Hampshire Council of Governments
Encyclopedia
The Hampshire Council of Governments is a government entity with principal offices in Northampton, Massachusetts
. It was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1998 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
, Hadley
, Hatfield
, Huntington
, Middlefield
, Pelham
, Plainfield
, South Hadley
, 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.
Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust
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, thirty-two in Franklin County, and two in Hampden County. The Insurance Turst serves more than 3,600 employees and their dependents.
Hampshire Power and Electricity Aggregation
The Council has two programs providing low-cost electricity to customers in Western Massachusetts.
Hampshire Power serves eighty town governments, school districts, and fire and water districts in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties. As of July 2010, customers have saved $1.4 million on their bills. In addition, Hampshire Power serves one state agency, plus several non-profits and businesses.
In June 2011, the Hampshire Council filed an application for Municipal Aggregation of Electricity
on behalf of twenty-two communities in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. If approved by state regulators, the Council will arrange supply for those customers who have not chosen an independent supplier. The fifteen participating communities in Hampshire County include Belchertown
, Chesterfield
, Cummington
, Easthampton
, Goshen
, Granby
, Hadley
, Hatfield
, Huntington
, Middlefield
, Pelham
, Plainfield
, Southampton
, Westhampton
, and Williamsburg
. The seven Franklin County participating towns are Buckland
, Deerfield
, Gill
, Leverett
, Montague
, Northfield
, and Rowe
. These municipalities have a combined population of over 85,000 people.
Regional Services
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.
Health Programs
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.
As an integral part of the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust, the Hampshire Council runs a Wellness Initiative.
Other Programs
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 is responsible for all health-related programs.
The Legislative, Charter & Code Committee is generally responsible for the Council's interest in all matters primarily concerned with State legislation. The committee 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 Electricity Committee continues its pursuit of cost-saving energy supply for Hampshire County municipalities, residents, businesses, and non-profits.
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
. It was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1998 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
Belchertown, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density was 245.9 people per square mile . There were 5,050 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile...
, Chesterfield
Chesterfield, Massachusetts
Chesterfield is a rural hill town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, 28 miles southeast of Pittsfield and 108 miles west of Boston. The population was 1,201 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Chesterfield was...
, Cummington
Cummington, Massachusetts
Cummington is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 978 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Goshen
Goshen, Massachusetts
Goshen is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,054 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town has a rural atmosphere, with only one general store, a post office, Elementary school, and town hall...
, Granby
Granby, Massachusetts
Granby is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,420 at the 2010 census.It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town is comprised in the census-designated place of Granby....
, Hadley
Hadley, Massachusetts
Hadley is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The population was 4,793 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area around Hampshire Mall and Mountain Farms Mall along Route 9 is a major shopping destination for the surrounding...
, Hatfield
Hatfield, Massachusetts
Hatfield is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,249 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Huntington
Huntington, Massachusetts
Huntington is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,174 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Middlefield
Middlefield, Massachusetts
Middlefield is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 542 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Pelham
Pelham, Massachusetts
Pelham is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,403 at the 2000 census. It shares the same zip code as Amherst.Pelham is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Plainfield
Plainfield, Massachusetts
Plainfield is a town on the northwestern edge of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, about 25 miles east of Pittsfield and 30 miles northwest of Northampton. The population was 589 at the 2000 census...
, South Hadley
South Hadley, Massachusetts
South Hadley is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,514 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Southampton
Southampton, Massachusetts
Southampton is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It was established first as a district of Northampton in 1753. It was incorporated in 1753. The name Southampton was given to it during its first town meeting in 1773. Its ZIP code is 01073...
, Westhampton
Westhampton, Massachusetts
Westhampton is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, and Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Massachusetts
Williamsburg is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,482 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-The Mill River Flood:...
. 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.
Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust
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, thirty-two in Franklin County, and two in Hampden County. The Insurance Turst serves more than 3,600 employees and their dependents.
Hampshire Power and Electricity Aggregation
The Council has two programs providing low-cost electricity to customers in Western Massachusetts.
