Town Manager Report For May 16, 2021

Art Keene May 20, 2022 0
Amherst Town Seal

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Source: amherstma.gov

Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council at each of its regular meetings. The reports, usually 9 to 12 pages in length, 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 Bockelman to do more than mention a few highlights and this is usually all that gets entered into the Council minutes. What follows is a complete, unedited version of the Town Manager’s Report. All Town Manager Reports are available on the Town’s website here.

COVID-19

  • Vaccines: Free vaccines are offered every Thursday from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Bangs Community Center. This clinic is open for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or additional booster doses. To schedule an appointment, please click here www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine If you are coming for a 2nd, 3rd, or booster dose, please bring your vaccination record card or other proof of your vaccination.
  • Wastewater Testing: Working with the State Department of Public Health (DPH), the Town’s wastewater effluent is now being tested for the COVID-19 virus.
    • The Town partnered with DPH and Biobot Analytics and began COVID-19 wastewater sampling on April 23, 2022.
    • Supported by State funding, the Town’s Department of Public Works and Health Department are collaborating to present surveillance data that reflects trends in the population-wide COVID-19 burden.
    • DPW collects one 24-hour composite sample that is representative of all buildings, homes, and businesses that contribute wastewater to the Amherst WWTP, including Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts. This sample collection is occurring three times each week. The lab measures the number copies of the virus per liter of sewage, the initial count is adjusted for dilution and other factors.
    • According to the Centers for Disease Control, people infected with COVID-19 can shed the virus in their feces, even if they don’t have symptoms. The virus can then be detected in wastewater, enabling wastewater surveillance to capture its presence. This allows wastewater surveillance to serve as an early warning that COVID-19 is spreading in a community.
  • Once health departments are aware, communities can act quickly to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Data from wastewater testing support public health mitigation strategies by providing additional crucial information about the prevalence of COVID-19 in a community.
    • To view the current or previous reports for Amherst’s Wastewater Surveillance Program, please click here.

Outreach and Advocacy

  • Cuppa Joe with Paul: The next Cuppa Joe will be on Friday, May 13th at 10:30 a.m. with special guest Finance Director Sean Mangano via Zoom.
  • Jones Library Outreach: The Jones Library Building Committee held its first Community Outreach Event for the Renovated and Expanded Building project on Sunday May 1st. There was a very strong turnout on a beautiful day.
  • Linguistic Heritage Month Celebration: The Amherst Public Schools and the Multilingual Parent Advisory Council, in collaboration with Town’s Community Participation Officers, hosted a Linguistic Heritage Celebration May 1st on the Town Common. Participants had the opportunity to listen to read-alouds in Spanish and Portuguese, take a Latin dance class, participate in a story walk, make crafts and enjoy delicious snacks provided by Amherst restaurants Mexcalito and Oriental Flavor. Multilingual students, staff and community members performed poetry, music, and dance.
  • Healthy Living Community Festival: There was a tremendous turnout for the Julius Ford Harriet Tubman Healthy Living Community, which was held in partnership with the Human Rights Commission. The day included a day of music, food, games, and a very large and energizing basketball tournament, on May 7th at the Mill River Recreation area. Congratulations to the Community Participation Officers and Human Rights Commission for this great event.

Colleges and University

  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst: The University is holding numerous activities on May 13th as follows:
    • Graduate Commencement is scheduled for May 13th at 9:00 a.m. at McGuirk Stadium
    • Undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for May 13th at 4:30 p.m. at McGuirk Stadium
  • Amherst College: The College will host two commencements as follows:
    • 2022 Commencement is scheduled for Sunday, May 29th at 10:00 a.m. on the Quad
    • 2020 Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, June 11th at 3:00 p.m. on the Quad
  • Hampshire College: The College is holding an “epic, once-in-a-century, three-class commencement celebration” as follows:
    • There will be one ceremony for 2020, 2021, and 2022 graduates on Saturday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. on the main lawn

