HAMPDEN?– The Fire Chief Selection Committee came together for the first time in front of the Select Board at the July 29 meeting.

Select Board Chair John Flynn told the assembled committee members, “this is a big change for the town of Hampden and how we're looking for a fire chief.” Flynn said that the fire chief position had changed several times over the course of the town’s history and “with the retirement of Chief Gorski we have the opportunity to look at it again,” he said.

Selectman Donald Davenport explained that their job was, “not to choose a chief but to make a recommendation” on whether the position should be part-time or full-time and what the compensation should be.

Flynn said that he had discussed with the Tree Warden the many dead trees in town. The Tree Warden is currently underfunded to take down the trees along the roadways. Flynn suggested a warrant article for the Special Town Meeting to increase the line-item for the Tree Warden.

“Otherwise,” Flynn said, “We’ll have a town event with no power and we could have prevented it.” Flynn said that he reached out to state Sen. Eric Lesser to ask about state funds but has yet to hear back.

Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth came before the Select Board with Kristopher Gobeille to request he be added to the police department as an auxiliary officer. Farnsworth said Gobeille came highly recommended. The police department currently has six auxiliary officers.

Flynn asked Farnsworth to explain, for the laypersons in the room, the difference between an auxiliary officer and a reserve officer. Auxiliary officers are not paid by the town, Farnsworth said, adding that they could be considered “in training,” They have been through the academy and can work details.

“If they do well and we like them, they can move up to reserve,” Farnsworth said, which is like a part-time officer.

On the subject of a new emergency radio system, Farnsworth said the cost should be in the $600,000 ballpark, though he admitted, it may be as low as $450,000. Farnsworth hopes to have a hard number by the end of August.

The Select Board also approved updated police department policies.

After being asked at several recent Select Board meetings, Flynn said that Mary McNally, outgoing town administrator, said she would rather not attend Select Board meetings as she felt the last meeting she attended had become, “a hostile work environment.”

The Board briefly discussed a Pod brand storage unit that is on the property of 14 Forest Hills. The Pod has been there for well over a year, according to Pam Courtney, the Select Board administrative assistant.

While Farnsworth said that it was not a safety issue and Building Inspector Wendel Hulbert said it was not a zoning issue, the town feels it is an eyesore and is looking into ways to force its removal.

The Select Board agreed to schedule a meeting in August at the Senior Center to accommodate residents who cannot easily get to the Town Hall.

Courtney said she was still working on microphone system proposals to amplify the sound at various meetings but mainly Select Board meetings. Sound has been an ongoing issue for meetings, especially now that they are being conducted in the Town Hall’s Auditorium to accommodate more residents.