HAMPDEN — The town of Hampden approved three new full-time members for the Conservation Commission, bringing the number of voting members to six. Associate commission members Eric Ainsworth, Joe Zinno and Marilyn D’Agostino asked to be made voting commissioners on Sept. 2.
Conservation Commission Administrative Assistant Bonnie Geromini said it would be easier to reach a quorum with six members and said the three had been active on the commission, despite not being able to vote. She said that she has actively been trying to grow the commission’s numbers for several years.
Ainsworth said he became interested in the commission when he purchased a house in Hampden that had conservation restrictions. Zinno said he recently graduated college with a degree in plant science and ecology and was interested in becoming involved with conservation. D’Agostino said her son was involved in the commission.
Ainsworth and Zinno were approved for two-year terms, while D’Agostino was given a three-year term.
The board also discussed the logistics of Town Meeting. At the Town Meeting in May, an overflow room was set up to accommodate a larger than average number of voters. To connect the rooms, the town used the services of an audio-visual vendor. Town Administrator Brian Domina asked if they wanted to do so again. Select Board Chair John Flynn said there were no “hot button” issues slated for the Town Meeting in October, so an overflow room was unlikely to be needed.
At $8,000 for the services, Flynn questioned whether the town should move to purchase the equipment needed for such oversized events. Domina said owning the equipment was a long-term goal for the town, but that there was not enough time to pursue it ahead of the meeting.
Flynn said Council on Aging would sponsor an article on the fall Town Meeting warrant. It had planned to seek “Phase 2” of Senior Center upgrades, which would include replacing the building’s windows. However, the Senior Center’s HVAC system is failing and it was decided that was more critical, Flynn said.
Other articles for the warrant may include a police cruiser, a pick-up truck for the Highway Department and funding for the HVAC system at the new town offices on Wilbraham Road. Select Board member Donald Davenport said the town could see if voters are interested in a local option for lodging tax. The state allows municipalities to change a local tax of up to 6% on lodging accommodations. According to the Assessor’s Office, there are six addresses in town that would qualify, Davenport said.
