Town Manager Report for March 7, 2025

Amherst Indy March 14, 2025 0
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Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council, usually at the first Town Council meeting of each month. The reports, usually 9 to 16 pages in length, provide up-to-date information on what is happening within and across town departments. The Manager’s Report is usually one of the last items on the agenda and is often taken up late at night, leaving little time for Bockelman to do more than mention a few highlights and this is usually all that gets entered into the Council minutes. What follows is a complete, unedited version of the Town Manager’s Report. All Town Manager Reports are available on the town’s website here: Town Manager Reports

TOWN MANAGER

  • Cuppa Joe with Paul: The next Cuppa’ Joe will be on Friday, March 24th    from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at the Futura Coffee Roasters at 73 Cowls Road in the Mill District. My special guest will be Public Health Director Kiko Malin. The Public Health Department and the Board of Health play crucial roles in monitoring the health of our community, raising awareness about relevant issues, developing policies that promote wellness, and providing essential health services.  The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” coffees are a monthly event. Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.

Rubbish Roundup: The spring community clean-up will occur Sunday, April 6th. Named “Rubbish Roundup” the community clean up event will bring residents together for a day of camaraderie and positive change.  

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

  • Mill River Recreation Area – North AmherstTown Hall/North Common – Central AmherstGroff Park – South Amherst
How: 
Who: All Town residents and groups are encouraged to participate, including community organizations, businesses, families, neighborhood associations, student clubs, religious communities, and any small group or individuals eager to connect with their neighbors.

Higher Education:

  • Hampshire College: The College has engaged Archipelago Investments to build a three-building project on Gould Way and Lannon Lane which are adjacent to Atkins Farms Country Market. The proposal includes 140 residential units with 12,000 square fee of commercial space. It also includes 180 parking spaces. 17 of the units will be set aside as affordable. The project will come before the Planning Board this month.

Key Dates:

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

  • Finance: Staff are very busy working on budgets, projections, capital plans, and presentations to the Council and other committees.
  • Information Services: On Thursday, the Town’s website was subject to a significant “Denial of Service” attack that caused a reduction in the speed and response times for the website. No data was compromised, and the situation is resolved. We apologize to anyone who was delayed accessing the Town’s website.
  • Human Resources:

o Health Insurance: 

  • As you know, the Town’s health insurance increased by 19.92%. With plan design changes, this increase has been reduced to 14.2%, which is closer to the number we had been carrying in the Town and school budget projections. 
    • Working with the Town’s Insurance Advisory Committee, a committee comprised of all town and school collective bargaining units, non-union representative, retirees, and the Town of Pelham, we reviewed options to reduce this increase. 
    • The group recommended, and I approved, plan design changes including changing deductibles, co-pays, specialist visits, emergency room and day surgery co-pays. The group also recommended increasing the premiums for the PPO plan to encourage employees to sign up for the HMO.
    • The net impact of these changes in plan design reduced the increase to 14.2%. Careful consideration was given to the plan being offered to our employees in light of the health insurance plans being offered by people who receive coverage from the State Group Insurance Commission, such as the University.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department:

o Liberatory Visioning: As recommended by the former Community Safety Working Group which recommended that the Town engage the community in an extended process of community racial healing and visioning, the DEI Department launched the Liberatory Visioning Project. This initiative is aimed at creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for all residents. This process is designed to bring members of the Town together to develop a shared vision through dialogue sessions and a community survey.

