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Hampden Select Board approves transfer-station fee increases, appoints ZBA member
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Summary
At its April 13 meeting, the Town of Hampden Select Board voted to raise several transfer-station bag and permit fees and approved the appointment of Tom Addicks to the Zoning Board of Appeals; the board also granted liquor permits for upcoming senior-center events and set next steps on regional agreements.
The Town of Hampden Select Board voted April 13 to adopt a series of trash-bag and permit-fee increases recommended by the health board and to appoint a new member to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Don, a Select Board member, proposed raising large bag prices from $40 to $45 per roll and small bags from $20 to $25 per roll, along with adjustments to resident and senior permit fees and replacement charges. "I'm recommending we put in place 05/01/2026" for the bag fee change and the permit fee change effective July 1, Don said, citing rising disposal and fuel costs and an estimated FY27 contract near $90,000. The board moved to follow the health board's recommendation and approved the fee changes.
The board also voted to appoint Tom Addicks as a full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. After a motion and second, the board recorded unanimous approval; the appointment term will be determined by the appointing administrator after reviewing existing terms.
Other formal actions included approval of liquor permits for senior-center events: the senior-center volunteer recognition dinner and an May 14 artisans event were permitted to sell wine and malt beverages under relevant state law. The board approved the March 30 minutes earlier in the meeting.
Why it matters: The fee increases are intended to offset higher waste-disposal and fuel costs and to keep the town's permit fees competitive with neighboring communities. The ZBA appointment fills a vacancy and restores the board’s full membership ahead of upcoming planning and permit work.
What’s next: The town will implement bag fee changes starting May 1 and the permit-fee schedule in the new fiscal year on July 1. The Select Board will continue to refine communication and notice to residents about the changes.
