[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6120593,"mediaKeyId","2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286","parentId",2707057,"title","Select Board authorizes town administrator to offer Board of Health coordinator job after interviews","audioSeconds",145,"startMs",4751000,"endMs",4896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286&start=4751&end=4896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286/thumbnail_4751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120593/Massachusetts/Select-Board-authorizes-town-administrator-to-offer-Board-of-Health-coordinator-job-after-interviews","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120593-143553cb34fde10eba4015289753dcb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557426&Signature=kLRyGP8wuS5UWzRTaNN0IjSqbly8iwDnUophSTTzoneyXRszPrZDoqq3OxaQ2MgqEn8Lywxy~ESEiIrFhPRn4p7iEPM0Qhpg388u5JCknOPLOJHXV8x3YG-9xayM5iA7v-T2WVsCLWDKBh7bj4yJru-UKFhMRTeNTm36G8TNrZeR~NewwE23~GT-RbVppn3EIukm0NRYyoDEtN2~JX3gnciPmQ38ibxYULcbdy30U-7tw0~7BDpkqEl6r82EA162a4XG6AAx57OiYRioZP0dq2lSlKzYwx8-fc8QgfcXusTN7gelU63oNztXHU5eOyjMC-~XioCaj8Xw5RrIOxXQ9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Select Board on March 17 authorized the town administrator to offer the Board of Health coordinator position to the finalist selected after in‑person interviews.

Town staff said they received six applications, conducted interviews and identified a preferred candidate. The board moved that the town administrator make the formal offer; members recorded no objections and approved the motion by voice vote.

In the same discussion the board considered combining the water district clerk function with the board of health coordinator role to create a 35‑hour position to handle clerical and customer‑service demands as the water district grows. Members noted that water‑related tasks currently require only a few hours a week but could increase as new customers are added; they asked the administrator to budget the position at 35 hours if appropriate.

The board directed the administrator to proceed with the offer and to coordinate start timing with the incumbent’s retirement and onboarding plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hampden, MA: Selectboard (March 17, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","After interviews, the Select Board authorized the town administrator to offer a Board of Health coordinator position to the chosen candidate and discussed combining the water district clerk duties into a 35‑hour health coordinator role to cover clerical needs.","taxTitle","Town of Hampden, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",66345,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120598,"Select Board narrows warrant: removes one highway article, defers some capital items and seeks clearer veterans exemption language",882,3494000,4376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286&start=3494&end=4376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286/thumbnail_3494000.jpg","/articles/6120598/Massachusetts/Select-Board-narrows-warrant-removes-one-highway-article-defers-some-capital-items-and-seeks-clearer-veterans-exemption-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120598-f5e204ea544b29e86055e4b962871e00/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557426&Signature=YyVOHqcC9yWAOutVD3rr~uDo4UkGkBGIQx73vLvjcRr~JHzlbdVTdnqAkEQ1WTvJnpNAafLHq5HV7rPVcEqmQoQXockViE9LHv2hRZjLQr2oGxs6VV7rSTiDS7VcWhSYUAFtbbDO29uU158ZgySfgkPoQHBiY2t~qX5a--8pAWJnlgscmBONloSvNNK9k1jr0L4rzaBRosu663hL8as3Bo0UVDI7Qkilvvfcrkv3cLKGoUvCgsHLtlB5OmmoJwwsAg7e4~Kcr1Qka5NNmzzkmLY75tY8nfbZfPwUMeXPJXlzyuy3V2qWEx4Pjnhyf42C3iMG5YJr9BJrdEApyAaBTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board on March 17 moved to adjust the draft annual warrant ahead of the April town election, removing one article and asking for clearer language on others.

Board members voted to remove article 17 (a highway department capital purchase) from the warrant and debated article 18 (a Park and Recreation equipment request). Several members said they could not endorse article 18 without cost quotes; the board asked staff to obtain firm numbers and deferred a final decision to the next meeting.

Members discussed a veterans’ property‑tax exemption placement on the warrant and asked that the final article phrase the measure in clear statutory terms so residents understand whether the figure refers to a percentage of the tax bill or to an exemption cap. The board said staff should include an explanatory note to make the intent clear to voters.

