Southampton Select Board extends town accountant contract, raises building inspection fees after decade-long gap.

EASTHAMPTON -- August 19, 2025, Southampton Select Board approves building fee hike, new appointments, and accountant contract extension at August 19 meeting. The three-member quorum, Chair Chris Johnson, Stephen De Bruyne, and Ellen Fowles, voted unanimously to adopt a revised building department inspection fee schedule that had not been updated in roughly eight to 10 years, benchmarked by Building Inspector Ron against Northampton, Easthampton, Hadfield, Hadley, Granby, and other neighbors. The board also unanimously appointed Glenn Rita as Plumbing and Gas Inspector for a one-year term and Paul "Brad" Brousseau to a three-year Conservation Commission seat; Brousseau, a 37-year resident, previously served 13 years on the Hampshire Regional School Committee. Following a brief executive session, the board voted 3-0 to extend the contract of Town Accountant Bradley Oaksen through June 30, 2027. Town Administrator Scott flagged a $350,000 health insurance account deficit that will require action at the special town meeting now tentatively set for September 30, with Town Moderator Robert Floyd telling the board that warrant submissions must be in by August 26 and the warrant posted no later than September 15.