War Memorial Pool Bathhouse Tops CPA Requests for FY2026

The Community Preservation Act committee (CPAC) received 11 applications for funding during the 2026 fiscal year. The applications are in three categories specified by state law (MGL Chapter 44B): community housing, historic preservation, and recreation and open space. All but four of the applications are from the Town of Amherst. CPAC will evaluate each proposal during November and December, and will make a recommendation to the Town Council about which proposals to fund early in 2025. This year’s requests total $2.85 million. Typically, $1 million to $1.5 million is available each year.

Amherst has awarded CPA funds annually beginning in 2001. The funds are raised by a three percent levy on property taxes collected, the maximum allowed by the state. The largest request this year is for $750,000 in matching funds for rebuilding the bathhouse at the War Memorial pool. The town will apply for state grants for the majority of the $4 million needed to fund the plan to replace the badly deteriorating 1950’s structure. CPAC funded the design of the new facility in FY2024. The design team has undertaken value engineering to lower the projected cost of the bathhouse and surrounding recreation area, but it is expected that a capital campaign will also be necessary.

The only request for community housing funds was $500,000 for the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust to fund the creation of affordable housing.

The Amherst Historical Commission is requesting $15,000 to complete a survey of mid-century modern houses in Amherst and enter them in the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) data base.

The Jewish Community of Amherst requests $210,000 for repair of its seven stain glass windows, which it states are in need of urgent repair. The JCA has allocated $75,000 of its capital budget to contribute to the repair, the full cost of which cannot be known until the windows are removed.

The Amherst Cemetery Association has asked for $93,000 for masonry work and painting of the window trim on the 1790 Dickinson Farmhouse in the Wildwood Cemetery. The town has requested $28,000 to replace the deteriorating fence at the North Cemetery on East Pleasant Street with a vinyl fence of similar appearance.

In addition to the replacement of the War Memorial Bathhouse, the town is looking for $100,000 to standardize the signage at most popular recreation areas in town. A grant of $120,000 is being sought for electrical service and shade structures for the baseball fields at the the Mill River Recreation Area. As in past years, the Conservation Department has asked for $150,000 to maintain the town’s trails and footbridges. The DPW has requested $100,000 to design and permit and accessible trail to the lower area of Groff Park near the Fort River and pavilion. Also there is a $90,000 request to replace or add benches, picnic tables, trash cans, and grills at Mill River, Groff Park, Kendrick Park, and the Amherst Dog Park.