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Hampden delays full-time facilities hire; town discusses Thornton Burgess move and building upgrades
Summary
Select Board debated funding and scope for a proposed facilities coordinator, funding shortfall reduces hiring prospects, and officials outlined initial work needed at Thornton Burgess and other town buildings.
Town leaders debated whether to fund a full-time facilities coordinator and how to staff work tied to the town’s planned move to the Thornton Burgess (TWB) site and upgrades at other municipal buildings. The Select Board heard that the advisory committee allocated $40,000 toward a requested $70,000 position, leaving the town short of the salary the board had sought.
The question is whether the town can hire a full-time coordinator with limited funds, or advertise a full-time position with the understanding that additional funding could be requested later. "With that amount of money, then we would be likely be unable to hire a full time facility manager," the Town Administrator said, noting the $40,000 appropriation and that $70,000 had been requested. Board members discussed advertising the role as full time and increasing funding later, and whether the job should be primarily supervisory or hands-on for the initial busy period preparing TWB for occupancy.
Officials described the immediate work at Thornton Burgess: ceiling-tile and light replacements, painting, HVAC and cooling decisions for next spring, potential mini-split installations, and security/camera considerations tied to the library and Academy Hall. Facilities staff and volunteers would handle some tasks but the board acknowledged the need for short-term help. One commenter joining remotely recommended a temporary custodial hire and contracting local handymen for the intensive preparation work.
Board members discussed phasing the coordinator’s workload: a concentrated push at TWB during move-in, then a reduced ongoing maintenance role covering other buildings including the police department, senior center and fire station. "Initially, ideally, it would be Almost 90 10 [TWB vs. other buildings]," the Town Administrator said, adding that once the move is complete ongoing work would be smaller.
No hiring motion was adopted; the board directed staff to return with a job description and an advertisement and to reassess funding in the fall. The board also discussed temporary options—contractors or part-time hires—to address the immediate workload until funding is secured.
