CPA Projects Database

There are ongoing problems with climate control in the three-room Special Collections section of the library. This project would appropriate $10,000 for a study of the HVAC needs of the Special Collections section alone, for development of bid specifications for an appropriate new climate control system for that section, and possibly for interim measures to allow for improved climate control prior to installation of a new system. Amherst invested in the conservation of historic documents housed at Special Collections for four (4) years. Making sure that the climate controls that protect those documents are working properly is an obvious and necessary investment.

Pioneer Valley Habitat is requesting Community Preservation Act Funds to purchase construction materials needed to build the third home at the Stanley Street Amherst site. Community Preservation Act Funds are a very important element in the funding for Habitat homes. The cost of construction for the first home at this site was $125,000. Habitat raises the funds to build the homes as they are building. They sell the homes to the family for the cost of construction and provide a 20-30 year 0% mortgage. All mortgage payments are used by Habitat to help build more homes. An allocation to Habitat is not a onetime donation – it is a long-term investment that is continuously reinvested in meeting the housing needs of very low income families

This project being undertaken in completion of the Preservation Plan involves the disassembly and reconstruction of the large cut stone slabs, columns, and pillars that constitute the south face of the 1855 Town Tomb, including the removal of the existing foundation and construction of a new foundation. A representative of Dorsey Memorials in Amherst who examined the stone wall facing of the tomb indicated that the stone panels are leaning and are in danger of coming down on their own. Funds previously appropriated for an engineering study of the tomb would be employed to examine the foundation and associated engineering issues. This restoration work would need to be done in concert with the replacement of the tomb door and should be accompanied by the associated landscape restoration.

This badly-deteriorated iron fence around the Cutler plot has fallen and many parts are missing. $10,000 will pay for: 1) research and design to determine extent and dimensions of a restored fence enclosure, and; 2) creation of patterns and casts from surviving posts, finials, balustrades, and top and bottom rails.

This request would pay for restoring the historic, multi-color exterior paint scheme, as well as some minor repairs and insulation work.

- Pioneer Valley Habitat is requesting Community Preservation Act Funds to purchase construction materials needed to build the fourth home at the Stanley Street Amherst site. The $50,000 in CPA funds will be used to purchase construction materials and services, and to cover the cost of Photovoltaic System which was previously funded with grant funds from Mass Technology Collaborative. Community Preservation Act Funds are a very important element in the funding for Habitat homes. The cash cost for construction is approximately $125,000. Habitat raises the funds to build the homes as they are building. They sell the homes to the family for the cost of construction and provide a 20-30 year 0% mortgage. All mortgage payments are used by Habitat to help build more homes. An allocation to Habitat is not a onetime donation – it is a long-term investment that is continuously reinvested in meeting the housing needs of very low income families who then pay property tax to the Town on these homes.

– The Amherst Historical Society and Museum is requesting funds for three improvement projects on the Strong House; repairs to the slate roof on the west back ell, electrical updates and rewiring, and window frame repair and UV protection. The Strong House, built by Nehemiah Strong in the 1750’s was given to the Amherst Historical Society in 1903, and is home to the Amherst History Museum. The Society is responsible for the preservation of the Strong House and the safety of thousands of artifacts that reflect Amherst’s rich cultural past.

The Town has a long history of working to preserve forest and farm land along the Cushman Brook and Mill Rivers in N. Amherst. The Szwacz property contains significant river frontage and offers a unique opportunity to preserve water quality and wildlife habitat in the Mill River watershed. This parcel is part of a much larger block of land already protected by APR’s. The Town has appraised the property and is working with a willing seller

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.

Currently, the Historical Society is housed in the Strong House, which is not insulated or equipped with climate control to preserve the 1,500 plus artifacts stored onsite, and does not have the structural integrity to allow visitors on the second floor (only one or two staff people are allowed in the same room due to inadequate structural loading of the house).
The project is the first step necessary to preserve and possibly expand the Society’s collection. The study is to determine:

• The structural integrity of the Strong house, as well as its ability to withstand the impacts of any improvements—a rear addition, foundation work, etc.
• The size, configuration and cost of a climate-controlled storage facility for the collection.
• Construction cost estimates, including the ability of the Historical Society to fundraise.

– 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.

– Creation of an electronic database is an integral step in the preservation of the Town’s history, allowing the Society to properly catalogue each artifact, assess its condition, and determine the best method for storage and restoration. This project builds on the study by Marianne Curling, Consulting Curator, which was supported in part by previously awarded CPA funds.

The collection, consisting of over 5,000 historic objects, is currently exhibited and stored in some 15 rooms in the Simeon Strong House, with another portion, mostly papers, photographs and paintings, held securely at the Jones Library. Unfortunately no complete list enumerating each acquisition was ever maintained—there are numerous sets of records that partially inventory the collection. However, they are in a number of formats, both paper and electronic, and cannot be easily compared or checked by location. The master database created under CPA funding will include basic descriptions, accession numbers, location, digital images tied to unique document numbers, and other data, such as the object provenance including the donor name and date of acquisition. Creating a searchable electronic data base will also provide the Society and the community with an essential tool for years hereafter. A searchable index will also simplify curating future exhibits and improve the educational efforts of the Society.

It is important to properly archive and preserve the recordings of public meetings, events, and Town Meetings, and then make them available to the public for free via the internet. Amherst Media has been working with a professional consultant to develop assessments and priorities, and it is clear that many of the recordings are deteriorating.

Falling slate has damaged the rubber membrane roof around the glass atrium, as well as causing leaks into the building. These funds will pay for replacement of slates and replacement of the copper valley. These repairs will help preserve the Jones Library building, exterior and interior, as well as protect its contents. Work will be completed summer/fall of 2013

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 replace fencing around the pool, repair a water line, add shade structures and update lifeguard chairs.

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

332 West Street Barn Restoration, $75,000 (CPAC Vote: 9-0) – The Amherst Historical Commission, on behalf of the property owners, requests funds for the preservation and stabilization—new roof, replacement of siding, doors and windows, and structural improvements—of the barn located at 332 West Street. It was originally built as a tobacco barn in the 1900’s and was then converted to a dairy barn, with the addition of a milking shed on the south, a hay loft and track inside the barn, and the silo. As one of the few original barns remaining along Route 116 in South Amherst, the barn’s prominent and highly visible location has made it a landmark and an integral component of the community’s landscape. The Amherst Master Plan and Historic Preservation Plan emphasize the importance of the community’ agricultural past that is embodied in the landscape and extant structures such as barns because it helps serve an economic purpose (cultural tourism) and as a physical reminder of the past, it educates the public about Amherst’s agrarian roots. The Historical Commission has determined that the barn is historically significant and it has been identified as a priority to document by a consultant inventorying outbuildings as part of a Planning and Survey grant awarded from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Although it is too early to speculate about possible future programming or uses for the barn, the owners have indicated a willingness to discuss options for storage and events by local farmers and organizations. If preserved, the entire property—barn and house—would be placed under an historic preservation restriction to protect and maintain the structures.

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.