The Town of Hampden Select Board on May 1 reviewed a public outreach plan and timeline for a proposed new fire station and asked department representatives to present the project at the upcoming special town meeting.

Town staff posted the architect's plans and a project summary on the town and fire department web pages and have scheduled two public events: an open house with an architects' presentation followed by a station tour. Board members said they want a brief presentation at town meeting, followed by ample time for public questions.

Why it matters: The board said construction would likely require a debt exclusion and that voters must approve both a two-thirds vote at town meeting and a subsequent majority vote at the ballot for any debt-exclusion question. Town staff also shared a preliminary estimate of how the project could affect future tax rates, and posted materials for residents to review before the meeting.

Board members and staff described the outreach steps and timeline. The project summary and detailed plans have been uploaded to the town and fire department websites for public review. The board asked that a department representative or committee member make the motion at town meeting and give a short (two- to four-minute) presentation so most of the session time can be used for public Q&A. The board discussed holding an additional in-person tour at the fire station following the presentation to let residents see the current facility conditions.

Town staff warned that long-term tax impacts are difficult to forecast. A town official said there would probably be no tax-rate impact until fiscal 2028 under current assumptions but called that a preliminary estimate. Staff also described a range of possible impacts on an average single-family home and said the final tax effect depends on interest rates, future budgets and whether the town successfully secures grants or other funding. The board spelled out the formal procedure if voters approve the project: a two-thirds vote at town meeting, then a voter ballot question on the debt exclusion; if approved at town meeting, the ballot question could be scheduled for June 23.

Discussion points included how to present the project to voters, focusing on “why” the project is needed; encouraging tours and open houses so voters can see space and safety issues firsthand; and limiting the town-meeting presentation to a short scripted overview so the floor is open for questions. The board also discussed timing for making the formal motion at town meeting and asked staff to coordinate logistics with the moderator and other officials.

The board did not take a formal vote during the May 1 meeting. Staff and department representatives were directed to finalize the presentation script, post materials online, hold the scheduled open houses and be prepared to make and support the motion at town meeting.