Annual Town Report FY 2003

Home , Jim Rappaport, Judy Collins, Mabel Loomis Todd, Stan Rosenberg

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Amherst Facts...... 3 Appointed Municipal Employees ...... 5 Aquifer Protection Committee...... 21 Assessor's Office ...... 22 Cherry Hill Advisory Committee ...... 26 Children's Services...... 27 Committees and Boards ...... 9 Committee Recognition ...... 14 Community Preservation Act Committee ...... 30 Comprehensive Planning Committee ...... 32 Conservation Commission/Conservation Department...... 34 Council on Aging/Senior Center...... 36 Cultural Council ...... 39 Departmental Email Addresses...... 2 Departments and Services...... 1 Design Review Board ...... 41 Disability Access Advisory Committee ...... 43 Finance Committee ...... 44 Fire Department...... 46 Health Department ...... 57 Historical Commission...... 65 Housing Authority...... 68 Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee ...... 75 Human Rights Commission...... 77 Human Services Funding Committee...... 28 Information Technology ...... 79 Inspection Services...... 81 Jones Library ...... 90 Kanegasaki Sister City Committee...... 94 Leisure Services and Supplemental Education ...... 95 Organization Chart ...... 4 Parking Commission ...... 100 Planning Board/Planning Department...... 102 Police Department...... 108 Public Art Commission...... 120 Public Shade Tree Committee (FY 02) ...... 121 Public Share Tree Committee (FY 03)...... 122 Public Transportation and Bicycle Committee ...... 123 Public Works Department...... 127 Select Board ...... 15 Amherst Elementary Schools...... 144 Amherst-Pelham Regional School District ...... 147 Town Accountant ...... 161 Town Clerk...... 177 Town/Commercial Relations Committee...... 152 Town Manager ...... 19 Town Meetings and Elections...... 181 Treasurer/Collector...... 155 Veterans' Services ...... 158 Zoning Board of Appeals...... 159

At Your Service

TOWN OF AMHERST DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES

In Case of Emergency CALL 911 for Fire, Police, or Ambulance

Accounting 256-4026 Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming Pools 256-4065 Aging Services 256-4057 Planning Department, Planning Board 256-4040 Ambulance-Emergencies Only 911 Police Department: 256-4011 Animal Welfare Officer 256-2554 Chief of Police 256-4016 Assessments 256-4024 Detective Bureau 256-4015 Building Permits, Inspections 256-4030 Records Bureau 256-4016 Cherry Hill Golf Course 256-4071/256-4072 Rape Hotline 256-4011 Children's Services Department 256-4074 Public Works Department 256-4050 Conservation Services 256-4045 Recreation Department 256-4065 Council on Aging, Senior Center 256-4057 Recycling 256-4050 Design Review Board 256-4040 Redevelopment Authority 256-4040 Engineering 256-4050 Refuse Collection 256-4050 Finance Director 256-4022 Schools: Fire Department--To Report a Fire 911 Administration 362-1810 For Other Business 256-4080 Crocker Farm 362-1600 General Information 256-4004 Fort River 253-9731 Health Board, Health Department 256-4077 Mark's Meadow 549-1507 Highways, Water, Sewer, Trees 256-4050 Wildwood 549-6300 Housing Authority 256-0206/ 256-8128 Regional High School 362-1706 Housing Planner 256-4040 Regional Middle School 362-1850 Human Resources 256-4009 Select Board 256-4001 Human Rights 256-4079 Town Clerk 256-4035 Information Technology 256-4098 Town Manager 256-4004 Leisure Services 256-4065 Treasurer/Collector 256-4020 Libraries : Hours and events 256-4094 Veteran’s Services 256-4028 Jones Library 256-4090 Vital Statistics and Records 256-4035 Munson Library 256-4095 Voting, Registration 256-4035 North Amherst Library 256-4099 Wastewater Treatment Plant 256-4050 English as a Second 256-8037 Weights and Measures 256-4030 Language Wiring Permits 256-4030 Licenses 256-4035 Zoning Permits 256-4040 Maintenance 256-4089

1 DEPARTMENTAL EMAIL ADDRESSES

Name Email Addresses

Accounting [email protected] Assessors Office [email protected] Children’s Services [email protected] Collector/Treasurer [email protected] Council on Aging/Senior Center [email protected] Conservation [email protected] Fire Department [email protected] Health Department [email protected] Human Resource [email protected] Human Rights [email protected] Information Technology [email protected] Inspection Services [email protected] Leisure Services [email protected] Maintenance [email protected] Parking [email protected] Planning [email protected] Police [email protected] Public Works [email protected] Select Board [email protected] Town Clerk [email protected] Town Manager [email protected] Veterans’ Services [email protected]

AMHERST FACTS

U.S. SENATOR U.S. SENATOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE Edward M. Kennedy John Kerry John W. Olver (1st District) 362 Russell Building 315 Russell Building 2300 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510

STATE SENATOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE Stanley C. Rosenberg Ellen Story (Hampshire and Franklin District) (3rd Hampshire District) Room 320, State House Room 167, State House Boston, MA 02133 Boston, MA 02133

TAX RATE Area $17.11/$1,000.00 27.79 square miles

ELEVATION – 313 feet above sea level at Town Hall

LOCATION ROAD MILEAGE Geodetic position of Town Hall: (not including state highways Latitude – 42 degrees 22'00" 105.56 Miles Longitude – 72 degrees 30'30"

POPULATION – 34,874 (source: 2000 Federal Census)

TOWN OF AMHERST ELECTED AND APPOINTED BOARDS, ORGANIZATION CHART (1/04) Staff COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

VOTERS

elect

MODERATOR TOWN HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT SELECT BOARD SCHOOL TRUSTEES OF THE ELECTOR FOR THE MEETING AUTHORITY AUTHORITY COMMITTEE TOWN LIBRARY OLIVER SMITH WILL appoint appoint appoint appoint appoint

FINANCE Executive Town Manager Superintendent of Library Director COMMITTEE Director and Staff and Staff Schools and Staff and Staff

appoint HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSING TOWN/COMMERCIAL REGISTRARS ZONING BOARD DESIGN REVIEW COMMUNITY PRES. ACT PERSONNEL COMMISSION PARTNERSHIP RELATIONS COMM. OF VOTERS OF APPEALS BOARD COMM. BOARD

BOARD OF CONSERVATION HISTORICAL PLANNING PUB. TRANSP. BOARD OF SOLID WASTE COUNCIL ON LSSE DISABLED ACCESS ASSESSORS COMMISSION COMMISSION BOARD COMMITTEE HEALTH COMMITTEE AGING COMM. ADVISORY COMM.

Director of Administration and Finance

Principal Collector\Treasure Comptroller Town Clerk Human Public Health Council on LSSE Children’s/Human Veterans’ Assessor and r and and and Staff Resources Dir. Dir. and Dept. Aging Staff Director and Services Coor. Agent Assessing Collections Dept. Account. Dept. and Dept. Dt Dept.

Fire Chief and Police Chief and Superintendent and Fire Department Police Department Dept. of Public Works

Conservation Director Planning Director Building Commissioner and and Department and Department Inspections Services Dept. Maintenance Director Human Rights Director and Staff

KEY: + Retired *** Leave of Absence ++ Laid Off @ Transferred * Resigned @@ Position Eliminated ** Deceased APPOINTED MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

SELECT BOARD TOWN CLERK Weston, Gail Administrative Assistant *Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk Maciaszek, Anna M. Acting Town Clerk Chamberlain, Dianne Customer Service Assistant TOWN MANAGER Olanyk, Patricia J. Customer Service Assistant Barry L. Del Castilho Town Manager Karpinski, Joyce Assistant to the Town Manager Lass, Elizabeth Administrative Assistant PUBLIC SAFETY

FIRE DEPARTMENT FINANCE DEPARTMENT Keith E. Hoyle Chief Nancy Maglione Director Administration & Finance West-Davis, Vera Secretary II

Assistant Chiefs ACCOUNTING Stromgren, Lindsay E. Zlogar, Michael V. Sonia R. Aldrich Town Accountant Rogala, Maria Asst. to the Accountant Captains Briere, Roland D. Childs, Gary A. Customer Service Assistant II Johnson, James B. Masloski, Timothy S. Fleurent, Theresa M. Koscinski, Kim . McKay, Donald R. Miner, David P *Marcoux-Lavigne, Louise Olmstead, Jeffrey D. Sterling, Brian C.

Firefighters TREASURER/COLLECTOR Adair, Robert W. Jr. Bascomb, Christopher Norma Lynch Treasurer/Collector Bennett, David Clooney, David Boucher, Cheryl A. Asst. Treasurer/Collector Cowles, Robert B. Cox, Wardwell Bowser, Holly Collections Supervisor Delude, Chad Dion, David J. Doherty, Charles Donahue, Derrick Customer Service Assistants Dunn, William T. *Ede, Claire S. Cary, Cynthia @Chamberlain, Dianne Gianetti, Lee P. Gillispie, George @Koscinski, Kim Loven, Jennifer Hannum, John S. Ingram, John S. Masloski, Susan Moran, Thomas Kennedy, John P. Klaus, William B. Jr. Pollard, Kathleen M. Ricker, Melissa +Mard, Veronica Martell, David Masloski, Christopher Olmstead, Heidi Roe, Sarah M. Roy, Michael ASSESSORS Ryczek, Ronald E. Sell, Jennifer David Burgess Principal Assessor Shanley, Joshua Snowden, James Tebo, Lawrence Theilman, Paul Administrative Assistants Bouthilette, Theresa Turati, Lori CALL FORCE Mientka, Edward Deputy Chief

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES Captains Kristopher Pacunas Director Gladu, Kevin Mears, Richard Soucie, David Network Administrator *Frazer, Joanne Data Analyst Lieutenants Racca, Maria R. Financial Analyst Hawkins, Michael Lindberg, Kristen A. Dudkiewicz, Richard Network Systems Specialist Merritt, Nathan A.

Firefighters HUMAN RESOURCES Antik, Hadley Arbour, Bruce T. Kay Zlogar Director Cummings, Mary E. Gladu, Daniel @@ Pollard, Kathleen M. Customer Service Assistant II Holt Hawthorne, Brian *Lafond, Lynsea Lane, Amy Liberatore, Marc Looze, Bryan D. *Melanson, Nathan HUMAN RIGHTS Parker, Ned Patteson, David Eunice Torres Director *Pomerantz, David Prather, Christopher *Thornton, Jan Webster, William B Willey, Ryan Wojtowicz, Nicholas P.

5 POLICE DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE/CUSTODIAL STAFF Charles L. Scherpa Chief Markert, Edward R, Jr. Director ***Grimm, Gretchen Administrative Assistant Osborne, Gail P. Administrative Assistant Building Supervisors Dean, Samuel L. Information Specialist Fuller, Richard A. Lemek, Raymond Jolie, Joy Records Clerk Mosakewicz, James K.

Captains Building Assistants Kent, Michael R. *Roy, Jeffrey J. *Aldrich, Michael Chalmers, Thomas P. Sullivan, Timothy M. Jr. Cormier, Debra R. Decker, Mary G. Thun, Robert Lieutenants Livingstone, Scott P. O'Connor, Robert J. Young, Ronald A. PLANNING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

Sergeants CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Gundersen, Jennifer A. Knightly, David R. Peter Westover Director Koski, William J. Menard, William N. Ciccarello, Stephanie Wetlands Technician Millar, Jerry Nelson, Charles H. Ciesla, Tammy Land Management Assistant Pronovost, Christopher G. Sullivan, Michael D. *Booxbaum, Michael Assistant Land Manager Davis, Bridget Secretary II Patrol Officers Arocho, Jesus Bonnayer, Jeannine Chudzik, John M. Damouras, James A. INSPECTION SERVICES Donah, Matthew Epiceno, Sabino S. Weeks, Bonita Building Commissioner Foster, David W. Geary, Douglas J. Lynch, Lorraine Administrative Assistant Guzik, Gary W. +Hobart, A. James Choiniere, Paul E. Wire Inspector Jackson, Glenn M. Johnson, Brian French, Andrew K. Plumbing Inspector Johnson, Janet Johnson, Michael A. Staples, George W. Jr. Gas Inspector Knightly, Christina Lang, Todd S. Laramee, William R. MacLean, Richard Building Inspectors Magarian, Jamie McNeal, Adam R. Laporte, Brien Snow, Mark A. Newcomb, Linda +O'Connor, Thomas J. Osowski, Jill Pinkham, David L. PLANNING DEPARTMENT Reardon, Jamie P. Rhoades, David A. Robert Mitchell Director Rivera, Carlos Scott, Michael Krzanowski, Susan T. Management Assistant I Seymour, Brandon M. Thurston, Scott C. Ting, Gabriel Tivnan, Jared R. Senior Planners *Walsh, Cindy *Westerling, Stephen *Kruger, Connie Tucker, Jonathan Wise, Gregory D. Associate Planners Special Police Officers Brestrup, Christine M. la Cour, Niels Dzwonkowski, Mitchell Gedmin, John P. Thayer, Donald E. Wysocki, Walter J. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS *Faye, Lynda Program Assistant ANIMAL WELFARE Carol Hepburn Animal Welfare Officer HUMAN SERVICES

COMMUNICATIONS CENTER COUNCIL ON AGING Rita K. Burke Division Director John Clobridge Director Taylor, Barbara Secretary Vanhoutte, Maureen F. Secretary II Emergency Dispatchers Plante, Maura E. Congregate Housing Coordinator Alvaro, Jessica Cicia, Joshua Curtin, Michael Dodge, Elizabeth Program Directors Guzik, Jennifer Lalumiere, Maurice Pagano, Nancy Slovin, Barbara Misiazek, Ann L. Turcotte, Trudy *Yarde, Marcus Worthley, William B.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT Epi Bodhi Director PARKING ENFORCEMENT Federman, Julie Nurse @@Iris Galarza Parking Supervisor Barnett, Marlene Tobacco Control Srey, Lauren Outreach Worker Enforcement Officers Zarozinski, David Sanitarian *Collamore, Matthew Hrasna, Malissa Dion, Thomas H. Health Inspector *Miller, Kelly Wheeler, Willie J. Secretary II Erman, Karen Kydd, Kelli

6 CHILDREN'S SERVICES PUBLIC WORKS Roy Rosenblatt Director ADMINISTRATION Guilford B. Mooring, II Superintendent of Public Works VETERANS' SERVICES Pariseau, Robert Water Resources Director Roderick Raubeson Veterans' Agent & Skeels, Jason Town Engineer Graves Officer Dethier, Paul G. Jr. Civil Engineer Violette, Kurt R. Crew Supervisor/Asst to Supt. Moore, Michael K. Electrician LEISURE SERVICES & SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION McNamee, Cheryl A. Assistant to the Superintendent Linda L. Chalfant Director Murphy, Nancy M. Secretary II Kushi, Laurel Administrative Assistant

Program Directors EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Bilz, Barbara J. Brandts, John R. Raskevitz, Paul D. Division Supervisor Ezzell, Celinda Stoia, Stephen J. MacDonald, Robert Mechanic Willis, Rodney W. Maintenance Worker Program Assistants Basniak, Anastasia *Bennett, Kimberly HIGHWAY DIVISION Management Assistants Field, John Division Director Cumps, Erika Dumpson, Michael Langevin, Harvey A. Jr. Laborer

Customer Service Assistants Senior Crew Supervisors Desmarais, Patrice Roy, Donna Isabelle, Kenneth Loven, Matthias

Equipment Operators CHERRY HILL GOLF COURSE Boucher, John Drake, Charles III Daniel Engstrom Manager O'Brien, Timothy Stacy, Gary L. Diggins, John II Land Management Assistant Zakaitis, Robert, Sr.

Skilled Laborer/Truck Drivers JONES LIBRARY Banks, Timothy Bardwell, Erik Bonnie Isman Director Longto, Keith *Paniczko, Edward Radosh, Sondra Asst. Director Waterman, Thomas R. Woynar, Mark Kimball, Tevis Curator: Special Collections Girshman, Beth Adult Services Librarian Anaya, Amy Circulation Librarian LANDFILL AND RECYCLING Spiegel, Marjorie N. North Amherst Librarian Holstein, Carolyn Recycling Coordinator Hugus, Susan Munson Memorial Librarian Telega, Steven Facilities Supervisor Platt, Carolyn B. Cataloger Allan, Henry Computer Technician Swift, Tina Management Assistant II PARKS AND COMMONS Weintraub, Lynne ESL Coordinator Orrell, David Division Supervisor Rothberg, Seth Circulation Supervisor Zakaitis, Robert Jr. Maintenance Worker Verts, Catherine Audiovisual Specialist Kosloski, Todd Equipment Operator Boyle, Cathy Special Collections Specialist Bardwell, Jason Laborer *Clifford, Cynthia Cataloging Specialist Imbimbo, John E. Building Maint. Supervisor Holbrook, Laurie Clerk/Receptionist TREE CARE AND PEST CONTROL +Sullivan, Thomas J. Division Supervisor Reference Librarians LaFountain, Daniel Division Supervisor Loomis, Rosemary Peterson, Pauline Mitchell, Stanley Skilled Laborer/Truck Driver

Library Assistants Atteridge, Theresa I. Brinkerhoff, Sylvia WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT & PUMPING STATION Gilfeather, Margot M. Lincoln, Judith Laford, James Division Supervisor Lytle, Ron’na Pyfrom, Joan Felton, Frederick C. Mechanic/Supervisor Stokes, Lace White, Christine H. Dunbar, Linda Lab Technician Knightly, Brian Maintenance Worker Building Maint. Assistants Otero, Miguel A. Power, John Crew Supervisor/Operators *Fuller, Stuart F. Klimczyk, Duane

Mechanics Coombs, Russell Crowley, John L.

Plant Operators Jordan, James Leal, Keith A. Miraglia, Joseph J. Ritter, Harry

7 WATER DIVISION Osborne, Jeffrey C. Division Director Feltovic, Stephen Division Supervisor Luippold, Thomas Treatment Operator II Clark, Henry D. Meter Reader

Maintenance Workers Bowser, Jeffrey Hagar, Darryl

Treatment Operators Call, Stephen Orrell, Robert J. Szwed, Michael

Skilled Laborer/Truck Driver Bartus, Kenneth Joyce, Greggory

Denotes recognition of 10 years of service. Denotes recognition of 15 years of service. Denotes recognition of 20 years of service. Denotes recognition of 25 years of service. Denotes recognition of 30 years of service. Denotes recognition of 35 years of service.

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS Fiscal Year 2003

KEY: SB = Select Board Appointment G-A = Governor Appointee TM = Town Manager Appointment LE = Left Employment M = Moderator Appointment LOA = Leave of Absence CC = Conservation Commission Appointment R = Resigned ALT = Alternate Ret = Retired C = Chair TC = Term Completion D = Deceased V-C = Vice-Chair

ELECTED OFFICIALS Elected Expires Elected Expires Select Board Amherst School Committee Anne Awad 2000 2006 Alisa Brewer 2002 2005 Eddy Goldberg (R) 2001 2004 Elaine Brighty (C) 1999 2006 Dolly Jolly 1998 2004 Barbara Love 1998 2004 Eva Schiffer (V-C) 1996 2005 Vladimir Morales 1996 2006 Carl Seppala (C) 1999 2005 Anthony Rogers (V-C) 2000 2004 APPOINTED POSITIONS Elector, Oliver Smith Will Appointed David Farnham 1994 2004 Amherst Cultural Council (SB) Staff Liaison: S. Radosh Housing Authority Anne Burton 2002 Judith Brooks 1994 2005 Charles Hopkins 1999 Judy Collins 2001 2006 Carol Johnson 2000 Peter Jessop 1999 2004 Mary Elizabeth Manz 2002 Joan Ross Logan (C) 1981 2005 Irene Rothberg (TC) 2000 Anthony Rogers (G-A) 2002 2007 Howard Sonoda 2001 Fran Wall (C) 2001 Jones Library Trustees Allan Carpenter (TC) 1991 2003 Amherst Farm Committee (SB) Ann Grose 2003 2006 Staff Liaison: P. Westover Maureen O’Leary (V-P) 2002 2005 Leslie Cox 2002 Anita Page (Pres.) 2002 2005 John Ingram 2001 Arthur Quinton 1990 2004 Dan Kaplan 2001 John Roberts 1987 2004 Edward Maltby 2001 Emily Silverman (TC) 2000 2003 Frank McNerney 2002 Merrylees Turner 2003 2006 Mark Power 2000 Patricia Wagner 2000 Moderator Harrison Gregg 1994 2004 Amherst/La Paz Centro, Nicaragua Sister City Committee (SB) Redevelopment Authority Dean Allen 1998 Staff Liaison: R. Mitchell, N. J. Tucker Cynthia Asebrook 2001 Larry Kelley (G-A) 1997 2005 Page Bancroft 1987 Nathan Salwen 1997 2005 Ellen Bollier (C) 2001 Carl Seppala 1997 2008 Jeannie Jones 1999 John (Curt) Shumway 1996 2006 Susan Morrello 2001 Frances VanTreese 1994 2004 Betsy Oakes 2001 Mary Rives 2002 Mary Santiago 2000 Faythe Turner 1987

Appointed Appointed Aquifer Protection Committee (TM) Byron Koh (TC) 1998 Staff Liaison: B. Pariseau,G. Mooring Douglas Kohl 2002 Chadwick Johnson 1995 John Kuhn (C) 1997 Stephen Mabee (C) 1993 Joanne Levenson 2001 Michelle Matteo 2002 Arthur Mange 2002 Ward Motts (Assoc.) 1999 Frank McNerney 2002 W. Jesse Schwalbaum 1997 Alan Root 2002 Lyons Witten 1999 Arthur Swift 2001 Merrylees Turner 2002 Assessors, Board of (TM) Peter Vickery (R) 2001 Staff Liaison: D. Burgess Arthur Dahowski (C) 1999 Conservation Commission (TM) Kelly Erwin 2002 Staff Liaison: P. Westover Michael Sullivan 1998 John Gerber 2002 Marion Hoffman (TC) 1999 Cable Advisory Committee (TM) Rob Kusner (TC) 2000 Staff Liaison: N. Maglione Francesca Maltese (C) 2001 Dennis Bromery 2001 Eleanor Manire-Gatti 2002 Paul Lind (TC) 1990 William Masalski (TC) 2000 Francisco Martinez (TC) 2000 Barbara Mitchell 2000 Irving Rothberg 2000 Mally O’Hare (R) 2001 Ryan Willey (TC) 1997 Otto Stein 2002

Cherry Hill Financial Evaluation Task Force (TM) Council on Aging (TM) Staff Liaison: N. Maglione Staff Liaison: J. Clobridge Winthrop Foster 2002 Isaac BenEzra (TC) 1997 Jon Hite 2002 Janice Denton 1998 Mark McDonald 2002 Elsie Fetterman 2002 Craig Meadows 2002 Jean Haggerty (Co-C) 2002 Brian Morton 2002 Elizabeth Massey 2002 Barbara Melrose (R) 1998 Cherry Hill Advisory Committee (TM) Doris Mundo 2002 Staff Liaison: P. Westover Henry Peirce 2002 Youssef Fadel 2002 Sara Wolff (Co-C) 2001 Sam Killings 2000 Craig Meadows 2002 Design Review Board (SB) Theodore Parker (TC) 1998 Staff Liaison: J. Tucker Janet Pynchon 1999 David Dillon 1998 Craig Stuart (TC) 2000 Erica Gees 2001 David Henion 2000 Community Preservation Act Committee (SB) Alex Kent 2002 Staff Liaison: B. Del Castilho Ludmila Pavlova-Gillham 2001 Elisa Campbell 2001 Audrey Child 2001 Disability Access Advisory Committee (TM) Kathleen Ford 2001 Staff Liaison: E. Torres Peter Jessop 2001 Eli Cooper 2003 Peter MacConnell 2001 Neil Davidson 2002 Francesca Maltese 2001 Dana Goddard (TC) 1991 Pamela Rooney 2001 Becky Hurwitz 2001 Christopher Ryan 2001 Myra Ross (TC) 1991 Perry Thompson 2001 Jean Smyser 2001 Jana Sorge 2001 Comprehensive Planning Commission (SB) Deb Waldron (C) 2001 Staff Liaison: B. Mitchell, N. la Cour Alisa Brewer 2000 Eastern Hampshire Regional Refuse District Stephen Freedman 2001 Board of Supervisors (SB) Arnold Friedmann 2002 Paul Rothery 1994 Robert Grose 1997 Stanley Ziomek 1995 Karen Jones 2002 10

Appointed Appointed Economic Development and Industrial Human Rights Commission (SB) Corporation Staff Liaison: E. Torres Staff Liaison: Hill Boss (R) 2000 Hill Boss 2000 Frank Gatti 2002 Frank Cannon 1997 Mohamed Ibrahim 2002 Adrian Magrath 1997 Rafael Lopez-Sanchez 2003 Richard Mudgett 1997 Kirsty Spence 2002 Paul Rothery (V-C) 1997 Reynolds Winslow 1999 William Stapleton 1998 Joseph Wronka 2002 Jane Weisner (C) 1997 Human Services Funding Committee (SB) Fence Viewer (TM) Staff Liaison: R. Rosenblatt Robert Romer 1984 Deborah Herbert (TC) 1997 Mary Jane Laus 1998 Finance Committee (M) Karen Lederer (TC) 1999 Staff Liaison: N. Maglione Roger Lind 2001 Marilyn Blaustein 2003 Carol Rothery 1998 Brenda Bright (R) 2001 Carlton Brose 1998 Kanegasaki Sister City Committee (SB) Alice Carlozzi (C) 1993 Staff Liaison: B. Del Castilho Michael Mascis 2000 Edward Alford 2000 Matthieu Massengill 2002 Florence Boynton 2000 Brian Morton 1996 Abbie Jenks 1999 Arthur Swift 2001 Alex Kent 2001 Byron Koh (C) 1999 Hampshire Co. Local Emerg. Plng. Committee Nancy Pagano 2000 Michael Kent 2000 Carolyn Platt 2002 Paul Lawler (Alt) 1998 Susan Quick 1999 Michael Zlogar 1998 Earline Robinson 2000 Joan Snowdon 1999 Board of Health (TM) Yuko Takahashi 2002 Staff Liaison : E. Bodhi Masako Takeda 2000 Michael Davis 2000 Sara Woodbury (R) 2001 Sarina Ergas 2002 J. Stephen Hickman 1999 LSSE Commission (TM) Amy Rothenberg (TC) 1997 Staff Liaison: L. Chalfant Orlando Sola-Gomez 1998 Kathleen Ford 2000 Byron Koh (C) (TC) 1992 Historical Commission (TM) Karen Stevens 2000 Staff Liaison: J. Tucker William Sutton (R) 2000 Sharon Carty 2000 Shobana Venkataraman 2000 Donald Frizzle (C) 1994 Stan Ziomek 2000 Edith Nye MacMullen 2001 Max Page 2001 Measurer of Wood (TM) Robert Romer (R) 2000 Staff Liaison: B. Weeks Perry Thompson (TC) 1997 Paul Jones 1983 James Wald 2002 Munson Memorial Building Trustees (TM) Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee Staff Liaison: N. Markert (SB) Leslie Cox 2001 Staff Liaison: R. Mitchell Betsey Johnson 1998 Audrey Child (C) 1998 Claudia O’Brien 2001 Windy Dayton (R) 2002 Nancy Gregg 2003 Overall Economic Development Planning Joan Lindeman 2000 Committee (SB) Mariana Luz 2000 Staff Liaison: Pennington Pitts 1999 Jaymie Chernoff 1998 Franklin Wells 2002 Kelly Erwin 1998

