CPA Projects Database

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.

The Town of Amherst is proposing to use CPA funds for the Enos Cook Memorial Fountain in Sweetser Park. This fountain was designed by the Olmstead Brothers and constructed in 1910. A consultant with experience in construction and repair of stone fountains and memorials would be hired to: 1) Perform an assessment and engineering study of the Enos Cook Memorial Fountain in Sweetser Park, 2) Prepare a scope of work and bid specifications for restoration of the Fountain, and 3) Design and construct a cover to preserve and protect the Fountain during the winter. An inspection of the Fountain has found increasing deterioration of the upper stone bowl, deterioration of the piping in the Fountain, and caulking and mortar issues in many of the stones.

The First Congregational Church at 165 Main Street is one of the oldest structures in the Dickinson Local Historic District and is closely associated with the family and legacy of Emily Dickinson. The building is a major presence in the historic environs of the Dickinson Homestead and Evergreens. The greatest risk to preserving this historic structure used by church members and the public is fire, as there is at present no automatic fire sprinkler system. As the main building is timber-framed and lacks fire walls, any fire would spread rapidly, be difficult to fight, and would likely cause irrevocable damage leading to demolition. This is a part of a larger renovation project including an elevator, electrical and restroom upgrades. The church is used by the public for a preschool, meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and Not Bread Alone food program.

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)

Request for CPA funds for improvements to help modernize Groff Park and make it more user friendly. Town staff worked with Berkshire Design Group to develop preliminary cost estimates to construct a new splash park, playground and pavilion at Groff Park and complete capital improvements to the existing pavilion. The project cost for the modernization project-spray park, playground and pavilion- is approximately $1m. At this time, the priority is to remove the wading pool and replace it with a spray park, add an accessible pathway to this amenity and make improvements to the existing pavilion with a new roof and structural supports. The Town is applying for CPA funds for design of the modernization project, construction of the spray park and associated amenities and a PARC Grant will be submitted in July 2016 to implement the new playground and pavilion. The Town’s DPW will provide in-kind contribution of labor and water and electrical work and will help oversee the project. The CPA request is necessary to complete the update of the spray park whether or not the Town receives a PARC Grant because the wading pool is failing.

This proposal seeks funds to hire Lynne Bassett, a nationally recognized independent curator and textile specialist, to review the objects in the collection and provide additional information for the inventory. As the ongoing, previously funded, inventory and storage projects commenced, it became clear that the costume collection needed specialized attention. Lynne Bassett will provide a collection analysis, basic review of approx. 500 pieces, prepare a detailed report for the twenty most significant items and provide a storage plan and collection summary. The collection includes nineteenth- and twentieth-century military uniforms, costumes for dolls, dresses, and baby bonnets.

This proposal seeks funds to complete a historic structures report for the Jones Library building. It will serve several important purposes: Provide a fundamental and comprehensive assessment of the library building and its history that is currently lacking. Help to inform and guide final designs of the Jones Library expansion plans, by providing an objective framework of professionally-developed information about the building’s historic fabric. Document the extent and nature of changes that the library building has undergone since its opening in 1928.

This proposal seeks funds to complete a full repair and historical restoration of the steeple, including straightening the lean. In August 2014 the steeple was struck by lightning causing significant damage to its exterior. The building that houses the Jewish Community of Amherst (JCA) was purchased from the Second Congregational Church in 1976. Their Greek-Revival style second meeting house, now the JCA sanctuary was completed in 1839. This restoration respects and enhances the value of the steeple as a basic element of the visual icon that the building has been for almost two centuries

This proposal seeks funds to help with the historic rehabilitation of the North Common to provide the community with a more flexible, programmable space that continues to respect the historic integrity of a landscape that is central to the civic and social activity of Amherst’s downtown. The Town is seeking to fund the complete restoration as one construction project for efficiency and cost reasons.

This proposal seeks funding for the development of a strategic master plan focusing on Community Field and the Regional Schools (High School and Middle School) in the Town Center. Funding would be used for architectural and engineering services to conduct existing conditions evaluations, program demand assessment and development of a strategic plan with associated designs and cost estimates. The Amherst Regional Schools have already budgeted $30,000 in addition to the $50,000 CPA funding.

This proposal seeks funds to preserve approx. 3 acres on the south side of Russellville Road along the Amherst/Hadley line for agricultural purposes. Due to its small size, the parcel can’t be protected through an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) or Chapter 61. Much of the surrounding land has been protected through these programs, and purchase of this parcel is an opportunity to increase the contiguous block of preserved farmland. In addition to its value as farmland, other natural resources found on the site include a vernal pool, land mapped for endangered species (Eastern Spadefoot Toad) and location over a medium yield aquifer.

This proposal seeks funds to be transferred to the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (AMAHT) to support development of affordable housing. Transferring the funds requested into the Trust will allow the AMAHT to move quickly to support projects without holding up development plans for the CPA funding cycle.

This proposal seeks funds to provide three housing vouchers to chronically homeless Amherst residents over a three year period. The Housing Stabilization Program is designed for Amherst residents who have been chronically homeless for at least a year and have serious disabling conditions such that supportive housing services are required in order for them to remain housed. The goal of the program is for self-sufficiency.

This proposal seeks funds to replace the boiler at the Simeon Strong House. The house is currently heated by two different systems, one estimated to be over 70 years old. These funds would replace both systems and convert one of them to oil as well.

This proposal seeks funds for required appraisals, surveys and related studies and can often mean the difference between a land preservation project moving forward or not. Currently, the Conservation Dept. budget does not include funds for appraisals or any of the other due diligence costs. This funding is critical to get projects started and establish value.

This proposal seeks funds to preserve and rehabilitate the historic Ingram/Dickinson farmhouse at 1089 North Pleasant Street. The funding will be directed to the exterior repair and restoration of the historic farmhouse, erected circa 1833.

This proposal seeks funds to resurface and refurbish the basketball courts at Mill River Recreation Area. The two courts are in extremely poor condition. The surface needs to be replaced, treated and sealed. Courts need to be relined and painted. Hoops structures are unstable and need to be removed, stabilized and reset in their foundations. All 4 backboards need to be replaced and finally, two new 8’ hoops will be installed to encourage more children and youth to utilize the facility. The improvements are part of an ongoing effort to modernize Mill River Recreation Area. Last year a $50,000 appropriation was given but will not be sufficient as it was discovered the entire subsurface will need to be replaced in order to complete the job properly and make the courts last.

seeks $400,000 to invest in the East Street School project for various potential development costs. The Committee voted to approve $200,000 in support of the project, but not the full amount due to the project being in very early stages and its exact needs being unclear

this proposal seeks to create a rental subsidy program for individuals in Amherst who experience housing insecurity. The program will provide six rental subsidies, each worth up to $400 per month, to help pay for rent. Housing is to be in Amherst, on a bus route, and in a village center. ACC will provide case management to assist beneficiaries in obtaining permanent affordable housing, increasing income, and addressing housing obstacles.

seeks to restore fifty to sixty badly damaged headstones in the 1870 section of the West Cemetery. This would involve repairing, resetting, and conserving broken or damaged headstones, resetting tilted headstones, and cleaning and conservation to protect vulnerable headstones. This section includes a wide range of past community residents, including William Smith Clark, civic leaders, merchants, industrialists, African-American families, early Irish Catholic residents, and others.