[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6207461,"mediaKeyId","3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2","parentId",3754718,"title","Hampden officials and volunteers press for repairs, new facilities manager for Academy Hall","audioSeconds",74,"startMs",94000,"endMs",168000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2&start=94&end=168","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2/thumbnail_94000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207461/Massachusetts/Hampden-officials-and-volunteers-press-for-repairs-new-facilities-manager-for-Academy-Hall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207461-b0fc36087147ead5368ae1323066292f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963980&Signature=YAr4nknL~YzG1zHTBiJGaRKYBQOmJZse5tHvqNWuaD7WC4Dv6ncF~LI1uj~feklfku6BARSDRQMENHygHh54BqKvwmvLOmKBg9qJUMKy7Gz8HQr-1cOgDfkuJAKlfRh5Ja~MbuY83~qMMDw1hj85OZp6QlCl4Obc4I3eoboEljxTAUVuzg37yRe-RjtAc407wJARFI49pGa9RfHBoDDay~FPjaGUO0Qpw4Ti4tealqrLPozUGWudyyLpcpuuNEBA4wRQhmJLKDG41m86PoTcs1Czqy5PiuAcyOv57iZGH9QWcGMQFpIAJZF6hgqq77gqPLYlFJdw3lurdO7EPKGl-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","Volunteers, historical society representatives and Select Board members on Monday pressed for a series of immediate repairs at Academy Hall and discussed using town funds and a new facilities manager to prevent future problems.

The conversation focused on safety and maintenance needs at the 19th-century community building, including an outlet that \"sparked\" when a coffee urn was plugged in, no bulb on an exterior stairway light near the fire escape, rotting casings around the garage door and what volunteers said is a missing sill that allows rodents and water into the building.

Those concerns matter because the Town of Hampden owns Academy Hall and the Historical Society manages use of the building; the Garden Club and other community groups rely on the hall for meetings and events. Left unaddressed, board members and volunteers said, electrical hazards and structural rot could pose safety and accessibility problems and force more expensive emergency repairs later.

Connie, a Garden Club representative, described the electrical concern: \"I plugged in the coffee urn in an outlet in the kitchen ... and there were sparks,\" and asked that an electrician inspect the kitchen circuits. Volunteers asked for a new exterior light, noting the switch for the outside fixture is behind a bookcase and the bulb near the fire escape is missing.

Select Board discussion put the repairs in the context of longer-term staffing. Board members said voters at annual town meeting approved $40,000 (reduced from a $70,000 request) intended to support hiring a full-time facilities manager; board members said that position would centralize maintenance work across town-owned buildings and reduce the need to hire outside contractors for routine carpentry and similar jobs.

\"This is exactly the kind of stuff that we want to do in house so that we don't have to pay premiums to pay a licensed carpenter,\" a select board member said, adding that short-term safety fixes should proceed while the town decides how to fill the new position. Board members suggested using remaining Academy Hall maintenance funds for immediate items; volunteers and staff differed about the current maintenance balance (one speaker said the account is typically $4,000–$5,000, another referenced $15,000), so the board agreed to coordinate an accounting and to prioritize an electrical inspection.

Volunteers also raised accessibility and storage issues: requests included replacing the step and adding iron railings on a raised platform, replacing or insulating the old garage door to protect water equipment stored inside, installing a chain or deterrent at the base of the fire escape and addressing a missing sill. Garden Club members said they regularly host about 50 participants and are already experiencing standing-room-only meetings; they asked the town to consider alternate meeting space as use grows and as the town examines future utilization if functions move to Thornton Burgess.

Board members said they would: (1) seek an electrician or inspector to test the kitchen outlet, (2) explore short-term purchases from Academy Hall's maintenance account to fix urgent items, (3) move forward with advertising or otherwise filling the $40,000 facilities manager position approved at town meeting, and (4) coordinate the timing of step replacement work with volunteers who store memorabilia upstairs.