Appointed Appointed Robert Green 1998 Public Works Committee (SB) Renee Moss 1998 Staff Liaison: G. Mooring Terry O’Keefe 1998 Christine Brestrup (R) 1999 Frances Van Treese 1998 Michael Cann (R) 1998 Jane Weisner 1998 Steve Puffer 1989 Edward Rising (R) 2001 Parking Commission (SB) Staff Liaison: N. Maglione Registrar of Voters (SB) Sarah Fischer 1992 Staff Liaison: A. Maciaszek Peter Grandonico 1992 Doris Holden 1998 Karen Jones (R) 1999 Robert McAllister 1993 Barry Roberts 2001 Gladys Rodriguez 1995 Margaret Roberts (C) 1994 Jean Smyser 2001 Solid Waste Committee (TM) Elizabeth Trahan 1993 Staff Liaison: G. Mooring Allen Harvey 2001 Personnel Board (SB) Pat Church (V-C) 1997 Staff Liaison: K. Zlogar Herman Eichstaedt 2001 Erika Ogedegbe 2002 Joan Logan 2001 Anita Page 2002 Marianne Lorenzelli 2001 Jo-Anne Vanin 2000 Alan Snow (C) 2000 Victor Zumbruski 1999 Town/Commercial Relations Committee (SB) Planning Board (TM) Staff Liaison: J. Tucker Staff Liaison: R. Mitchell Bruce Carson 1999 Sara Berger (VC) 1998 Peter Grandonico Jr. 2002 Paul Bobrowski 2001 Gerald Jolly 2001 Adrian Fabos 2000 Cinda Jones 2002 Robert Grose (TC) 1997 Mark Parent 2002 Aaron Hayden 2003 Barbara Ritter 1998 David Kastor 2002 Barry Roberts 1999 Frank McNerney 2002 Nick Seamon 2002 Caroline Olson 2000 Pamela Rooney (C) 1999 Zoning Board of Appeals (SB) Peter Vickery (R) 2001 Staff Liaison: Marc Cohen (Co-C) 1998 Public Art Commission (SB) Keri Heitner (R) 1994 Petula Bloomfield 2002 Brenna Kucinski (ALT) 2001 Edith Byron (C) 1994 Edward Rising (ALT) 2002 Peggy Cole-Wood 2001 Thomas Simpson 2000 Gretchen Fox 2002 Earl Smith (ALT) (R) 1999 Carol Lee 2000 Sonya Sofield (R) 2000 Bernice Rosenthal 2000 Zina Tillona (Co-C) 1998 Lora Simon 2002 OTHER APPOINTMENTS Public Transportation (SB) Staff Liaison: J. Clobridge Eastern Valley Water Protection Committee Eli Cooper 2000 Guilford Mooring 2002 Molly Falsetti 2001 Karen Jones 1999 Mount Holyoke Range Advisory Committee Van Kaynor 2000 (State Appointment) Margie Springer-Young (TC) 1997 Elisa Campbell 1997 Alex Von Braun 2003 Walter Wolnik 2001 Pioneer Valley Joint Transportation Committee Tracy Zafian 2001 Guilford Mooring 2002 Doug Geary (Police Liaison)

Appointed Appointed Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Matthew Malo* 2002 Robert Mitchell 1992 James E. McCarthy* 2002 Caroline Olson 2001 Wilfred A. Merullo* 2002 Joseph F. Mieczkowski* 2002 Public Shade Tree Committee (CC) Jerry Millar 1997 Herbert Bryan Charles H. Nelson, III 2000 June George Robert O'Connor 1989 William Hutchinson (C) Thomas J. O’Connor** 2002 Alan Snow Kelly P. Olanyk* 2002 Gregory Oravec* 2002 Constables (TM) Mark Perez 1999 Clarence Babb 1987 Janice Peterman 1999 Charles Bray 1991 Christopher Pronovost 1994 James A. Broussard* 2002 James E. Roberts, III* 2202 Ray Budde 2001 Thomas W. Roberts* 2002 Matthew Collamore 2001 Donald S. Robinson, Jr.* 2002 Mary Commager 1991 Joseph Rocasah* 2002 Michael J. Dubuc 2000 Michael S. Ross* 2002 Mitchell Dzwonkoski 1998 Jeffrey Roy 1987 Carl Fabian 1992 Charles Scherpa 1987 Frederick C. Felton 2000 Wayne Sedlsky* 2002 Martha Felton 2002 Wilbur Shumway 1987 Betty J. Gagnon 1198 Frederick C. D. Smead 2000 John P. Gedmin 1987 Theodore Smigiel* 2002 Jennifer A. Gunderson 2001 Michael D. Sullivan 1993 Carol Hepburn 2000 Timothy M. Sullivan 1991 James Keedy 1995 Donald Thayer 1987 Winthrop Kellogg* 2002 Martha Townsend 1999 Michael Kent 1990 John B. Walsh 2000 David Knightly, Jr. 2000 Mark Wesloski* 2002 William J. Koski 2002 Willie J. Wheeler 1999 Eddie W. Leverett* 2002 Walter J. Wysocki 1995 Scott Livingstone 1989 Ronald A. Young 1997 Victor J. Zumbruski 2000

*outside work detail only. **work the polls

13 Committee Recognition October 2003

The Town of Amherst relies on the energy and commitment of those citizens who participate each year on the many boards and committees that are an integral part of our form of government. These citizens volunteer their time and expertise to help improve the quality of life in our community. The Town is indeed fortunate to be able to depend on the hard work and dedication of its committee members. The following citizens have completed their service of at least two full three-year terms.

SELECT BOARD AND TOWN MANAGER APPOINTEES:

Board of Health Leisure Services & Supplemental Education Amy Rothenberg 1997 - 2003 Commission Byron Koh 1995 - 2003 Cable Advisory Committee Paul Lind 1990 - 2003 Planning Board Ryan Willey 1997 - 2003 Robert Grose 1997 - 2003

Council on Aging Public Transportation Committee Isaac BenEzra 1997 - 2003 Margie Springer-Young 1997 - 2003

Disability Access Advisory Committee Zoning Board of Appeals Dana Goddard 1991 - 2003 Keri Heitner 1994 - 2003 Myra Ross 1991 - 2003

Historical Commission Perry Thompson 1997 - 2003

SELECT BOARD Fiscal Year 2003

As we look back over the fiscal year just ended, it is difficult to remember anything that was not related to the fiscal crisis, which dominated the budget process and Town Meeting and, as we write, remains barely resolved for FY 04 but not at all for FY 05.

Yet there were other events to record as well.

The year started pleasantly with the official opening of the Boltwood Walk Parking Garage. Although rates, enforcement, and equipment have required monitoring and adjustments, the garage has relieved the parking shortages downtown. And the Transportation Enterprise Fund, from which both the garage and on-street parking are managed, is a successfully self-supporting operation.

In December 2002, Barry Del Castilho marked the 20th anniversary of his appointment as Amherst Town Manager. At a public reception, attended by current and former Select Board members and staff, as well as residents, a gift to the Town was presented in his honor: two chairs, restored by Maintenance Director Ned Markert, from the auditorium on the top floor of the original Town Hall, together with historical photographs of this space. This is now the so-called Mezzanine, created during the Town Hall restoration of 1997, and the location of the Town Manager and Select Board offices. The chairs and photographs have since been installed in the waiting area.

In February, the Select Board recognized Nancy Maglione’s fifteen years of distinguished service as the Town’s Director of Administration and Finance. The Board and Town Manager also honored Ned Markert with a plaque “in grateful recognition of expert and extraordinary devotion to two major projects of exceptional complexity”: the Town Hall renovation of 1997 and the parking garage.

Mid-year budget cuts by the new governor created a deficit of almost $800,000 for FY 03 and signaled worse things to come. In spite of some cost-saving measures that were still possible without causing major disruptions, most of the shortfall had to be dealt with by Town Meeting, by drawing on the Town’s diminishing reserves, use of which the Finance Committee had hoped to extend over three years.

In March, Eddy Goldberg resigned from the Board, creating a vacancy that would have to be filled by a special election.

In the Town Election, on April 1, Anne Awad won re-election to her second term on the Board. Subsequently, Carl Seppala was re-elected chair; Eva Schiffer, vice-chair; and Dolly Jolly, clerk.

In the same election, the proposal for a new Town charter, vigorously debated for months, lost by thirteen votes. It would have replaced Town Meeting with a nine-member council and the Select Board with a mayor, while retaining a professional town manager. A recount resulted in the loss of one more vote, for a total of fourteen. The proposal could be resubmitted to the voters, without change, in 2004 or 2005, upon petition of the requisite number of signatures of registered voters.

On April 14, the Select Board issued a proclamation expressing support of Amherst citizens and employees serving in the Iraq war, and their families; and, on April 22, it held a reception at which service-star flags, made by the Director of Veterans Services, were presented.

The efforts, over a number of years, by Town and University entities, to discourage and control large and destructive spring parties, suffered a major setback this year, when full- fledged riots erupted on North Pleasant Street May 3. In confrontations with rock- and bottle-throwing young people, fifteen police officers were injured, one sustaining possibly permanent nerve damage to his right hand. Over fifty arrests were made, and several University students were subsequently suspended.

Annual Town Meeting began on April 28. Because of the unprecedented confusion and uncertainty about this year’s state budget and the amounts of local aid to be expected, it was decided to adjourn for the month of May and reconvene in June, when information might be clearer. Other towns in the area made similar decisions. For the original municipal, school and library budget proposals, presented in January, the Amherst Finance Committee had requested increases of not more than 3%. Guided by developments in Boston and by information from our legislators, they requested further cuts, resulting in severe reductions in services and significant curtailments in positions Town-wide, including layoffs.

The proposed closing of two outdoor pools, as a cost-saving measure in the municipal budget; and of the Middle School pool, voted by the Regional School Committee for the same reason, caused great concerns in the community. Eventually, it became possible to fund the outdoor pools for this summer, at least. Efforts to keep the Middle School pool open were initiated by the Town; it is hoped that a combination of administrative reorganization, fee increases, and fund-raising will make it possible to keep it open.

During the weeks of Town Meeting’s recess, boards and committees were busy. On three Saturday mornings, members of select boards, finance committees, school committees and staff from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury met to discuss the crisis facing the Regional school budget: the Governor’s budget would have meant increases of more than 40% in the assessment of some of the towns. This was more than the small towns felt able to support. With the Regional budget in jeopardy, the chair of the Amherst Select Board, at the third of the Saturday meetings, proposed that the Regional Agreement be amended for one year so as to allow equal assessments for the four towns; this meant an additional contribution by Amherst of $192,000 and included the

restoration, for FY 04, of one seventh-grade teaching team that had been eliminated by the Regional School Committee. The proposal was approved by Amherst at a Special Town Meeting on June 11.

The Joint Capital Planning Committee, meanwhile, had decided to recommend less than the usual 10% of the tax levy for capital expenses and to reserve the difference for urgent needs in operating budgets. This amount of $124,000 was then recommended to Town Meeting, with the approval of the Finance Committee and the Select Board, to restore the two most critical teaching positions in the Elementary budget.

This was the third year of significant reductions in local aid. Balancing the FY 04 budget required the use of almost half of our remaining reserves. Even if FY 05 brings no additional cuts in local aid, projections indicate that an override of Proposition 2 ½ in the amount of about $1,500,000 will be required to balance 0%-increase budgets for FY 05.

We appreciate enormously the understanding and cooperation of all boards and committees, including a newly formed coalition of groups involved with the schools, that produced disciplined recommendations to Annual Town Meeting; and the understanding and support of Town Meeting that resulted in the approval of all budget recommendations as presented. We hope that the same spirit of cooperation will continue; it will be very much needed to see the Town through what is very likely to be another extremely difficult year or two, at the very least.

Carl Seppala, Chair Eva Schiffer, Vice-Chair Dolly Jolly Anne Awad

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Boltwood Parking Garage

Courtesy Daily Hampshire Gazette

Elisa Campbell (Chair, Parking Garage Building Committee), Ned Markert (Maintenance Dir. and Clerk of the Works), Bill Start (Building Commissioner), Margaret Roberts (Parking Commission), Eva Schiffer (Select Board), John Coull (Chamber of Commerce), Carl Seppala (Select Board, PGBC, Redevelopment Authority), Dolly Jolly (Select Board), Susie Lowenstein, Paul Lawler (PGBC), State Rep. Ellen Story, Bryan Harvey, Deneen Crosby (Wallace Floyd Design Group), Richard Aquadro (Aquadro & Cerruti, Inc.), Town Manager Barry Del Castilho.

TOWN MANAGER Fiscal Year 2003

While the financial situation and budget process clearly dominated the year, almost from the beginning, other things did happen.

At times it seemed like a nightmare that would never end: the parking garage debate. It began to end, at least, with the opening of the surface level of the Boltwood Walk Parking Garage in mid-July, followed by the opening of the lower level in late August, followed by a ribbon-cutting on a glorious and happy day, September 21. The divisive process that may have a left a permanent scar on Town government had erased most of an ugly scar in the middle of downtown and had left an attractive facility for people to use and to enjoy. True, it was underutilized (it opened during tough economic times for downtown) and it would take a year or more to “get the bugs out,” but those who came to see it expressed both their pleasure at its appearance and their wonderment that such a modest and attractive facility had created such a storm. And the first plans quickly emerged, from Bistro 63 at the Monkey Bar, for the expansion and improvement of surrounding property. Parking issues continued to abound, but the need for additional parking spaces had been met.

The planned improvement of the intersection of Main Street, Lessey Street and the Main Street entrance to the Boltwood Walk Parking Garage, if done according to the pattern for downtown that had been launched on North Pleasant Street the year before, would have cost more money than was available if added to the parking garage construction contract. New Superintendent of Public Works Guilford Mooring stepped up and said that the work could be done by Public Works employees if the materials were purchased with the Town’s Chapter 90 road funds. So the second phase of the transformation of the downtown streetscape and sidewalks slowly took shape on Main Street. The improvements drew compliments well before they were completed a year later. The western portion of Lessey Street was turned into an expansion of Sweetser Park, and the improvement of the rest of Sweetser Park and Main Street was scheduled for the following year.

The third phase of downtown improvements was also completed, at what seemed like a snail’s pace, with the state’s reconstruction of the Main/Amity/North and South Pleasant Streets intersection. The unimaginable happened: when another state contractor began to expand the Routes 9 and 116 intersection to provide a left-turn lane on College Street, both of the Town’s main intersections were under construction at the same time (in addition to Main Street at Lessey Street). The Town survived, amid much grumbling.

Bricks and mortar weren’t the only things that were improved. Also revitalized was the Human Rights Commission, with many new members under the leadership of new Chair Reynolds Winslow and new part-time Human Rights Director Eunice Torres. Just after the New Year the Town re-launched its website, replacing its first official website with one that was completely redesigned. It would be a work-in-progress, perhaps for years, along with the GIS system. The Town’s information technology systems made great

strides under the leadership of IT Director Kris Pacunas. The Town celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Amherst-Kanegasaki Sister City Exchange by hosting a delegation from Kanegasaki in late April, just as the fifth group of Amherst Middle School students were returning from a 10-day visit to Kanegasaki and other places in Japan.

The single biggest incident of the year was a student riot on North Pleasant Street late on an early May Saturday night. The annual pre-finals parties were kept under control throughout the day and evening, but later a crowd on North Pleasant Street at Puffton Village reacted to police intervention. Police officers, usually the target of verbal attacks and stray projectiles, were assaulted with bottles and large rocks. Fifteen Amherst officers and several UMass officers were injured, several seriously. Veteran officers said it was the worst situation that they had ever encountered. The Town, first-year UMass Chancellor John Lombardi, and the presiding judge at the soon-to-be-opened Hadley District Court vowed to take appropriate action that would serve as an example to others in the future.

But two issues dominated the year for virtually the entire year. After long and lively campaigns on both sides, the proposed Charter failed by a few votes. The only Town department that was directly involved in that issue, the Town Clerk’s office, conducted a recount 10 days after the April 1 election. During the recount, but otherwise unrelated to it, Town Clerk Margaret Nartowicz announced her resignation, to the disappointment of everyone who had been so well served by her and her office for many years.

The overriding issue was the impact on the Town, Schools and Libraries of the state’s local aid cuts, both mid-year and for the following fiscal year, the result of a prolonged, precipitous decline in state revenues, primarily capital gains tax revenues that plummeted after the stock market did the same a year earlier. The highlights of the long and complex budget process were: 1) multi-year financial planning was begun early by the Finance Committee and Director of Administration and Finance Nancy Maglione; 2) reserves that had been accumulated in anticipation of such circumstances allowed the use of more than $3,500,000 in reserves to balance the FY 04 and FY 05 budgets; 3) unprecedented collaboration among Town, School, and Library elected and appointed officials, and with those of the other towns in the Region, focussed attention and energy on the maintenance of priority services in all areas; 4) Town Meeting supported 100% of the unified recommendations of the Finance Committee, Select Board, School Committee and Library Trustees. Services were cut, jobs were eliminated, and employees were laid off, but the damage could have been worse (as it was at the University). As the year ended, the Town and the School were collaborating on a process to keep the Middle School pool from being closed as the result of a budget cut, and even to increase its availability to the public.

There was little doubt that more of the same lay head for the coming year: more financial challenges, and more collaboration to meet those challenges.

Barry Del Castilho Town Manager

20 AQUIFER PROTECTION COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Aquifer Protection Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing, discussing and providing recommendations to other Town boards on issues pertaining to the protection of aquifers in the Town of Amherst. The main concern of the Committee is safeguarding the integrity of the Lawrence Swamp Aquifer, which supplies approximately 50% of the potable water in Amherst. The Committee meets in a public meeting, when appropriate, to discuss technical issues related to the aquifers. These issues include: 1) review of proposed work plans by Tighe and Bond, the Town’s water supply consultant; 2) design of water quality monitoring programs; 3) review and evaluation of consultant reports; 4) consultation to representatives from the DPW or the Conservation and Planning departments on policies and activities affecting land use change within the aquifer protection district and recharge area. We are also available for technical support at Town Meetings when needed. We occasionally become involved in special projects in cooperation with faculty and students from one of the local colleges. We oversee and provide guidance on any project that involves investigation of the Town’s groundwater resources. The Committee is comprised of four professional hydrogeologists and two laypersons.

The Committee did not meet formally during Fiscal Year 2003. However, two members of the Committee (Stephen B. Mabee, chair, and Lyons Witten) did participate with Town Manager Barry Castilho and other board members to review and provide comments on the proposal prepared by Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc. for a sewer extension master plan for the Town of Amherst. All comments were incorporated into the consulting services agreement between the Town and Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen B. Mabee, Chair

AMHERST ASSESSOR’S OFFICE Fiscal Year 2003

FY 2003 was a recertification year for the Town of Amherst, meaning that the Department of Revenue reviewed the valuations of all types of properties and certified that the values fell within the levels established by the state. For the first time in several years, the commercial and industrial classes of property along with apartment complexes were completely measured and inspected. The Town contracted with Vision Appraisal Company of Northborough to carry out the work on the commercial properties.

The work was completed in January of 2003. The total valuation of the Town increased from $1,250,511,300 to $1,448,569,000, resulting in the tax rate changing from $19.00 to $17.11 per $1000.

The Assessor’s office also helped implement the Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program. The program allows senior citizens who meet income guidelines to work with departments in town and earn up to $500 to be applied to their taxes. This proved to be a successful program, with 9 participants in FY 2003 working in various departments throughout the Town.

Even though FY 2003 was a recertification year, the Assessor’s Office will continue to monitor values every year and make changes as needed. The real estate market in Amherst continues to move along at a brisk pace and we expect that we will need to make adjustments on a yearly basis. This is particularly true for condominiums.

David W. Burgess Principal Assessor

FY 2003 TAX RATE RECAPITULATION

(A) Class (B) Levy (C) Levy by (D) Valuation (E) Tax Rate Percentage Class Class (C)-(D) X1000(A) Residential 87.6318% 21,719,553.30 1,269,406,690 17.11 Open Space Commercial 9.1913% 2,278,065.14 133,142,710 17.11 Industrial 0.3195% 79,188.12 4,628,100 17.11 Personal Prop. 2.8574% 708,207.04 41,391,500 17.11 TOTAL 100.00% 24,785,015.60 1,448,569,000 *****

AMHERST BOARD OF ASSESSORS FY 2003 Annual Report

The Amherst Board of Assessors held 12 public meetings during FY 2003. Board activities associated with these meetings are summarized in the following report. Details on the information in this report can be found in the minutes of the Board of Assessors meetings.

REAL/PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX

Commitments/Warrants The Board signed summary FY 2003 property tax commitments and water/sewer warrants for the following: Real Estate Tax $24,076,810.19 CPA $ 146,625.25 Personal Property $ 708,208.97 Water Liens Interest $ 4,982.90 Water Liens $ 33,697.07 Sewer Liens $ 28,758.57 Sewer Liens Interest $ 4,287.99

Abatements Of 239 applications for abatement of FY 2003 real/personal property tax, 156 were approved for some reduction in tax and 83 were denied any abatement; 135 of the applications were for single-family homes.

Personal Exemptions and Deferrals The Board signed a form that was submitted to the Department of Revenue for partial reimbursement of FY 2002 personal exemptions in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5. For FY 2003 there were a total of 156 personal exemptions and deferrals, totaling $91,900.57, as follows: # Value # Value Clause 17D 14 $ 2,270.64 Clause 37A 14 $ 10,253.94 Clause 18 1 1,500.00 Clause 41C 48 35,333.83 Clause 22 65 31,334.41 Clause 41A 4 9,207.75 Clause 50 4 2,000.00

MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX

Abatements The following total amounts of motor vehicle excise tax abatements for July 2002 through June 2003 were signed by the Board:

1999 $ 143.80 2000 276.57 2001 10,262.00 2002 40,079.48 2003 167,003.91

Commitments/Warrants Motor Vehicle excise tax commitments and warrants for the following yearly totals were signed by the Board:

2001 $ 6,013.16 2002 259,773.81 2003 1,301,317.37

SPECIAL MEETINGS The Select Board is responsible for allocation of the tax rate (Minimum Residential Factor): whether or not to have a Residential Exemption and other distributions of the tax burden within classes, as allowed by the law. The required public meeting to discuss these issues was held on March 24, 2003 in the Town Hall. Board of Assessors recommendations included not to have a split rate and not to exercise the Residential Exemption. The Select Board approved a single tax rate for all classes and no shifts of the tax burden within classes.

TAX RATE/ETC. Board members signed the Tax Rate Recapitulation form for FY 2003 on March 25, 2003, showing a tax rate of $17.11. The rate was reviewed and approved by the Department of Revenue (DOR) on March 25, 2003.

Prepared from the Board meeting minutes. Michael Sullivan Arthur Dahowski Kelly Erwin

Amherst Board of Assessors

25 Cherry Hill Advisory Committee Fiscal Year 2003

Cherry Hill Golf Course continued this year as a valuable community outdoor recreation resource in a beautiful, scenic setting. The course is in excellent condition and has been compared favorably with almost every course in the Valley.

The course again hosted the Massachusetts Special Olympics this year and welcomed golfers to several benefit tournaments. Two of them were Andy B. Anderson tournaments, through which young golfers receive initial golfing lessons as well as clubs and golf bags, through a special fund set up as a bequest by Andy Anderson. The Whately Lions Club ran a well-attended benefit for the Whately Elementary School, and the Amherst Masons tournament assembled funds for the Shriners Hospital. Family, youth, and women’s golf has continued to increase at Cherry Hill, and the new clubhouse and irrigation system proved to be valuable assets to the course and the community.

Revenues this year covered operating costs but were not sufficient to make payments on the Cherry Hill debt for the land and capital improvements. The Cherry Hill Advisory Committee expressed optimism that the coming year will show an improvement on the revenue side. Next year will also be the last year of payment toward the initial land purchase. In 2004, if funds allow, drainage work is scheduled for holes 7 and 8, and tees will be rebuilt at the first and fourth holes.

The Cherry Hill Advisory Committee and the Cherry Hill Financial Review Group began meeting jointly to proceed with long-range budget plans for the course and to implement the marketing plan drawn up by Mark McDonald and his associates at the University of Massachusetts.

