Town Manager Seeks Residents To Serve On Reparations Committee And Jones Library Building Committee

Source: amherstma.gov

Amherst Town Council has established the African Heritage Reparations Assembly (AHRA), a seven-member committee with a mission to study and develop reparations proposals for People of African Heritage in Amherst.  

The Town Manager, as appointing authority, is seeking members to serve on the AHRA. The seven-member committee will include six Black residents, at least two of whom are current or former members of elected bodies in Amherst. One member will be a representative from Reparations For Amherst. 

The AHRA will be charged with developing a Municipal Reparations Plan that includes both a reparations fund and a community-wide process of reconciliation and repair for harms against Black people. 

The plan will include: 

• A plan for developing ongoing funding streams to repair past harms committed by the Town against Black people. 
• An allocation plan including eligibility criteria, which will be determined an approved by the broader Amherst Black community through a census and community feedback process. 
• Additional means of repair for anti-Black structural and communal racism, including public events and activities that prioritize truth telling and reconciliation. 

The AHRA will also coordinate with other groups working toward racial equity in Amherst to ensure collaboration. This includes engaging, as appropriate, other community stakeholders such as the Amherst Business Improvement District, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, faith communities, and other organizations to develop extra-municipal reparations efforts that align with and complement the Town’s Municipal Reparations Plan. 

The goal is to prepare a Municipal Reparations Plan to the Town Council by October 31, 2021 and a final report to the Town Council at the completion of the Assembly’s work

Those interested in volunteering to serve, should  fill out a Community Activity Form at: www.amherstma.gov/caf . 

Questions,can be directed to the town’s Community Participation Officers at GetInvolved@AmherstMA.gov or (413) 259-3002 

Jones Library Building Committee

The Town Manager has established the Jones Library Building Committee (JLBC) to oversee the design and construction of the Jones Library Restoration and Expansion.

The JLBC will guide the Jones Library Restoration and Expansion project. All major decisions concerning the project be brought to the JLBC for review, approval, and formal submission to the Library Board of Trustees and Town Manager for final approval, as required.

Throughout the life of the project, the JLBC will work as a team with several consultants, including an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM), an Architect, and Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner (MBLC) Building Specialists. The JLBC will develop a timeline, milestones, and plans for the project and recommend a specific set of plans to the Library Board of Trustees and Town Manager for approval.

The JLBC will work with the Library Director and Town Manager to ensure the public is kept informed and engaged with the Jones Library Restoration and Expansion project.

Members of the Committee will be expected to:

• Understand the MBLC grant program requirements.
• Learn the history and background of the Jones Library Restoration and Expansion project.
• Identify a wide variety of stakeholders in order to develop and execute multiple communication methods to engage members of the community throughout the entire design and construction process.
• Form subcommittees at various stages of the project such as:
  • Design – visits the job site, attends job site meetings, and monitors the schedule
  • Interior Design – chooses styles, colors, and furnishings
  • Landscaping – chooses plantings and outdoor structures
  • Public Relations – keeps the community informed
• Groundbreaking/Grand Opening – organizes community celebrations
• Review, evaluate, and approve all project invoices and change orders.
• Monitor the MBLC grant application and award process, including tracking progress towards meeting milestones and securing grant payments.
• Support the closeout process with the MBLC to make sure the building is constructed in accordance with the approved design.

The nine-member committee will include members or representatives of the Library Board of Trustees, Town Council, Library Director, Town Manager, the Town’s Finance Director, a Library Building Maintenance official, and two members of the public including:

• A resident with experience in energy efficient public architecture, engineering, or construction
• A resident with experience in effective community outreach

More information on the Jones Library and this Building Project can be found here.

Those interested in volunteering to serve, should fill out a Community Activity Form at: https://www.amherstma.gov/caf 

Questions can be directed to the town’s Community Participation Officers at GetInvolved@AmherstMA.gov