[{"_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",6241228,"mediaKeyId","3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a","parentId",3307701,"title","Hamden approves FY2026 operating budget as advisory committee recommended; residents press concern over county retirement shortfall","audioSeconds",1133,"startMs",1217000,"endMs",2350000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a&start=1217&end=2350","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a/thumbnail_1217000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241228/Massachusetts/Hamden-approves-FY2026-operating-budget-as-advisory-committee-recommended-residents-press-concern-over-county-retirement-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241228-1b13d2e160b9ace323dce220147d0345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771027713&Signature=OuGc0EGj17s7Liu162dyhIsGt~Tr2UaijT0M-2~zWMKUoV-7r9xKAUd9162vb8oFXyt5gU4gE5bUp0KQIDPEA1VEOKGDd8vmTDELUvMjNGwgt9n3qCJuaXrr3k22heOY0JISAFbpmZpGojAprk-nwz4YoSxZQk6GGyzOgWrc3egcp-eDhW2YJAeVvBS4JJ6bvatqXzTxsG1kRajW5J6uOacJbJ~dFVuSUSlSjI647Kz-XPdx8x-eAVaSDzCiVZVcTuANv4iejyHNMv~PHgjZ1a8JIxUk~gotdTdjQviLictyIJL0reVaOdT8B7VJKU1I2o~tuQAyAz5tDDlLPAF0xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-05-15T00:37:56.533Z","article","Hamden town meeting voted to adopt the fiscal year 2026 operating budget as recommended by the advisory committee: $17,782,070 recommended versus $17,812,070 requested by departments.

Doug Boyd, speaking for the advisory committee, described the budget as essentially a level-service plan that includes a recommended 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for non-union staff, a proposed part-time facilities manager position and additional assessor staffing hours. Advisory reported a stabilization account balance of approximately $1,270,000 and estimated excess levy capacity near $1,300,000; advisory described the operating increase as about $1.2 million, roughly a 7.3% increase in operating expenses before offsetting uses of free cash or stabilization.

Several residents asked detailed questions about large line items. A citizen asked about the county retirement assessment of roughly $926,000 appearing in the town budget and whether that amount was intended to reduce the retirement system's unfunded liability. In response (town staff and advisory), officials said the assessment is an actuarial assessment from the Hampden County Retirement Board based on the town's payroll. They noted the retirement system is underfunded and that the state has imposed surcharges and a schedule to address the liability over time; one resident said the county retirement system is funded at about 54% and required catch-up payments are being phased in through the statutory schedule.

The budget motion carried by majority vote after advisory’s favorable recommendation; the moderator noted the town meeting remains the town’s principal budgetary decision-making body and encouraged continued civic participation.

Background: advisory said the recommended budget is level service except for the specific new staffing changes and the proposed 2.5% COLA for non-union staff. The budget vote included standard appropriations across general government, public safety, schools and capital lines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hampden, Massachusetts","oneSentenceSummary","Town meeting approved the advisory committee’s recommended FY2026 operating budget, $17,782,070, after a presentation of line-item totals and a discussion of a large county retirement assessment.","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},6241238,"Hamden voters clear debt-exclusion question to fund $8.3 million fire station project; ballot vote next",1529,5497000,7026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a&start=5497&end=7026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a/thumbnail_5497000.jpg","/articles/6241238/Massachusetts/Hamden-voters-clear-debt-exclusion-question-to-fund-83-million-fire-station-project-ballot-vote-next","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241238-01e862189a045c8d274e52abff9d91b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771027713&Signature=T30dY6AFl4BHAk4WrWmM8HTe1duZTBTYgwwEu5CFvWFIULlQRSTnS~dsWTvh2mLG5zrBWZsCFxt7J3Rc9qYmOEoR9uu0UbRxTxTrWDsy6NpE~So~CeJ82K5R5O7CzVPx8HO29qEXg1Kowt6jks6MMas-PL65jRbRte81jPIluK4UoN27wbbKMXr9Lew1i9F4Ll~dnhhMya057S4ySi4MHZ-AUv3k9~0Eea7truSGdurQaICN8gI~mQoDCD4yJSxWyvdwDsoFqMuuGnX5dDTc-bvjJXKG2QpwXctNZ~~tmlqABJMNQkfGu6p-fIeZjgsUacmYFtXEYPU~20RLOXBGmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hamden voters at their annual town meeting voted to send a question to the ballot that would allow the town to borrow $8,300,000 to renovate and expand the town’s single fire station on North Road.

