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 last Cuppa’ Joe with Paul was on Friday, July 11^th at Atkins Country Market. My special guest was Director of Community Responders Camille Theriaque. She was joined by several community responders.  

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.

New Committees: The Town will be recruiting members to serve on four new committees.

Amherst Black Reparations Committee
Cable Television Advisory Committee (copy attached)
Cherry Hill Working Group (copy attached)
Department of Public Works Building Committee (copy attached)

Major Milestones:  
ARPS Track & Field: The ceremonial ground breaking took place on June 16^th at an event in the High School parking lot that was well attended.
Jones Library: The ceremonial ground breaking took place on June 18^th at an event in and in front of the Jones Library.
Jones Library Temporary Location: The ceremonial ribbon cutting took place at the temporary location of the Jones Library at 101 University Drive on July 15^th.

Civic Engagement: This Fall, the Town will launch a new civic seminar series.The series will consist of eight weekly interactive classes that will provide participants with an up-close view of their municipal government while also encouraging further civic engagement and empowering future community leaders.  Through the program, participants will learn about the local government structure, the Town’s municipal departments, and budgeting and finance processes.  Participants will hear directly from Town staff and tour Town facilities.  We hope participants will not only leave with a stronger understanding of the Town, but also with the tools necessary to become strongly impactful and civically engaged community members.  We are planning to launch on October 1^st and end November 19^th with sessions being held once a week. Communications Manager Sam Giffen and our Summer Intern Abigail Bowen did the work to bring this long-desired program to reality.

Cable Television Advisory Committee: The license issued by the Town to Comcast to operate cable television service in the Town expires in August of 2026. As noted above, I am forming an advisory committee to advise the Town Manager on the cable operator’s performance under the existing license and assist in gathering information about the community’s future cable related needs and interests. The Committee will be guided by the Town Attorney as this is a highly regulated renewal process.

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens: https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3813

Baby Berk:   Free summer meals are being offered for kids and teens, ages 18 and under, through the Summer Eats program. This program runs every weekday at locations across town and is sponsored by UMass Amherst Dining and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District. No identification or registration is required, but kids and teens must be present to receive a meal and are required to eat on site. Free summer meals from UMass Amherst Dining will be offered by the Baby Berk Food Truck Monday through Friday until August 15th at the following locations and times. View Program Poster.

Olympia Oaks (85 Olympia Rd) from 12:00 pm to 12:15 pm
University Village (990 North Pleasant St) from 12:25 pm to 12:45 pm
Mill River Recreation (95 Montague Rd) Area from 1:00 pm to 1:20 pm
Village Park (497 E Pleasant St) from 1:35 pm to 1:45 pm
Meadow View (266 E Hadley Rd) from 2:05 pm to 2:15 pm
Butternut Farms (12 Longmeadow Dr) from 2:30 pm to 2:45 pm
Colonial Village (81 Belchertown Rd) from 3:00 pm to 3:15 pm
Rolling Green (1 Rolling Green Dr) from 3:20 pm to 3:35 pm
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Summer Eats Program:

Summer Eats is a free-of-charge program that provides free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under, at locations across Massachusetts during the summer months. This is a federal nutrition program designed to ensure that all youth have access to healthy meals and snacks during the summer, when school is not in session.  

New this year – free summer meals from the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District will be offered Monday through Friday at the following locations, dates, and times:

Amherst Regional Middle School (170 Chestnut Street) o June 23 – August 15 o Breakfast: 8:30–9:00 am o Lunch: 12:00–12:30 pm
Amherst Regional High School (21 Mattoon Street) o July 1 – August 8 o Breakfast: 8:30–9:00 am o Lunch: 12:00–12:30 pm

Cooling Centers: Under direction of the Town’s Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren, the Town established a cooling center and options for people to stay cool during the two most recent heat waves. Multiple departments assisted in offering services including the Fire Department, CRESS Department, Public Health Department, Recreation Department, Facilities Department, and Town Manager’s office.

