Town Manager Report for April 7, 2025

Source: amherstma.gov

Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council, usually at the first Town Council meeting of each month. The reports, usually 9 to 16 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: Town Manager Reports

 TOWN MANAGER

• Cuppa Joe with Paul:  
• The next Cuppa’ Joe will be on Friday, April 11^th from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at the Coronation Cafe at 103 North Pleasant Street. My special guest will be Recreation Director Rey Harp who can answer questions about what’s new in Recreation and a recent award the Department won at a state-wide conference.• The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” coffees are a monthly event.

Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.

Rubbish Roundup: Many thanks to our Town staff for organizing this year’s major spring community clean-up which will occur Sunday, April 6^th. Named “Rubbish Roundup” the community clean up event will bring residents together for a day of camaraderie and positive change.  

When: 12 pm – 2 pm with rallying sites being:

Where:  

How: Just show up at one of these locations.

▪        Each location will be staffed by a team of captains with supplies, safety instructions, and assignments. Supplies will be provided but we encourage you to bring your own work gloves and eye protection (safety glasses or sunglasses) if you have them. Additionally, please remember to bring water, wear closed toe shoes, and apply sun protection.

• Who: All Town residents and groups are encouraged to participate, including community organizations, businesses, families, neighborhood associations, student clubs, religious communities, and any small group or individuals eager to connect with their neighbors.
• Micro-mobility Commission: Senior Planner Nate Malloy has been appointed to the State-wide Micro-mobility Commission. This Commission was established by the Legislature as part of the Economic Development bill. Nate will be one of two municipal representatives on this Commission
• Higher Education:
• Hampshire College:
  • The College has engaged Archipelago Investments to build a three-building project on Gould Way and Lannon Lane which are adjacent to Atkins Farms Country Market. The proposal includes 140 residential units with 12,000 square feet of commercial space. It also includes 180 parking spaces. 17 of the units will be set aside as affordable. The Planning Board is reviewing the project.
• Key Dates:
  • Commencement:
• Amherst College: May 25^th  
• Hampshire College: May 17^th  
• University of Massachusetts Amherst: May 16^th – 18^th  

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Administration and Finance

• Finance: Staff are working on budgets, projections, capital plans, and presentations to the Council and other committees.
• Human Resources: 

o The H.R. Department has been very busy with six collective bargaining agreements, searches and onboarding new employees, and supporting existing staff through the health insurance enrollment period. o The Personnel Board, Town Manager, and H.R. Department had an all non-union staff meeting to discuss the budgets for FY26, health insurance changes, and policy updates.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department:

• The Town’s DEI Department was featured – twice – in The Beacon, the monthly publication of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. 

https://www.mma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MMA-Beacon-April-2025.pdf  

▪            First, the Department was featured for its Liberatory Visioning Project to promote inclusivity and envision a more welcoming community. 

▪            Second, the DEI Director was recognized as serving on a panel entitled “Demystifying DEI” which will be held on May 6^th. MMA members – and members of the Town Council and Town staff are members – may register for the online program for free.

• Flag Raising: Thanks to those who were able to join in the 5^th Annual Proclamation Reading and Flag Raising for Child Abuse Prevention Month such a success. And thanks to the Town Council for honoring
  
  
• Liberatory Visioning: As mentioned above, the Town’s efforts to engage the community in an extended process of community racial healing and visioning, the DEI Department launched the Liberatory Visioning Project. This initiative is aimed at creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for all residents. This process is designed to bring members of the Town together to develop a shared vision through dialogue sessions and a community survey.
  • The Town will be leading this project in partnership with Dr. Barbara J. Love, who is a local author, speaker, and consultant on liberation and transformation as well as Professor Emerita of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Liberatory Visioning was created by Dr. Love as a framework for justice, equity, belonging, and inclusion with the overall aim of creating communities that work well for everyone.
  • The liberatory visioning process continued as community members gathered to reflect on the imp act of the intersectionality of their various social identities on their experiences as Town residents and propose solutions that help to create a liberatory community for all members of the Town of Amherst.
  • The Town hosted three community dialogue sessions where residents had the opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas about creating a more equitable community. The sessions were held on February 27^th, March 5^th, and March 12^th. 
  • Learn more about the Liberatory Visioning Project.
• Outreach: The latest DEI newsletter includes the many, many activities of the DEI Department and its partners. It can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/77934/April-2025-Newsletter?bidId=
  
