Town Manager Report for November 4, 2024
Photo:amherstma.gov
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:
• Sustainability Director Stephaine Ciccarello joined me for the last Cuppa Joe at Futural Coffee in North Amherst. It was a great turnout and I thank all of those who came out to discuss their concerns with us.
• The next Cuppa’ Joe will be on Friday, November 8th from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at The Works Cafe in downtown Amherst. Finance Director Melissa Zawadzki will be my guest. We can discuss the upcoming FY26 budget
including revenue & expenditure projections and any other topics of interest.
• The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” coffees are a monthly event. Residents and others arewelcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.
• State-wide Leadership: Clerk of the Council Athena O’Keeffe and former Town Councilor will be presenting at the Massachusetts Municipal Councilors Association meeting on November 16th. They will be discussing the ins and outs of Council operations for the group. All Councilors are invited to attend.
• Farmers’ Market: We are working with the Farmers’ Market to host a winter market in the Bangs Community Center on Saturdays during December and alternate Saturdays in January and February.
• Higher Education: Key Dates:
▪ Thanksgiving vacation:
• Amherst College: November 25th – December 1st
• Hampshire College: November 27th – December 1st
• University of Massachusetts Amherst: November 26th – December 1st
▪ Spring classes begin:
• Amherst College: January 27th
• Hampshire College: January 29th
• University of Massachusetts Amherst: January 30th
▪ April break:
• Amherst College: March 17th – 21st
• Hampshire College: March 15th – 23rd
• University of Massachusetts Amherst: March 17th – 21st .
▪ Commencement:
• Amherst College: May 25th
• Hampshire College: May 17th
• University of Massachusetts Amherst: May 16th – 18th
DEPARTMENT UPDATES Administration and Finance
• Town Clerk:
o Elections: Election day is Tuesday, November 5th.
▪ Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
▪ Find your polling location at WhereDoIVoteMA.com
▪ The polling location for voters in Precinct 1-A has moved to the North Amherst
Library, 8 Montague Road.
▪ Any voter who has returned a vote-by-mail ballot accepted by the local election
Office cannot vote on Election Day.
▪ Additional information can be found here:
https://www.amherstma.gov/3665/Elections
o Bike to Vote with ValleyBike: ValleyBike launched a “Bike to Vote” initiative to help you vote in the upcoming election! From October 23rd to November 5th, they’re offering riders two free trips (up to 30 minutes each)
using the coupon code BIKETOVOTE. Whether you’re riding to the polls on November 5th or riding to a mailbox to drop off your ballot, ValleyBike is here to help you cast your vote! ValleyBike is an electric, pedal- assist bike share network serving the Town of Amherst and neighboring communities.
• Finance:
o Budget: The Town’s finance staff will be making the Financial Indicators presentation at the Town Council meeting on Monday. This information will be posted online and will serve as the basis for the Finance Committee’s discussion as it develops the Budget Guidelines for the Town, Schools, and Library.
o CDBG: The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee has begun its work.
▪ The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has designated the Town of Amherst as 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.
▪ In accordance with State regulations, Amherst’s CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7pm to receive comments and suggestions.
• Human Resources:
o Fire Chief: The Fire Chief Search Committee has interviewed candidates and presented a recommended list to the Town Manager. Final interviews will be conducted in November and an appointment presented to the Town Council in the near future.
o Planning Director: The search has been initiated for a new Planning Director. I am searching for a leader who is passionate about fostering inclusive, sustainable development and making a lasting impact. You can find the job advertisement here: https://www.amherstma.gov/jobs.aspx
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department:
o Amherst Global Village Festival: The DEI Department announced the creation of a Global
Village Festival to be held on April 5th, 2025.
▪ The inaugural Global Village Festival will be a vibrant celebration of cultures and community, set to take place on the Town Common.
▪ The DEI Department has joined with the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools (ARPS), the Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC), and the Human Rights Commission to create a landmark event celebrating all that makes Amherst great. This new annual event marks a shift in the Town’s programming from multiple individual cultural celebrations to one unified festival that aims to foster connection within and across Amherst’s diverse communities.
▪ The Amherst Global Village Festival expands
ARPS’s annual Linguistic Heritage Celebration by adding 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, this annual event 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.
▪ The Linguistic Heritage Celebration has been hosted by ARPS and MPAC for the past three years as a way to honor the great diversity of languages spoken in Amherst and surrounding areas. The intent is to reinforce community awareness and appreciation of the presence and importance of linguistic diversity by showcasing music, dance, and spoken word performances in a variety of languages as well as language-centered workshops, games, and activities.