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  

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Administration and Finance

Town Clerk: 

I appointed Assistant Town Clerk Amber Martin to be the Town’s next Town Clerk, subject to review by the Town Council. 

Nomination papers for all Town elected positions became available on July 1^st.

Nomination papers are due on September 16^th. See the schedule attached to this report. • Human Resources: 

Staff are busy meeting and discussing the other five collective bargaining agreements. 

The Department is managing numerous searches, including department head positions.

Information Technology: The Town received a grant of $160,837 from the Commonwealth’s Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Program. The grant will be used to complete the installation of a fiber ring, creating a redundant, backup path, for the Town’s data network. The fiber ring will connect the wastewater treatment facility with other Town locations utilizing existing ductwork on the University’s campus. Many thanks to the University for assisting with this important connection.

Finance:

Opioid Settlement Funds: 

• The Town’s Public Health Department is seeking public input on the use of opioid settlement funds through a new survey. All community members are encouraged to participate in this anonymous survey to provide information about local needs related to opioid use, treatment, and prevention as well as to offer ideas for how the funds could be used to address the impact of opioids in the community. The Town is especially interested in hearing from those who have been personally affected by the opioid crisis.In 2021, Massachusetts reached settlement agreements with several opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies regarding their role in enabling the overdose epidemic. The Commonwealth will be allocating settlement funds to municipalities annually through 2039 to strengthen opioid response, recovery, and prevention measures.So far, Amherst has received approximately $424,000 and the Town is now seeking community feedback to determine how to best spend these funds.   ▪ Complete the survey here: amherstma.gov/opioid-settlement-funds-survey  ▪ The survey is open through September 30. 

• Physical copies of this survey are also available at the Amherst Public Health

Department in the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk), which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Completed surveys can be returned to the Public Health Department or by mail. 

Learn more about the Town of Amherst’s Opioid Settlement Funds.

Professional Development: Forty-nine graduates received their certificates in Local Government Leadership and Management this spring. The MMA and Suffolk University program is designed for municipal employees looking to further their careers in municipal management. Graduate-level courses cover topics including strategic leadership, budget and fiscal management, and human resources management. The five-course program is held over 25 Fridays. Principal Assessor Kim Mew was among the graduates this year. Congratulations to Kim.

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:
  • Newsletter: The Department’s July newsletter can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/79930/JulyNewsletter?bidId=  
  • Events: The DEI Department participated in the following events:

• June 2: Pride Flag Raising Ceremony
• June 8: Human Rights Commission Youth Hero Awards
• June 8: Race Amity Day
• June 22: Amherst Pride Parade
• July 5: Reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech • July 16: Disability Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony
• 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. See additional initiatives under the Recreation Department.
• 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 approved the charge for the Amherst Black Reparations Committee. Staff will be recruiting members to serve on the new 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.

Public Safety

Fire Department:  
Staffing:  

Firefighter Charles Beall was sworn into duty on June 17^th.  

Firefighters Jessica Gilmore and Lauren Kovarik (pictured below) were sworn into duty on June 23^rd.  

Assistant Chief Jeff Olmstead has announced that he will be retiring from the Fire Department October 30^th of this year.

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. 

• Tury Research has been contracted to conduct an assessment of the CRESS for the State Department of Public Health. They are gathering data for the EAPS grant including surveys of neighbors, town staff, and others who have utilized CRESS services. 

• 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.
  
• Police Department:
  • Staffing: 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 this month. 
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award: Police Officers Frydryk, Worthley, and Picardi received the MADD Operating Under the Influence Enforcement Achievement awards. The officers are pictured in the photo below with Chief Ting and Lieutenant

MacLean at the Law Enforcement Recognition Breakfast and Awards in Devens, Massachusetts. The MADD award is presented to officers who have shown a commitment to enforcing OUI laws and getting those operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, off of the roads, in order to create a safer community. 