  • The Town will be leading this project in partnership with Dr. Barbara J. Love, who is a local author, speaker, and consultant on liberation and transformation as well as Professor Emerita of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Liberatory Visioning was created by Dr. Love as a framework for justice, equity, belonging, and inclusion with the overall aim of creating communities that work well for everyone. 
    • Town members from all segments of the community are encouraged to share their vision of a liberatory community. The liberatory visioning process encourages community members to reflect on the impact of the intersectionality of their various social identities on their experiences as Town residents and propose solutions that help to create a liberatory community for all members of the Town of Amherst.
    • The Town is hosting three hybrid community dialogue sessions, where residents will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas about creating a more equitable community. The details of each session are as follows: 
  • Session 1: Thursday, February 27 from 6 to 7:30 pm 
  • Session 2: Wednesday, March 5 from 5 to 6:30 pm
  • Session 3: Wednesday, March 12 from 5 to 6:30 pm   o In person: Town Room of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave) o Virtual via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81777356617 o Register Here: amherstma.gov/LVPsessions
  • Community Survey: In addition to the dialogue sessions, the Town invites all residents to share their vision by completing an online Liberatory Visioning Survey. The survey aims to capture a wide range of perspectives and insights on how the Town of Amherst can move forward in creating a liberatory community that works well for everyone.  ▪ Complete the survey here: www.amherstma.gov/LVPsurvey The survey is open through Friday, March 14, 2025.
    • Ideas shared during the dialogue series and through the survey will be summarized and shared with the Town of Amherst community. Members of the community will be invited to review and comment on this summary. The final summary and reactions to the summary will then be shared with the Town of Amherst government including the Town Council and Town Manager. The summary will also be published available on the Town website. 
  • Outreach:
  • Local Black History panels were on display in Town Hall for Black History Month through the end of February.
    • Workshops for Town staff resume in February. The topics are Race and The National Day of Racial Healing. Department-specific workshops have been held for Jones Library staff. Upcoming department workshops will be held at the Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Public Works.
  • Youth Empowerment: The Department held its first (of five) Youth Empowerment entrepreneurial events on Saturday. These events will continue Saturdays through March.

    Events:

▪ Amherst Global Village Festival: Mark your calendars! Saturday, April 5, 2025. This annual event is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and promoting inclusivity within the community. The festival will feature a vibrant array of activities, including international food trucks offering cuisine from various cultures, live performances showcasing traditional music and dance, and local vendors representing diverse crafts and products. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere, the Amherst Global Village Festival aims to bring together individuals from all backgrounds, encouraging dialogue and understanding while highlighting the rich tapestry of global cultures in a fun and engaging environment.

  • Reparations: The Town Council is reviewing the charge for the Amherst Black Reparations Committee.
  • Resident Oversight Board: The department is continuing its support of the Resident Oversight Board stakeholder group meetings which expects to complete its meeting and begin preparing a report within the month. The website can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3832/Resident–Oversight–Board  
  • Police Protocols: The Police Chief is reviewing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to address the dispatching of CRESS responders and police procedures.

Public Safety

  • Fire Department:
    • The Department was fully staffed for the annual unsanctioned event that occurs offcampus centered around students at the University. The Department also brought in additional mutual aid ambulances in preparation for the event, which has transformed into more of a medical event.
    • The Amherst Fire Department currently has openings for full-time and on-call firefighters and is accepting applications at amherstma.gov/jobs.
  • Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service:
    • The Department is preparing a year-end report to update the community on the progress of the Department.
  • Protocols: Work continues with the Police Department and Dispatch on adopting protocols for dispatching CRESS directly from Dispatch.
  • Police Department:
    • The Department was fully staffed and engaged additional mutual aid in preparation for the annual unsanctioned event that occurs off-campus centered around students at the University.
    • The Department has completed the extensive work associated with attaining accreditation. 

Community Services

  • Senior Services:  
    • Coffee: The Senior Center hosts two coffee events at the Bangs Community Center:
      • Memory Café: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
      • Rainbow Café: First Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m.
    • Newsletter: The new March/April newsletter from the Department of Senior Services – which includes a listing of all of the dozens of workshops and meetings being offered by the Department –  Amherst Senior Spirit,  is now available: https://www.amherstma.gov/3674/Senior-Spirit-Newsletter
  • Public Health:
    • COVID/Respiratory Illness:  

▪   Respiratory illness season is in full swing. Interestingly, we are not seeing much COVID infection this season, both nationally and locally.  

