Eight incumbents win new terms during Hampden election

HAMPDEN — The Hampden election results are in and show that not much will be changing within the town’s elected officials.

It was a slower election year for the town, with 282 residents casting votes out of the 4,237 registered voters.

There were two contested races out of the nine total, and only two races had winning candidates that weren’t incumbents. Six races only had one candidate, all incumbents.

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee member Rich Rediker will hold his position and prepare for a third term after receiving 155 votes against Maura Ryan’s 126. Ryan had previously served four years on the School Committee.

The other contested race was for a five-year term on the Planning Board, with newcomer John Quackenbush coming out on top over the former Planning Board Chair Robert Howarth, who resigned in 2021. Quackenbush received 170 votes and Howarth received 99.

Selectboard Chair John Flynn didn’t have much to worry about, as he ran uncontested for reelection to a three-year term. He received 213 votes.

The Parks & Recreation Commission had two open seats and two candidates, with incumbent Julie Wickman receiving 228 votes and Heather Bean receiving 45.

The race for moderator had one candidate, with Richard Green winning reelection to a one-year term on 242 votes. Assessor Rober Makuch won his standalone race for reelection on a three-year term with 236 votes.

Other candidates who won relection in standalone races were Cemetery Commissioner Darryl Fidalgo on a three-year term, Library Trustee Jean Hall on a three-year term and Housing Authority member Carol Collins on a five-year term.