Community Services

Public Health:

     Mosquito and Tick-borne Illness:  

The Health Department is a member of the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District (PVMCD), which conducts weekly surveillance of mosquitoes in the region and provides larval mitigation services in selected areas. So far this season neither West Nile virus (WNV) nor Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been detected in mosquitoes in the Connecticut River Valley. Nevertheless, the Health Department recommends that the public take measures to prevent mosquito bites and reduce or eliminate areas where mosquitoes breed. More info can be found here.

Tick season is in full swing. This year, data from emergency departments (EDs) across Massachusetts show that visits involving patients reporting exposure to ticks is higher than it has been at any point in the last three years. Diagnoses of a tick-borne disease associated with these visits are also higher than at the same time during the last three years. The Amherst Public Health Department tracks and manages local cases of tick-borne disease, including anaplasmosis and babesiosis, which are increasingly more common. Again prevention is key.  

                  o    Public Health Nursing Services:

▪   Public Health Nurse, Olivia Lara-Cahoon offers weekly PHN office hours in her office at the Bangs on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. During office hours, Olivia can provide blood pressure checks, general health consultation and education. Drop by the Public Health Department during office hours or call us at 413 259-3077 for more information or to make an appointment.

                  o    Opioid Settlement Funds:  

▪   The Public Health Department has a new webpage with the latest information about the Town’s allocation of opioid settlement funds. To assist in planning, the Health Department is conducting brief local survey to hear from Amherst residents about priorities and needs related to the opioid crisis. The survey will be open until September 30^th.

                  o    Respiratory Illness:

▪   The Health Department continues to monitor COVID levels in the wastewater. So far, there has been no sign of a significant summer surge, although we have heard anecdotal reports of a slight increase in COVID cases locally.

• Senior Services:  

                  o    New Game Room:  

▪   The Senior Center will soon be unveiling its new Game Room. Thanks to a generous earmark from Representative Mindy Domb, the new and improved Game Room will feature new décor and puzzles, upgraded board and card games, wall scrabble, ping pong, a brand new pool table and more! We expect the game room to open later this month. Hours for the Game Room are Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

                  o    Silver Shuttle:  

                             ▪    The Silver Shuttle is Back in Action! After a months-long hiatus, the Senior

Center’s Door-to-Door Ride Service is up and running again. Seniors who live in

Amherst may schedule rides within Amherst, Hadley, and Northampton on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Rides are free, but donations are welcome. To book a ride, call 413 259-3060. Help us spread the word about this important community service!

• Pool Passes:  

▪   Pool passes for Town pools are available at the Senior Center this summer for seniors with limited resources. A limited number of Farmers’ Markets coupons will also be available. Call 413 259-3060 for more information.

• 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 July/August 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 available here. Hard copies can be picked up in the Senior Center lounge.
• Recreation:
  • Independence Day: 
    • The Recreation Department, working with other Town departments and, especially, the University of Massachusetts held another highly successful Independence Day fireworks extravaganza on July 3^rd. 
    • It was a spectacular evening of fun, entertainment, and fireworks!
    • Actually, SO MANY PEOPLE helped to make the Town’s annual Independence Day Fireworks a tremendous success. Rough estimates say about 8,000 people attended, even with the threat – and reality – of rain.
    • Our Recreation Department team – led by Becky Demling – really organized things with many other Recreation Department staff including Director Rey Harp and staff from other departments, especially our Fire Department led by Chief Lindsay Stromgren.
    • But, this could never have happened without the incredible commitment of time and resources by the University. We are very appreciative and want to recognize the University staff who were with us – shoulder-to-shoulder – in planning and executing the fireworks event for our broader community. (And, when I say fireworks, it is so much more because we have entertainment, food trucks, kids’ games, and even a beer garden!
    • In debriefing the event, we recognized the complexity of the event which included food vendors, a beer garden, crowd flow, weather conditions, permitting from Hadley and various agencies, security, communications, parking, stage entertainment, volunteer coordination, and planning for 2026, the 250^th anniversary of the country!
  • Youth Entrepreneurship Summer Program:
    • The Town announced a new partnership with the Network for Teaching

Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial skills among youth. Through this collaboration, the Recreation Department will introduce an innovative summer program – BizCamp – which is designed to empower local students with the tools and mindsets necessary to navigate and succeed in today’s dynamic economy.

