Hampden, MA

Parks & Recreation

The Hampden Parks & Recreation Commission will meet to review minutes and payroll, hear public comment, and discuss board topics including a parks truck and Memorial Park residents. The director will provide an update, followed by new business.

• Review of minutes and payroll
• Public comment period
• Board discussion on parks truck
• Board discussion on Memorial Park residents
• Director update and new business

Fire Department Building Committee

The Hampden Fire Department Building Committee will meet in person to discuss the current progress of the 2026 Fire Station project. No decisions are listed on the agenda.

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee is meeting to discuss the current progress of the fire station project. The agenda contains only this single item, with no decisions or proposals listed.

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee will meet to discuss the current progress of the fire station project. The agenda contains only this single discussion item with no decisions or proposals listed.

• Discuss current progress of project

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee will meet in person to discuss the current progress of the fire station project. No decisions or votes are listed on the agenda.

• Discuss current progress of project

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee will meet to discuss the current progress of the fire station project. The agenda contains only this single item, with no votes, contracts, or financial details listed.

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee is meeting to discuss the current progress of their project. The agenda contains only this single discussion item with no specific details or decisions listed.

• Discuss current progress of project

Selectboard

The Hampden Selectboard is deciding on a property purchase and discussing various town matters. The agenda includes a dog hearing, a joint meeting recap, and appointments. The meeting will also cover liquor licenses and a conservation commission enforcement matter in executive session.

• North Rd. Property Purchase from Minnechaug Land Trust
• One-Day Liquor Licenses for VFW Pavilion Events
• Appointment of New Transfer Station Substitute Attendant - Eugene D'Angelo
• Grant Application Updates
• Special Town Meeting dates

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee will meet to discuss the current progress of the fire station project. The agenda contains only this single discussion item with no decisions or proposals listed.

• Discuss current progress of project

Selectboard

The Hampden Selectboard meets on July 23, 2026, to conduct routine business including voting on a contract for Senior Center windows and discussing a regional agreement with Wilbraham regarding the Hampshire-Wilbraham Regional School District middle school program.

• Vote to award Senior Center windows contract
• Joint meeting with Wilbraham Select Board to discuss HWRSD regional agreement and middle school program

Fire Department Building Committee

The Hampden Fire Department Building Committee will meet in person on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM at Hampden Fire Station, 19 North Road, Hampden, MA. The agenda includes a review of any new information or correspondence received since the previous meeting. The meeting was posted on July 21, 2026 at 3:40 PM by J.F.

• Review of any new information/correspondence since previous meeting

Veterans' Services

The Eastern Hampden County Veterans' Service District will meet remotely to approve the June 24, 2026 meeting minutes and June 2026 payroll and accounts payable. The Veterans' Service Officer will also give a report. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom.

• Review and vote to approve June 24, 2026 Regular Session Meeting Minutes
• Review and vote to approve June 2026 payroll and accounts payable
• June 2026 warrant, cash reconciliation, and bank statement
• FY26 budget balances as of June 30, 2026
• Veterans' Service Officer report

Cemetery Commission

The Hampden Cemetery Commission will meet in person to review final fiscal year numbers, discuss lot sales, and address grounds maintenance including fertilization, fencing, and scatter garden. Old business includes a buy-back donation program.

• Review of final numbers for end of fiscal year
• Lot sales discussion
• Grounds report: fertilization, mowing, fencing, scatter garden
• Old business: buy-back donations

Planning Board

The Hampden Planning Board will conduct two public hearings on July 22, 2026. One hearing will continue discussion on a restaurant and retail special permit at 2 Somers Road (Lot #3), and the other will consider a business special permit for Velour Laser Boutique at 13 Allen Street on East Longmeadow Road.

• Public Hearing Continuance, Case 2026-A (2 Somers Road — Lot #3) for restaurant and retail special permits
• Public Hearing, Case 2026-B (13 Allen Street, East Longmeadow Road) for Velour Laser Boutique business special permit

Old Town House Committee

The Old Town House Committee will discuss a Request for Interest, review remaining pathways/options, and prepare a report and recommendation to the Selectboard, along with a Town Meeting warrant article.

• Discussion of Request for Interest
• Continuing discussion of remaining pathways/options
• Discussion of report and recommendation to Selectboard
• Town Meeting warrant article

Old Town House Committee

The Old Town House Committee will meet to review and discuss options for the building. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and adjournment.

