Town Manager Report for June 2, 2025

Source: amherstma.gov

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

TOWN MANAGER

• The next Cuppa’ Joe with Paul will be on Friday, June 13th from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. My special guest will be the Town’s Housing Planner Greg Richane who can talk about initiatives to increase housing affordability in Town and the recently released Housing Production Plan which is being reviewed by the Planning Board. The DRAFT plan can be found here: Housing Production Plan – 2025

• 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.
  
• Major Milestones:
  • New Elementary School:The Town celebrated the placing of the final beam for the new school – the “Topping Off” ceremony – on May 20^th.ARPS Track & Field: Ceremonial ground breaking will take place on Monday, June 16^th at 4:00 p.m.Jones Library:
  Ceremonial ground breaking will take place on Wednesday, June 18^th at 10:00 a.m.

• ICE Activities in Amherst: We released a statement after two recent incidents.
  • Town were made aware of an action by Federal agents including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that resulted in two individuals being taken into custody in separate incidents between 7 am and 8 am on Wednesday, May 28^th. It has also been reported that this is not the first time ICE has taken members of the community into custody.
  • The Town of Amherst and the Amherst Police Department did not participate in either of these incidents and have not participated in any federal immigration enforcement actions that have occurred. ICE operated independently from the Town with no prior notification. No additional information is available at this time.
  • The Town of Amherst is a sanctuary community and as such shall not cooperate with ICE. Section 3.9 of the Town of Amherst General Bylaws declares the Town of Amherst as a sanctuary community and states clearly that: To the extent permissible by law, a Town department, or officer or employee of a Town department shall not perform the functions of an immigration officer, whether pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1357(g) or any other law, regulation, or policy, whether formal or informal.
    
• FY26 Budget Process:
  • I submitted the proposed FY2026 Budget to the Town Council on May 1^st. The budget includes all aspects of Town operations including Municipal, Schools, Regional Schools, Library, and Capital for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (FY26). The five-year Capital Plan is also incorporated as part of this budget submission.
    
• The Finance Committee has been meeting with the Town Manager, Finance staff, and individual department heads to review the specific components of the budget. The Finance Committee is finalizing its recommendation to the full Town Council.
• Budget information is available here: www.amherstma.gov/3584/Upcoming-Budget
• Town staff made a presentation at the Town Council meeting on Monday, May 5^th.
• We held a Cuppa’ Joe with Paul and guests Treasurer/Collector Jennifer LaFountain and Clerk of the Council Athena O’Keefe on Friday, May 9^th at the Bangs Community Center.
• The Town Council & Finance Committee held a Public Hearing on the FY26 Budget on Monday, May 12^th.
  • Public Forum on Capital Improvement Program: The Town Council & Finance Committee will hold a Public Forum on the Capital Improvement Plan on Monday, June 2^nd at 6:30 p.m.
  • FY26 Budget Discussion and Vote: The Town Council is scheduled to discuss and vote on the FY26 Budget on June 16^th.

• Volunteer for a Town Board, Committee, or Commission: We are seeking volunteers to serve on Town boards, committees, and commissions with vacancies or whose members have terms expiring on June 30. Interested residents are encouraged to submit their applications online at www.amherstma.gov/CAF
• Town Hall Closed: Town Hall will close at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 13^th for the annual employee picnic.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Administration and Finance

• Town Clerk:
• Town Clerk to Retire: After nearly two decades of service to the Town of Amherst, Town Clerk Sue Audette announced her retirement, effective June 6, 2025.
  • Since joining the Town Clerk’s office in 2005, Audette has played a crucial role in supporting the Town’s administrative functions and growth. She served as Assistant Town Clerk for 16 years before assuming the role of Town Clerk in 2021.
  • During her tenure, she has overseen numerous elections, maintained meticulous records, and consistently provided exceptional service to residents,
• all while adapting to changing needs and procedures within the Town. Sue has consistently prioritized integrity, exceptional customer service, and genuine personal connections as the guiding principles behind all her efforts, striving to foster trust and respect within the community.
• We will all miss working with Sue!
• Run for Office: Nomination papers for all Town elected positions are available on July 1^st.
• Professional Development: The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association and New England Association of City and Town Clerks awarded Assistant Town Clerk Amber Martin scholarships to attend the New England Municipal Clerk Institute this summer. The scholarship covers 90% of the cost of attending. I congratulate Amber and thank her for continuing to pursue her professional development.
• Finance:
• Budget: Our incredible Finance staff have been working diligently with the Finance Committee and department heads to review the budget request in depth and support the development of the Finance Committee Report.
• Assessors and IT: The Assessor’s Office has been notified of a new scam targeting residents. Scammers are sending letters requesting checks be sent to “Property Records MA” at an address in Cambridge in exchange for a copy of your property records, such as a deed.
  • Please exercise caution and avoid sending money or personal information in response to unsolicited correspondence.
  • If you need any documents regarding your property, the safest options are to contact the Registry of Deeds, the bank you have a mortgage with, or the Probate