• Facilitators will lead NFTE’s experiential, project-based curriculum, as participants engage in activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, laying the foundation for future entrepreneurial endeavors.
  • This free program is open to Amherst residents and Amherst-Pelham Regional

Schools students currently in Grades 7-11. Sessions run Monday through Thursday

mornings, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for two weeks from July 14th through July 24th, at Amherst Regional High School. All costs are covered by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated to support youth empowerment.

• The program will culminate in a Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Challenge, providing students with the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of local business leaders and community members. This event not only celebrates the students’ hard work and innovation but also connects them with potential mentors and resources to further their entrepreneurial journeys.
  • Cherry Hill Golf Course: 
    • I am forming a Cherry Hill Working Group to make recommendations on the longterm viability of golf operations at Cherry Hill Golf Course. 
    • The goal is to determine if golf operations can/should continue to be provided by the Town and to determine if the operations of golfing at Cherry Hill can be and should be self-supporting.
    • I am also asking the Working Group to investigate innovative strategies for course management and fiscal sustainability including review of the current and past management practices and budgets and to explore alternative and compatible uses of the property.
  • Swimming Pools: 
    • Town staff made an incredible effort to get the War Memorial Swimming Pool ready and open for the summer season. Town staff accelerated work to ensure the pools were open in time for the season’s first heat wave.
    • One staff member wrote: “DPW staff did the hard work of getting the pools open and holding them steady during the incredible heat (thank you to Alan’s shining staff) – I’ll also send out my appreciation to the town for helping us execute a successful series of days as cooling centers. It’s hard for the community and staff to be at our best selves in such heat – but the pools were successful!”
    • The results speak for themselves. During that heat wave, from Sunday to Wednesday, War Memorial had 1,056 people attend free open swim and Mill River had 1,383 people attend free open swim.
    • Shout out to our Town staff including DPW, Inspection Services, Recreation, Facilities, the Assistant Town Manager and Executive Assistant and others. Months of advance planning, collaboration between departments, creative funding approaches and more. The work included new and approved pool drains, a completely new liner, replacement plumbing fixtures throughout the building, floor and other painting, basic roof repairs.

Conservation and Development

• Inspection Services: 

o Rental Registration: I really want to recognize our superb staff who worked extremely hard to move the Rental Registration program into its second year. 

• Inspection Services did a tremendous job implementing the Rental Registration program this year and had extraordinary success with compliance.
  • Our Inspection Services Team have remarkably secured all but 5 of the 1,300 completed (and paid) rental permits as of July 9^th. In the past, this process has run well into the fall! This totals more than 5,500 units.
  • At the same time, these same staff have been working closely with IT to build out the new inspections program which will be ready to go on Sept 1^st.
  • Landlords have already been contacted and confirmed who have offered to have their units go first through the new inspections/program.
• Housing:
  • Housing Production Plan (HPP):  
    • 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.  

Designation: Governor

Healey announced that the Townhas been designated as a Housing Choice Community.  

• This five-year designation recognizes the Town’s recent efforts to support housing production.
  • With this designation, the Town is eligible to apply for the

Housing Choice Grant Program, an exclusive grant program through the Community One Stop for Growth.  

• The Town will also receive special consideration in nine other state programs (mass.gov/info-details/find-participating-housing-choice-grant-programs).
  • Community Investment Tax Credit: The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities selected the Amherst Community Land Trust to receive an allocation of Community Investment Tax Credits in the amount of $150,000.

