Town Manager Report For August 15, 2022

Amherst Indy August 18, 2022 0

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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.

Outreach and Advocacy

  • Cuppa Joe with Paul: The last Cuppa which featured our new Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion including Director Pamela Young and Assistant Director Jennifer Moyston. Our next Cuppa Joe will be on Friday, August 12th from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at Black Sheep Bakery and Deli on Main Street. My special guest will be Tony Maroulis, the Executive Director of Community & Strategic Initiatives at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
  • Civic Engagement: Community Participation Officers are working on a Civic Engagement class to help residents learn more about the Town’s operations with the goal of creating more and deeper public engagement in Town government. The concept is to offer an eight-week course that will include insight into how our local government works. We are now projecting that this program will commence in early 2023.
Photo: amherstma.gov
  • Speaking Engagements:
    • MMMA Boot Camp: I will be part of a panel at the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s (MMMA) “Boot Camp” on September 29th in Sharon, Massachusetts. The topic is “Challenges & Opportunities: The Future of the Profession”.
    • MMMA Monthly Meeting:
    • Director of Community Responders and I will make a presentation to the MMMA at its meeting on October 20th in Bridgewater. The topic is “Community and Public Safety: the Origins and Development of Community Responders in Amherst”.
  • Intern: Intern Ruby Cain, a recent graduate of Amherst Regional High School, presented her research on civic engagement and middle school students to the Town Manager and Community Participation Officers before heading off to college. Ruby was a tremendous summer addition to the Town Manager’s office.
  • Visiting Dignitaries: I, along with Communications Director Brianna Sunryd, DEI Director Pamela Nolan Young, and Council Vice-President Ana Devlin Gauthier were honored to take part in a State Department Yali Network Civic Initiative. This exciting program brought 25 professionals from 25 sub- Saharan African countries together to foster connections & collaboration.

COVID-19

  • Update: From the Health Director…
    • As the Town prepares to head into our third winter of the COVID pandemic, it’s time to consider what it means to live with COVID. Epidemiologist suggest we need to set aside the question of whether the pandemic is over and understand that COVID will continue to impact communities, especially vulnerable populations, and we need to continue to adapt, prepare and act.
    • Although our situation may seem similar to last year at this time, the COVID landscape is changing. Variants have emerged and subsided, while others, such as the subvariant BA.5, has become more ‘fit’ and transmissible.
    • The Omicron variant, or other variant on the horizon, coupled with people spending more time inside with colder weather may mean a surge in cases, but not necessarily the same rise in hospitalizations and deaths due to preventive steps we all can take.
    • We know all the mitigations strategies (vaccination, testing, antivirals, staying home if sick, physical distancing, masks, ventilation, and having a back-up plan) so we need to use one, or a combination of measures for specific scenarios. This is what living with COVID looks like.
    • Vaccination:
      • The Health Department offers COVID immunizations every Thursday from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. in the Bangs Community Center. Residents must be 12 years and older for primary series or first or second booster. Registration is suggested but walk ins are welcome, all immunizations are free of charge to the patient. To register go to: Amherst Health Vaccination Office Hours.
      • Every age now qualifies for a vaccine, 5 and older for one booster, immunocompromised or over 50 years old for a second booster. To determine if you can receive additional boosters or spacing of your vaccinations, use the Booster Interactive Tool from the CDC. Experts recommend to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible, do not try to time your vaccine and immunity for certain events.
      • The Health Department completed its young pediatric clinics serving approximately 20 children ages 6 months through 4 years. The public school district held a clinic on August 10th for the school community, vaccines are widely available through partners such as :UMass, the Northampton Health Department and local pharmacies. Use Massachusetts Vaxfinder for location of COVID vaccine.
      • Vaccination continues to be our most important tool and has the most substantial impact on reducing COVID incidence and mortality. Vaccination reduces disease severity 63.5%, hospitalization by 65.6% and death by 69.3%.
      • The Health Department is prepared to expand clinic capacity this fall for any need, for example, new guidance on second boosters or a new Omicron/bivalent vaccine becomes available. We are collaborating to provide COVID vaccination to our partners and underserved populations, such as Craig’s Doors and referrals from the Musante Health Center.
    • Testing:
      • Rapid Antigen Tests:
  • The Town has secured 14,400 Rapid Antigen Tests for the community. They are free and can be picked up at the Health Department Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 2:00. We have proactively distributed tests to vulnerable population through our partners, for example the Amherst Survival Center, Family Outreach of Amherst, and Craig’s Doors.
    • Rapid Antigen Tests are excellent at answering the question “Am I infectious”? When positive you should assume you can transmit the disease to another person. It is not required you use a Rapid Antigen Test to exit isolation after being sick with COVID, but if you do – like President Biden

– it will give you accurate information.