Court (if there has been any involvement due to death, divorce, or land court matters).

• The Hampshire Registry of Deeds has been notified of this scam attempt, and they have confirmed there is no fee to print your property information if you go directly to their office.
• Human Resources:
• Staff are busy meeting and discussing the other five collective bargaining agreements which all expire on June 30^th.
• The Department is managing numerous searches, including department head positions.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department:
• Cross Department Work: The Department is actively involved in the town’s Hazardous Implementation Planning Group, contributing to emergency preparedness and safety planning.
• Staff Training: The DEI Department is nearing completion of departmental trainings across all Town departments.
• Outreach:
  • The Department participated in the Sustainability Fair on May 10^th.
  • The latest DEI newsletter includes the many, many activities of the DEI Department and its partners. It can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/78452/May-2025- Newsletter?bidId=
• Youth Empowerment: In partnership with Citizens for Juvenile Justice and CRESS, the DEI Department hosted a Youth Empowerment Program, focusing on the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Liberatory Visioning: Outreach for the Liberatory Visioning process with Dr. Love has concluded. The DEI Department is now working with Dr. Love on the development of a final report.
• Reparations: The Town Council is reviewing the charge for the Amherst Black Reparations Committee.
• Resident Oversight Board: The Resident Oversight Board stakeholder group concluded its work. In collaboration with consultants, DEI staff supported the development of draft bylaws by the stakeholder group for the Resident Oversight Board. The documents and options will be reviewed by the Town Manager, reviewed with the Town Attorney, and I will develop a proposal for the Town Council to consider.
• Police Protocols: The Police Chief is reviewing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to address the dispatching of CRESS responders and police procedures.
• Upcoming Events:
  • June 2: Pride Flag Raising Ceremony outside Town Hall at 5:30 p.m.
  • June 8: Human Rights Commission Youth Hero Awards at Mill River Recreation Area at 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. These awards recognize Amherst youth who demonstrate kindness, selflessness, social courage, and community service within their families, schools, and neighborhoods.
  • June 8: Race Amity Day (Held in partnership with the Youth Hero Awards) at Mill River Recreation Area 12:00 noon.
  • June 22: Amherst Pride Parade begins at Amherst Regional High School at 12:00 noon and processing to the Town Common. A rally and resource fair will follow on the Common until 3:00 PM.

• July 5: Reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech at 3:00 p.m. at South Church 1066 South East Street.