The board also reviewed other proposed capital and school articles, asked departments for final cost estimates so advisory can hold its hearing on April 14 (printing deadlines require final language by early April), and agreed to reopen the warrant briefly to add an article related to a landfill solar lease amendment.

Board members emphasized fiscal caution on high‑cost items and said they would remove or delay articles they could not support in this budget cycle.","As the board finalized the annual town warrant, members removed article 17 (highway purchase) from the warrant, debated article 18 (a park/rec request) and asked staff to clarify veterans’ tax‑exemption language for voters. The board also set deadlines for printing and review ahead of the April election.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120603,"Water test over limit at 48 Scantec Road prompts planned hookup and water commission turnover",239,2696000,2935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286&start=2696&end=2935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286/thumbnail_2696000.jpg","/articles/6120603/Massachusetts/Water-test-over-limit-at-48-Scantec-Road-prompts-planned-hookup-and-water-commission-turnover","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120603-c96efb4b512a4a504721639a482f1b06/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557426&Signature=IwksgX0S-KAN5nvDai5NY6dD0p~TBau6edxO0gGuye1EGvLpB5vyLI42iXmYuk0nYATcnvXVdJXOMY0vvoQBLSTxc44lWXTn3iDj-5-gcGw9YFdXb7h~2lUrilewHHGm7qeP~UuxdIU3-QK~KJKAeDMmEtGdBQlHVzYF5bRZtW1Ff8NbKXfq~6SV6j3AKJYvVGdGoJh9rlpvDux0nJfnIpmpEaGDVgXQBAH0ETS~19JMCtvXyQq1CUXQxEY50-9JfohEn7Oa4O0kBRPIIa0jA8J5Qg5f0LeyofAkmkzXfIHt5EX3~gz-IIvKDZIa6HGdNlsjYJQppW5R87R3b1A-fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board received a report March 17 that routine water testing at 48 Scantec Road exceeded a mandated limit and that the town must act to bring the supply into compliance.

Officials told the board the options include hooking the affected property into an awarded bid for a corrective connection or providing individual solutions similar to prior cases. Staff said they were awaiting a contractor quote and noted procurement rules could apply depending on the price: if the required work falls between certain dollar thresholds it would require multiple quotes, while larger procurements call for formal written responses (the discussion referenced the town’s procurement thresholds and the need to follow them when obtaining quotes).

The water commission will work with the town administrator and the water operator to review quotes and determine the procurement path. Board members also discussed buying a spare water meter for future use.

Separately, the board accepted the resignation of Craig from the Water Commission, thanked him for service including test‑pit work, and voted to accept the resignation. The board asked staff to advertise the vacancy.","Town officials reported elevated test results at 48 Scantec Road and discussed options to correct the exceedance, including a town‑level hookup or individual remedies. The board accepted a resignation from a water commissioner and discussed advertising for a replacement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120607,"Select Board adopts updated permit fee list, asks administrator to allow small additions",373,523000,896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286&start=523&end=896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6120607/Massachusetts/Select-Board-adopts-updated-permit-fee-list-asks-administrator-to-allow-small-additions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120607-8210bb35c9d984653adee1374a8c16da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557426&Signature=QOjheJYuOOobZSz6g-hGAMzNISkT7WYGmirytvl-9AMJW2jGiGyMScqIolqZINdr7XFBKkTbzvWueRQsjfTHO64sUexuE4iJwKfGYrjoxSA1-MqBeCQ2tMMFMGkI2sy1Ax~ICLXrC10JQOIHpDcH3Lz3qt6q0ZiR~yTCSaNI62uCri9TzInRLzUWrVDakqmfgj6ylLxkbIQleoPo2vHMio0ojUd1jRv04BMsKRowFn0jql5QPDJGxhSp~ZKuXcaj9iot3FNEZl5cVBNx01CdcGY5g9prlosHInIc~OCDVQcC4TGLUuX0dG-YvPbE9tEqjpvu5KSV2j25iLgkrxaI6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hampden Select Board on March 17 approved an updated schedule of permit fees for building, fire and related inspections intended to reflect work the town currently performs and to add items that had been omitted from older lists.

Officials said many fees on the draft schedule already matched what staff charged in practice; the update formalizes fee amounts and makes them visible on the town website so applicants can find and pay fees consistently.

