Deerfield Boards Unanimously Back Elm Street Easement Article Before Town Meeting

WHATELY — May 4, 2026 — Deerfield's Finance Committee and Select Board each voted unanimously to back an Elm Street easement article ahead of May 11 town meeting. The article, described by town staff member Christopher, would authorize the board to take private easements of up to 2,500 square feet along Elm Street — funded by up to $10,000 from grants or Chapter 90 — if Eversource refuses to relocate utility poles that would otherwise block ADA-compliant sidewalks under the town's Complete Streets project. A Finance Committee member identified as Margaret publicly stated she will not advocate for the South County EMS operating override on the warrant, citing sustainability concerns about using more than $500,000 in free cash for the recurring expense; passage of that override would cost the owner of an average Deerfield home — assessed at $467,172 — an additional $163.51 per year. Combined health insurance increases across town and school budgets total roughly $480,000 after the actual rate increase came in at 12.5 percent, down from a projected 20 percent. Two Finance Committee seats will be vacant after the May election.