Public Safety

• Fire Department:
• Equipment: A new Fire Tower truck and new ambulance are expected to be placed in service this summer.
• Staffing: The Amherst Fire Department currently has openings for full-time and on-call firefighters and is accepting applications at amherstma.gov/jobs.
• Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service:
• CRESS Connections, a grant funded program for youth, is up and running with the schools. The most recent workshop focused robotics (STEM) with a book and robot project.
• CRESS is also participating in gathering data for the EAPS grant including surveys of neighbors, town staff, and others who have utilized CRESS services.
• CRESS Responders assisted with the Morning Movement Mentoring Program (MMMP).
• The Department is preparing a year-end report to update the community on the progress of the Department.
• The Department has produced a newsletter which can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3848/CRESS-Newsletter
• Work continues with the Police Department and Dispatch on adopting protocols for dispatching CRESS directly from Dispatch.
• Working with other Departments: In response to questions from the Finance Committee, the Public Health Director documented the many ways the CRESS Department supports the Public Health Department’s mission.
  • CRESS and Public Health Department staff collaborate and communicate on at least a weekly basis if not more frequently. Collaboration usually centers around neighbors who have presented at the Bangs seeking services and assistance. If Public Health talks with someone and feels that their needs might be better met by CRESS, they will accompany that person upstairs. Similarly, CRESS responders will reach out to Public Health if they are working with a neighbor that they think could benefit from a public health connection and will accompany that person to our office if appropriate. CRESS staff frequently informally consult Public Health staff about situations with neighbors who may have health concerns or with general questions about health and health-care related resources in the community. Public Health Staff provide advice, support, and recommendations to the entire CRESS team.
  • Here are some examples of how this has worked:
    • Our Public Health Nurse needed to make a home visit to a person related to a potentially sensitive subject and did not feel comfortable going alone. CRESS responders accompanied her help to facilitate a difficult conversation.
    • CRESS responders were able to help transport a low income patient with transportation barriers to the TB clinic in Springfield for time-sensitive treatment. This is not a common occurrence, but it is helpful to have this as an option when needed in urgent/unusual situations.
    • CRESS staff who visited a neighbor’s home in response to a call noted that the homebound neighbor might have some health concerns and reached out to Public Health for support. Olivia accompanied the CRESS responders tovisit the neighbor and was able to do an assessment and refer the person to resources.
• CRESS responders were working with a neighbor outside the Bangs who appeared to be under the influence of substances. They requested public health nursing assistance and Olivia went out to talk to the neighbor to assess the situation and make recommendations.
  
  
  • An older resident at Ann Whalen who has some cognitive decline and language barriers frequently comes to the Bangs. She was making the rounds to all of the Departments here asking for assistance that we later found out was being provided by the Resident Service Coordinator at Ann Whalen. Because we all work closely together, we were able to adopt standard messaging referring her back to the Service Coordinator, instead of each department trying to meet her needs separately. PHD served as the chief communicator to the Ann Whalen Resident Service Coordinator, explaining that all staff at the Bangs were in sync and would encourage the resident to seek further help from Ann Whalen staff, but that she should certainly feel free to visit the Senior Center and attend any activities that were of interest. The Public Health Nurse has been in touch with the Resident Service Coordinator to offer assistance with health-related resources that might benefit the resident.Responders approached the Public Health Director/Senior Services Temporary Director (me) with a concern about an older neighbor who had fallen just outside one of the entrances to the Bangs but was resistant to having staff call an ambulance for him. This happened during a time when CRESS leadership was not in the office. I helped to make the connection to Fire Department staff who happened to be in the building, and the neighbor went to the hospital. I cite this as an example of how we cross-cover for each other here in the Bangs. We work as a team.CRESS and Public Health have developed a resource card that consolidates referrals commonly made by both Departments into a single accordion style, wallet sized card.Public Health Department (PHD) staff provide Narcan training and harm reduction supplies, such as Narcan, rescue breathing masks and fentanyl test strips to CRESS responders. Public Heath also provided a one-hour orientation to new responders as part of their onboarding about the PHD role and functions, as well as opportunities for CRESS/PHD collaboration.Public Health staff have attended CRESS-sponsored trainings that are relevant to their work and are of interest to them. In my capacity as the Public Health Director, I have attended some of the trainings that CRESS has organized for their team and have provided input about culturally responsive care, case management strategies and development of policies and procedures, such as how and when administer to Narcan.
  • CRESS and PHD staff know each other well and feel comfortable connecting and using each other as thought partners for difficult situations. We routinely engage in warm handoffs of neighbors between our respective departments. The CRESS Director, DEI Director and PH Director meet monthly to inform each other about what we are working on and to look for collaboration/duplication points. We make every effort to work as a team and to think of the Bangs and the surrounding areas as our mutual responsibility.

• Police Department:
• Three new officers have begun their duties with the Town: Tatiana Sirbu, Erik Lamotte, and Nichole Hubbard. All three will be in a mentorship program before entering the Holyoke Police Academy in July.
• Officer Gavin Prough recently graduated from the Holyoke Police Academy on May 9^th. He is currently in his Field Training phase at the Police Department.