▪ This shift in programming came at the recommendation of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) who works closely with the Town on all DEI programming. After reviewing programming in recent years, the Department of DEI and the HRC decided to redirect their energy towards supporting more targeted strategies to amplify knowledge about and support for human rights in Amherst.
o Reparations:
▪ The Town Council is reviewing the charge for the
Amherst Black Reparations Committee.
▪ A recommendation for funds to be transferred to the
Reparations Stabilization Fund once Free Cash has been submitted to the Town
Council by the Town Manager.
o Resident Oversight Board:
▪ The Town has contracted with a pair of consultants to help create a proposal for a Resident Oversight Board which will be presented to the Town Council for its consideration. I have assembled an advisory committee with representatives from the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, Human Rights Commission, Public Safety leaders, and union representatives.
▪ If the proposal to create an Oversight Board is approved by the Town Council, the consultants will develop a training process for the inaugural board members, establish board policies and procedures, and establish a train-the-trainer processes for future board members. This work has begun.
▪ Town staff will have a web page up shortly that will be a central repository for all material associated with this initiative, including past studies and reports.
o Police Protocols: The Police Chief is reviewing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to address the dispatching of CRESS responders and police procedures.
o Youth Empowerment: The Recreation Director and Assistant DEI Director are leading the work to identify existing resources, existing opportunities, and coordinate work toward developing additional opportunities for the Town’s young people. The Town is inventorying existing out-of-school learning, recreational, and cultural opportunities for children in 6th-9th grades in Amherst and neighboring towns. The Town is also inventorying existing Town-owned buildings to assess their conditions and uses for other purposes including a Youth Empowerment Center. The Town is also exploring other options for addressing the need for additional services and locations for the Town’s young people.
Public Safety
• Fire Department:
o Brushfires:
▪ Wildfire activity continues across much of the state as the current dry weather pattern persists through this week. Most fires are exhibiting moderate to rapid rates of spread due to these conditions. Low relative humidity values and warm temperatures are causing an increase in short range spot fire potential, resulting in challenges for firefighters to gain containment. Due to drought-induced conditions, most fires are requiring several days of extended operations, taxing local resources.
▪ The region remains in an ELEVATED FIRE RISK indefinitely until weather conditions change. Any ignition source, including sparks from machinery, careless disposal of cigarettes, and unattended outdoor burning can result in a wildfire which could spread quickly.
o Staffing:
▪ Two firefighters graduated from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA).
• The Academy is a 50-day career recruit firefighting training program where recruits undergo a comprehensive 10-week program that includes classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.
• To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack.
• Upon successful completion of the Career Recruit Program, all students have met the national standards of NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and are certified to the levels of Firefighter I/II
and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
• Sixteen graduating firefighters represented 10 fire departments across Massachusetts.
▪ Two more firefighters/paramedics begin their 10-week fire academy program this week and they will graduate in early January 2025.
▪ The department currently has three openings for fulltime firefighters and is accepting applications at amherstma.gov/jobs.
o Outreach:
▪ The Fire Department held its annual Open House on Saturday, October 5 from
10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Central Fire Station. Activities included fire safety demonstrations, vehicle extrication, and display of new equipment.
▪ The Department participated in Trunk or Treat with the Police and CRESS Departments at University Village on 10/31.
• Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service:
o Grant Funding: We have been informed that the CRESS Department grant from the State Department of Public Health will be fully funded for this fiscal year. The Equitable Approached to Public Safety (EAPS) grant provides funds to alternative approaches to emergency response, supplementing traditional police response.
o Outreach:
▪ The Department collaborated with the Town’s Department of Public Health on vaccination clinics (10/16 Bangs; 10/22 Ann Whalen; 10/24 Clark House).
▪ The Department participated in Trunk or Treat with the Police and Fire Departments at University Village on 10/31.
▪ The Department is supporting the Town election on Tuesday, November 5th by assigning responders and volunteers to work as constables at polling locations.
▪ The Department has been utilizing electronic translation devices during calls.
o Staffing:
▪ The Department is interviewing candidates to fill vacancies for CRESS responders.
▪ Once hired, the new responders will be trained and ready for deployment early in
2025.
o Protocols: Work continues with the Police Department and Dispatch on adopting protocols for dispatching CRESS directly from Dispatch.
• Police Department:
o Staffing:
▪ Three officers graduated from the Police Academy in Holyoke: Edward
Bennington, Dennis Khamasi, Brandon Lancto completed the Academy successfully.
▪ The Department’s newest officer will be attending the Police Academy in Holyoke beginning in December.
o LGBTQ+ Liaison: The Police Chief appointed a new LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer for the Department. Detective Marcus Humber will take on this role and will be attending specific training. Detective
Humber is also the Court Liaison Officer, C4RJ (Restorative Justice) Coordinator, Domestic Violence Liaison, and Civil Rights Liaison within the Police Department.
