[{"_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",6254882,"mediaKeyId","3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe","parentId",3168706,"title","Historical commission seeks National Register listing for Hampden Townhouse; board cautions on limiting future options","audioSeconds",405,"startMs",1945000,"endMs",2350000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe&start=1945&end=2350","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe/thumbnail_1945000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6254882/Massachusetts/Historical-commission-seeks-National-Register-listing-for-Hampden-Townhouse-board-cautions-on-limiting-future-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254882-9be7f1cc89381ec9f47f6cc3b5a47a43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019989&Signature=KIUghz9Cvw0rE1igi38OijSbJ5btKFwO4qnBDChicruXeyc~rYqFg7sCvsUnSMTohtkTpyxUxUs8FJCfowUMFSJlGHNOZXYGQ-TiRe6I00aAxE3~~B02qeenR9W1q3Q1K3BczHoL3sIN-m~FmBpCwd8SBCH1bjNvYPB5Tpt2Xlw5nJh1gvryXU47IM~7QcqB6shm~BHx-jcXh0kIR2t7YB1a0nTqW-~oX1spgubhZGfvAwotsf0RYpUBB-gndwFXSqLtcW8cpoSQRM2jZX3vEb~g06JbSs-VRTgFkuisV119tmPcv2b4p26MmJYm0dz3mI~yvaT8oY~n~pvoFARfVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hampden, MA","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","At its May 1 meeting the Select Board heard from the Historical Commission about available CPA funds and a plan to pursue a National Register listing for the Townhouse building.

Why it matters: An individual National Register listing could make the Townhouse eligible for federal and state historic tax credits that developers can use to underwrite rehabilitation costs, the commission said. That could alter the economics of any future sale or reuse.

The commission reported that state reviewers have asked for a full-town survey before approving a district nomination, which would be much more expensive. As an alternative, the commission proposed pursuing an individual National Register nomination for the Townhouse, which staff said is likely eligible on its own. The commission noted that the National Register process typically takes a couple of years to complete and that the listing could improve developer interest by providing tax-credit eligibility.

Board members discussed pros and cons. One board member said listing could limit future options for the building, including demolition, and asked whether listing would prevent later changes. Staff replied that an individual listing does not legally prevent demolition; if the town were to demolish a listed building it would be removed from the register. A commercial realtor who met with staff recently said the building may not attract strong market offers in its current condition, but board members discussed creative incentives for redevelopment, such as temporary tax abatements or incubator space, and suggested forming a development committee to study options.

No formal action was taken. The board and commission agreed the topic will reappear at or after town meeting as the larger decisions about the Townhouse (reuse, sale, demolition) are tied to other warrant items and funding decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hampden, MA: Selectboard (May 01, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Historical Commission told the Select Board they have CPA funds to pursue a National Register listing for the Townhouse but that state reviewers now want a full-town survey for a district; the commission proposed an individual building nomination to help stimulate redevelopment interest through tax credits.","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},6254887,"Select Board weighs move to former Thornton Burgess school; lighting, flooring and PFAS tests shape renovation plan",559,954000,1513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe&start=954&end=1513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe/thumbnail_954000.jpg","/articles/6254887/Massachusetts/Select-Board-weighs-move-to-former-Thornton-Burgess-school-lighting-flooring-and-PFAS-tests-shape-renovation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254887-4222eb96be200104e3ef743d1cd3059c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019989&Signature=XIjJ8n-LaC3~C41z-SfFyrBiqti3Rh~aVZ2JnXxAiX~QBvr1GkPz10kGqQalPsOa0SrLDe7OI0gZVMWfbvH4jtMhLJPUTGstNYee1Mwl~jKcKz8P-KdmxTHgquhlFGCMOiTcmIcdU7bDK-ZvM-U2ENeC1s3s9GVSGbabznfDublLQq-15kn3huLF3oz2iZM1Ec~lCUV9oo86D6GrLbJTKk1s0HXwcLUzKvGgpsuqWtKCtzLCFHF6Kn0xJwZJcIlGW05DGwNjK~n6mjER7ocJHNm7Eo40TvyOB45FmDL0vXVbNTf3C2O9wjwZbdbcvk9JbtMMgGYGtg~919cnlTVINA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hampden Select Board on May 1 discussed plans to move some town operations into the former Thornton Burgess school building (referred to in the meeting as TWB), focusing on immediate repairs, energy upgrades and water-quality issues residents have raised.

Why it matters: The building reuse would involve multiple funding decisions at town meeting, possible change-of-use approvals, and work that could range from minor repairs to multi-hundred-thousand-dollar systems (lighting, flooring, filtration). The board emphasized that voters should understand both short-term costs to occupy the building and larger long-term renovation needs.

Town staff reported a vendor estimate of $219,000 for a full LED lighting retrofit that included assumed rebates; the estimate said about 400 existing fixtures would be replaced. Staff and board members discussed delaying a full retrofit until the town has clearer data on occupancy and energy usage because payback depends on how many hours the town operates the spaces. Concerns were raised about maintenance: high gym ceilings and limited equipment to change fixtures could make bulb replacement costly.

Board members flagged several near-term repairs that should be funded if the town moves into the building: flooring in at least two or three classrooms (noted as trip hazards), masonry repairs, plumbing and electrical fixes, and door-security upgrades. On the warrant, staff said there is a request for an additional $75,000 on top of roughly $100,000 already appropriated; that additional funding would be intended to address flooring and immediate safety items.

