchase agreement with Billerica, pending legal counsel’s sign off.
Woodbury thanked Bridges for bringing the matter forward.
“This just sat around forever until Jeff got here,” Woodbury said.
“It was just sitting there –free money—might as well use it,” Bridges said.