Community Services
• Veterans:
o Veterans Day:
▪ Breakfast: The annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast will take place on November
11th. The Central Hampshire Veteran Services annual breakfast will take place at the Bangs Community Center at 9:00 a.m.
▪ FREE for All Veterans; $15 donation for accompanying guests
▪ Advanced Tickets ONLY. Tickets available at Amherst Town Hall Service
Counter & Amherst Senior Center. No tickets will be sold at the door.
▪ For more information please contact:
▪ Central Hampshire Veteran Services at 413-587-1299
▪ Amherst Senior Center 413-259-3060
▪ Ceremony: The Flag Ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on the North Common in front of Town Hall.
o Veterans Community Breakfast for All. Please try to stop by for a cup of coffee.
Sponsored by the CRESS Department and organized by its Veterans Outreach Worker
Gene Herman. The breakfasts are held on the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. in the Bangs Community Center. Veterans, Spouses, Caregivers, Amherst Community Members.
• Senior Services:
o Programs:
▪ Claus for a Cause: The Senior Center’s Claus for a Cause program is back for its second year.
▪ The program will bring holiday cheer to older adults. The holidays can be a difficult time, that’s why we offer this program for individuals aged 55+ to lift spirits and foster a sense of community.
▪ Starting November 1st and continuing until Friday, December 13th the Senior Center is accepting donations of self-care items like puzzle books, hard candies, low-sugar candies, tea, hot cocoa, lotion, warm clothing, etc.
▪ Donations can be brought to the Senior Center at 70 Boltwood Walk. All donated goods will be packaged into festive bags and delivered to seniors.
▪ Residents may “adopt a senior” and help in delivering bags.
▪ Contact staff member Julia MacFadzen at macfadzenj@amherstma.gov to help organizing bags and delivering them.
▪ Email staff Member Lucas Schildbach at schildbachl@amherstma.gov if you know of a senior aged 55+ who you think would like to receive a bag.
▪ Wellness Learning Community: The Senior Services and Public Health Departments are teaming up to the bring a collaborative, learning environment through a new Wellness Learning Community. These programs are designed to stimulate your mind and enable you residents to become part of a community of curious lifelong learners. Refreshments will be served. Tuesdays at 10:00am starting 11/12/2024. Upcoming topics include: Five College Learning in Retirement, Coffee with a Cop, Fire Safety. Tax Abatement and Senior Tax Work Off, and more.
▪ Senior Center/Amherst College Connections:
▪ American Jewish Keywords: Taught by Senior Lecturer in American Studies, Wendy H. Bergoffen, this course emphasizes the role that community has in our identities, particularly for the nearly three quarters of Jewish Americans who say that being a part of the Jewish community is important to them. The course has four keywords – Generations, Service, Community, and Place. Students enrolled in this course will be invited to the Senior Center twice to meet with older adults and hear their perspectives on what makes a healthy and vibrant community and what life was like for them growing up. All are welcome! Join us for refreshments, ping pong, cornhole, and card games on Tuesday, November 12th at 10:00 a.m.
▪ Acceptable Prejudice: Age, Aging, and Ageism: Professor Ruxandra Paul, Assistant Professor of Political Science, teaches a course that highlights the fact that prejudice, stereotyping, and othering based on age (both towards the young, but primarily against the old) are “the last acceptable prejudice” in democratic societies. It reflects on how age and aging are perceived in different cultures and in connection with different racial and ethnic identities. Key components of this course are intergenerational dialogues. Next Discussion: Thursday, November 14th at 10:00 a.m. Join us for a visit to Amherst College on Thursday, December 5th at 10 a.m. (lunch included).
▪ Field Trip to the Eric Carle Museum: Thursday, December 12th from 10:00am-12:00pm (lunch included). Join us for an intergenerational field trip to see the new exhibit: Free to Be… You and Me: 50 Years of Stories and Songs. Registration is required ends Tuesday, December 3rd. Call (413) 259-3060 to sign up. If you require transportation, let us know.
o Newsletter: The new September/October 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/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/17304
• Public Health:
• COVID-19 Update:
o Amherst experienced an increase in COVID infection during the month of September.