Racial Equity

  • Reparations:
    • As requested by the Town Council, I have begun the process of seeking special legislation to define reparations as a public purpose by asking the Town Attorney to draft a rough outline of what such legislation might look like. I anticipate a draft of this document shortly and will share with the African Heritage Reparation Assembly (AHRA) for review prior to submitting it to the Town Council for approval to file with the State Legislature.
  • Community Responders Program:
    • We have interviewed and made a job offer for the operations assistant position who will be key to implementing the CRESS program.
    • With union bargaining complete, we have advertised for the Community Responders and there is already a lot of interest in working for the Town.
    • Work continues on building out space at the Bangs Community Center to house the new CRESS program. This work was designed and overseen by the Town’s Facilities Department.
  • Welcoming Reception: The Amherst League of Women Voters is planning a Community Reception on Sunday, May 22nd, so that Town residents can meet and welcome the leadership of the new CRESS and DEI departments. They stated that “the creation of two new Town Departments to promote racial and social equity in Amherst is the beginning of a new era and truly a reason for celebration.”
  • DEI Department: I have submitted an appointment to the Town Council for DEI Director. I look forward to the Town Council’s review.
  • Community Safety and Social Justice Committee: The Assistant Director of DEI has been working to find a first meeting date that all appointed members can attend. We are now looking at a June date.

In the Wings:

  • Centennial Water Treatment Plant Funding: Request to the Town Council to accept the State Revolving Fund grant for the Centennial Water Treatment Plant. Must vote prior to June 30th.

Department Updates

  • Finance:
    • The Finance Director and I will join the Communications Director for a Cuppa Joe With Paul event Friday, May 20th at 10:30 AM. We will attempt to answer questions on Amherst’s FY23 Proposed Budget. People can learn more about the upcoming budget here,. The session will be recorded and added to the Town’s YouTube Channel. Previous virtual community meetings and chats can be found by clicking here.
    • Here is the calendar with upcoming meetings for the budget review:
DateCommitteeTask
May 17, 2022Finance CommitteeFY23 Budget Review: Police, Fire, CRESS, Dispatch, Animal WelfareFY23 Budget Review: Public Health, Senior Center, Veterans
May 19, 2022Finance CommitteeFY23 Budget Review: Public WorksFY23 Budget Review: Enterprise Funds
May 24, 2022Finance CommitteeFY23 Budget Review: General GovernmentFY23 Budget Review: Conservation, Planning, and Development
May 26, 2022Finance CommitteeFY23 Budget Review: FacilitiesFY23 Budget Recommendation
June 6, 2022Town CouncilDiscuss FY23 BudgetCapital Improvement Program Public Forum
June 13, 2022Town Council– Town Council Vote: FY23 Budget and Capital Improvement Program
  • I.T.: The I.T. Department has initiated a year-long program to build “Cyber-strength” by requiring all Town staff to take regular cyber assessments. The goal is to improve the Town’s cybersecurity.
  • Public Works:
    • Centennial Treatment Plant:
      • SRF: The Town was admitted to the 2022 Intended Use Plan (IUP) of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental

Protection. The SRF provides below market interest rates that are fixed by statute. They offer construction financing at a 0% interest rate and with no fees.

