Select Board members discussed immediate facilities needs after the town’s lease with the school district for Thornburgers ends July 1 and agreed to advertise for a facilities manager while the town takes possession.

Town staff said the original request sought $70,000 to hire a full‑time facilities manager but town meeting appropriated $40,000. The town administrator told the board that the building requires immediate oversight and a lot of small repairs — new light bulbs, ceiling tiles, cleaning and vendor coordination — if the town is to ready space for other uses in the next three to four months. “We had requested enough funding to hire a full time facilities manager, and that was reduced…we requested 70,000 and the town meeting appropriated 40,000,” staff said.

Board members voiced concern that the appropriation may be inadequate for the building’s industrial‑scale systems and large square footage. One member recommended advertising the full‑time position and “guarantee to fund it,” while others proposed interim, part‑time oversight from a knowledgeable current employee until a hire is in place. The board agreed to advertise both the town accountant position and the facilities manager position.

Separately, staff reported that the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s regional energy manager program — funded partly by federal Department of Energy resources and Mass Save programs — could supply a part‑time energy manager to focus on TWB lighting, HVAC and a potential solar array. The board was also told there is $90,000 earmarked in a state budget item for security improvements at TWB, pending final legislative action and the governor’s approval.

The board did not vote a final hire but instructed staff to advertise the positions and to seek interim oversight arrangements for Thornburgers as the town assumes possession.