According to wastewater surveillance reports, COVID-19 levels spiked to three times above what is considered substantial on September 12th and stayed there for a week or so before beginning to come down gradually. This was a national trend and likely a result of increased movement due to summer ending and schools being back in session. Levels receded to non-substantial levels towards the end of the month and have remained low through the month of October. Spikes like these are usually predictive of an increase in COVID cases. During September, Public Health Department staff received many reports from community members about COVID cases in their households.
o Due to staff turnover at the Public Health Department and some extenuating circumstances at the Wastewater Treatment Plant where the wastewater samples are taken, there have been some gaps in the reporting of wastewater results on the Public Health Department’s website. We expect these issues will be resolved by mid- November and we will go back to posting the results from twice-weekly samples on a consistent basis.
o At this time, the top three respiratory diseases – COVID, Flu and RSV – are at low levels, both locally and nationally. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has re-opened its respiratory disease-related dashboards for the season. The dashboard provides data about hospitalizations, and Emergency Department visits and is a helpful way to gauge the impact of respiratory disease in our communities.
• Vaccine Clinics:
o The Public Health Department has been organizing small, targeted COVID and Flu vaccine clinics at Craig’s Doors and in low income housing complexes. A lively clinic at Clark House provided vaccine to 25 residents and staff in mid-October. On October 21st, a vaccine clinic held at the Bangs Community Center and organized in collaboration with the Northampton Department of Health and Human Services was attended by more than 60 people, including many families with small children. It was a fun, intergenerational event with a good vibe, despite the occasional wailing toddler.
o Another vaccine clinic is planned at the Bangs Community Center for November 13th from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is recommended but walk-ins will be accepted to the extent possible. Here is the link to register: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/northampton?site=amherst-bangs-community- center
o The Department of Public Health is supporting a Native American vaccine event and health fair to be held on November 9th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the Town Common. The event is organized by Native American Lifelines and Ohketeau in collaboration with Amherst Public Health and UMass Amherst. The primary goal of the event is to reach Native populations in the Amherst area, but no one who comes to seek services will be turned away.
• Test kits: The Department Public Health has free COVID tests available to the community.
The Department is distributing them to non-profit organizations and will also have them available at the Bangs Community Center for pick-up. The Department hopes to be able to offer free tests throughout the winter season.
• Mosquito Surveillance/Mosquito-borne Disease: The Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District (PVMCD) completed mosquito surveillance and testing in Amherst for the season on October 10th. Although there were both EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis) and WNV (West Nile virus) cases in other parts of the state, there were no cases of either disease in Amherst and no mosquitoes testing positive for either virus.
• Recreation:
o Morning Movement and Mentoring: The Morning Movement and Mentoring Program (MMMP) has proven to be a tremendous success. MMMP provides mentorship through fun and engaging activities such as basketball, volleyball, golf, weight training, and more.
▪ MMMP is a highly collaborative program that has created strong partnerships among many public agencies.
▪ MMMP is a program of the Amherst Regional Public School District Family Center with support from the District.
▪ Funding is provided by the Amherst Recreation Department utilizing ARPA
funds.
▪ Support is provided by the Recreation Department, Police Department, CRESS Department, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Amherst College.
▪ The program would not happen without the support of the ARPS Transportation Department, Athletic Director Victoria Dawson, and ARHS Principal Talib Sadiq.
▪ In its third year, this program is supporting Amherst Regional Public Schools students in grades 7-9.
▪ MMMP runs Monday through Thursday for 32 weeks of the school year, which totals to 121 days.
Conservation and Development
• Conservation:
o Puffer’s Pond: The Town received a $250,000 grant for dam and dike repairs to Puffer’s Pond (Factory Hollow). The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs provided the grant through its Dam and Seawall program.
▪ Amherst was one of only 23 municipalities and nonprofit organization to be awarded a grant to address critical repairs.
▪ This funding is a significant step in addressing some of the needs at Puffer’s Pond which will design much-needed repairs for the dam and dike.
▪ Both the dam and dike are in need of repairs due to vegetation growth, erosion, and structural vulnerabilities. These repairs are vital to preparing for potential floods and to maintaining access to the pond for fishing, birdwatching, walking, kayaking, and swimming.
▪ Built in the 1890s to provide power to mill operations, the 32-foot-high dam spans the width of the Mill River and provides a picturesque waterfall in all seasons. The dike is a 4-foot-high earthen embankment structure that was constructed at a low point along what is now the normal pool shoreline. The actual date of the dike’s construction is not known, but it likely coincided with the dam’s construction to maintain power-generating water levels in the pond. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Office of Dam Safety lists both structures as needing maintenance and repairs.
▪ The overall goals of the project are to make the pond, the dam, and the dike safer and ultimately more resilient. Once the repairs and improvements are designed and implemented it will ensure the pond’s long-term viability as an essential community resource.
▪ Funding from this grant will be used to hire an engineering firm specializing in dam repairs to conduct multiple assessments, design plans, and pursue permitting through state and federal agencies. Once the project design and permitting are
complete the Town will seek additional funding to execute the repairs.