  • PCR Tests:
    • PCR tests can be scheduled through your primary health care provider or there are still free PCR test through the State and can be located through the Testing location search. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst provides PCR tests for all students, faculty, staff and members of their households who need testing because they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were a close contact of someone who has COVID-19. These tests are provided through University Health Services.
    • Surveillance:
      • Reporting:
        • The Health Department will continue to collect and report positive COVID cases as reported to the Department through the Department of Public Health’s MAVEN – Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network – system. Data is posted on the Town dashboard Monday through Friday. The Amherst case count represent only PCR tests. Residents are not required to report Rapid Antigen Tests however we welcome people to call the Health Department if any questions or concerns.
        • With reduced PCR testing, increased home Rapid Antigen Tests, and people choosing not to test, or asymptomatic and not knowing they, we understand that the active COVID cases reported is an undercount and not truly representative of the COVID burden. There are other key public health indicators to understand COVID illness in our community, such as new hospitalizations, bed capacity, and wastewater testing.
      • Wastewater testing:
        • Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Biobot Analytics, initiated COVID wastewater sampling on April 23, 2022. The Town successfully lobbied to be included in this testing regimen. The grant services have been extended through June 30, 2023. The Department of Public Works and Health Department are collaborating to present surveillance data that reflects trends in the population-wide COVID-19 burden (see below for the CDC description).
        • DPW collects one 24-hour composite sample that is representative of all buildings, homes, and businesses that contribute wastewater to the Amherst

Wastewater Treatment Plant, including Amherst College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Samples are collected three times each week. DPH has complimented Amherst’s COVID surveillance webpage for results and education: COVID Wastewater Surveillance.

  • Wastewater surveillance captures asymptomatic infectious and is independent of healthcare seeking behavior and testing access. Wastewater serves as an efficient pooled sample of community infection levels. The data can be used for independent confirmation of true increases or decreases in cases and can be used as one key factor to measure risk and need for education and targeted interventions.
  • Paxlovid is an oral antiviral pill that should be taken early in the course of illness, best within the first five days. It can be taken at home for five days to help keep high-risk patients from getting so sick that they need to be hospitalized. Developed by Pfizer, it provides an 89% reduction in the risk of hospitalization and death.
    • There are reports of “rebound” of COVID-19 symptoms in some people within 2 to 8 days after completing the five-day course of Paxlovid. In those cases, some have tested positive again but have no symptoms; others have a recurrence of symptoms. The CDC says a rebound does not mean a person was resistant to Paxlovid, nor does it mean they were reinfected with the virus.

Colleges and University

  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst:
    • Community Breakfast: The Chancellor will be holding the University’s annual Community Breakfast on September 2nd at the Student Union.
    • North Village: North Village, now being called University Village, is reopening on a rolling schedule. About 20 former residential occupants will be moving in in the first half of August. Another 30 units will be will be ready by the end of August.
    • Schedule: Classes begin on September 7th. Commencement is May 26-28.
  • Amherst College:
    • New President: Michael Elliott assumed the role of President of Amherst College at the beginning of August. The College has scheduled President Elliott’s inauguration for October 29th.
  • Schedule: Classes begin on September 1st. Commencement is May 28th.
    • COVID-19:
      • The College will retain strong protocols related to COVID-19. This includes requiring all members of the community to be fully vaccinated, to be tested prior to arrival on campus, requiring masks at all indoor locations until mid-September, and a strict isolation schedule for those who test positive.
      • Buildings have returned to pre-COVID schedules and the campus will be operating at 100% capacity. Visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination.
  • Hampshire College:
    • Schedule: Classes begin on August 31st. Commencement is May 20th.

