A strategic leadership meeting of the Belchertown Select Board, School Committee and Finance Committee to discuss school regionalization and further collaborative efforts between the three boards. Meeting recorded on December 8, 2025 at Belchertown Town Hall. View meeting agenda here: https://www.belchertown.org/AgendaCen...AI Meeting Overview:The meeting focused on exploring the potential for regionalization of schools in the community, with input from consultants from the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS).Key Discussion Points:

• Introduction of MARS consultants, Jay Barry and Steve Hemen.
• Overview of regional school districts and their governance structure.
• Discussion on transportation reimbursement for regional districts.
• Examination of advantages and disadvantages of regionalization.
• Importance of community engagement and communication in the regionalization process.
• Consideration of educational programming and student outcomes in relation to regionalization.
• Financial implications and potential costs associated with regionalization.

• No formal decision was made regarding moving forward with regionalization; the focus remains on gathering information and exploring options.

• The meeting highlighted the need for transparency and open communication among stakeholders.
• Concerns were raised about the financial implications of regionalization and the importance of ensuring that student needs are prioritized.
• The possibility of forming regional agreements for specific programs was discussed as an alternative to full regionalization.
• Future meetings will focus on strategic planning and the potential formation of a formal committee to explore regionalization further.#Belchertown #belchertownma #regionalization #townmeetingtv

Audio from the regular Belchertown Select Board meeting that took place on December 1, 2025 at Town Hall.

Audio from the regular Belchertown Select Board meeting that took place on November 17, 2025 at Town Hall.

Belchertown Select Board meeting from October 20, 2025. This recording includes discussions on town business, budget matters, and community updates relevant to Belchertown residents.

For more information about Belchertown town government, visit the official town website.

This meeting was broadcast live and recorded by Belchertown Community Television (BCTV).

Belchertown Select Board - September 15, 2025

The meeting began with the Finance Committee discussing the financials behind the health insurance deficit, outlining various proposals to address the deficit through budget reductions and transfers. The committee agreed on a 60-40 split for funding the deficit, with 60% coming from the stabilization fund and 40% from budget cuts. Several proposals were presented, including using surplus funds from the board of assessors and property insurance. The committee debated the implications of these cuts on town and school budgets, emphasizing the need for collaboration to minimize impacts on services. Ultimately, they agreed on a modified Proposal 5, which included contributions from both the town and school budgets, and set a special town meeting for October 27 to discuss these financial adjustments.

The Belchertown Select Board meeting on September 2nd included public comments from Dorothy Creswell and Jim Barry, who advocated for a resolution supporting democracy and constitutional principles in light of perceived threats to these values. The board discussed various community events, including the upcoming Lake Wallace Fall Fest and a one-day liquor license for McCarthy's Pub during the fair weekend. The largest part of the meeting addressed the financial challenges faced by the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust, with discussions on rate increases and the need for contingency plans. This meeting was attended by members of the School Committee and the Finance Committee who also asked questions and voiced their concerns. The board addressed the importance of timely communication and documentation for Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust meetings, emphasizing the need for a policy regarding the handling of proclamations and public requests, particularly those related to political issues.

The August 18th Belchertown Select Board meeting addressed several community concerns and updates. Highlights included public comments about accessibility at town events, health insurance budget issues, and school funding decisions. The board approved minutes, signed grants for local projects, and adopted the Complete Streets Policy to improve town transportation options. Discussions covered branding guidelines for the town logo and seal, economic development goals, health insurance impacts, committee appointments, and preparations for upcoming town fair events. The meeting also featured an overview of progress on technology, infrastructure, and HR policies, with a focus on transparency, community engagement, and ensuring residents’ voices are heard in both public comments and ongoing town initiatives.