▪ These repairs are a vital element of the Puffer’s Pond Vision Plan which aims to restore, protect, and enhance ecologically sensitive areas of the pond while creating a more accessible and safe destination for all to enjoy. The Vision Plan will enable the Town to continue to accommodate and grow the dedicated use of this locally and regionally significant place while also achieving the conservation goals for the area.
▪ Extensive information on Puffers Pond can be found here:
https://www.amherstma.gov/1316/Puffers-Pond
• Inspection Services:
o Rental Registration: We reported that permit issuance would take longer this year.
Participants were notified in the last notice that went to our group contact list. The revised bylaw resulted in the Town needing to create a new permit application system requiring different information than was gathered previously. The system is quite simple but will take more time for the applicant to submit and Town staff to review than in prior years. This will only occur in the first year when all the required data is being collected and we are building the property profile to connect land use permits, parking plans, and management plans. We have received 1,182 permit applications and completed review on approximately 500 so far. As we fill our vacant positions in October, things will speed up and we’ll hopefully complete our work on all the submitted applications sometime in November.
o Planning:
▪ Downtown Design Standards:
• Background: The Town is working on updated Downtown Design Standards that will guide how our downtown streetscapes and private properties look and feel in the future. We want to ensure these standards reflect the needs and aspirations of everyone who lives, works, and spends time downtown. More information can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3797/2024-25- Downtown-Design-Standards
• 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
o Sustainability:
▪ Fleet Vehicle GHG Emissions Inventory Report: The final Amherst Municipal Fleet
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Timeline and Transition Report was completed by the Town’s University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute Fellow this past summer.
▪ Valley Green Energy: The CCA launched on November 1st.
▪ Heat Pump Program: The Director of Sustainability has been meeting with the Center for Ecotechnology which was awarded the contract to manage the Town’s heat pump program campaign. The team is developing a marketing and outreach strategy and materials, a timeline and implementation schedule. They will be seeking 2-3 households willing to serve as pilot households for the program as a soft launch approach within the next few months.
▪ Green Communities “Climate Leader Community”: The Town is looking into becoming a Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources ‘Climate Leader Community’. Designation will provide access to significantly greater funding –
particularly for building decarbonization projects – then is currently available under the existing Green Communities Program. We are investigating the requirements of the program and seeking support from other municipal departments, especially the school district.
o Housing:
▪ Housing Survey:
• The Town is updating its Housing Production Plan (HPP) to chart a path toward addressing the affordable housing needs of low- and moderate-income people in Amherst. The HPP, last updated in 2013, will include data about who needs housing and what options currently exist, identify goals for different housingtypes, and name strategies Amherst might pursue to strengthen affordable housing opportunities.
• As part of this process, the Town invites the community to participate in a survey to help shape the future of housing in Amherst. Feedback from this anonymous survey will inform the Town’s Housing Production Plan by helping to understand current housing needs and preferences in order to develop strategies to address them. Responses are welcome from year-round residents, students, and residents of other communities in the region, especially those who work, have lived, or would like to live in Amherst.
• Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/AmherstHPP
The survey will close at 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 30.
Paper copies are available at Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave, Amherst, MA 01002).
Public Works
• Grants:
o Roundabout – Amity Street and University Drive: Governor Maura Healy and Lt.Governor Kim Driscoll awarded a $1,940,000 grant to the Town from the MassWorksInfrastructure Program. The grant will support the development of a roundabout at the intersection of University Drive and Amity Street.
▪ This intersection of University Drive and Amity Street serves as the gateway to the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts and downtown Amherst. It is close to retail stores, restaurants, and the University’s McGuirk Stadium and Mullins Center – two of the largest sports and entertainment venues in Western Massachusetts. The proposed plan calls for replacement of the existing four-way signalized intersection with a well-designed, full-size roundabout.
▪ The Town of Amherst and the University of Massachusetts worked collaboratively to plan, design, and engineer these infrastructure improvements. The University provided $75,000 for the engineering and design of the roundabout. The $1.9 million MassWorks Infrastructure grant from the State will be supported by Town investments of staff time, procurement services, engineering oversight, and additional road funds.
▪ A new mixed-use development at 422 Amity Street is currently in the permitting process which includes 111 residential units and close to 20,000 sq ft of commercial space. If approved by the Town’s permitting boards, the development will provide commercial space and housing along this corridor to the University, which will add to the Town’s tax base.
o Roundabout – Pomeroy Village: The Town of Amherst celebrated the completion of the new roundabout at the Pomeroy Village Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony held on October 11th.