Racial Equity

  • ImageReparations: The Town Attorney and I met with the African Heritage Reparation Assembly and reviewed the Town Attorney’s opinion and draft legislation.
  • Community Responders Program:
    • The Community Responders continue their intensive eight- week training program at Munson Library.
    • The Town released a series of “Get to know the Responder” profiles over the coming weeks. See profiles at the end of this report.
    • The Director of Community Responders and I will make a presentation to the MMMA at its meeting on October 20th in Bridgewater. The topic is “Community and Public Safety: the Origins and Development of Community Responders in Amherst”.
  • DEI Department:
    • The new DEI Director was sworn into office and began work on July 5th.
    • The Director has been developing a strategic plan for the Department, developing a plan for implementing the Police Residents Oversight Board, meeting with staff, and stepping into many levels of management for the Town.

Department Updates

  • Town Clerk/Elections:
    • Elections:
      • The State primary is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6th. The State general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8th.
      • We continue to conduct outreach to residents. The Town Clerk has asked the Town Councilors to reach out to your listservs to (a) remind them of these two elections (one is the day after Labor Day), and (b) ask them to check their voting locations, as some have changed. All pertinent information can be found here:

https://www.amherstma.gov/3665/Elections and here https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3096.

  • Early voting will be held in Town Hall for the September 6th primary as follows:
    • Saturday, August 27th (9a – 4p) Monday, August 29 (8a – 4:30p) Tuesday, Aug 30 (8a – 4:30p) Wednesday, Aug 31 (8a – 4:30p) Thursday, Sept 1 (8a – 4:30p) Friday, Sept 2 (8a – 4:30p)
    • The Town Clerk’s office, working with the University, will be present for voter registration at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on September 1st for FroshFest and on September 4th for UFest.
    • Ethics: The State Ethics Commission is hosting free, bi-monthly training seminars for municipal employees to learn more about the restrictions imposed under the conflict-of- interest law, G.L. c. 268A. These two-hour seminars present an opportunity for the Town’s boards and committees to receive important training on the on the law. Seminars are conducted remotely via Zoom. The next trainings are Thursday, September 22nd and Thursday, December 1st. Register for the December 1, 2022 seminar
  • Health:
    • Monkeypox:
      • We know that cases are increasing in Massachusetts. Over 130 cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts. Our ability to maintain an accurate count, which is essential to protecting public health, is possible because people have been willing to engage in open conversations about MPox; this must remain the case.
      • The Health Department is prepared to answer questions and support Amherst residents with all aspects of the Monkeypox virus whether it is case management, suspected contact questions, or referring those seeking evaluation, testing and vaccination. The Health Department is in communication with our higher education institutions regarding collaborative protocols for this fall as residents as students return to our area, and we will continue to work with our partners in our Public Health traditional role of assisting them to test, treat, isolate, contact trace and vaccinate as needed.
      • Anyone can catch the monkeypox virus, and it can be transmitted in any setting where there is someone with the virus. Transmission can occur through skin-to- skin contact, generally needing close and prolonged contact. Transmission through fomites, particularly soft surfaces such as fabrics, is also possible but appears to take a smaller role.
      • Those who are most at risk of getting the disease are cisgender men who identify as gay, bisexual, or as a man who has sex with men (which does not only include LGBTQ+ individuals) across all socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. . It is critical that we ensure that information about the disease, its prevention, and its treatment reaches those who are most likely to be exposed to it in a way that is respectful, non-stigmatizing, and culturally attuned. Public health can use this information for framing messaging, improve access to resources, and steer aware from creating or perpetuating stigma. As of 8/8/2022 DPH reports Massachusetts has 174 cases, the U.S. has 8,934, and 30,189 globally.
  • Common symptoms of MPox include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, or body aches and skin lesions like sores or blisters that can occur before or after flu-like symptoms. Anyone not feeling well should avoid attending larger events to reduce the risk of spreading MPox as well as COVID.
  • For general monkeypox information, visit: www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html
  • ARPA:
  • Public Safety:
    • Community Safety Day: In collaboration with the Amherst Police, Amherst Fire, andAmherst CRESS departments, the Amherst Senior Center is putting together a Community Safety Day on Saturday, August 13th from 10am-2pm at Mill River Recreation Area. The Department of Senior Services wants to highlight how all three public safety branches are working together to support public safety. The event is open to residents of all ages. Events will include: Touch-A-Truck with the fire engine and cruisers, a k-9 demo, fire safety demonstrations, Jaws of Life presentation, car/car seat inspections, and more.
Photo: amherstma.gov

o     Heat: On August 4th, the Town extended pool hours until 9pm and made the pools free to Amherst residents. Groff Spray Park was in operation until 8pm. And the Town staffed a Cooling Center at the Bangs Community Center until 6pm.