• Continued review and discussion of options for the Old Town House

Conservation Commission

The Hampden Conservation Commission will meet to discuss several items including a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) for removing four dead trees at 420 Main Street in the Riverfront Area, a letter from National Grid regarding after-the-fact maintenance work, and a new RDA for a gas line on Echo Valley Drive. The commission will also conduct site inspections at 420 Main Street and the entrance to the Morton property from E. Long Line. Other agenda items include reviewing minutes, public comment, and correspondence.

• RDA 420 Main Street: Removing four dead trees in Riverfront Area
• National Grid after-the-fact maintenance work letter
• RDA for new gas line on Echo Valley Drive within commission jurisdiction
• Site inspections at 420 Main Street and Morton property entrance from E. Long Line
• MACC membership correspondence

Council on Aging

The Hampden Council on Aging will hold its monthly meeting on July 14, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. at the Senior Center (104 Allen Street) and via Zoom. The agenda includes standard reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, and Director, along with updates from the Senior Center Building Committee and GSSSI representative Cheryl Delviscio.

Selectboard

The Hampden Selectboard will discuss and vote on a conservation restriction for Opacum Land Trust on Chapin Road. They will also review FY26 year-end financials and vote on line item transfers, discuss health insurance costs, and consider a Planning Board vacancy.

• Vote on conservation restriction for Opacum Land Trust – Chapin Rd.
• Review FY26 year-end financials and vote on line item transfers
• Discussion on health insurance costs
• Discussion and direction for Fire Department Building Committee timeline
• Planning Board resignation/vacancy

Advisory Committee

The Hampden Advisory Committee will meet to review end-of-year financial reports and vote on line-to-line budget transfers. The agenda is subject to change, as not all listed items may be discussed and other items may be added as permitted by law.

• Review of end-of-year financials
• Vote on line-to-line budget transfers

Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee

The Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee is holding its first meeting to begin updating the town's OSRP. The agenda covers introductions, reviewing the planning process and timeline, discussing the scope of services, and identifying town priorities and goals. No decisions are expected at this initial kickoff meeting.

• Review of OSRP update process and timeline
• Discussion of scope of services for the plan
• Review of town and committee priorities and goals

Parks & Recreation

The Hampden Parks & Recreation Commission will meet on July 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Town Hall. The board will review minutes, hear public comment, discuss purchasing a new truck, receive a director's update, and consider new business.

• Discussion of a new Parks truck
• Review of minutes and payroll
• Public comment period
• Director update
• New business

Fire Department Building Committee

The Hampden Fire Department Building Committee will meet in person to follow up on discussions held with the Board of Selectmen regarding the next steps for the new fire department building project. No specific decisions or dollar amounts are listed on this procedural agenda.

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee is holding a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen to discuss progress on fire department construction plans. The meeting will be conducted in person only at Hampden Town Hall.

• Joint meeting with Board of Selectmen
• Discussion of Fire Department construction plans progress

Selectboard

The Selectboard will vote on a new Class II Auto Dealer's License for VA Express Inc., discuss a fire station expansion, and consider a proposal for Wilbraham Road school maintenance. Other items include a new reserve police officer, a highway CBA amendment, and a one-day liquor permit for a senior center event.

• Approve/VOTE New Class II Auto Dealer’s License – VA Express Inc.
• Discussion on Fire Station Expansion
• Wilbraham Middle School Maintenance/Repair Proposal Discussion
• Approve/VOTE on (2) Building Use Requests
• Approve/VOTE on (1) One-Day Liquor Permit – Senior Center Event

Old Town House Committee

The Old Town House Committee will meet to approve minutes, discuss a Casino Mitigation Award, and continue reviewing options with a possible vote. They will also discuss a request for interest and set the meeting schedule.

• Casino Mitigation Award
• Continued review and discussion of options with possible vote
• Discussion of request for interest

Veterans' Services

The Hampden District Veterans' Service District will meet remotely on June 24, 2026, to approve minutes from prior meetings and vote on the May 2026 payroll and accounts payable. The board will also hear a report from Veterans' Service Officer Jason Burgener and discuss the meeting schedule.

• Review and vote to approve payroll and accounts payable for May 2026
• Review and vote to approve minutes from April 2026 regular and executive sessions
• Review and vote to approve minutes from May 27, 2026 regular session
• Jason Burgener, Veterans' Service Officer, to present a report
• Discussion of future meeting schedule

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold a continued public hearing for a special permit for a restaurant and retail establishment at 2 Somers Road, and will also discuss a home occupation bakery at 25 Circle View Drive, a used car dealership at 106B East Longmeadow Road, and a short-term rental bylaw.