Volunteers asked to be given notice before any work that could require moving displays or stored items. The board agreed to coordinate schedules when contractors are selected and to return with a prioritized list of repairs and updated account balances at a future meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hampden, MA: Selectboard (June 09, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Volunteers, historical society representatives and Select Board members on Monday pressed for a series of immediate repairs at Academy Hall and discussed using town funds and a new facilities manager to prevent future problems.","taxTitle","Town of Hampden, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",66345,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6207451,"Hampden Board of Health reviews state camp rules for Parks & Recreation's summer program and votes to designate it a town program",1145,1524000,2669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2&start=1524&end=2669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2/thumbnail_1524000.jpg","/articles/6207451/Massachusetts/Hampden-Board-of-Health-reviews-state-camp-rules-for-Parks-Recreations-summer-program-and-votes-to-designate-it-a-town-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207451-b4d86fbb40a71e040ba31e0a5a71c566/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963980&Signature=KbWBxID7NEeoCbNhiX-bcbCeXPKx5MvNisjGD2fJP7~PBFqRsCTFBCHBbXpSiHZkZ3msuJb4NFVWz6Gpb79GrXDEWF9VF0d8aRgMqsajpkZUExPAWBi7yWz6Q5MDPh3Vs1Y~d7xTdmFjodmJnhrx-A2VUtNT4qIFYwaJxs9TL8HM1pDkCCmm02QolWFnyM5arZR53EwZ7rcjN5X02wpjahZ468g0cQLtAtzJ51kvnBb~~qLfIyt0EvvUrnyCGhlZYEPk-rpMVhkwIvu~m00KWI2tUVDhIxV-sRSI56NaPlKCvlr-JzPIqAcigIkBExDiJT60lRQvCTeH-mRx2GQYjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampden Board of Health and Select Board discussed whether the town's long-running Parks & Recreation summer program must be licensed under state recreational-camp rules and voted to designate it a municipal summer program, a step board members said preserves operations while they seek legal review.

At issue is Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulation 105 CMR 430, which governs recreational camp licensing and includes an exemption that can apply to single-purpose classes or to programs \"sponsored by municipal recreation departments.\" Staff and the board reviewed a DPH advisory titled \"Clarification of recreational camp licensing exemption for programs sponsored by municipal recreation departments,\" which states that the exemption applies when a program is operated by a city or town department and run by town employees.

Finn, who participated in the meeting and fielded questions about the regulation, summarized the state's interpretation: \"It's considered a camp if there's multiple activities going on throughout the day ... it has to be a single purpose activity to be considered exempt.\" Finn also said he had \"reached out to the state\" but had not yet received a written response from state contacts.

Board and Parks staff noted the program's longevity: the town-run program has operated for decades and offers multiple activities and weekly themes. Staff said they voluntarily follow most of the state guidance but that formal state licensure would impose substantial additional documentation and staffing requirements that could be impractical for the town in the short term.

Board of Health participants raised concerns about liability and insurance. Finn told the board that if the town were to waive licensure or accept exemptions, \"the town would be ... liable\" if an incident occurred that might have been mitigated by the state code's additional safety steps. The board agreed that town counsel should weigh in on liability and insurance implications.

Given the timing — the program was scheduled to start in under a month — Select Board members and Parks staff said shutting down the program was not feasible. The board discussed two paths: (1) seek legal guidance and document the town program to fit the municipal exemption where possible (for example, emphasizing single-purpose sessions and employing town staff), or (2) pursue state licensure for future seasons if counsel recommends it.

At the meeting a member moved that \"the parks and recreation summer program be designated as such.\" The board voted by voice, \"Aye,\" and the Parks & Recreation committee said it would also consider the matter again at its next meeting.

Parks & Recreation and Board of Health members also handled related event approvals: the board approved a one-day permit for a vendor (Batch Ice Cream) at Juneteenth activities, authorized a swimming-pool permit for Giggle Gardens Childcare and granted Parks & Recreation an entertainment license for summer events (the board waived the fee and granted the license for the balance of 2025). The board said it would follow up with town counsel and the state if more formal guidance arrived.