  • Public Works:
    • Water:
      • In response to continued low precipitation and high temperatures, the State Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary declared on August 9th that the Connecticut River Valley has reached Level 3-Critical Drought stage, similar to the majority of the state.
      • The Town is closely monitoring the Town’s water supply, and the recent data shows we are capable of meeting current water demand. Therefore, the Town is not issuing water use restrictions at this time. However, the Town always encourages residents to be mindful regarding water use and follow the water conservation tips.
  • The data shows that although we are experiencing moderate drought conditions, we are seeing lower water consumption, we have received more rainfall and have higher water levels at Atkins reservoir than we did at the end of July during the drought of 2016. The Centennial Water Treatment Facility is still offline but all five of our Lawrence Swamp wells are fully functional. At this point in time, Amherst has the capability of relying more heavily on the wells and less on Atkins Reservoir if the drought conditions continue.
    • Therefore, the Amherst water system is currently able to handle the projected normal water demand. However, if the drought conditions continue into late August and September and water demand is more than expected, due to the increase in the Town’s population, the Amherst water system may need to implement water use restrictions.
    • As always, we will continue to monitor precipitation, water demand, and reservoir levels as well as monitor the state’s Drought Task Force recommendations.
    • The state drought declaration can be found here.
    • Information on the status of the Town water system can be found at,

Amherst Water Supply Status | Amherst, MA – Official Website (amherstma.gov)

  • The Massachusetts Drought Task Force defines the four levels as follows: Level 1 is only one-day per week watering allowed. Level 2 is hand-held watering only. Levels 3 & 4 are no non-essential watering. The watering restrictions in the state plan are recommendations – water systems are legally bound to whatever action their Water Management Act permit dictates.
  • Roads:
  • Sidewalks: Work on Kellogg Street sidewalks has been delayed due to supply chain issues with granite. Work will begin soon on sidewalks on Taylor and Gray Streets. McClellan and Chestnut Streets are also designated for work. Roadway reconstruction on Mill Lane, between Groff Park and West Street is nearing completion.
  • Crosswalks: A new crosswalk is being installed from Kendrick Park across East Pleasant Street to provide better access to the new playground.
  • Road Paving:
    • Meadow Street: The Town’s contractor has paved Meadow Street (from the Hadley town line to Russellville Road) as well as Russellville Road (from the Hadley town line to Meadow Street).
    • East Hadley Road: The Town’s contractor has paved East Hadley Road (from South Pleasant Street to the Hadley town line).
    • Bay Road: The Town’s contractor has paved Bay Road (from the Belchertown town line to Hulst Road). Note the sweet “Thank You” note in the photo taken on Bay Road.
    • 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.
    • Snell Street and University Drive South: The developer of the project at the intersection of Northampton Road and University Drive South will be placing the final coat of asphalt on the roundabout at the intersection of University Drive South and Snell Street on Saturday, August 13th from 7am to 5 pm.
  • Bus Stops: Pioneer Valley Transit Authority received $490,394.00 to improve bus stops including sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, crosswalks, pavement markings, signage, shelters, benches, and other amenities at fifteen locations in Amherst, Agawam, Chicopee, Palmer, Northampton, Springfield, and West Springfield. The Town participated with the PVTA in the grant application. Bus stops on West Street are scheduled to be improved for the Town of Amherst.
  • Hazardous Waste:
    • The Town’s annual public household hazardous waste collection is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 2022 at Fort River Elementary School (70 South East Street, Amherst). All Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury and Hadley residents may participate. Advance registration prior to September 13 is required.
    • Participation is limited; people are encouraged to register early to ensure an appointment time. Pre-register on-line by visiting www.amherstma.gov/recycling. For those without computer access, paper registration forms will be available at the Amherst Transfer Station. Registrants will receive an assigned appointment window between 9am and 12pm a few days prior to the event.
    • Participants with small quantities of material are encouraged to team up with friends and neighbors to reduce traffic at the event.
    • Hadley and Shutesbury residents will be responsible for covering the cost of their own hazardous waste at the price of $25 (for quantities up to 3 gallons or pounds),