• Public hearing continuance for Case 2026-A: special permit for restaurant and retail at 2 Somers Road (Lot #4), applicant Salmar Realty, LLC
• Home occupation application for Two Blooms Baking Company at 25 Circle View Drive
• Used car dealership application for VA Express at 106B East Longmeadow Road
• Discussion of Short-Term Rental Bylaw under old business

Selectboard

The Hampden Selectboard will hold a public hearing and vote on transferring a liquor license to Off the Stick Inc./Mt. View Restaurant, discuss and vote on an age limit/mandatory retirement issue, and consider vacation time rollover requests. The board will also discuss possibly hiring KP Town as new counsel and receive an update from the Fire Department Building Committee.

• Public hearing and vote on liquor license transfer – Off the Stick Inc./Mt. View Restaurant
• Discussion and vote on age limit/mandatory retirement issue
• Vacation time rollover requests
• Discussion with possible new Town Counsel – KP Law
• Fire Dept. Building Committee update

The Selectboard voted to hire KP Law as town counsel while negotiating a fee agreement, and approved the transfer of a liquor license from Off the Stick Inc. to Mt. View Restaurant Inc. at 25 Allen Street. The board also discussed mandatory retirement age issues for public safety personnel, noting they cannot reappoint individuals over age 70 in their current roles as of July 1, 2026. A motion was passed to rescind previous property line changes and keep Fire Department property lines as they currently stand.

• Approved hiring KP Law as town counsel while negotiating fee agreement (3-0)
• Approved liquor license transfer from Off the Stick Inc. to Mt. View Restaurant Inc. at 25 Allen Street (2-0, Chair Flynn recused)
• Approved vacation time rollover requests for town employees, to be used by September 30, 2026 (3-0)
• Approved allowing Selectboard Chair to sign weekly warrants in absence of majority (3-0)
• Approved rescinding previous vote on Fire Department property lines, leaving them as currently stand (3-0)
• Approved FY27 annual appointments for various town positions by unanimous consent (3-0)

Fire Department Building Committee

The committee will discuss building alternatives for the fire station. The agenda is brief and contains only this single item.

• Discuss building alternatives

The committee reviewed plans for a four-bay vs. five-bay apparatus bay configuration, with cost estimates of $7,888,450 and $8,023,000 respectively. No votes were taken; the meeting was procedural only.

• Reviewed four-bay and five-bay apparatus bay configurations from Saccoccio & Associates
• Discussed reconfiguring back parking lot with one-way entrance/exit via Highway Department driveway
• No votes taken

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will consider several items including a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) for a 2,400 sq ft home and 1,200 sq ft garage at 133 Somers Rd, a discussion with property owners about a violation at South Ridge Estates, and a preliminary plan review for a proposed building lot at 42 Bennett Rd. The meeting also includes review of minutes, public comment, and potential new agenda items.

• RDA for construction of 2,400 sq ft home and 1,200 sq ft garage at 133 Somers Rd
• Violation discussion at South Ridge Estates with revegetation plan review by wetland specialist Steven Riberdy
• Preliminary plan review for proposed building lot at 42 Bennett Rd, pending updated plans and Turtle Protection Plan
• Potential RDA for tree removal at 420 Main Street

The commission voted 3-2 to proceed with a site inspection and review of agriculture exemptions versus wetland violations at 530 Glendale Rd. The property is zoned agriculture but may not qualify for an exemption under the Wetland Protection Act, and newer violations are suspected. The commission also voted unanimously to approve a re-vegetation plan for the South Ridge resource area, where extensive clearing and grading occurred. Heather Wrona was accepted as an associate member by unanimous vote.

• Approved re-vegetation plan for South Ridge resource area (unanimous)
• Accepted Heather Wrona as associate member (unanimous)
• Voted 3-2 to proceed with site inspection at 530 Glendale Rd for wetland violations
• Advised Jonathan Mish to file a Request for Determination for rebuilding off Somers Rd

Conservation Commission

The Hampden Conservation Commission will discuss a wetland violation at South Ridge Estates, with a wetland scientist present to review a revegetation plan. The commission will also consider signing a Conservation Restriction on 109 acres on Chapin Road and receive a response from the Town Manager, Selectboard, and Town attorney regarding a letter from an attorney.

• Wetland violation at South Ridge Estates: discussion with property owner and violators, and review of a revegetation plan with wetland scientist Steven Riberdy.
• Conservation Restriction (CR) on 109 acres on Chapin Road: commission may sign if ready, must be notarized.
• Response from Town Manager, Selectboard, and Town attorney to the commission's response to a letter from Jonathan Guinipero's attorney.