• Planning:

o 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 Design

Standards  o 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 is refining 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.
• Sustainability: 

o 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.

Public Works

Paving: Bids have been received for paving projects this summer. The Town is working with the contractor to schedule the times for paving. A full public announcement will follow shortly.  

• Water Quality Report: The 2024 Annual Water Quality Report can be found here: www.amherstma.gov/179/water  
• 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.  
• Groff Park Spray Pad: A computer part failure has delayed the seasonal opening of the Spray Pad. No opening date has been set. 

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):
  • North Pleasant Street adjacent to Kendrick Park – University of Massachusetts Amherst; June 19, 20, 21; Van to collect data on distracted driving
• Long-Term Parking Requests (Section 2bi of the Town Council Policy):
• Short-Term Public Way Closures (Section 3b of the Town Council Policy):
  • Boltwood Avenue adjacent to Town Hall – Amherst Artisans and Crafters Market;

Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. beginning July 10, 2025 and ending October 9, 2025

• Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy): None

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

• Jones Library Renovation and Expansion:  
  • There was a ceremonial ground breaking on June 18^that the Jones Library.
  • On July 14^th, the Jones Library reopened to the public at its 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.
  • Construction is scheduled to begin on the renovations and expansion of the Jones Library the week if July 21^st. The contractor will begin setting up the site with trailers, portable restrooms, removing trees and shrubs, and taking steps to prepare the site for construction.
  • Additional information on the project can be found here: https://www.joneslibrary.org/352/Jones–Building–Project
• DPW Building/Fire Building:  
  • I have attached a revised charge for a building committee to support the development of a new building for the Department of Public Works. A separate charge will be developed for the Fire/EMS Station. I ask that the Town Council appoint a member to participate in this committee. The charge is attached to this report.
• Fort River Elementary School Building Committee: 
  • Work continues on schedule.
  • 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 was a ceremonial ground breaking on June 16^th. Construction started soon thereafter. See the photo below.

Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot: Bollards have been installed. New planters were provided by the

Business Improvement District. Some light poles were installed. I

• 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

• August 18^th – Town Council meeting
• September 1^st – Labor Day holiday
• September 8^th – Town Council meeting
• September 15^th – Public Forum on the Master Plan
• September 15^th – Town Council meeting
• October 6^th – Town Council meeting
• October 13^th – Indigenous Peoples Day holiday
• October 20^th – Town Council meeting
• November 3^rd – Financial Indicators presentation
• November 3^rd – Town Council meeting
• November 4^th – Town Elections
• November 11^th – Veterans Day holiday
• November 17^th – Public Forum on the budget
• November 17^th – Town Council meeting
• November 27-28 – Thanksgiving holiday break
• December 1^st – State of the Town presentation
• December 1^st – Town Council meeting
• December 15^th – Town Council meeting
• December 24-25 – Christmas holiday break
• January 1^st – New Year’s holiday

Cable Television Advisory Committee Charge

Name:		Cable Television Advisory Committee (CTAC)
Type:		Ad Hoc Town
Legal Reference:		Home Rule Charter 3.2 Committees created by the Manager
		Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 166A 207 C.M.R. § 3.00-10.00 47 U.S.C. § 546
Appointing Authority:		Town Manager per Home Rule Charter Section 3.3(c))
Number of Voting Members:		Five (5)
Term of Appointment:		Upon submittal of a final report, no later than April 15, 2026
Special Municipal Employees:		Yes
Staff Support:		Town Manager or designee

Composition:

• Four (4) residents appointed by the Town Manager (one member may be a nonresident if they have direct experience with cable television in Amherst) and • Town of Amherst Information Technology Director

Purpose:

The Committee shall advise the Town Manager on the cable operator’s performance under the existing license and assist in gathering information about the community’s future cable related needs and interests.

