TOWN MANAGER REPORT FOR MAY 4, 2020

Source: amherstma.gov

Editors’ note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits 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 and 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 complete report to the Council for May 4, 2020 can be found here.

COVID-19: The disease is not increasing, but it is not decreasing in Massachusetts, either. That means efforts will continue to educate and enforce social distancing. New developments: 

• Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Working Group: I have been asked to serve on a working group of about ten municipal leaders formed by the MMA, which includes a group of mayors and town managers to gather feedback from local leaders across the state about concerns, priorities, and resource needs, and to share that information with the administration.
  
• Governor Baker is issuing an order that will require face coverings for all who are in public or in a business when social distancing is not possible. Enforcement will fall to the Town. The Police Department will be working closely with the Health Director to ensure education and enforcement is done properly.
  
• Stay at Home Advisory: The Governor extended his Stay at Home advisory until May 18^th. As stated previously, the Town aligns its policies with those of the Center for Disease Control, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and directives and advisories from the Governor.
  
• Town buildings: All town buildings, including schools, remain closed.
  o Committee meetings: In March, all meetings were canceled except those of the Town’s governing bodies (Town Council, School Committee, Board of Library Trustees). In April, we permitted meetings by the adjudicatory bodies (Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Historic District Commission, and Historical Commission) to comply with time deadlines and ensure building projects could continue moving forward. In May, we will begin to ramp up the meetings of all other committees, as technology and staff support allows.
  
• Case Numbers: As you know, the State Department of Public Health releases town-by- town numbers weekly. (The Town updates its website daily with the most current number of cases). The Town continues to stay ahead of the game with regard to our stock of PPE specifically to address the pandemic. 

Outreach and Community Participation Officers (CPOs): 

• CPOs are organizing the production and distribution of cloth masks for those members of our community who do not have access to cloth masks. CPOs are working with the large apartment complexes to coordinate distribution.
  
• Complete Count – United States Census: The Town received a grant of $25,000 from the Secretary of State’s office to expand our efforts to ensure all people in Amherst are counted. Our original plans, submitted prior to the pandemic, will be altered significantly under the new realities we face. Congratulations to our Census team for taking the initiative to secure this grant!
  
• Town-Gown:
  Hampshire College: The agreement with Hampshire College has terminated due to the excellent results from our COVID testing. We are decommissioning the Hampshire shelter as a result. 
  
  Amherst College: We are in discussions with Amherst College to determine ways they can support local efforts during the pandemic. 

Departments: 

• The Clerk’s office is busy certifying nomination papers for those running for state-wide office. The recent change in legislation regarding signature requirements for candidates running for State seats and the extension of the deadline to submit nomination papers has resulted in a daily surge of submissions to the office. Residents continue to renew business certificates and dog licenses.The office is receiving more requests for absentee ballots for the upcoming fall elections amid concerns with COVID-19.
  
• Public Safety: Although most students, including those who live off-campus, are not in Town, the Town has received some complaints in the Fearing/North Pleasant Streets area and in the Grantwood Drive area. Police continue to meet with property owners in those areas and police will continue to monitor those areas more closely.
   
• Officers continue to patrol Town roads for compliance with traffic laws, including speeding. The public is encouraged to notify the Police Department if there are areas that you believe need additional enforcement efforts.
  
• The Town will have a police presence at Puffers Pond, especially as the weather warms up, to prevent gatherings and educate visitors about social distancing.
  
• Police officers will play a role in helping to educate the public and enforce the new face covering order issued by the Governor.
  
• The Fire Department is still answering calls for service and encourages people not to wait to call for help. They have seen people waiting to seek care because of fears of contracting COVID-19 if they go to a hospital.
  
• Human Resources: Staff have migrated all wellness programming to online platforms and reprogrammed its efforts to reflect our new work reality.
  All Human Resources functions continue including providing support to employees and managing union relationships.
  
• Public Works: 

Water and Sewer Rates. We held an information session on block rate pricing structures on Friday where our consultants, Tata and Howard, provided information about ascending block rates and flat rates, which is how we price.

Paving. All of this work is subject to change, of course. 

▪East Hadley Road. Sidewalk work is continuing by a private contractor. 

▪South East Street. A private contractor will be providing a 1.5” overlay. 

▪Pelham Road. A private contractor will be milling the road removing 1.5” of material and overlaying it with 1.5” of new asphalt. There will be no work done on the sidewalk. DPW crews have been busy preparing the area by trimming trees and clearing brush. 

▪ Bids are being reviewed for new work using existing funds including a full depth reclamation with asphalt injection of Henry Street.