Town Seeks Volunteers to Serve on New Department of Public Works Building Committee

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst is seeking members for the newly established Department of Public Works Building Committee (DPWBC), 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: amherstma.gov/CAF
Applications will be reviewed beginning September 2nd. 

The need to address the insufficient condition of the current DPW building has been well documented. The existing facility was originally built as a trolley barn around 1915 with few significant improvements or modernizations since DPW began operating there in the 1940s. This small, outdated building presents many functionality and safety concerns for the town’s staff who maintain the water, sewer, parks, trees, highways, and sidewalks. 

Town Manager Paul Bockelman said, “Our current public works facility is well beyond its useful life and no longer meets the demands of our growing community. Investing in a new, modern facility is essential to ensure our Public Works Department can effectively serve the needs of our hard-working staff and residents today and into the future.” 

The DPWBC will 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 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 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 seven (7) voting members including the Town Manager or designee, Superintendent of Public Works or designee, Finance Director, one Town Councilor, and three (3) residents appointed by the Town Manager. Resident members should have expertise in architecture, civil engineering, construction or facilities management, planning, energy efficient public architecture, facilities or public works functions, and/or finance. 

Committee service will be for the length of the planning and building process, estimated to be five to seven years. Throughout this time, the committee will submit quarterly updates to the Town Manager and Town Council. 

For more information about the Department of Public Works Building Committee and how to get involved, please visit www.amherstma.gov/3872/DPW-Building-Committee

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.