CHILDREN’S SERVICES DEPARTMENT HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Amherst Children's Services Department provides a variety of services to Amherst families and the Amherst community. In addition to providing the community with childcare/early education information, especially regarding the availability of tuition assistance for low-income families, the Director of Children's Services is also responsible for 1. administering Town appropriations to human service agencies, 2. providing emergency assistance to low-income individuals and families, using interest from the Alfred Field Charitable Trust Fund, 3. editing the Annual Town Report, 4. assessing community needs with respect to childcare and human services, 5. developing new programs that respond to community priorities, 6. working collaboratively with numerous committees and groups that provide important services to the Amherst community and 7. providing staff assistance to the Human Services Funding Committee. The Human Services Funding Committee reviews proposals for funding from human service agencies and makes funding recommendations to the Select Board, Finance Committee and Town Meeting.

Childcare/Early Childhood Education Each year, the need for childcare and childcare tuition assistance continues to increase. Though there are several state programs that provide low-income families with financial assistance, available funds are not sufficient to meet community need. Low-income families with infants and toddlers face the greatest difficulty in obtaining financial support. The cost of full-time infant and toddler childcare now costs over $10,000.00 per year; yet due to the financial crisis facing the state, there is little hope for an immediate solution. The Massachusetts Department of Education does, however, provide substantial funds for families with pre-school age children (over 2 years, 9 months of age). These funds also continue to be reduced as a result of the state financial crisis. The Amherst Early Childhood Community Partnership still receives almost $300,000.00 to both provide tuition assistance to low-income families and to improve the quality of childcare programs.

This grant provides: 1. childcare and/or early childhood education tuition assistance for children from low-income families who are in need of social services, family support and/or parent education 2. childcare tuition assistance for low- and moderate-income working families with three-and four-year-old children 3. partial funding for the local Head Start program to operate one classroom for a full day, giving families who are receiving funds from the state Department of Transitional Assistance an opportunity to attend school or become gainfully employed 4. family support, case management and other services, as funds permit.

The Department of Education requires all childcare programs to: 1. receive accreditation from the National Association for Education of Young Children 2. provide parent education 3. provide staff with the opportunity to improve their teaching skills.

School-Age Childcare Town Meeting allocated $16,295.00 to provide tuition assistance for low- and moderate- income families with children attending school-based after-school childcare programs. During FY 03, thirteen families received support for sixteen children attending these programs. These funds helped parents pay for childcare services while they continued to work or attend educational institutions.

Human Services: The Human Services Funding Committee continues to face difficult decisions, as human service agencies continue to increase their requests for funds. The Committee's priorities for funding continue to follow the guidelines established by the Select Board, namely: 1. emergency services: survival or critical, 2. preventive services and 3. information and referral. Annual Town Meeting approved the following allocations, totaling $153,495.00 for FY 04, in accordance with recommendations presented by the Human Services Funding Committee:

Amherst Survival Center $35,000.00 Family Outreach of Amherst $20,000.00 Family Outreach Domestic Violence Prevention $ 3,000.00 Not Bread Alone $ 6,000.00 Children's Aid and Family Services $ 8,000.00 Commuter Resources/Homesharing $ 1,200.00 Everywoman's Center $ 3,000.00 First Call for Help $ 4,000.00 Safe Passage $ 7,000.00 Men's Resource Center $ 5,000.00 Big Brother/Big Sister of Hampshire County $25,000.00 Amherst Family Center $ 2,000.00 YWCA Youth Outreach $ 2,000.00 Service Net/Interfaith Cot Program $ 5,000.00 Center for New Americans $ 4,500.00 Casa Latina Outreach $ 5,000.00

The Director of Children's Services continued to participate in monthly meetings of the Amherst Human Service Network, a group of human service personnel concerned with the social service problems facing the Amherst community; the Early Childhood Community Partnership; the Hampshire County Family Network; the Hampshire Council of Social Agencies; the Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth; the Town Problem- Solving Partnership and the Amherst Community Partnership to prevent substance abuse.

The Amherst Juvenile Diversion Project continues to operate as a program of the Center for Human Development, under the direction of Family Outreach of Amherst. This program continues to be an effective model for services to at-risk youth; though no formal evaluation has been done, the Amherst Police Department and the Franklin Hampshire Probation Department both feel that participants in this program do not become further involved in the juvenile justice system.

During the spring of 2002, the Children's Services Department received a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety for funds to implement a pilot Domestic Violence Prevention Program. This program uses a model similar to that used by the Juvenile Diversion Project, providing victims of domestic violence with a case manager who will provide support, advocacy and parent education. Where appropriate, parent aides will be placed in the victim's home to provide more intense parent education and support. Victims will also receive funds to enroll their children in childcare or preschool programs, funds permitting. During the program’s first year, it served fifteen women who were or who had been victims of domestic violence. The Department was notified that funds for this program will not be available in FY 04.

The Executive Office of Public Safety did, however, issue a request for proposals to implement programs that have been nationally evaluated and shown to be effective in reducing juvenile delinquency. The Director of the Children’s Services Department applied for $42,000 to provide big brothers or big sisters for children from families experiencing domestic violence. The Department saw this as a way to continue to provide support for children and families experiencing domestic violence.

The Department of Education also provides funding for the Hampshire County Family Network, a program serving families with children between birth and three years of age. The Director of Children's Services serves as a member of the coalition in the hope that this effort will benefit Amherst families and children.

CHARITABLE FUNDS Requests for charitable funds continue to increase each year. The increased cost of rent, utilities, etc. makes it more difficult to serve all those in need.

TOWN REPORT The FY 02 Town Report was completed and copies distributed to the Select Board, the Finance Committee, the Town Manager, department heads, the School Department and the Jones Library.

Roy Rosenblatt Associate Director of Community Services

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) was established pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44B and Article 9 of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting. Amherst voters had voted overwhelmingly to accept the Act with a 1% property tax surcharge on property evaluations above $100,000 and certain other exemptions. The Community Preservation Act (CPA), as amended in July 2002, establishes a local fund “for the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space; for the acquisition and preservation of historic resources; for the acquisition, creation and preservation of land for recreational use; for the creation, preservation and support of community housing, and for rehabilitation or restoration of such open space, historic resources, land for recreational use, and community housing.” It also establishes a state Community Preservation Trust Fund, from which allocations are made annually to municipalities that have accepted the Act, partially matching local appropriations.

The Committee is charged with studying the needs, possibilities and resources of the Town regarding community preservation and recommending projects to Town Meeting for appropriation.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2002, the new committee made steady progress in becoming familiar with the Community Preservation Act, embarking on a process for reviewing proposals from its constituent boards and committees, and establishing selection criteria. It met with Town Counsel regarding the provisions of the Act. The Director of Administration and Finance provided essential financial information and guidance. Early assumptions were that recommendations would be made to the Annual Town Meeting in 2003.

But in August 2002, the idea arose to go before Fall Town Meeting with a proposal for soccer fields at Plum Brook. Soccer fields had been requested for about twelve years, and had been partially funded by Town Meeting. There was support in the Joint Capital Planning Committee, which had at one time included them in the long-range plan, then was forced to remove them because of the multitude of pressing needs. The project had grown in size and estimated cost, and there seemed to be no prospect of adequate funding. Now this was LSSE’s top priority in their presentation of requests to CPAC. And it was pointed out that these fields would be available also as more general athletic fields. But the projected cost far exceeded total available CPA funds. The solution was to recommend borrowing $500,000, to be repaid from CPA funds, the balance to come from a combination of private funds and an appropriation as part of the capital plan. This approach fitted well with the CPAC charge to coordinate with the JCPC and was enthusiastically supported by that committee.

The athletic field proposal was to be the linchpin of the new committee’s recommendations: a project that was familiar to everyone and popular with many. As it turned out, it took three votes at three separate Town Meetings – including an unsuccessful challenge at a Special Town Meeting in January – to approve borrowing for athletic fields at Plum Brook.

All other recommendations also represented the first choices of each of the constituent groups, and all were approved by Fall Town Meeting:

Open Space: $20,000 toward an APR on the Gray Farm on South East Street, $60,000 toward the purchase of the Simmons property on Middle Street for conservation purposes, and $13,000 as seed money for appraisals.

Historical Restoration: $20,000 for a historical survey, including land use.

Affordable Housing: $85,000 toward purchase of the Keet property, for the purpose of preserving four units of affordable housing; and $45,000 toward construction of four units of affordable housing on Tamarack Drive, on property already owned by the Amherst Housing Authority.

Revenues from the previous year ($1,177 from the 1% surtax, $297 from liens and penalties, and $125,258 from the state Trust Fund) totaled $126,732.

Revenues in the current year: Surtax: $141,752 Interest: $1,424 $143,176

Total revenues available: $394,476 Total appropriations: $260,577 (this included $ 15,577 for historical restoration: the difference between the statutory 10% -- to be reserved for each of the three areas of conservation, historical restoration, and affordable housing – and the $20,000 appropriated)

Undesignated Balance Remaining: $133,890

The authorization to borrow $500,000 will result in a first debt service payment in FY 04 of $46,332. The annual amounts will decrease over the time of the debt.

CPAC members:

Peter MacConnell (at large; chair) Peter Jessop (Amherst Housing Authority) Arthur Mange (Conservation Commission) Kathy Ford (LSSE) Elisa Campbell (at large) Chris Ryan (at large) Pam Rooney (Planning Board) Audrey Child (at large) Perry Thompson (Historical Commission)

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) spent the summer and fall months of 2002 digesting the final report of the Build-Out Analysis and Future Growth Study completed by Applied Geographics and Philip Herr & Associates. While the public forums that were part of the study process were well attended, the Committee felt that the information was so thought-provoking that it needed to be shared again with the community. Therefore, the Committee organized a public forum on November 19, 2002 in Town Hall to share the findings of the report. The following is a brief summary of the findings:

Buildable Land • 4,000 acres of buildable land area remain in Amherst out of a total land area of 17,000 acres. • Of that, 2,000 acres is not subject to development constraints (steep slopes, wetlands, etc.). • 12% of existing land in Amherst is prime for development.

Housing • As many as 3,600 new dwelling units could be built on this land under current zoning, in addition to the 9,400 existing units. • This is a potential 38% increase in the number of dwelling units.

Population • The current population of 35,000 residents could increase by 8,000. • This is a 23% increase. • This increase could include 1,000 school-age children in addition to the current school- age population of 4,100 students.

Water Use • Residential water use at full build-out could increase by 600,000 gallons per day. • We currently use 3,600,000 gallons per day. • This is an increase of 16%.

Roads • The potential development could result in an additional 30 miles of roads. • We currently have 125 miles of roads.

Feedback from this public forum reconfirmed the need and urgency for the Town to prepare a comprehensive plan. However, the Committee also realized that, because of the difficult budget times the Town is facing now and for the near future, it would be difficult to request the additional funding necessary to prepare an adequate comprehensive plan.

The Comprehensive Planning Committee then began discussing ways to provide immediate guidance to the Town as it continues to undertake planning and development efforts in a piecemeal fashion. The Committee discussed the various planning efforts in

progress under the Executive Order 418 mandate and the funding available through the Community Preservation Act, like the Historical Commission’s Amherst Preservation Plan. The Committee has begun developing a set of “guiding principles” that can be disseminated to the various Town boards and committees, including Town Meeting, to provide some level of coordination among the various efforts.

Another effort that the Committee has embarked on this spring and summer is to continue the discussion of the need and value of a comprehensive plan. We hope to build on the previous Visioning Process and Build-Out Study. The CPC is preparing to engage the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, at the University of Massachusetts, in a studio and research project. The Committee has proposed to use the remaining funds from Town Meeting’s second appropriation for the Visioning Process to fund a fall 2003 studio project and a graduate research assistantship for the spring 2004 semester.

The Committee has been working with Assistant Professor Robert L. Ryan to develop this project, titled “Amherst Comprehensive Planning Study: Defining Village Boundaries & Open Space Preservation Strategies”. The project will utilize the extensive mapping resources of the Town to define village center boundaries, using the conceptual boundaries delineated in previous planning efforts. The project will also develop a conceptual urban design study for an area in the North Amherst Village Center. And the project will assess and propose open space preservation priorities for the remaining undeveloped land in Amherst. The project will develop planning recommendations for specific strategies for protecting this open space that go beyond simple acquisition by the Town. This project will begin in the fall semester, with a final report to be completed by the end of the spring semester of 2004. The effort will include meetings with various Town boards and committees and include several public forums.

John Kuhn, Chair

33 CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Fiscal Year 2003

The Conservation Commission and Conservation Department were kept busy with numerous projects and responsibilities in FY 2003, and again, thankfully, had the benefit of tremendous community support and volunteer assistance.

Town conservation land now totals 1,966 acres, another 1,841 acres of Amherst farmland are protected by Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APRs), and Conservation Restrictions protect an additional 167 acres. Some 84 gifts of land and restrictions have added significantly to the total protected acreage. The trail network continues to expand, and the list of active volunteers who assist the Commission and the Conservation Department also keeps growing.

This year the Town and the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA) made plans for the protection of the 61-acre Gray Farm on South East Street, the 160-acre Hess Farm on North East Street, and the 42-acre Hart Farm on North East Street by the purchase of APRs. The Town match is proposed to come from Community Preservation Act funds, but completion of the projects depends on the availability of state APR funds. The Conservation Department also submitted a state Self-Help grant application for the purchase of the scenic 12-acre Simmons property, immediately south of the South Amherst Common.

The Conservation Commission received a gift of a beautiful 1-acre apple orchard building lot on Iduna Lane, a quiet bucolic spot with fine views of Mount Pollux and the Holyoke Range, from Frank and Ellie-Manire Gatti. The gift was made in memory of Frank Gatti’s daughter and son-in-law, who died in a tragic accident some years ago just after completing a hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.

A new Amherst Literary Trails system, through which some 25 new and existing Town trails will be named for prominent writers with Amherst connections, will include a new route, to be named for the late Arnold Kenseth. The trail will follow the perimeter of the two horse farms on the north side of Station Road to connect the South Amherst Common with the Norwottuck Rail Trail. A $5,000 gift from PeoplesBank will fund the first year of the project. On the steering committee for the trails system are Bonnie Isman and Tevis Kimball of the Jones Library, Charles Moran, John Coull of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and Margaret Lenehan of PeoplesBank.

Norman and Sabina Cournoyer generously contributed $4,000 for maintenance and expansion of the Town’s trail system, and many other donors gave additional smaller gifts to fund the seasonal trail crew. David Litterer and Karen Werner spearheaded the year’s trail fundraising. David Sharken and many others involved in the Friends of Puffer’s Pond likewise did a wonderful job of bringing in donations for the maintenance of the site by a crew of pond rangers, supervised by Land Manager Tammy Ciesla. Ciesla also worked with the Town Disability Access Advisory Committee to begin plans for a more extensive accessible trail network for the Town. A new set of detailed trail maps is partially complete and available at local stores.

Commission members John Gerber, Rob Kusner, Francesca Maltese, Ellie Manire-Gatti, Bill Masalski, Barbara Mitchell, and Otto Stein, together with staff Wetlands Administrator Stephanie Ciccarello and Office Manager Bridget Davis, continued to deal with a large number of wetlands cases throughout town. Ciccarello also served as Town Energy Conservation Coordinator, working with a Town-gown Energy Conservation Task Force to develop a Town Climate Protection Plan. Western Mass Electric Company contributed a gift of $7,500 for each of the next three years to assist with the effort.

Through the leadership and hard work of Bob Gage, Alice Mertz, Barbara Palser, Ruth Pratt, and others, the beautiful ornamental plant arboretum at the Applewood Conservation Area was expanded even further this year. Other volunteers helped with Year 14 of the Town’s Breeding Bird Survey program and with the control of invasive plants.

Work on the Amherst-UMass Bikeway Connector, which now connects the Norwottuck Rail Trail with the University of Massachusetts campus, was completed and the trail opened and dedicated. Plans for additional connectors north to North Amherst and south over the Notch also began this year.

The Farm Committee again carried out advocacy work for local farming and sponsored the Amherst Farm Festival, aimed at drawing attention to the strong local farm economy and the many farmers who are in many ways the backbone of the Town. The Conservation Commission continues to rent conservation fields to local farmers for agricultural production, with strict controls designed to maintain the quality of wildlife habitat on these fields. Bridget Davis again coordinated the Department’s Community Gardens, with rental plots at Mill Lane, Larch Hill, Podick, Amethyst Brook, and Wildwood.

The Commission and Department continue a close relationship with the Hitchcock Center and Executive Director Julie Johnson, and with the Kestrel Trust, which assists Amherst and the eight adjacent towns in land conservation efforts.

Pete Westover, Conservation Director

SENIOR CENTER AND COUNCIL ON AGING Fiscal Year 2003 Some close calls for seniors & some close-ups of seniors. I. Close Calls

1. State Budgets As the year began, it appeared that billion dollar deficits on the state level would shrink Amherst budgets for seniors and eliminate others completely. The target for cuts that loomed largest for seniors was for prescription drug costs and coverage. The increasing cost, the limits of coverage by policies on the market and state supplements for those seniors who could not afford these plans all seemed to make promises made to seniors to crumble. A concerted effort by several groups, including Council on Aging directors, and led by the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, advocated for maintaining state funding and illustrated the predicament of a senior on fixed income while showing the expense and harm caused by a lack of preventive and chronic condition medications. These same tactics were persuasive in addressing the areas of housing, home care, transportation and issues related to patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Advocacy endeavors, through consensus building, grassroots coalescing and outspoken yet fine-tuned communications, were highly successful. In fact, the Internet became, for once, the senior’s safety net.

2. Senior Programs The excellence of programs in areas such as fiction and memoir writing and computer studies were further enhanced in subtle ways by an awareness of how things connect. This empowers the individual to stay involved: sometimes at home, in somebody else’s classroom or, as tradition would have it, at the Senior Center. Collaborators included the Hampshire YMCA and Kidsport, Learning in Retirement and LSSE, TriStar Cinema, and all businesses offering senior rates or discounts. The purpose of these efforts is not to make the SC lose seniors. Rather, it is gaining for them increased opportunities by supplying information, help with encouragement, transportation, affordability and access. Ours is not to recruit away, but to help each senior take advantage of possibilities, whenever and wherever they happen to occur.

3. Town support The Town has shown a willingness to fund services to seniors in accordance with need. Its commitment to affordable rides on PVTA vans, of affordable parking and of priority funding of staff positions have all resulted in very modest cuts in a few places and only minimal strains on the crucial systems of services and programs offered by the Senior Center. The clear image is that the Town understands senior needs through personal or family experience, and realizes that our being there in timely fashion can help all parties who must cope.

4. Transportation fare crisis and advocacy efforts A widening gap between the revenue and the cost of public transportation hit the Pioneer Valley hard. PVTA administrators put it to their board and their 23 communities: Either we raise fees or we cut services. For Amherst seniors, this was an especially serious

1 change, because they had ridden for a dozen years without a fare. The proposed new, basic fare was to be $2.00 one way.

The objective of the Senior Center staff was to find a way to cut that fare in half, to $1.00 per ride. Thanks to a bulk ticket rate from PVTA, a commitment from the Town, and a large donation from the Florence Savings Bank, this goal was achieved for FY 04. Consensus on dire needs with focus on priority objectives made this possible and should help steer us in similar situations, which are bound to arise in the future.

Close-ups 1. Outreach Small grants providing funds for part-time social work SC staff helped focus all Senior Center services on outreaching to seniors of color, seniors of very different cultures, to men and to grandparents raising their grandchildren. Judged by the numbers of seniors who have participated at the Senior Center, results are modest. Activity improved when seen in the light of connections made as well as the chances of use when faced with a personal crisis.

2. Groups Grieving or coping or de-stressing support groups, health education groups, small groups that travel together or play bridge or play mah jongg or…: the trend we see is that people are seeking a small group, one that provides some strength in numbers and yet the possibility of forming friendships. Intimacy along with personal identity appeals to most seniors, but Senior Boomers have carved out their development and careers on these principles. These very characteristics have been the options seniors choose with greater frequency in Amherst and elsewhere.

3. Well well. Preventive and proactive, diverse choices and assertive voices, myriad places to go and a central place at the Center keep senior health linked to the expressed needs seniors bring, the cutting edge practices health care professionals share and the large overlap between keeping healthy and keeping involved. The whole person is the key, giving new life to the old joke, WELL… THAT’S A DEEP SUBJECT!

4. AGE IS THE RAGE The twentieth season of the Amherst Community TV talk show AGE IS THE RAGE, featuring Amherst seniors, continued with an ambitious objective: to portray all facets of seniors – how they think, feel, recall, predict, prefer and communicate. No single show captures it all, but the cumulative effect illuminates the amazing variety of seniors “out there.” It is the mirror – a hall of mirrors – the Town can raise up to those beginning the trek of older adulthood..

5. Tax work-off Tax assistance to the elderly has always been well supported by Amherst voters and Town Meeting members. But few have taken advantage of it,, possibly because of the stigma of what may be perceived as a handout or else the fear that names of those

availing themselves of the assistance will become public knowledge. The double embarrassment seemed too much for many.

Tax work-off is different. It permits seniors to work a number of hours as community volunteers, at many sites (including the Senior Center). Depending on the number of hours worked, at the current minimum wage rate of $6.75/hr. the homeowner’s taxes may be reduced up to a maximum of $500 per year. The concept is simple, reasonable and dignified. The respectful, flexible manner of the Assessor’s Office, which administers the program, helps as well.

Here, as in other realms of meeting the needs of all who age, the SC finds the right fit, the right mix of ingredients that are at once new and familiar, flexible and ordered, affordable and available, which will tailor the Future Senior Center for each older adult.

STATISTICS that tell the FY 03 Senior Center story:

Seniors in Amherst: 2,991 Seniors using center programs & services: 1,285 One way rides for seniors: 17,236 Meals served seniors: 19,028 Senior Center budget: $312,000+ Senior Volunteers: 213 Senior volunteer hours: 28,766

AMHERST CULTURAL COUNCIL Fiscal Year 2003

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, provides communities with funds to support the arts. In Amherst, the Amherst Cultural Council then distributes our share of these funds to local artists and performers on the basis of their written proposals. With our funds, we are committed to a diversity of projects, traditional and experimental, that address the needs and interests of children and adults within the diverse cultural milieu that makes Amherst the unique community it is.

Unfortunately, due to the state budget crisis, there was a significant reduction in the amount of funds available to support the arts in the Amherst area. A short comparison between this year and last shows the extensive effect of these cuts to the arts and humanities. Last year we had 76 requests. This year we had 55. Last year the Amherst Cultural Council appropriated $42,235 to a total of 56 projects. This year the Council appropriated $19,513 to a total of 33 projects. Each proposal was evaluated in terms of the likelihood that it would 1) expand cultural resources within Amherst, 2) support existing cultural resources within Amherst and the Commonwealth, and 3) serve as many citizens of Amherst as possible. Of the total allocated, $8,834 was for art and cultural events directly benefiting Amherst public school students. Once again, this was a substantial reduction from the $15,572 that was appropriated last year.

In our previous report, the Amherst Cultural Council had stated that we were no longer able to obtain matching funds for a stained glass window installation proposed for the Amherst Town Hall. It was our hope that we could obtain matching private funds to carry out this project. Thanks to the work of Edith Byron, chair of the Amherst Public Arts Commission, our hopes were realized, and this fall we will all be able to enjoy a most beautiful work of stained glass looking out over Main Street. The artist, Mark Ricker, has started making the window, and we are hopeful that it will be finished by the end of October.

Those wishing more detail on both the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Amherst Cultural Council are invited to log onto https://www.mass-culture.org. Select “Find Your LCC” and go to “Cities/Towns A-C”; then select Amherst. There you will be able to see the latest news about the Amherst Cultural Council in addition to the many programs your council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council have supported this last year.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles Hopkins Chair

Applicants Project Granted Name Description

Mountain Road Schoolhouse Arts Council Music Class at School 29.00 Wildwood The Little Engine that Could 244.00 Moonlight and Morningstar Music Across Cultures 250.00 Catalina Arrubla/Syrinx Ensemble Music from Different Cultures 250.00 Miniature Theatre of Chester MTC 2003 Season and Internship Program 300.00 Fort River The Little Engine that Could 375.00 Arena Civic Theatre The Fantasticks 400.00 Fort River Cinderella 400.50 Crocker Farm UMASS FAC 440.00 Friends of the Jones Library Children's Music (and Dance) Series 450.00 Crocker Farm UMASS FAC 490.00 Mark's Meadow School The Little Engine that Could 500.00 Musicorda Inc. Amherst Concert Featuring Jewish Composers 500.00 Hampshire Shakespeare Company, Ltd. Richard III costumes 500.00 Foundation for Fiber Art Fiber Art Lecture Series 500.00 jubilat/Jones Reading Series and Book Group jubilat/Jones Reading Series & Book Group 500.00 Arcadia Players, Inc Music Great and Small 500.00 Amherst Writers & Artists Press Production and Publication of Peregrine XXIII 500.00 Amherst Ballet Theatre Company The Very Lonely Firefly Ballet 500.00 Youth Action Coalition, Inc. Girls Eye View 500.00 Wildwood Mozart, Monsters, and Matisse 510.00 Mark's Meadow School Rhythm in Shoes 560.00 Crocker Farm ???? 575.00 Crocker Farm Jose Gonzalez and the Banda Criolla 600.00 Sheryl Jaffe Historical Local Photography 600.00 Rena Down Soundplays 700.00 Wildwood Sarah Plain and Tall 716.00 Middle School Enchanted Circle Theater: "Between the Canals" 800.00 Wildwood Rhythm in Shoes 924.00 Middle School A Dragon's Tale 1,700.00 Amherst Public Arts Commission Stained Glass Window 2,500.00 Amherst Leisure Services Access Program for ALSCT 1,000.00 Mohawk Trail Concerts Music in Deerfield 200.00 TOTAL 19,513.50

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Fiscal Year 2003

Public Projects

FY 03 was a very busy year for DRB review of public projects of all kinds.

4 Parks & Recreation Building – The Parks and Recreation Division of DPW designed a new building for equipment storage and as an interior work space near the War Memorial Pool.

l Swamp Brook Bridge – MassHighway proposed a new bridge design to replace an old concrete bridge over Swamp Brook on Meadow Street.

pEbI West Street (Rte. 116)/Pomeroy Intersection – The DRB led other Amherst boards and officials in intervening to stop a planned MassHighway intersection/traffic signalization project that would have significantly widened Route 116 (West Street) as it passes through the growing new village center at Pomeroy Lane. Following DRB and other board recommendations for alternative village center intersection and streetscape designs, the Select Board voted to request that MassHighway turn this section of Route 116 (a state highway) over to the Town of Amherst, enabling the community to generate its own designs. Thanks to the savvy and creative assistance of DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring, much-needed (temporary) traffic signals will be installed during the fall of 2003.