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 May/June newsletter from the Department of Senior Services – Amherst Senior Spirit – which includes a listing of the dozens of workshops and other activities being offered by the Department, is now available: https://www.amherstma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/17981.
• Public Health:
• Red Card Campaign and Immigrant Health: Given recent activity and threats, it is important that all residents are aware of the availability of the Red Cards, also known as ‘Know Your Rights Cards, that are available in the main foyer of Town Hall.
  • The cares are a way to communicate with federal agents, such as ICE, to let them know that one is exercising their constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. The red cards are available in many agencies across the town and across Hampshire County that are working with immigrant people or people who might be concerned about their legal rights to be here.
  • The red cards can also be found at the Bangs Community Center, CRESS and DEI offices on the second floor, and the John P. Musante Health Center.
• Public Health Nursing Services:
  • The Town’s Public Health nurse is now offering weekly nursing office hours at the Bangs Community Center on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. During office hours, the nurse can provide blood pressure checks, general health consultation and education. Drop by the Public Health Department during office hours or call us for more information or to make an appointment.
  • Vaccines: Through the Vaccines for Children program, the Public Health Department has vaccinated the children of recent arrivals from Haiti and other countries who have been referred to us by local shelters and resettlement agencies.
    
• Veterans Services: Town staff honored Memorial Day with a parade and program. Thanks to all who organized, participated, and attended.

• Recreation:
  • Independence Day: The Recreation Department has scheduled the Independence Day festivities including fireworks for July 3rd.

Conservation and Development

• Conservation: Community gardens are prepared, and plots are allocated. This photo shows the Amethyst Conservation Area Community Gardens where we have 26 gardeners this season! Each gardener is given a 20’x20′ plot and is encouraged not to use any chemicals or plastics and given free rein to grow what makes them happy! Special thanks to Alan Wentworth for the beautiful ground tilling and to Brad Bordewieck and Anthony Perez for their careful maintenance of the walking trails!
• Housing:
• Amherst Community Homes: Valley Community Development’s affordable homeownership development on Montague Road at Ball Lane held its ground- breaking event on Wednesday. The developer will continue to 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): Members of the public are invited to offer feedback on the final draft of the Town of Amherst Housing Production Plan. Public comments can be submitted online through Sunday, June 1st. The Town is updating its Housing Production Plan (HPP) which will chart a path toward addressing the affordable housing needs of low- and moderate-income people in Amherst. The HPP, last updated in 2013, includes data about who needs housing and what options currently exist, identifies goals for different housing types, and names strategies Amherst might pursue to strengthen affordable housing opportunities.
  
  • There have been numerous opportunities for the public to weigh in on various aspects of the plan, including community forums, interviews, surveys, and meetings of public bodies. The draft HPP was developed based on this community input as well as demographic, housing, and market research. The community is now invited to view the draft plan and submit public comments online through June 1^st.
    
• The draft HPP is currently being considered by the Planning Board with a vote expected in June after the close of public comment. Should the Planning Board vote in favor of the plan, the Town Council will consider it in late June or July.
  
• 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
  
• The plan can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/78864/AmherstHPP_Full Draft_5162025

• 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
  • Open Space and Recreation Plan: The Planning Department is working on an update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Everyone is invited to conduct 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:
• Police Station: A new chiller has been installed in time for operation this summer.
• Bangs Community Center: Town staff developed a proposal to address basic health and wellness deficiencies in the Bangs Community Center which was approved for funding by the Town Council. Staff are now preparing the final bid documents to move this project forward this summer.
  
  
  • Please note: The last day to renew your Rental Permit without incurring a late fee is June 15, 2025. Renewals received after this date will incur a late fee for each month it is not received by Inspections Services. The late fee will be equal to the initial fee.
    
• 
  
• Inspection Services reminds all residential rental property owners to renew their Rental Permit. The permit year runs from July 1 to June 30 with current permits expiring on June 30, 2025. The Town requires registration and permitting for all residential rental properties according to the Town of Amherst General Bylaws (3.5 Residential Rental Property Bylaw, adopted 4/8/24).
• In accordance with recent changes to the Town Bylaws, inspections will be scheduled for all residential rental properties. Properties will be randomly selected and scheduled over a multi-year period. Owners and Persons-in- Charge will be contacted by Inspection Services when it’s time to schedule an inspection. More information regarding the process and inspection will be sent this summer.
  • Sustainability:
• Climate Leader Community: The State announced that the Town is one of the first municipalities in the state to be certified as a Climate Leader Community.
  • This prestigious designation by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recognizes Amherst’s leadership in climate action, joining an inaugural cohort of 19 municipalities celebrated for their
  • innovative and bold climate initiatives.
• With this designation, Amherst becomes eligible to receive over $1 million in grant funding to advance the Town’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 as identified in the Town’s Climate Action, Adaptation, and Resilience Plan. These grants include up to $150,000 to fund technical studies necessary to design municipal clean energy projects, and up to $1 million in decarbonization accelerator grants to support project implementation.
  
