LEYDEN — The 76 voters at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting approved all warrant articles, including what Selectboard member Katherine DiMatteo described as a “symbolic vote” on the Pioneer Valley Regional School District’s $1.02 million assessment for fiscal year 2027.
Voters gave their blessing to the assessment in a 47-27 vote after hearing from DiMatteo that the Pioneer budget, which totals $18.2 million, had already passed in the district’s two other member towns of Northfield and Bernardston, and thus, was already approved. However, she said she wanted voters to carefully consider the town’s financial future. The Pioneer budget was not recommended by the Selectboard.
“It has nothing to do with the school itself. It has to do with the fact that, as a small town, we may be beautiful, but it costs us a lot to be here,” DiMatteo said. “And we’re not alone. The entire Franklin County is suffering with the same issues that we have, a declining population of students and increased costs that are fixed costs like salaries, and legacy costs like retirement and health.”
She said she understands the school district faces increasing costs, and with limited state aid, it has to rely on town assessments, but the 13.5% increase in Leyden’s assessment is difficult for the town, and continued increases in future years could push the town to need a Proposition 2½ override.
“Right now in the county, we’re cannibalizing each other. The schools are fighting each other to get students to come to their school because the population is so low,” DiMatteo continued. “And it’s a situation that’s not going to change in the next year. The state can’t save us. We are going to have to make some decisions that are difficult and will have an impact for many years. … The budget is passed for this year for the school, and we’re just asking you to think about it and think about next year.”
Resident Samantha Barton said she skipped her daughter’s championship softball game to advocate for the school budget at Town Meeting. She said she understands increases to the school budget mean increases to property taxes, but the schools are providing her kids with opportunities and an “amazing” education. Continuing to invest in the schools, Barton continued, is worth it.
“Times are challenging and they’re changing. Everything is going up in price, which means that our school budget is going to go up as well. That doesn’t mean that our children should suffer,” Barton said. “I understand that many residents of Leyden are on fixed incomes. I know that without my help, my father wouldn’t be able to afford to live in our family town, or even in this town. … I know that my taxes are going up, my electricity is going up, my oil is going up. My car payment is outrageous and the insurance is through the roof, but one thing I will never regret is putting money into my children’s future.”
Resident Jason Tuell questioned the administrative costs in the budget, and Board of Assessors Chair Robert DePalma warned residents that the town is approaching its levy limit and may soon need a Proposition 2½ tax override to afford the expenses.
“We really have to sharpen our pencils and be smarter about how money is allocated,” Tuell said. “This is not about education and not being pro-education or anti-education; it is about getting the most out of our money.”
“We’re closing in on our levy limit, and that should be concerning,” DePalma said.
Resident Bob Anson argued that while costs are increasing, the town has a duty to educate its children.
“Years ago, I had children in the school system, and no matter the quality of the education, no matter what your opinions are of you folks and the folks that are no longer here, you kept the promise to educate my children,” Anson said. “And I owe it to your children, and we owe it to your children, to educate them.”
Leyden voters passed the Pioneer Valley Regional School District assessment in a 47-27 vote. Credit: MADISON SCHOFIELD / Staff Photo 
Leyden Finance Committee Chair Ginger Robinson speaks about the town’s operating budget at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting. Credit: MADISON SCHOFIELD / Staff Photo 
Leyden Board of Assessors Chair Bob DePalma addresses Annual Town Meeting voters. Credit: MADISON SCHOFIELD / Staff Photo
With minimal discussion, voters also passed a $160,837 assessment for Franklin County Technical School and Leyden’s $1.2 million operating budget, after a few floor amendments from the Finance Committee that increased the public works budget by $1,276 to $407,937.
Finance Committee Chair Ginger Robinson said that at some point in the budget process, the salary increases for the highway superintendent and foreman were set at 2.37%, and they wished to increase that percentage to 2.8% to match the increase being given to every other town employee.
Voters also approved switching the library expense and material budget lines after hearing from the Finance Committee that the numbers had been mixed up and needed to be changed to meet Massachusetts Library Association standards that require libraries to spend a certain percentage of their budget on books.
Voters approved every warrant article, including:
- Using $43,500 of free cash on Highway Department improvement projects, such as roof and salt shed upgrades and repairs.
- Endorsing “An Act Establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts” (S.860/H.1405) to establish a single-payer health care system.
- Amending the town’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw to state that any basement built in an ADU will not count toward the structure’s 1,200 gross floor area limit.
Voters also approved the two articles on the preceding Special Town Meeting warrant, which sought to pay a combined $23,732 in bills from the previous fiscal year.
