TOWN MANAGER REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Source: amherstma.gov

Town Manager Paul Bockelman makes a comprehensive report to the Town Council at each of its regular meetings. The reports, usually 12 to 15 pages, provide up-to-date information on what is happening within and across Town departments. The Manager’s Report is usually one of the last items on the agenda and is often taken up late at night, leaving little time for the Manager to do more than mention a few highlights. This is usually all that gets entered into the Council minutes.

In response to reader requests, we have excerpted some highlights from the latest Town Manager report.  The full report to the Council for February 10, 2020 can be found here. 

* * *

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kanegasaki Sister City 
Fourteen students and three chaperones fromKanegasaki, the Town’s sister city in Japan, will visit Amherst from March 18 to 22. There will be a modest welcoming reception on March 18 at a time to be determined. All Town Councilors are invited to attend. Seven families from Amherst Regional Middle School will serve as hosts, and have already started to send out information to families and staff in the community. At this time, we are still seeking someone to chaperone the guests for a weekend-day trip.

Massachusetts Municipal Association
It was great to have such a strong showing at the MMA [Massachusetts Municipal Management Association] Annual Meeting and Trade Show. Many Amherst attendees commented on the value of the sessions and networking. I thank the Town Councilors who devoted their weekend to Town business! I am very proud that three members of the Amherst team were presenters at workshops. I received very positive reviews on the presentations by the Human Resources Director and the Communication Manager. I was on a third, well-attended session on social media. MMA noted, “Amherst is really showing off these days!” I was re-elected to the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s Executive Committee.

Town Hall Doors
The front doors and wooden surrounds of Town Hall were removed this week and a temporary door was installed. The entire structure was taken to the contractor’s workshop to be rehabilitated. This work is scheduled to take several months. In the meantime, a basic wooden replacement structure will remain in place and the front entrance will continue to be available for use. Access for the disabled will continue to be available at the Main Street entrance.

DEPARTMENTS

Economic Development
The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies will hold a public hearing on February 25 at 1 p.m. in the Old Chapel at the University of Massachusetts. The public is invited to offer testimony on issues related to the regional economy. The Assistant Town Manager and I have been meeting with interested parties to assess the roles and responsibilities of an Economic Development Director as we develop the profile for advertising the position.

U.S. Census
The Town continues to work to ensure full participation in the 2020 U.S. Census. The Census is very important to the Town for state and Federal funding. We are considered the 9th-hardest-to-count community in the State due to our demographics, so a concerted effort to engage residents and help them return census forms is a priority for Town staff.

Public Safety
Work is underway to prepare for the potential spring events at the University. We project that this event will occur on March 7 this year. The Fire Chief has been named the Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council. Two firefighters graduated from the Fire Training Academy last week. They are now able to return as fully certified firefighters.

Human Resources
The Town’s Communications Manager is featured in a new campaign to encourage young people to choose a career in local government. The campaign is entitled “MassTown Careers” and you can see the advertising campaign videos and material here.

Public Works
The Town received an additional $83,898 in Chapter 90 State funds, which brings the total Chapter 90 funds for FY20 to $922,883. These funds may be used for the maintenance, modernization, and repair of local roads. I have requested that the Town Council reallocate funds that were not used for the Station Road Bridge to take on other projects including the installation of a temporary “smart” traffic light at the Bridge/Meadow/North Pleasant Streets intersection. 

The Town received a $140,438 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as part of the Volkswagen emissions settlement funds. With roughly $50 million remaining in the settlement funds being overseen by the DEP, the town will likely apply to the next round of these grants. We will respond when the solicitation for proposals becomes available and we will craft our request in response to the solicitation to ensure we have the strongest application possible. 

Health Department
The Health Department has been working with the Police and Fire Departments, the colleges and University, neighboring communities and nonprofit partners including local hospitals to prepare for the CoronaVirus. There are protocols in place and standards for identification and transport. Communication between local and State authorities is very high. The effort to count the homeless — a nation-wide effort to gauge the number of people — occurred in January with support from Town staff. 

The Board of Health is continuing to review tobacco regulations and determine the impact of State regulations which have a significant impact on local retailers and a new set of very high fines. 

CAPITAL PROJECTS

1) Groff Park
Work has concluded for the winter. We are now looking forward to opening the park by Memorial Day in 2020. 

2) DPW/Fire
The Town continues to explore and be open to other sites that might meet the needs and requirements of a location for DPW. 

3) Schools
The Crocker Farm School study RFP had two responses. The evaluators — Maria Kopicki, Rupert Roy-Clark, and Derek Shea — unanimously recommended TSKP Studio for its strong proposal, which included specific project ideas and a timeline, and for its experience. I selected TSKP Studio as recommended. TSKP subsequently submitted its total fee for all tasks to be $40,000. This amount is within the Town’s budget for the project. We have sent a draft contract to TKSP and we await the firm’s review and signature on the contract. 

4) Library
The Library is seeking cost estimates for the work that would need to be done to the building if the renovation is not approved. They have selected Kuhn-Riddle to complete this work. This will provide a firm cost estimate so the Town Council and Board of Library Trustees can make a more informed decision.

5) Destination Amherst!
*Kendrick Park Playground
Staff are working to advance this project as they review the public input on the project.

* Performing Arts Shell on the Town Common
The Business Improvement District is working with staff to prepare a more detailed presentation to the Town Council in the near future. The presentation would provide concepts, location, financing, and management suggestions for consideration. 

* Parking Structure on Town Land at North Pleasant Street Parking Lot
We will schedule this for the Town Council discussion at an upcoming Town Council meeting.

* North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot
The preferred plan has been prepared by the Town’s consultant. This plan, along with other options, will be presented to the Town Council later this year. 

* Infrastructure Improvements
The Town received a grant to repair a walkway and crosswalks downtown. This work will be designed and work will be done during the construction season. 

* Hickory Ridge
As reported previously. Awaiting word on the solar program. 

* East Street School
We met to discuss the next steps. The Town will be doing additional due diligence to gather additional information on stormwater, wetlands, and the condition of the existing building. Once this work is completed, we will reevaluate the RFP.