  • In order to be certified as a Climate Leader Community, Amherst met the following certification requirements:
    • Be a DOER designated Green Community in good standing.Have a local committee to advise and help coordinate local energy activities (Amherst Energy and Climate Action Committee).Have a commitment to eliminate on-site fossil fuel use in municipal buildings and fleets by 2050 (Climate Action, Adaptation, and Resilience Plan, adopted in 2021).Develop a Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap showing how the Town can bring its buildings and fleet vehicles to net zero emissions by 2050.Have a Zero-Emission-Vehicle First Policy requiring the Town purchase only zero-emission vehicles for municipal use whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable.
    • Adopt the Specialized Stretch Energy Code (passed by the Town Council in 2023).

• Amherst became a designated Green Community in 2013 and since then has received over $700,000 in grant funding to support various energy conservation projects such as conversion of town-owned streetlights to LED technology, purchase of an electric vehicle and its associated charging infrastructure, and conversion of municipal building lighting to LED technology. For more on the Town of Amherst’s climate and sustainability work, please visit www.amherstma.gov/sustaining
  
  • The Climate Leader Communities program, evolving from the Green Communities program, creates a new voluntary framework for meeting greenhouse gas reduction goals by providing tools and resources to help municipalities reduce emissions through electrification and maximizing the efficiency of buildings and transportation. Climate Leader Grant Programs will be funded through auction proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Alternative Compliance Payments. Learn more about the Climate Leader Communities program.

Public Works

• Drinking Water Grant: The Town was awarded a $218,820 grant to purchase critical land to protect the safety and quality of its drinking water supply.
• This funding is part of the Healey- Driscoll Administration’s award of over $1 million to support five municipalities across Massachusetts through the Drinking Water Supply Protection (DWSP) Grant Program coordinated by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
• This grant will be used to acquire a 50-plus acre of wooded property in Pelham, situated adjacent to designated Watershed Protection Land held by the Town of Amherst. This strategic purchase will help preserve designated Zone A surface water that feeds into the Pelham Reservoir System— a vital source that supplies approximately one-third of Amherst’s drinking water.
• Water Main Flushing: The Water Division of the Public Works Department has begun its annual systematic water main flushing programs to clean the distribution system.

Water Division personnel will be flushing daily from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for four (4) consecutive weeks, or until finished.

The flushing will begin on all streets in Pelham, the northern portion of Echo Hill, Allen Mill Road, Jenks Street, Ward Street, Thayer Street, South East Street near the Fort River School, Main Street, and all streets northerly of College Street and bordered by Strong Street. The center of Town, North and South Prospect Streets and all streets westerly of North Pleasant and South Pleasant Streets, including University Drive and all streets adjacent to the University of Massachusetts Campus will be done during this phase.

The second section will be all streets northerly of Strong Street and the University of Massachusetts Campus including all apartment complexes, the Cushman area, East Pleasant Street, North Pleasant Street and North Amherst area.

The third section will include all streets northerly of Shays Street to Northampton Road and College Street including South Pleasant Street, South East Street, Valley View, Mill Lane, Colonial Village, Belchertown Road, Stanley Street, Amherst Fields, the entire southern portion of Echo Hill and all apartment complexes.

The fourth and last section will be in the South Amherst area and proceed northerly on all streets and will also include all apartment units involved in this area. It will include all streets southerly of the Crocker Farm School, Shays Street, the area bordering the South Amherst common, Station Road and also the water distribution system on Warren Wright Road, North Street and Route #9 in Belchertown.

Residents may experience water discoloration and low pressure during this period. Running your water will clear up any discoloration.

Groff Park Spray Pad: A computer part failure has delayed the seasonal opening of the Spray Pad. No opening date has been set.

Water Use Restrictions Lifted: The State Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has downgraded the Connecticut River Valley to Level 0 – Normal Conditions.

As a result of no longer being in a declared drought, the Town is lifting all water use restrictions and allowing residents to return to normal usage.