Hampshire Power serves eighty town governments, school districts, and fire and water districts in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties. As of July 2010, customers have saved $1.4 million on their bills. In addition, Hampshire Power serves one state agency, plus several non-profits and businesses.
In June 2011, the Hampshire Council filed an application for Municipal Aggregation of Electricity
Community Choice Aggregation
Community Choice Aggregation or CCA is a system adopted into law in the states of Massachusetts, Ohio, California, New Jersey and Rhode Island which allows cities and counties to aggregate the buying power of individual customers within a defined jurisdiction in order to secure alternative energy...
on behalf of twenty-two communities in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. If approved by state regulators, the Council will arrange supply for those customers who have not chosen an independent supplier. The fifteen participating communities in Hampshire County include Belchertown
Belchertown, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density was 245.9 people per square mile . There were 5,050 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile...
, Chesterfield
Chesterfield, Massachusetts
Chesterfield is a rural hill town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, 28 miles southeast of Pittsfield and 108 miles west of Boston. The population was 1,201 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Chesterfield was...
, Cummington
Cummington, Massachusetts
Cummington is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 978 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Easthampton
Easthampton, Massachusetts
Easthampton is the second largest city in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The town is on the southeastern edge of an area called the Pioneer Valley near the five colleges in the college towns of Northampton and Amherst, MA...
, Goshen
Goshen, Massachusetts
Goshen is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,054 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town has a rural atmosphere, with only one general store, a post office, Elementary school, and town hall...
, Granby
Granby, Massachusetts
Granby is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,420 at the 2010 census.It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town is comprised in the census-designated place of Granby....
, Hadley
Hadley, Massachusetts
Hadley is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The population was 4,793 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area around Hampshire Mall and Mountain Farms Mall along Route 9 is a major shopping destination for the surrounding...
, Hatfield
Hatfield, Massachusetts
Hatfield is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,249 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Huntington
Huntington, Massachusetts
Huntington is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,174 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Middlefield
Middlefield, Massachusetts
Middlefield is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 542 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Pelham
Pelham, Massachusetts
Pelham is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,403 at the 2000 census. It shares the same zip code as Amherst.Pelham is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Plainfield
Plainfield, Massachusetts
Plainfield is a town on the northwestern edge of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, about 25 miles east of Pittsfield and 30 miles northwest of Northampton. The population was 589 at the 2000 census...
, Southampton
Southampton, Massachusetts
Southampton is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It was established first as a district of Northampton in 1753. It was incorporated in 1753. The name Southampton was given to it during its first town meeting in 1773. Its ZIP code is 01073...
, Westhampton
Westhampton, Massachusetts
Westhampton is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, and Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Massachusetts
Williamsburg is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,482 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-The Mill River Flood:...
. The seven Franklin County participating towns are Buckland
Buckland, Massachusetts
Buckland is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,991 at the 2000 census. The town shares the village of Shelburne Falls with neighboring Shelburne...
, Deerfield
Deerfield, Massachusetts
Deerfield is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,750 as of the 2000 census. Deerfield is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area in Western Massachusetts, lying only north of the city of Springfield.Deerfield includes the...
, Gill
Gill, Massachusetts
Gill is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 1,363 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Leverett
Leverett, Massachusetts
Leverett is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,663 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Montague
Montague, Massachusetts
Montague is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,489 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan statistical area....
, Northfield
Northfield, Massachusetts
Northfield is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,951 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and Rowe
Rowe, Massachusetts
Rowe is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 351 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. These municipalities have a combined population of over 85,000 people.
Regional Services
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.
Health Programs
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.
As an integral part of the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust, the Hampshire Council runs a Wellness Initiative.
Other Programs
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 is responsible for all health-related programs.
The Legislative, Charter & Code Committee is generally responsible for the Council's interest in all matters primarily concerned with State legislation. The committee 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 Electricity Committee continues its pursuit of cost-saving energy supply for Hampshire County municipalities, residents, businesses, and non-profits.