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Date: 10/27/2022
HAMPDEN – About 80 people came to vote at Hampden’s Oct. 24 Special Town Meeting. All 11 articles on the warrant were passed.
Advisory Board Co-Chair Carol Fitzgerald began the meeting by explaining that the town had $698,494 in its Free Cash Account, $248,910 of which was to be used for various articles. The last article on the warrant rolled the other $449,584 into the town’s long-term savings, known as the General Stabilization Account.
Fitzgerald explained that the use of Free Cash rather than raising the funds through taxes, along with a larger than usual amount of property growth for the year, meant that there would be “no significant change in the average tax bill,” and therefore the town would take no action on an article seeking to lower the tax rate, as is often done in the fall.
Two other articles also received no action. One proposed free cash be used for a security system at the newly built highway garage, but Board of Selectmen member Donald Davenport said it was believed that there was sufficient money left in the building project account.
Another article receiving no action would have added a clerical position to the Highway Department, but Board of Selectmen Chair John Flynn said that, while greatly needed, it was more appropriate to bring new employee positions to the Annual Town Meeting in the spring. In the meantime, he said, the town will use funding from a temporary employee line item to fund the position.
The articles that received the most discussion were those that required no expenditure.
One sought to petition the state to allow a police officer to work past the usual retirement age of 65. Under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 415 of the Acts of 1987, a firefighter or police officer must retire by age 65, however, waivers can be granted on a case-by-case basis. There are conditions on the waiver. The officer could work until age 70, until no longer fit for duty or until employment was otherwise not renewed with the town. Additionally, they would not be allowed to contribute to the town’s retirement account.
Resident Mary Ellen Glover asked if the officer in question would be put on special assignments or continue with their regular duties. She stated that after age 55, people begin to decline physically and cognitively. Glover also expressed concern that the officer’s continued employment would set a precedent.
Hampden Police Chief Scott Trombly assured her that the officer had undergone a physical evaluation, in keeping with the law, and was fit for duty. The chief said the officer was a valuable asset to the department.
As to precedent, Davenport reminded Glover that a firefighter had received a similar exemption at the Annual Town Meeting in the spring. The article passed nearly unanimously.
The other article that stimulated discussion was one that would create a government study committee. Moderator Richard Green explained that he would appoint people to the committee and then cease to be involved. The committee would then organized itself and study the structures within Hampden’s municipal government, presenting any recommendation at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
Resident Thad Clevette asked why Green was the appointing party if he was planning to step away from it. Green explained that, as moderator, he needed to be above suspicion of bias. As the report will be presented at a Town Meeting, which the moderator oversees, it would present a conflict of interest.
Sign-up sheets were available at the meeting so interested people could volunteer. Green said the same 10 or 12 people volunteer for most committees in town and by broadcasting the committee’s creation at a Town Meeting, he hoped to receive more candidates. Glover asked why it was not presented at the spring 2023 Annual Town Meeting. Green said it was considered, but he wanted to give the committee as much time as possible to work before the report is due.
Glover also wanted to know if the committee’s recommendation would be voted on by residents. Green said that any recommendations would come before the town for a vote and may require petitioning the state. He guaranteed that it would be a process, rather than instantaneous change.
Before the articles were read, Moderator Richard Green remembered Vincent Villamaino, a 12-year member of the Board of Selectmen who died in August. Green honored Villamaino for his time in government service, his dedication to coaching sports teams and his association with various community organizations.