• Youth Empowerment: The Department’s Youth Empowerment entrepreneurial program culminates at the Global Village Festival on Saturday. The young entrepreneurs will be marketing their wares at the Festival. I encourage you all to attend, patronize our vendors, and further encourage their burgeoning businesses!
• Events:
• Amherst Global Village Festival: Saturday, April 5, 2025. The event has been moved indoors to the Middle School! Join in celebrating cultural diversity and promoting inclusivity within the community. The festival will feature a vibrant array of activities, including international food trucks offering cuisine from various cultures, live performances showcasing traditional music and dance, and local vendors representing diverse crafts and products. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere, the Amherst Global Village Festival aims to bring together individuals from all backgrounds, encouraging dialogue and understanding while highlighting the rich tapestry of global cultures in a fun and engaging environment.
• Reparations: The Town Council is reviewing the charge for the Amherst Black Reparations Committee.
• Resident Oversight Board: The Resident Oversight Board stakeholder group expects to conclude its work and submit its report in the coming weeks. The website can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3832/Resident-Oversight-Board  
• Police Protocols: The Police Chief is reviewing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to address the dispatching of CRESS responders and police procedures.

Public Safety

• Fire Department:
  • Open Burning Permits: State regulations permit open air burning of brush for spring yard cleanup from January 15th to May 1st each year. The Fire Department is currently issuing open air burning permits. However, with our region still under a critical drought, warm and dry conditions in April could lead to elevated fire risks similar to last fall. In such a scenario, open air burning may be banned for extended periods of time. To avoid disappointment this spring, the Fire Department encourages residents to obtain their permits promptly and to conduct their open air burning as early as possible this season. Learn more and obtain an Open Air Burning Permit.Equipment: A new Fire Tower truck and new ambulance are expected to be delivered this summer. Note that these purchases were made in FY23, which is an example of the time of lead time major equipment requires.
  • Staffing: The Amherst Fire Department currently has openings for full-time and on-call firefighters and is accepting applications at amherstma.gov/jobs.
    
• Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service:
  • CRESS has been assisting the Amherst Public Schools with students and parents needing de-escalation and emotional support (students fighting or threatening to fight). o 87% of the CRESS team are trained in Critical Incident Training for Youth (CIT). This includes youth de-escalation techniques and providing additional support service connections. 
  • Youth programming will begin next week at the afterschool program at Wildwood Elementary School. Crocker Farm Elementary School will be next. This is a critical component of engaging community and building trust with young people. o CRESS Responders continue to assist with the Morning Movement Mentoring Program (MMMP).
  • The Department is preparing a year-end report to update the community on the progress of the Department.
  • The Department has produced a newsletter which can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3848/CRESS-Newsletter
• Work continues with the Police Department and Dispatch on adopting protocols for dispatching CRESS directly from Dispatch.
• Police Department:
  • The Department has completed the extensive work associated with attaining accreditation.
  • Three police officers have been nominated for awards from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Community Services

• Senior Services:
  • The Amherst Senior Center took part in the Amherst Community Connection project at the

Mill District Local Art Gallery alongside Amherst Media, A Better Chance, Kestrel Land

Trust, Amherst Recreation, Amherst Police Department, Family Outreach of Amherst,

Jones Library and Branches, Amherst Early Education Center, and the Department of Children and Families. We took home the award for “Most Unique Materials!” The exhibit will run from 3/14 to 4/28 in the Front Window Gallery.