","The Hampden Board of Health and Select Board discussed whether the town's long-running Parks & Recreation summer program must be licensed under state recreational-camp rules and voted to designate it a municipal summer program, a step board members said preserves operations while they seek legal review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6207456,"Hampden faces compressed window to replace police chief; board to explore interim chief and search firms",223,959000,1182000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2&start=959&end=1182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6207456/Massachusetts/Hampden-faces-compressed-window-to-replace-police-chief-board-to-explore-interim-chief-and-search-firms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207456-66a54513b696f7fb54f4eb008d5ae985/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963980&Signature=USlPLHL9m-tYLZW9kP8CYXCCZiVbS~rzXjjwM0rDj1Ylqv4fONln9cMOKKlQvPnP98jgzQkKkUo~3CWjgUXoWhv51rUx593ljuzWl2kKIdvikK7N5YHy~Q7TY0OYdC9~XZKwgzrGGpAl~DWbGr-GiA4TyfyePEVoot1UfL3voAvFTX~-2jUnpmjFc3QubV7Gsqd19sqjw-RxSAN7mgGt7IfStyujOy2TWK3BCU2LK2H2dqUXepG-D4QqRRqRHZDqxLteFaDFg3bcz0-2QK7x6-ohyKGJunRX1EAzZgZ--eAzJO0qV9YJblvmx5tVnsP~vzbdd3fdUPTaQ8bKpTifZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members discussed a tight timeline to replace the Hampden police chief after the chief announced a July retirement and the current sergeant gave notice for early July.

Board members said the short window between the sergeant's retirement and the chief's departure would make a permanent hire difficult and that an interim chief would give the town time to run a deliberate search. The board asked the town administrator to present options for interim coverage and to identify chief-search firms and their time and cost estimates.

The board noted an advantage if the current chief, identified in the meeting as Scott, agreed to serve as interim because that could reduce short-term disruption; at the same time, members said interim service would require negotiation because of retirement-hour limits and pension rules. The board also discussed internal promotion pathways: a temporary chain of command among existing sergeants and officers while a search proceeds.

Board members asked staff to reach out to potential interims and to provide a list of candidate search firms and expected timelines so they could decide whether to recruit externally or pursue in-house promotion. Members emphasized they wanted a long-term hire — \"someone who wants to make a career out of this\" — rather than a short-term stopgap.

Other operational needs flagged during the discussion included succession for the detective position, IT replacements in the department and planning for a replacement vehicle.

","The town's chief is retiring in mid-July, the sergeant is retiring in early July, and the board agreed to explore having the current chief serve as interim and to task the town administrator with identifying search firms and options for a permanent replacement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6207441,"Hampden to press Charter for better cable license terms while prioritizing backend equipment installation",133,3603000,3736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2&start=3603&end=3736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2/thumbnail_3603000.jpg","/articles/6207441/Massachusetts/Hampden-to-press-Charter-for-better-cable-license-terms-while-prioritizing-backend-equipment-installation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207441-9ca457b7dc46f0c76fe0748eb615f6dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963980&Signature=c9wQr0kLY8Y8ncRuTHrU2Bhh8c-hRqw-C6OIRenuywk1TqNUk1qUYj0lNqg4C38sH~vJkTI2Wb1lNDEpzUQGDTQ~O-LJCIiZhiun-huEjbalGvm-9B~no0182DZzG6vbvInsWbo5DJirmd~tnwAM13lSpmrPm4bbjo4OA5E2KsKvztG2lk6p3fdmmxBHBMwP2ACVPxbunaNCqZ2yERYawK5tNpiH3Un46wHc2q-G76CtHTREafIVBfPpPtIvmiaah-tg1JVBFs3E0RA48gZUuWEP8AiNH7w3tA1hDEhmcUvDk2yF8sjK7NmNfh50SFxYFO6lVzj24az~3F3lh25uVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members discussed the town's pending cable license agreement with Charter and directed staff to press the company for a modest improvement while prioritizing equipment installation that would allow the town to resume local broadcasts.

Staff reported that Charter proposed a traditional revenue-share structure and offered backend-equipment installation to support town broadcasting. The board expressed acceptance of the traditional approach but asked staff to seek an additional half-percent on the payout if possible. During the meeting the board reviewed the arithmetic: on an assumed $1.8 million base, a half-percent equals $9,000.