Charge:

The Committee shall assist the Town Manager in the ascertainment phase of the cable operator renewal process; assist in preparing the Issuing Authority’s Report; and assist in the analysis of cable television renewal.

In assessing the performance of the cable operator’s performance and the community’s future cable-related needs and interests, the committee may:

• Hold a public hearing to solicit input from the community with respect to the cable operator’s performance as well as the future needs and interests of the community;
• Conduct a Town-wide survey;
• Meet with community organizations such as schools, seniors, and public safety services to determine their needs;
• Review the current license held by the cable operator to determine, for example, which terms and conditions have been particularly beneficial to the community;
• Review the cable operator’s financial forms (CTV Forms 200 and 400);
• Review consumer complaint records, including CTV Form 500 and Town records;
• Obtain and review a map of the service area to determine, in part, whether there are unserved parts of the community;
• Tour the cable operator’s technical facilities (i.e., headend) and PEG access studio; and
• Review licenses granted by other communities in Massachusetts.

Upon receipt of a renewal proposal, the Committee shall advise the Town Manager on renewing the license, including:

1. Recommending renewal of the franchise or issue a preliminary assessment that the franchise should not be renewed; and
2. At the request of the cable operator or on its own recommendation, advise the Town Manager on conducting an administrative proceeding to consider whether:
   1. The cable operator has substantially complied with the material terms of the existing franchise and with applicable law;
   1. The quality of the cable operator’s service, including signal quality, response to consumer complaints, and billing practices, but without regard to the mix or quality of cable services or other services provided over the cable system, has been reasonable in light of community needs;
   1. The cable operator has the legal, financial, and technical ability to provide the services, facilities, and equipment as set forth in the cable operator’s proposal; and
   1. The cable operator’s proposal is reasonable to meet the future cable-related community needs and interests, considering the cost of meeting such needs and interests.

Reports:

Ascertainment report by December 31, 2025

Final license renewal report by April 15, 2026

Charge Adopted:       March 23, 2015

Charge Revised:        June 28, 2025

SME Status Voted: March 23, 2015

TOWN OF AMHERST 

DRAFT – Cherry Hill Working Group – DRAFT

Name:	Cherry Hill Working Group (CHWG)
Type:	Ad Hoc Town
Legal Reference:	Charter Section 3.2 Committees created by the Manager
Appointing Authority:	Town Manager in accordance with Charter Section 3.3(c)
Number of Voting Members:	Five (5)
Term of Appointment:	Upon completion of the final report
Special Municipal Employees:	Yes
Staff Support:	Recreation Director and Assistant Town Manager

Composition:

Five (5) Voting Members

• Two (2) Current Members of the Recreation Commission
• Three (3) Residents o At least one resident member must have financial analysis expertise

Purpose:

The Cherry Hill Working Group shall advise the Town Manager on:

• Long-term viability of golf operations at Cherry Hill Golf Course; • Innovative strategies for course management and fiscal sustainability;
• Alternative/compatible uses of the property. 

Charge:

The Working Group shall make recommendations to the Town Manager on the following:

• The long-term viability of golf operations at Cherry Hill Golf Course. The goal is to determine if golf operations can/should continue to be provided by the Town and to determine if the operations of golfing at Cherry Hill can be and should be self-supporting.
• Innovative strategies for course management and fiscal sustainability including review of the current and past management practices and budgets.
• Alternative and compatible uses of the property.

Work plan for the Working Group:

1. Land Acquisition and Legal Constraints 

Research the history and acquisition of the Cherry Hill land, including all grants, appropriations, and other funding sources used in the purchase of the property. Identify and document any restrictions or other legal constraints that may govern its current and future use. 

• Purpose and Mission 

Define the mission and intended purpose of the golf course. Identify the key audiences the course is designed to serve and evaluate whether the course can reasonably be expected to be financially self-sustaining. 

