The most prominent decision made during the meeting was the board’s unanimous approval to opt out of early voting by mail for the municipal election scheduled for May. The Board of Registers recommended this course of action, citing prohibitive costs and low participation rates in previous elections as the primary reasons. Despite the elimination of early voting by mail, absentee voting will remain available for those unable to attend the election in person. The board’s endorsement of this recommendation reflects a strategic approach to managing election costs while still providing options for voters.

In addition to election matters, the board deliberated on budgetary topics, particularly focusing on the police department. The appointment of a new police officer, Andrew Warrior, was confirmed. Warrior, a resident of Hampden, was presented as a strong candidate with a background in law enforcement, including experience with the Hampton County Sheriff’s Department. His appointment is contingent upon a psychological evaluation.

The police chief presented the department’s budget, highlighting increases in salaries, career incentives, and training, while maintaining stability in other areas such as cruiser maintenance. The budget discussion also included the need for vehicle maintenance due to aging police cruisers, with one vehicle approaching 880,000 miles. Although there was no immediate plan to purchase new vehicles, the board acknowledged the need to maintain the current fleet effectively.

Staffing challenges were a recurring theme, particularly regarding the role of the school resource officer (SRO) at Greendale Middle School. The current contract restricts using patrol officers or detectives to fill the SRO position, requiring hiring at overtime rates when the SRO is assigned to the school. This has led to discussions about potentially adding more officers to alleviate scheduling challenges and reduce overtime costs. The chief emphasized the importance of the SRO role in building positive relationships between officers and students, despite the financial implications.

The board also examined capital projects and budget requests associated with the school district. The assistant superintendent for finance operations presented an overview of the proposed capital plan for fiscal year 2026, which includes stadium seating upgrades, installation of mini-split AC units, and camera system enhancements. The presentation highlighted the strategic budgeting approach based on previous discussions and feedback from staff and the school committee.

A significant topic of debate was the proposed expenditure of $43,000 for a side-by-side vehicle intended for spreading sand and salt. Questions were raised about the justification for such a high cost, with clarifications provided that the purchase was a replacement rather than an addition. The school committee’s recent draft budget was also discussed, with notable increases in the Hampshire County Retirement assessment and health insurance costs. Despite these challenges, the overall budget increase was approximately 6.3%, reflecting efforts to manage financial constraints while maintaining services.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the need for structured capital planning and investments, emphasizing the importance of predictability in budgeting. This approach aims to avoid volatile budget changes and ensure efficient resource allocation for critical projects. The board also addressed the annual town meeting warrant, considering adjustments to the start time and the number of articles listed. Furthermore, updates on municipal planning included potential energy audits by an energy consultant associated with National Grid to identify savings in lighting and HVAC systems.