CPA Projects Database

seeks funds to complete an initial historical analysis and space needs study. This will reveal options for stabilization, repair and rehabilitation of the Ingram farmhouse and main barn, located at 1089 North Pleasant Street, owned by the North Amherst Community Farm.

This proposal seeks funds for the restoration of a minimum of 40-60 badly- damaged headstones, out of approximately 264 headstones that need restoration in the 1870 section of the West Cemetery. West Cemetery is Amherst’s oldest and most historic burying ground, having been established in 1730 for the British colonial settlers of the East District of the settlement of Hadley.

The Town would like to assist in the preservation of approximately 62.62+/- acres of land for farming at 908 South East Street. The property owner has filed an application with the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program administered by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). The APR Program pays farmland owners to put deed restrictions on farmland that prohibit any use of the land that will negatively impact its agricultural viability. The APR Program requires local funding be provided as a match to State funding. The State has indicated they will fund $616,500 towards the preservation of this land and the local match is $68,500. This land is important for preservation as valuable farmland and includes many other natural and community resources including Hop Brook, vicinity to the Norwottuck Rail Trail, land mapped for endangered species, wetlands and areas protected as a medium yield aquifer.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity (PVHH) is working in partnership with the Amherst Community Land Trust (ACLT) to build an affordable duplex on land formerly owned by North Amherst Community Farm (NACF). ACLT acquired the building lot from NACF with CPA funds and has selected PVHH as the developer to build two affordable home ownership units at the site.

This proposal seeks funding for a consultant to help complete required documentation and research that is involved in establishing a Local Historic District (LHD). Establishing a LHD is a long and involved process, requiring comprehensive study report and the approval of the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), the Select Board, a majority vote at Town Meeting and the State Attorney General. The consultant will help complete inventory forms and photographs for nearly 200 properties, the study report to the MHC and other tasks

Funding requested for three projects: 1) Carpentry and related essential repairs to envelope of building: $ 20,000 2) Dendrochronological investigation (or tree-ring dating) of building to determine age and construction history: $ 4,500 3) Title research, securing relief from testamentary restrictions via Massachusetts Historical Society, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Division of Charities: $18,000. Town Counsel advised the CPA Committee that CPA funds may not be used for the legal services. (original request $42,500, reduced by CPA Committee to fund first 2 projects only)

The Amherst Historical Society requests $25,000 to paint the Simeon Strong House. It was partially painted in 2010 with the majority of the work done by a University of Massachusetts fraternity. The job was not completed and the level of paint application varied leaving us with a building substantially in need of professional painting. We have areas of paint failure and areas not painted in more than 20 years. We need to stop the deterioration of the underlying wood substrates and improve the overall appearance by using the paint to better define the architectural features. It is our goal to bring the Simeon Strong House into excellent repair and then to maintain it on a regular schedule. Painting the entire building will allow us to begin regular maintenance. All work will comply with the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.

Support for reconstruction and improvements to the Mill River baseball fields. The improvements include: ‱ Excavation and Reconstruction of Baseball Infields with engineered soils: $75,651 ‱ Installation of Water Service: $10,000 ‱ Construction of Dugouts: $32,000 ‱ Removal and Replacement of Batting Cages: $7,000 ‱ Installation of Electric Service: $2,000 ‱ Replacement of Fence Protectors: $700 Constructed in 1974, the Mill River baseball fields are at the center of Amherst’s most vibrant and heavily used town recreation area. To our knowledge, the Mill River baseball fields have never undergone any refurbishment since original construction. With its newly refreshed swimming deck, refreshed basketball and tennis courts and modern playground, the Mill River Recreation Area provides a vital facility for youth and adult recreationists. The twin baseball fields at Mill River are the town’s primary facility for youth baseball.

The Amherst Community Land Trust seeks to acquire a 0.74 acre undeveloped lot on North Pleasant Street in North Amherst (parcel 5C-28) in order to make that parcel available for the development of an affordable duplex for two low-income families. ACLT is a nonprofit charitable organization founded to address the shortage of affordable housing in Amherst and to strengthen neighborhoods threatened by high prices and absentee ownership. By acquiring this property, ACLT aims to increase the affordable housing stock in Amherst while promoting home ownership and long-term stewardship of housing resources in town. The ACLT lowered the amount requested to $95,000 after securing a grant from the Interfaith Housing, Inc. ACLT currently has a memorandum of Understanding with Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity to create two affordable units on the property. The purchase of this parcel will also help another non-profit organization, North Amherst Community Farm, who will use the proceeds toward their mortgage and other expenses.