Supporters said the 1964-era building is undersized for modern fire apparatus and lacks separate decontamination space, training capacity and ADA-compliant facilities. The select board and the volunteer fire department asked voters to approve a debt-exclusion ballot measure on June 23 that would fund construction if the ballot question passes.

Planning the project grew out of condition studies completed in 2020 and a follow-up design process. Building committee chair Mark Barba told town meeting, “We have one station in town. … Our current station is about 5,000 square feet” and that modern engines and tankers no longer fit the bays safely. He said the proposal would add roughly 5,000 square feet of usable space, create a dedicated decontamination area, expand training and administrative space, and include site work such as a relocated driveway and a cistern for firefighting water.

The building committee presented an estimated project cost of $7.9 million in current construction dollars and explained an escalation allowance that brings the total borrowing request to $8.3 million. The town treasurer summarized likely debt-service scenarios and their tax effects, saying that, depending on interest rates, “annual payments should be between $644,000 and $873,000,” and projecting a first-year tax-rate impact in the range of about 4.3% to 5.9%, or roughly $275 to $375 on the average single-family tax bill of $6,400 under the assumptions presented.

Supporters emphasized firefighter safety and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining volunteers without modern facilities. Former career firefighter Eric Madison, who said he teaches at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, urged passage: “We need to provide them with the proper facilities.” Opponents and some residents pressed for more detail about site impacts, abutter outreach and long-term operating costs.

Procedurally the article required a two-thirds vote at town meeting to appear on the June ballot. Town meeting members voted to proceed by paper ballot (an earlier motion for a secret ballot failed) and then approved the two-thirds threshold. The article will appear on the June 23 special election ballot for final voter approval; work cannot begin until both the town-meeting and ballot approvals are obtained and financing is arranged.

If the ballot question passes, the building committee said construction would begin after final design and permitting; the project team estimated a 20-year bond would be used to retire the debt with level principal payments. Town officials stressed the proposal is contingent on the separate ballot vote and that the town will provide updated cost and financing figures as plans advance.

Background: past condition assessments and two architectural studies produced alternatives ranging from targeted renovations to fully new construction. The current plan keeps the station at 19 North Road and adds bays and support space intended to meet operational needs for decades.","Hamden voters at annual town meeting voted to send an $8.3 million borrowing question to the June ballot to renovate and expand the town’s lone fire station, citing cramped bays, no dedicated decontamination space and inadequate training and administrative area.",{"_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},6241233,"Select board wins permission to repurpose Thornton W. Burgess School; moving and renovation funds approved",1459,3134000,4593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a&start=3134&end=4593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a/thumbnail_3134000.jpg","/articles/6241233/Massachusetts/Select-board-wins-permission-to-repurpose-Thornton-W-Burgess-School-moving-and-renovation-funds-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241233-3dce1d6b31d7273256ea285559fb355c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771027713&Signature=BMsRU85yFmw~XAgk0~~UoBAov~1K7opdyz5wW7zafDacfm023FU8IaS3yd6ENAs3DCnhjJhI0FuE6Sa6VN1CkJnAY91osqyuGRQIVmCuZ95q0HeFr0MMXSW8maoGPm20XOuCiy6r-ypNBUIrG98N3N6UL54-zTmVje~LhIHN5~6WNhIfG7WyQBcI1tbqknIBZTiIbYQbgtC1WpPxGFsnkjDKNVgdm-neXg0onbX6a3OYKPt0eZJQLbomFmEszOJKGyoM3A6Xdw8umtY44GWvzHriHysm1Hl5hTkfKA6grsvAZAtIM4QqPqOsR8UCcPsYW0NHe4AT0Dr3ZI7YMz~Jtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting members voted to change the legal use of the parcel that contains the former Thornton W. Burgess Middle School so the town may use the building for general municipal purposes, clearing the first legal hurdle to relocate town offices and the library to that site.