6 Potwine Lane Recreation Area – The Amherst Leisure Services & Supplemental Education (LSSE) Department submitted preliminary designs for new soccer fields at the Potwine Lane Recreation Area. Purchased by Town Meeting in 1974 to serve as “a future recreational site,” conceptual plans for soccer fields in this location were submitted to the DRB as early as 1998. The DRB looks forward to reviewing final plans for this improved recreational area.

kCherry Hill Golf CourseZ – An attractive new sign was designed for the Montague Road entrance of this public golf course.

“Mill River Newt” – Designed by John Sendelbach, the artist responsible for the stone salamander on the Cushman common, this new public art work will grace the woods’ edge at the Mill River Recreation Area.

“Fugue” – Recipient of a permanent public art award from the Amherst Public Arts Commission, artist Mark Ricker reworked his initial design for a new stained glass window in response to recommendations from the DRB and Historical Commission. The new artwork will be installed in the arched window above the former north (Main Street) entrance to Amherst Town Hall. Although stained glass windows are common features

of Richardsonian Romanesque buildings like the 1889 Amherst Town Hall, this window will be Town Hall’s first.

TBoltwood Walk Waste Management Sheds – The DRB reviewed the design of some temporary new waste/recycling management sheds for the Boltwood Walk area.

5 High School Track Lighting – Thanks to a private fundraising effort, the ARHS track area was provided with designs for improved night-time lighting.

Private Projects

= Douglass Funeral Home – During FY 03, this long-established downtown funeral home added a new front porch entry awning and designed a large new south porch entrance with handicapped access ramp.

Æ Via Via – This new family-style Italian restaurant proposed outdoor dining on the porch at 48 North Pleasant Street.

) Signs (

FY 03 sign reviews included: STA Travel, Regency Hair Stylists (new awning), the Loose Goose Café (former Claudia’s Café location),Tapestry Health, Collective Copies, Trade Roots, Foundation for Fiber Arts, Amherst Hairstylists, Clay’s (former Oxford Bleu location), UNITE, Pioneer Valley Dermatology, Happy Valley Gifts, L’il Eddie, Hari’s Bistro (former New India Restaurant location), Henion Bakery (new awning), Black Sheep Café (new awnings), Nick’s Place (new awning), and Atticus Books.

David Dillon, Chair Amherst Design Review Board

42 DISABILITY ACCESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Disability Access Advisory Committee (DAAC) is comprised of: Debra Waldron, Chair; Becky Hurwitz, Clerk; Jean Smyser, Neil Davidson, Pamela LeDoux, and Eli Cooper.

Myra Ross and Dana Goddard, two long-term Committee members of thirteen years each, completed their terms. They were thanked by the Town Manager and members of the DAAC for their commitment to working on accessibility issues. There is presently one vacancy on the DAAC, as Jana Sorge resigned due to scheduling difficulties. Jean Smyser is the DAAC’s liaison to the Parking Commission, and Maura Plante, the Disability Access Coordinator, is the staff liaison to the DAAC.

The DAAC met once a month this past fiscal year and advised on the following issues: dealing with snow removal on residential sidewalks, prioritizing Town sidewalks according to their condition, the downtown sidewalk and intersection projects, audible walk signals, Douglass Funeral Service’s plan for an accessible ramp, accessible trails in Town conservation areas, the PVTA budget and fare increases, the state highway Rte. 116/Pomeroy Lane intersection project, and Amherst College’s raised sidewalk crossing on College Street at Seelye Street. The DAAC also invited Paul Appleby, UMass – Amherst’s ADA Compliance Officer, to speak about his job.

The DAAC will continue to work with Town departments to explore ways to ensure that Amherst citizens with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of life in Amherst.

43 FINANCE COMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Finance Committee is charged with investigating all proposals affecting the finances of the Town in articles of the warrant for any Town Meeting and recommending actions to be taken on the articles. The Committee also generally makes recommendations to the Town in regard to its financial business and makes transfers from the Town’s Reserve Fund to provide for extraordinary or unforeseen expenses.

The largest part of our work is preparing recommendations for the operating budget and other spending articles for Annual Town Meeting in the spring. Our goal is to study and understand the financial situation of the Town in order to provide sound advice to Town Meeting members, who cannot reasonably be expected to spend the time it takes to acquire detailed financial information. The process begins in September with study of the five-year financial projections presented by the Director of Administration and Finance, Nancy Maglione, who is our staff liaison. Beginning in January, we review in detail the municipal, library and school budget proposals that have been prepared by the Town Manager, Library Director and School Superintendent. At weekly meetings, we consult with administrators, staff and members of other boards and committees as we gather information on existing and proposed programs and services, clarify the Town’s spending priorities, and identify and quantify the resources projected to be available to meet the Town’s needs. Capital spending proposals are analyzed with respect to immediate cost, future debt obligations and impacts on operating budgets. The Committee also examines petition articles for possible financial impacts. Citizen comments are welcomed as an important source of information.

Problems for Fiscal Year 2004. Determining spending recommendations for FY 2004 was exceptionally difficult because uncertainty about the extent of state aid cuts persisted throughout the Town’s budget process and because the cuts were very deep. The Committee attempted to provide budget advice within the scope of three guidelines: 1) that $1 million divided between Free Cash and the Stabilization Fund be kept aside for emergency use; 2) that use of reserves to support operating budgets be managed so as to last for three years; and 3) that the Town continue to commit 10 percent of the levy to capital spending rather than divert it for operating budgets.

Recommended operating budgets were held to low or no increases over FY 2003: for municipal services (exclusive of enterprise funds), an increase of .8 percent; for libraries, no budget increase, but a 1.5 percent increase in tax support; for elementary schools, a 2 percent increase; and for regional schools, a .8 percent budget increase but an 8.76 percent increase in the Amherst assessment. Despite limited budgets, support for operating budgets used $3.36 million out of the $8 million in Free Cash and the Stabilization Fund. Only 9 percent of the levy was spent for capital purposes, with the extra money used to support elementary schools and avoid even greater use of reserves. Although the Finance Committee recommendations, and the votes by Town Meeting, did not strictly comply with the guidelines, the Committee believes that the spending choices for FY 04 were a reasonable response to the financial situation as it evolved. Current projections for FY 05 indicate the need for level-funded operating budgets and a significant Proposition 2 1/2 override in order to avoid severe problems in FY 2006.

The Reserve Fund. Town Meeting appropriated $85,000 for the FY 2003 Reserve Fund. The Finance Committee used the entire amount to help cover a deficit in the Snow and Ice budget.

Members. Committee members at the beginning of the year were Brenda Bright, Carlton Brose, Alice Carlozzi (Chair), Michael Mascis, Matthieu Massengill, Brian Morton (Vice-Chair), and Arthur Swift. Ms. Bright resigned at mid-year. The other members are grateful for her thoughtful work on the Committee. Our newest member, Marilyn Blaustein, joined the Committee in February.

Meetings. The Committee held 30 meetings during FY 2003. One of them was a combined meeting with the Select Board, Jones Library Trustees and School Committee. That meeting was held to familiarize all members with the new financial projections. Eight Finance Committee meetings were held prior to Town Meeting sessions. Various members attended three meetings with officials from the four towns of the Amherst Pelham Regional School District to discuss assessments to the towns for paying costs of the schools. Individual members monitored budget-related meetings of the Select Board, Jones Library Trustees and School Committees. Mr. Swift was the Finance Committee’s representative on the Comprehensive Planning Committee. Mr. Morton and Ms. Carlozzi represented the Committee on the Joint Capital Planning Committee.

Assistance of Others. The Finance Committee must have the cooperation of Town officials and citizens in order to function successfully. The administrators and elected committees responsible for municipal functions, libraries and schools provided essential information and insights. They were also exceptionally cooperative in finding ways to carry out their mandates with limited resources. Ms. Maglione provided us with accurate and timely information and analyses. The staff of the Town Manager’s office gave us essential support. We thank them all.

Alice Carlozzi, Chair

45 FIRE DEPARTMENT Fiscal Year 2003

Fiscal Year 2003 saw the usual annual increase in emergency responses; it also registered two (2) civilian fire deaths in separate incidents, while four of our firefighters were injured in two separate motor vehicle accidents that destroyed our front line ambulances. One of the fatal house fires occurred chiefly because batteries had been removed from smoke detectors installed only 3 months before the fire, negating their operation during a couch fire at 6 a.m. The other fatality was the result of an outside fire.

There were several other high profile fires in FY 03. Cowls Building Supply lost its mill and a storage shed due to a lightning strike. At UMass, the old Foundry Building burned; there were also two damaging fires at the Power Plant and one residential unit at North Village was lost. These five incidents accounted for most of the fire loss in FY 03.

Emergency traffic (Fire and EMS) increased again, up 1 % over FY 02 levels. Medical incidents increased by 4% to 3500, but fire incidents decreased by 1 % to 1292 incidents.

Firefighter Veronica Mard retired in April; a selection process was completed in June to hire her replacement in September. Paramedic/firefighter Alexis Ede resigned to move out of state and was replaced by paramedic/firefighter Chris Masloski, from the Turners Falls Fire Department. We now have 24 paramedic/firefighters with one in testing.

Captain David Miner made several rescues while off duty during the fatal residence fire on Sand Hill Road in April; he was recognized by several civic organizations for his valor. Paramedic/firefighter Sarah Roe was honored by the Governor as a “2002 Firefighter of the Year” for her revival of a cardiac-arrest patient on an airliner over the Atlantic Ocean.

Our fire safety education program in the schools (SAFE) was again successful this year, and our corps of Fire Department instructors, coordinated by Captain Masloski, launched a fund drive to raise $12,000 to purchase and equip our own SAFE trailer, rather than rely upon the County trailer, which is exhibiting the ravages of time and use.

Captain McKay and paramedic/firefighter Shanley continued to expand the tactical paramedic team, which interfaces with Amherst, state and UMass police at events where medical assistance may be needed under less than ideal situations.

Captain Sterling formed a Technical Rescue Team comprised of eight career and call firefighters, who are training to handle confined space, high angle, trench, collapse and technical rescues.

Captains Childs and Olmstead continue to assist with our EMS program in terms of training and continuing education for our paramedics and EMTs and the operation of a quality assurance program, to ensure that we continue to render excellent medical care.

Paramedic/firefighter Sell continues as a member of the area child fire-setter intervention group, and Captain Johnson and firefighter Tebo comprise the Fire Department

46 component of the Town’s Fire Investigation Unit, coupled with a state trooper and two Amherst police officers.

Captain Childs and paramedic/firefighter Martell worked with TRIAD members to install signs for the “What’s Your Number” project. Over 1000 homes now have street number signs posted in front yards to allow police and fire personnel to find them more quickly in an emergency.

Firefighter Adair and paramedic/firefighters Dion and Theilman also function as our mechanics, saving the Town thousands of dollars on repairs to our vehicle fleet.

The call and student volunteer forces continued to train and excel at providing emergency services for the Town, especially when our career members are functioning at emergencies. The students were first to arrive at the University’s Foundry fire in April.

We are awaiting the first meeting of the Fire Station Study Committee; this committee was appointed by the Town Manager and is to determine how many fire stations Amherst should support based upon our demographics, emergency call location history and future projections. This committee will make recommendations in that regard, including potential fire station sites.

We have endured the Coolidge Bridge construction for another year. Police details, when assigned to the bridge project, are instrumental in clearing the way for our ambulances to respond to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton in a timely fashion. Without these details, the trip is noticeably slower.

A number of our personnel again were recognized this year by various organizations. Besides Captain Miner and F/F paramedic Sarah Roe’s awards mentioned earlier, Captain Gary Childs, F/F paramedics Dave Dion, John Kennedy, Josh Shanley and Paul Theilman, as well as F/Fs Bob Adair and John Ingram were all feted for meritorious actions in emergency medical incidents.

Captain Jeff Olmstead and F/F David Dion, as military reservists, served in the war in Iraq and were not available for duty for us during a portion of the year.

We continue to have the smallest career firefighter contingent in the state for our population range, yet are one of the busiest in terms of emergency responses and fire prevention inspections and fire permit issuance. We need to continue to focus upon allocating additional resources in both of these areas, as stress and injuries increase each year, along with the amount of the work generated by the growth in population and construction.

Once again, I applaud the work of the men and women of the Amherst Fire Department for their selfless devotion to duty. And despite the annual increase in our workload, the majority of Amherst’s citizens need to be recognized as well for their cooperative spirit and practice of fire-safe principles.

47 Reports on fire and inspection statistics, emergency medical services, Department training, and the Call and Student Forces follow. This material was authored by Assistant Chiefs Mike Zlogar and Lindsay Stromgren, Captain Tim Masloski, and Call Deputy Chief Edward Mientka, Jr.

Respectfully submitted, Keith E. Hoyle, Fire Chief

6 YEAR STATISTICAL RECORD

FY 03 FY 02 FY 01 FY 00 FY 99 FY 98 EMS RESPONSES 3500 3361 3067 3055 2983 2627 FIRE RESPONSES 1292 1333 1426 1198 1099 984 TOTAL: 4792 4694 4493 4253 4082 3611 FIRE PREVENTION 2005 1911 1503 1503 1397 1942 FIRE LOSS IN $ 895,000 438,350 342,285 423,800 439,715 378,723

FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES

Engine 1: 2001 Emergency One 1500 gpm pumper Engine 2: 1990 Emergency One 1500 gpm pumper Engine 3: 1995 Central States 1500 gpm pumper Engine 4: 1999 KME 1500 gpm pumper Engine 5: 1976 Maxim 1000 gpm pumper Ladder 1: 1988 LTI 105 foot aerial platform with 1250 gpm pump Tanker 1: 1972 Military 6WD 1300 gallon capacity A-11: 1994 Cayel Craft ambulance A-12: 2003 Horton Navistar ambulance A-13: 1995 Horton Ford ambulance A-14: 2001 Horton Navistar ambulance A-15: 1997 Ford Horton ambulance R-1: 1987 GMC light-duty rescue truck R-2: 2000 Ford F-350 4WD pick-up R-3: 1985 GMC Suburban R-4: 1985 Chevrolet Military 4WD brush truck R-5: 1997 Dodge van X-1: 2000 Ford Crown Victoria X-2: 1998 Ford Explorer 4WD X-3: 1995 Ford Crown Victoria X-10: 1995 Ford Crown Victoria Utility: 2001 John Deere ATV Trailer: 1997 Aerolite (SAFE Program)

48 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

EMS continues as the component that generates the preponderance of our emergency traffic. We increased activity 4% over FY 02 levels, to 3500 runs. F/F Doherty received his state paramedic certificate, with F/F Clooney expecting his this fall. This will increase our number of career paramedics to 25.

At the end of the fiscal year, our two front line Navistar ambulances were destroyed in vehicle accidents while responding to emergencies. Two of the four personnel injured in these accidents have still not returned to work. Two new ambulances were ordered; both are expected to be in service by the end of September 2003. In the meantime, we have had to rely more often than usual on neighboring ambulances under our mutual aid arrangement.

We continue to provide EMS to Hadley, Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury, and these communities pay a per-resident fee to us for this service. Over 26% of our total EMS activity goes to these non-Amherst communities. We will be seeking an increase in assessments in FY 05.

Normally we can staff only 3 ambulances simultaneously. Only a third of the time can we staff 4 ambulances with on-duty personnel. Of significance, then, is the number – 64 times – when 4 of our ambulances were committed simultaneously and 14 times when our 5th, or spare, ambulance was engaged as well (the 5th ambulance usually is staffed by call or student firefighters).

Nearly 40% of our total EMS calls required some sort of advanced life support (ALS) intervention. This is consistent with our experience since we expanded to ALS care over a decade ago.

The Coolidge Bridge project was watched closely for negative effects on our EMS transports to Cooley Dickinson Hospital. There were times when our response was slowed, but no adverse effect on patient care could be noted.

Our firefighter injury rate continued to climb in FY 03, with 42 injuries (up from 36 last year). As we increase activity and our workforce grows older from year to year, this rate will continue to climb unless we can increase our workforce to spread out the work load. Our career personnel have the highest rate of emergency calls per firefighter in the state. One could say we are the most efficient workforce, but we continue to note the injury rate and stress that this work load creates as well.

49 FY 03 Paramedic Staffing

Number of Paramedics 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 July Day 0 0 0 9 10 7 4 1 0 Night 0 0 1 10 9 6 4 10 August Day 0 0 3 7 11 6 4 0 0 Night 1 0 6 9 6 3 6 00 September Day 0 0 1 4 15 8 1 1 0 Night 0 0 2 13 7 2 5 10 October Day 0 0 0 5 8 10 6 2 0 Night 0 0 2 6 7 10 5 10 November Day 0 0 0 4 11 8 7 0 0 Night 0 0 1 4 9 12 4 00 December Day 0 0 1 9 11 7 2 1 0 Night 0 0 1 8 12 7 3 00 January Day 0 0 0 6 8 9 8 0 0 Night 0 0 0 7 13 9 2 00 February Day 0 0 0 5 10 5 6 2 0 Night 0 0 0 2 15 7 2 20 March Day 0 0 1 4 19 3 3 1 0 Night 0 0 0 9 7 8 6 10 April Day 0 0 2 5 13 6 3 1 0 Night 0 0 0 8 7 9 5 10 May Day 0 0 2 9 7 5 4 3 1 Night 0 0 3 10 9 4 4 10 June Day 0 0 1 2 12 9 4 2 0 Night 0 0 0 9 11 4 5 1 0 1st Quarter Day Shift 0 0 4 20 36 21 9 2 0 Night Shift 1 0 9 32 22 11 15 20 Daily 1 0 13 52 58 32 24 40 0.5% 0.0% 7.1% 28.3% 31.5% 17.4% 13.0% 2.2% 0.0% 2nd Quarter Day Shift 0 0 1 18 30 25 15 3 0 Night Shift 0 0 4 18 28 29 12 10 Daily 0 0 5 36 58 54 27 40 0.0% 0.0% 2.7% 19.6% 31.5% 29.3% 14.7% 2.2% 0.0% 3rd Quarter Day Shift 0 0 1 15 37 17 17 3 0 Night Shift 0 0 0 18 35 24 10 30 Daily 0 0 1 33 72 41 27 60 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 18.3% 40.0% 22.8% 15.0% 3.3% 0.0% 4th Quarter Day Shift 0 0 5 16 32 20 11 6 1 Night Shift 0 0 3 27 27 17 14 30 Daily 0 0 8 43 59 37 25 91 0.0% 0.0% 4.4% 23.6% 32.4% 20.3% 13.7% 4.9% 0.5% Total Day Shift 0 0 11 69 135 83 52 14 1 0.0% 0.0% 3.0% 18.9% 37.0% 22.7% 14.2% 3.8% 0.3% Night Shift 1 0 16 95 112 81 51 90 0.3% 0.0% 4.4% 26.0% 30.7% 22.2% 14.0% 2.5% 0.0%

50 FY 03 Patient Destinations

Patient transported to: Number of trips Cooley Dickinson 2310 Holyoke Hospital 16 Mary Lane 7 Bay State Medical Center 80 Franklin Medical Center 31 Athol Hospital 1 Mercy Hospital 1 Wing Memorial Hospital 3 Transferred by helicopter 4

51 FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSES* JULY 1, 2002 – JUNE 30, 2003

* Statistics include fire apparatus responses only. Ambulance calls are listed under the EMS section of the Fire Department report.

RESPONSES by CATEGORY

FIRES: Structure:...... 64 Vehicle:...... 18 Rubbish: ...... 39 Brush:...... 19 Other: ...... 37

Subtotal – Fires ...... 177

RESCUE: (includes vehicle accidents)...... 203 HAZARDOUS CONDITION:...... 81

FALSE ALARMS: Malicious alarm: ...... 64 System Malfunction:...... 223 Unintentional: ...... 398 Good Intent Call:...... 31 Bomb Scare:...... 3 Other False alarms: ...... 18

Subtotal – False Alarms...... 737

SERVICE CALLS: ...... 45 OTHER CALLS: ...... 49 ______

TOTAL FY 03 FIRE RESPONSES: ...... 1,292

TYPE of ALARMS

STILL ALARMS:...... 1,232 Mutual Aid TO other communities:...... 13 BOX ALARMS: ...... 44 Mutual Aid FROM other communities:...... 14 RECALLS:...... 3

FIRE LOSSES & CASUALTIES

FIRE DOLLAR LOSSES: Buildings & other structures ...... $464,500 Vehicles & other equipment ...... $24,200 Other ...... $720 TOTAL ...... $489,420

CIVILIAN FIRE INJURIES...... 2 (both were fatalities) FIREFIGHTER INJURIES...... 5

NOTE: During FY 03 the Fire Department began using new software to report fire incidents to the state Fire Marshal’s office. Consequently some data reported in past years is not available at this time.

Fire Prevention Program FY 03

FY 02 FY 03 Diff Building Inspections Home Inspections (Ch 148,s26F and new construction) 460 480 20 Multi-Family Dwellings (Ch 148, s26C) 4 0 (4) Construction Plan Reviews 1 & 2 Family Residential 98 89 (9) Commercial and Multifamily 31 27 (4) Amherst College 9 17 8 Hampshire College 4 4 0 University of Massachusetts 18 13 (5) Fire Protection System Installation and Alterations 16 1 (15) Site Plan Reviews (Planning Board) 17 12 (5)

Life Safety inspections Restaurant inspections 46 62 16 Nursing homes and rest homes 8 8 0 Health care facilities 20 20 0 Inns and theaters 20 24 4 Fraternities and sororities 63 122 59 Public schools 32 28 (4) Private schools 28 20 (8) Childcare facilities 28 40 2 Public buildings 4 4 0 Other buildings 4 4 0

Inspections and permits Oil burner installations 97 97 0 LPG installations 54 69 15 UST removals 21 15 (6) UST installations 4 0 (4) AST installations 1 2 1 Tank truck inspections 2 13 11 Fireworks and pyrotechnics displays 5 3 2 Open burning, residential (310 permits, 407 renewals) 744 717 27 Open burning, agricultural and forestry (22 permits on file) 17 48 31

Public Education Programs Open House 1 1 0 SAFE 73 57 (16) Community programs 8 8 0

FIRE TRAINING

During FY 03 the Fire Department continued to offer as much training as practical to all three forces, in the area of fire and rescue training. This training is in addition to the state-mandated EMS training, which all of our Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic EMTs must complete every two years. Our goal is to continually practice basic firefighting and rescue skills, and also train on new and specialized skills. It is proving to be more and more difficult, however, to accomplish quality training with the full-time firefighters while they are on duty, due to the Department’s ever-increasing call volume and inspection activity. Fortunately, both the Student and Call Forces have a weekly drill night at which they can accomplish most of their training. In an effort to offer training to the full-time firefighters without any interruptions, we arranged to send each work group to the Springfield Fire Academy in April for a day of live-fire training. Skills practiced at the burn building included fire suppression, search & rescue, and ventilation. Throughout the year, the Student and Call Forces were also sent to the Springfield Academy Burn Building. We are fortunate that the Springfield Fire Department offers us the use of their new burn building at essentially no cost to us.

As in past years, our members were able to take advantage of a wide range of course offerings from the Massachusetts and national fire academies. Eighteen members traveled to the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland in September for a weekend of training on a variety of subjects. Courses taken from the Massachusetts Fire Academy included topics such as Structural Firefighting, Flashover Chamber, Safety Officer, Incident Command, and Fire Ground Rehabilitation Practices.

In August, the Amherst Fire Department received one of approximately ninety Massachusetts decontamination trailers, which have been distributed around the state. These trailers are intended for use in terrorist or other situations in which large numbers of civilians or rescue personnel are contaminated by some hazardous substance. Two of our officers attended a two-day training course on how to use these decontamination units and how to train others in their use. During the fall, the entire Fire Department was trained on the operation of these units.

Rescue training included refresher classes on topics such as ice rescue and vehicle extrication. Most of the non-firefighting training was focused on the specialized teams which have formed within the Department. Recognizing that not everyone can be proficient in every skill, teams have formed to train and prepare for specific types of rescue and other incidents. Specialized teams within the Department (both rescue and otherwise) include high-angle and confined space rescue, search & rescue, Tactical Medics, and critical incident stress debriefing. These teams are available by pager anytime their services are needed in Amherst or other communities. It should be noted that, although members of these teams are paid when they are called to duty, much of their training time is done off-duty on their own time.

During FY 04, we hope to continue with all the refresher and specialized training mentioned above. We also plan on offering refresher training on Incident Command for the entire Department, including training on related fireground issues for our firefighters’ safety, such as fireground rehabilitation and accountability.

CALL FORCE

Call firefighters proudly serve the Town of Amherst, augmenting the Department's Career Force by providing fire suppression and emergency medical services. The Call Force may be called to respond to immediate emergencies or to provide coverage at the station when full time resources are committed to fire or emergency medical calls.

During FY 2003, Call Force members were dispatched into service a total of 203 times. This included 48 box alarms and 112 special calls for station coverage. While in service, or requested by initial dispatch, Call Force personnel responded to 31 still alarms or other fire responses, along with 12 emergency medical calls. Fire apparatus assigned to the Call Force are a 1988 LTI 100' aerial platform and a 1999 KME pumper. The Call Force is authorized to have 22 members. 11 members were qualified pump operators and 8 qualified to operate the LTI aerial. Thirteen members were Massachusetts Registered Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). This year, call firefighter Ryan Willey was promoted to Lieutenant, 5 new recruits were hired and 2 student firefighters transferred to the Call Force.

