Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the town of Hampden is hereby authorized to borrow from time to time such sums of money as may be necessary, not to exceed an aggregate amount of $150,000, for the purpose of paying certain engineering and legal expenses and settlement costs incurred by the town in connection with litigation relating to the town's water supply, and may issue bonds or notes therefor. Each authorized issue shall constitute a separate loan and each such loan shall be payable within five years from its date. Indebtedness incurred under this act shall not be included in determining the limit of indebtedness of the town under section 10 of chapter 44 of the General Laws, but except as provided herein, shall otherwise be subject to the provisions of that chapter.

SECTION 2. The vote of the town passed under Article 1 of the special town meeting held on October 26, 1998, authorizing borrowing for engineering and legal expenses and settlement costs in connection with litigation relating to the town's water supply, is hereby ratified, validated and confirmed.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.