Town Seeks Resident to Join the Department of Public Works Building Committee

Source: amherstma.gov

Town Manager Paul Bockelman is seeking one resident to join the Department of Public Works Building Committee, a temporary committee responsible for advising the Town on the design and construction of a new Department of Public Works (DPW) building. 

Interested residents should submit a Community Activity Form at www.amherstma.gov/CAF

Applications will be reviewed beginning July 6th.

The Committee has been meeting for several months and is in the interview phase of selecting a designer/architect for the new facility. A resident member recently resigned, and the town manager is seeking a new member who can join the committee immediately. 

About the DPW Building Committee

• The committee shall provide advice and guidance on the design and construction of the new building, to be located at the site of the present DPW facility at 586 South Pleasant Street. This location will continue to serve as the main headquarters and base of operations, with some divisions continuing to operate out of smaller locations throughout town.  
• Throughout the life of the project, the committee will work as a team with several consultants, including an Owner’s Project Manager, an Architect, and other building specialists.  
• The committee will review and approve all major project decisions including timeline, milestones, and plans before submitting recommendations to the Town Manager for final approval.  
• The DPWBC will be composed of nine (9) voting members including:
  • Town Manager or designee 
  • Superintendent of Public Works or designee 
  • One staff member from the Department of Public Works 
  • Finance Director 
  • Procurement Officer 
  • One (1) Town Councilor 
  • Three (3) residents appointed by the town manager 
• The Committee has been meeting during business hours during the day. 
• Resident members should have background or expertise in architecture, civil engineering, construction or facilities management, planning, energy efficient public architecture, facilities or public works functions, and/or finance or procurement.  
• Committee service will be for the length of the planning and building process, estimated to be 5 to 7 years. Throughout this time, the committee will submit quarterly updates to the town manager and Town Council. 

Learn more about the DPW Building Committee.

For more information or questions, please reach out to our Community Participation Officers at getinvolved@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3292.   

About the Amherst Department of Public Works 
The Amherst Department of Public Works serves a population of approximately 40,000 residents and is responsible for maintaining over 130 miles of roads, 135 miles of sanitary sewer lines, 115 miles of water lines, 22 sewer pump stations and a water pump station, Water Treatment Facilities including five wells and two surface water sources and a Wastewater Treatment Plant. Trees and Grounds is responsible for maintenance of three cemeteries, 80 acres of manicured turf, town-owned playing fields, aquatic facilities including three pools, a wading pool and a splash pad, plus park restroom facilities, town-wide sidewalks, and public parking lots. DPW also leads all snow and ice removal operations, manages a solid waste transfer and recycling facility, designs infrastructure improvements, and so much more!