$40 (More than 3 and up to 10 gallons/pounds) or $60 (for 25 gallons/pounds). Cash and checks only

  • For additional details about the event visit www.amherstma.gov/recycling.
  • 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. Bids are expected to go out shortly.
    • West Street Sidewalk: The collapsed sidewalk will be replaced with a small bridge. The bridge has been purchased and the project is going through permitting with the Conservation Commission during the Summer.
  • Economic Development:
    • Block Party: The Business Improvement District’s annual Block Party will take place on Thursday, September 15th. The event will require the closure of North Pleasant Street from Amity Street to Pray Street beginning at 12:00 noon until 10:00 p.m. The Block Party will feature live music and multiple vendors and local businesses. We anticipate there will be a pent-up demand to enjoy the Block Party.
    • Downtown Concerts: The Amherst BID is producing four summer concerts on the Town Common. These events are free for all, starting at 6 pm. The next concert is Friday, August 12th featuring Rosie Porter Trio (Classic Country Singer/Songwriter) and Maxxtone (Playing the Hits – Pop Rock).
    • Grants: The Town allocated $25,000 to help small, brick and mortar, storefront businesses throughout the Town with project-based grant assistance. A “Project” can be, but is NOT limited to: exterior upgrades such as paint, lighting, or awning replacement; interior upgrades such as paint, shelving, internal branding/marketing; Marketing Technology needs such as branding, logo upgrades, web design, social media training. The program is being managed and overseen by the Business Improvement District
  • Economic Empowerment: The Town, in partnership with the Business Improvement District (BID), has allocated $250,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support small business empowerment and economic development over the next two and a half years. The program will be created and overseen by the Amherst BID in collaboration with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. The program will make connections with both existing and prospective businesses, the local colleges, and University and work to sustain local businesses, artists, cultural organizations, and entrepreneurs.
  • Emily Dickinson Museum: The Museum will reopen its doors to the public on Tuesday, August 16 after over two years of closure!

Admission to the Museum is by guided tour, for which advance-purchased timed tickets are required.