Board members said the most important deliverable is the backend installation; under the proposed schedule Charter will complete the equipment work within 180 days, enabling the town to begin broadcasting from upgraded facilities. The board also discussed minor capital purchases for switchers and meeting-room buildouts needed to use the new infrastructure.

The board asked staff to try for the additional 0.5% in negotiation and otherwise proceed with the traditional payment structure if Charter does not budge. Members observed that even a small percentage bump would yield additional revenue over the contract term, but they prioritized getting the hardware and broadcast capability in place on the vendor's timetable.

","Officials said they would accept Charter's traditional financial terms but asked staff and counsel to seek an additional 0.5% on the revenue share; the board emphasized completing backend equipment installation within 180 days so the town can resume local broadcasting.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6207446,"Hampden raises transfer-station bag prices and approves platform repairs after enterprise shortfall analysis",422,3033000,3455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2&start=3033&end=3455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754718-f93a3136ed3c17f9c06005e7362a0ac2/thumbnail_3033000.jpg","/articles/6207446/Massachusetts/Hampden-raises-transfer-station-bag-prices-and-approves-platform-repairs-after-enterprise-shortfall-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207446-7a9b63ce0380c1ed66cbe89bf7237114/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963980&Signature=JGfcn92k5ozFd0ZUPSx6YoE1biC3F4HdzM-prqin7sE8w2Home94UOoyumASpy--SKHq7mfHAnL56w1cDjKUDOxlFcjWtiQ9iPJdCGyKEfLbB4RDmFaRqu66Gg-VmIpgMRL6GTmqew8BqW-qVNYrNF2EjYBR99ZIXeH91wRA8z6XjpaDl~e3P5jw~1t~t6ALzQFJn~ZInklbUHR3mvoCzWsDsSgj6jg7Tq~mbRWdu7Aho2UrAZLVzz~fCVG6WaWptfgS7vgeYpGxg4Q3FJWiyyiy6BnsusMHKhBRizi1lX~hd~-O-SULNCc~nOUmvDApBlhExc1tMHgIYjymCP31FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted Monday to increase transfer-station bag prices and to authorize repairs after town staff presented an analysis showing the enterprise fund running a shortfall amid rising hauling and tipping charges.

Board members approved raising the large-bag packet price to $40 (equivalent to $4 per bag) and the small-bag packet to $25 (equivalent to $2.50 per bag), effective July 1. The board also decided to keep seasonal sticker prices at $70 and $35 for the categories already in place.

Select Board discussion and staff materials indicated the transfer station operates as an enterprise fund that has incurred shortfalls in recent years; the town covered those deficits with free cash in prior years, but hauling and tipping fees are expected to increase when the town's contract with McNamara expires and the town rebids services next year.

Board members discussed alternatives including reducing hours, relying on highway-department surpluses, and seeking a reserve-fund transfer for urgent expenses. The board approved an immediate order for platform repairs after receiving a contractor's estimate: roughly $8,400 in labor plus about $4,000 in materials to repair failing plates and structural areas rather than replace the entire platform.

Board members said a full contract re-bid next year will allow the town to renegotiate hauling terms and to re-evaluate the bag pricing model if needed. One member cautioned that excessive price increases risk diverting trash disposal to unauthorized sites.

The board also discussed shifting some costs to stickers versus bags, but members said sticker-season timing made immediate sticker-price changes impractical. The board authorized ordering materials for the platform repair and agreed to revisit enterprise-fund staffing and price structure in the fall.

","Facing rising hauling and tipping costs, the board voted to raise transfer-station bag prices (effective July 1), keep sticker rates unchanged, and authorize urgent platform repairs with materials ordered while the board explores offsetting transfers and contract rebidding next year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hampden officials and volunteers press for repairs, new facilities manager for Academy Hall

Hampden Board of Health reviews state camp rules for Parks & Recreation's summer program and votes to designate it a town program

Hampden faces compressed window to replace police chief; board to explore interim chief and search firms

Hampden to press Charter for better cable license terms while prioritizing backend equipment installation

Hampden raises transfer-station bag prices and approves platform repairs after enterprise shortfall analysis