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Select Board reviews conversion plan for new town hall; asbestos abatement, security and IT work outlined
Summary
The board reviewed the schedule and costs for converting the former school into town offices, including asbestos abatement scheduled for Oct. 13, proposed electronic door locks and security cameras tied to a $90,000 state earmark on hold, and an anticipated mid-November move date.
The Hamden Select Board reviewed progress on converting the former school building into the town’s new municipal offices, with staff reporting asbestos abatement, flooring, security and IT upgrades are moving forward.
Facilities staff said asbestos abatement for five classrooms has been scheduled and was awarded to a local contractor; the work is set to begin Oct. 13 and is expected to take roughly a week. “Those tiles are coming up by themselves,” a staff member said, describing the contractor’s assessment. After abatement, the town plans to install new flooring under a Mass Higher Education Commission (MHEC) procurement contract and replace ceiling tiles that no longer meet fire-rating standards.
The board discussed electronic access-control doors and security-camera installations. Staff presented a vendor quote for eight electronic doors (approximately $40,000 total) and said constructing a temporary wall to limit access could reduce that expense. The town has a $90,000 state earmark intended to cover cameras and door locks that is currently on hold; staff reported administration and finance indicated the town could proceed with the work in advance, and the state would later reimburse the town if the earmark is released.
IT upgrades and enhanced Wi-Fi throughout occupied spaces were reported as purchased and scheduled to start; staff said switches and Wi-Fi deployment would begin the next day. Other tasks on the conversion list included replacing damaged ceiling tiles, adding interior temporary signage before permanent signs are installed, arranging dumpster and recycling service, and completing portable fire-extinguisher inspections.
Facilities staff said the town is targeting a mid-November move-in date, contingent on completing access-control and abatement work. The Select Board asked staff to prioritize getting the access-control doors and asbestos abatement completed before the move. The board also discussed potential expansion of camera coverage at other municipal facilities, including the senior center and the transfer station, and noted the cameras could aid incident investigations.
The board did not take any formal vote on construction contracts at the meeting; members asked staff to return with final bids, written confirmation on the state earmark reimbursement and timelines for completion.
Residents and groups seeking details on the conversion schedule or potential temporary disruptions can contact the town administrator’s office.
