WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham Select Board Chair Michael Squindo listed different goals for the Select Board moving forward into 2026.
Squindo said that the town is currently awaiting a grant for two projects, one for the Stony Hill School sidewalk, connecting Boston Road to the existing sidewalk, as well the corner of Springfield Street by Town Hall, heading up towards Stony Hill.
“Ideally, those are awarded and we’re able to finish off those projects in the 2026 calendar year, as I understand it,” Squindo said. “Those are also, as I understand, significant priorities for our DPW director, so if for some reason those grants weren’t awarded, I think we will be having a discussion about putting those directly into the tax budget for next fiscal year.”
Squindo said a challenge and an opportunity for 2026 will be seeing the progress with Wilbraham Middle School and what choices are on the table through the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s core program.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to work out some sort of final resolution on the regional agreement to put before the two towns,” Squindo said. “Again, I think these are big goals and challenges that simultaneously exist.”
The regional agreement will look at the lease agreement for Wilbraham’s ownership and usage of the middle school and how it works within the vision of the future. Squindo said there isn’t a timeline yet on when anything might get done, but he thinks everyone is in agreement that they will be done right and done quickly.
Squindo named goals for the Select Board, including the payment in lieu of taxes program and establishing relationships with entities, such as nonprofits, who don’t have an obligation to pay taxes.
“We try to engage in some sort of recognition that that’s a huge benefit to them,” Squindo said. “Can we engage in a relationship that says, ‘Hey, can we get something from you on a contractual basis to help with the financial obligations of providing you basic public services?’”
Squindo also said the Select Board is committed, in the current fiscal year, to look at the pros and cons of separating the Sewer Commission from the Select Board. He said that the duties of the Sewer Commission are inherently the Select Board’s responsibility.
For town-owned buildings and properties, Squindo said he’s hopeful that the Building Utilization Committee will have some concepts for opportunities for usages.
“From what I understand from the building utilization committee and where they’re at, I think in 2026, we will start to see tangible ideas put out there for public consumption and feedback,” Squindo said.
Public engagement is on Squindo’s radar with the rollout and usage of the FlashVote program, a surveying entity that allows the solicitation of public feedback on various topics. Wilbraham adopted the system in 2025 and Squindo said it fits into the goal of more public feedback.
The Economic Development Committee is continuing work on, what Squindo is calling, the downtown and Crane Park intersection design remodel to create a more vibrant area. He said it is nearing the point in 2026 where the public can start giving feedback on what they envision for the area.
