[{"_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",5976287,"mediaKeyId","5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d","parentId",5843102,"title","Select Board hears health director resignation; police chief finalist assessment scheduled","audioSeconds",52,"startMs",3434000,"endMs",3486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d&start=3434&end=3486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d/thumbnail_3434000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976287/Massachusetts/Select-Board-hears-health-director-resignation-police-chief-finalist-assessment-scheduled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976287-b2d72817063d120b46e8894f13dbe143/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799168&Signature=RfH7VAVqgqxdfbmTEudi4wu2L6cHZRw34O6GimQDhUS~jz6c3DSv9V~Pi~K68lW2b0XLXIc98IjKFEVgjTm6XYYo1GdpQMAf6fLWS-zE2KdeVXm5cvXPf6RyH1MNkfuyLMtfOJOxMjqz~A~L3C68BMocVLAJ76-voQr7~lLMaOo6gk4tY7eEsBfKVMavpE14ZfcuZ-w8m7e66HGSQHMFZqQWedAs9IZeQySohWzUUrjuyVIX~k9Y~iefVpb1m6wS9-Rdj0u-Fo4Kw72JZ8HzJTi3aI2JAIjIASCIlGPeHOjiCVqmvVzqtDCFYF0ac9T9eSNARHx9mE1GECSz1hmXUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-09-23T13:39:30Z","article","The Hamden Select Board announced the resignation of the town’s health director, identified in the meeting as Finn, with an effective date in October, and discussed next steps for filling the position.

Select Board member Brian told the board the health director had submitted a resignation effective in October. “A tremendous loss,” a board member said, and the board noted the director may pursue a position elsewhere.

The board also discussed the police-chief recruitment. Members said a consultant-led assessment center for the final four candidates is scheduled for the following morning; the consultant is expected to provide ranking or scores for the candidates and to recommend finalists. Board members said they anticipate receiving the consultant’s recommendation and then deciding whether to invite two or more candidates for town interviews. One member suggested preparing a standardized interview scorecard so all board members evaluate finalists on the same criteria.

No formal hiring decisions were made at the meeting. The board asked staff to obtain the consultant’s scoring and to schedule public interviews for finalists as appropriate.

Residents seeking information on job postings or how to apply can contact the town administrator’s office for current vacancy notices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Selectboard (September 22, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The board announced the resignation of the town’s health director, discussed the consultant-led assessment center for police-chief finalists scheduled the next day, and outlined next steps for ranking and interviewing candidates.","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},5976292,"Select Board declares 90 student desks surplus, offers them to school district",109,2346000,2455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d&start=2346&end=2455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d/thumbnail_2346000.jpg","/articles/5976292/Massachusetts/Select-Board-declares-90-student-desks-surplus-offers-them-to-school-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976292-1a53732622efe28f1ea12075afb3f3c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799168&Signature=SsDHDq8AefdtXKrw5W-Y1KHx~cK1q~5AxT4GDznyNdRS9oL4c2DV8VXrwwMjK8yuWspsqy9uWZyBBnBIgqO2jOElV7ezJR0ZzNFgKBLVZGGXYyW826jpXZjncjAp8Er~ohmMRv50lT8hBtT9BHyK6kUindDqzl32F7BlDuyKgowz34S5~GwA3OR~ufokoQYu1UIc4NOmizI5BVgE4P44-BaLBqkfh8RSH1vvbkX0FIFLBdRvqpHMtGgb6aqiBbQO~zfCoiZ62JIDiFMyiwnR0jsShs0ER80xHJFTGIVAaK0ZMIQQ5NaKJl~ppqPGICRbF-tWwW2M0CU2sPQh0NTp7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hamden Select Board declared roughly 90 student desks surplus inventory and directed staff to offer the desks to the school district first, then to list them for sale as a single municipal lot if the district declines.

