HAMPDEN — Hampden is gearing up to its annual Town Election on Monday, May 19. Members of nearly all boards and committees in town are elected. All but three candidates are running for reelection and there are no contested races.
Richard Green is running for another term as town moderator. The town moderator, who presides over town meetings, serves a one-year term.
Donald Davenport, who was first elected to the Selectboard in 2019, is seeking to continue in the position. The board is essentially the executive branch of town government, making day-to-day decisions for the residents within the bylaws passed by Town Meeting.
Like most elected positions, the tax collector and town clerk, who maintains official records, issues licenses and oversees elections, are both three-year positions. Eva Wiseman has served in both positions simultaneously and is running to do so again.
The long-time town treasurer, Richard Patullo, is looking to be reelected. The treasurer is responsible for the town’s finances, including debt management.
Phillip Schneider is running for reelection to the Board of Assessors. The board determines property values, which is used to calculate property taxes. It is also responsible for tax abatements, exemptions and motor vehicle excise taxes.
Library Trustees are entrusted with the operation of the town’s public library, including managing its expenses and setting library polices. Kathllen Hutchinson is seeking reelection.
Duane Mosier is running for reelection to the Cemetery Commission, which submits a yearly budget to the Selectboard, sells cemetery plots and is in control of pertinent documents.
There are both three- and five-year seats on the Planning Board. Christina Brodeur, who first joined the Planning Board to fill a vacancy in 2021, is running for reelection to a five-year term on the board. David Philip Berson is running for a first term in the three-year seat.
Another position with a candidate seeking a first term is that of constable. Adam Edward Poulin is running unopposed to join Constables Dennis L. Hackett Sr. and Andrew Netherwood, both running for reelection. Constables are responsible for serving legal documents, such as summonses and subpoenas, and posting notice of town meetings.
Michael Salemi is running for a first term as a Park Commissioner, who oversees management of the parks, handles the recreation budget and implements policies.
There is no candidate for a five-year term on the Housing Authority.
Voting will take place at the Hampden Town House, 625 Main St., from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