  • Amended Tobacco Regulations

▪ The Board of Health held a public hearing to solicit input from the community about proposed amendments to the regulations restricting the sale of tobacco, vape and other nicotine products in Amherst. Proposed amendments include restricting the sale of nicotine pouches and clarifying the definition of a Tobacco Product Flavor Enhancer to include flavored rolling papers, among others. 

  • Recreation: 

o Youth Empowerment:

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

  • Equip youth with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the 21stcentury economy. This includes developing entrepreneurial mindsets, critical thinking, problem-solving, and financial literacy skills.
  • Provide access to education and opportunities: NFTE programs aim to break down barriers to education and provide students with access to resources and support systems that can help them achieve their goals.
  • Inspire and motivate young people to become leaders and changemakers who can create positive impact in their communities and the world.
  • The Recreation Department has contracted with NFTE to offer their BizCamp program later this spring/ summer. Town staff are meeting with a professor from Isenberg at UMass to discuss ways they can help make this program a success. We have reached out to business partners and business owners who would like to share their story of becoming a small business owner.  

o Winterfest: The Department provided extensive programming during this year’s

Winterfest activities which took place February 15-22. The 5th Annual Fire & Ice

Festival included a day of entertainment, activities, and fun which took place on the Town Common. The events attracted a large attendance with perfect (cold) weather, a family-friendly ambiance, and an audience that reflects our diverse, inclusive Town including many college students. I want to recognize the incredible planning and hard work of Town Recreation and other staff including DPW, Fire, Police, CRESS, and Town Manager’s office and our nonprofit partners including the Business Improvement District put into this signature event. o Independence Day: The Recreation Department is shooting to have the Independence  Day festivities occur on July 3rd. Mark your calendars!

Conservation and Development

  • Housing:
    • Amherst Community Homes: Valley Community Development’s affordable homeownership development on Montague Road at Ball Lane is moving ahead with an anticipated ground-breaking and construction start by mid-April.
      • Residents will begin to see some early mobilization activity by Keiter

Construction such as fencing, trailers, tree protection, site work, etc. on the site over the next few weeks. 

  • For those who have used the site as a cut-thru from Ball Lane, please note that once the construction fencing is installed this cut through will no longer be available. There will be no construction truck traffic permitted on Ball Lane, and trucks will only access the site either from Pulpit Hill Road or Montague Road.
    • The developer will provide periodic construction updates via email, as needed. Valley will also share project information through our newsletter (you can sign up here). 
    • Housing Production Plan (HPP):  
      • The Town is updating its HPP to chart a path toward addressing the affordable housing needs of low- and moderate-income people in Amherst. The HPP will include data about who needs housing and what options currently exist, identify goals for different housing types, and name strategies Amherst might pursue to strengthen affordable housing opportunities. Additional information can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3814/Housing–Production–Plan  
    • Housing Development:
      • The Zoning Board of Appeals voted to approve Way Finders’ comprehensive permit for their proposed development on Belchertown Road. There is a standard regulatory appeal period, but once that has expired they will be equipped to seek low-income housing tax credits and other resources from the State safely ahead of all deadlines for the next funding cycle.
  • Salamander with text that states potential closures to Henry St. due to big nightConservation:
  • Big Night: 
    • Every year, the Town partners with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment during the “Big Night” amphibian migration. Portions of Henry Street are closed temporarily to through traffic on anticipated migration dates to ensure safety for amphibians and volunteers.
    • Henry Street separates salamanders and other amphibians from vernal pools (small temporary ponds) and other wetlands where they migrate every spring to mate and to lay eggs.
    • On Big Night, amphibian mortality can be especially high on roads as amphibians cross in search of their resident vernal pools. The salamander tunnels on Henry Street serve to shepherd the amphibians safely from the uplands on the east side of Henry Street, to the vernal pools to the west. During Big Night volunteers gather in the area to aid amphibians safe crossing.
    • For more information about Big Night and the Henry Street Salamander Tunnels:
  • View the Hitchcock Center’s website.
  • Join the Facebook Group: Hitchcock’s Big Night Migrations Group
  • Planning:
  • CDBG: There will be a public hearing about the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7 pm via Zoom. The public hearing held by the CDBG Advisory Committee is an opportunity for the community to give input on the recommended activities, target areas, and community development strategy. 

