Finance Committee approves $870K health insurance supplement, examines budget cuts
City Council - Finance Committee · Meeting of May 14, 2026
Easthampton Finance Committee unanimously approves $870,000 health insurance appropriation for May through July. The committee voted 3-0 to approve the supplement, covering costs at a lower rate after employees shifted to spouses' plans. Budget presentations by Police Chief Chad Alexander, Fire Chief Christopher Norris, Veterans Agent Thomas Geryk, and Council on Aging Director Cynthia Tarail outlined cuts if the FY 2027 budget passes without a municipal override: two junior police officers laid off, three junior firefighters terminated, night shift reduced to three officers, and van service hours cut from 1.0 to 0.875 FTE.
Employee health insurance costs have increased nearly 38 percent since 2025, driven by Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust decisions.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 309 words
Source: the City Council - Finance Committee meeting of May 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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