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 1998 as a successor to the 18th century government of Hampshire County.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3][4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Massachusetts, Commonwealth of (1998). General Laws, Chapter 300.
- ^ Daily Hampshire Gazette. 9 November 2010.
- ^ Appleton, John (1 December 2010). "Hampshire Council of Governments prepares for supplying electricity to residential customers". Springfield Republican. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/hampshire_council_of_governmen_3.html.
- ^ Appleton, John (28 June 2011). "Hampshire Council of Governments applies to become default electricity supplier to 22 communities". Springfield Republican. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/hampshire_council_of_governmen_7.html. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ Group Insurance Trust, Hampshire Council. "Wellness Newsletter". http://www.hampshirecog.org/wellness_newsletter/HCGIT%20Oct%202010%20newsletter.pdf. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Hampshire Council of Governments". http://www.hampshirecog.org. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
