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Date: 1/18/2023
HAMPDEN – State Sen. Jake Oliveira met with the Hampden Board of Selectmen on Jan. 9 in his first meeting with the municipal leaders since taking office in early January.
“I’m here to be a partner and help you,” Oliveira told the board. Coming from a background in town government, he referred to the upcoming municipal budget season and said, “I feel your pain.”
Oliveira identified fully funding regional school transportation as a “major priority.” Chapter 71, Section 16c requires regional school districts to transport all students, and in return, “the commonwealth shall reimburse such district to the full extent of the amounts expended for such transportation, subject to appropriation.” Reimbursement is routinely appropriated at less than 100 percent.
Another item Oliveira announced on his short list is making remote municipal meeting participation permanent.
Oliveira also said the legislature would be finishing work that was begun in the previous session including tax relief for families and seniors and east-west rail. He told the board that the preliminary budget season in the state Senate begins in March and that he was “happy to carry the water for any projects that you think might need some state support.”
Board of Selectmen Chair John Flynn asked Oliveira when funding from state bond bills will likely reach the municipalities. Hampden was granted funding totaling $1.8 million to replace the windows in the Town Hall and repair and expand the sidewalk on Main Street. “We don’t want to be caught short waiting for the check to come in,” Flynn said.
Oliveira remarked that he experienced a walk down Main Street and, “You take your life in your own hands sometimes.” He explained that while direct earmarks are available immediately, once a bonding bill has passed, the funding must be released through the governor’s administration. He said he would work with state Rep. Brian Ashe to encourage the funding process.
Oliveira asked how he could help with the Senior Center and fire station expansions. Flynn explained that the board is seeking public opinion on the projects in terms of needs and what is financially prudent. He said the possibilities at the Senior Center are limited by the property’s constraints. Flynn added that the future of the Town Hall is in question, as well.
Board of Selectmen member Donald Davenport said that, while the Baker-Polito administration was “attentive” to small towns, Gov. Maura Healey’s speeches indicate that she is focused on wider issues. He said small grants, including shared-service grants, are essential to small towns. Oliveira said he will be working with the Western Massachusetts delegation to implement recommendations from a recent report on how to help small, rural communities. He said part of their job is to “be a squeaky wheel” and draw attention to these issues. He added, “We get things done in Western Massachusetts when we speak as one voice.”