[{"_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",6095992,"mediaKeyId","2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc","parentId",2834535,"title","Select Board reviews capital requests ahead of town meeting; camera, radio repeater, HVAC and equipment costs discussed","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",2690000,"endMs",2925000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc&start=2690&end=2925","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc/thumbnail_2690000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6095992/Massachusetts/Select-Board-reviews-capital-requests-ahead-of-town-meeting-camera-radio-repeater-HVAC-and-equipment-costs-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095992-f8c8e67131cbb47f4a02c5d5105197da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187752&Signature=bfxp5z7w2EBw575b4ftNaa8vgLxr9nOyhhjHL8BNCuF8vOIQ69rzJGZvDT7FDv5fjshtZ5J0QAP0dQ7T2h86S9inLIOWlPmY95BsYe-LMzFEtQd5p21DY63uwxPeAHFGCsL8QJvC6a-mU91L5L6~SZFDahFsEZazBn0kim-hdf-PMjSGxB0qH5cOOArbUYxcitARofJZUWTD5nEy2m5IjcI43bp70khu0AxSeZqW0NJwlQHcsQz2oeAoAflxrhD7aI0uTnqGoHFxcXLtGwusieniv-fzvykONnc1CtW3tttd3qeb5qhHFx2pGfhVcFDwVB6dTqlOYxjEjwvFg0yd2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Select Board members reviewed capital requests slated for the upcoming town meeting, including equipment and shared regional items, and discussed how those items will appear on the warrant.

Why it matters: several items have substantial price tags or shared-cost implications with neighboring Wilbraham; the board must decide whether to present articles individually or bundle them for voters.

Items discussed and figures cited in the meeting: a camera system and storage (total cited in discussion as $370,000 for a larger system); the town’s share of that camera upgrade was cited as about $72,016. A two-way radio repeater upgrade was listed at about $11,000 total (town share cited around $2,141). Split (mini-split) AC units for building cooling were listed at about $35,000 total (town share cited ~$6,008). A Kubota RTV was listed at $43,000; the town’s responsibility for that vehicle (when costs are apportioned) was cited at $8,622. Green Meadows (school) switch upgrades were listed at $92,500; staff said that equates to roughly $10,000 per switch if nine switches are replaced. A Community Compact IT grant application was mentioned for roughly $148,000 to replace switches and install wireless access points; staff said they hope to hear whether the grant is awarded before town meeting.

Wilbraham coordination: several of these items are being coordinated with Wilbraham; staff said the town’s dollar responsibilities vary by item and will be presented in the draft warrant. For example, the town’s share of certain larger systems (cameras, radio repeater, Kubota) was presented as a prorated amount in the meeting.

Debate and next steps: board members asked whether items will be separate warrant articles or bundled into a single assessment. Staff said some items will be presented as separate warrant articles; others will be coordinated with Wilbraham to match that town’s articles for assessment clarity. The board also discussed the political risk of bundling high-cost items together in an omnibus override ballot question.

What’s next: staff will finalize numbers and coordination with Wilbraham and return with draft warrant articles and amounts for Select Board approval prior to town meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hampden, MA: Selectboard (April 1, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The board discussed a list of capital requests for the upcoming town meeting: camera system, two-way radio repeater, split AC units, Kubota RTV, IT switches for schools and Green Meadows, and cost shares with Wilbraham.","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},6095997,"Select Board discusses moving town offices to Thornton Burgess site; repair and upgrade costs remain uncertain",1448,1190000,2638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc&start=1190&end=2638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","/articles/6095997/Massachusetts/Select-Board-discusses-moving-town-offices-to-Thornton-Burgess-site-repair-and-upgrade-costs-remain-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095997-f7f133d3b3a19ebde5212aa54283ff75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187752&Signature=mzXSNNgohTb0miaChNFMX7R93FLpXfZa8~bmOmmeNRsXbD1Xozp9myletz3LWcXR5ps2YHsBf9HibHw2RF2M7rs70lAzXbKpdLNaKOGpIVmHdxy-4fV3HeeCW~LA5HeLLblzfVwWAm5u1-a6E3nPPAeV9ibvWw5LYJTHoPlF9zjliXVzMQgtGAOz9HxRVUHG3DER1BTb8v1J~2XPENPvzU2UoNUdGKJ74c4gLzDIWEojxLANBJT22w25X1fbt89r1AG2eaNhqeESHbEldxDQTJMwF3-fPb-w1cpxB1D3bZo8U~-2qPrmR7ULDsJH3cpP5Xrs7d5SLS0YZNSjpIsrLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members discussed a planned move of town offices into the Thornton Burgess building and reviewed repair and upgrade estimates the town will include in upcoming warrant articles. The board and staff emphasized uncertainties on final costs for HVAC, access control, PFAS water filtration, roof and window replacements and debated funding strategy including whether to bundle large items into a debt-exclusion ballot question.

Why it matters: the board is preparing warrant language and cost figures ahead of town meeting; repair and move costs will affect operating budgets, potential town borrowing and whether several projects are bundled for a single override vote.

Key figures and work items presented by staff (Brian and others): a roofing replacement estimate around $110,000 (noted as an early estimate that may rise), replacement of 53 windows (excluding stained glass) at roughly $1,400–$1,500 per window in current estimates, bathroom upgrades (estimated about $15,000), septic system maintenance and required manhole adjustments, and moving costs estimated at roughly $80,000 for movers, supplies and IT disconnect/reconnect. The town also has $99,400 remaining from a prior appropriation for this project; that balance and additional needed funding will determine warrant amounts.

