Where Will CPA Funds Likely Be Spent in 2025?

Report on the Meeting of the Amherst Community Preservation Act Committee, December 21, 2023

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. It can be viewed here.

Present
Sam MacLeod (Chair), Matt Cain, Robin Fordham, Michelle Labbe, Doug Marshall, Tim Neale, Bob Saul, David Williams, Katie Zobel

Staff: Holly Drake (Comptroller), David Ziomek (Assistant Town Manager)

The Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) recommended funding eleven of thirteen project applications for a total of $1,855,136 in the FY2025 budget. One project application was withdrawn by the applicant, and one was not recommended for funding. This total is in addition to the $520,250 in debt service for projects financed through borrowing. New revenue was $1,375,000. There was an estimated balance of $836,621 remaining from previous years, which includes $27,130 of unused funds from previously approved projects according to Comptroller Holly Drake. CPAC recommended that most of the leftover money be allocated to softball field and trail maintenance.

CPA funds are derived from a three percent surcharge on property taxes and are matched by the state. They must be used for affordable housing, historic preservation, or open space/recreation. In addition to requests from the town, residents are invited to submit proposals every fall.

Below are the proposals that CPAC recommended for funding. These recommendations will be sent to the Finance Committee for further evaluation and then to the Town Council for approval.

Affordable Housing

1. Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (AMAHT): requested $500,000, recommended $300,000. AMAHT requested funds to contribute to affordable housing development projects in town. The committee previously allocated $375,000 to the affordable duplexes planned for Ball Lane in North Amherst and has supported the developments at the East Street School and Belchertown Road and the supportive studios at the recently completed East Gables.
   
2. Town of Amherst: requested $275,000, recommended $150,000. The Planning Department requested money for pre-development costs for affordable housing at several sites. Possible sites for study include town-owned land off Strong Street and the South Amherst School. The town will also use the award to continue planning for a year-round shelter at the former VFW site, which was purchased by the town using ARPA funds.

Historic Preservation

1. East Amherst Local Historic District Study: requested $20,000, recommended $20,000. The Local Historic District Commission (LHDC) requested funds to hire a consultant to document the significant historic structures near the East Amherst Village Center, which was the original center of commerce for the town prior to the arrival of the railroad that shifted Amherst Center to its current location. Although CPAC member Doug Marshall supports this study, he recommended a thorough discussion in the town before another local historic district is created, because development in local historic districts is constrained by design standards and the determination of the LHDC.
   
2. Amherst Historical Society Accessibility and Existing Conditions Study: requested $74,350, recommended $74,350. Trustees of the Amherst Historical Society (AHS) are eager to begin the process of securing the Simeon Strong House for the next century. AHS started the process with the FY2023 grant funding for a survey of architectural and structural conditions of the Simeon Strong House that would help reveal potential damage to the house by the planned demolition and construction at the Jones Library. This survey by Jacob Smith Engineering & Design has been completed. The AHS has turned to Kuhn Riddle Architects for further guidance. There are three components of the proposed project. First is a site survey that provides topographical information on use when planning for enhanced accessibility to the building. Second is a scan of the exterior from the ground and the interior. Third is an assessment by an engineering firm that will assess mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.
   
3. Amherst Zion (North Amherst Congregational) Church Roof Restoration: requested $177,911, recommended $182,911 (with an extra $5,000 to cover potential fees related to obtaining an Historic Preservation Restriction (HPR) for the property). Funds will be used to restore the church’s roof structure and to begin exterior painting. Most urgent are repairs to the north and southwest edges of the roof. Years of ice damming in these locations have rotted four of the eave purlins. The roof is currently leaking at the eaves in several locations, and this situation needs to be addressed to prevent further water damage. The four eave purlins need to be replaced. Beyond the issues outlined above, the rain gutters have failed in various places, allowing water to pond next to the foundation walls and seep into the building’s basement.
   