A board member said the desks are located in three classrooms and in park-and-recreation storage; the motion asked that the town first offer the desks to the school district. If the district does not want the desks, staff will place the lot on the municipal auction/surplus list for potential buyers to claim.

Board members noted the remainder of the school’s used furniture inventory comprises miscellaneous desks, office chairs and other items; they discussed a potential site visit to confirm if additional surplus items exist. The board approved the surplus declaration by voice vote and directed staff to coordinate pickup or disposal arrangements and avoid incurring disposal costs where feasible.

Residents or district staff with interest in the desks should contact the town’s parks and recreation office or the town clerk.","The Select Board authorized surplus disposition of approximately 90 student desks removed from the closed Thornton/W Burgess School and directed staff to offer them first to the school district, then to auction or list them if the district declines.",{"_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},5976297,"Select Board reviews conversion plan for new town hall; asbestos abatement, security and IT work outlined",376,2529000,2905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d&start=2529&end=2905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d/thumbnail_2529000.jpg","/articles/5976297/Massachusetts/Select-Board-reviews-conversion-plan-for-new-town-hall-asbestos-abatement-security-and-IT-work-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976297-1a0cf93a790ec3e304c5d21554c57d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799168&Signature=bF-EbmFdRDRwiYEZdvjfLDaLGNhgxrQmDl24cCJqVymkEhE63cd1e4Xpvm0I1Hq4DdiXbuIi60BPT5yCw92jPZ3ASbsm4iwBw4nMgT4o1T~fPzr-ZmxDQhysdaF8uatx1FQ4y77SaYyxKrlUrjV1BMnAP12y2sz-wfKeI-MijYL5Mb9tcnHuprX8FwNsrOIhGrArtuisTmIuI0QKicZH1zn2iblBWVWM~SntgK9NIri41vj1D3gxAQ2DQhkIfekW72eFIUzfIw6KRknGpAam34ppJlQnqNW3G2kl3jF5D4TEfurOaCo46fS2hZ89gafS51yX-Kg~Tao4qodK6nSJMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hamden Select Board reviewed progress on converting the former school building into the town’s new municipal offices, with staff reporting asbestos abatement, flooring, security and IT upgrades are moving forward.

Facilities staff said asbestos abatement for five classrooms has been scheduled and was awarded to a local contractor; the work is set to begin Oct. 13 and is expected to take roughly a week. “Those tiles are coming up by themselves,” a staff member said, describing the contractor’s assessment. After abatement, the town plans to install new flooring under a Mass Higher Education Commission (MHEC) procurement contract and replace ceiling tiles that no longer meet fire-rating standards.

The board discussed electronic access-control doors and security-camera installations. Staff presented a vendor quote for eight electronic doors (approximately $40,000 total) and said constructing a temporary wall to limit access could reduce that expense. The town has a $90,000 state earmark intended to cover cameras and door locks that is currently on hold; staff reported administration and finance indicated the town could proceed with the work in advance, and the state would later reimburse the town if the earmark is released.

IT upgrades and enhanced Wi-Fi throughout occupied spaces were reported as purchased and scheduled to start; staff said switches and Wi-Fi deployment would begin the next day. Other tasks on the conversion list included replacing damaged ceiling tiles, adding interior temporary signage before permanent signs are installed, arranging dumpster and recycling service, and completing portable fire-extinguisher inspections.

Facilities staff said the town is targeting a mid-November move-in date, contingent on completing access-control and abatement work. The Select Board asked staff to prioritize getting the access-control doors and asbestos abatement completed before the move. The board also discussed potential expansion of camera coverage at other municipal facilities, including the senior center and the transfer station, and noted the cameras could aid incident investigations.

The board did not take any formal vote on construction contracts at the meeting; members asked staff to return with final bids, written confirmation on the state earmark reimbursement and timelines for completion.

