Hamilton begins accessibility and net-zero renovation of town hall

After years of planning, the town of Hamilton has broken ground on a major renovation of its historic Town Hall, which will bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and make energy efficiency improvements that will transition to a net-zero carbon footprint, all while preserving the exterior and unique interior features.

The project started as an accessibility and structural upgrade for the 128-year-old building, which had only a single ramp providing access to the first floor — a ramp that was installed as a temporary measure in the 1990s, and was beginning to show exterior and interior deterioration.

Plans were made to build access ramps, add an elevator, and add and update bathrooms on each floor. Energy system upgrades were also built into the plan.

The town sought a Proposition 2½ override for the project in 2020 and again in 2021, but the measures did not pass. Following the second vote, Hamilton Town Manager Joseph Domelowicz sat down with the project leadership team — the building commissioner, public works director and consultants — to identify the most important aspects of the project that could be done with the funding that had already been secured. The result was to cut most of the energy efficiency work, Domelowicz said.

Then the town’s finance director at the time suggested meeting with an energy service company to see if there was something to be done with grant funding and utility rebates. Working through the Chapter 25a procurement process with the Department of Energy Resources, the town was able to build the energy efficiency components back into the budget using grants, energy rebates and some tax increment financing.

“I think we came up with a better way to do it,” Domelowicz said. “Geothermal heat pumps and solar on top of the garage roof behind the building — those are things that we weren’t going to include in the previous project, and I think those are all better for us and for the long term future.”

Of the $10.5 million project cost, $6.4 million was allocated from community preservation funds, $500,000 from the Department of Energy Resources’ decarbonization program, $150,000 from National Grid through the Mass Save program, and $270,000 from federal incentives for the geothermal and solar aspects. Additional costs related to the accessibility improvements had already been allocated.

“All this net-zero stuff was happening with incentives and were amazing for the heat pumps and for lighting,” said Energy Manager Victoria Masone. “And then the federal direct pay tax incentives for renewables for geothermal and solar came about. … It just kind of changed the whole playing field for projects like this.”

Domelowicz said the costs not covered by grants, totaling about $900,000, will be paid off under a tax-exempt, lease-to-purchase contract over the next 20 years, with an annual cost that is equal to what the town has been allocating in the operating budget for utilities for the town hall.

The capital project and energy systems work is happening simultaneously, and should be completed by mid-2026.

In addition to the new elevator, bathrooms and a fire suppression system, five new energy systems will be installed to give the building its net-zero carbon footprint. A geothermal heat pump system will provide heating and cooling, paired with a heat-recovery ventilation system. A 36-kilowatt solar array will be installed on the roof of the Department of Public Works garage, located behind Town Hall, to power the building, with a full LED lighting system and an advanced building management system. Net metering on the solar array will enable the town to cover electricity use year-round.

Masone said the project has financial benefits.

“You’re free from the fluctuation in rates at National Grid,” she said. “You get fiscal stability, you get predictability, you get reliability.”

The project management team worked closely with the Hamilton Historic District Commission to find ways to preserve unique interior elements, like moldings, a double staircase, and the second floor meeting room.

“We wanted to upgrade the building and make it more efficient and modern from the way it operates,” Domelowicz said. “But it’s going to look very much like it did when it first opened.”

The town also consulted with the Hamilton Environmental Impact Committee, along with Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Kristen Kassner, all of whom played crucial roles.

The town’s Environmental Impact Committee was established in 2022 as an advisory committee to the Select Board to help make town government carbon-neutral by 2040 and to assist community members and businesses with their own efforts.

“Anytime we’re doing a large project now, we’re looking at it through that lens,” Domelowicz said.