This year's severe winter weather required stand-by service, snow plowing to assure ambulance response and the utilization of the Call Force to clear deep snow from fire hydrants in order to assure accessibility. In addition to significant fires in Amherst, Call firefighters were sent as mutual aid to sizeable brush fires in Russell and Holyoke, and a major structure fire in Granby. In Amherst, a stubborn mulch fire required over a day of suppression activities. Call members were pleased to participate in the video-taping of a fire safety video, which has been distributed nationally. Other activities included assisting with the Amherst Fire Department's fire prevention open house, Student Awareness for Fire Safety Education (SAFE) graduation, burning permit inspections, ambulance and pumper stand-by details at various events, and transfer ambulance services.

Comprehensive training to state and national standards is considered paramount to assure effective, efficient and safe operations. In addition to routine weekly training, specialized courses included: Ice rescue, Flashover, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) officer training, MFA structural firefighting, MFA firefighter survival skills, courses at the National Firefighting Academy in Maryland and live burn exercises at the Springfield Firefighting Academy. Emergency medical classes included: Life Flight, CPR, and EMT refresher. The new recruit training program is an extensive 121-hour program required prior to recruit fire response. Call Force training meets all practical and classroom requirements necessary for firefighter I and II State certification. D/C Mientka and Capt. Gladu were selected to train with the Technical Rescue Team. Capt. Richard Mears again served as an instructor for the Hampshire County Fire Training Program and was selected as the Hampshire County Training Coordinator. Rick also served as a lead instructor for defibrillator, CPR, 1st Responder, the Student Firefighter training program and Call Force recruit training. We would like to thank the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College for their continued support and use of their facilities for training purposes.

Call firefighters appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the Town of Amherst.

Respectfully submitted, Edward J. Mientka Jr. Deputy Chief, Amherst Fire Department Call Force

STUDENT VOLUNTEER FORCE

The 27 UMass student volunteer firefighters continued to augment our career and call firefighters. During FY 03, 8 students lived at the North Fire Station, and the students had their pumper in service at the station 113 hours a week. During the remainder of the week, they are on call much like our Call and off-duty career firefighters.

The students responded to 163 fire runs and 5 ambulances trips during FY 03, an increase of 12% from last year. Their training is similar to that of our Call firefighters. Those on a daily shift train 90 minutes during that shift, and the entire student contingent trains every Thursday night for 3 hours. We do not expect that they will function at the same level as our career professionals, but they perform a critical ancillary service and sometimes arrive first at calls, as was the case with the UMass Foundry fire in April. In these instances, it is important that they carry out their duties and control the incident until other help can arrive. They have performed consistently well for us in these instances.

Student firefighters also attended other training facilities besides the instruction received here. Some of those sites were the state fire academy in Stow, the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the Springfield Fire Department Training Center.

In April, 21 new student firefighters began training for FY 04 to replace graduating seniors. We expect to start FY 04 with 38 students, but will certainly lose some to attrition, as we always do. The glamor or the need to help humankind, or whatever prompts some students to elect to try to do this job, often is tempered during the 72-hour “Wonder Week” training that occurs one week before the semester begins in September. Then, each student has to look within him/herself to determine if this really is for them.

Most remain with us, and some do go on to choose the fire service as their profession, as evidenced by the 11 former graduates who now are career firefighters in Amherst. Countless others have been hired by other fire departments in Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Colorado and elsewhere, including some who have attained the rank of Fire Chief.

In October 2003, we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of student firefighters affiliated with the Amherst Fire Department. Many of our graduated members will return for this event.

AMHERST HEALTH DEPARTMENT Fiscal Year 2003

The mission of the Amherst Board of Health, working through the Health Department, is to promote the health and wellbeing of our community. We fulfill this mission through our core functions: assessment, assurance, promotion, and policy development.

Assurance: Ensuring that all Amherst residents have the services necessary to maintain or restore good health either by coordinating the delivery of services by other agencies, by policy or regulation development, or by providing services directly.

Assessment: Systematically collecting, assembling, analyzing, and making available information regarding the health of the community, including statistics on health status, community health needs, and epidemiological studies of health problems.

Promotion: Providing services and educational opportunities that encourage healthy environments and healthy lifestyles.

Policy Development: Development and implementation of comprehensive public health policies, regulations and legislation.

The work of the Amherst Health Department is organized into five major areas: Access to Health Care, Infectious Disease Control, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Environmental Health, and Health Policy and Emergency Preparedness.

I. Access to Health Care Ensuring access to health care for all Amherst residents continues to be a priority for the Department. Many of our programs focus on assuring access to health care for Amherst residents. Some of these programs are: Hampshire Health Connect, “Peace in the Family: a Khmer Community Project” and the Convalescent Equipment Loan Program. Due to budget cuts, the Health Department was not able to provide significant services to the newcomer Latino community during this year. We hope to find a way to reinstate these services.

Hampshire Health Connect Hampshire Health Connect (HHC) is a nonprofit organization created by a group of citizens, providers and representatives of local government, business and the insurers. Its aim is to link families and individuals who are underinsured, or who have no health insurance, with insurance programs that they may be eligible for or to medical providers willing to see HHC patients for free or on a sliding fee scale. The HHC is housed in Cooley Dickinson Hospital. The Health Director, Epi Bodhi, is currently secretary of the Board of Directors of HHC.

Cambodian Health Many Cambodian Americans live in the Amherst area. The Department has identified many unmet needs of this population. "Peace in the Family: A Khmer Community Project" continues to grow. Funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, this program employs a full-time outreach worker, Lauren Srey. She continues to provide regular support for the Cambodian community.

Lauren has been meeting with the Amherst Senior staff and the Hampshire Community Action Commission’s Senior Volunteer program to address the needs of Khmer elders in the community. This Khmer Elders Committee planned a meeting and a field trip and picnic for Khmer elders. At the meeting, elders had a chance to explain their current difficulties and to discuss ways in which the committee may be able to help them. Afterwards, elders and social service providers together attended the Smith College bulb show. The meeting generated a large and enthusiastic response from the Khmer community. This is one of the few opportunities that many elders have to leave their home and visit with other Khmer elders.

Because of our work with Khmer Health Advocates, an organization based in Hartford that offers medical and mental health services for Cambodians, the Health Department was a recipient of equipment to provide Telemedicine services. This equipment will allow members of Amherst’s Cambodian community to talk face to face with medical providers based in Hartford.

Convalescent Equipment Lending Program Karen Erman, Health Department Office Administrator, receives convalescent equipment such as walkers, commodes, shower benches, tub safety rails, canes, crutches, and a limited number of wheelchairs through donations and maintains a loan closet for citizens in need. Thirty-one Amherst residents borrowed fifty-one pieces of convalescent equipment during FY 03.

II. Infectious Disease Control Controlling the spread of communicable diseases and food-borne illnesses is an important function of the Health Department.

Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control during FY 03 included the following:

• 4 cases of active Tuberculosis • 11 cases of Tb prevention and control • 17,489 doses of vaccine distributed to ten Amherst providers • vaccines provided for flu, pneumonia, and tetanus to 276 residents at annual flu clinic, in conjunction with the Council on Aging

• 237 immunizations of adults and children provided at monthly immunization clinics • 5 cases of Salmonella, 2 cases of Giardia, 4 cases of Campylobacter, 8 cases of chickenpox, 0 cases of Pertussis, 17 cases of Hepatitis, 9 cases of Lyme disease, 2 cases Shigella.

III. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Programs aimed at promoting health and preventing disease is another important aspect of the Health Department’s work. Programs and interventions are for the general public or are targeted to certain groups that are at increased health risk because of their membership in a particular demographic group, the consequences of their own behaviors or the behaviors of others.

Youth Health Collaboration between the School Nursing Leader, Robbin Suprenant, and the Public Health Nurse, Julie Federman, has continued. Monthly meetings between nursing and administrative staffs have resulted in: • an increase in children enrolled in health insurance programs • participation in school health advisory meetings • continued collaboration with schools to ensure access to immunizations.

High risk groups • The Public Health Nurse and inspectors worked together in a team approach to address the multi-faceted problem of hoarding, via joint inspections that include mental health assessment and referrals to social services. • The Health Director and Public Health Nurse have begun work with the Council on Aging to ensure that seniors are offered high quality nursing services. • Emergency planning and bioterrorism response planning continues at the Town, state and county level. • Town of Amherst Handicapped Permits are available to residents of Amherst who have a temporary or chronic condition that substantially limits their mobility. This permit allows residents to park in handicapped spaces within the Town of Amherst. • This permit will NOT extend any privileges beyond Town limits, or the area colleges. A permit may be obtained from the Amherst Health Department. A doctor’s certificate stating the condition and the expected duration of the disability is required. • Work with the local emergency planning committee continued. • Preparations were made for Smallpox vaccination.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education

The Health Director continues to be active in several Town, University, and school efforts to examine alcohol abuse, underage drinking, and substance abuse. Results of a high school survey of students’ abuse of alcohol and drugs revealed a serious situation. In 1999, the Amherst Board of Health received a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to help address this problem of substance abuse in the High School. This has enabled us to hire a Health Educator, Kathy Wicks, to help coordinate the work of the Amherst Drug Free Community Partnership. The OJJDP grant is in its second year of funding. It has spent the last year developing a secure organizational structure and building stronger relationships among the key players. Strengthening the coalition is an ongoing process that will continue to be a focus of the Partnership. The Partnership continues to support existing local youth programs, pilot new programs, and develop messages that discourage alcohol and other drug use among youth in Amherst. The Partnership has explored other strategies of substance use prevention and will continue to initiate action in this regard with youth and adults. The Partnership hosted the Challenge Day Program, in which 200 youth and 40 adults participated. This program is designed to engage youth in an interactive process of challenging different levels of oppression that exist in our society and are the basis of many issues affecting the social climate at their school (such as violence, drug and alcohol use, truancy, bullying, etc.). It was considered a huge success by the students, the school administration, and other community participants.

In an effort to engage parents, a Safe Homes project was begun. Parents of high school students were asked to sign an informal contract in which they agreed to supervise any youth gatherings that take place in their homes. These names were included in a Safe Homes directory. The Partnership worked with the Amherst Regional High School Parent Center on this project, using their web site to promote it. The Partnership also supported the Study Circle initiative, which was organized by the ARHS Parent Center to build community and engage in the topic of Race and Class that is an underlying factor in how youth and families experience this community. This collaboration has moved forward the effort of the partnership to engage in the process of developing networks and building bridges within Amherst’s diverse community to support a comprehensive effort towards reducing substance use among youth in the community.

The social marketing poster campaign targeting sensation-seeking youth has been completed and the posters will be introduced one at a time throughout the next year. Both parent and youth surveys were administered in the spring of 2003. The youth survey was done in collaboration with the Safe Schools Initiative. This data will be used to monitor our progress in the community around AOD use among youth, but we will also use the information to develop a social norms marketing campaign to challenge the misperceptions around AOD use among youth.

Tobacco Control Despite severe budget cuts, the Amherst Tobacco Control program coordinator, Marlene Barnett, continued to be active in local policy promotion and enforcement efforts and regional policy promotion to reduce tobacco sales to underage youth and educate the public about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Highlights of tobacco control activities in FY 03 are as follows:

• Policy Promotion and Enforcement to Reduce Youth Access to Tobacco Products: Twenty-five tobacco retail licenses were issued and one compliance check of tobacco retailers was performed. The required signage was checked twice this fiscal year. One tobacco retailer had its license suspended for 7 days this year after selling in a compliance check. One tobacco retailer received a deferred license suspension. • Policy Promotion and Enforcement to Reduce Public Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS): Enforcement of the smoke-free regulations is ongoing and frequent, and compliance with the smoke-free regulations by the bars continues to improve. • Community Awareness Activities: Tobacco Control staff continued to collaborate with the Tobacco Free Hampshire County Community Mobilization Network. Staff participated in the Clean Air Works regional project. Informational tables were present at the SAFE Graduation and the Amherst Fire Department Open House.

IV. Environmental Issues The Board of Health is required by state statute and regulations to perform many important and crucial duties relating to the protection of public health, disease control and the promotion of sanitary living conditions. On behalf of the Board of Health, Environmental Health Services staff for FY 03 conducted 1222 inspections and issued 386 permits.

Food Safety The Health Department issues food permits for all food service establishments, including restaurants and food service facilities in stores, recreational camps, bed and breakfasts, colleges, hotels, motels, retail food establishments, schools and mobile food units.

We enforce Chapter X of the State Sanitary Code: Minimum Standard for Food Establishments, 105 CMR 590.000. This code, along with the Federal Food Code, allows us to conduct inspections, issue orders and suspend or revoke permits where necessary.

The Health Department regularly inspects the eighty-four food handlers in Amherst. These include retail, bakery and catering establishments. Since the state’s adoption of the 1999 Federal Food Code, the Health Department has worked to help local restaurants comply. The code requires that all restaurants have a person in charge

(PIC) who has knowledge of food-borne disease prevention and application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. Along with the HACCP principles, we have helped train personnel at the food establishments in anti-choking procedures. This year will include continued monitoring of food managers to ensure that they obtain Food Manager Certification and to develop a food protection program in multiple languages.

Body Art Establishments Because the Town has seen an increase in applications for Body Art establishments, the Health Department has developed and implemented new Body Art and Massage Therapy regulations.

Recreational Camps The number of recreational camps in the Town has increased, along with the number of children attending these camps. As a result, the need for monitoring and the number of inspections needed to maintain quality and compliance with regulations in the operation of these camps has increased. The state Department of Public Health has also added further regulations to the recreational camp requirements.

Housing The Health Department is working to ensure that all the residents are provided with safe, high-quality housing. During FY 03, the Department has been involved in the closure of three fraternities due to sanitary code violations. We have also been asked to serve as witnesses in two court cases and have condemned three houses that were unfit for human habitation. In FY 03, 173 housing inspections were conducted.

Precautionary Principle The Health Director continues to be actively involved in a statewide coalition to apply the Precautionary Principle, which states: “When an activity raises the threat of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not established scientifically.”

West Nile Virus Amherst was the first community in Western Massachusetts to discover a dead crow infected with the West Nile Virus. The Department continued to educate residents about preventative measures. Of 37 dead birds reported, 6 were tested and 5 were found positive in FY 03. There were no human cases of West Nile Virus

Environmental Management System With the cooperation of the Amherst schools, the Amherst Health Department is developing a plan to implement a pilot Environmental Management System (EMS) funded by the Department of Environmental Protection. An EMS is a set of ongoing management processes and procedures that allow an organization to analyze, control and reduce the negative environmental impact of its activities, products and services.

V. Emergency Preparedness The Health Director has been active in the Massachusetts Bioterrorism Advisory Committee. She serves as a member of the task force on local public health. She has applied for several grants to help the Department in the development of a volunteer medical provider pool.

The Assistant Health Director, Julie Federman, is an active member of the local county- wide, emergency planning committee (LEPC).This group represents the 19 communities of Hampshire County including representation from the following: Fire, Police, Community Services, Public Health, media, Emergency Services, chief elected officials and Public Works. As part of her work with the LEPC, the Assistant Health Director organized a group of local public health as well as community service colleagues into a subcommittee (Public Health Working Group) to address the issue of emergency planning from a health perspective and to gather input for the larger LEPC group. In addition, the Health Department has begun the task of developing a volunteer medical provider pool. All physicians and nurses living in the Town of Amherst have been sent a solicitation letter, asking for volunteers in the event of a Town incident that would overwhelm the existing emergency medical response system. The response has been excellent, with many respondents willing to participate who already have a background in emergency planning.

Health department staff has attended multi-discipline emergency preparedness training sessions, as well as smallpox pre- and post-test event training.

VI. Health Policy and Planning The Board of Health is responsible for setting policies and creating regulations to protect the health of Amherst residents.

Health Planning The Health Director is an active member of NACCHO (National Association of County and City Health Officials.) She is the chair of the Committee to Promote Local Public Health and a member of the Social Justice Committee as well as the Task Force to develop an operational definition of local public health.

The Amherst Health Department was chosen by NACCHO to be one of nine demonstration sites for a strategic planning tool called MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership). This is an opportunity for the Health Department to work with the many institutions throughout Hampshire County that form the public health system, so that we may better serve the health needs of all residents. To this end, the Health Department worked with the Hampshire County Partnership for Health, the United Way of Hampshire County and the Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth (SPIFFY) to gather information about the health status of residents and the capacity of our public health system to provide essential public health services. This information was compiled into a report that will be presented to the larger community.

Rental Registration In June 2003, after long deliberation, the Board of Health passed regulations requiring that all owners of rental property provide the Department with information about each rental unit. Health Department staff will work with landlords, tenants and other interested parties to develop a long-term approach to ensure that rental properties in Amherst are maintained and that needed information is readily available.

FY 03 Board of Health

Michael Davis J. Stephen Hickman, MD Amy Rothenberg Orlando Sola-Gomez, MD Sarina Ergas

Epi Bodhi, Health Director

64 AMHERST HISTORICAL COMMISSION Fiscal Year 2003

The Amherst Historical Commission was established by the Town in accordance with M.G.L., Chapter 40, Section 8 for “the preservation, protection and development of the historical or archeological assets” of the Town. The Commission has had an active 2002- 2003 year.

Amherst Preservation Plan – The Commission worked through the Amherst Community Preservation Act Committee and received necessary historical preservation funding for the development of an Amherst Preservation Plan. Consultants Martha Lyon (Paysage) and William Geizentanner (Geizentanner Associates) were selected from among the several consulting firms who submitted proposals. This important project will not only provide the Commission with a basis for short- and long- term historic preservation actions, but will eventually become part of Amherst’s Master Plan. The project will include identification of and proposals to preserve Amherst’s historic landscapes, including farmland, an historic resource overlooked in the past.

West Cemetery Mural – The Commission continues to work on badly needed restoration and preservation of West Cemetery. In order to improve the visual aspect of the cemetery and the surrounding properties, a mural artist, David Fichter of Cambridge, was awarded the task of designing a large mural to be placed on the rear wall of the Carriage Shops building which abuts the cemetery on the west side. The use of this property for this project is the wonderful contribution of the property’s owners, Gerald Gates and Richard Johnson.

Following a flood of ideas provided by the community, approval of the design of the mural and decisions about what and whom to include in its historical depiction of our town’s history were made by the Commission, with creative ideas provided by the artist. The mural’s design has been completed and the Commission is now in the process of raising the needed funding to have it painted on the building. It is anticipated that the work will be completed in the summer of 2004, with the help of many volunteer citizens and high school students under the direction of the artist.

Preservation Awards of Merit – The Commission continued its annual Preservation Awards program, to encourage citizens to help preserve the rich historic resources of our community by publicly honoring property owners who have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the community’s heritage. This year, the Commission’s awards recognize the preservation of visible aspects of Amherst’s agricultural heritage, and were given to:

Dana and Mary Snyder – for preservation of their unique 18th century farmhouse and barn at the corner of South East Street and Bay Road. The carefully restored Snyder home faces onto Bay Road and is one of Amherst’s best-preserved 18th century homes still in active residential use. A classic central-chimney, wooden clapboard New England saltbox, the house was built around 1767-1772. Its first known residents were a father and son, Moses Smith and his son Simeon. Moses and Simeon ran a profitable wagon freight service to Boston from the house, taking local goods to Boston and returning with

65 shipments of New England rum for the Valley (Moses had previously operated an inn). Being located right on the “Bay Road” – sometimes also called the “Brookfield Road” for the next significant colonial settlement to the east – must have been a distinct advantage. The barn to the east of the house is also very early.

Fred and Linda Hess – for preservation of their 1830 Federal farmhouse at 143 North East Street. The exact date of construction for this attractive Federal-style farmhouse is unknown, but it was in place by the mid-1830s – one of two houses built side-by-side by an early Amherst family of Dickinsons. The Hess house is the only one of the two to survive and has long commanded an extensive view east across the valley to the Pelham Hills. From 1856 through at least 1873, the house was owned by Willard R. Dickinson, an East Amherst farmer who served in Company D of the 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. The Hess family has done an excellent job of restoring and maintaining the clean, neo-classical lines of this beautiful early Amherst farm residence, including some later Greek Revival detailing. The lovely wrap-around porch is a still later feature.

Heather Colson of Mad Woman Farm – for preservation of her 1850’s-era Greek Revival farmhouse and outbuildings at 784 South East Street. This clapboarded Greek Revival farmhouse was built c. 1850, possibly by John H. Nutting, who was living there in 1860. In 1873, it was the home of a William Addison Dickinson, a founding officer of the Bay State Creamery Association. Owned by the Wentworth family from the 1920s through much of the 20th century, the property was operated as a dairy farm for much of that time. This house, with its rambling rear addition, and tightly clustered barns and outbuildings, represents an important pattern of historic New England farm architecture.

Demolition Delay – Another task for the Commission is the implementation of the Town’s demolition delay bylaw. Close cooperation with the Building Commissioner was essential to a timely response to the several demolition requests received during the year. Most notable among these was the demolition request for the 1830’s “Hubbard House” at 178 Leverett Road. Unfortunately, the structural elements of the house were too deteriorated for its restoration to be economically feasible. Instead, the Commission requested that the new house proposed for the lot be built in the same location and of the same general architecture and size, and that archeological study be permitted during demolition and excavation, to add to the Town’s knowledge of the house’s history.

Committee Coordination – The Commission also continues to work in cooperation with other Town boards and committees, and with community groups, on matters concerning historic preservation, including:

Town Boards & Committees Community Groups

Community Preservation Act Committee Amherst Historical Society Design Review Board Dickinson Homestead Planning Board The Evergreens (Martha Bianchi Trust) Zoning Board of Appeals Amherst Cinema Project UMASS Public History Project*

66 *The Public History project provided the Commission with student ideas for future treatment of the Town commons and veterans memorials.

It will also be represented on the 250th Anniversary Committee, which is to be established in the fall.

Staffing Changes – In the spring of 2003, Lynda Faye, staff liaison to the Commission from the Planning Department, resigned after many successful years supporting the Commission’s many projects. A trained historic preservation planner, Lynda’s support was instrumental in the considerable successes the Commission has had over the years. Senior Planner Jonathan Tucker will be providing staff support for the Commission in FY 04.

Amherst Historical Commission members during FY 03: Don Frizzle, Chair Sharon Carty Sara LaCour Edith MacMullen Max Page Perry Thompson Jim Wald

AMHERST HOUSING AUTHORITY

The Amherst Housing Authority respectfully submits its Annual Report to the citizens of the Town of Amherst, Ms. Jane Gumble, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Secretary's Representative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and state Auditor Joseph DeNucci for the year ending March 31, 2003.

The members and staff of the Amherst Housing Authority reaffirm their continued desire to serve all the citizens of Amherst, including those who reside in the several buildings that the Authority owns, and also AHA tenants who reside in privately owned buildings in the Town of Amherst.

Sincerely,

Joan Ross Logan Chair

68 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The voters of the Town of Amherst elect four members of the Board at large, and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appoints one member. All members serve five-year terms. The members establish policies regulating the operation of the Amherst Housing Authority. Regular Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the community room at Ann Whalen Apartments.

Members of the Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners are:

Commissioner Term Expiration Judy Brooks April 2005 Steve Rogers April 2007 Joan Ross Logan April 2007 Peter Jessop April 2004 Judy Collins April 2006

At their annual meeting in April, Joan Logan was elected Chair; Peter Jessop, Vice-Chair, Judy Collins, Treasurer; and Judy Brooks, Assistant Treasurer. The Board reviewed and revised its bylaws.

Board members welcomed Steve Rogers of Pulpit Hill Road as the Governor’s appointee to the Board.

Peter Jessop continues to serve as the Authority’s representative on the Community Preservation Act Committee.

AMHERST HOUSING AUTHORITY STAFF

In addition to the actual day-to-day management, maintenance, and administration of the Authority's programs, the AHA staff provides housing referrals and information to the general public and to local and state agencies and boards. Its offices are located at 33 Kellogg Avenue.

Administrative Personnel

Executive Director Donna Crabtree Housing Manager Nancy Schroeder Director of Housing Programs Paula Sayword Office Manager Pam Collins Section 8 Program Coordinator Debbie Turgeon Bookkeeper Lowell LaPointe Housing Inspector Edward Cutting

Maintenance Personnel

Maintenance Supervisor/Mechanic Jerry Aldrich Maintenance Laborer John Summers Groundskeeper/Custodian Dana Glazier

Contract or Grant-Funded Staff

Support Service Coordinator Eunice Torres Fee Accountant Gary DePace Counsel – State Programs Christopher Brown, Esq.

70 AMHERST HOUSING AUTHORITY HOUSING

NAME OF # OF UNITS FUNDING BUILDING DATE OF BUILDING TYPE NUMBER OCCUPANCY ELDERLY/ HANDICAPPED Chestnut 30 State 667-1 1962 Court Apts. Ann Whalen 80 State 667-2 1975 Apts. Jean Elder 23 State- 667-3 1980 House Congregate FAMILY Watson Farms 15 Federal 085-1 1982 Apts. Stanley St. 2 State 705-2 1988 Jenks St. 4 State 705-3 1989 Olympia Drive 4 State 705-1 1992 Fairfield St. 6 State 705-1 1992 Bridge St./ 6 State 705-1 1992 Market Hill HANDICAPPED John C. Nutting 5 State 689-1 1981 Moreau House 8 State 698-2 1990

RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UNDER CONTRACT

NAME OF PROGRAM UNITS TYPE Section 8 Rental Voucher 413 Federal Program Mass. Rental Voucher 35 State Program/Alternative Housing Voucher Program

71 AMHERST HOUSING AUTHORITY HIGHLIGHTS

The Housing Authority revised its Annual Agency Plan with the assistance of a Resident Advisory Committee. The plan includes a mission statement, goals and objectives, and numerous policies and budgets. It is available for public review in the Authority offices, in the Planning Department at Town Hall, and in the Jones Library. The Agency Plan was submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval.

Through Community Preservation Act funds, the Authority was allocated $130,000.00 to assist with the preservation of four units of affordable housing on Bridge St., and with the development of four units on Tamarack Drive. The Authority received a technical assistance grant and hired a consultant to provide financial services for the development project.

The Authority is participating in a state-funded pilot program to develop prototypes for modular family housing.

