[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6301741,"mediaKeyId","2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b","parentId",2484821,"title","Select Board raises concerns over draft regional agreement and who will pay for Wilburham Middle School improvements","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",1723000,"endMs",1850000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b&start=1723&end=1850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b/thumbnail_1723000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301741/Massachusetts/Select-Board-raises-concerns-over-draft-regional-agreement-and-who-will-pay-for-Wilburham-Middle-School-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301741-77d65243053272e84119d1d0a89815b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975295&Signature=hbYUZlhA13tLnSBwX2y~ghPvlmqBsctGOyqrIXd9rUP---zdBsmMRlS-jQoCzmqLa9WFoE3qFmsLS3m7bKmG~zZBMPXA8skDhzu3oJ4g~3wq3gLHuBWGROcjelNAUjMdHx1j0Ws5zEpJdc3tpzsCqxPskyHiR0qMnjbCilguaqK-I35ffWV1O1rwW4fL2xL88MrzMx7yLJ7ronNjo7MY-nGKdE4J8MRATgwokF948fxvDKbPmhznqUemF-1MfTXCn20DEHVvBMfR1WEETKvlSCCt-64woI6YWJGbOwOWiCllJNBdiM6skG5Q1bNZ6UyWXTOHCrysZxxg3nd0a8lK3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Select Board members on March 4 expressed concern about language in a draft regional agreement that would leave Wilburham as owner of Wilburham Middle School while making Hampden responsible for capital improvements based on the ratio of students in the building.

A Select Board member said the draft agreement would keep ownership with Wilburham while making capital costs the responsibility of regional partners according to student ratios, and that Hampden’s share was currently about 19.6 percent. Board members referenced a 2015 assessment of the building that identified multiple deficiencies and said they believe many of those issues remain unaddressed, though speakers also noted Wilburham has since replaced the roof and motors on air handlers.

Why it matters: board members said a regional proposal that appears to obligate Hampden to a portion of capital work could influence voter sentiment about other town actions (including the proposed TWB move) and raise political resistance at town meeting. Board members asked for independent assessment and clearer cost language before any town meeting vote on regional arrangements.

Process and timing: staff noted that any plan affecting school facilities requires approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and that the DESE review process is lengthy. Board members said they are unsure whether the school committee will bring a finalized proposal to an upcoming town meeting, and asked for assessments and clearer financial terms if it is advanced for a vote. No formal action was taken at the Select Board meeting.

Board members asked staff to seek an updated condition assessment and to clarify the exact financial commitments the draft regional agreement would impose on Hampden before voters consider related warrant articles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hampden, MA: Selectboard (March 04, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Board members warned a draft regional agreement could make Hampden responsible for capital improvements at Wilburham Middle School proportional to its student share (cited ~19.6%), and asked for independent condition assessment and clearer cost apportionment before any town vote.","taxTitle","Town of Hampden, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",66345,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6301745,"Select Board refines timetable, costs and security plans for move to TWB; seeks final estimates before town meeting",81,526000,607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b&start=526&end=607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b/thumbnail_526000.jpg","/articles/6301745/Massachusetts/Select-Board-refines-timetable-costs-and-security-plans-for-move-to-TWB-seeks-final-estimates-before-town-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301745-a1ecb57db85e5471136ad325e8e494cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975295&Signature=ozL4iKaxl8WGxj5KxzXcKajrNtzEe46Xahjk6wfTpu9PorQzev3Xo~JEH-OeUO4p0AkDtLRbiSLPmze3r7jtal6ZXr8ID-hva~qaEBNXiPr4jpiVD7FlFCvJvN7~AxlrD5MjqvAmDzEOy7m4qymAtdiZBghrLo014qk5HJLOLDeHVk9Z9udm-uld0XyC2YbzQKuh4ZskVR2Y8fIlQjjQuXHURx-Dfox434aXoSxRaX23wASfIq68VDFOiLep4FRHlhjdBhatcHNCUSSh2RqQrkEtWFqg5KitCgzCNh-FbTa7U3UKehcXjF5T9RY9fCfxl~eT31VX5ESdEWMMd3yaGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hampden Select Board on March 4 discussed logistics, costs and technical reviews related to a proposed move of administrative offices and library functions into TWB, aiming for occupancy in the fall.

Staff said a realistic target for relocation would be October and that the town is collecting moving estimates: one moving company provided a straight‑move estimate of about $50,000 to relocate administrative offices and library furniture (excluding books and shelving), while a more comprehensive move that included packing and moving books was estimated at about $70,000. A third moving company was scheduled for a site visit to produce a third estimate.

The board also reviewed building systems and upgrades. Valley Communications provided an initial consult on electronic locks and cameras; Secure Energy performed an HVAC audit and will perform a lighting audit at TWB and at the senior center. Staff reported older lighting fixtures across classrooms (roughly 30 fixtures per classroom in current configuration) and said one lighting vendor estimated a retrofit could reduce that to about nine fixtures per classroom, producing energy and maintenance savings.