  • Human Resources:
    • The Human Resources Department has been extremely busy. They have been negotiating multiple collective bargaining agreements, conducting exit interviews for people who are leaving and onboarding new employees, recruiting candidates to our many openings, and addressing numerous staff issues.
    • The new Human Resources Manager begins work on August 15th.
    • We are recruiting for the Director of Human Resources.
  • Conservation and Development:
    • Bangs Community Center: Congratulations to Town Staff. The Town was awarded the maximum grant amount of $75,800 under the FY22 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program to eliminate architectural barriers found at the main entrance to the Bangs Community Center, including:
      • Replacement of a broken automatic door control and associated door,
      • Provide an ADA compliant level landing at the automatic door,
      • Provide an ADA compliant clear floor space at the automatic door control,
      • Install signage to designate the main entrance as accessible, and
      • Modify or replace the stairs adjacent to the main entrance in order to provide risers that are ADA compliant height.
    • West Cemetery:
      • Contractors from Ludlow Memorial Company have been cleaning, resetting, repairing, and assessing dozens of headstones, obelisks, and monuments at Amherst’s historic West Cemetery in downtown Amherst.
  • Two men with tools are repairing a grave stone in cemeteryThis project, funded by the Community Preservation Act Funds, managed by Town staff in the Planning Department, and recommended by the Historical Commission, focused on two areas of the West Cemetery – the African-Amherst burial section in the southeast corner of the Cemetery and the “1870’s knoll” in the northern section of the Cemetery, closest to Triangle Street. The African-American section has featured prominently in recent Juneteenth celebrations and includes the final resting place for numerous African- American Civil War soldiers and residents of Amherst.
  • The contractors, experts in cleaning and repairing historic monuments, have moved systematically through these 2 sections of the Cemetery to both clean
  • the stones using a special treatment to remove biological growth and to reset and repair fallen and cracked stones using heavy equipment and mortar.
  • This project builds on decades of work to improve and protect the historic integrity of West Cemetery. In 1998, West Cemetery was named one of Massachusetts’ “Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources.”
    • By 2000, the Historical Commission had succeeded in getting Amherst’s ancient burying ground listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
    • The cemetery has suffered from years of environmental damage, uncontrolled foot traffic, vandalism, and inappropriate use. The Amherst Historical Commission and Planning Department have worked for years to protect and restore West Cemetery.
  • Projects completed to date include the 1999 West Cemetery Preservation Plan, restoration of the historic Gaylord and Burnett gates, the community history mural and over 500 headstones restored. The Town’s DPW Grounds and Maintenance Division manages the landscape of West Cemetery and has controlled vegetation which once grew rampant in the Cemetery.
    • Today, West Cemetery is a crucial historic resource, green space, and tourist attraction in the heart of downtown Amherst. Visitors and residents alike are drawn here to visit the burial sites of famous people, to visit the Amherst History Mural, and to enjoy a nice walk.
  • For background, West Cemetery is the oldest burial ground in Amherst. In January 1730, a town meeting of the British colonial settlement of Hadley voted to grant its east district settlers “liberty for a burying place.” Set along the West Highway built in 1703, the burying ground became the West Cemetery. Amherst became a separate parish in 1759. West Cemetery was expanded in 1833, and again in 1870. It preserves some of the original unchanged landscape in downtown Amherst, recognizable to the early settlers who rest here alongside their fellow farmers, millworkers, servants, soldiers, and professors. Along the Cemetery’s eastern edge, members of Amherst’s longstanding African-American population are laid to rest, including venerable soldiers who served in the Civil War. Prominent Amherst residents buried in West Cemetery include Poet Emily Dickinson and educator William Smith Clark.
    • The Town Planning Department, DPW, and Historical Commission will continue to monitor and improve the West Cemetery. There are plans for additional headstone restoration work as well as the replacement of the now failing chain link fence along the eastern edge of the Cemetery. As always, residents are reminded to respect and help us protect the historic burial ground and to leave the cleaning and repair of headstones to the expert contractors hired by the Town.
    • Sustainability:
      • Electric Bus: There have been questions about obtaining additional electric school buses. The Town and School District are exploring the various grant opportunities, some of which are very attractive. Here are answers to specific questions posed by a Town Councilor:
        • Who owns the buses?
          • The School District owns and operates the buses.
        • How many diesel busses do we currently have, how many electric?
          • 7 diesel, 1 gasoline, 1 electric
        • What’s the story of the electric bus and how our fleet operates?
          • We own and operate our own fleet of 9 full size buses. We contract out for another 20 routes or so . We purchased an electric bus in 2017 after receiving a $400,000 grant from DOER. At that time, the estimated savings was 96k in fuel and 14k in repairs over 10 years. We have not analyzed expenses and comparisons beyond that required by the grant. We have not been able to run the electric bus as frequently as we do diesel buses because of range limitation, charging time, and out-of-service time. This school year the electric bus has been out of service for several months.
  • What costs have we seen with the electric bus as compared to the diesel?
    • In FY24 we are looking at 150k in the capital budget for replacing the battery packs for the electric bus. There are four battery packs When we bought the bus, the replacement cost was quoted at $32,500 per battery. At that time, electric vehicle batteries were expected to have 75% functionality after 8 years.
  • Typically, we have 95k in the capital plan every other year to replace (replace? or maintain?) REPLACE diesel buses. School buses have an expected life of 10 years. Diesel buses are now costing closer to $115k.
    • If we were to change our fleet, what would the initial cost be per bus? Is it still 400k?
      • Electric buses cost approximately $400k, not including any charging stations or infrastructure. Our experience with the electric charger for our existing school bus is that logistically we have to have a fast DC (aka Level 3) charger for us to go with electric buses. The chargers themselves cost something like $80k plus labor to install. Providing an electric service to supply the charger is not included, and we’re talking a 480 Volt, 3 Phase service.
    • Do we have an idea for what reasonable maintenance cost expectations would be? Is it 150k for battery packs every five years?
      • We are currently spending 150k on new batteries for our electric bus after five years. Battery replacement should be expected between year 5 and year 10.
    • What electric bus grant amount or stipulations would be “worth it” for Amherst to consider applying? e.g. would just paying for the bus (but not ongoing repair costs) be a smart financial decision? Would a grant that included money for X number of battery replacements?
      • This needs detailed thought, analysis, and discussion. Since we are a non-priority community, that rebate for the EPA Clean School Bus Rebate program would be limited to $250k towards a bus and $13k toward a charger. There is a Mass DEP grant application that would fund up to 45% of the bus cost that we are looking at.
  • Solar Bylaw Working Group: The Town has issued a Request for Proposals to hire a consultant who can conduct a community-wide solar assessment. Responses to the RFP are due in the next week.
    • Energy Efficiency in Rental Units:
      • The Town and partner organization, Family Outreach of Amherst, were awarded $25,000 to conduct tenant outreach to understand renters’ concerns and ideal outcomes for their homes regarding energy efficiency in Amherst.
      • The project outcome will be a white paper summarizing the renters’ concerns and priorities, which will be used to inform the design of innovative programs or policies in Amherst such as rental efficiency standards.
      • The funding was awarded through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) EmPower Massachusetts Program and provided by both MassCEC and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
  • Sheltering:
    • Craig’s Doors: The shelter reports it is at capacity at both sites at the Motor Lodge in Amherst and Knights Inn at Hadley. On November 1st, Craig’s Doors will transition individuals from Knights Inn to Lutheran Church congregate shelter.