Residents and groups seeking details on the conversion schedule or potential temporary disruptions can contact the town administrator’s office.","The board reviewed the schedule and costs for converting the former school into town offices, including asbestos abatement scheduled for Oct. 13, proposed electronic door locks and security cameras tied to a $90,000 state earmark on hold, and an anticipated mid-November move date.",{"_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},5976300,"Select Board closes warrant for Oct. 27 special town meeting; members debate start time and several funding articles",1490,725000,2215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d&start=725&end=2215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d/thumbnail_725000.jpg","/articles/5976300/Massachusetts/Select-Board-closes-warrant-for-Oct-27-special-town-meeting-members-debate-start-time-and-several-funding-articles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976300-ebfbde5a3d8bca50d59655a3dcd38c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799168&Signature=L-Nxj-F6UnmiW4rguNp3Ma5PoUDlYtq6AsJg4Lm974Hn9sORxuZN-TwJKs4fFc-1tWFC58mvVSAE0Eq77c9BAGwLAHVPEj3g6oOFdNpsucb3exeICDKxy6hFFqa2VEOPfgvjbPTnFBc6m42Zg9nJff5XEt6YZDrDu5Ws3v8Kdadft3KCWWdYP7iBAvnuK0FXFspe9T-Yv4DqKkDxu9ysAKsRq3kR~CHcKBAnYgi7GQ1~usEr~~UtQzvGVJfQRQATll~9uAbOq~S4cKwblE15FQ0nC1Fe6gAN8S9tEbjjMkRFa8VhLCkUxVgIuGsLTpgj8S-4gfPLqVDVJbWim3FSVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hamden Select Board voted to close the warrant for a special town meeting scheduled for Oct. 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The board discussed adding a warrant article to change the start time of the annual town meeting and reviewed draft articles that will appear on the special meeting warrant.

Select Board members debated whether to propose moving the annual town meeting start time and agreed to place a proposed bylaw amendment on the special-warrant agenda for public discussion. “If we don’t do it now, it’s a year-long thing,” one member said, arguing a change would take effect only after the town’s schedule process. Board members expressed mixed views about earlier starts and noted the consent agenda can shorten the evening.

The board reviewed a series of funding requests that will appear on the warrant. Items discussed include:
- Senior-center operating shortfall: board members said a lost state grant of roughly $7,500 will create a shortfall; the warrant contains either a direct appropriation or a proposal to repurpose existing appropriations or transfers to cover the gap.
- Facilities and personnel adjustments: members noted a restoration of a full-time facilities-manager salary and some unbudgeted insurance payouts tied to an unexpected retirement; one participant said departments and advisory had previously discussed budget latitude to cover benefit changes.
- HVAC replacement at town/town-hall facilities: contractors’ preliminary ballpark estimates were discussed; board members cited a working figure in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars and said $250,000 was a likely planning estimate for the HVAC replacement, though exact bids were not yet available.
- Transfer-station electrical and signage: the board discussed a $12,500 estimate to run power to a shed at the transfer station, described in the meeting as roughly $10,000 for electrical work plus $2,500 for signage.
- Vehicle and equipment requests: the warrant includes money requested for a police vehicle (the interim police chief proposed choices including an interceptor SUV and a truck), a highway loader discussed at roughly $175,000, and a parks pickup truck estimated at $20,000.
- Cemetery turnaround and CPA funds: the cemetery commission has requested Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to build a cul-de-sac/turnaround in the older section of the cemetery; board members asked the town administrator to confirm whether CPA funds can be used for construction versus historical-conservation work and noted a state grant opportunity that could cover open-space study costs.
- Lodging excise: the board reviewed the state lodging excise (cited as Chapter 64G, Section 3A) and discussed adopting the local option; members noted the statutory maximum is commonly 6 percent and that the tax is collected by lodging providers and remitted with sales/use tax filings.

Board members also reviewed standard warrant housekeeping items including transfers from free cash and stabilization to reduce the tax rate and other routine financial transfers. The Select Board moved to close the warrant with the amended list of articles and placeholders for additional HVAC and repurposing requests; the motion was seconded and the board approved closing the warrant.

