HAMPDEN – At the Hampden Select Board’s April 21 meeting a motion to join the Chicopee-based regional dispatch agency WESTCOMMM  was voted down after vigorous debate.

The board was up against a May 4 deadline to be eligible to receive a grant through state 911 that would cover the town’s direct costs of regionalization.

Residents Jim Smith and Tina Albano spoke in favor of bringing the information regarding regionalization to town meeting.

“Something of this magnitude should involve as many stakeholders are possible,” Albano said.

Smith stated that the costs for Hampden dispatch unemployment and contract negotiation with the police union reflecting a change in working conditions would create “substantial” additional costs.

Another resident, Thad Clavette, noted that there were a lot of unanswered questions from the role of dispatchers to making sure the police station was staffed at all times.

As Chair Donald Davenport was beginning to talk about ways to get the correct information to the majority of the town, board member Mary Ellen Glover asked to say something.

She read from a prepared statement and said that the town’s “financial crisis is very real” and “like every family, the town will need to conserve.” Glover recommended regionalization, remarking “it’s not what you want; it’s what you need and can afford.” She finished by making a motion to vote to enter into a conversation regarding joining with WESTCOMM.

Fellow board member John Flynn called the motion “inappropriate” since the other board members had not yet had a chance to speak.

Flynn said there were still options on the table, including a potential memorandum of understanding with Wilbraham to join dispatches. As of the April 21 meeting, Wilbraham had not yet made the decision. Smith added that in a choice between WESTCOMM or partnering with Wilbraham, Wilbraham was the superior option.

Glover mentioned several comments said at the April 6 Wilbraham Select Board meeting, including a comment from Wilbraham Select Board member Robert Boilard that he didn’t see a benefit in the partnership and one from Police Chief Robert Zollo that Hampden needs Wilbraham, but it was not mutual. Glover said the other town did not want an equal agreement.

“We want a partnership. We don’t want to be the victim or the minority,” Glover said.

Discussing the issue further, Flynn asked if, should the town sign on to WESTCOMMM, would it be allowed to pull out of the regionalization process, if it so decided. While Flynn acknowledged that the state is pushing municipalities toward regionalization, he said, “not everything the state does is right for the Town of Hampden.”

Davenport suggested hosting a special town meeting to discuss the issue in the fall.

“If every decision, we brought to the town meeting, what are we here for?” Glover asked.

Interim Town Administrator Bob Markel noted that inter-municipal agreements, such as the regionalization agreement, were under the preview of the select board rather than the town meeting.

Flynn suggested waiting to regionalize, as well. He noted that WESTCOMM was still fairly new.

“Let them iron out their problems,” before Hampden joins, Flynn said.

Davenport agreed that Glover had made good points but said there was not enough information put out to the public. He asserted that he was for consolidation wanted more time to explore options and receive feedback after more towns join WESTCOMM.

 “You can’t have a foot in both camps,” Glover told Davenport.

At one point, resident Paul McNaughton chastised Glover for being “disrespectful” of the other board members and interrupting to advocate for regionalization.

After Glover's proposal to join WESTCOMM was voted down 2:1, Flynn and Davenport proposed endorsing consolidation and bringing an action to a special town meeting in the fall.

Glover insisted that the other board members were listening to a minority of the town, but voted in favor of moving the conversation to a special town meeting.

In other news, Jane Budynkiewicz from the Board of Health reported a total of 13 cases of COVID-19 in Hampden and urged people to adhere to requirements and self-quarantine as necessary.

The board approved Acting Fire Chief Ed Poulin's request to hire Gary Lamount as a “call” firefighter, which cover night shifts.

The board voted to adopt legislation from the state would waive the interest and penalties on excise taxes and property taxes until June 29.