HADLEY — Voters on Thursday will decide the fate of long-discussed capital projects, including a possible new senior center, library and fire substation, at a special Town Meeting.
The Town Meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at Hopkins Academy. If all of the capital projects are approved, Town Administrator David Nixon said they would cost the average homeowner about $95 more annually in taxes.
Article 6 asks voters to authorize the treasurer to borrow $3.6 million to design and build a fire substation, aimed at better serving the northern part of the town during emergencies.
That dollar amount could change at the meeting. Select Board member Donald Pipczynski said Tuesday the building design has been cut in size by 20 feet, reducing the cost to $2.9 million, and an amendment will be made on Town Meeting floor to reflect the change.
The Select Board supports the article 3-2.
Article 8, a separate article by petition, asks the town to construct the substation on the North Hadley Hall ballfield, land already owned by the town. The Select Board supports this article 4-1.
Another article submitted by petition, Article 9, asks voters whether they wish to demolish North Hadley Hall within two years, a measure the Select Board recommends 3-2.
About 600 residents signed a petition to bring forward Article 7 asking the town to appropriate money to design and construct a new senior center on 2.6 acres behind Hooker School. The land is already owned by the town and the project would cost an estimated $3.5 million, according to Senior Services Director Suzanne Travisano. The Select Board supports the measure 4-1.
Article 10 asks voters whether they will approve the demolition of Hooker School to make way for a new library, contingent upon receipt of a state grant. The same measure failed 206-139, with 13 abstentions, failed during Town Meeting on May 5. A related Article 11 would authorize the Goodwin Memorial Library Board of Trustees to apply for the funds.
The Select Board supports the both articles 3-2.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.