Members asked staff to investigate funding alternatives (unused appropriations, enterprise fund implications and grant opportunities) and to confirm legal constraints for CPA spending prior to the advisory hearing.

The special town meeting warrant and supporting materials will be posted with the town clerk’s office and advisory committee prior to the Oct. 27 meeting.","The Select Board set the special town meeting for Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m., closed the warrant and discussed key articles including a senior-center grant shortfall, HVAC replacement estimates, transfer-station electrical work, vehicle purchases and a proposed lodging excise tax.",{"_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},5976304,"Select Board approves motor-vehicle seller license for Big Dan’s Power Sports",405,256000,661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d&start=256&end=661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843102-c280e0d779a572e9d29b68a185a7de1d/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/5976304/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-motor-vehicle-seller-license-for-Big-Dans-Power-Sports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976304-495fa40b4dfae67c032aa5c8ce270d23/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799168&Signature=cvNtlbl7JtDmIKWab~BaK19cuWqA-wCihlBwvU0SQKFxReGlM2AOYn5wNWmymaglfzSlmZ3zHOHbsGowSqLrcTMPwWRDetmVFk770WlkvbGPCE6lAXo1EzhYEqzOuIZYBolVqNEwLl-MoR-Ux1dny2rsnldWpmalf39XSpNT0zkaIx3l2MewRzpHO9EcRBTl8rm4THJetEDcqnKwaxhKYu8KxHg2IGiTXs0Ci9YyKEOIg91AmkY4oBDAy940FCE5MoG1sUFcAHHsqdDzPslCeX3gKNa59CuBoEQVbVuJCWUcdHgLGQawURSGSyj4fuLkywsTQrB-U2V~erL5pXzPeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hamden Select Board approved a motor-vehicle seller license for Big Dan’s Power Sports, a proposed motorcycle sales and parts business at the former hardware store on Main Street. The board voted to grant the license after hearing from the applicant, who described the planned use and operations.

Dave Dusalt, a Hamden resident and the applicant, told the Select Board he plans to operate the one-person business with most sales online and limited in-person transactions. Dusalt said he will not offer test drives and will not seek a dealer plate; he described parking at the rear of the building and said any motorcycles displayed outside would be limited to daytime placement in front of the doors. “I’m not looking for a dealer plate,” Dusalt said. “No test drives.”

The board noted the change of use to a retail business had already received planning-board approval with no additional conditions beyond the standard requirements for the business district. Dusalt said the upstairs space is used twice daily by a childcare program for short periods and that his work would produce less noise than current activity in that room.

The Select Board took a voice vote to approve the license; a motion to grant the license was made, seconded and approved. The board advised Dusalt that assessors will visit the property; Dusalt presented a payment during the meeting and received the license paperwork on the spot.

The applicant said operating hours will generally be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with most Sundays closed, and that he will sell parts and accessories and will provide service when required because he is factory-trained by the manufacturer. He told the board he intends to add a small sign at the building’s front and that lighting and parking would rely on existing infrastructure in the rear lot.

The board did not attach specific conditions to the license during the vote. Any future compliance issues or permit requirements would be addressed under the town’s licensing and zoning rules.

Community members may contact the town clerk’s office for the license file or to review planning-board records related to the change-of-use approval.","The Hamden Select Board voted to grant a motor-vehicle seller license to Big Dan’s Power Sports, a proposed motorcycle and parts retailer at the former Main Street hardware store, after the applicant described hours, parking and restrictions on test drives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board hears health director resignation; police chief finalist assessment scheduled

Select Board declares 90 student desks surplus, offers them to school district

Select Board reviews conversion plan for new town hall; asbestos abatement, security and IT work outlined

Select Board closes warrant for Oct. 27 special town meeting; members debate start time and several funding articles

Select Board approves motor-vehicle seller license for Big Dan’s Power Sports