▪ In attendance were local officials, community leaders, and special guests Secretary Yvonne Hao and Undersecretary Ashley Stolba of the Executive Office of Economic Development and Senator Jo Comerford. The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the improved intersection which enhances pedestrian, cyclist, and driver safety, promotes traffic calming, and reduces on- going maintenance costs, all while adding to the vitality of a growing village center.
▪ The Pomeroy Village Center roundabout was supported by $1.5 million grant from the State MassWorks Infrastructure grant program
▪ The roundabout will improve commuter routes, enhances safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and drives economic development in the region.
▪ Pomeroy Village Center supports housing, offices, retail spaces, schools, restaurants, and nearby Hampshire College. It is a vibrant and growing hub in South Amherst especially with the redevelopment of the former Hickory Ridge golf course, recently acquired by the Town and set to provide trails and other enhancements for local residents.
o Atkins Reservoir: The Town was awarded a $260,000 grant to support the design and permitting of dredging three sedimentation basins at Atkins Reservoir.
▪ This grant funding is from the FY25 Inland Dredging Pilot Project of the
Massachusetts Dredging Program coordinated by the Executive Office of
Economic Development (EOED).
▪ The Atkins Reservoir sedimentation basins have needed dredging for many years.
Previous sedimentation rate studies at the basins showed they have minimal storage capacity left and will soon fail, causing sedimentation in the reservoir. Preserving the storage capacity and water quality of Atkins Reservoir is crucial to providing healthy drinking water to the residents of Amherst.
▪ The Atkins Reservoir dredging project involves removal of an estimated 1,800 cubic yards of material from three sedimentation basins that treat surface water prior to entering the Atkins Reservoir. All basins are currently at or near full capacity, impairing their ability to trap and divert material from the reservoir. The primary purposes of dredging the basins are to improve treatment of surface water before it enters the reservoir and to avoid sedimentation in the reservoir which diminishes its storage capacity.
▪ This project builds on work completed under two Water Management Act Grants Amherst received in 2016 and 2018 to study stream flow in the Atkins Reservoir watershed and impacts to the Adams Brook from diverting water to the reservoir. The 2018 report recommended dredging of the sedimentation basins to allow stream flow diversion during high flow events and less during low flow times.
▪ Funding from this grant will be used to hire an environmental consulting firm to collect data including sediment sampling, topographic and bathymetric surveys, and wetland delineation, and to put together a sediment management plan and design drawings. The data and design plans will be used to complete and submit permit applications with various government agencies. The dredging will require rigorous environmental permitting including submittal to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office. Once the project design and permitting are complete the Town will seek additional funding for the work.
o MVP Grant: The Town was awarded a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant of $1,179,700 grant to improve flood resiliency and water quality in the Fort River watershed.
▪ This grant implements the second phase of a project that began when Amherst was awarded a $169,250 MVP Action Grant in 2023.
▪ The project will upgrade infrastructure to improve the resiliency of the Fort River watershed in response to climate change. In 2023, the Town received an MVP Action Grant to support designing and permitting the replacement of three undersized, damaged culverts. Funding from this 2024 MVP Action Grant will be used to support the final design and construction cost to replace two of these culverts for stream crossing improvements.
▪ The overall goals of the project are to improve the resiliency of Town infrastructure as we see changes in precipitation and river flow patterns due to climate change, improve aquatic and terrestrial wildlife passage, and improve the water quality and overall health of the Fort River for the public to enjoy into the future as our climate changes.
o Cybersecurity Grant: The Town obtained a $50,000 Cybersecurity Improvement Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Drinking Water Program (DWP).
▪ The Town conducted a thorough assessment of its computer systems in the
Department of Public Works Water Department and identified areas for improvement. With this information, the Town applied for and received a grant to address many of the identified needs.
▪ Computers and other technology are used on a daily basis to monitor drinking water production, manage water treatment plants, and oversee water distribution systems. In addition to on-site management, the Town utilizes around-the-clock remote monitoring. This monitoring allows drinking water operators to receive notifications immediately if there is an issue with the drinking water system, such as a rapid decrease in distribution pressure which may indicate a major water main break in the system.
▪ The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Drinking Water Program is actively working to improve cybersecurity and resilience of public water suppliers. The goal of this Cybersecurity Improvement Grant program is to support public water suppliers in improving their cybersecurity defense, mitigating the risks of cyber-attacks, and enhancing overall resiliency and compliance.
o Water Supply Protection Grant: The Town received a Massachusetts Energy & Environmental Affairs Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant for $65,220 to support the purchase of approximately 11.11 acres along Sand Hill Road in Shutesbury within the watershed of Atkins Reservoir. The Town Council approved this purchase, and the purchase was completed last week.