• The Senior Center Open House scheduled for 4/29 has been postponed to a date to be determined.
  • The Amherst Senior Center’s AARP free tax service served a site record of 202 people over ten weeks.
  • Coffee: The Senior Center hosts two coffee events at the Bangs Community Center:
    • Memory Café: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
    • Rainbow Café: First Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m.
  • Newsletter: The March/April newsletter from the Department of Senior Services – which includes a listing of all of the dozens of workshops and meetings being offered by the Department –  Amherst Senior Spirit,  is now available: https://www.amherstma.gov/3674/Senior-Spirit-Newsletter
    
• Public Health:
  • Respiratory Illness: The winter respiratory illness season is finally behind us. COVID levels are low, and the flu is receding. However, given that it was a relatively quiet COVID winter season, many experts are anticipating a significant summer wave. Public Health will be keeping an eye on this through the ongoing wastewater surveillance efforts in collaboration with the Department of Public Works.
  • Vaccine: To wrap up the winter flu season and prepare for a possible summer COVID wave, Public Health will be offering COVID and flu vaccine office hours with the Town’s Public Health Nurse, every Wednesday in the month of April from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Health Department. It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine and anyone who did not get the latest COVID vaccine in the fall or winter can get that vaccine now, which will offer protection if there is a summer wave. People over 65 or who are immune-compromised are also eligible to get a second dose of this season’s COVID vaccine if it has been at least two months since their last shot.  Call 413-259-3077 or drop by the Department in the Bangs Community Center to request an appointment. o         Supplies: The Department’s supply of free COVID tests has been exhausted but they are still offering free gloves and masks to the public.
  • Outreach: The Department will have a table at the inaugural Global Village Festival on April 5th. The table will highlight the concept of multicultural health and how Public Health incorporates a focus on cultural humility, equity and inclusiveness in its work.  
• Recreation: 

o Independence Day: The Recreation Department has scheduled the Independence  Day festivities including fireworks for July 3^rd.  o Youth Empowerment:

▪ Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE): The goal of NFTE is to:

• Equip youth with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the 21stcentury economy. This includes developing entrepreneurial mindsets, critical thinking, problem-solving, and financial literacy skills.
• Provide access to education and opportunities: NFTE programs aim to break down barriers to education and provide students with access to resources and support systems that can help them achieve their goals.
• Inspire and motivate young people to become leaders and changemakers who can create positive impact in their communities and the world.
• The Recreation Department has contracted with NFTE to offer their BizCamp program later this spring/ summer. Town staff are meeting with a professor from Isenberg at UMass to discuss ways they can help make this program a success. We have reached out to business partners and business owners who would like to share their story of becoming a small business owner.  
  
• Award: 
  • Congratulations to our Recreation Department, including Becky Demling and Denise Leckenby who are in the photograph.  ▪ The Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) presented the Amherst Recreation Department with the 2025 Regional Community Impact of the Year Award for the Western Region. The Department accepted this award at the MRPA annual conference in March. 
  • The Town of Amherst was selected for this award due to its work over the past year to develop programs that expand accessibility and empower youth including:
    • Becoming the first recreation department in Massachusetts to achieve Sensory Inclusive Certification through KultureCity;
    • Expanding swim offerings to include adaptive swim lessons and an inclusive competitive swim team;
    • Starting the Morning Movement and Mentoring Program by partnering with ARPS, other Town Departments (including the Police Department), and local higher education institutions to offer beforeschool programs focused on supporting students’ mental and physical well-being, improving academic success with homework help, and fostering a powerful sense of community;
    • Partnering with RISE, a national non-profit organization, and the Amherst Police Department to offer two sessions of a youth leadership program that aims to create a safe and inclusive space to break barriers, build trust, and empower youth to take collective responsibility in creating change and building stronger communities.