▪ Recommended activities include:

Non-Social Service Proposals for Town of Amherst – VFW housing Resource Center

Predevelopment Activities. Recommended funding: $200,000 o Town of Amherst – Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements near Kendrick Park. Recommended funding: $287,500

Amherst Community Land Trust – 174 Amity St Development Predevelopment Costs. Recommended Funding: $65,000

Social Service Proposals include: o Amherst Survival Center. Recommended funding: $78,256 o Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Recommended funding: $30,013 o Family Outreach of Amherst. Recommended funding: $37,483 o Center for New Americans. Recommended funding: $15,073 o Amherst Mobile Market. Recommended funding: $9,174

Downtown Design Standards: The Town is updating its Downtown Design Standards that will guide how streetscapes and private properties in the downtown area look and feel in the future. Workshops, surveys, and a stakeholder group are guiding the decision-making process. Learn more: Learn more about Amherst Downtown DesignStandards for Open Space and Recreation Plan: The Planning Department is working on an update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan.  Everyone is invited to take a survey, giving us input on what they think about Amherst’s open space and recreation lands.

https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3506

  • Facilities:
    • ADA Grant: The Town received a $100,000 state grant to continue implementation of the Town’s ADA Transition Plan. These funds will be dedicated to eliminating barriers at the Munson Memorial Library Building.
    • Bangs Community Center: Town staff developed a proposal to address basic health and wellness deficiencies in the Bangs Community Center which was approved for funding by the Town Council. Staff are now preparing the final bid documents to move this project forward this summer.
  • Inspection Services:
    • Rental Registration: Town staff continue implementing the new rental registration system. 
  • Sustainability:
    Heat Pump Program: The Town, in partnership with CET, a local non-profit organization, announced the launch of the Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program.
    • Beginning April 1st, homeowners will be able to receive help to install energyefficient heat pump systems. The program’s goal is to complete 30 heat pump installations by the end of 2026, and to educate the community on the benefits and best practices of this advanced technology.  
    • Heat pumps are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. They can lower operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide year-round comfort. By offering financial support, expert guidance, and education, this program aims to make it easier for Amherst residents to transition to clean heating and cooling technology.  
  • Website: www.amherstma.gov/HeatPumpProgram
  • Tuesday, March 18 from 7-8:30 pm on Zoom:

https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/86217199716

  • Tuesday, September 9 from 7-8:30 pm on

Zoom (link will be published on website closer to session)

  • Sustainability Festival:Saturday, April 26 from 10 am to 4 pm on the Town Common
  • Contact CET: Call 413-239-4620 or email amherstHPIP@cetonline.org

o Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: 

  • Grant: The Town has received a Planning Support & Feasibility Study grant as part of the State Clean Energy Center’s On-Street Charging Solutions Program. This grant provides services to the Town to identify potential on-street charging station locations and conduct community outreach.
  • Policy: The Town and Schools have adopted a Zero Emission Vehicle First Fleet policy which has been shared with all Town departments.
  • New Stations: Two EV fleet charging stations were brought online at the Amherst Police Department. This was a collaborative effort between the Police, Facilities, and Sustainability Departments. The two EV chargers will support the Police Department’s current and future plans to introduce additional fully electric vehicles. This project aligns with the Town’s newly adopted Zero Emissions Vehicle Policy and has provided a spring board to continued collaborations with other Town departments. We are now exploring adding fleet stations to support the Fire and Facilities Departments.