Please note that the Town of Amherst’s water supply has remained stable throughout and not threatened by the drought. However, the town and state will continue to monitor the situation and will adjust restrictions if necessary.

Stormwater Management Regulations: Starting May 1, the Town now requires all new and redevelopment projects of a specified size to obtain a Stormwater Management Permit. This permit must be secured prior to the initiation of any land disturbance activities.

This new regulation is a key part of the Town’s Stormwater Management Program, designed to reduce the negative effects of stormwater runoff on our local waterways, ecosystems, and community infrastructure. By implementing a systemic approach to stormwater management, the Town is prioritizing sustainable development practices that protect our natural resources and promote public health.

The Town of Amherst maintains a stormwater system designed to collect stormwater runoff from surfaces such as parking lots, roof tops, driveways, and roadways. This system includes catch basins, pipes, and culverts that direct the water to discharge points, often located near wetlands, streams, rivers, and ponds within Amherst. This system is diligently maintained by the Amherst Department of Public Works and meets guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Projects that have already received land use permits, or for which permit applications to the Planning, Conservation, or Inspection Services Departments were submitted prior to May 1, 2025, are not required to obtain a Stormwater Management Permit.

For more information about the Town of Amherst Stormwater Management Permit and related guidelines, please visit amherstma.gov/smp or contact Elizabeth Willson by emailing willsone@amherstma.gov

DELEGATED AUTHORITY

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

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

• Jones Library Renovation and Expansion:
• There will be a ceremonial ground breaking on Wednesday, June 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Jones Library.
• The Jones Library closed to the public on May 14^th. Staff are now packing books in preparation for the move.
• In a few weeks, we will open a temporary library location at 101 University Drive in Amherst, next door to the Post Office. It is about a mile from the Jones Library. Full library services will be available. The new location is fully accessible, has ample free parking, and is on two bus routes: Both the 33 (Puffer’s Pond / Shopper Shuttle) and B43 (Northampton / Hadley / Amherst) buses will take you there.
• There will be a gap during which the Jones Library will be closed, and the temporary location will not yet be open. During this time, the Town’s two branches, the North Amherst Library and the Munson Memorial Library (in South Amherst), will be open their regular hours throughout the transition.
• Additional information on the project can be found here: https://www.joneslibrary.org/352/Jones- Building-Project
• DPW Building/Fire Building:
• I have submitted the charge for a building committee to support the development of a cohesive plan for building these two new buildings to the Town Council to assist in determining Council membership on the committee.
• Fort River Elementary School Building Committee:
• Work continues on schedule.
• A “topping off” ceremony – to commemorate the placement of the last and highest steel beam – was held on May 20^th. All Town Councilors, the contractors, the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and members of the community will be invited to celebrate this milestone event. Typically, attendees are invited to sign the beam before it is lifted into place. We will share the date once the contractor sets it.
• For more information, visit the School Building Project website here: https://www.amherst-school-  project.com/

PROJECTS UPDATE

• Centennial Water Treatment Facility: Construction continues for this $21 million facility. The project is on schedule and on budget for completion in the fall.
• Gravity Belt Thickener (GBT): The new GBT at the Wastewater Treatment Facility is installed.
• Track and Field:
• There will be a ceremonial ground breaking on Monday, June 16th at 4:00 p.m.
• Construction will begin upon the completion of school sports and end of school classes. Construction should last about four months.
• The Town of Amherst has provided $1.76 million from its CPA account, with Shutesbury contributing $136,000 and Pelham $110,500 from those accounts. Other sources of funding include $1.5 million in debt approved by the regional schools, $900,000 in free cash from the Town of Amherst, and a $104,840 donation from the Amherst Hurricane Boosters which is reduced because its fundraising was contingent on an interior field with synthetic turf which was removed by the School Committee.
• The $4.5+ million project is seeking an appropriation of $176,000 from the Town of Leverett Community Preservation Act account at its Annual Town Meeting, which is being held Saturday, May 3^rd.
• North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot: Awaiting the delivery of lights.
• Downtown Restroom: There have been some delays in the permitting of the facility that was selected, which is being reviewed by the State plumbing board.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

• June 16^th – Town Council meeting
• June 19^th – Juneteenth holiday
• June 30^th – Town Council meeting
• July 3^rd – Independence Day fireworks
• July 4^th – Independence Day holiday
• July 21^st – Town Council meeting