Hinsdale approves $3.07 million FY27 budget, OKs road, water and school spending

HINSDALE — Voters at Hinsdale’s Annual Town Meeting on May 20 approved a $3,070,914 operating budget for fiscal year 2027 and a package of spending measures for roads, schools, water, sewer and capital equipment.

The meeting, conducted by the elected Moderator, accepted the town’s Chapter 90 allotment for FY27, an estimated $269,352.42 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to pay for maintenance, repair and construction of town ways and bridges. The Moderator declared the vote unanimous.

The FY27 operating budget (Article 3(b)) was presented with line-item changes across departments: notableary increases included Town Clerk (+27%), health and dental (+15%) and town buildings (+9%). The total operating appropriation of $3,070,914 includes education, public safety, public works and general government lines. Motions to approve the budget were seconded and the Moderator declared the article passed.

Education costs were incorporated into the total. The Central Berkshire Regional School District assessment ($3,277,495) and related capital ($305,815), vocational transportation ($96,758) and vocational tuition ($223,983) were presented and accepted as part of the town’s educational expenses; the Moderator used hand and visual counts where noted to confirm passage.

Town Meeting also approved department-specific appropriations and transfers: Sewer I–III operating budgets were raised and appropriations for Sewer Phase III loan payments were transferred from the Sewer Betterment Reserve (total transfer $151,201; Plunkett $45,709, Ashmere $105,492). The Hinsdale Water Department operating appropriation of $186,374 was approved and members voted to replenish $63,000 to Water Reserves (to restore funds redirected at a March special meeting for emergency meter and gauge replacements) so planned water-plant piping and sand-filter work can continue. The meeting also authorized up to $13,154 from Water Reserves to pay Elm Electric for additional SCADA installation and materials.

Several Free Cash appropriations passed: $72,984 (amended from $70,806) to balance FY26 winter road maintenance; $60,030 to acquire a Mack truck for the Water Department via lease-to-own; $35,000 to replenish infrastructure and engineering funds; $20,000 for Maple Street Cemetery headstone repairs; $18,960 for cemetery tree removal; $11,000 to fund development of a searchable municipal code; and other smaller equipment and departmental requests, including an $18,000-plus ceiling for a police records-management link and a $5,868 replacement for a fire-department PPV smoke injector. A multi-department General Service Truck was authorized with $55,000 from Free Cash plus $55,000 each from Sewer I, Sewer III and Water Reserves — authorizing up to $220,000 in total for the purchase.

An article to establish an Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund was also approved. The meeting appropriated $4,428.91 in previously received opioid settlement receipts (FY2023–FY2025) to create the fund; the Moderator said the fund will be used in accordance with the national settlement agreements and Massachusetts Department of Revenue guidance (DOR Bulletin 2023-7).

Most motions were passed by voice vote or hand count as the Moderator directed; where the Moderator noted near‑unanimous or unanimous support, the results were declared accordingly.

Votes at a glance: Accept Chapter 90 funds — approved; FY27 operating budget $3,070,914 — approved; CBRSD assessment and associated education appropriations — approved; Sewer I–III appropriations and Sewer Phase III loan transfers — approved; Water Department appropriations and Water Reserve replenishment — approved; multiple Free Cash appropriations and equipment purchases (including Mack truck, blower, cemetery repairs, municipal code funding) — approved; Opioid Settlement Fund established — approved.

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. and Town Clerk Dawn L. Frissell filed the minutes.