• Construction:
o Water Main: Work has begun on replacing the existing water mains on Harvard Avenue, Canton Avenue, and Grove Street. Work is expected to last 4-6 weeks. The road will be closed each day, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Residents will be allowed access to their homes.
o Wastewater Pump Station: Work has begun on replacing the wastewater pump station and force main across the South Amherst Common. The work will span the entire common and is expected to take a few months. Directional drilling will be implemented to minimize disturbance on the common. Some short sections of the roadway might need to be closed at times but traffic will be easily detoured around the South Amherst Common.
o Belchertown Road: Work on Belchertown Road is nearing completion.
o Bellview Circle: Water mains will be replaced on Bellview Circle.
o North Pleasant Street: Work is nearing completion.
o Heatherstone: The repaving and installation of the traffic calming measures (mini- roundabouts) is still in process. The Town has received feedback that the traffic calming measures are not working or are unnecessary. Once the construction and line painting is complete, the Town will monitor the success of the traffic calming measures during the winter and review their status in the Spring. The traffic calming measures are easy to remove if they are determined to not be helpful.
o Other Paving:
▪ Town contractors have been completed or are working on:
• Old Farm Road from Wildflower Drive to Stavros.
• Thistle Lane – Stony Hill to the end in preparation for reclaiming.
• Oak Knoll Street – Heatherstone Road to the end in preparation for reclaiming.
• Market Hill Road- Flat Hills Road to Shutesbury Townline in preparation for an overlay.
• Stony Hill Road – (eyebrow) 83 Stony Hill Road to end in preparation for an overlay.
• Cottage Street – Chestnut Street to Morrow Lane in preparation for an overlay.
• Woodside Avenue – Northampton Road (Route 9) to Hitchcock Road in preparation for an overlay.
• Edgehill Place – Logtown Road to end in preparation for an overlay.
• Salem Street – Main Street to end in preparation for an overlay.
• Farmington Road– West Pomeroy Lane to 2nd Pondview Drive entrance in preparation for an overlay.
• North Hadley Road – Lincoln Avenue to Sunset Avenue in preparation for an overlay.
• The State is looking to resurface approximately 3.2 miles of Route 116 in Amherst, beginning at the intersection of Route 116 and Route 9 in Hadley, extending to the intersection of Route 116 and Meadow Street. Work includes milling and resurfacing, rebuilding, and cleaning of drainage structures, upgrades to guardrail and shoulder repairs.
• Leaf Collection: Curbside pick-up of bagged leaves, using the Town-approved, 30-gallon paper biodegradable bag, began Monday, October 28, 2024.
o There is no curbside collection of loose leaves. Loose leaves may be brought to the Transfer Station if you have a current sticker. If you do not have a sticker, you may purchase one for $125 (residential sticker), $140 (contractor/business sticker) on-line or at the Transfer Station, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday 8:00AM – 2:00PM they accept cash or check.
o Place bagged leaves at the curb by 7:00AM. on the day your area is scheduled for pickup.
Leaf bags will no longer be sold at the DPW or Transfer Station. Bags are available from many retailers, and prices may vary – please check that bags are biodegradable.
o The DPW will pick up bagged leaves only and will follow routes designated by areas of town.
▪ Wednesday, November 6, 2024: North Amherst. All streets proceeding from North Pleasant Street (north of the UMass Campus), East Pleasant St. (north of Strong St.), Berkshire Terrace, Blackberry Lane, Bridge St., Cherry Lane, Cowls Rd., East Leverett Rd., Fairfield St., Flat Hills Rd., Grantwood Dr., Harlow Dr., Henry St., Hitching Post, Leverett Rd., Market Hill Rd., Meadow St., Montague Rd., North East St. (north from Strong St.), Pine St., Pulpit Hill Rd., Rolling Ridge, Sand Hill Rd., Sheerman Lane, State St., Sunderland Rd., Shutesbury Rd., and Van Meter.
▪ Thursday, November 7, 2024: Central Amherst. All streets within the boundaries and including Strong St., No. Pleasant, College St., and North East St. (from Main to Strong), Arbor Way, Butterfield Terrace, Canton Ave., Chestnut, Churchill, Clifton Ave., College, Cottage, Dickinson, Eames Ave., East St. Common, East Pleasant (from Strong St. to North Pleasant St.), Gray, Grove, Harvard Ave., Hedgerow, High, Hills Rd., Kellogg Ave., Lessey, Main St. (to the bridge at Fort River), Maplewood Cir., Maplewood Dr., Mt. Pleasant, Newell Court, North Whitney, Pleasant Court, Pokeberry Ridge, Red Gate Lane, Salem, Seelye, Shumway, Smith, South Whitney, Spring, Strong, Taylor, Triangle, Tyler Place, Wildwood Lane, and Windridge Terrace.