The article to change the parcel’s use to any lawful municipal purpose passed by the required two-thirds vote. Select board members said the school has been closed for several years and the town now owns the building; they argued moving administrative offices and the library to Thornton W. Burgess would solve long-standing space and accessibility problems at the current town hall and expand library and parks and recreation programming.

Town meeting then approved two separate spending articles tied to the plan: a $80,000 appropriation to move administrative furniture and library holdings and a $75,000 appropriation for initial repairs and renovations to bring the former school up to basic operational condition. Both votes passed (the move appropriation recorded as not unanimous). Select board members said the move funding covered relocation of furniture, shelving and setup; the renovation funds were described as initial work to make the building usable while longer-term design and construction funds would be considered later.

Speakers who opposed or urged caution at the use-change vote raised concerns about the town’s original use restriction on the parcel (the land was originally taken for school purposes), the potential loss of future options to re-open a school, and the expected long-term costs. Former select board member Mary Ellen Glover noted community attachments to the town hall and warned that repurposing Thornton Burgess removes one site that could be used for schools in the future. Select board members responded that returning the building to a certified school would require large capital investment (committee presentations cited renovation costs in the tens of millions to reopen as a school) and that the town must balance current space, ADA access and program needs.

Select board members said prior studies show renovating the current town hall to meet space and accessibility needs would cost roughly $7 million–$8 million and still not solve long-term capacity limits; they presented the school move as the most cost-effective near-term solution.

The change-of-use vote does not itself obligate the town to move but permits later action. Town officials said additional public review, design work and possible bond votes or other funding authorizations will precede any major renovation work.

Background: Thornton W. Burgess Middle School closed in 2017; the town negotiated the end of the lease and now owns the building. The select board and advisory committee recommended the change-of-use article and the initial funding measures presented to town meeting.","Town meeting approved changing the use of the former Thornton W. Burgess Middle School parcel, and voted to fund moving and initial repairs to allow relocation of town offices and the library. The zoning/use change passed by two-thirds; separate appropriations of $80,000 for moving and $75,000 for initial repairs also passed.",{"_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},6241219,"Town approves $140,000 for senior center roof, bathroom and septic repairs after scaled-back request",206,5190000,5396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a&start=5190&end=5396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a/thumbnail_5190000.jpg","/articles/6241219/Massachusetts/Town-approves-140000-for-senior-center-roof-bathroom-and-septic-repairs-after-scaled-back-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241219-a8e8242ab887473561bb3f138ab019df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771027713&Signature=XyX6b-6mnCNyAKzJjvXOu5ajb1qPrl49LdW7reSLD8CTcqZP5sYBVLh~wd~cZ4pTc5yTqZhk-5U6tIUrw-AJikwSXZMIKPyxKh~NY1~2zNeHgcQWV-OoGnn0usG8WL77zuvkOF4Itt2cc9D7YFZXPxn88CLZsejU8UsTgIGiRf2TcuRv2x8bt~PXWHKlPJLsVV6TFINnAxtlHgT9~5X-AOiARblHETMKkxvs9CPZ1D2dzdrjxWs3Jbqmnyn6Dwf66O8XLjNWqAqXAV6td9Z2qZzj8~EnoVc5j0vjDZzSKrPMsAVmaxPRRSx9jzWkRKNkG0R8DhK00hshO--SThPmbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting approved a $140,000 appropriation to replace the roof and upgrade bathrooms and perform minor septic work at the Hamden Senior Center at 104 Allen Street.

The senior-center building committee had earlier proposed a larger package of work that included window replacement and other upgrades but reduced the current request after consulting with the select board and advisory committee to reflect tight town finances. Committee members said window replacement remains necessary but that they will pursue grant funding and bring a future article back to town meeting for that scope.

