HAMPDEN — Hampden’s annual town election is coming up fast on May 18 and the ballot has been finalized, showing two contested races.
Town Clerk Eva Wiseman said that voters should know that the polling location is at the town’s new Town Hall, 85 Wilbraham Road. All future elections will be held at this location and polls open at 7 a.m.
The race for Hampden representatives in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee has two familiar faces.
School Committee member Rich Rediker is up for reelection on a three-year term and is challenged by former School Committee member Maura Ryan.
Rediker originally served a term in the 1990’s and rejoined the committee in 2023, filling Ryan’s seat after she decided not to seek another term.
The Planning Board also has a contested race for a five-year term between John Quackenbush and Robert Howarth. Both are newcomers in this election and Howarth is the caucus nominee.
Selectboard Chair John D. Flynn is running uncontested for reelection on a three-year term. Flynn has a long history with the Selectboard, being the third generation to serve after his father and grandfather.
Richard Green is uncontested in his reelection as town moderator. He was reelected in 2025 to a one-year term and presides over Town Meeting.
The Board of Assessors has one seat open for a three-year term and incumbent Robert Makuch is looking to stick around. He runs uncontested.
Assessors are required by law to list and value all real and personal town property, commit motor vehicle excise taxes, administer the agricultural, recreational and forestry tax programs, process exemptions and abatements, maintain a mapping system for assessment purposes and maintain a computer-based inventory of property records for all land, buildings and businesses.
Library Trustee Jean Hall is the single candidate for the Library Board of Trustees, seeking reelection to a three-year term. The board is the governing body for the Hampden Free Public Library, responsible for things like library policy and overseeing the budget each year.
Darryl Fidalgo also seeks reelection on a three-year term in the Cemetery Commission. The commission is responsible for the upkeep and management of Old Cemetery on Chaplin Road and Prospect Hill Cemetery on Scantic Road.
There are two seats open for park commissioners with Commissioner Julie Wickman seeking reelection. The second seat is open to write-in candidates. The commission serves the purpose of providing the town with “efficient, effective and ethical supervision and management of all areas under their jurisdiction,” according to the town website. It strives to maintain, manage and improve all town parks and recreational facilities.
The final race is for the Housing Authority with member Carol Collins looking to serve another five-year term.