  • ARPA:
  • Roads:
  • The Governor filed House bill 4720, An Act Investing in Future Opportunities for Resiliency, Workforce, and Revitalized Downtowns (FORWARD).
  • The legislation includes $2.3 billion in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and over $1.256 billion in capital bond authorizations to strengthen state infrastructure, create jobs, and invest in municipalities across the Commonwealth.
  • The bill includes hundreds of projects identified by communities or stakeholders, usually through existing popular programs like MassWorks that are deliverable within the tight timeframe required by federal ARPA regulations. ARPA funding must be authorized by 2024 and fully expended by 2026.
  • One of these MassWorks projects is much-needed additional funding for the Centennial Water Treatment Plant Upgrade which is designated to receive $3,500,000 in this bill.
  • At a May 9 hearing before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, the Town provided testimony in support of the Governor’s bill.
  • The MMA has advocated for swift passage, in part to avoid the possibility of the U.S. Congress pulling back any of the state’s remaining $2.3 billion in ARPA allocations if the funds are not yet committed to projects. Federal ARPA rules require funds to be obligated by the end of 2024 and expended by the end of 2026.
  • Pavement Planning: The Superintendent of Public Works and Town Engineer made a detailed presentation on the condition of the Town’s roads and the process used to evaluate and determine paving priorities at the most recent meeting of the Town Services and Outreach Committee. The presentation and support material will be uploaded to the Town’s website. I encourage members of the Town Council to take the hour to watch the presentation.
    • Paving:
      • Bids were received to pave $3 million worth of roads through the Town.
      • Paving the Mill Lane multi-use path from West Street to Groff Park will begin the week of May 16th.
    • Crack Sealing: The Town’s asphalt crack sealing contractor will begin work on Tuesday, May 17th. Crews will be working across town all week, on various main roads as well as side streets. The streets to be done this year include South Pleasant Street, West Street, Bay Road, South East Street, Main Street, Strong Street, Stony Hill Road, and Dennis Drive. Crack Sealing is expected to last one to two weeks.
    • Northampton Road: Caracas Construction continues to work on road construction along Northampton Road. This project is part of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation roadway reconstruction project that extends between University Drive and South Pleasant Street. The contractor switched to working four 10-hour days to ensure there was no construction on Route 9 during the University’s graduation. The contractor will continue this schedule to avoid other events in the coming weeks. If this schedule helps facilitate construction it could continue throughout the summer.
  • Snell Street and University Drive South: The developer of the project at the intersection of Northampton Road and University Drive South continues work on the new mini-roundabout at the intersection of University Drive South and Snell Street.
  • Projects:
    • West Street Bridge: The rails on the east side of the West Street Bridge at Mill Lane are scheduled to be replaced. Town funds will be utilized. The project is set to be bid with an expected cost of about $100,000.
    • West Street Sidewalk: The collapsed sidewalk will be replaced with a small bridge. The bridge has been purchased and the project will be going through permitting with the Conservation Commission during the Summer.
  • Trees:
    • The DPW received notification that we were awarded a grant of $20,000 for an “Amherst Tree Inventory and Management Plan Update”.
    • The DPW received notification that we were awarded $11,000 for “Preserving Amherst History Museum Tree” under the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Development’s Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant. This is one of two “bride and groom” sycamores that flank the Strong House
    • The Town has earned recognition as “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
    • The Public Shade Tree Committee
  • Economic Development:
    • The Drake: The new entertainment venue on North Pleasant Street – The Drake – opened its doors this week to several high-profile, highly-attended events. There was a formal ribbon cutting on May 2nd.
    • Parklets: Two parklets to accommodate outdoor dining are being installed on Amity Street (Amherst Coffee) and South Pleasant Street (Fresh Side). These attractive, professionally built dining areas will be ADA accessible and support the economic recovery of the downtown area. The BID will be managing this project with support from Town staff.
  • Concerts: Sweetser Park will be a happening place this summer. Concerts are planned at Sweetser Park on June 24, June 25, June 26, July 10, July 30, August 19, and August 21. Most will run from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
    • Public Art Dedication: On April 30th the Amherst Public Art Commission relaunched the newly restored Poetic Dialog sculpture. The sculpture, which features silhouettes of Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost, sits on the parkland at the intersection of Main and Churchill Streets across from Sweetser Park.
    • Outdoor Dining and Liquor To Go:
      • On April 1st, the Governor signed into law an act that allows the Town to approve requests for the expansion of outdoor table service until April 1, 2023.
      • It also allows the Town to extend the change in licensed premises for liquor license holders. All changes will revert to their pre-pandemic state on April 1, 2023.
      • Lastly, the law provides for the ability of restaurants to sell beer, wine, and cocktails “to go” until April 1, 2023.
  • Public Safety:
    • Web-Bear-nar: On Wednesday, May 4th the Town held a virtual Q & A session on Bears in Amherst with experts Dave Wattles, Bears and Furbearer Project Leader for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts & Carol Hepburn, Animal Control Officer for the Town of Amherst. The event was very popular with over 100 people participating. View the presentation and recording of the event below, or by visiting the Town’s YouTube Channel recording here.
    • Fire Chief Legislation: H. 4356, the legislation that the Town Council submitted to permit the Fire Chief to continue employment beyond his 65th birthday, has been signed into law by the Governor. This legislation would not have been

passed without the intense efforts of Senator Comerford and Representative Domb and their staffs. Their effectiveness in getting this piece of legislation passed through all of the legislative hurdles is greatly appreciated.

