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Date: 2/1/2023
WILBRAHAM – Board of Selectmen Chair Carolyn Brennan remarked at the Jan. 23 board meeting that, by now, most people are aware that a lighting issue at Minnechaug Regional High School (MRHS) has made it to national news and even as a joke on the late-night NBC television series Saturday Night Live. Despite the wisecrack, Brennan said, “It is serious.” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Theresa Goodrich added, “It’s a shame that it’s become a laughing topic.”
The board has been in communication with the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD) about the issue, in which a computer system controlling the automated off-and-on function of the high school’s lights failed. Due to the integrated nature of the system, the district did not want to shut off the lights at night for fear they would not come back on. The company that made the lighting system was sold several times since the school was built in 2012, which made it difficult to find a business that could work on the proprietary equipment. That, coupled with COVID-19-related supply chain problems, has left the lights on at MRHS for about 18 months.
When asked how much the lighting problem has added to the district’s utility bills, HWRSD Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Operations and Human Resources Aaron Osborne previously told The Reminder that fluctuations in energy costs and the district’s use of solar credits make an exact figure difficult to determine. He estimated the cost to HWRSD, and therefore taxpayers, to be in the thousands of dollars but not over $10,000.
Goodrich reported that Osborne had told her the district uses high-efficiency light bulbs, which she found “quite upsetting” as a response to concerns. She said it was “very frustrating” that the national spotlight is what “finally got attention” on the problem.
Board of Selectmen Clerk Susan Bunnell, who was on the high school building committee, recalled that the proprietary system was chosen because it was “state-of-the-art” at the time and the committee made the best decision about changing technology with cost savings in mind. Turning to the School Committee and district leadership, she said, “I believe they’re doing the best they can.” She said they attempted rebooting the equipment and other solutions without success. She noted repair of the system is scheduled for the February school vacation.
“I can’t help but think there was more that could have been done in the meantime,” Goodrich said. She went on to say she believed public construction projects should avoid “high-tech” systems, especially proprietary ones.
Bunnell responded that the district received a large rebate for using energy saving technology. Further, she emphasized that the energy costs saved over the previous decade may outweigh the costs incurred in the past year and a half, but Goodrich dismissed the possibility.
Brennan suggested increasing communication between the board and the district in the future.
Sewer rate increase
A increase in the sewer rate was proposed to the Board of Selectmen by DPW Director Tonya Capparello, who said the increase of 50 cents for residential and commercial users would take effect in April.
Over the next five years, Capparello said, Wilbraham can expect to see a $100,000 increase in cost from its water supplier, the Springfield Water Commission. Aside from that, the DPW is also paying for betterments around Main Street. Any inappropriate sump pumps or illegal tie-ins to the sewer increase the town’s water treatment costs. She said that, in 2022, the DPW absorbed a $30,000 increase, but the department cannot continue to shoulder the financial weight alone. A hearing on the increase will be conducted at a future Board of Selectmen meeting.
Cell tower
A 5G cell tower was proposed to be erected in the wooded area behind Memorial School to address a Verizon cell phone coverage dead zone. David Vivian, a real estate consultant with Structure Consulting Group, explained that Verizon would lease land from the town to site the tower, providing the town with revenue. The tower would be between 200 and 300 feet behind the former school.
Any other wireless carriers would lease space on the tower, however, Wilbraham’s emergency services would be given a location on the tower for free, Vivian said.
Police Chief Edward Lennon told the board that the town’s police cruisers use Verizon to communicate and confirmed there is a “dead spot” in that area.
Bunnell and Brennan both noted that some residents have expressed concerns about cell towers in the past, especially those using 5G.
Vivian, who has worked on other cell towers in the area, including one in Wilbraham at Merrick Farm, emphasized, “[5G] is just a different frequency.” He added that the radio emissions at higher frequencies, such as 5G, dissipate faster than with their predecessors.
Brennan asked for a public hearing to alert residents to the project. Town Administrator Nick Breault said he would submit a request for proposals on the project and schedule a hearing for a future meeting. A mailer is expected to go out to residents on the matter.
Senior Center donation
Friends of the Wilbraham Seniors presented the Board of Selectmen with a check for $151,000 to fund the first four add-ons to the Senior Center – a partition for the multipurpose room, a partition for the activity room, a projection screen for the multipurpose room and Solatubes. Solatubes are a method of lighting a room with daylight using metallic tubing that extends through the roof.
Council of Aging Director Paula Dubord later told Reminder Publishing that this donation is in addition to fixtures, furniture and equipment that the organization has pledged to contribute. Dubord said the Friends of Wilbraham Seniors will begin a capital funding campaign in the next month.
Main Street Farmers’ Market
The 2023 schedule for the Main Street Farmers’ Market at the Wilbraham United Church was approved by the board. Vendors at the market sell produce, plants, homemade soaps and other small farm products, said Aurora Pierangelo Frias, founder of the Wilbraham Welcome Project, which operates the market.
Dan Sullivan, a resident who lives directly across from the church, spoke against allowing the market to operate. He argued that the church is an inappropriate location for the market and said there is a health hazard to have food trucks near where he mows his lawn and uses chemicals. “I hope it’s not the town’s expectation that I have to hide in my house and not take care of my lawn,” he said. He also stated that the market “sucks out all the energy from the neighborhood,” and that the use of the town-owned parking in front of the church was in violation of the law.
Despite these concerns, which Sullivan has spoken about at several prior Board of Selectmen meetings, Brennan told him the board has been diligent about vetting his complaints and the market had passed all permitting requirements. She also noted that no one else has made a complaint about the market. The market will run on Wednesdays, between June 14 and Aug. 30, from 2 to 6 p.m.