Hampshire Council of Governments
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The Hampshire Council of Governments is a government entity with principal offices in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1988 as a successor to the 18th century government of Hampshire County. The focus of the Council is to help local governments solve problems through regional cooperation and save money, with a commitment to the concept of local control over local affairs.
Membership in the Hampshire Council is voluntary. Current towns with full membership include Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granby, Huntington, Middlefield, Pelham, Plainfield, Southampton, Westhampton, and Williamsburg. Each town has one or more Councilors, elected by the voters in their local biennial Town Election.
The Cooperative Purchasing program coordinates and administers a formal bidding process for bulk buying.
The Hampshire Councilors serve as the trustees of the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust, a cooperative effort to provide health and life insurance for 62 governmental units - of which twenty-five are public employers in Hampshire County serving more than 3,623 employees and their dependents.
The Regional Services Department develops regional approaches to problems shared by Hampshire County municipalities, including securing surplus federal equipment. Regional Services oversees the Hampshire Inspection Program that provides building inspection and zoning enforcement services. The department produces a wage and salary survey of all municipal positions in Hampshire County.
The elected Councilors provide public oversight for Hampshire Care in Leeds, a rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility owned and operated by the Council and County since 1914. The facility provides for 120 patients, with over 200 admissions per year. The facility has an exemplary record of performance on State and Federal surveys, and rates highest in the County on State Survey results. (See Massachusetts Department of Public Health "Nursing Home Report Card.") The Council would like to be able to expand the public services being offered on the campus of Hampshire Park, where Hampshire Care is located. Among other initiatives, the placement of a school, mixed housing, and hospice facilities on the campus have been discussed.
The Council continues to be involved in tobacco prevention efforts through the Tobacco Free Network serving both Franklin and Hampshire Counties. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the Department of Public Health.
The Council's newest program is providing low-cost electricity to towns and other customers. Electricity service began in April 2006.
In addition to the various departments, programs, and services, the Councilors attend monthly Full Board Meetings as well as Standing Committee Meetings, including the Executive Committee, Human Services Municipal Advisory Committee, Legislative, Charter & Code Committee, Regional Services Municipal Advisory Committee, Electric Committee, and Finance Committee. Each Committee has oversight of specific departments and programs and continues to look for ways to increase revenue and provide services. The Executive Committee is responsible for the more routine activities of the Council and its various departments, oversees the carrying out of the policies voted by the Councilors and the duties of the Council Administrator, reviews the proposed budget, acts as the Road Viewing and Hearing Committee, and serves as the Real Estate Tax Appeal Board. The Human Services Committee serves as liaison with the Hampshire Care facility and to perform functions of supervision, monitoring, and development of the facility. The Committee is currently working on proposals for development of the Hampshire Park area of Hampshire Care including a proposed housing program. Other ideas discussed include the potential for the addition of a charter school, an environmental facility, and other developmental ideas to enhance the property and raise revenue. The Legislative, Charter & Code Committee is generally responsible for the Council's interest in all matters primarily concerned with State legislation. The LCCC is also entrusted with making recommendations to the Full Council for proposed amendments to the Council Charter and to review the Administrative Code. The Regional Services Committee serves as liaison with the Hampshire County Fire Defense Association, and provides general supervision of the Regional Services and Cooperative Purchasing Departments. The Committee is increasing its exposure and advertising outreach. The Electric Committee continues its pursuit of cost saving energy supply for Hampshire County municipalities. The long-term goal of the program is to supply energy to town facilities initially, followed by businesses then town residents.
