Hamden Town Meeting Approves Funding for Transfer Station and Town Office Relocation

The Town of Hampden, Massachusetts held a meeting on May 15, 2025, to discuss various financial appropriations and community initiatives. The meeting began with a motion to allocate funds for the transfer station, totaling $104,400 from the enterprise fund and $15,000 from the tax levy. The advisory committee recommended favorable action, and the motion passed unanimously. Acknowledgment was given to Jane Beninkwitz for her years of service at the transfer station upon her retirement, and Lori Dutton was welcomed as her successor.

Next, the town voted to take no action on Article 9 regarding funding for Hampden's 150th anniversary, which also passed unanimously. The discussion then shifted to the school resource officer, with a motion to raise $12,629 for fiscal year 2025, which was also approved unanimously.

The meeting continued with a motion to take no action on an unexpected bill, which passed unanimously. Article 12 proposed a local option for additional veterans' exemptions, which was approved unanimously after a favorable recommendation from the advisory committee.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the potential relocation of town offices to the former Thornton W. Burgess Middle School. The first motion aimed to change the land use designation from school purposes to general municipal purposes, which would require a two-thirds vote. This motion sparked considerable discussion, with concerns raised about the implications of changing the land's designated use and the future of the current town hall. Ultimately, the motion passed with a two-thirds majority.

Subsequent motions addressed the costs associated with moving the town offices and library to the new location, with $80,000 allocated for moving expenses and $75,000 for necessary renovations. Both motions received favorable recommendations from the advisory committee and passed with majority votes.

The meeting concluded with discussions on purchasing new lawnmowers for the highway and parks departments, each requiring $20,000. Both motions were approved after brief discussions regarding the necessity and budgeting for these purchases. Finally, a motion to raise $140,000 for repairs and renovations at the senior center was presented, focusing on urgent maintenance needs, which also received a favorable recommendation and passed.

Overall, the meeting addressed critical funding needs and community services, reflecting the town's commitment to maintaining and improving local facilities and services for residents.