The board discussed several specific entries during the meeting, including the solar plan review fee (currently $60 regardless of system size), hot‑works permits (for on‑site welding or torch work), storage‑tank permits (including above‑ground tanks), smoke‑detector and propane‑tank inspections, and a modest fee cap the state imposes on certain inspection charges. One board member said the state limits some inspection fees to $50 and that anything above that amount requires accounting for actual costs.

After discussion the board approved the fee schedule and added a procedural amendment: additional fee items not listed may be submitted by the fire chief or building official to the town administrator for approval, recognizing the state cap constraints. The board approved the motion by voice vote; no numeric roll call was recorded in the transcript.

The town administrator and department heads were directed to publish the schedule on the town website and coordinate with the treasurer on receipt and accounting of collected fees.","The Select Board approved an updated schedule of building and safety permit fees, adding missing permit types and directing that the town administrator may approve additional minor fee items; state caps on inspection fees were discussed.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120612,"Select Board appoints probationary firefighter and reclassifies full‑time posts amid pay-scale review",784,216000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286&start=216&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707057-4e4848d33e4743a5336b140620358286/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6120612/Massachusetts/Select-Board-appoints-probationary-firefighter-and-reclassifies-fulltime-posts-amid-pay-scale-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120612-836c35186fbf28fffa45a056fd943de9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557426&Signature=YiRGexW5VWU9oQeBoUwzuKih8o99GKcigtzuzwjR-wlrHlaJvSqRyrfcSL2pk3vct5caDJbe~4LhMC1GVu~T2st~FQ3g2HJLWkmRrm2nUqA3H0PVazMihZYoNlHNvxynMus5HicNBUWEUsCkJ9J9cSTuYFdsgD-hNvnZN4BHJYP48Zk~G0zc0xA0fL16rBvvDKi~ICR6Stw~-yYCDJX5J03GT0ZHRKyLDhVtqLftXy~0iivoX0YefTf6TSyWECzDmCfEEfPb0wmERFNqcq8TsGPWz4jXhXMEpgdV2pdAD7Ya-Oj4tfYA2G~dVzP6Sf8n4bgran0~5522tJ6LeaNf4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hampden Select Board on March 17 appointed Kevin Bean as a probationary firefighter and took several personnel and pay‑classification actions for the fire department amid a review of rates tied to a prior Collins report.

The appointment followed a chief’s recommendation that Bean — a certified firefighter and paramedic who lives in town — meet the qualifications for a probationary hire. The board approved the appointment by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Board members spent the bulk of the meeting discussing where the new full‑time firefighter positions should sit on the town’s established grade‑and‑step chart, a framework produced after the 2021 Collins study. Members said the Collins report established recommended rates and that those rates have been escalated by annual cost‑of‑living adjustments in subsequent years.

After examining the printed charts, the board directed that the full‑time firefighter supervisor be classified as grade 5 (with the current holder placed at step 2 based on longevity) and that the regular full‑time firefighters be classified as grade 4, with individual step placements determined by years of service. The board also voted to make the fire department administrative assistant a grade 4, aligning that role with other department administrative assistants.

Separately, the board voted to increase the call‑in reimbursement paid to on‑call personnel by 2.5 percent but did not change the call‑budget line item at that time; members said the town could transfer funds if the line is overspent.

Board members and the fire chief discussed recruitment, cadet training arrangements with neighboring towns, and the town’s history of hiring part‑time and full‑time responders. Members emphasized they wanted to place the new positions on the official chart rather than leave them off as they had been previously.

The board authorized the town administrator to update the payroll columns and resubmit the adjusted figures to advisory for budget review.

Less critical budget and operational details — including whether hires could be credited for prior experience or start above step 1 — were left to personnel procedures and future administrative determinations.","The Select Board appointed Kevin Bean as a probationary firefighter, agreed to classify the department’s full‑time positions onto the town pay scale and raised the call reimbursement rate by 2.5%. The board also approved upgrading the fire department administrative assistant’s grade.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board authorizes town administrator to offer Board of Health coordinator job after interviews

Select Board narrows warrant: removes one highway article, defers some capital items and seeks clearer veterans exemption language

Water test over limit at 48 Scantec Road prompts planned hookup and water commission turnover

Select Board adopts updated permit fee list, asks administrator to allow small additions

Select Board appoints probationary firefighter and reclassifies full‑time posts amid pay-scale review