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Date: 8/1/2023
HADLEY — With the site confirmed and design costs identified for the new DPW building and garage facility, the Feasibility Committee met on July 26 to formulate the next steps before the project information goes before the Oct. 26 Town Meeting.
A new facility would be constructed on the current site and replace the existing 53-year-old structure, which is located at 230 Middle St.
The initial design costs are estimated at approximately $3 million.
The committee’s next tasks include getting the word out about the project and informing community members before the end of October. Members participated in an open discussion to determine the best methods to get the attention of Hadley residents and educate them and hopefully encourage support for the new facility plans.
The talks, led by DPW Building Committee Chair Jim Maksimoski, vetted ideas including a brochure mailing, a DPW open house and a “Touch a Truck” event.
“I don’t think we want an open house too much before Town Meeting,” Maksimoski said. “If we had an open house two months in advance of Town Meeting, by the time Town Meeting comes along, most people forgot it.”
When to host the information sessions and who will spearhead the efforts was also put on the table as was the prospect of having food and other refreshments provided by local vendors at any of the planned events.
Other ideas floated included a public forum and use of the Police Department’s electronic message board to make community members aware of where to find information about the project.
For the planned public information gatherings, the photo brochure and fact sheet for distribution, responsibilities were assigned to committee members while Maksimoski made use of the live and recorded meeting to openly solicit community members and businesses for food and drink donations as part of the open house and “Touch a Truck” events.
The committee agreed to meet again in August.