At a Jan. 5, 2026 meeting of the Town of Hampden Select Board, members approved short-term internal borrowing to manage cash flow for a $1.5 million water district project, accepted a $25,000 state grant to update the open-space and recreation plan and formed a committee to study reuse of the old town hall; the board also received updates on the new town hall, approved two one-day liquor permits and set a public hearing on an electrical upgrade.