A central focus of the meeting was the deliberation and approval of a special permit for a self-storage facility at Summers Road. The board carefully reviewed a previous decision, considering a judge’s ruling and the necessity of upholding 21 conditions. These conditions included operational hours, requirements for stormwater management, and restrictions on the storage of hazardous materials. After thorough discussion, the board successfully passed a motion to issue the permit.

The meeting also addressed the topic of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are becoming increasingly relevant due to state legislative changes. Board members debated various approaches to drafting new bylaws, including reviewing existing regulations from neighboring towns and consulting with building inspectors. The urgency of this discussion was highlighted by the approaching February deadline, after which state guidelines would take precedence if local bylaws were not established. The board expressed a preference for examining successful models from nearby communities like Wilbraham and Monson to inform Hampden’s regulations.

Lastly, in an administrative update, the board acknowledged the withdrawal of an application from Bedrock Financial LLC for a special permit concerning substandard frontage lots. This withdrawal was approved without prejudice, allowing the applicant to reapply in the future if desired.