Hudson Town Election to have override question: What money will pay for,

HUDSON — Town residents are set to vote on a nearly $4 million override in this year’s Town Election after the Select Board voted to put the matter on the ballot.

The Hudson Select Board approved a ballot question asking voters for a $3.95 million override to balance the budget. Residents will vote on the budget and the ballot question at the town’s May Annual Election.

Asked to comment, Hudson Executive Assistant Thomas Gregory directed the Daily News to a document that explains that the override is needed to plug the budget, which was balanced by one-time funds and the costs continuing to outpace revenues.

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“The Town of Hudson and the Hudson Public School budgets each have structural deficits as eachrely on one-time funds to balance the budget as opposed to solely relying on recurring revenuestreams,” the document reads. “In the post-pandemic economic environment, significant increases have been incurred in health insurance and general insurance premiums, utility expenses, and the costs of goods and services.”

The document continues stating that without an override the deficits will grow and service cuts will be required.

One local group, Together for Hudson, is campaigning in favor of the override. Tara Sagor, a member of Together for Hudson, explained that Hudson Public Schools is already losing 12 full-time positions next school year, along with two school buses being removed from the district’s fleet.

If approved, the override would increase property tax bills beginning July 1, the start of fiscal year 2026. If approved, the override would have an average increase of about $481 on top of the average $8,141 property tax bill. That’s based on the average single-home value in Hudson $586,519. The increase varies based on how much a home is assessed.

“But if it does not pass, we’re going to have to cut 55 additional positions,” Sagor told the Daily News. “We’re talking about reductions in core instructional staff and also the non-mandated staff which will impact the fine arts, specialist instructional coaches, nursing staff, and administrations in the building. It’s absolutely devastating.”

What is an override?

State law limits the total amount of property taxes that a city or town can assess each year. The total amount collected cannot increase by more than 2.5% annually, plus the impact of any new growth.

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However, residents can agree to “override” this limit by majority vote. The override enables a community to permanently increase its levy limit.

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Overrides are not uncommon in Massachusetts. In 2023, Hopedale voters approved a $1.35 million override to avoid the closure of the town’s library and senior center. Last June, Bellingham voters passed a $750,000 override to pay for the hiring of six additional paramedics for its fire department.

Along with Hudson, Natick is set to vote on an override this year, albeit larger. Natick voters are set to decide the fate of a $7 million override this month.

When is Hudson’s Town Meeting and Town Election

For Hudson’s override to take effect on July 1, the budget with the override (Budget B) must first be approved at Town Meeting in May. Then, a majority of voters will need to approve the budget at the May 12 Town Election.

If the ballot question fails, Budget A, which is the town’s budget without the override, will take effect on July 1.

Hudson Town Meeting is scheduled for May 5 and is an open Town Meeting, which means all registered voters can attend and on warrant questions. A week later is the town’s Annual Election.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Hudson Town Election to have override question: What money will fund

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