Select Board raises air-quality concerns in regional school planning; committee meeting set for Aug. 12

HAMPTON, July 21, 2025 — Select Board members reported they will meet with regional school planning committee members on Aug. 12 and reiterated concerns about air-quality findings at the middle school that affect Hampton students. A Select Board member said the Hampton–Wilbraham Regional School District planning committee will convene Aug. 12 and that Hampton’s position on preexisting conditions remains unchanged. Board members said they had spoken with Wilbraham finance officials who currently do not plan a fall town meeting but might change their plans. The board member reported that an air-quality assessment found elevated carbon-dioxide levels in about half of classrooms and issued 33 recommendations, with the top recommendation to fix ventilation systems. Board members said the ventilation and air-quality issues are located in a Wilbraham-owned building that also houses Hampton students. One board member said the town needs to press for remediation and suggested air-quality work could be a negotiating point in regional discussions. The Select Board expressed willingness to continue productive discussions but said repeating past positions without new proposals would not be productive. Ending: The Select Board asked town staff to remain available for productive negotiation and to follow up with the regional committee prior to the Aug. 12 meeting.