The Town of Hampden’s long-planned municipal relocation is now complete: as of today, all town offices have officially moved into the renovated Thornton W. Burgess Middle School building at 85 Wilbraham Road.

 

Town offices were closed to the public from November 6 through November 18 to allow staff to complete the physical move. Regular hours resume Wednesday, November 19.

 

The shift ends decades of service at the historic Town House at 625 Main Street — a building gifted to the town in 1931 — and brings municipal operations into a larger, fully accessible, modern facility that town officials say will serve residents far more efficiently.

 

Town Administrator Brian Domina called the project “a major step forward for how we deliver services in Hampden,” citing improved accessibility, updated technology infrastructure, and room for departments to grow without the prohibitive cost of constructing an entirely new complex.

 

Challenges with the old Town House — limited space, outdated wiring, storage shortages, and accessibility barriers — had been documented for years. Bringing the 1931 structure fully up to modern standards was estimated at more than $4 million, while a brand-new municipal building could have topped $12–20 million.

 

Instead, the town chose to repurpose the former Thornton W. Burgess Middle School. Closed as a middle school in 2017 and used only sparingly for programs in recent years, the building reverted fully to town ownership when the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District ended its lease in 2025. Voters at the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting approved changing the property’s designation from educational to municipal and allocated initial funds for moving and renovations.

 

Over the past six months, contractors handled asbestos abatement, HVAC upgrades, new fiber-optic and IT wiring, ADA improvements, security systems, and backup generators. Additional funding approved at recent town meetings covered the final pieces.

 

Selectboard Chair John D. Flynn praised the outcome, while longtime Selectboard member Donald Davenport — who spearheaded much of the advocacy — described it as “responsible use of existing assets and taxpayer dollars.”

 

Some residents initially worried about losing the historic Town House or feared the building might someday be needed again for schools, but the regional district has repeatedly confirmed it has no such plans. The project ultimately earned broad community backing.

 

The future of the old Town House on Main Street remains under discussion, with ideas ranging from a community center to possible sale.

 

Residents will have a chance to tour the new offices at an open house expected later this fall or winter (date to be announced).

 

For now, Hampden’s roughly 5,000 residents have a modern municipal hub designed to serve them for decades to come.

 

Department contacts and hours are unchanged; visit hampdenma.gov or call (413) 566-2151 for assistance.