The Hampden Conservation Commission voted unanimously to issue a Violation Notice to Russ Morton for clearing a resource area at South Ridge Estates, requiring revegetation by May 31, 2027. A vote on alleged violations at 530 Glendale Rd was tabled until July 15, 2026, pending review by the new town attorney. The meeting was closed at 7:20 PM.

• Approved minutes from April and May meetings
• Issued Violation Notice to Russ Morton for unauthorized wetland clearing at South Ridge Estates, requiring revegetation by May 31, 2027
• Tabled vote on pursuing alleged violations at 530 Glendale Rd until July 15, 2026
• Closed meeting at 7:20 PM

Selectboard

The Hampden Selectboard will vote on a Regional Dispatch Agreement and discuss a radio system maintenance contract with the Regional Communications Director. The board will also hold joint meetings to appoint a new member to the Board of Assessors and receive an update from the Old Town House Committee.

• Vote to approve Regional Dispatch Agreement
• Radio System Maintenance Discussion with Regional Communications Director
• Joint meeting with Board of Assessors to appoint new member
• Joint meeting with Old Town House Committee for update
• Discussion with Fire Dept. Building Committee

The Selectboard approved signing an amended agreement with the Wilbraham Regional Emergency Communications Center, extending the contract for one fiscal year through June 30, 2027. The board also appointed Edward Salerno Jr. to the Board of Assessors until the next Town Election, approved a one-day food service permit for East Village Tavern's Rock Into Summer event, and discussed options for the Old Town House and Fire Department building projects.

• Approved signing amended agreement with Wilbraham Regional Emergency Communications Center (3-0)
• Appointed Edward Salerno Jr. to Board of Assessors until next Town Election (unanimous by both boards)
• Approved one-day food service permit for East Village Tavern for Rock Into Summer event on July 11, 2026 (3-0)
• Approved executive session minutes from May 26, 2026, without release (3-0)
• Approved regular meeting minutes from June 8, 2026 (3-0)
• Removed option of demolishing Old Town House and building a park from further consideration
• Directed Old Town House Committee to explore public/private partnership and Fire Department-Old Town House development relationship, report by Labor Day
• Requested Fire Dept. Building Committee draft updated plan based on current property lines with cost comparison of 4 vs 5 bay options

Fire Department Building Committee

The Fire Department Building Committee will hold a follow-up meeting to discuss next actions after a recent Board of Selectmen session. The agenda contains only this single procedural item, with no specific proposals, votes, or financial details listed.

• Follow-up discussion after Board of Selectmen meeting on fire station project

The Board of Selectmen asked the Fire Station Committee to return with a project design and cost estimates that do not require acquiring Town House property, reversing a prior vote to transfer a portion of that property for fire station expansion. The committee agreed to forward concepts to Saccoccio & Associates for a new design. Minutes from three prior meetings were approved unanimously.

• Board of Selectmen requested redesign without Town House property acquisition
• Committee agreed to forward design concepts to Saccoccio & Associates
• Approved minutes of May 12, May 26, and June 8, 2026 (unanimous)

Library Board of Trustees

The Hampden Board of Library Trustees will meet to approve minutes from May 9, authorize monthly expenses, and hear the director's report on finances, circulation, and programs. Old and new business items may also be discussed.

• Approval of minutes from May 9, 2026
• Approval of payment of monthly expenses
• Director's report covering finances, circulation, and programs

Old Town House Committee

The Old Town House Committee will meet in person and remotely to discuss updates on the Selectboard/Fire Department building committee, review action items from a memo, and vote on possible options. The committee will also plan for an upcoming meeting with the Selectboard on June 15 before adjourning.

• Vote on possible building options
• Discussion on action items and timeline from committee memo
• Planning meeting with Selectboard on June 15

Parks & Recreation

The Hampden Parks & Recreation Commission will meet to review a financial analysis and a quote for the Niccum Field project. The agenda also includes public comment, approval of minutes, a director update, and new business.

• Review quote for Niccum Field project
• Financial analysis (accounts)
• Public comment
• Director update

The board voted 4-0 to accept a quote from Vendor #2 for the Niccum Field project. The director presented financial projections for the truck and materials purchase, as well as anticipated profit and expenses from the Summer Program. The board also decided to move to a monthly meeting schedule for the summer.

• Approved quote from Vendor #2 for Niccum Field project (4-0)
• Approved minutes from May 26 meeting as amended (3-0)
• Moved to monthly meeting schedule for the summer