Saul Property, $41,785 (Borrowing Authorization) (CPAC Vote 9-0) – The so called Saul property is located in the East Amherst Village Center in close proximity to the Fort River Elementary School, densely populated neighborhoods, and near public transportation. This land has been a high priority for preservation for many years and its acquisition is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan and Open Space and Recreation Plan. First and foremost this is a land conservation project that the Conservation Commission and Department have been working on for months. The 19-acres represent critical habitat for rare and endangered species and includes more than 1000 feet of frontage along the Fort River. A significant component of the vision for this property is to integrate natural resource protection with sharing gardens, active agriculture, walking trails and passive recreation—into the village center. This effort has broad community support from the Amherst Agricultural Commission, Grow Food Amherst, the Amherst Survival Center and the Amherst Schools. The project was ranked very highly by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and has received a $105,665 award through the Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) Program.

In the summer of 2012 changes to the Community Preservation Act known as “An Act to Sustain Community Preservation” was signed into law. This amendment allows for a definition of “rehabilitation” that includes “capital improvements” and permits funding for improvements with CPA funds. These funds will install an automatic chlorinator at the Groff Park wading pool to meet Board of Health requirements.

the land from a bank with strong support from the Town, the Department of Conservation, Recreation (DCR), the South Amherst Conservation Association(SACA) and many concerned South Amherst residents. Public and private funding as well as the sale of two house lots will make this important effort possible. Seller: Kestrel Trust

This proposal will create the Amherst Renters Emergency Fund for the preservation and support of community housing by preserving tenancies for Amherst residents who might otherwise be forced to move out of Amherst. Sustaining a diverse population in Amherst is a vital aspect of community preservation. This would be for low/extremely low-income families at risk of homelessness.

–“The Angel of the Lilies” is a historic window created by the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1890, and is an excellent and rare example that combines Tiffany’s landscape and religious work. The figure in Tiffany’s Angel of the Lilies, clothed in drapery glass, stands before lilies and mountains beneath a sunset sky. CPA funds would help with complete restoration of the window, including removal, crating, transportation, 100% restoration, reinstallation and protective glazing. In addition to extensive cleaning of dirt and soot that has accumulated between the layers of glass, the entire window requires re-leading. The lead in the Tiffany window is beyond its useful life and is fatigued and cracked, accelerating deterioration of the fragile window. This window has been the primary feature of the North Pleasant St. side of the Society since 1925 and certainly is one of the historical treasures of Amherst.

– The Dickinson Family plot fence, originally fabricated and installed in the mid-19th Century, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Town. However, the fence has received minimal maintenance and inexpensive short-term repairs throughout its life, resulting in significant structural damage and disrepair. Preservation of the fence would not only help keep one of three extant metal works in the cemetery in place, it would support the cultural and historic tourism of the community. Using CPA funds previously allocated for the restoration of the fence, the Town hired Martha Lyon, Landscape Architect and Preservationist, to draft the bid specifications and provide project oversight. With the specifications in hand the Historical Commission went through the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process last year to restore the Dickinson family fence, however, the received bid amount was significantly more than expected due to the deterioration of the fence. Those responding to the RFP advised that restoration be completed as one project and not done piecemeal to help retain the fence’s historical significance and integrity and longevity of the work. Restoration includes stabilization and reconditioning so that it could stand for another 150 years, and would meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, ensuring that all materials and physical repairs are of the highest quality.

These funds are needed for roof repairs, specifically the replacement of the cedar shingles on the front mansard roof of the Simeon Strong House, the three smaller porch roofs and if the bids allow, the metal side roof. The gutter below the mansard roof needs to be replaced so that water can run off the building properly. Restoration of the roof would complete an ongoing project and return the roof to a more historically accurate and appropriate design and material. These roof repairs follow up on roof repairs at the rear of the Simeon Strong House which were completed in 2011. Using previous CPA funding of $45,000, the rear mansard shingles were replaced and the west wing was re-roofed, which entailed carpentry work on the mansard slope and around a chimney, plus replacement of gutters. The Simeon Strong House was built in the 1750s and has served as the home of the Amherst Historical Society since 1916. It functions as a museum, preserving and displaying artifacts from the long history of the Town of Amherst. The roof repairs were recommended in a 2002 engineering survey of the house. The shingles are very old. Some have suffered impact damage from branches falling from the adjacent giant sycamore tree, which is over 250 years old. Many of the shingles are warped and past the end of their useful life. Green mold or moss is growing vigorously on the shingles over the front entrance of the house. Moss with spore stems is growing on the shingles over the door from the east parlor to the garden. The shingles over the street-side entrance also are weathered, and the metal roof over the adjacent bay is rusted and in need of replacement.

