Hampden committee approves survey and outreach plan, seeks legal review and National Register options for Old Townhouse

The Town of Hampden Old Townhouse Committee voted Wednesday to release a public survey and flyer to gather resident views on the future of the Old Townhouse and to start a public-awareness campaign while obtaining legal guidance on deed restrictions and exploring listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The committee’s Chair opened the meeting and led members through a live review of a draft questionnaire and a companion flyer, with a presenter reading draft questions aloud, including: “When you think about the old town hall, what role do you believe it should play in our town’s future?” and asking residents what activities they would like to see if the building is repurposed. Committee members agreed the survey should be available online and on paper, supplemented by QR codes and sealed drop boxes at locations such as the senior center and library for residents without internet access.

Committee members debated how much cost detail to include with the survey. One member urged transparency and suggested a cover sheet listing demolition and rehabilitation estimates — for example, saying “the demo is, you know, $700,000” and citing rehabilitation figures during discussion — while others warned that preliminary or inaccurate numbers could skew responses and favored a staged approach: awareness first, detailed cost context later. The committee did not adopt new cost totals in the meeting; members framed the figures discussed as estimates to be checked.

During debate, the committee approved three formal actions related to next steps: a motion to have staff distribute the survey, a motion to approve the flyer and distribution plan (including website and social-media posting), and a motion to develop a public-awareness campaign tied to the planning package. The motion to release the survey and the flyer passed by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript; members also agreed locations for print distribution and collection boxes.

Separately, members moved to seek a formal opinion from the town council on whether any residual deed restrictions limit uses of the Old Townhouse and whether court action would be required to alter those restrictions. A committee member introduced that motion and it was seconded; members agreed the legal opinion is necessary before the committee advances certain options.

The committee also discussed and authorized further investigation of listing the Old Townhouse on the National Register of Historic Places to preserve preservation funding options. Members debated the costs and benefits of seeking listing — including whether listing would be necessary if demolition remains likely — and adopted an amended approach to investigate whether National Register listing should be pursued for this single building.

Members reviewed holding costs for maintaining the building while options are developed. A quoted estimate discussed in the meeting included an insurance figure described as about $625 per month (about $7,500 per year) plus variable repair and utility costs; attendees noted estimates would be verified before being used in outreach materials.

The committee set a near-term schedule for public outreach and a larger public meeting to gather resident input in late April or early May, with the committee aiming to reconvene in roughly three weeks to finalize logistics and outreach materials. The meeting closed after a short administrative adjournment.

What happens next: staff will post the approved survey and flyer on the town website and social media, place printed copies and sealed drop boxes at agreed locations, seek the town-council legal opinion on deed restrictions, investigate National Register listing procedures, and work on the planned public-awareness campaign and public meeting schedule.