Staff said access control and camera quotes are outstanding and that camera network costs could be phased: access control must be in place by occupancy, while camera network expansion could be phased later. A consultant identified elevated PFAS in the building’s water test, and staff said a filtration system will be required. HVAC work under consideration includes heat-pump retrofits to provide cooling and heating in every space.

Library and IT: moving the library’s books and shelving was estimated at $21,000 by a specialized mover; additional moving-related budgeting (packing supplies and IT relocation) brought the town’s moving budget items to roughly $80,000. The town also applied for a Community Compact IT grant (about $148,000 referenced for network switches and wireless points); staff said they hope to hear before town meeting.

Real-estate and long-term options: Brian reported meeting with commercial realtor Brendan Greeley, who told the board the existing town hall building is \"not attractive from a commercial reuse standpoint\" and said a resale would likely not cover renovation costs; Brian relayed Greeley’s assessment that a sale might be nominal (\"we'd probably sell it for a dollar\") because required rehabilitation would be costly. The board discussed options—retain the older building, sell if a buyer emerges, or demolish—while noting any sale or demolition would require town meeting votes and funding.

Funding strategy debate: Select Board members discussed whether to place the fire station debt-exclusion question on the ballot separately or bundle multiple projects into an omnibus debt-exclusion. John Flynn (Select Board member) suggested an omnibus bond to spread costs over a longer term so more residents have projects that matter. Other members warned bundling risks losing support from constituencies and potentially endangering the town office move or senior center work if voters reject a large override.

What’s next: staff will continue to gather bids and firm up access control and HVAC quotes, confirm PFAS mitigation costs, and present a final recommended warrant amount at future meetings. The Select Board also scheduled continued coordination with Wilbraham officials regarding school district agreements and building responsibilities.","Select Board members reviewed repair, moving and upgrade estimates tied to relocating town offices to Thornton Burgess, discussed building-condition findings (roof, windows, PFAS in water) and debated funding strategy including possible debt exclusion for the fire station.",{"_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},6096002,"Select Board reviews schematics for Hampden fire station addition; architect to return with cost estimate",920,65000,985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc&start=65&end=985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2834535-2bedfd66a4e0103512982c3922f611fc/thumbnail_65000.jpg","/articles/6096002/Massachusetts/Select-Board-reviews-schematics-for-Hampden-fire-station-addition-architect-to-return-with-cost-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096002-58ebca541746914180bbd790b9f5ac2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187752&Signature=ekCKlvYCnt2~fLp~U7zOaQK0c5WWHjrN0LWr-c4fgy~Xr~p-fqKC0Uwcrn4f0It1uyXZpxtpZusAgCbmzYBIhfjLabvFykRbjblyVT1HEqtu31U-2lIR~ZYltpInc0M4LFaT9bIRKCHW-rPNxJnhpHyZ-mPXyaK54NnSQNWPo6CQAyMIXbuxzUbmZ9QTaELyGwDmfDlaKpQKS-3eFXP0rGIrIn3K-fOqIEzPLZaRyS5uVSiSS-BVSTIzSS7f~iOwBB8P83UAyrw702lN5CjgTpPp1yAvMj8TeqiaWfQk53C5mFc2101jC5DyUJcwRjyy4jamVG~4CeV0NXik417zKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members reviewed preliminary schematics for an addition and remodel to the Town of Hampden fire station and asked the project team to return with a revised cost estimate on April 7.

The plan shown to the board depicts the existing station in a darker shade and a striped lighter area for the proposed addition, primarily on the west and north sides of the building. The schematic shows enlarged vehicle bays (labeled E1, E2), a training area, office space, storage and a potential second-floor living area that would require a second exit if built out for sleeping quarters.

Why it matters: architects, the fire chief and the building committee emphasized that modern fire apparatus are larger than older trucks, requiring higher bay heights and layout changes. Board members flagged site issues—grading, driveways and the presence of a town right of way—that could affect construction cost and scope.

During the review, the board and project team discussed: the need to raise one existing garage bay to accommodate truck maintenance; an exhaust system for vehicle bays; a buried tank and sprinkler piping tied to any sleeping quarters; and whether areas labeled as future living quarters would be built out as finished rooms now or left as unfinished space.

Fire Chief (identified in the meeting as “Chief”) described operational needs, noting the need for higher bay heights so truck cabs can be tilted for repairs. He also said the new apparatus bays will require an exhaust system that serves the entire addition. The chief confirmed the generator is wired and fuel delivery and startup scheduling remain to be completed.

Building committee members and staff asked the architect to correct the site grading and driveway details before an estimator finalizes a price. One board member noted the site drawing does not show the uphill grade and said any retaining, foundation or drainage work should be included in estimates. A committee member added: \"That's one thing the building committee picked up right away as well,\" referencing missing embankment and window/brick details on the initial drawings.

The team said sprinklering would be required if living/sleeping quarters are included. The architect told the board the drawings are preliminary schematics intended to secure a cost estimate; the group plans another coordination meeting with the architect on Thursday and expects to bring a firm number to the Select Board on April 7.

What’s next: the project team will ask the architect and estimator to correct site and scope assumptions (grading, driveway/right-of-way issues, brick and window scope, sprinkler tank location) and return with an adjusted price and clarified drawings for the board on April 7.","Select Board members reviewed preliminary schematics for an addition and remodel to the Town of Hampden fire station, discussed vehicle bay height, potential living quarters and sprinkler requirements, and asked the architect for a revised estimate to present April 7.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board reviews capital requests ahead of town meeting; camera, radio repeater, HVAC and equipment costs discussed

Select Board discusses moving town offices to Thornton Burgess site; repair and upgrade costs remain uncertain

Select Board reviews schematics for Hampden fire station addition; architect to return with cost estimate