4. Town of Amherst North and South Cemetery Restoration: requested $150,000, recommended $100,000. This proposal seeks to conserve, restore, and repair a minimum of 125 headstones and small number of monument stones in the North and South Cemeteries, returning them to sound functioning condition with the least alteration to their historic appearance. In recent years the town has focused restoration efforts on West Cemetery and has yet to undertake a similar approach in these two cemeteries. The applicant reduced the original request by $50,000, deciding not to seek funds for the removal of the deteriorating fencing around the two cemeteries.
   
5. Mill River History Trail: requested $46,875, recommended $46,875. A group of North Amherst residents seeks funding for an archivist and project manager to research and document 12 historic and contextual sites along the Mill River dating back to the mid-17^th century. This will supplement the four sites documented in a previous survey financed with $12,900 in CPA funds.

Open Space and Recreation

1. Mill River Tennis Courts Rehabilitation: requested $60,000, recommended $60,000. This project will first remove the existing net posts and install a new set of net posts using a different attachment which will not cause cracks when the net is tightened. Then, the cracks in the tennis court play surface will be repaired, and the courts will be resurfaced including new lines.
   
2. Softball Field Rehabilitation: requested $85,000, recommended $85,000. Funds will be used to  rehabilitate the infields and repair bleachers and backstops at Community Field, Kiwanis Park, and Groff Park. With the softball fields at Fort River soon to be unusable for several years during the construction of the new elementary school, the remaining fields will sustain increased usage. Amherst has 12 recreational teams with over 200 participants, in addition to teams from the schools.

3. War Memorial Pool Revitalization: requested $750,000, recommended $750,000. Funds will be used to complete design, provide bid-ready documents and fund construction for repairs at the War Memorial Pool.  The project area includes the existing pool, bathhouse, basketball court, playground and walkways. The bathhouse at War Memorial Pool is in need of serious repair or replacement in the next few years, while the basketball court is underutilized due to its poor condition. Much of the playground equipment has been removed due to safety concerns. It is envisioned that the project area will be redesigned with new walkways, sitting areas, amenities and significant features such as the bathhouse, playground and splash pad. The town will be applying for grants for this project and plans to allocate the CPA funds as the local match.
   
4. Trail Restoration and Enhancement: requested $100,000, recommended $86,000. This funding would pay for materials and equipment rental for significant improvements to trails throughout Amherst. Materials would include wood for bridges and steps, wood chips, trap rock, and gravel as well as benches and kiosks. Specifically, this funding is being sought to rehabilitate and enhance accessible trails at the following Conservation Areas- Markert’s Pond, Larch Hill and Puffer’s Pond. If funding allows trail work may also include repair and rehabilitation of bridges at the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course property. 

Projects Withdrawn and Not Funded

1. Kiwanis Pickleball Courts: requested $100,000. Application withdrawn. The town originally hoped to put three pickleball courts at the Kiwanis recreation area on Stanley Street, but neighbors objected to the possible noise and increased traffic. North Amherst residents advocated for placing the courts at Mill River Recreation area, even though it would mean the loss of some parking. The town has  paused on the construction plans until a site is selected.
   
2. Historic House Move: requested $98,000. No funding recommended. Michael and Kimberly Como requested funds to move their house, built in the late 1860’s farther from Northampton Road onto a new foundation, because of instances of vehicles losing control and ending up on the property and also the anticipated  MassDOT project to widen the road near the house.

Debt Service on Previous CPA Projects

1. Belchertown Road Project: For purchase of property for affordable housing. $79,200 (year 3 of 10)
2. Rolling Green Preservation of Affordable Housing: $81,600 (year 10 of 10)
3. Kendrick Park Playground: $37,450 (year 4 of 5)
4. Valley CDC Supportive Studio Housing: $70,000 (year 3 of 10)
5. Amherst Regional Schools Track and Field: $112,000 (year 1 of 10)
6. Jones Library: $140,000 (year 1 of 10)
7. Fort River Recreational fields: to begin in 2026.