The Authority received capital improvement grant awards from the Department of Communities and Development. The grant includes $206,200.00 for ventilation and heating improvements at Ann Whalen Apartments and $8,100.00 to prepare a housing capital improvement plan for the Authority’s state-aided housing developments.

The Authority received an Agency Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organizations for the success of the Jean Elder reuse plan. In the spring of 2002, the Authority leased the four-bedroom unit to Pioneer Developmental Services. The program provides residential respite care for low-income persons with developmental disabilities. The Authority also leased the five- bedroom unit to Multi Cultural Services of Pioneer Valley, Inc. The program provides a residential service for low-income persons with developmental disabilities.

The AHA continues to improve its existing management, maintenance, and rental assistance programs and to emphasize preventive maintenance.

Maintenance/Capital Improvements

The maintenance staff prepared 29 vacancies for occupancy and completed 705 work orders. The staff also maintains the grounds and buildings at the Authority’s eleven properties.

The Authority completed the following capital improvement projects: ramp construction and heating upgrade at the Jean Elder House, pipe replacement at Chestnut Court Apartments, and caulking and waterproofing at Ann Whalen Apartments.

72 Management

In 2002, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designated the Authority, yet again, as a high performer. We received a 94% score on the HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System Program. This program evaluates housing authorities in four areas: physical inspections of property, financial reporting, resident satisfaction, and management capability.

The Authority renewed its contract for Executive Director services with the Hampshire County Regional Housing Authority.

The Authority processed 1019 new applications during the year and maintained combined waiting list totals of 1004 applicants.

AHA staff processed 145 income recertifications and leased 29 new households residing in AHA owned property.

Rental Assistance Programs

The AHA administers three rental assistance programs: the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), both funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Both programs permit eligible households to occupy privately owned units. The Authority pays part of the monthly rent directly to the owner. Over 90 local owners participate in the programs.

On the Section 8 program, AHA staff issued 118 Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers, completed 511 income recertifications and leased 81 new families on the program. The Authority also completed 50 MRVP and AHVP income recertifications.

The Authority is now participating in the statewide central Section 8 waiting list. This list opened in January of 2003 and will remain open for applications.

The Housing Inspector conducted 902 inspections. These inspections included annual, move-in, and special inspections of units leased through the Section 8 and conventional housing programs.

Resident Services

Two residents of the Authority’s 705 housing for families received scholarships from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organizations for their excellent academic performance.

73 The Support Service Program, through its Coordinator, arranges for counseling, individual assessments, support, and crisis intervention to elderly/handicapped residents. The program also provides a number of educational forums for residents.

The Ann Whalen Tenant Organization sponsors meetings, workshops, and social events for all Ann Whalen residents. The Organization also sponsored a very well attended legislative forum for all tenants of state-aided housing.

Two Section 8 families graduated from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (for residents of Watson Farms Apartments and participants in the Section 8 program) attempts to help families become economically independent by utilizing existing private and public resources and integrating them into individual training and service plans.

THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP/FAIR HOUSING COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

Last year, under the leadership of Mariana Luz, the HP/FHC continued to seek means of supporting more affordable housing to meet the needs of Amherst’s diverse population. To that end, the Committee worked on ways to get the Olympia Drive project under way, pursued its interest in forming a Housing Trust Fund (HTF), supported several projects with the Amherst Housing Authority with funds provided in accordance with the Community Preservation Act (CPA), worked on policy issues, and began the process of updating the 1992 Fair Housing Plan. Members also met with the Planning Board Subcommittee on Zoning to improve understanding of zoning options for affordable housing and continued to consider properties in town that might be suitable for affordable housing. The handbook, “Your Rights and Responsibilities,” a guide for landlords and renters, was printed and distributed under the Committee’s guidance.

The Housing Policy, approved by the Select Board, was updated from 1995 and took a more proactive direction to actively increase Amherst’s affordable housing stock. It reads as follows:

Whereas: the Town of Amherst values its diverse cultural community, and acknowledges that to sustain it now and into the future requires preserving the existing stock of housing and promoting future development of a broad range of safe, accessible, affordable housing for our community, To this end Amherst shall: • actively support initiatives designed to preserve, develop and/or replenish its affordable housing inventory • actively promote access to housing for all persons, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, physical capabilities, marital or social-economic status • commit to educating the public on all housing conditions, current housing laws and regulations, and enforce housing laws and protections within the community.

With a $10,000 grant from the state, Jeanne Armstrong of Land Use, Inc. has worked with the Planning Department and the HP/FHC to revise the 1992 Amherst Fair Housing Plan, which will develop details of Amherst’s current housing stock and to determine goals and objectives related to affordable housing. The Committee looks forward to using this information to work with others in Amherst to develop a fair and comprehensive housing development policy. Consistent with the current goals of the Committee, the name of the plan will be the 2003 Amherst Affordable Housing Plan.

The CPA actually gave us the means to develop more housing. The fall 2002 Town Meeting approved $130,000 for two projects: purchase of the Keet house to maintain affordability of four units under an expiring use purchase, and to build two duplex units on Housing Authority land, for a total of eight units. There will be a proposal at the fall 2003 Town Meeting for more units. The Committee also supported a zoning change to

75 allow the Palley-Bacon development to build housing, with the condition that it include four units of affordable housing in two duplexes.

The Committee began to study the idea of forming a Housing Trust Fund last fall and explored options with the CPA Coalition and the Center for Community Change. It held a public information meeting at which Winton Pitcoff, an expert in the field, talked about the benefits of a trust fund for affordable housing. The HP/FHP will request a grant of CPA funds to develop an organizational structure during the coming year. In addition to allowing potential housing to be purchased as it comes on the market, the HTF will also help to maximize funding, increase participation in affordable housing development, and help raise additional funds.

Meetings with Judy Steinkamp (UMass Campus Planning and Space Management) and Michael Gilbert (UMass Housing Services) gave the Committee updated information on the University’s plans to develop housing on campus and on Olympia Drive. The Committee met with Conservation Director Pete Westover to clarify goals regarding the Town-owned portion of that land and is working to establish the legal requirements before development. Interest in working with UMass to develop a joint project at this site continues.

Our thanks to Windy Dayton and Cindy Stahler for their service on the Committee this past year. Current members are: Audrey Child, chair; Nancy Gregg, Joan Lindeman, Mariana Luz, Penny Pitts, Frank Wells; Joanne Levenson, Associate Member.

Submitted by Penny Pitts and Audrey Child

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIRECTOR Fiscal Year 2003

In the last year, the Human Rights Commission has made considerable progress: We have had a total of 17 complaints, most of which have been resolved through simple dialogue, by allowing those who have felt victimized to express their concerns and frustrations to the Human Rights Director regarding their specific issues. By creating an environment of dialogue, the Human Rights Director has avoided having to engage in any litigation. There has been one case that needed to be investigated and this is still in process. Prompt responses to complaints, whether by phone, mail, or on a one-to-one basis by the Human Rights Director, have been effective.

The process of recruiting HRC members has been difficult. We had a full member commission until one of our commission members moved out of town and resigned; he remains as a volunteer. The Commission has been re-energized. During the last year, we have had only one meeting that failed to achieve a quorum. Town Meeting approved the HRC’s request for an increase in membership from seven to nine. At present there are four vacancies. In order to have a balance of gender, race, etc., we are looking at recruiting women of color.

The Human Rights Director met with the Northampton Human Rights Director to gain insight into the work of their commission and how, as neighboring commissioners, we might be able to work in collaboration to be pro-active on issues of human rights and civil liberties. The Human Rights Director met with the Assistant to the Amherst School Superintendent to discuss how the Commission could become involved in the public schools. The Human Rights Director coordinated training sessions on sexual harassment for the Amherst Fire and Public Works departments.

The accomplishments of the Human Rights Commission for the last year have been significant:

• The Commission organized and presented a public forum on the controversial issue of bilingual education.

• It reestablished the Martin Luther King Day celebration.

• At the HRC’s recommendation, the Select Board declared December 10th as Human Rights Day.

• The HRC organized a candlelight vigil in recognition of those who gave their lives in defense of human rights. The Declaration of Human Rights was read.

• The Select Board proclaimed March 21st as the International Day for the elimination of racial discrimination, and the HRC organized and presented a reading on the elimination of racial discrimination.

• The Human Rights Commission gained the support of the Select Board for a warrant article intended to amend the bylaw to change the number of Human Rights Commissioners from 7 to 9. It was approved by Town Meeting.

• The HRC Commission attended and served on a committee at the University of Massachusetts to organize a forum regarding actions by the FBI and the violation of citizens’ civil liberties.

• The HRC invited the Chief of Police and the Jones Library Director to one of our monthly meetings to discuss the effects of the Patriot Act on regional activities. The HRC organized and presented a forum on civil liberties in collaboration with SAGE.

• Several members of the Commission participated in the Amherst School Study Circle.

• The HRC participated in the Town’s annual 4th of July parade.

• The HRC co-sponsored a two-day workshop at Greenfield Community College on civil liberties.

• In collaboration with NAACP, the United to End Racism group, and the Amherst Schools Study Circle, the HRC sponsored a Potluck Community Luncheon at Mill River Park.

• The HRC is in the process of creating a community cookbook as a project of the “No Place for Hate” campaign.

In summary, the main focus of the Human Rights Director has been to create an environment of inclusion and cohesiveness in the Human Rights Commission. It has been important to have more participation from members of the Commission and less focus on the Director’s position. The newly elected chair of the Commission has been extremely helpful and effective in facilitating this process. The Commission has been revitalized and re-energized and we are eager to take on pro-active issues to educate and make Amherst a place of inclusion and respect for all its citizens.

Eunice Torres Reynolds Winslow Director Chair

78 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Fiscal Year 2003

The year began with the Information Technology (IT) Department aggressively and proactively preparing for the long-awaited fiber optic I-Net. Comcast, formerly AT&T Broadband, equipped twenty municipal buildings, including the schools, with the fiber optic cable necessary to facilitate such a network. Preparations included: installing all new Cisco Systems switching equipment capable of transmitting over fiber optics, reengineering network subnets, and adding internal security layers to protect the Public Safety databases.

With the speed and reliability of the new fiber optic I-Net, physical placement of network resources such as servers is now irrelevant. In June of this year, we moved the majority of our network servers to one main location, making the IT Department more efficient when physically troubleshooting and managing the equipment. Additionally, we now have new types of data passing over the I-Net, including security systems, video systems, and more. In the future we expect to add phones, HV/AC and many other services to the I-Net.

The largest project the IT Department completed this year was possibly the least noticeable to users. In July of 2002, the IT Department was responsible for maintaining various types of desktop and server operating systems, ranging from Windows 95 to Windows NT 4.0 Server. We began the migration to Windows 2000 in July of 2002 and finished in April of 2003. Now every PC on the network and all except two servers run Windows 2000. From a network administrative standpoint, the advantage to this uniformity is immense.

As more and more electronics are needed in the organization, the need for being energy- conscious also rises. This year we took several steps towards minimizing energy consumption, including: configuring Windows 2000 to automatically power-off monitors during inactivity, and purchasing flat-panel monitors and EPA Energy Star-compliant devices. Government entities have an obligation to set an example in environmental protection, and I feel these efforts will contribute to that goal.

In January of this year, the IT Department launched what I refer to as “version 1.0” of the new Town of Amherst website. Demand for Internet services is being fueled by the private sector, where citizens are now banking, shopping, planning vacations and making long-distance phone calls. In turn, state and local government organizations across the country have recognized the need to provide services and information on-line. Future versions of this site will be the home of many Town services that currently require a trip to Town offices.

Thanks to the technology revolution currently in full swing, Internet access is becoming ubiquitous. Between broadband access at home, wireless access on laptops, cyber cafés, and Internet jacks in hotels, the question is often how to connect, not whether it’s available. One of the projects completed this year was geared specifically toward utilizing this powerful resource. With the introduction of Exchange 2000 and virtual private networking to our network, users are now able to securely access e-mail, task

79 lists, and calendars anywhere. Additionally, users can now securely connect over the Internet from home and access software and printers as if sitting in their office.

In addition to the many projects completed this year, the IT Department worked diligently behind the scenes, maintaining current systems. With the ever-increasing threat of viruses and hackers, we are continually forced to upgrade servers, PCs and network devices to ensure integrity. The IT Department maintains several layers and types of specialized security hardware and software, lowering the risk of unauthorized network intrusion and viruses. We also maintain a variety of backup systems both onsite and offsite, ensuring that even in a disaster the Town’s data and systems are safe.

Given the ever-expanding responsibilities of the IT Department in addition to the current economic climate, the need for reorganization becomes apparent. Early this year, we changed the Department’s name from Information Systems to Information Technology to better reflect our responsibilities. To promote a team environment, we consolidated multiple separate staff offices to one large office, now located in the lower level of the Town Hall, and we will begin fiscal year 2004 with a staff reduction and reorganized job descriptions.

The IT Department is committed to progress and, in a world of rapid change, moving at Internet speeds; simply trying to keep up is almost a guaranteed recipe for forever lagging behind. In the coming year we will continue to maintain software and infrastructure standards, extend more information and tools to constituents via the website, and leverage new technologies in a way which will serve residents for years to come.

Kristopher Pacunas Director

80 INSPECTION SERVICES Fiscal Year 2003

This year Bonita Weeks was appointed Building Commissioner.

Amherst College completed the first phase of infrastructure as part of this year’s dormitory renovation project, and began work on phase two. They completed work on two temporary dorms and began construction on two new dorms. They also began work on the North and South Dorm renovations. Hampshire College also began implementing their long-term plan for upgrades of the campus buildings, both residential and academic. Enfield House dorms are currently being renovated as part of the Hampshire College long-range plan. Inspection Services is working closely with both colleges, from the early plan stages through completion of the buildings.

Although the number of permits issued for new single-family houses was slightly lower than in the last fiscal year, there were more conversions of single family homes and more permits issued for duplexes and multi-family dwellings.

Once again the agendas set by the colleges, along with the regular work load, will make the next few years challenging ones for this department.

81 AMHERST INSPECTION SERVICES INCOME FY 99 - FY 03

FY 99 FY 00 FY 01 FY 02 FY 03

JULY 43,561.26 33,702.25 37,355.20 58,286.96 44,497.40

AUGUST 29,302.25 41,955.60 49,789.50 39,888.25 49,163.65

SEPTEMBER 24,550.98 33,764.30 24,780.60 49,150.80 43,495.25

OCTOBER 24,733.02 18,441.40 25,422.75 20,841.70 66,121.74

NOVEMBER 31,067.90 19,618.06 17,488.00 52,659.90 18,365.14

DECEMBER 19,581.48 17,634.70 37,950.50 21,907.55 22,666.60

JANUARY 21,330.40 32,204.80 11,842.70 20,085.20 24,699.50

FEBRUARY 10,879.00 12,964.50 15,968.75 33,003.05 33,054.65

MARCH 40,627.55 28,859.40 19,408.30 29,440.15 42,840.95

APRIL 40,723.40 26,419.55 22,761.35 51,510.34 24,885.10

MAY 38,045.70 15,851.55 127,748.80 59,137.20 80,903.72

JUNE 43,181.61 34,831.08 133,010.05 42,974.65 53,075.12

TOTAL 367,584.55 316,247.19 523,526.50 478,885.75 503,768.82

BUDGET ACTUAL 341,803.00 363,273.00 417,285.00 319,887.00 307,147.00

FEES INCREASED - MARCH 1992 FEES INCREASED - APRIL 2000

FEES WAIVED

FY 97 - 29 Permits $ 2,965.00 FY 98 - 54 Permits $ 4,040.00 FY 99 - 62 Permits $ 4,205.00 FY 00 - 62 Permits $ 4,245.00 FY 01 - 45 Permits $ 4,419.00 FY 02 - 99 Permits $ 7,360.00 FY 03 - 86 Permits $17,761.00

82 INCOME FOR INSPECTION SERVICES FISCAL YEAR 2003

Building Permits Income Permits Gas Permits Income Permits

July 27,616.40 78 July 505.00 13 August 20,246.65 62 August 560.00 14 September 34,373.25 76 September 1,200.00 23 October 42,951.74 80 October 1,030.00 25 November 11,566.14 67 November 870.00 24 December 9,397.60 54 December 990.00 26 January 17,443.00 41 January 1,560.00 48 February 25,572.65 28 February 330.00 10 March 29,332.95 45 March 285.00 7 April 15,573.10 63 April 930.00 19 May 67,909.22 104 May 480.00 12 June 44,300.62 100 June 360.00 9

Total 346,283.32 798 Total 9,100.00 230

Weights & Measures Electrical Permits

July 1,730.00 7 July 9,670.00 75 August 240.00 1 August 5,260.00 68 September 630.00 3 September 3,970.00 54 October 60.00 2 October 19,755.00 65 November 360.00 1 November 3,220.00 49 December 940.00 4 December 2,395.00 45 January 549.00 17 January 1,920.00 40 February 0.00 0 February 2,665.00 39 March 0.00 0 March 4,425.00 52 April 70.00 3 April 4,220.00 44 May 100.00 1 May 5,735.00 63 June 865.00 3 June 5,515.00 110

Total 5,544.00 42 Total 68,750.00 704

Plumbing Permits Certificates of Inspection

July 4,265.00 76 July 381.00 3 August 1,553.00 34 August 21,229.00 151 September 1,723.00 30 September 1,599.00 13 October 1,925.00 28 October 100.00 2 November 1,974.00 36 November 300.00 3 December 1,470.00 34 December 7,224.00 71 January 1,805.00 37 January 1,122.50 10 February 3,300.00 53 February 1,087.00 7 March 1,495.00 28 March 6,973.00 50 April 3,275.00 29 April 817.00 7 May 3,790.00 61 May 2,609.50 25 June 1,529.00 29 June 280.50 3

Total 28,104.00 475 Total 43,722.50 345

Income Permits

SUB TOTALS 501,503.82 2594

Demolition Permits 1,665.00 23 Re-Inspection Fees - COI'S 600.00 X Certificate of Occupancy X 71

TOTAL 503,768.82 2688

83 PERMITS ISSUED AND INCOME FY 99 - FY 03

FY 99 FY 99 FY 00 FY 00 FY01 FY01 FY02 FY02 FY03 FY03 PERMITS INCOME PERMITS INCOME PERMITS INCOME PERMITS INCOME PERMITS INCOME

BUILDING 836 230,167.55 733 194,906.69 709 365,186.50 768 327,263.75 798.00 346,283.32

ELECTRICAL 1007 65,279.00 892 57,458.00 848 77,367.00 848 74,181.50 704.00 68,750

PLUMBING 363 19,488.00 320 16,068.00 317 19,280.00 402 23,209.00 475.00 28,104

GAS 254 8,950.00 214 9,015.00 198 8,705.00 235 10,010.00 230.00 9,100

CERT. OF INSPECTION 368 39,950.00 330 36,669.50 362 43,519.00 316 38,057.00 345.00 43,722.50

WTS & MEAS. 50 2,975.00 9 1,630.00 57 7,784.00 51 4,497.00 42.00 5,544

DEMOLITION 17 775.00 12 500.00 13 885.00 9 675.00 23.00 1,665

RE-INSPECTION X 0.00 X 0.00 X 800.00 X 992.50 X 600

TOTALS 2895 367,584.55 2510 316,247.19 2504 523,526.50 2629 478,885.75 2617 503,768.82

INSPECTION SERVICES

PERMITS ISSUED

FY 93 - FY 03

FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

BUILDING PERMITS 538 552 633 645 795 704 836 733 709 768 798

DEMOLITION PERMITS 10 6 8 5 8 8 17 12 13 9 23

PLUMBING PERMITS 244 290 319 304 325 329 363 320 317 402 475

GAS PERMITS 215 286 412 204 236 196 254 214 198 235 230

ELECTRICAL PERMITS 550 703 1031 908 842 977 1007 892 848 848 704

CERTIFICATES OF INSPECTIONS 383 277 318 261 255 344 368 330 362 316 345

WEIGHTS & MEASURES 44 50 9 57 51 42

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANY 75 106 100 65 81 70 81 66 80 74 71

TOTAL PERMITS ISSUED 2015 2220 2821 2392 2542 2672 2976 2576 2584 2703 2688

INSPECTION SERVIC ES TOWN OF AMHER ST B UILDING PERMITS ESTIMAT ED COST F ISCAL Y EAR 2003

Comm ercial New New New New Priv ate & Inst itutiona l Single Two Commercial , Condomin iums Mult i Family Reli gious Family Family Institutio nal, & Multi Fam. Alte rations/ Alte rations/ Accessor y Month Dwellings # Dwellings # Convers ion # Religious, Farm, # Dwelling s # Addi tions # Addi tions # Structur es # Total #

July 86770 0 6 0 0 55000 2 466000 2 0 0 325871 39 832612 14 38550 15 2585733 78 August 25000 0 1 0 0 40000 1 746000 2 0 0 383993 32 1015027 12 45650 14 2480670 62 September 87370 0 4 168000 1 3000000 1 0 0 0 0 619788 42 796510 14 60665 14 5518663 76

Quarterly Total 1991 400 11 168000 1 3095000 4 1212000 4 0 0 1329 652 113 2644149 40 144865 43 10585066 216

October 87940 0 4 0 0 0 0 4357397 2 0 0 737318 54 412756 7 418672 13 6805543 80 November 37488 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 573696 42 33695 11 71387 12 1053658 67 December 25000 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 518308 38 251570 15 0 0 1019878 54

Quarterly Total 1504 280 7 0 0 0 0 4357397 2 0 0 1829 322 134 698021 33 490059 25 8879079 201

6 Month T otal 3495 680 18 168000 1 3095000 4 5569397 6 0 0 3158 974 247 3342170 73 634924 68 19464145 417

January 50700 0 3 0 0 25000 2 0 0 0 0 807021 25 121700 6 37550 5 1498271 41 February 1095 297 5 0 0 0 0 35000 1 0 0 205685 16 965318 6 0 0 2301300 28 March 28000 0 1 0 0 660000 2 500000 1 0 0 382510 28 1068887 10 59900 3 2951297 45

Quarterly Total 1882 297 9 0 0 685000 4 535000 2 0 0 1395 216 69 2155905 22 97450 8 6750868 114

April 51100 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 635527 41 371770 7 35700 12 1553997 63 May 52852 7 2 0 0 1900 1 0 0 1840 0000 2 529005 48 262010 8 58217 43 19779659 104 June 85300 0 4 0 0 262000 2 115000 1 0 0 2079 040 59 800572 12 530301 22 4639913 100

Quarterly Total 1892 527 9 0 0 263900 3 115000 1 1840 0000 2 3243 572 148 1434352 27 624218 77 25973569 267

Grand Tot al 7270 504 36 168000 1 4043900 11 6219397 9 1840 0000 2 7797 762 464 6932427 122 1356592 153 52188582 798

NEW SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS

FISCAL YEAR

CALENDAR YEAR # OF PERMITS

1981 40 1982 25 1983 59 1984 73 1985 112 1986 118 1987 JAN. - JUNE 56 (SIX MONTHS)

FISCAL YEAR (July - June) # OF PERMITS

FY 88 43 FY 89 69 FY 90 30 FY 91 29 FY 92 22 FY 93 45 FY 94 51 FY 95 41 FY 96 36 FY 97 39 FY 98 30 FY 99 27 FY 00 32 FY 01 33 FY 02 38 FY 03 36

MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS $300,000.00 and Up FY 03

APPLICANT LOCATION NATURE OF WORK EST. COST

Peoples Savings Bank 56 Amity Street New Branch Bank $447,000.00 56 Amity Street Amherst, MA

Ronald LaVerdiere 19 Research Drive New Commercial/Residential $640,000.00 433 West Street Building Amherst, MA

Research Support Fund 418 North Pleasant St. Foundation for new Office $400,000.00 Dept. of Economics Building Thompson Tower University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA

Atkins Farms 1151 West Street Two Story Addition $596,850.00 1151 West Street Amherst, MA

Western Development Corp. 24 Summerfield Rd. New Single Family Dwelling $338,000.00 20 Easthampton Rd. Holyoke, MA 01040

J & N Salema Family Partnership 312 College Street New Dunkin Donuts $357,397.00 135 Elizabeth Dr. Ludlow, MA 01056

THE JONES LIBRARY, INC. MUNSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, AND NORTH AMHERST LIBRARY Fiscal Year 2003

Our mission: The Jones Library strives to stimulate and support the civic and cultural life of all people of our region by:

Providing access to materials Amherst Town libraries are well known for their wide selection of the best and the latest fiction and information. In Fiscal Year 2003 readers and students borrowed more library materials than ever before – 565,257 books and recordings. People used over $1,000,000 worth of library materials each month. Library users responded enthusiastically to a new online reservation service that allowed them to request materials from 140 library collections at the click of a mouse. “Patron-placed holds” brought books, CD’s, and videos from all over central and western Massachusetts to Amherst residents at no extra charge.

The Adult Services department initiated the “Books and More To Your Door” delivery service for homebound readers. Staffed by volunteers, the service provided books, videos, and books on tape to people whose health would not allow a visit to the library.

In response to the growing diversity of languages spoken in Amherst, Jones Library successfully applied for a federal grant to expand collections of materials in Chinese, Korean, Khmer and Spanish. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners awarded $16,600 in federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for the “Community Languages” project. In addition, the Kanegasaki Public Library in Amherst’s Japanese Sister City donated 100 children’s books in Japanese to the children’s collections.

Assisting people in their quest for information A generous grant of $52,355 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation greatly expanded public access to information over the Internet. Fourteen new computers arrived in March 2003 loaded with Microsoft application software, children’s learning games, and educational databases ready to connect to the Internet. Twenty library staff members received training in computer use as part of the statewide Gates grant program. These fast new computers have attracted new users to the Munson, North Amherst, and Jones Libraries.

“Get a CLUE” computer classes, originally funded with a federal LSTA grant, continued with Town funding throughout fiscal year 2003. Sixty-eight free classes were offered in beginning computer skills, beginning word processing, and beginning spreadsheet applications. The library’s goal is to help everyone learn to use a computer to find information, especially folks who do not have a computer of their own.

