HAMPDEN – In a last minute change of plans, Hampden Town Moderator Richard Green released a letter to residents on Oct. 5, advising them that the Special Town Meeting scheduled for that evening had been postponed until Oct. 26.

“I am declaring pursuant to G.L.c.39, § 10A, that the Special Town Meeting shall be recessed and continued to Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. The meeting place will be the Thornton W. Burgess Middle School, Wilbraham Road, Hampden, MA 01036,” Green informed the public. A robocall was also sent out to notify people.

The postponement was the result of positive coronavirus test results from two employees at the Hampden Town Hall.

“Out of an abundance of caution and concern for town residents, selectmen in consultation with the town moderator have postponed the Special Town Meeting until Oct. 26,” Select Board Chair Donald Davenport told Reminder Publishing. “Because of the need to conduct contact tracing it was the consensus that the meeting should be postponed to insure the safety of all attendees.”

Residents were scheduled to vote on several articles at the meeting, including the purchase of a new police cruiser, money to alleviate a ventilation safety issue at the fire station and how much money to apply to the reducing the tax rate.

The Town Hall, which was opened to the public on Sept. 13, will be closed for two weeks. Any town business will need to be conducted online or by phone in the interim. Town employees have been asked to be tested for the coronavirus. They will be tested again before the municipal offices reopen, as the incubation period for the virus can range from two to 14 days.

While the Special Town Meeting has been postponed, voting in the Nov. 3 presidential election will continue as scheduled. The town hall auditorium will be open for voting and set up with social distancing, masks and hand sanitizer. Alternatively, residents can choose to request a mail-in ballot and send it in or use the secure drop-box located at the rear of the Town Hall. To request a ballot, visit www.sec.state.ma.us/ele. Early voting will also be conducted in the auditorium and run from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30.