• Finances and Operations Review 

Collect and assess financial and operational date from the past ten years, including operating and capital budgets, and staff salaries and benefits. Provide statistics and data on memberships, league interest, and fees. Identify trends and areas of financial concern or opportunity. 

• Recreation Role and Community Benefit 

Identify the role the golf course plays in Amherst’s broader recreational mission. Provide usage data on golf and non-golf course usage, such as hiking, sledding, Nordic skiing, disc golf, and community events like Winterfest. Evaluate the role the property plays as an open space and a community asset.

• Five-Year Financial Plan

Develop a comprehensive five-year financial plan (FY27 – 31) that includes a staffing plan, projected capital needs, and realistic revenue projections. Consider options for increasing revenues, including but not limited to privatization of golf operations. 

• Evaluation of Alternative Uses and Disposition

Assess the feasibility and potential benefits of alternative uses of the Cherry Hill property. This may include conversion to other recreational, conservation, municipal, or revenue-generating uses. As part of this evaluation, the Committee may also recommend, if warranted, the full or partial disposition of the property in accordance with the Town’s Real Property Disposition Policy.

Reports:

The Cherry Hill Working Group will present a final written report to the Town Manager by June 30, 2026 with a progress report submitted by December 1, 2025.

Charge Adopted:       [date]

Charge Revised:        [date]

SME Status Voted: [date]

TOWN OF AMHERST 

DRAFT Committee Charge DRAFT

Name:                                                 Department of Public Works Building Committee (DPWBC)

Type:                                                  Time-limited

Legal Reference:                               Charter Section 3.2, Committees created by the Manager

Appointing Authority:                      Town Manager per Home Rule Charter Section 3.3(c) and 2.11(b)

Number of Voting Members:           Seven (7) Number of Non-Voting Members:  One (1)

Term of Appointment:                      The length of the building process, estimated to be 5-7 years

Special Municipal Employees:         Yes

Staff Support:                                   As assigned by the Town Manager

Composition:

• Town Manager or designee
• Superintendent of Public Works or designee
• Finance Director
• Town Councilor (1)
• Residents of the community with a preference for residents who have expertise in architecture, civil engineering, construction or facilities management, planning, energy efficient public architecture, facilities or public works functions, or finance (3)
• Special Capital Projects Manager (non-voting)

Regular attendance at posted DPWBC meetings is important. Resident members who miss three meetings in a row or attend infrequently may be replaced by the Town Manager in the same manner as the initial appointment.

Purpose:

To advise the Town Manager on the design and construction of a new Department of Public Works building to be located at the site of the present DPW facility.

Charge:

The DPWBC shall provide advice and guidance on the building project. All major decisions shall be brought to the DPWBC for review and approval for submission of a recommendation to the Town Manager for final approval.

Throughout the life of the project, the DPWBC will work as a team with several consultants, including an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM), an Architect, and other building specialists. The DPWBC will review and approve a timeline, milestones, and plans for the project and recommend a specific set of plans to the Town Manager for approval.

The DPWBC will work with the Town Manager and Town staff to advance the design, and construction of a new facility for the Department of Public Works:

• Collaborate with staff to ensure the public is kept appraised and engaged with the building project;
• Review prior studies including the 2016 DPW site study https://www.amherstma.gov/1505/DPW–Fire–Station–Advisory–Committee  
• Understand the Town’s Master Plan https://www.amherstma.gov/526/Master–Plan ; Zero Energy Town Buildings Bylaw https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/75681/General–Bylaws–of–the–Town–ofAmherst–November–2024 and other Bylaws as it may relate to the proposed building;
• Review updated information on departmental needs;
• Review costs for a proposed DPW facility;
• Work with the selected OPM to provide feedback and guidance with regard to their development of the schematic design;
• Work with the OPM to initiate the schematic design and design development process including cost, design and engineering services, and other actions.

Reports: 

The DPWBC shall provide quarterly updates to the Town Manager and Town Council.

Charge Adopted:       [date]

Charge Revised:        N/A