Conservation and Development

• Housing: 
• Amherst Community Homes: Valley Community Development’s affordable homeownership development on Montague Road at Ball Lane is moving ahead with an anticipated ground-breaking and construction start by April. Members of the Town Council will be invited to the ground-breaking event.
  • There has been mobilization activity such as fencing, trailers, tree protection, site work, etc. on the site. 
  • The developer will provide periodic construction updates via email, as needed. Valley will also share project information through our newsletter (you can sign up here).
• Belchertown Road/South East Street Affordable Housing: This project is awaiting funding from the State. 
• Housing Production Plan (HPP):
  • The Town is updating its HPP to chart a path toward addressing the affordable housing needs of low- and moderate-income people in Amherst. The HPP will include data about who needs housing and what options currently exist, identify goals for different housing types, and name strategies Amherst might pursue to strengthen affordable housing opportunities. Additional information can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3814/Housing–Production–Plan  
• Planning:
  • Downtown Design Standards: The Town is updating its Downtown Design Standards that will guide how streetscapes and private properties in the downtown area look and feel in the future. Workshops, surveys, and a stakeholder group are guiding the decision-making process. Learn more: Learn more about Amherst Downtown Design

Standards  o Open Space and Recreation Plan: The Planning Department is working on an update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan.  Everyone is invited to take a survey, giving us input on what they think about Amherst’s open space and recreation lands. https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3506

• Facilities:
  • ADA Grant: The Town received a $100,000 state grant to continue implementation of the Town’s ADA Transition Plan. These funds will be dedicated to eliminating barriers at the Munson Memorial Library Building.
  • Police Station: A new chiller will be installed in the coming weeks with the goal of operation before summer.
  • Bangs Community Center: Town staff developed a proposal to address basic health and wellness deficiencies in the Bangs Community Center which was approved for funding by the Town Council. Staff are now preparing the final bid documents to move this project forward this summer.
• Inspection Services:
  • Rental Registration: Town staff continue implementing the new rental registration system. 
• Licensing: After a hearing by the Alcoholic  Beverages Control Commission, Country Crossroads operating at 6 University Drive was found to have served an alcoholic  beverage to a person under twenty-one years of age. The Commission suspended the license for two days to be served on April 7^th and 8^th, 2025.

• Sustainability:
  • Heat Pump Program: The Town, in partnership with CET, a local non-profit organization, launched the Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program.
    • Beginning April 1^st, homeowners are now able to receive help to install energy-efficient heat pump systems. The program’s goal is to complete 30 heat pump installations by the end of 2026, and to educate the community on the benefits and best practices of this advanced technology.  
    • Heat pumps are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. They can lower operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide year-round comfort. By offering financial support, expert guidance, and education, this program aims to make it easier for Amherst residents to transition to clean heating and cooling technology.  
    • Eligible homeowners can receive up to $3,500 in financial incentives to offset the cost of installation. Additional support includes personalized guidance to navigate the process, from completing required weatherization work to selecting a qualified contractor and ensuring quality installation.  
    • Website: www.amherstma.gov/HeatPumpProgram o Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: 
    • Grant: The Town has received a Planning Support & Feasibility Study grant as part of the State Clean Energy Center’s On-Street Charging Solutions Program. This grant provides services to the Town to identify potential on-street charging station locations and conduct community outreach.
    • New Stations: 
• Two EV fleet charging stations were brought online at the Police

Department. This was a collaborative effort between the Police, Facilities, and Sustainability Departments. The two EV chargers support the Police Department’s current and future plans to introduce additional fully electric vehicles. This project aligns with the Town’s newly adopted Zero Emissions Vehicle Policy and has provided a spring board to continued collaborations with other Town departments. We are now exploring adding fleet stations to support the Fire and Facilities Departments.

• Two super charging stations have been installed in the South Pleasant Street (aka CVS) parking lot.

