Voters greenlighted three significant capital projects at a special Town Meeting Thursday night, approving $5.3 million for a new senior center, $2.9 million for a fire substation and OKing a site for a future library.
With passage of the debt-exclusion overrides, the average homeowner can expect to see property taxes rise about $95 a year to pay for the projects, according to Town Administrator David Nixon.
Plans for a new senior center generated the most discussion at the meeting, which drew nearly 300 residents to Hopkins Academy despite a surprise late-afternoon snowstorm that blanketed the region.
Voters agreed to fund the design and construction of a new senior center, referred to as Article 7, on 2.6 acres behind Hooker School for $5.3 million. That amount is higher than original estimates of $3.5 million, but lower than the $7.1 million a project manager said it would cost to build.
Residents agreed overwhelmingly that the Hooker School building that currently houses the center is “a piece of junk,” as Building Inspector Timothy Neyhart put it.
“It’s not healthy — it’s falling apart,” said Senior Services Director Suzanne Travisano. “And the people who need it the most have the hardest time getting into it.”
Hadley’s senior population, supporters said, is a third of the town’s total population. And the figure is growing.
“They deserve this,” said Ed Waskiewicz. “They’ve been paying taxes, most of them in Hadley, their whole lives.”
The article made its way to Town Meeting after 600 residents signed a petition on the measure. It passed 279-7, with three abstentions.
The push for a new building began mounting in recent years as the old Hooker School building continues to deteriorate. The building has no air conditioning and poor heating, as well as large holes in the walls and ceilings.
The $2.9 million allotted to design and build a fire substation will make it easier to serve the town during emergencies.
The new station will be constructed on the North Hadley Hall ballfield, land already owned by the town.
Fire Chief Michael Spanknebel said modern-day engines have outgrown the tight quarters provided by the well-worn North Hadley Hall, which houses the current substation.
Some residents were concerned the decision to build a new substation was rushed along because the town has purchased a new fire engine with nowhere to put it, but others urged their neighbors to stop “kicking the can down the road.”
“I wouldn’t keep a damn chicken in there,” said Dan Waskiewicz of the current space. “It’s just not working.”
The motion to build the station passed 254-20 with five abstentions.
Finally, the library project could involve demolition of Hooker School to make room for the new library after Thursday’s vote. Residents approved the Goodwin Memorial Library trustees’ plan to demolish the Hooker School building and — contingent on receipt of funding — build a new library in its place.
While members of the town’s Historical Commission urged against demolishing the historic building, others said the building would be far too expensive to do anything with.
“Having lived there, its long-term life is not very viable,” Jane Nevinsmith, president of the Friends of the Council on Aging, said of the Hooker School building.
Residents began to speak eagerly about a new library, which some said could serve as a new “town center,” as they moved on with a vote to authorize trustees to apply for state funds.
In an apparent reference to Planning Board member John Mieczkowski’s memorable declaration, during spring Town Meeting, that he’d never been inside the library, resident Andy Morrison said the new one will be an inspiration.
“I promise you that even those of you who have never set foot in the library will be going there weekly.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.