The Town of Hampden Select Board on Wednesday discussed a multi-step plan to relocate town administrative offices to Thornton Burgess, reviewing preliminary interior layouts, an expected Title 5 septic inspection, and related facility needs including heating, accessibility and parking.

Brian, a staff member leading the layout effort, told the board that the town located an August 7, 1931 warrant and a deed filed at the Registry of Deeds but found no restrictive stipulations on how the gift property might be used. He said the Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School District has sent letters to state education officials that the Thornton Burgess building is no longer needed for school purposes, and that the select board must both affirm that determination and put a two‑thirds warrant article before town meeting to change the parcel’s purpose. "We would need a two thirds town meeting vote to change the purpose of the land," he said. He also reported the town had authorized a proposal for a Title 5 inspection, at about $2,500, and that the inspector contract was being signed.

Why it matters: moving the town offices would consolidate scattered municipal functions, free room at the current townhouse and, according to Parks and Recreation staff, create space for expanded community programming. It also triggers statutory and administrative steps — town meeting approvals, zoning checks and septic compliance — and raises questions about where existing functions such as the senior center and community food pantry would be located.

Parks and Recreation Director Dan said the move would let the department expand and diversify programs. "It would be amazing from a Parks and Rec perspective," Dan said, describing potential new preschool, senior and after‑school offerings, longer daily hours and on‑site storage for equipment that he said would increase operational efficiency. Dan also outlined benefits including improved ADA access, more parking and independent field‑maintenance schedules if the department controlled site grounds rather than depending on another agency’s custodial schedule.

Several select board members and committee representatives pushed back or urged caution. One selectman noted that planning, zoning and conservation offices would need substantial renovation if located where currently proposed and suggested alternative rooming. Other speakers raised concerns about the senior center’s identity and operations if its programs moved or were fragmented among sites. "To move them into Thornton Burgess, quite frankly, they become part of the community, and that's a great thing. But they also lose something," one committee member said, urging that the board consider senior‑center users’ needs when weighing relocation scenarios.

Facility and compliance items discussed
- Septic/Title 5: The board authorized a Title 5 inspection proposal (about $2,500). Board members discussed adding a one‑time pump to allow a fuller inspection; an estimate of $6,000–$8,000 to pump older tanks was cited. Board members urged coordination with the school department (which currently leases the building) about past pumping and maintenance records.
- Energy and sustainability: Brian said the town is part of a shared grant with Pioneer Valley Planning worth $45,000 to hire an energy manager to evaluate lighting, heating and potential rooftop solar at Thornton Burgess.
- Fire station: Staff reported incremental safety upgrades completed at the fire station (electrical service, exhaust ventilation, eye‑wash stations and a decontamination washer); an architect is targeting a preliminary design for the station by Jan. 20.
- Generator: The generator pit has been dug at the fire station but the unit has not been connected yet.

Space planning and program impacts
Brian presented a preliminary space plan by a consultant (TymeBond) that keeps the work largely within the existing building footprint with internal reconfigurations: dedicated classrooms (roughly 900 sq. ft.), separate teen and adult library areas, meeting rooms with controlled access, town‑finance and permitting offices grouped for synergies, and storage for permanent town documents. The plan would maintain the building’s auditorium and kitchen but flagged that some kitchen equipment may be near end of life and require decisions about future use — including possible community commercial‑kitchen incubator ideas as a long‑term option.

Several committee members recommended additional site visits and iterative layouts. Brian said he will ask TymeBond for a second layout incorporating board comments and schedule staff site visits for feedback before drafting warrant language.

Budget, approvals and next steps
Board members agreed the project will require multiple votes at town meeting: a two‑thirds vote to change the eminent‑domain purpose and majority votes for any appropriation. The board set internal deadlines for next steps: draft warrant articles by March 1 and follow‑up meetings on a monthly cadence while the team completes septic work and energy assessments. A future town meeting will determine funding and final approvals; board members emphasized that taxpayers should be shown projected costs and the plan for the townhouse building before the board requests significant appropriations.

Formal actions
The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which the board approved by voice vote.

Ending: Board members said they will continue layout revisions with the consultant, finalize the Title 5 inspection and follow up on the energy manager work before returning to the board with revised plans and warrant language for the spring town meeting.