Public Works

• Drought: Yes, it has been raining, but… following almost seven months of limited precipitation, the state Drought Management Task Force saw a worsening of the drought status of the area. As a result, o The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declared the Connecticut River Valley to be in a Level 3 Critical Drought.
• In accordance with the Town’s Water Management Act Registration – which is issued by the State – the Town is required to implement water use restrictions to ensure responsible water management.
• A Level 3 Critical Drought indicates a critical strain on water resources and requires mandatory conservation measures and preparations for emergency conditions. Those living and working in Amherst, including those utilizing a private well, are required to follow a ban on all nonessential outdoor water use. 
• Essential uses of water are exempt. These include:
  • Health and safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as the splash pad and swimming pools;
  • Production of food, including privately-owned home vegetable gardens;
  • Maintenance of livestock;
  • Core functions of a business, limited to plant nurseries, golf courses, wedding venues and professional washing for construction purposes;
  • Irrigation of public or interscholastic athletic fields, and public parks, with restrictions;
  • Watering of publicly funded shade trees.
• Nonessential uses of water are prohibited. These include:
  • Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
  • Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety;
  • Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or concrete.
• View additional guidance on nonessential outdoor water use from the Massachusetts Water Management Program. o It is important to note that the Town of Amherst’s water supply remains stable and not currently threatened by the drought situation.
• Useful links: 

▪ Town of Amherst Water Supply Status  

• This website presents data on the status of Amherst’s water supply including operating parameters for the wells and reservoirs, water levels at Atkins Reservoir, monthly water use, and precipitation data. Amherst obtains its water from nine sources, including four reservoirs and five groundwater wells. The reservoirs include Atkins Reservoir and the Pelham Reservoir System (Hill, Hawley & Intake Reservoirs). All five of the groundwater wells are located in the Lawrence Swamp Aquifer in the Hop Brook Basin in the Connecticut River Watershed. The table below shows which water sources were used and the approximate percentage of the total water production each is providing. ▪ Massachusetts Drought Status Map
  
• Atkins Reservoir: 
• The Town received an Executive Office of Economic Development Inland Dredging grant to dredge three sedimentation basins located directly upstream of the Atkins Reservoir. o The basins were constructed in the 1930s and are located along a constructed channel that directs flow from Nurse Brook and Dean Brook into the reservoir. The basins were constructed to reduce the amount of sediment transported into the reservoir.
• These basins are nearly full of sediment, and dredging is necessary to restore their capacity to maintain the water quality entering the reservoir.
• Town staff held a required public meeting on the sedimentation basins dredging project on March 17^th.
• More information can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3836/Atkins-ReservoirSedimentation-Basins-Dr#liveEditTab_widgets  
• Stormwater Management Regulations: Staff have written new stormwater regulations in accordance with the Town’s new Stormwater Management Bylaw. These regulations have been reviewed by staff and the Town Attorney and were implemented on April 1, 2025.  

DELEGATED AUTHORITY

• Short-Term Event Uses of Town Commons (Section 1a of the Town Council Policy): None
• Short-Term Parking Requests (Section 2a of the Town Council Policy): None
• Short-Term Public Way Closures (Section 3b of the Town Council Policy): None
• Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy): None

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

• Jones Library Renovation and Expansion:  
  • The Massachusetts

Historical Commission, Jones Library Trustees, and Town of Amherst have reached agreement about the historic preservation components of the project. The agreement

(MOA) was signed on March 20^th and included the following provisions:

Retain more than 80% of the original mahogany woodwork within the building;

• Offer removed woodwork to an architectural salvage company for reuse elsewhere;

• Replace the existing slate roof with natural rather than synthetic slate;

• Salvage existing slate tiles for visible use inside the building where they will be protected from the elements;

• Forego plans to cut a book drop in the stone façade near the main entry;▪ Protect the Strong House building, collections, and property; and

Document the existing Library through photographs and a virtual tour.o Many of the design elements detailed in the MOA were approved previously by the Amherst Historical Commission (AHC) during public hearings held in September – October 2023 and August 2024, including replacement windows, restoration of the outside of the historic building, and landscaping plans. The MOA states that any further changes would be subject to public review through the AHC.

