The School Committee’s $1.6 million ask will maintain all 22.5 positions proposed to be cut otherwise and keep Cold Springs School open.

Superintendent Brian Cameron explained that the district initially asked for $2.1 million, but that number dropped after three students who originally had been attending out-of-district schools decided to return to Belchertown’s schools or move out of town, saving the schools about $300,000 in tuition payments.

The School Committee’s Budget Subcommittee also found savings by closing the Tadgell School, selling a bus, reducing food service budgets and giving the Chestnut Hill Community Pool back to the town.

“This played out as perfect timing, a perfect storm,” Cameron said.

On the town side, Williams requested $198,244 to fund base budget operating costs, and then offered the Select Board a list of additional personnel requests to discuss.

Town Manager Steve Williams suggested reinstating a deputy fire chief for $110,000 and a police lieutenant for $110,000, two positions both departments have asked for several times in the past. Another $7,000 would bring the current police lieutenant’s salary up to a competitive rate.

Williams said the town will need to work the salaries of six firefighters into the operating budget — roughly $437,000 — once a grant that paid for their salaries expires at the end of June. The town’s grant manager was initially funded through American Rescue Plan Act, so the town will now need to supply $57,920 for the position’s salary.

The list also includes $47,000 to bring a part-time information technology position to full time and $125,568 to add an assistant town manager of finance.

The Select Board acknowledged the needs of the town departments and ultimately approved the $3.3 million request, but none of the votes accurately reflect the board members’ discussion on the matter.

Though she voted to put the override on the ballot, Jorns-Kuhnlenz rejected the $3.3 million figure, raising concern that it was too high. She said that if they ask for too much and voters reject the idea, there would be no money for the schools or town. She also urged other board members to get on the same page.

“If we don’t go to the town saying that we all agree on this and we support this and we believe in this, it’s never going to pass and it’s just going to make things more divided,” she said.

Pearson supported the $3.3 million, as she said it’s only fair to fully fund the town and school requests. She, however, told the board she “hopes this doesn’t pass,” and objected to Jorns-Kuhnlenz’s request to support the proposal.

“That’s the beauty of what we do together, and that we continue to respect each other and work together, but I can’t support this personally,” Pearson said. “We need to present a strategic plan to the voters that says these are how the pieces fit together.”

Miner, who voted against putting the override on the ballot, wanted a $2.8 million request: $700,000 for the town, $850,000 for the schools and $1.1 million for capital, which she believed would give municipal departments a little padding while the Proposition 2½ Override Committee investigates the future financial direction of the town. Pearson came into the conversation with similar numbers.

The proposal by Miner and Pearson to give schools half of what they wanted prompted objections by School Committee members watching the meeting. While Miner and Pearson said an extra $850,000 would allow the school department to prepare to close Cold Spring School for next year, Cameron and School Committee Chair Heidi Gutekenst reiterated that anything less than $1.6 million would force Cold Spring to close this year.

“I know people are itching to close Cold Springs, but we want to do it thoughtfully,” Cameron said. “Our numbers at Chestnut Hill right now, we have large number of class sizes. In order to close Cold Springs, we’re going to have to get rid of classroom teachers.”

Turner struggled to support any number until the completion of an audit of town finances is completed, which Boscher said will come out in the coming weeks. She ultimately voted in favor of the $3.3 million.

Boscher continued to express his disapproval for an override vote this year, as the Select Board has already put in motion a wide review of town finances and the feasibility of an override. He and many board members expressed a desire to propose an override in a thoughtful manner, and that this current process fails to meet that desire.

“I don’t believe that all the work that Steve and the schools have done solves the underlying issue of, how are we going to move forward without having to ask for more money in two, three four or five years?” Boscher said. “That’s been my biggest hang up during this whole process.”

Ultimately, Boscher did approve the $3.3 million despite his personal views, deciding to give Belchertown residents a chance to vote on the override themselves.

A listening session regarding the fiscal year 2026 budget will take place on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Belchertown High School auditorium.