CPA Projects Database

seeks to maintain Town Conservation land by building bridges, boardwalks, kiosks, signs, parking areas, accessible trails and gates. This funding would only be used on land purchased using CPA monies: Epstein property, Muddy Brook, Wentworth Farm (southern portion), Stowes Stosz property, and Fort River Farm. The original proposal requested $50,000, however do to an abundance of needs this year, the Committee voted to appropriate only $10,000.

seeks to complete the construction of improvements to Groff Park. Previous CPA appropriations have funded the park design, purchase of playground and splash park equipment, and construction and installation of the park. This final $110,000 will provide a contingency in case of differing site conditions or other cost overruns; the initial contingency is lower than expected due to higher than expected construction bids. Construction at the park has already begun.

seeks to protect approximately 49 acres of land between Market Hill Road and East Leverett Road along Cushman Brook in North Amherst. This property is one of the largest blocks of undeveloped land in Amherst, and is a significant natural resource in the Cushman Brook riparian corridor, and would become part of a continuous, almost two-mile corridor of protected land along Cushman Brook and the Mill River. There is a matching $400,000 LAND grant from the Commonwealth for this acquisitio

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.

This proposal seeks funding to rehabilitate Groff Park with a new spray park, pavilion, playground and accessibility improvements. This funding would be directed toward the playground and pavilion and general amenities. The Town is seeking to fund the complete restoration as one construction project for efficiency and cost reasons. Groff Park is one of the most widely used recreation areas in Town. The park offers formal recreation fields, concession area with bathrooms, hiking trails, open space for passive recreation, wading pool, playground and picnic areas with grills. The park is used year round for organized activities as well as passive recreation. This project will make the spray park, playground and new pavilion fully accessible to serve a diverse population and range of users

This proposal seeks funds for a part-time non-benefited staff person to support the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (AMAHT). This position would help with operations and administrative duties of the Trust as well as work proactively to generate affordable housing projects in accordance with the Trust’s recently completed strategic plan. It would also begin to help the Trust with fundraising efforts and coordinate activities with local agencies.

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 refurbished, 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. In recent years the Town has resurfaced the tennis courts, replaced perimeter fencing, improved the pool areas and resurfaced trails that connect to Puffer’s Pond. Currently the two baseball fields are being improved using CPA funds.

This proposal seeks funds for the replacement of the filter system, pumps and associated plumbing at the pool and wading pool at the Mill River Recreation Area. This equipment is original from the early 1970’s and is failing (at least one sand filter has already failed, resulting in increased maintenance). This equipment is outside the pool and will not impact the pool or deck.

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.

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.

Restoration of Emily Dickinson’s dress and purchase of appropriate storage equipment are necessary steps to preserve Amherst’s history. These steps are the implementation phase of a multi-year effort by the Society to catalogue artifacts and determine priorities for preservation. This phase of implementation also makes it feasible for the Society to remain in the historic Simeon Strong House, a landmark in the downtown that still retains much of its original character. The Commission is fully aware that even after preservation, some of the artifacts will have limited availability for public viewing, but this is standard practice to prevent further deterioration of material.

– 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.

– 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.

To fund an archaeological survey and study to facilitate the planned realignment of Bay Road and West Street, an intersection with centuries of historical significance and the potential site for a regional bike path.

To fund the nomination of Bay Road as a National Historic Register district. This is an ancient way that once served as an east-west Native American trail.

To fund a sign program to provide a plan and some informal signs to help preserve Town and School athletic fields, parks, and adjoining conservation areas

Additional funds for acquisition, engineering, legal, and site development on the Main Street property. Property will be developed into 11 affordable rental units.

To assist in the cost of construction of two duplexes (4 units) of affordable housing

To assist in defraying the costs of carrying two units located at The Brook; a homeowner donated these units to the Amherst Housing Authority. This appropriation will cover ongoing costs (utilities, tax, fees) resulting from ownership of the units until money is assembled to renovate them.

A transfer to the Housing Authority to assist with purchase of Keet House ($85K) in North Amherst which contains 4 affordable expiring use apartments. Also to assist with construction of two affordable duplexes on Tamarack Dr ($45K).