The North Amherst Library is an historic landmark in the village center. The current size and limited parking of the library restricts its ability to expand without incurring great costs. However, because of these site constraints, the structure retains its century-plus old character. The brick foundation is bulging and pulling away from the interior walls. Although presently there is no visible structural damage, the foundation needs to be restored before the structure’s integrity is compromised. As in all cases of private uses of CPA funds, an historic preservation restriction on this building and property will need to be transferred to the Town.

The Special Collections at the Jones Library is familiar with the preservation and conservation of historic items, including newspapers, and Civil War documents. Conservation of the paintings is akin to these conservation efforts. Staff at Special Collections has identified these six paintings as their highest priority for conservation, including five of the paintings that were donated to the Library in 1926 as part of the Burnett Collection—its first major art donation that started the Fine Arts Collection. Completion of these projects would be at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Funds would not be disbursed until work has been inspected and approved by the Amherst Historical Commission, and a permanent historic preservation restriction transferred from the Library to the Town. As in all cases of private uses of CPA funds, an historic preservation restriction on the paintings will need to be transferred to the Town, which can require that they remain viewable to the public.

Pioneer Valley Habitat is requesting Community Preservation Act Funds for the construction of a home to be built on donated land on Belchertown Road (Map and parcel: 21B-68). The $40,000 in CPA funds will be used to run water/sewer lines to the home, complete the site work, install the foundation, and purchase construction materials

Hope Community Church intends to restore the structure as part of its nomination for landmark status. Phase I includes roof and foundation work to stabilize the structure, preventing further damage and sealing the structure from the climate. The church remains essentially untouched since it was constructed in 1912—meaning that although much of the character and charm of the original structure is intact, it is in serious need of restoration to prevent walls from buckling, the roof from collapsing, and other catastrophic structural failures. Historically, the Hope Community Church, and the AME Zion Church, was the only places in town where colored persons could worship. Today, the Church is open to the entire community, and also serves as a cultural centerpiece in the Prospect-Gaylord National Historic Register District. The Church is a contributing structure in the district based on its general history and distinctive architectural style: shingled building in Craftsman style. Historic figures associated with the Church include W.E.B. Dubois, who was instrumental in helping to raise funds for its beginning in 1912, and civil rights leader Mary Jane McLeod Bethune who was present at the Church’s dedication. As in all cases of private uses of CPA funds, an historic preservation restriction on this building and property will need to be transferred to the Town

The Amherst Historical Commission determined the house and large barn to be (historically) significant structures according to Section 13 of the Zoning Bylaw, and therefore issued a 12-month delay on any demolition of the structures. Conducting the analysis and structural study of only the house and large barn will help determine their future, whether they can be renovated into affordable housing, or if existing historic structural timbers could be adaptively reused in new construction.. The comparative analysis provided by the study is a necessary first step to determine how affordable housing will be constructed on site. The analysis is typical with such projects and can be completed in a reasonable timeframe. The cost of this proposal will be allocated 50% for Historical purpose and 50% for Affordable Housing purposes.

The CPAC believes that the acquisition of this 6+ acre former farm property is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand and enhance needed public facilities, whether for open space and recreation or community housing (potential reuse of the existing house on the property). The Hawthorne property is adjacent to the Amherst Community Child Care Center, Wildwood Elementary School, the Regional Middle School, and associated recreation fields. The property is located in a central downtown Amherst neighborhood, within walking distance of thousands of residents. Existing parking for the schools could serve any future uses on this property.

The Amherst Housing Authority proposes to use CPA funds to preserve and to rehabilitate or repair and update 22 units of state funded (Chapter 705) scattered site family public housing. There have not been any capital improvements made to the properties or the units since initial occupancy approximately 20 years ago. The AHA has been notified by the DHCD (Department of Housing and Community Development) that they will provide a match on a dollar for dollar basis to the Town’s CPA funds. This will provide $700,000 for this project. The Town also intends to apply to the Community Development Block Grant program for funds for this project that will also provide an additional match on a dollar for dollar basis from the DHCD.

For years, there have been ongoing problems with climate control in the Special Collections section of the library, endangering the historical documents and materials stored there. In FY10, Town Meeting appropriated $10,000 for a study of the HVAC needs of Special Collections alone, development of bid specifications for a new climate control system, and possibly for interim measures (window AC units) to allow for improved climate control prior to installation of a new system. This $75,000 request would pay for new digital controls just for Special Collections, and represents one component of a consultant’s recommendations regarding the library’s overall HVAC and energy needs. These controls would be selected to be compatible with future improvements in the rest of the HVAC system, but would make controlling of humidity and temperature climate control in Special Collections the first priority in the larger project. For five years, the Town has invested in the conservation of historic documents housed at Special Collections. Making sure that the climate controls which protect those documents are working properly is an obvious and necessary investment.