Presentations

School Budget Information (Scroll down to FY27 Budget Info)
Budget Task Force Committee Page
TA 3/3/26 Budget Presentation to Selectboard
Override impacts on budget - updated Feb. 17, 2026

Helpful Definitions

Levy: The amount a community raises through the property tax. The levy can be any amount up to the levy limit, which is re-established every year in accordance with Proposition 2 ½ provisions. 

Levy Limit: A levy limit is one of two types of levy (tax) restrictions imposed by MGL Ch. 59 §21C (Proposition 2 1/ 2). It states that the real and personal property taxes imposed by a city or town may only grow each year by 2 1/2 of the prior year’s levy limit, plus new growth and any overrides or exclusions. The levy limit can exceed the levy ceiling only if the community passes a capital expenditure exclusion, debt exclusion, or special exclusion. 

Override: A vote by a community at an election to permanently increase the levy limit. An override vote may increase the levy limit no higher than the levy ceiling. The override question on the election ballot must state a purpose for the override and the dollar amount. 

Debt Exclusion: Proposition 2½ allows a town to raise monies for capital projects or for the payment of debt service costs using a debt exclusion. Unlike the override, which results in a permanent increase in the town's levy limit, a debt exclusion is added to the levy limit or levy ceiling for the life of the debt only.

Processes

The Override process: https://www.mass.gov/doc/proposition-2-12-ballot-question-requirement-and-procedure/download

Election Information: https://www.southhadley.org/620/Elections