The English as a Second Language Center matched seventy tutors and students during the year to work on basic English language skills. Fifty students received application support and/or test preparation for their U.S. citizenship test. ESL volunteers not only worked with students one on one, they also organized a beginning-level English class in the summer, an advanced-level culture and literature class, and the citizenship test preparation series. In exchange for the help they received, several ESL students have volunteered their time at the library.

90 Preserving the history of our community Special Collections welcomed researchers of all ages, from second-grade classes in local elementary schools to academic specialists traveling from around the world. Online catalog access to historical materials continued to expand, with 7,800 records available over the Internet through the C/W MARS catalog by July 1, 2003.

Thousands of visitors toured permanent exhibits on the lives of Amherst’s famous poets. Paintings and watercolors by writer and artist Mabel Loomis Todd were displayed in conjunction with the Todd exhibit at the Amherst History Museum. For the Emily Dickinson International Society’s conference in Amherst, the Department displayed musical scores of Emily Dickinson’s poems, enhancing its musical theme. One of the program highlights of the year was a unique evening of poetry hosted by Special Collections during National Poetry Month. “Emily Dickinson: an Appreciation” presented nationally known writers Joseph Langland, Henry Lyman, and Jane Yolen reading their favorite Dickinson poems for a delighted audience.

Serving as a meeting place for the community’s educational and cultural pursuits The Jones Library meeting rooms welcomed discussions and events on topics ranging from presidential politics to the outstanding new jubilat/Jones Poetry Series. Children and adults attended 324 activities presented by library staff at the three libraries, including children’s story time, family singing programs, chess clubs, musical performances, and hands-on science activities. Prize-winning poets James Tate and Dara Wier were among the dozen talented readers who contributed their creative energies to the poetry series. A panel of four mystery writers and local authors Nancy Hope Wilson, Michael Tougias, and Cynthia Barstow connected with their audiences at the library.

Local organizations and individuals reserved rooms for 519 community meetings/events at the Jones Library. Nineteen local artists displayed their creative artwork in the Burnett Gallery. The Town and the Library celebrated the signing of the “Sister Libraries” declaration between the Jones Library and the Kanegasaki Public Library. It was an honor to welcome Norio Takahashi, Mayor of Amherst’s sister city; Masayasu Kuwashima, Library Director; and Mamoru Kikuchi, Chairman of the Kanegasaki Town Assembly.

Thank you for your support! Library staff and Trustees are sincerely grateful to the 105 wonderful volunteers who assisted with library programs and services. The Friends of the Jones Library System deserve special recognition for donating $12,040 for public programs and $14,455 for books, magazines, CD’s, videotapes, and a variety of equipment. Not only did they raise much-needed funds for new projects; their fund-raising events were lots of fun!

The Trustees Annual Fund Drive reached a new level, raising $30,000 from 509 supporters, money that is critically needed for the operating budget. Two new businesses made important contributions to the library: the Greenfield Savings Bank began the Civic Action Account program, promoting Town Libraries, and the Harp Bar and Restaurant donated $975 from its “Trivia Fund” to support the North Amherst Library. Donations, large and small, helped buy books to keep the libraries up to date.

91 Endowment Balances. Fleet Investment Advisors was re-named Columbia Management Advisors during the fiscal year. The market value of the Jones Library, Incorporated Endowment Fund declined from $7,812,532 at the start of the fiscal year to $7,455,373 as of June 30, 2003.

LIBRARY SERVICES AT A GLANCE

Materials Loaned--FY 2003

TOTAL 565,257 Jones – Adults 305,134 Jones – Kids 173,938 Munson Memorial 44,633 North Amherst 41,552 Library

Research Assistance--FY 2003 TOTAL 39,452 Jones-Adults 19,448 Jones-Kids 8,750 Special Collections 3,071 Branch Libraries 7,733 ESL Center 450

Materials Available June 30, 2003 “Sister Libraries” Books 204,082 Mayor Norio Takahashi, Trustee John Audio & Video Items 21,596 Roberts, Library Director Masayasu Other materials 530 Added during FY 2003 9,800 Kuwashima, Select Board Chairman Donations added 1,694 Carl Seppala Withdrawn in FY 2003 3,693

Amherst Residents with C/W MARS cards, June 30, 2003

Adults 21,545 Children 3,624 New Borrowers 2,672 registered in FY 2003

92 Lynne Weintraub, ESL Coordinator LIBRARY TRUSTEES Henry Allan, Computer Technician Anita Page, President Tina Swift, Administrative Assistant Maureen O’Leary, Vice President Chris White, Cataloging Technician John Roberts, Treasurer John Imbimbo, Building Supervisor Arthur Quinton, Clerk Kate Boyle, Special Collections Assistant Ann Grose, Trustee Silvia Brinkerhoff, Children’s Library Merrylees (Molly) Turner, Trustee Assistant Miguel Otero, Assistant Custodian LIBRARY STAFF John Power, Assistant Custodian Seth Rothberg, Assistant Circulation Bonnie Isman, Library Director Supervisor Sondra Radosh, Asst. Director & Lace Stokes, Sunday Supervisor Children’s Librarian Cathy Verts, Audiovisual Technician Amy Anaya, Circulation Librarian Theresa Atteridge, Library Assistant Beth Girshman, Adult Services Librarian Laurie Holbrook, Office Clerk/Receptionist Susan Hugus, Munson Memorial Librarian Margot Gilfeather, Library Assistant Rosemary Loomis, Reference Librarian Ralph Hurwitz, AV Assistant Tevis Kimball, Curator of Special Judy Lincoln, Library Assistant Collections Ron’na Lytle, Library Assistant Pauline Peterson, Reference Librarian Joan Pyfrom, Cataloging Assistant Carolyn Platt, Head of Technical Services

Maggie Spiegel, North Amherst Librarian

PART-TIME STAFF: Sarah Aronow-Werner, Jane Babcock, Christine Bluhm, Molly-Beth Brown, Nonny Burack, Margaret Burrows, Ellen Carey, Laura Castano-Longley, Catherine Cooper, Elizabeth Cook, Janice Doyama, Lianna Girshman, Bryan Grabigel, Toni Hochstadt, Jean Holden, Nicholas Kaiser, Karen Kappenmen, Karen Kowles, Jessica Lamson, Robin Levine, Sheila McCormick, Susan McCoy, Joanne McGee, Barbara McGlynn, Wanda Meck, Julia Moore-Diaz, Luz Oquendo, Kristen Powlick Williams, Janet Ryan, Lisa Slocum, Dorothy Thornton, Valerie Vaughn, Chris Vigorito, Ben Ware, Mary Weidensaul, Linda Wentworth, Chani West-Foyle, plus college work/study student helpers.

BOARD OF THE FRIENDS OF THE JONES LIBRARY SYSTEM Officers Ellen Goodwin, President Bonnie Vigeland, Vice President Edith Byron, Membership JoAnne Hall, Secretary Conrad Wogrin, Treasurer Katie George, Programs Nonny Burack, Beds for Books Program Barbara Willis, Newsletter Editor

Directors: Jim Ellis Doris Holden June George Lewis Mainzer George Goodwin Dorothy Morse Evie Porter Nancy Wise

93 KANEGASAKI SISTER CITY COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

Members: Ed Alford, Florence Boynton, Abbie Jenks, Alex Kent, Byron Koh (Chair), Nancy Hirsh Pagano, Carolyn Platt, Earline Robinson, Joan Snowdon, Yuko Takahashi

Resigned: Sarah Fajardo, Sara Woodbury

Liaisons: Selectboard Chair, Carl Seppala Town Manager, Barry DelCastilho Superintendent of Schools, Gus Sayer

This has been an exceptionally busy program year for the KSCC, as we turned most of our energies toward planning and hosting a celebration of the ten-year Sister City relationship with Kanegasaki. A contingent of four from Kanegasaki – Mayor Norio Takahashi, Mr. Mamoru Kikuti (Chair of the Town Assembly), Mr. Masayasu Kuwashima (Director of the Kanegasaki Library) and Ms. Fumie Kanehara (Planning and Promotion Division of Kanegasaki Town Hall) – represented Kanegasaki in Amherst, April 27-29th for the tenth Anniversary celebration. Highlights included: a dinner at the Lord Jeffery Inn for Town officials and friends hosted by the mayor; a special guided tour of Amherst and UMass libraries; a ceremonial signing of the Town libraries’ sister city agreement at The Jones Library; Mayor Takahashi’s address to Amherst Town Meeting (which was greeted with a standing ovation); and a formal Tenth Anniversary Dinner at Amherst College’s Valentine Hall hosted by the KSCC, Town officials and the Five-College Center for East Asian Studies. The mayor was presented with a framed copy of a mural design depicting highlights of the history of Amherst. (The mural will be painted near Amherst’s Carriage Shops.)

In March, the KSCC lent support to the School Department as it hosted 18 eighth graders from Kanegasaki. Kanegasaki students bonded with Amherst host families and had a great time. For the fifth year, the Freedman Foundation gave $20,000 to Amherst to help support twelve of our eighth graders and two teachers as they visited Japan for the annual school exchange in mid-April. Over 60 Amherst youth have traveled to Japan to date and their experiences have been life-changing. Funding from the Freedman Foundation may end after the spring 2004 trip, which is a concern the KSCC will focus on in FY 04 and thereafter.

The Kanegasaki Sister City Committee remains committed to the promotion of peaceful and friendly relations and playing its part toward community enrichment.

Respectfully submitted by Nancy Hirsh Pagano, Secretary

AMHERST LEISURE SERVICES AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (LSSE) Fiscal Year 2003

Community Service Awards, Philanthropy Awards and Volunteers

Community Service Awards Since 1996, LSSE has honored select members and organizations in the community who have given so much of their time, energy and expertise to benefit the town in which we live. In FY 03 we continued this tradition. Wendy Kohler, Jim Pistrang and David Mullins shared LSSE’s FY 03 Arts & Supplemental Education Award.

Rich Strangman received LSSE’s FY 03 Youth Basketball Coach of the Year Award. Rich’s tireless commitment to Youth Basketball and seemingly endless energy in the cause of quality coaching is an inspiration to us all. Rich has been so successful that this is the second year he received the award.

Philanthropy Awards Paul Regan was LSSE’s recipient of the Partners in Philanthropy Award. Paul’s fundraising and volunteer efforts helped ensure the ongoing success of Amherst’s Fourth of July fireworks, the Amherst Auction, & The Friends of Amherst Recreation. Paul was honored with this special recognition at the 2002 Philanthropy Day program, sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Chapter of Fundraising Professionals.

Volunteers The above-named individuals and organizations stand out from the many LSSE volunteers. However, the efforts of every one of our hundreds of volunteers deserve grateful acknowledgement. Because of these committed and concerned individuals, LSSE’s programming is richer and more cost-effective than it could otherwise possibly be. While the volunteers earn appreciation and gain the opportunity to make a difference, LSSE benefits greatly from the help with its numerous tasks, whether coaching, assisting at special events, chaperoning, as aides to those with special needs, and many others. LSSE also benefits by learning from the many volunteers who offer their help. It is impossible to measure the impact volunteers have had on the quality and content of LSSE programs; their input has led to changes both modest and grand in scope. The following examples represent just a few of the many ways that volunteers assist LSSE:

• Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater: Volunteer support for this program is essential; the total number of parents and other volunteers was approximately 125. • Hot Summer Nights: LSSE was assisted by the dedicated and regular volunteers from Mercy House, who staffed our concession stand and donation areas and each night provided ten extra hands for support. • LSSE’s Amherst Youth Basketball program included over a hundred individuals that assisted as volunteer coaches for games and practices.

Administration and Facilities

At the Fall Town Meeting, borrowing for the Plumbrook athletic fields, which had been in the long-range capital plan for years, was finally approved, thanks to funding through the surtax from the recently adopted Community Preservation Act: the project was one of the recommendations of the new Community Preservation Act Committee, supplemented by a small appropriation at the recommendation from the Joint Capital Planning Committee.

Although Town Meeting approved this recommendation, the funding was challenged at a Special Town Meeting in January. Town Meeting voted to dismiss the article that attempted to challenge the initial request. Additional concerns were raised when the Conservation Commission began its review of the project and residents and neighbors suggested a possible sighting of a protected species on the property. In order to alleviate all concerns, the Conservation Commission agreed to delay moving the project ahead until a spring thaw permitted investigation. After investigating the claim in late spring, it was determined that the property did not contain the protected species. The project continued to move forward in early summer, and it is anticipated that construction will take place in FY 04.

The basketball court resurfacing project at Mill River was completed in August of 2003. This project included adding drainage to the area, putting a new surface on the court, painting new lines and installing new backboards and standards.

FY 03 was a year of difficult budgetary issues. The Amherst Regional School Committee voted to close the Middle School pool in March of FY 03, and the Amherst Select Board and Town Meeting were faced with the very real possibility of closing one of the Town’s outdoor pools. The Friends of Amherst Recreation, a newly resurrected 501 C3 organization, dedicated to preserving recreation programs and facilities, rallied to find additional funding for the Middle School pool. The Amherst Youth Tritons Swim Team also brought enormous financial support to this cause and raised $10,000 to add to the hope of keeping the Amherst Middle School pool open. Both outdoor pools remained open in June and through most of August thanks to creative budget management.

Significant staff changes occurred at LSSE in FY 03. In July of FY 03, Mike Thomas left his position as Sports Director, a position that he had held for ten years. John “Bob” Brandts was hired to fill the position in the spring of FY 03. Kimberly Bennett, LSSE’s Aquatics Program Coordinator for nearly one year left her position in early May as the very real possibility for eliminating the position grew.

LSSE’s website, www.lsse.org, became more useful and more utilized. In FY 02, the LSSE website was visited 25,378 times; that number grew to 32,977 in FY 03. The number of web registrations more than doubled, from 316 in FY 02 to 696 in FY 03. FY 03 saw heavy use by softball leagues for scheduling and score information. New web features in FY 03 included a search script to make it easier for visitors to find the

96 information they are looking for and an expanded Community Theater section that includes the opportunity to purchase photos from Community Theater productions.

Grants, Sponsorships and Gifts Program FY 03 (net)

• Fourth of July $1,980.85

• Amherst Auction $4,046.52

• Camp Sponsorship $3,000.00

• Golf Tournament $5,719.00

• Halloween $1,200.00

• Community Theater $5,000.00

• Hot Summer Nights $4,000.00

• Massachusetts Cultural Council $3,100.00

Youth and Adult Sports The youth and adult sports programs saw modest changes in FY 03. Twelve summer sports camps were held over six weeks, with 756 participants involved in nine different sports. The Amherst Youth Basketball League reached a total of 700 players. There were 67 teams, with 15 participants on an Amherst suburban team within the Girls Suburban League for the 2002-2003 season. The number of participants in the Sugarloaf Youth Track League dropped from 23 in FY 02 to 13 in FY 03. The FY 03 Ultimate Frisbee League saw gains, with a total of 590 participants as compared to 567 in the previous year. The FY 03 Adult Softball League stayed exactly the same as the previous year, with a total of 31 teams participating. The Adult Volleyball program continued with two seasons and three divisions and included a total of 25 teams for the fall and spring programs. The popular youth and downhill ski programs grew from 236 to 255 in FY 03.

Aquatics The following participation levels were noted in the FY 03 seasons for the indoor and outdoor aquatics programs:

AQUATICS PROGRAM Program FY 03 School-year Youth Lessons 437 School-year Adult Lessons/Activities 97

Summer Youth Lessons 510 Summer Adult Lessons/Activities 39

Pool Passes Sold During Summer 841 Pool Passes Sold During School Year 111

The indoor swimming program suffered due to a reduction in the schedule and unexpected pool closures. The senior swim and the adult lap swim programs were eliminated in FY 03 as a cost savings. Summer swim programs and memberships showed significant gains over the previous year.

The Friends of Amherst Recreation began spearheading fundraising to keep the Middle School pool open and supply adequate staffing in FY 04 The staff turnover and limited hours were reflected in the somewhat diminished attendance.

After-School and Vacation Youth Programs The following participation levels were noted in the FY 03 season for the after- school and day camp programs.

DAY CAMPS Camp FY 03 Adventure Playground 339 Early Adventures 191 Outdoor Challenge 167 697

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM Average Daily Attendance FY 03: 48

Performing Arts The Community Theater Board made a wise decision when they chose “Peter Pan” for this year’s production. Thanks to an early mailing and the great popularity of the show, ticket sales were brisk and, at $48,034, reached an all-time high for this theater. The choice of “Peter Pan” was not only fiscally sound; it was an investment in the long-term vitality of the theater. Over 50% of the actors in “Peter Pan” were new to Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater. This increase in new families and individuals will ensure commitment and interest from the community for years to come. “A Tale of Two Trees,” the fourth annual production of the Rainbow Players, was performed by this inclusive theater group in May 2003. A children’s story adapted to musical theater, it was developed through improvisational methods such as theater games, forum theater and “Circle Improv” as taught by Director Chuck Mike of Nigeria. Four performances over two weekends, were held at the Amherst Regional High School auditorium.

Special Needs Special Needs Programs: Open Arms: The Open Arms Program used volunteerism as a way to introduce adults

98 with special needs to the community. Members volunteered for LSSE programs as well as other community organizations and events, such as LSSE’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration and Hot Summer Nights, along with activities that benefited the Big Brother Big Sister program and the Amherst Survival Center.

The Following Innovations and enhancements were added in FY 03: • Nursing School students offered a series of personal development workshops for the members of Open Arms. • Cooperative games training and special needs training and support were given to camp staff before the summer season to provide alternative play options. • Artist workshops for the Rainbow Players theater group to increase access to artistic experiences and education were facilitated. • A special donation of a portion of the profits from “A Tale of Two Trees” was made to a school for children with special needs in Uganda. • A theater group dedicated to inclusive theater and access to the arts for all persons was developed.

In FY 03 the following special needs participants were served: • 45-50 children through after-school, camps and other participatory programs. • 65 members of Open Arms • 10 members in the Rainbow Players • 20 community members participate in the Boltwood Project.

Summary FY 03 saw new programs, new participants, new staff and new challenges. Progress was made in either completing or moving forward several capital projects, including the Plumbrook athletic fields proposal, a project that has been 10 years in the running for financial support. The Aquatics program was negatively affected by staff turnover and limited hours. Even more challenges lie ahead for Aquatics, with an uncertain schedule planned for the FY 04 school year. The Department faces greater pressure to obtain sponsorships, and loss of external funding for special events that are community favorites, such as the Fourth of July fireworks and the Hot Summer Nights program, or even their elimination, is feared. Increased demands continue for services during a time of shrinking financial resources. Financial support from organizations like the Friends of Amherst Recreation may be critical in the years ahead. The LSSE Commission and staff may need to continue to consider new ways to provide many of the existing programs and services. The funding for important physical recreation assets, such as the Plumbrook Recreation Area, will assist with this challenge.

Linda Chalfant Director

99 PARKING COMMISSION Fiscal Year 2003

The Parking Commission is an advisory board that makes recommendations to the Select Board and the Town Manager regarding parking in the Town center. In order to support a strong commercial, service and social center for Amherst, it assesses parking needs, develops and reviews policies and procedures and is concerned with the management of a comprehensive self-supporting parking system.

The highlight of this past year was the opening of the Boltwood Walk Parking Garage, which now provides 188 parking spaces as well as pedestrian areas. This completed an urban renewal project begun in 1972. The Parking Commission recognized the need for a centrally located parking facility soon after it was formed in 1993. The addition of a new facility to the Town parking system brought with it many questions about rates, details of revenue collection, hours of enforcement, long-term leasing of some lower- level spaces, signage and the delivery needs of businesses. These were the major topics of many meetings this past year.

Following initial months of operation of the garage, and based on observations of use at the CVS lot and the garage, some changes were made in the rates and enforcement hours for each. The rate in the CVS lot was raised from 15 cents/hour to 30 cents/hour and the enforcement period lengthened from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. The hours of enforcement in the garage were shortened from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. to 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. The cost of the 25 leased spaces in the lower level of the garage was reduced from $100/month to $60/month. Since the Commission is committed to making the parking system work as a self-supporting operation, it considered the sustainability of the revenue stream when it evaluated and recommended these rate changes.

Providing for commercial deliveries required a multi-step process. It started with a questionnaire circulated to businesses by the Town Commercial Relation Committee, followed by meetings and discussions with business owners to understand their needs. This was followed by small changes in existing loading and unloading zones on North Pleasant Street and Main Street that had been in place during garage construction. Limited deliveries were allowed over the pedestrian way in the southwest corner of the garage area. Since well-publicized regulations were not observed in the southwest corner, deliveries across the pedestrian path were prohibited and four nearby garage parking spaces were designated for deliveries, two permanently and two from 8 to ll:30 a.m. Further changes were made in delivery zones on Main Street and North Pleasant Street in an effort to retain as much public parking as possible and to solve safety problems. The conflict between the need for delivery spaces and customer parking spaces is not easily solved in the Town center and the Commission expects to continue to observe the current provisions and to make changes as needed.

In its fourth year, the Town Center Permit System continues to work very well, providing inexpensive long-term parking on side streets adjacent to the business area for those working and those living in the center of town. This has made for more parking in the center for people coming into town.

100 In order to serve the community as well as possible, the Parking Commission realizes it must continue to reevaluate all elements of the parking system. Parking space as well as funds will always be limited, and review and planning must continue.

Members serving on the Parking Commission this year were: Sarah Fischer, Planning Board liaison Peter Grandonico, downtown business representative Karen Jones, Transportation and Bicycle Committee representative until August, 2002 Barry Roberts, Town Commercial Relations Committee representative Margaret Roberts, Amherst Redevelopment liaison Jean Smyser, Disability Access Advisory Committee representative

Margaret Roberts, Chair

101 PLANNING BOARD & PLANNING DEPARTMENT Fiscal Year 2003

INTRODUCTION

This report provides a summary of the many land use, planning and zoning activities that the Planning Board and Department were involved with during Fiscal Year 2003.

CURRENT PLANNING

While problems with the national, state and local economy had an impact on commercial development this year, residential development issues and applications occupied much of the time of the Board and Department.

Table #1 provides a statistical review of development activities, permits, and zoning changes.

Table #1 Planning Board Land Use & Zoning Activity

A. Review & Action # of Applications

1. Planning Board Special Permits 1 2. Form A (Approval Not Required) Subdivisions 16 3. Cluster Subdivision 1 4. Standard Subdivision 3 5. Subdivision Lot Releases 19 6. Subdivision Escrow Releases 2 7. Street Name Changes 1 8. Development Authorization Requests 2 9. Site Plan Reviews 11 10. Sign Plans Approved 4 11. Lighting Plans Approved 1

B. Review & Recommendation

1. Zoning Amendments 9 2. Special Permits/Variances 53 3. Street Acceptances 3

102

Listed below are some of the development proposals and issues that were of significance:

Commercial/Institutional

*a new office building at University Drive and Amity Street

*proposed re-use of the McKesson/HBO office building on Old Farm Road

*addition to an Amherst College building on Northampton Road

*a mixed-use (retail/office/residential) building on West Street, just south of West Pomeroy Lane

*new storage facility for Town Parks & Recreation staff near the Amherst Regional High School

*review of the proposed expansion of 63 North Pleasant Street. This would provide commercial space facing the parking garage.

Residential

*review and approval of final revised plans for the Owen Farm Subdivision off of Cottage Street

*lot releases for home building in Barkowski Meadows, Dayton Lane, Owen Farm, Pine Woods and the Meadows

*approval of an addition and renovations to the ABC House on North Prospect Street.

Zoning Issues

*Developed final revisions to the Common Land Standards for the Farmland Conservation zone, which were approved by Town Meeting.

*Proposed revisions to the Professional Research Park (PRP) district to provide some additional flexibility for businesses. This did not receive a two-thirds vote of Town Meeting.

*Worked with the property owners on Old Farm Road to reach agreement on rezoning land from PRP to residential. As part of this rezoning, the owners agreed to build a number of affordable for-sale housing units.

*The Board joined the Coalition for Zoning Reform, a statewide group seeking to improve the planning and zoning legislation of the state.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

Efforts continued on a number of long-range planning issues, while new issues and projects also involved the time and attention of the Board and Department.

103

Mt. Tom/Mt. Holyoke

The Town joined a coalition of other cities and towns, as well as groups interested in these mountain ranges, in establishing a Memorandum of Agreement that is intended to support a regional approach to protecting the Mt. Tom and Mt. Holyoke ranges.

Bob Grose was appointed by the Planning Board to be its representative to the new Summit Land Use Task Force, which was created by the Memorandum. Planning Director Bob Mitchell will be the Town’s staff liaison to the Task Force.

Comprehensive Plan

The Planning staff continued working with the Comprehensive Planning Committee. During this year, the consultant team of Phil Herr & Associates and Applied Geographics completed the Build- Out & Future Growth Scenario report for the Town.

Executive Order 418

Under the state program, the Planning Department successfully obtained grant money to conduct a number of studies related to comprehensive planning. The $30,000 grant is designated for the following purposes:

*Update of the 1992 Fair Housing Plan

The Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee hired Land Use Inc. to assist the Committee in drafting a new housing plan for Amherst. Using the 2000 census and other updated information, the Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee expects to have a new housing plan by the end of 2003.

*Open Space Plan

The Conservation Department began writing an update of the Town’s Open Space Plan. Using E.O. 418 money, the GIS maps that accompany that plan will be prepared by Dodson & Associates. The Planning Department is coordinating this effort.

*University Drive

The transportation piece of the E.O. 418 grant will be an examination of the University Drive corridor. Traffic counts will be collected, turning movements examined and pedestrian/ automobile conflicts identified.

Downtown

The Town continued the reconstruction of downtown sidewalks. With design assistance of the Planning Department, the Town’s Department of Public Works reconstructed some of the sidewalks on the north side of Main Street and also rebuilt the intersection of Main Street and the Boltwood Walk garage entrance. Improvements to Sweetser Park were also a part of this work.

Design work continued for other streetscape improvements in the downtown. Areas included were the east side of North Pleasant Street, from Kellogg Street to the Carriage Shops, and the area between Kellogg Avenue and the entrance to the Bangs Community Center.