  • Fire Staffing:
    • Four newly hired firefighters will begin their work at the Fire Department on May 23rd.
    • Two firefighters, who had been attending the Fire Academy, will be back on shift beginning May 20th.
    • The Fire Chief, Human Resources Director, and I will be interviewing candidates for a vacant Fire Captain position in the coming weeks.
    • Drug Take-back Day: On April 30th at Wildwood School, the Amherst Police Department sponsored a free drug take back day.
  • Town Clerk:
    • Conflict of Interest Trainings: The State Ethics Commission is holding seminars June 2nd, July 28th, September 22nd, and December 1st, all at 10:00 a.m. Council member may register for these sessions at www.mass.gov/orgs/state-ethics-commission
    • Town Census: The Amherst 2022 Annual Census Listing has been mailed to all households. The Town Clerk asks all to sign and return this form within ten (10) days, even if NO changes are necessary. Residents may return the census by mail, in person at the Town Clerk’s Office, by fax (413-259-2499) or email to census@amherstma.gov.
  • Human Resources:
    • Town staff were trained in active shooter (“Alice”) training. This training offered by trained police officers prepares Town staff in Town Hall for potential violent situations. Unfortunately, this is important training for our staff and we are planning to offer it at other municipal building locations. This training is available to the Town Council and other committees, if desired.
    • The department continues numerous ongoing collective bargaining negotiations including preparing for collective bargaining for FY23 and addressing impact bargaining rights of the employees as we discuss ARPA premium pay and introducing the new CRESS Community Responder program and Police Resident Oversight Board.
  • Conservation and Development:
    • CDBG Public Hearing: The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated the Town of Amherst a Mini-Entitlement Community that is eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. CDBG funds support housing, community development projects, and social service activities benefiting low-and moderate-income citizens.
      • The CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 7 PM to receive comments and suggestions from local residents and service providers regarding Community priorities for the 2022 and 2023 CDBG application process.
      • The CDBG Advisory Committee will receive suggestions and comments on the following areas: Social services; Non-social services such as housing and public infrastructure; and Target area neighborhoods where non-social services can take place.
    • Disability Access: Here is the summary update for Amherst’s FY2022 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant:
      • The Town is now soliciting contracts to conduct the work. Submitted bids relative to the door work will be opened on May 20, 2022. Submitted bids relative to the hardscape work will be opened on May 27, 2022.
      • After the Town awards the contracts to the winning bids, the Town expects to start construction on June 6, 2022, if not sooner.
  • Civil War Tablets: Town staff have prepared a “Summary of Efforts and Next Steps to Find a Permanent Home for Amherst’s treasured Civil War Tablets”. This document is being reviewed and will establish the goals and requirements for establishing a permanent home for the historic Town artifacts.
    • Amethyst Brook: Conservation staff are working to reconstruct the foot bridge in the conservation area.
    • Sustainability:
      • Solar Bylaw Working Group: Committees have designated their members. I anticipate making the at-large appointments very soon.
      • Town and School staff are investigating funding for a grant under the Authorized by the recently EPA’s Clean School Bus Program which provided $5 billion over the next five years to replace school buses with low- and zero-emission school buses. The first funding opportunity under this program will be the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates. EPA will offer $500 million for zero-emission and clean school bus rebates.
      • We are nearing completion of the Joint Powers Agreement which we need to finalize before the Community Choice Aggregation agreement application can be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
    • Baseball Field:
      • Numerous residents volunteered their time to do a day of work at the Amherst Regional Middle School baseball diamond last Saturday.
      • About 30 people representing Sandlot and Amherst Baseball pitched in hours of effort to make a dramatic improvement to the diamond. Many of the workers were the youth who will directly benefit from all this work.
      • The project was financed equally by Sandlot and Amherst Baseball.
      • Town Public Works staff dedicated their weekend to help, providing expertise and equipment.
    • Rail Trail: Town staff are exploring ways to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to resurface a portion of the Norwottuck Rail Trail.
    • South Landfill:
      • The Town’s capped landfill on the south side of Belchertown Road – across from the current Transfer Station and solar project – has been set aside as conservation land. This is called the South Landfill.
      • The main purpose of protecting the land is to mitigate the impact of the solar panels, specifically on how they may affect the habitat of the grasshopper sparrow, a state-listed threatened species. This was a condition of state and local approvals to have the solar project placed on the capped landfill on the north side of Belchertown Road.
      • This 53-acre South Landfill site will be monitored by a conservation restriction held by Kestrel Land Trust. A small section of the now protected land is carved out for the Town’s new dog park.