Water-quality tests and PFAS/PFOS surfaced as a separate issue. The board reported a most recent test at 11 parts per trillion; speakers noted the current regulatory threshold referenced in the meeting is 20 ppt and that a proposed or discussed lowering to 3 ppt has been reported by federal or state agencies. At the levels reported, staff said filtration “may not be needed” and that operational mitigations (bottle dispensers or a filtered water cooler) could be a lower-cost short-term option. The board discussed applying for available grants aimed at PFAS mitigation but said final decisions should reflect evolving standards and test results.

Permitting and septic/well interactions were raised as potential constraints. Staff said MassDEP and the town health agent were reviewing whether the size of the septic system and the planned occupancy would trigger additional permitting; there may be a need to re-calculate projected occupancy to show lower usage and resolve a potential conflict between well locations and the septicsystem design.

Board members reviewed how the TWB-related warrant articles will be handled at town meeting: (1) a change-of-use article that requires a two-thirds vote, (2) a move-cost appropriation, and (3) a renovation-cost appropriation. The board discussed presenting all three articles together so voters see the full plan before any votes. Board members noted that the change-of-use article is a two-thirds vote while the appropriation articles require a majority. They also discussed the political strategy: if an appropriation passes and the change-of-use fails, the town could still decide on occupancy options rather than leave the building vacant.

No formal votes were taken at the May 1 meeting. Staff were directed to provide clearer phased costs (what is needed to occupy now versus future upgrades), continue public outreach and coordinate tours scheduled for the coming days so voters can see the building conditions firsthand.","Board members discussed plans to occupy the former Thornton Burgess school building, considered a $219,000 LED lighting retrofit, identified needed flooring and security work, and reviewed PFAS/PFOS water test results and potential permitting issues tied to wells and the septic system.",{"_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},6254891,"Hampden Select Board schedules fire station presentation, outlines town-meeting and ballot steps",473,348000,821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe&start=348&end=821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168706-f46da9b875e86830d0460ff40856c0fe/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6254891/Massachusetts/Hampden-Select-Board-schedules-fire-station-presentation-outlines-town-meeting-and-ballot-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254891-34995e35f815154a2e38a08ebe9353bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019989&Signature=dbHQeVXr5xRvv-wXgsS8E3rAZZqDm7CF0kSrc9kT3G-IFOQJGzowe10FNQ8hhW7Toj2giW43-s9r6~g94yDOd-7uCXI8ESilzmS3HM2U-ZzU-UyVDTeEz4Oq8M0XCBLaXyQNvxbqvM8l9jRAos0lHbKvKdsZOqaUSrsX4Terid~ozBKvosEo~lppeMsyEwRNp2xF4zdMuQtk5XCN8AKoyQyfDspVg-vncZn0OZRSceHKjIFkTmGZe3Z8pX9jpRBHgbXNi1372GGnsm7cjB7N026b36UhyQoHZCakYk-tjn5g5J9zSAsrX2onMINZFt6QI2t6cYXsoA-YPA1RJWIcwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hampden Select Board on May 1 reviewed a public outreach plan and timeline for a proposed new fire station and asked department representatives to present the project at the upcoming special town meeting.

Town staff posted the architect's plans and a project summary on the town and fire department web pages and have scheduled two public events: an open house with an architects' presentation followed by a station tour. Board members said they want a brief presentation at town meeting, followed by ample time for public questions.

Why it matters: The board said construction would likely require a debt exclusion and that voters must approve both a two-thirds vote at town meeting and a subsequent majority vote at the ballot for any debt-exclusion question. Town staff also shared a preliminary estimate of how the project could affect future tax rates, and posted materials for residents to review before the meeting.

Board members and staff described the outreach steps and timeline. The project summary and detailed plans have been uploaded to the town and fire department websites for public review. The board asked that a department representative or committee member make the motion at town meeting and give a short (two- to four-minute) presentation so most of the session time can be used for public Q&A. The board discussed holding an additional in-person tour at the fire station following the presentation to let residents see the current facility conditions.

Town staff warned that long-term tax impacts are difficult to forecast. A town official said there would probably be no tax-rate impact until fiscal 2028 under current assumptions but called that a preliminary estimate. Staff also described a range of possible impacts on an average single-family home and said the final tax effect depends on interest rates, future budgets and whether the town successfully secures grants or other funding. The board spelled out the formal procedure if voters approve the project: a two-thirds vote at town meeting, then a voter ballot question on the debt exclusion; if approved at town meeting, the ballot question could be scheduled for June 23.

Discussion points included how to present the project to voters, focusing on “why” the project is needed; encouraging tours and open houses so voters can see space and safety issues firsthand; and limiting the town-meeting presentation to a short scripted overview so the floor is open for questions. The board also discussed timing for making the formal motion at town meeting and asked staff to coordinate logistics with the moderator and other officials.

The board did not take a formal vote during the May 1 meeting. Staff and department representatives were directed to finalize the presentation script, post materials online, hold the scheduled open houses and be prepared to make and support the motion at town meeting.","Select Board members reviewed a finalized fire station presentation, scheduled public open houses and explained the town-meeting and ballot steps required for any bond/exclusion vote after Town of Hampden staff posted project materials online and estimated possible long-term tax impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Historical commission seeks National Register listing for Hampden Townhouse; board cautions on limiting future options

Select Board weighs move to former Thornton Burgess school; lighting, flooring and PFAS tests shape renovation plan

Hampden Select Board schedules fire station presentation, outlines town-meeting and ballot steps