Craig’s Doors anticipates four permanent housing placements by the end of the month.

  • Housing:
    • East Gables (132 Northampton Road): Valley CDC continues 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. Valley CDC reports they are making good progress on construction and are looking at July 2023 as a completion date. They project that marketing will be begin at the end of 2022 with the lottery likely in Spring of 2023.
    • Ball Lane: Valley CDC has a second project in the planning stages. They are seeking funding for an 8-acre parcel on Ball Lane. They hold an option to purchase and funding in hand with closing in August. They have conducted a neighborhood meeting. The project will offer 30 first time homebuyer condominiums that will include 15 duplexes and10 market rate units.
    • East Street/Belchertown Road: The Town is working with the chosen developer on a land development agreement.
    • Housing: The Affordable Housing Trust and other partners are planning a Community Housing Forum on Tuesday September 13th at 6:30 p.m.
  • Community Services:
    • Senior Center: The Senior Center is sponsoring events during the summer including:
      • Community Safety Day: Saturday, August 13th from 10am-2pm at the Mill River Recreation Area.
      • Black Holes: Peering Behind the Curtain of One of Nature’s Greatest Mysteries: Tuesday, August 23rd, 10:30am at the Bangs Community Center.
      • The Senior Center hosted a cooling center during one of the heat spells.
      • Improvements to the Bangs Community Center will improve physical access to the Senior Center.
    • Recreation Department:
      • Poolside Movies: The Recreation Department held poolside movies at the Mill River swimming pool. It was a cool way to watch the move, Jaws!
      • Salsa at Kendrick Park: The Recreation Department a very successful “Salsa in the Park’ event, free and open to the community. A local DJ played tropical and salsa dance music at Kendrick Park and there was much dancing with dance lessons. Future dates will be August 13th, September 10th, and October 8th.
    • Cannabis: On July 13th, I attended a meeting of local leaders and community groups to discuss new and emerging laws related to cannabis cafes and home delivery of cannabis. Guest speakers included Margaret Hurley, Chief of Attorney General’s Central Massachusetts Division & Director of the Attorney General’s Municipal Law Unit, and Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) legislative team Dave Koffman and Ali DiMatteo.

Delegated Authority:

  • Short-Term Event Uses of Town Commons (Section 1a of the Town Council Policy):
    • Community Fair by Amherst Rotary Club (South Common): August 22-29
    • Sustainability Festival by Town Staff (South Common): April 22, 2023
    • Cider Run by Amherst A Better Chance: October 13-14, 2023
  • 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
  • Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy):

Major Capital Projects:

  • Jones Library:
    • The nonprofit Friends of the Jones Libraries remitted $500,000 to the Town.
    • On July 1, the Design Team provided a schematic design package with complete drawings and specifications for this phase of the project. The schematic design package will be used to create an updated cost estimate for the project.
    • As part of the process, two cost estimates will be completed, one by a firm (Fennessy Consulting Services) contracted by the designer and one by a firm (RLB) contracted by Town. Once the two cost estimates are received, a reconciliation will be performed and by early August the project will begin the design development phase.
  • DPW Building/Fire Building:
    • Staff continue to explore multiple options for a new site for the Department of Public Works.
    • We are exploring options of working with the University of Massachusetts architecture department (and former Town Councilor Steve Schreiber) to work with graduate students who will be working on a competition to design a fire station. The competition is sponsored by the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (think “Butler building”), thus the assumption is that the proposed designs will be metal buildings.
    • The competition is described here. There is an actual program, which may be slightly different than Amherst’s ambitions. HTTPs
  • Elementary School Building Committee:

Schematic-Report-as-of-6-24-2022

  • The Town met with the MSBA’s Facilities Assessment Subcommittee on August 3rd. The following items were topics of discussion:
  • Appreciation for the compact design and small building footprint;
  • Preparation for the DESE special education submission in Schematic Design;

Projects Update:

  • Requirement that self-contained special education classrooms and Intensive Learning Center (“ILC”) classrooms spaces that meet the minimum classroom sizes in the proposed project spaces to conform with DESE and MSBA requirements;
  • Location of the ILC rooms on the second and third floors;
  • Appreciation for the educational program and the explanation regarding the use of the kiln and details to ensure safety;
  • Project cost and potential cost drivers;
  • Number of proposed parking spaces;
  • Site constraints;
  • Community outreach;
  • Sustainability considerations as it relates to the Town’s commitment to Net Zero Energy;
  • Opportunities for further development of the site plan and indoor/outdoor connections;
  • Location of the main entrance and additional access points to the building; and,
  • The civic expression of the building and its view upon approach.
  • North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot:
    • The Town was selected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the National Park Service to receive up to $827,065.50 in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant assistance for the revitalization of the North Common in Amherst.
    • The project will completely transform an approximate 1-acre area of the Town Common bounded by Spring Street, South Pleasant Street, Main Street and Boltwood Ave. The effort is the result of years of public input and will activate the area for residents, visitors, downtown businesses, and the broader community.
    • The work includes adding new accessible walkways, improved lighting, gathering areas with tables and chairs, central space for small performances, a plaza in front of Town Hall, planting of new shade trees, rain gardens/storm water infiltration areas, and spaces for public art.
    • Local funding for the project comes from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds that have been approved for recreation and historic preservation purposes. Since 2016 the Town has approved over $1 Million for this project, which is now being used to match the LWCF grant. The CPA funds, voted in phases, have been instrumental in moving this project forward, from initial concept designs and public outreach to paying for construction.
    • The LWCF grant supports construction of the project, which is to begin in spring 2023 and expected to be completed by June of 2024. Currently, the project is in the final design phase with bidding expected late this year. A project webpage on the Town’s website will provide updates.
    • The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program is administered by Massachusetts on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS), an agency of the Department of the Interior.
  • The Public Shade Tree Committee held a site visit and a public hearing on the proposed removal of the Merry Maple. The Committee voted to support the Tree Warden’s recommendation to remove the tree.
    • North Amherst Library:
      • Work has begun on the renovations to the North Amherst Library.
      • Department of Public Works crews will be installing water and sewer services to the North Amherst Library on Sunderland Rd starting on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 at 7 am. Northbound Traffic will be detoured up Montague Rd to Cowls Rd from 7am to 3pm. The road will re-open each evening. The detour is expected to last two days.
      • The Library has secured donated space to offer services in the Mill District.
    • 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: he Town of Amherst is inviting sealed bids for the Pomeroy Village Roundabout and associated work. Invitation for Bids may be obtained online at www.amherstma.gov/bids. Bids are due August 25th.
  • Solar on the Landfill: The fence protecting the South Landfill is being prepared to be installed, which is now scheduled to begin on August 5th. This project is part of the permitting for the solar array on the North Landfill and is being paid for and managed by the solar developer.
    • Dog Park: Work is complete and a ribbon-cutting was held on July 27th.

Upcoming Meetings and Events:

  • September 5th – Labor Day
  • September 12th – Town Council Meeting
  • September 19th – Town Council Meeting
  • October 3rd – Town Council Meeting
  • October 10th – Indigenous People’s Day
  • October 17th – Town Council Meeting
  • November 7th – Town Council Meeting
  • November 11th – Veterans Day
  • November 21st – Town Council Meeting
  • November 24-25th – Thanksgiving Holiday
  • December 5th – Town Council Meeting
  • December 19th – Town Council Meeting
  • December 23rd – Christmas Eve observed (half-day holiday)
  • December 26th – Christmas Day observed
  • January 2nd – New Year’s Day observed
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