Planning Board approves two lot-line changes
Planning Commission · Meeting of August 12, 2026
Hampden Planning Board clears two lot-line plans, keeps working on solar bylaw. The board voted unanimously to combine three lots at 175 Stafford Road and to separate the town hall and fire station parcels on Main Street, the latter clearing space for a fire station expansion designed by Saccaccio and Associates Architects. Members told Hollow Road landowner Freeman Nolton he needs no board approval to build a small agricultural storage barn, citing state right-to-farm protections.
Much of the meeting focused on town counsel's comments on proposed solar bylaw amendments, including a one-to-one forest-clearing mitigation ratio and a 125 percent decommissioning surety bond; one member said, "I don't think we should just be going out of our way to make it difficult for people to develop solar." A public hearing on the changes is set for September 12, ahead of a special town meeting whose warrant closes September 21.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,222 words
Source: the Planning Commission meeting of August 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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