Solar and metering concerns: staff and board members discussed rooftop versus parking‑lot solar. Contractors advised capturing a full year of electricity usage at TWB before sizing a rooftop system because utility net‑metering and contractor sizing often target roughly 60% of measured load; board members warned that some installers size systems conservatively and that parking‑lot solar adds structural and snow‑plow complications. National Grid net‑metering and sizing practices were referenced in the discussion.

Other facilities topics: staff recommended creating a facilities manager position to oversee town buildings and coordinate repairs, energy upgrades and maintenance; the board discussed whether that role should cover TWB, the senior center and other town properties. Staff also noted an existing $100,000 placeholder appropriation from a prior special town meeting that remains largely unused except for the septic assessment. The board directed staff to obtain final cost estimates, security and access‑control quotes, and moving bids to include in the warrant before the town meeting.

No formal vote was taken at the March 4 meeting; board members said they will return with finalized cost numbers and draft warrant language.","Board discussed moving town offices and library to TWB in fall, moving estimates ($50,000–$70,000), lighting and HVAC audits, potential solar options and a proposed facilities manager position.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6301749,"Hampden senior center needs roof, window and septic repairs; warrant article to include costs",390,239000,629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b&start=239&end=629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484821-04518b42d584f2638b6c3250d3ecc22b/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6301749/Massachusetts/Hampden-senior-center-needs-roof-window-and-septic-repairs-warrant-article-to-include-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301749-273461717ee059fb2a0164d32a446188/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975295&Signature=fcwB0ERkthERqxTjivV0j~K2cSMXMexjpqNqCCLb2gIo-ikG~xhlNwezMekoZlsx8EBhOedxh9gOyq2ruMV~qyRS9OCnd1ofvVOembm3x6BkGQH92pvk3HwcbNZALDuoTw~hNtUtwAeSJhvDgfovvUFY2dmy9spJlXq80UxMrg5i0rzIkTTO1p2Tm4u5EMfcttzmhI9hodgbBLd~~NyzbzMRE54w7WYcFc5h1ZxdpFs01coJzn6zPxFcovWq3wdh60Qmx~EsE6MhDfuQ~wmVHEIKQFnO0xjt8XymlpVyyRi-gr7Z5s-gFaYRyrxfcnwIYkDFJRoT2bb3zKTWZS2n4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hampden Select Board heard a multi-part facilities update March 4 on needed repairs and upgrades at the senior center, including roofing, windows, bathrooms and septic work, and the potential funding to appear on the annual town meeting warrant.

The matter was raised during the Select Board’s facilities discussion as staff summarized estimates and next steps. A staff member reported initial roof bids from several contractors put a likely cost “around $90,000 to $100,000” for replacement of a 30‑plus year roof, not including any damaged sheathing; the contractor estimates the cost to replace individual sheathing sheets at about $95 each if required. For windows, staff said a ballpark 20–30 standard windows may need repair or replacement and that a working estimate provided in discussion was “$1,500 a window.” Bathroom work so far includes a plumber’s estimate of about $1,500 for plumbing work but, when partitions, painting and lighting are added, staff said total bathroom upgrades could be between $5,000 and $10,000. Septic work discussed included raising covers, adding an effluent filter and fixing a vent, with installers estimating roughly $3,000 to $4,000.

Why it matters: officials said they will include precise dollar figures in a warrant article once final estimates arrive; capital needs at the senior center are being weighed against other town budget pressures, including increases in regional assessments and retirement assessments discussed earlier in the meeting.

Supporting details and next steps: staff said Secure Energy had been engaged to assess HVAC and lighting at the senior center; Secure Energy completed an HVAC audit and will perform a lighting audit to quantify potential energy and maintenance savings. The town has also submitted a Community Compact IT grant request (just over $170,000, per staff comments) that would replace aging network switches and install wireless access points in much of the building. Staff said the previously appropriated $100,000 from a prior special town meeting remains largely unspent except for the septic assessment.

Water testing: staff reported the building’s well water showed an unspecified contaminant referenced in the meeting as “Efosse” at about 10 parts per trillion; staff said the current threshold of concern is 20 parts per trillion and that MassDEP requires additional testing when levels exceed roughly 10 parts per trillion. Staff said a likely remedy, if required, would be carbon filtration for drinking water.

Board direction: the Select Board asked staff to collect firm contractor estimates, refine the scope and dollar amounts for a warrant article, and to continue coordination with Secure Energy and other vendors. No formal vote was taken at the March 4 meeting.

The Select Board plans to present the finalized cost figures and warrant language to voters at the upcoming annual town meeting.","Select Board discussed preliminary estimates for senior center repairs — roof $90,000–$100,000, windows roughly 20–30 at ~$1,500 each, bathrooms $5,000–$10,000 — and plans to include specific funding numbers on an upcoming warrant article.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board raises concerns over draft regional agreement and who will pay for Wilburham Middle School improvements

Select Board refines timetable, costs and security plans for move to TWB; seeks final estimates before town meeting

Hampden senior center needs roof, window and septic repairs; warrant article to include costs