Kevin E. Taugher: Financial information lacking at Fire District No. 1 meeting

I participated in South Hadley’s Fire District No. 1 annual meeting and feel compelled to report the facts that I witnessed. This annual meeting was to approve a budget for FY 2024, which begins on July 1, 2023. First, there was no negative sentiment expressed regarding the firefighters/paramedics/EMTs. I believe their service to the district is exemplary, and all present would agree.

The Prudential Committee, on the other hand, refused to provide details for most of their budget. The primary issue arose when warrant article 5, for $2.7 million in wages, was opened for questions. This one article represented more than 50% of the total budget. A quick review of the budgeted financials for Fire Department spending revealed a 17.8% increase in property tax burden. This represents an aggregate of a 35.7% increase in two years!

The voters at this meeting expected an explanation for such a dramatic increase. The Prudential Committee was asked for details on how the $2.7 million was allocated and could not answer. The fire chief, who likely recommended most of the salary budget in detail, was not called upon for an explanation. It was evident from comments expressed during and after the meeting, voters could not sanction funding for wages without an explanation.

Compounding the lack of detail from the Prudential Committee, the financial information in the annual report only became available that day. The meeting attendees received this report as they walked in the door. In my opinion, the Prudential Committee rushed to schedule this meeting, unprepared and therefore unwilling to explain a whopping tax increase. Questioning the budget in no way defunds the Fire Department. Note that last year’s annual meeting took place on June 1, 2022. A meeting to review and approve the $2.7 million salary budget can easily be scheduled between now and June 30, 2023. In the meantime, interested citizens and social media followers will be able to view the details as they are posted on the district website.

Kevin E. Taugher

South Hadley

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