HATFIELD — Residents gave near unanimous support to a $1.25 million Proposition 2½ general override at annual Town Meeting Tuesday, authorizing the additional town spending that will also need to be approved by voters at town elections next week.

At a packed Smith Academy gymnasium, where well over 300 residents were in attendance at the outset, voters also approved, with no discussion, a $12.77 million operating budget that will be the default spending plan beginning July 1 should the override fail.

Voters also OK’d a series of zoning changes that could encourage business growth and $400,000 from the Community Preservation Act account to build pickleball courts.

But Town Meeting rejected both a permanent easement and construction easement at 32 West St. for the ongoing water and sewer infrastructure project on the state highway.

If the override doesn’t get majority support at town elections on May 16, there would be significant cuts to town and school departments, representing about a 2.5% decrease in current services, according to town officials.

Finance Committee member Sean Barry explained that Hatfield is annually seeing 3.1% or so new revenues, between new growth and the limits of Proposition 2½, but with contractual obligations and cost-of-living adjustments, as well as inflationary pressures, that is not enough to cover expenses. “That’s why the budget can’t even be level funded without some kind of revenue increase,” Barry said.

Without an override, Barry and fellow Finance Committee member Diane Brzozowski said the schools will have to lay off eight classroom teachers, police positions would be unfilled and a there would be a decrease in fire and EMS service.

Micki Sanderson of Maple Street, who works as a real estate agent, said Hatfield’s tax rate, at $13.48 per $1,000, is lower than any municipality in Hampshire County except Hadley. Sanderson said the conversation for residents shouldn’t be about the expenses of an override, but rather how fiscally responsible Hatfield has been.

The passage of the override was followed by some applause.

Zoning changes

On zoning, 127, 129 and 131 North Hatfield Road will be changed from rural residential to limited business, a petition brought by residents Greg Omasta and his son, Chris, who run Omasta Landscaping. Though a similar proposal had failed two years ago, the idea is to relocate their landscaping business from Hadley.

The article was opposed by Kim Baker of North Hatfield Road, who said putting a landscaping business in the middle of a residential neighborhood doesn’t reflect a good planning process.

Mike Cahill of North Street, though, said not having rezoned the land several years ago kept an industrial park from the site. This time, he said there is an opportunity for needed economic development.

Later in the meeting, when Cahill sought to add $5,000 to the $10,000 from CPA for trees in the historic district, but was ruled out of order, Chris Omasta pledged to give the town a check for $5,000.

Another zoning change is for 104 and 108 West St. from rural residential to light industrial, so a pet hotel and breakfast and lunch cafe can be built, as proposed by property owner Jeff Bruscoe. “It’s something Hatfield desperately needs,” Bruscoe said. “We don’t have a breakfast spot anymore.”

In addition, the 6 and 12 Church Ave. properties will change from rural residential to business, making them consistent with neighboring locations between Routes 5 & 10 and Interstate 91.

Easement difficult

One of the most contentious articles on easements related to the West Street water and sewer infrastructure project, due to ongoing litigation by Susan Berry, who owns the 34 West St. property where the Waxwing Café is located.

Due to the lawsuit, engineers have moved some of the project to the south, which would have reduced the width of Rudison & Routhier Engineering’s driveway from 26 feet to 16 feet, potentially impacting heavy machinery that enters that site.

“This will be devastating to them,” George Zgrodnik of Main Street. “Have some sympathy for these guys. They need it.”

Needing a two-thirds majority to pass, the easements mustered only 20% of those present, falling 228-47.

Money for the pickleball courts was approved after some expressed concern about limiting the project to town center land where it might disrupt a property that is to be protected by conservation restriction, and might also impact the condominiums at the former Center School.

Voters also supported, by a 257-62 vote, Northampton’s plans to move forward with the Connecticut River Greenway multi-use trail, a 1.5-mile long path that would extend from Damon Road in the city to Elm Court in Hatfield.

But voters passed over taking a position on redoing the Massachusetts state flag and state seal, with Cher Nicholas of Main Street expressing concern that the petition article’s history of Indigenous people and their interaction with European settlers may not be accurate. Her motion to table, requiring a two-thirds majority, cleared in a 212-77 vote.

When the meeting got underway, Moderator Joseph Lavallee became emotional in leading his 21st and final session. “It’s been a true honor to do this,” Lavallee said. “I respect the privilege you’ve allowed me.”

Select Board Chairwoman Diana Syznal read dedications of the annual town report. One went to Bob Wagner, a longtime member of the Planning Board and Community Preservation Committee who stepped down when he moved from Hatfield. “Bob, you have inspired so many of us,” Szynal said.

The other was given to Select Board member Brian Moriarty, who spent nine years on the panel and was also an elected member of the School Committee who gave “endless dedication” to town.

“That was a total surprise,” Moriarty said, offering thanks to the voters.

Szynal also praised Lydia Szych, presiding over her last Town Meeting after 10 years as town clerk. Szych gave a hug to Szynal, but also offered appreciation for Kathleen Godek, who is in her 56th year as a Hatfield election worker.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>