Gary Wehner, representing the senior-center building committee, summarized estimates solicited from contractors and said the $140,000 request focuses on roof replacement, bathroom upgrades and septic items identified in a Title V inspection. Advisory recommended favorable action, and the article passed by majority vote with the meeting recording the outcome as unanimous.

Committee members said the phased approach preserves priorities while giving time to seek external grants for windows and HVAC improvements. Officials asked the senior-center committee to report back on any grant awards or further capital requests.","After scaling back a prior multi-item warrant, town meeting approved $140,000 to replace the senior center roof and upgrade bathrooms and septic work. The senior center building committee removed window replacement from this request to pursue grants, and advisory recommended favorable action.",{"_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},6241223,"Hamden adds zoning rules for battery energy storage systems; bylaw clears two-thirds vote",1057,8952000,10009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a&start=8952&end=10009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307701-f36aa1be287c1f6d2e7b8d783b70f05a/thumbnail_8952000.jpg","/articles/6241223/Massachusetts/Hamden-adds-zoning-rules-for-battery-energy-storage-systems-bylaw-clears-two-thirds-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241223-33bc4f6659ed0bc7ba00191af42ed7a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771027713&Signature=WW346BLG4xDV4wmWFxDv1bbaVXVOS9BbWLrN1qKNqvcoiak~h~uPeeN9MPpAe3r0u3HqhuQqz41HNyVzaCxI-Te4mTGf0DX7wt0WstTngM6aK67Ua~GqpC4NxNEVlc7ZAs58sdwry--ygzkCfH-lsMVO1LLFGnpMX04OLDQXvFsfeo6ciTmWhrQOpbG-Bq~kE9cJz32qAlpzEUAOwpAPwCchqQYYN5-cUzu2P0fABc0cxyjXqsctgz4nX~FjZuE2sfvRnihE3TeBV6KzxYr9bzbHjGDiRHXSC80uMagwM8kv13e4wBmlAqP~QaQ-Q~ADmOblceBMBbRiR2ahHn3L8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting adopted a bylaw to regulate battery energy storage systems (BESS) within Hamden, adding local permitting standards intended to protect drinking water, habitats and scenic resources and to require financial assurance for decommissioning.

The planning board recommended favorable action after a public hearing and presented a three-page report describing public-safety and environmental concerns associated with large lithium-ion installations. That report, read into the record, cited studies showing that thermal-runaway fires in large battery arrays produce complex runoff and airborne contaminants and that firefighting water can carry metals and other compounds into soils and groundwater.

The new bylaw classifies BESS into tiers and sets standards on siting, monitoring, sound, visual buffers, stormwater and decommissioning plans. Several residents and the planning board emphasized Hamden’s reliance on private wells, significant forested and conservation land, and wildlife habitat, asking the town to build reasonable local protections into the zoning. Planning-board members and several residents said the bylaw is intended to provide local safeguards while remaining consistent with state law.

Proponents argued that adopting the bylaw gives the town regulatory tools to require site-specific mitigation, monitoring and financial assurance; opponents expressed concerns about the state-level permitting framework but planners and town counsel explained that without a local bylaw, state rules would govern and the town would have fewer options to address local conditions.

The article passed by the required two-thirds vote. Planning board members noted the bylaw and the planning-board report will be submitted to the attorney general as part of the standard local zoning-adoption process.

Background: the planning-board report referenced recent technical literature on battery-fire runoff and emphasized protecting aquifers and habitat in a town with many private wells and significant forested acreage.","Town meeting adopted a new zoning bylaw regulating battery energy storage systems to add local standards for siting, decommissioning, water protection and monitoring. The planning board and advisory committee recommended the measure and it was read into the record before a successful two-thirds vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hamden approves FY2026 operating budget as advisory committee recommended; residents press concern over county retirement shortfall

Hamden voters clear debt-exclusion question to fund $8.3 million fire station project; ballot vote next

Select board wins permission to repurpose Thornton W. Burgess School; moving and renovation funds approved

Town approves $140,000 for senior center roof, bathroom and septic repairs after scaled-back request

Hamden adds zoning rules for battery energy storage systems; bylaw clears two-thirds vote