      • To move this project forward, the Town is getting ready to install a fence on the South Landfill that will safeguard the landfill cap and protect the habitat of the grasshopper sparrow. This work has been informed by extensive discussions with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Old capped landfills provide excellent habitat for many uncommon species in Massachusetts. Ours is no exception. Through the years a few pairs of grasshopper sparrows have nested here in Amherst. They are a state “listed” species meaning they (really their habitat) receive extra protection because populations are declining. Both the north and south landfills are good habitat. We have known about the sparrows for many years dating much further back than our plans for solar. The neighbors only brought them up in an attempt to block the project. We have been working closely with the MA Natural Heritage Program on this plan for close to 10 years now. Most capped landfills are fenced to protect the cap from damage and protect people from methane release, etc.
    • The state required the Conservation Restriction (CR) to mitigate for our impacts (loss of habitat) on the north landfill. The CR requires perpetual maintenance and monitoring for the sparrows. Sounds like a lot but not really. We need to mow the grass annually after the breeding season.
    • Sheltering:
      • 132 Northampton Road: Valley CDC has begun construction of 28 small studio apartments for low-income individuals, including more than a third that will be set aside for those who have recently been homeless, in March.
      • Craig’s Doors Shelter:
        • The congregate shelter at the Lutheran Church closed on May 1st.
        • The congregate shelter at the Unitarian Church will close on May 15th.
        • The 20 individual rooms (which can support double occupancy) at the University Motor Lodge will remain available through March 31, 2023.
        • The agency has secured ten rooms at the Knights Inn in Hadley beginning on May 15th, to coincide with the closing of the Unitarian Church congregate shelter.
        • The agency has secured an additional ten rooms, making it 20 in total, at the Knights Inn beginning June 1st.
        • Beginning on June 1st, the agency will have 20 rooms at the University Motor Lodge and 20 rooms at the Knights Inn for a total of 40 rooms that could potentially house up to 80 people, 24-hours-per-day, 7 days-per- week through March 31, 2023.
        • The agency will seek to reopen the congregate shelter at the Lutheran Church on November 1st.
      • Funding: Town staff, with the assistance of Craig’s Doors staff, are working on responding to a Request for Proposals from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for funding for a year-round, 24-hour-per- day shelter.
      • Bathroom: The Town completed the contract to construct a new bathroom/shower facility at the Craig’s Doors Resource Center. This facility is now open and available to those in need five-days-per-week.
  • Community Services:
    • Senior Center: The Senior Center had a tremendous open house on May 11th. An estimated 70 people visited the Center on a spectacular day. There was music, food, Town staff and many community partners including Amherst Neighbors, Amherst Survival Center, Amherst Police Department, Amherst Fire Department, CRESS Department, District Attorney’s office, RSVP Volunteers, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Musante Center, SHINE Councilors, Highland Valley Elder Services, Center for Extended Care, Christopher Heights, Applewood, and Commonwealth Care Alliance. Big congratulations to our new Health Director who has really been trying to make connections with seniors who have spent so much time isolated during the past two years.
    • Veterans Services: The Veterans Services Department will be organizing a Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 30th. Assembly for the parade will take place at 8:45 a.m. on the Town Common and Spring Street Parking Lot. The parade will step off at 9:00 a.m. and will march from the Town Common to the War Memorial on Triangle Street. A ceremony will take place at the War Memorial near the swimming pool.
    • Recreation Department:
      • Fireworks: The Recreation Department will return with fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. The fireworks are scheduled for the evening of Friday, July 1st to kick off the holiday weekend.
      • Other Activities: Here are some of the other activities the Recreation Department is planning:
        • May 21st: Wayfinders SummerFest Barbecue.
        • June 11th: Summer Health Fitness Day at Kendrick Park, Groff Park, and Mill River Recreation Area.
        • June 25th: Library Flying High Dogs at Groff Park.
        • July 1st: Independence Day Kick-off Fireworks and events.
      • Arts: A new group, the Performing Arts and Education Collaborative, has reached out to the Town to seek space that would support the artistic endeavors of the member organizations. We have reviewed Town space with the group. Unfortunately, there are no Town facilities that are readily available to accommodate their stated needs. The member organizations include the following arts organizations: Amherst Ballet, Amherst Community Theater, Center Dance, Hampshire Shakespeare, Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, Rainbow Players, Starlight Youth Theater, and Valley Light Opera.
    • Amherst Media:
      • I have appointed Communications Director Brianna Sunryd to serve as the Town’s representative on the Amherst Media Board of Directors. The Amherst Media Board will now consider that appointment according to its process.
      • I have asked the Building Department and Facilities Department to review the improvements that would need to be made at the school on the South Amherst Common. This detailed analysis will be useful information as we assess demands for space including swing space for the Jones Library building project, the Department of Public Works project, the Senior Center, and other community requests such as by Amherst Media and the coalition of arts organizations.