▪ Friday, November 8, 2024: This day is reserved as a make-up day. If for any reason (such as inclement weather) the DPW trucks are unable to complete the bagged leaves pickup in scheduled areas, trucks will return to the missed area on this day.
▪ Weather permitting; the same routes will be used for a second collection during the week of November 25, 2024. Place leaves, bagged in a 30-gallon paper biodegradable bag, at the curb by 7:00AM for collection on the following dates:
• Monday, November 25, 2024, in East & West Amherst
• Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in South Amherst
• Wednesday, November 27, 2024, in North Amherst
• Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Central Amherst
• Friday, December 6, 2024, will be a make-up day.
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):
• Short-Term Public Way Closures (Section 3b of the Town Council Policy):
• Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy):
MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
• Jones Library Renovation and Expansion:
o The Owner’s Project Manager and Design Team completed the redesign and permitting of the project, and it was put out to bid.
o Two bids were received. One was from Fontaine Bros, Inc. of Springfield, which submitted the low bid of $35,769,000. The other bid was from J & J Contractors, Inc. of North Billerica with a bid of $38,907,000. The low bidder will be required to provide the necessary paperwork to comply with the bid requirements. Town staff and consultants will review the bid to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and procedures needed to comply with outside funding.
o Town staff are now actively working to solicit proposals and identify options for space for Library operations during construction.
o There are still several steps to complete before the project moves forward. The Town is in the process of the Section 106 Historic Preservation Review for this project which includes consultation by relevant organizations to explore measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects that may be identified to the historic property and reach a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to record the resolution measures agreed upon to resolve these adverse effects. The Town has contracted with Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL) to consult on the Section 106 historical review for the Jones Library Renovation and Expansion. This is a required step when Federal funds are designated. The
Jones Library Capital Campaign will reimburse the Town for the expenses of this community engagement work.
o Additional information will be presented at the Town Council’s meeting on Monday.
o Additional information on the project can be found
here: https://www.joneslibrary.org/352/Jones-Building-Project
• DPW Building/Fire Building:
o I will be pulling together a building committee to support the development of a cohesive plan for building these two new buildings.
• Elementary School Building Committee:
o The Town received three bids for the project. All were below the budgeted amount. CTA Construction Managers of Waltham submitted the lowest of three bids for the construction of the school itself at $73.48 million. The other bidders were J&J Contractors of North Billerica ($75.01 million bid) and Fontaine Brothers Inc. of Springfield ($75.62 million bid). All three firms are experienced, and the Town’s architect has worked with all three successfully.
o We are now engaged with the support of the Town Attorney in resolving post bid protests that have been submitted to the Attorney’s General office. Since all bids for the project came in under budget, the project remains under budget regardless of the outcome.
o Town staff working with the Owner’s Project Manager and Design Team will be administering and overseeing the construction of the new school over the next two years and will continue to meet regularly with the Elementary School Building Committee to
provide updates on the progress of the construction and receive input in areas such as selection of furniture, furnishings, and equipment.
o The Elementary School Building Committee has undergone a change in membership with the Superintendent, School Committee member, and Finance Director all changing.
o 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 Filter equipment is scheduled for delivery in November and the project is on schedule for completion next fall.
• Track and Field:
o The Pelham’s CPA Committee voted $99,000 towards the project and will request approval for the funding at its Fall Town Meeting. This is in addition to the $11,000 they have already given to the track and field for a total of $110K.
o Additional requests have been presented to the Town Shutesbury for $136,00 and Town of Leverett for $176,000.
• North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot: Punch list items remain including light fixtures, paving, pavement markings, and street furniture. We anticipate a grand reopening in the Spring.
• Bangs Community Center: Town staff are working with an architect to scope out a project based on the needs of the building and input from Bangs Center users group and that can be completed within the time and budget constraints of ARPA funding. Staff anticipate that the current project will have to 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. How much the project will be able to focus on functional and programmatic upgrades to the buildings is still unknown and will be subject to available funding. Our goal is to develop a multi- year plan that can be implemented in several phases over a number of years subject to funding.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
➢ November 11th – Veterans Day holiday
➢ November 18th – Town Council meeting
➢ November 28 – 29 – Thanksgiving Day holiday
➢ December 2nd – Town Council meeting
➢ December 2nd – State of the Town presentation
➢ December 16th – Town Council meeting
➢ December 24th – Christmas Eve half-day holiday
➢ December 25th – Christmas Day holiday
➢ January 1st – New Years Day holiday