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Date: 11/30/2022
HAMPDEN – Hampden Town Administrator Bob Markel reviewed projects the town is pursuing or that are in various stages of completion. He explained to the Board of Selectmen that the projects were funded from one of three sources – federal funding, grants or town funding.
The projects funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) total $855,107. The greatest part of that was the $535,772 for the water project completed in late summer. Other big-ticket ARPA-funded items include $84,696 for an excavator, $60,960 for network switches required by Minnechaug Regional High School, $46,800 for tasers purchased by the Police Department in July and $46,000 for a capital needs and accessibility study of the Town House. There is $659,680 in ARPA funding that has not yet been allocated.
There are $3.85 million in grant-funded projects in town. There are two multi-year grants the town received to regionalize emergency dispatch and health services, worth $125,000 and $287,500, respectively. Another location where grant-funded work can be seen is the crosswalk on Somers Road near Centennial Commons. The installation of traffic safety lights and a crosswalk near Centennial Commons was completed in mid-November with $47,900 from the state Gaming Commission.
Other grants include $540,000 from the Massachusetts Government Bond to replace the Town House windows and fiber optic broadband, paid for with a Community Compact Grant of $250,000.
A couple of major projects would construct sidewalks in two locations. A sidewalk on Main Street would incorporate the existing infrastructure and extend it along the south side of Main Street from the Town House to the Village Mart. Board of Selectmen Chair John Flynn suggested the north side of the street could also be accomplished if the town were to add to the state’s Transportation Bond that is funding the design and construction phases of the project.
Markel suggested adding sidewalk brushing equipment to the project to clear snow in the winter. Flynn said it is generally accepted that residents clear snow from the sidewalks in front of their property within 24 hours of a storm. Markel remarked that people in town are not used to having sidewalks to clear, but Flynn noted there are only three houses that would have new sidewalks, while the rest are businesses.
A second sidewalk would run along Somers Road and Allen Street from the Village Mart to the Senior Center. This project is still under consideration by the board, but if the town applies for grants from the Gaming Commission, a sidewalk could be installed and a design for an improved intersection at East Longmeadow, Wilbraham and Somers roads could be completed.
Resident Austin McKeon addressed the board and asked who would use the sidewalk. Flynn said he regularly sees people walking along Main Street. Board of Selectmen member Donald Davenport likewise said he often sees people walking along Allen Street. Fellow board member Craig Rivest said he has spoken to seniors, Memorial Park users and patrons at Mountain View Restaurant whom all said they would like to see sidewalks along that stretch of road.
McKeon argued that the sidewalk would change the nature of the town and residents would be “obligated.” Rivest reiterated that the project is grant-funded, but McKeon pointed out that grants are paid for through taxes.
“Why shouldn’t we benefit [from the grant], rather than another town?” Rivest asked. McKeon then claimed grants are a method of “behavior modification.” Flynn thanked the resident for his comments.
Markel noted that he had worked in several municipalities with residents who were resistant to sidewalks, but then used them frequently.
Rivest pointed out that there is no downside to applying for the funding and that Hampden could return it if the board decides against the project.
The town is funding the fewest projects, but they are also potentially the most expensive. An expansion of the Highway Department Garage was recently completed with the town paying $602,315 for the design and construction.
Another town building that is under consideration for expansion is the Senior Center. The design for an enlarged center was completed in September and cost $19,800. The expanded building’s construction is estimated to cost between $2.9 and $3.3 million.
The last of the three town building projects would be the fire station. A building design was done in July 2020 for $35,000. Several options exist for this project, which is represented by a broad range in cost, from $1.9 million to $11.9 million. A community meeting will be conducted in mid-January to discuss the potential fire station project.