In addition to MHC and the Library, 14 local organizations participated in the Town’s Section 106 historic preservation consultation process. Representatives of these organizations have been invited to sign the MOA to demonstrate their concurrence, though lack of signatures from consulting parties will not affect the validity of the MOA.

• The signed MOA concludes the Section 106 consultation process, necessitated by the Project’s receipt of $2.1 million in Federal funding. These Federal grants remain secure, at least at this juncture.With the Section 106 process complete, the Town has released its Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to finalize the HUD funding secured by Rep. McGovern in the FY23 federal budget.Public comments received before the deadline will be considered by the Town before filing the request for funds with HUD. The MOA and Environmental Assessment documents can be found on the Town’s website.Town staff are working to solicit proposals and identify options for space for Library operations during construction.

Additional information on the project can be found here: https://www.joneslibrary.org/352/Jones-Building-Project

DPW Building/Fire Building:  

I have submitted the charge for a building committee to support the development of a cohesive plan for building these two new buildings to the Town Council to assist in determining Council membership on the committee. 

Fort River Elementary School Building Committee: 

• Work continues on schedule. o A “topping off” ceremony – to commemorate the placement of the last and highest steel beam – will be scheduled for May. All Town Councilors, the contractors, the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and members of the community will be invited to celebrate this milestone event. Typically, attendees are invited to sign the beam before it is lifted into place. We will share the date once it is set by the contractor.

For more information, visit the School Building Project website here: https://www.amherst-school-  project.com/  

PROJECTS UPDATE

• Centennial Water Treatment Facility: Construction continues for this $21 million facility. The project is on schedule and on budget for completion in the fall.
• Gravity Belt Thickener (GBT): The new GBT at the Wastewater Treatment Facility is on track for completion this summer.
• Track and Field: 
  • The kick-off meeting with the contractor was held with Town staff playing a lead role in this project. 
  • Construction will begin in late June upon the completion of school sports and end of school classes. Construction should last about four months.
  • The Town of Amherst has provided $1.76 million from its CPA account, with Shutesbury contributing $136,000 and Pelham $110,500 from those accounts. Other sources of funding include $1.5 million in debt approved by the regional schools, $900,000 in free cash from the Town of Amherst, and a $104,840 donation from the Amherst Hurricane Boosters which is reduced because its fundraising was contingent on an interior field with synthetic turf which was removed by the School Committee.
  • The $4.5+ million project is seeking an appropriation of $176,000 from the Town of Leverett Community Preservation Act account at its Annual Town Meeting.
• North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot: Awaiting the delivery of lights.
• Bangs Community Center: Town staff presented the first request for funding to address the needs of the Bangs Community Center to the Town Council which approved the request. The current project will focus on upgrading existing building safety and mechanical systems to address known problem areas and to help to bring the facility in line with the Town’s sustainability goals. An appropriation request for the next phase of improvements is being considered by the Joint Capital Planning Committee.
• Downtown Restroom: Site work for a new restroom at Kendrick Park will begin in May. We anticipate delivery of the Portland Loo to be in June. Once delivered, installation and connections are fairly straightforward.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

April 21st – Patriots’ Day holiday 

➢ April 28th – Town Council meeting 

➢ May 5th – Town Council meeting 

➢ May 19th – Town Council meeting 

➢ May 26th – Memorial Day holiday 

➢ June 2nd – Public Forum on Capital Improvement Program 

➢ June 2nd – Town Council meeting 

➢ June 16th – Town Council meeting 

➢ June 19th – Juneteenth holiday 

➢ June 30th – Town Council meeting 

➢ July 4th – Independence Day holiday