Delegated Authority:

  • Short-Term Event Uses of Town Commons (Section 1a of the Town Council Policy):
    • May 19-21, 2022.: Plant Sale by Garden Club of Amherst (South Common)
    • August 22-29, 2022: Community Fair by Amherst Rotary Club (South Common)
    • October 13-14, 2023: Cider Run by Amherst A Better Chance
  • Short-Term Parking Requests (Section 2a of the Town Council Policy):
    • August 24, 2022: First Day Celebration at Kendrick Park (3:30 – 6:30 p.m.) reserve parking on the east side North Pleasant Street from McClellan Street to Triangle Street
  • Short-Term Road or Sidewalk Closures (Section 3b of the Town Council Policy):
    • May 7, 2022: Cushman Scott Children’s Center to close Henry Street from Market Hill Road to Pine Street for annual May celebration, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.
  • Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy):

Major Capital Projects:

  • Jones Library:
    • As mentioned above, the Outreach Subcommittee held a Community Outreach Event for the Renovated and Expanded Building project.
    • The design firm is meeting with the Design Subcommittee to begin developing more detailed plans for the renovated and expanded building.
  • DPW Building/Fire Building: Staff are exploring multiple options for a new site for the Department of Public Works.
  • Elementary School Building Committee:
    • Current schedule is as follows:
  • May 17: regular committee meeting from 8:30 to 10:30
  • June 3: regular committee meeting from 8:30 to 10:30
  • June 17: regular committee meeting from 8:30 to 10:30 (subject to change)
  • June 24: regular meeting to finalize the report and vote to submit

Projects Update:

  • North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot: Town staff has high hopes that this project will receive significant new support in the coming weeks. With this decision, the project will be able to move forward with real clarity.
  • North Amherst Library:
    • Funds for the construction are secured with donations by a generous anonymous donor.
    • A construction kick-off meeting was held last week.
    • We are looking at a ground-breaking ceremony in June.
    • They are projecting up to a 12 month construction schedule.
  • Hickory Ridge: Town staff are preparing an assessment of the existing structures to determine which are usable and which are not.
  • Pomeroy Village MassWorks Grant: Additional design work by the Public Works Town Engineer has addressed most of the concerns of the abutting property owners.
  • Solar on the Landfill: Substantial work has been completed on the installation of the solar panels.
  • Dog Park:

Construction has resumed on the dog park with fencing installed and topsoil laid. Once seeded, it will take several months Paving is complete. Seeding is next and will take most of the summer to take root.

Upcoming Meetings and Events:

  • May 30th – Memorial Day holiday and parade
  • June 6th – Town Council meeting
  • June 13th – Town Council meeting
  • June 19th – Juneteenth celebration
  • June 20th – Juneteenth holiday
  • June 27th – Town Council meeting
  • July 4th – Independence Day
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