Public Works

  • Trees: The Tree Warden, who is also the head of the Trees and Grounds Division of the Department of Public Works, was my guest at the last Cuppa Joe. He referenced the tree inventory of Town trees that was completed last year. That report can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/76979/Amherst-Tree-Inventory-SummaryReport-2024
  • Stormwater Management Regulations: Staff have written new stormwater regulations in accordance with the Town’s new Stormwater Management Bylaw. These regulations have been reviewed by staff and the Town Attorney and will be implemented on April 1, 2025. Here is the schedule for implementing the regulations:
    • Create application and permitting forms; Set up OpenGov with application & permitting forms, fees; Go over process with staff that will play a role;
    • Implement a communication plan that will include public announcements, website information, social media, and educational sessions.

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:
    • The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners approved the Town’s request to provide an additional 30 days to meet the deadlines of the grant.
    • Town staff are working to solicit proposals and identify options for space for Library operations during construction.
    • 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.  
  • DPW Building/Fire Building:  
    • I have been reviewing the proposals for the Fire Station with the new Fire Chief. He is looking at all available data concerning service delivery and I ask that you hold on any decisions until we conclude this analysis.
    • I have submitted the charge for a building committee to support the development of a cohesive plan for building these two new buildings to the Town Council to assist in determining Council membership on the committee.
  • Elementary School Building Committee:
    • As I detailed in a previous report, to ensure the project stays on schedule, any overtime costs required to accelerate work will be assessed on a time and expense basis, requiring approval from the project team and will be subject to a pre-established upside cap . Additionally, costs attributed to winter conditions will also be evaluated on a time and expense basis, likewise needing approval from the project team with a cap in place.

PROJECTS UPDATE

  • Centennial Water Treatment Facility: Construction continues for this $21 million facility. The project is on schedule for completion next fall.
  • Track and Field: Construction of a new track and field at Amherst Regional High School should begin in late June. 
    • The Amherst Regional School Committee gave unanimous approval for M.J. Cataldo Inc. of Littleton which submitted the lowest of 10 bids, which ranged up to $6.91 million. The bid is $384,000 below cost projections and $400,000 below what is already in hand for the project.
    • So far, $4.51 million has been appropriated for the project, and another $176,000 has been requested from Leverett, where the Towns Annual Town Meeting will be asked to draw that from their Community Preservation Act account. 
    • Amherst has provided $1.76 million from its CPA account, with Shutesbury contributing $136,000 and Pelham $110,500 from those accounts. Other sources of funding include $1.5 million in debt approved by the regional schools, $900,000 in free cash from Amherst and a $104,840 donation from the Amherst Hurricane Boosters which is reduced because its fundraising was largely contingent on an interior field with synthetic turf which was removed by the School Committee.
  • I need to recognize that Town staff, specifically the Assistant Town Manager and Special Capital Projects Coordinator, took the lead in moving this project forward by securing funding and bidding the project which is, of course, on the property of the Regional School District.
  • North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot: Awaiting the delivery of lights.
  • Bangs Community Center: Town staff presented the first request for funding to address the needs of the Bangs Community Center to the Town Council which approved the request. The current project will focus on upgrading existing building safety and mechanical systems to address known problem areas and to help to bring the facility in line with the Town’s sustainability goals. An appropriation request for the next phase of improvements is being considered by the Joint Capital Planning Committee.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

  • March 24th – Town Council meeting
  • April 5th – Global Village Celebration
  • April 6th – Rubbish Round-up! – Town-wide clean-up day
  • April 7th – Town Council meeting
  • April 21st – Patriots’ Day holiday
  • April 28th – Town Council meeting
  • May 5th – Town Council meeting
  • May 19th – Town Council meeting
  • May 26th – Memorial Day holiday
  • June 2nd – Public Forum on Capital Improvement Program
  • June 2nd – Town Council meeting
  • June 16th – Town Council meeting
  • June 19th – Juneteenth holiday
  • June 30th – Town Council meeting
  • July 4th – Independence Day holiday
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