HAMPDEN – State Sen. Eric Lesser attended the Jan. 19 Hampden Select Board meeting to recognize outgoing Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth for his time as the head of Hamden’s police department.

Lesser joked with Farnsworth, “You picked a hell of a year to be president of the Chiefs of Police Association,” referring to the chief’s recent time as the head of Massachusetts’s fraternal and professional police chief organization.

The legislator said that while he and Farnsworth did not always see eye-to-eye on issues, he believes the chief was always “sincere” in doing what he thought was best. Lesser shared an anecdote about a time when there had been a “rash of suicides” in the area and Farnsworth reacted by coordinating with public health services, despite that being outside of what many think of as a police chief’s duties.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better person to learn from and grow with,” Lesser said of Farnsworth. For his part, Farnsworth acknowledged that he and Lesser have disagreed at times, but the two were always able to work together.

The town has received $100,000 from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to address  traffic issues resulting from the MGM Casino in Springfield. The main project that the Select Board is interested in pursuing with the funds is a crosswalk on Somers Road at the Village Mart. The crosswalk would include a flashing signal alerting drivers to the pedestrian crossing and would increase the safety for residents crossing from the Centennial Commons senior housing to the store.

While Interim Town Administrator Bob Markel said that the existing crosswalk could be repainted without additional funding, Select Board Member John Flynn said that painting the lines is mainly “aesthetic” and installation of a warning system is the most important part. Markel presented a rough estimate of $30,000 for a crosswalk with a flashing light and an electronic speed monitor.

Markel reported that he had spoken with Highway Superintendent Mark Langone who had suggested the remaining $70,000 could be used for additional electronic speed signs, guardrails, reflectors and repainting of the existing crosswalk. Markel noted that the speed signs cost between $17,000 and $21,000, but that they can serve a dual-purpose and be programmed to display alerts and messages. Interim Police Chief Richard Marchese said Longmeadow often uses the programmable sign feature.

Markel was given the go-ahead to secure concrete estimates for the project.

Another project that the board has previously discussed is a sidewalk running from Centennial Commons to the Senior Center. Markel said that, at $225,000, it was “cost-prohibitive” and would include the future expense of snow removal. Glover noted the usage may not even exist to justify the expense.

The Select Board decided to look in-house for the next Hampden police chief. When given the option of advertising online for outside candidates, advertising within the department or using a candidate evaluation consulting firm, the three board members agreed that candidates within the department should be given first consideration. It was noted that if no suitable candidate is found, the position can be posted to a wider field. The board expects to interview candidates by the end of February.

Farnsworth submitted a “place holder” police department budget to the Select Board. The figures did not include savings from the elimination of in-town dispatch nor the cost of dispatcher unemployment. The chief and the board agreed that the savings will significantly outweigh the expenses. Farnsworth also noted that he did not include raises aside from minimum wage increases, as the board had not yet reached a decision on that issue.

Wilbraham is currently reviewing the inter-municipal agreement for regionalized emergency dispatch services. Markel said that there are some minor language discrepancies and concerns from Select Board Member Mary Ellen Glover that need to be addressed, but he said it was nothing that should derail the agreement.

The Hampden Fire Department has received a $25,000 equipment grant and a $27,000 hazmat grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and expects to receive another $3k grant from the agency. They have also applied for an $80,000 grant from the agency’s federal counterpart, FEMA, for equipment to fill air tanks.

The Connecticut River Conservancy is creating an advisory board for the Scantic River Watershed, which flows through Hampden. Markel said that the conservancy was looking for “informal support” from the board. Select Board Chair Donald Davenport called the Scantic River a “vital resource” for Hampden. Conservation Commission Co-Chair Ted Zebert has volunteered for the advisory board.

Markel received a call from state Rep. Brian Ashe’s office inquiring about the use of Thornton W. Burgess School as a vaccination site. While Flynn said that the town would need to review the lease agreement for the building, all three board members approved of the idea. Glover said that it would be a “great convenience” for people in town.