104

Housing

In addition to the update of the 1992 Housing Plan, the Town continued discussions with the University of Massachusetts about mutual housing interests.

Also, working with the Amherst Housing Authority and the Community Preservation Act Committee, the HP/FHC recommended a number of measures to protect existing affordable housing units and to provide for additional units.

The proposed subdivision that was the subject of the contract rezoning on Old Belchertown Road is subject to a covenant that requires four units of affordable housing.

Historic Preservation

With money made available from the Community Preservation fund, the Planning staff is working with the Historical Commission and consultants in the development of a Historical Resources Preservation Plan for Amherst.

Work also continued on the proposed historical mural to be painted at the rear of the Carriage Shops. The final plans for the mural were completed and preparations for a fund-raising effort were begun.

Atkins Corner

The Sustainable Village Center Plan for Atkins Corner was completed by the Town and its consultants, Dodson Associates. The plan establishes a framework for future development in this area. It also recommends substantial improvements to the road and pedestrian infrastructure of this area.

The Planning Board endorsed this plan and its recommendations during the year. Subsequently, the Planning Department and DPW began working with Congressman Olver’s office and Mass Highway to obtain funds for the redesign of the road system.

PLANNING BOARD/TOWN BOARD INTERACTION

During the year, the Planning Board held a number of joint meetings with other Town boards and committees to discuss issues of mutual interest. These included meetings with:

*Design Review Board

Issues discussed were the village centers of Amherst, the design of the intersection of Route 116 and West Pomeroy Lane, and the process that led to the vast improvements in the design of PeoplesBank.

*Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee

At this meeting, members discussed affordable housing needs in Amherst and how zoning tools might be used to address some of these needs.

*Shade Tree Committee/Tree Warden

105 Concerns about the loss of shade and street trees were discussed. Possible regulatory and financial approaches to this problem were reviewed.

STAFF ASSISTANCE

The Planning Department staff provide assistance to a multitude of Town boards and committees, as well as other local and regional boards. The boards and committees that the Planning Department is “officially” assigned to include:

Planning Board Zoning Subcommittee Atkins Corner Working Group Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee Town Commercial Relations Committee Historical Commission Economic Development and Industrial Corporation Overall Economic Development Planning Committee Comprehensive Planning Committee Redevelopment Authority Design Review Board Zoning Board of Appeals GIS Committee UMass Campus Planning Committee

Other committees the Planning staff provides assistance to include:

Public Transportation Committee & Bicycle Subcommittee Disabilities Access Advisory Committee Parking Commission Public Art Commission Community Preservation Act Committee Public Shade Tree Committee Greater Franklin County Economic Development Strategy Committee Regional Local Partnership Committee Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Massachusetts Geographic Information Council Summit Land Use Task Force Amherst Energy Task Force

PLANNING BOARD & STAFF

During the year Board member Peter Vickery resigned. He was replaced by Aaron Hayden, who is employed by Amherst College. At the end of the year, long-time member of the Board, Bob Grose (6 years), and Caroline Olson, completed their terms. Both will serve through the summer until their replacements can be appointed.

Board members availed themselves of training opportunities. A number of members attended training sessions on a variety of planning and zoning topics sponsored by the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative, a statewide organization offering training to planning and zoning board members. Caroline Olson received a Certificate of Commendation for having completed all Level I classes. Sara Berger completed coursework offered by the Community Preservation Institute. The

106 Planning Board also received training from Town Counsel Alan Seewald and Planning Director Bob Mitchell.

Also at the end of the year, Lynda Faye, the Zoning Board administrator, resigned from the Planning Department and Town staff.

Christine Brestrup was hired as the new Land Use Planner in the Planning Department. Ms. Brestrup has a background in landscape architecture and planning.

Finally, Eric Hove, a graduate student in planning at the University of Massachusetts, resigned as he completed his degree program and was hired by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

At the end of the year the Planning Board consisted of: Frank McNerney, Chair; Pamela Rooney, Vice-Chair; Sara Berger, Clerk; Caroline Olson, Bob Grose, Aaron Hayden, Adrian Fabos, Paul Bobrowski and David Kastor.

The Planning Department included Bob Mitchell, Planning Director; Jonathan Tucker, Senior Planner; Niels la Cour, Associate Planner; Christine Brestrup, Land Use Planner; and Sue Krzanowski, Management Assistant.

Frank J. McNerney Robert P. Mitchell, AICP Chair Planning Director

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AMHERST POLICE DEPARTMENT

ANNUAL REPORT

July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003

108 May 2003 Riot on North Pleasant Streeet

Riot

Damage to Police Cruiser as a result of Riot

Courtesy of Amherst Police Department

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Message from the Chief: COLLABORATION FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY, LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY

On a national level, Homeland Security has been on the agenda of all state, local, and federal agencies. In our post 9/11 times, the challenges that face law enforcement are ever-increasing. At one time, the profession of law enforcement throughout the country had been built upon its promise to protect and serve those within the boundaries of their own community. Now that we have been assigned the task of Homeland Security, those boundaries have become larger. Homeland Security is a new challenge and role facing modern law enforcement, and we meet this mission with the utmost commitment.

How does the charge of Homeland Security affect the Amherst Police Department? During the last year, we have done substantial re-training of our officers in areas that had previously been exclusive to larger federal agencies: bio-hazard control and detection, weapons of mass destruction identification and crisis management at the local level. Scarce financial resources have been exhausted on improvements of outdated and antiquated safety and communication equipment. More than ever, we are collaborating with other town, state and federal agencies, strategizing on how to keep our country safe from terrorism. We are working with these agencies, gaining the much needed knowledge, tools and equipment to best shelter our community from injuries and property damage, if a crisis were to occur. The Amherst Police Department is dedicated to achieving the country’s goals of securing our homeland, while concurrently providing for the protection of the personal liberties and rights of our richly diverse community. We recognize that it is this diversity that makes this community such a great place to live and work, and our efforts in Homeland Security will work for, not against, our community.

On a more strictly local level, the Town of Amherst suffered a crisis in connection with the riot and related destruction that occurred north of the UMass campus on May 3nd, 2003. After that night’s riot, fifteen dedicated, hardworking Amherst police officers were sent to the hospital with various injuries. Unfortunately, one officer is still out, four months later, from the injuries he suffered. Thousands of tax dollars were spent as the entire Amherst Police, Amherst Fire, and UMass Police were called on duty in attempts to end the riot, put out the several fires that were set, and attend to the injured students, citizens, and police officers. A DPW construction loader was required to clean North Pleasant Street of rocks, bottles, bricks and other debris hurled at the officers. One of our newer cruisers, worth $30,000, was destroyed by rioters during that night. Additionally, private property owners suffered thousands of dollars worth of property damage.

We will continue to collaborate with the University of Massachusetts and property owners to strategize ways to prevent such events from happening in the future. In addition, we will continue to encourage accountability from the University and the local courts as a vital element in preventing a recurrence. Public safety and the protection of the personal freedoms and rights so prized by our diverse community remain the focus of the Amherst Police Department.

Charles L. Scherpa Chief of Police

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DETECTIVE BUREAU Fiscal Year 2003

The detective bureau has seen many changes during this last fiscal year. Timothy M. Sullivan was promoted to captain and has moved on to other duties within the Department. Ronald A. Young was promoted to lieutenant and has assumed duties as the Officer in Charge. William Menard was promoted to sergeant and returned to uniform patrol. Cindy L. Walsh left the Department for a position with the Attorney General’s office. Detective Jamie J. Magarian, who had been working on narcotics-related crimes, returned to criminal investigations to assist with the work load, along with Christina B. Knightly. In May, Detective Stephen Walsh assumed duties as court liaison officer. In June, Detective Jeannine Bonnayer and Detective Brian T. Johnson began to train as the new criminal investigators. Sergeant Christopher Pronovost assumed duties as the executive officer within the detective bureau. Officer David Foster worked out of the detective bureau in his capacity as the school resource officer.

As always, the detective bureau’s function is to support and assist patrol officers with ongoing or complex investigations. Background investigations, court liaison function, school resource activities, firearms licensing, and contact with community outreach groups are all functions performed by the detective bureau. Detectives also have self- generated activity which has resulted in the prosecution of numerous types of crimes.

The last fiscal year was very busy for the detective bureau. The fiscal year began with a bank robbery, the first since 1998. The perpetrator has been arrested and has pleaded guilty. Other investigations included numerous assault investigations, three separate armed home invasions, armed robberies, and property-related crimes. A lengthy narcotics investigation was concluded in April with the arrest of ten men for distribution of cocaine. In February, three people were arrested for narcotic distribution, which included seizure of several thousand dollars. In total, ninety-seven people were charged by indictment, arrest or summons in the last fiscal year, with a total of 124 charges.

Ronald A. Young OIC, Detective Bureau

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POLICE PERSONNEL CHANGES Fiscal Year 2003

RESIGNATIONS:

Stephen Westerling October 19, 2002 Jeffrey Roy January 13, 2003 Cindy Walsh April 7, 2003

RETIRED:

Alan James Hobart December 31, 2002 Thomas J. O’Connor December 30, 2002

NEW HIREES:

David Pinkham October 21, 2002 Gregory Wise December 2, 2002 Jared Tivnan December 2, 2002 Brandon Seymour March 3, 2003 Scott Thurston March 24, 2003 Adam MacNeal March 24, 2003

PROMOTIONS:

Timothy M. Sullivan Promoted to Captain February 1, 2003 Ronald A. Young Promoted to Lieutenant April 1, 2003 William N. Menard Promoted to Sergeant April 1, 2003

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COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

The Amherst Public Safety Communications Center continues to be one of the more professional and progressive in western Massachusetts. The consistently high quality of service provided by our men and women, despite long hours and unique demands, testifies to their dedication to the profession and those they serve.

As the seriousness and level of activity has increased for police officers, fire fighters and EMTs, so it has for Centers which manage their communications. It has become essential that we schedule additional personnel on weekends during the spring and fall, further affecting a staffing plan that already does not allow for an appropriate relief factor. Activity produced by events such as “Hobart Hoedown,” numerous structure fires, and medical calls often exceeding our on-duty EMS resources present communication needs which often tax even the most skilled dispatcher.

We began the fiscal year with one full-time opening. In addition, Maurice LaLumiere was in training and therefore not yet available. The resignation of Marcus Yarde, in August, extended the period of unassigned shift coverage, resulting in more required overtime for all. Though Joshua Cicia successfully completed training in December, a second new employee did not. Also, retired Fire Captain Alan Tower resigned as our temporary part-time dispatcher. The three -month maternity leave taken by Jennifer Guzik, this spring, further added to our staffing shortage.

Dispatchers on vacation, or on personal or sick leave, were replaced by those already working more than forty hours a week. Extended shifts and/or seven-day work weeks were routine. Where employees of other departments may need to do more work when their staff size is reduced, dispatchers must routinely work twelve or more hours each day (night or overnight) to ensure operation twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The physical and emotional toll inherent in this system is predictable.

As emergency dispatchers are truly the “first on a scene,” their performance is central to safe and successful resolutions. Therefore, we must continue to seek support for an appropriate staffing plan to ensure the well-being of the Department, those who work for it and those they serve. Recognition for the complex and demanding role dispatchers play in public safety, now more than ever, requires appropriate resources.

The recent remodeling of our work space has allowed dispatchers to more easily address some of their many job functions. The dismantling and reconstruction of all equipment without interruption to service was a credit to those dispatchers on duty who refused to allow the challenges presented by that activity to interfere with their responsibilities.

Upgrades to the R-U-O-K and Quick Alert alarm receiving systems were completed. Though we continue to participate with MassHighway in the management of emergency vehicle traffic over the Coolidge Bridge, staffing did not allow for participation in the Fire Department’s S.A.F.E. program. As 911 is such an integral component of emergency service, we look forward to contributing again in the future.

113 Our Emergency Medical Dispatch program continued to offer callers the highest level of medical call processing available. Individual quality assurance scores resulted in a department average of over of 96%, which aided in our successful application for national re-certification.

Emergency dispatchers are responsible for the assessment of a situation and the timely and accurate activation of an appropriate response of public safety services. Dispatchers Elizabeth Dodge and Jessica Alvaro were singled out this year by Western Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services when they received “SAVE” awards for their participation in the resuscitation of a cardiac arrest patient in Hadley. As the role played by dispatchers becomes more widely recognized, so, I hope, will the individuals for their critical contributions.

My work continued with the Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association, which was responsible for the creation of the state Dispatch Academy. As a result of our efforts, the state Emergency Telecommunications Board has now agreed to sponsor this very important training experience. The five-week sessions will soon be offered without fee to any 911 Center in the state for their new employees. This will result in local budgetary savings and further our long-range objective towards standards in training.

We also participated in meetings, this spring, with the state Department of Telecommunications and Energy, which is charged with promulgating the rules governing the use of revenue resulting from a monthly surcharge on hard wire phones. The law passed in August 2002 affecting the surcharge requires it be used to support 911 services in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to target funding towards training and local aid to 911 Centers (as in other states of comparative size) have received encouraging support, including that from the state Attorney General’s office.

Our full-time staff include Josh Cicia, Maurice LaLumiere, Beth Dodge, Jess Alvaro, Ann Misiaszek, Trudy Turcotte, Michael Curtin and Brad Worthley. Collectively they represent over 30 years of dispatching experience with the Town of Amherst. I take pride and pleasure in working for and with our entire team of hard-working and conscientious dispatch professionals and appreciate the support they have shown me in my role as Director.

Rita K. Burke Director, Communications Center

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SERVICE LEVELS FY 97 FY 98 FY 99 FY 00 FY01 FY02 FY03 Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Police Calls 12,869 13,007 14,916 14,901 17,703 17,057 15,635 Fire Calls/in Amherst 1,089 984 1,046 928 1460 1,306 1,079 EMS Calls/in Amherst 1,903 1,969 2,030 2,238 2,307 2,348 2,249 Couldn’t fulfill mutual aid needed NC NC NC NC NC NC 25 Animal Control Calls 457 540 455 361 354 467 532 Police Administration Calls* 100K+ 100K+ 100K+ 100K+ 100K+ 100K+ 100K+ Fire/EMS Administration Calls 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 Other Fire/EMS Service Requests Belchertown (F) 260 238 234 288 286 293 280 Hadley (E) 369 521 639 559 544 643 644 Leverett (E) 61 41 45 63 77 76 56 Pelham (E) 42 42 51 54 42 43 60 Shutesbury (E) 51 35 41 46 49 41 41 Mutual Aid (E) 12 10 10 14 23 21 32 Mutual Aid (F) 4 3 8 13 13 27 13 Paramedic Intercept 11 17 14 17 26 10 30 Non Incident Details 720 735 731 729 761 801 783 911 calls Received* NC NC NC NC NC 5,698 5,551 CAD Calls Initiated NC NC NC NC NC 21,799 20,893 Teletype Transactions Processed NC NC NC NC NC 215,722 220,922 Burning Permits Processed NC NC NC NC NC **276 765 Fire Service Inspections Scheduled NC NC NC NC NC **393 480 NA = Not Applicable NC = Not (previously) Counted * Note that many calls for service are received on non-emergency lines ** Estimated

PERSONNEL CHANGES

Hired Doreen Moriarty permanent full-time 09/23/02 Joshua Cicia permanent full-time 09/23/02

Resigned Marcus Yarde permanent full-time 08/14/02 Alan Tower temporary part-time 12/18/02 Doreen Moriarty permanent full-time 12/23/02

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AMHERST POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL POLICE STATISTICS FY 2003

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POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY July 01, 2002 – June 30, 2003

POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE Recorded by Public Safety Communications Center

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIL 207 PARKING BAN 080 ANIMAL WELFARE 532 POLICE LOG 568 ANNOYING CALLS 072 POLICE TOW 004 ASSAULT 079 PRISONER TRANSPORT 096 ASSIST AFD 356 PROTECTIVE CUSTODY 006 PRIVATE / TRESPASS TOW 003 ASSIST CITIZEN 1149 RAPE 009 ASSIST OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT 231 RECOVERED PROPERTY 393 ASSIST OTHER AGENCY 409 RESIDENTIAL ALARM 245 BANK ALARM / ATM 040 RESTRAINING ORDER 209A 345 BREAKING AND ENTERING DWELLING 156 ROBBERY 008 BREAKING AND ENTERING VEHICLE 136 SECURITY CHECK 390 BOMBING/ARSON 002 SEX OFFENSE 011 CHILD ABUSE 003 SHOPLIFTING 023 CIVIL COMPLAINT 012 SPECIAL/UNUSUAL 008 SUMMONS SERVICE 726 COMMERCIAL ALARM 614 SUSPICIOUS ACTS 1267 COMMUNITY POLICING 167 TEST 067 DEATH (UNATTENDED) 011 TOWN BY LAW VIOLATION 085 DISTURBANCE (GENERAL) 375 TRAFFIC 1092 DISTURBANCE (DOMESTIC) 158 TRAFFIC MONITOR 031 DRUG VIOLATION 026 TRANSPORT CITIZEN 129 ESCORT 307 TRESPASS 047 FIGHT 110 VANDALISM 423 FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION 426 WARRANT SERVICE 182 WELL BEING CHECK 177 FORGERY/COUNTERFEITING 002 911 ABANDONED / HANG-UPS 271 FRAUD 007 GENERAL DISTURBANCE 014 HOUSE CHECKS 199 LARCENY 326 LIQUOR ID CHECK 044 LIQUOR LAW VIOLATION 103 TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE: 16,283 LOCK UP INCIDENT 004 MEDICAL / MENTAL 034 MISSING / LOCATED PERSON 085 MISSING PROPERTY 109 MV ABANDONED 008 MV COMPLAINT 036 MV CRASH PROPERTY DAMAGE 1003 MV CRASH PERSONAL INJURY 111 MV PURSUIT 002 MV RECOVERED 044 MOTOR VEHICLE STOP 660 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 053 NOISE COMPLAINT 1075

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PERSONS DETAINED BY / AT AMHERST POLICE DEPARTMENT

ADULTS FY 2003: ARRESTED OFFENDERS 893 SUMMONED PERSONS 278 PROTECTIVE CUSTODY 021

JUVENILES FY 2003: ARRESTED OFFENDERS 031 SUMMONED PERSONS 044 PROTECTIVE CUSTODY 000

OFFENSES (IBR) CHARGED - AT TIME OF ARREST

FORCIBLE RAPE 001 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 043 ROBBERY 007 SIMPLE ASSAULT 111 INTIMIDATION 006 ARSON 002 BURGULARY/ B&E 019 POCKET-PICKING 002 SHOPLIFTING 015 THEFT FROM BUILDING 002 THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE 002 ALL OTHER LARCENY 029 MOTOR VEHCILE THEFT 006 COUNTERFEITING / FORGERY 001 FALSE PRETENSE / SWINDLE 006 EMBEZZLEMENT 001 STOLEN PROPERT OFFENSES 003 DESTRUCTION/VANDALISM 023 DRUG / NARCOTIC VIOLATION 063 DRUG EQUIPMENT VIOLATION 001 STATUTORY RAPE 001 WEAPON LAW VIOLATION 002 BAD CHECKS 003 DISORDERLY CONDUCT 089 DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE 129 DRUNKENNESS 018 LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS 122 TRESPASS OF REAL PROPERTY 003 ALL OTHER OFFENSES 144 TOWN BYLAW OFFENSES 411

TOTAL OFFENSES 1265

118 MOTOR VEHICLE (MV) CRASHES FY03 MV CRASH REPORTED TO DISPATCH 909 MV CRASH REPORTED IN PERSON OR BY MAIL 614 MV CRASH INVESTIGATED REQUIRING POLICE REPORTS 909 MV CRASH WITH CITATIONS ISSUED 317 MV CRASH TOTAL CITATIONS ISSUED 383 MV CRASH WITH PERSONAL INJURY 178 MV CRASH TOTAL INJURED PERSONS 238 MV CRASH INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS 010 MV CRASH INVOLVING BICYCLES 005 MV CRASH INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES 004 MV CRASH INVOLVING WHEELCHAIRS 001 MV CRASH WITH FATALITIES 001 MV CRASH / HIT & RUN 036

MOTOR VEHICLE CITATIONS FY 2003 ALLOW IMPROPER OPERATION OF MV 008 CROSSWALK VIOLATION 010 DEFECTIVE/FAULTY EQUIPMENT 071 FAILURE TO USE CARE (TOWN BY LAW) 257 FAILURE TO GIVE PROPER SIGNAL 005 FAILURE TO REPORT CHANGE IN ADDRESS 002 FAILURE TO SLOW 005 FAILURE TO YIELD AT INTERSECTION 053 IMPROPER PASSING 019 IMPROPER TURNING MOVEMENT 007 INVALID INSPECTION STICKER 145 JUNIOR OPERATOR VIOLATION 001 LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE 002 MARKED LANE VIOLATION 056 NUMBER PLATE VIOLATION 030 OPERATING WITH NO LICENSE/REGISTRATION IN POSSESSION 074 OPERATING AFTER SUSPENSION/REVOCATION 126 OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE, ALCOHOL/DRUGS 027 OPERATING UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE 025 OPERATING UNREGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLE 125 OPERATING UNLICENSE OPERATOR 056 OTHER MOVING VIOLATION 001 POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS 017 SEATBELT VIOLATION 066 SPEEDING 223 STOP SIGN/RED LENS 143 UNDER 21 WITH LIQUOR IN POSSESSION 005 VIOLATION OF COMMONWEALTH REGULATIONS CMR 013 WARNINGS 5370

TOTAL CITATIONS: 6942

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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND BICYCLE COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Public Transportation and Bicycle Committee’s primary purposes are to review proposals involving public transportation policy, to advise and report to the Select Board and Town Meeting on transportation-related articles, and to conduct specific transportation studies. In recent years, the Committee has concerned itself with a wide range of transportation topics, including transit planning, bicycle and pedestrian travel and facilities, and sustainable land use and transportation policies. The Committee acts as an advocate for alternatives to the automobile as a means of transportation and works to promote these alternatives among Town residents and Town officials.

The Public Transportation and Bicycle Committee held monthly meetings throughout fiscal year 2003 and invested its energy on a large variety of projects and topics. The Committee also had an active Bicycle Subcommittee this year.

Bus Service in Amherst

Discussions of bus service in Amherst and potential service cuts were a major focus for the Committee in FY 2003. Due to the support of UMass Transit, all of the Town-based bus routes were continued for FY 2003. Cuts to some of these routes had initially been proposed. The Town contributes funding to four Town-based bus routes: Amity Shuttle, Gatehouse Road, West Street/Bay Road, and Pine Street.

In the fall of 2003, service to the Mill Hollow apartment complex was cut from five runs each weekday to two. The Mill Hollow service is funded largely by the complex’s owner, and the owner had decided to reduce these payments. Mill Hollow is the only apartment complex in Amherst where the owner makes direct payments for bus service. After a petition by residents and intervention by the Committee, one of the eliminated morning bus runs to Mill Hollow was restored for the rest of the school year, bringing the total back to three runs per day.

For FY 2004, reductions in Town routes were proposed again, due to the state’s level funding of the PVTA at FY 2001 levels and cuts in state local aid to Amherst. In addition to potential service cuts, new fares were considered for the UMass Transit routes and fare increases were considered for the rest of the PVTA bus system. Since its start, UMass Transit routes have always been fare-free. Fares were also proposed for Amherst’s dial-a-ride for seniors and the van service provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One key funding issue is the rising costs and demand for the van service. The van service, which provides over 28,000 rides annually, accounts for more than 60% of Amherst’s transit costs. The Committee met with Amherst Finance Director Nancy Maglione a number of times to discuss transit funding issues and potential service cuts. The Committee also met with state Representative Ellen Story to discuss its concerns and learn more about transit funding from the state perspective.

During the year, the Committee engaged in numerous outreach activities to promote the Town’s bus system. UMass Transit provided new indoor schedule holders; Committee members

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delivered them to locations around town and kept them stocked with schedules. Committee members also attended public events such as the Amherst Earth Day celebration and distributed transit information. In addition, the Committee formed a public education subcommittee to coordinate future outreach and educational activities.

In the spring of 2003, the Public Transportation and Bicycle Committee held a public forum to discuss the Town’s bus services and the potential new fares and cuts to the outreach routes. The forum included a panel discussion, with each panelist presenting his perspective on the current transit funding situation. The panelists included: Jon Niedzielski, aide to U.S. Congressman John Olver; Arthur Swift, member of the Amherst Finance Committee and PVTA Advisory Board; Al Byam, General Manager of UMass Transit; and John Clobridge, Director of the Amherst Council on Aging. The forum also included a discussion about the key transit issues and potential solutions to the current funding shortfall.

Also during the spring of 2003, the Committee issued a formal response to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s report on the Amherst-based outreach routes. The report suggested that because of low and declining ridership on the routes, the financial resources used for the routes “could be shifted to better serve the public in other ways.” The Committee response questioned both the report’s findings and its conclusions. The Committee feels that although some of the routes have low and declining ridership, others, such as the Amity Shuttle, do not. Amity Shuttle ridership has increased each year since the route was introduced, and the Shuttle is the Town’s most popular route. In addition, some of the lower ridership on certain outreach routes is largely a result of infrequent service and the service cutbacks that were made in the early 1990s. Further, many of the riders on infrequent routes rely heavily on the bus service. Without transit access, these individuals would have limited access to school, jobs, and community services and programs. The Committee believes strongly that it is important for PVTA to continue Amherst’s transit system to the extent possible and to provide transit services for riders without alternatives.

In the end, for FY 2004, only one route cut was made to Amherst’s bus service: The 10 p.m. run of the Amity Shuttle, which had very low ridership, was discontinued. More significantly, for FY 2004, no-fare transit in Amherst was ended, and new fares were imposed for both the fixed- route and van services. The fixed-route fares apply to all riders who are not students or employees of UMass or one of the other four area colleges. Non-Five College-affiliated riders comprise approximately 3-5% of the bus ridership for UMass Transit. The fixed-route fare is 90 cents, with discounted daily, weekly, monthly passes also available. Children under age 6 ride for free, and seniors and disabled riders are entitled to a 50% discount. The fare is on an honor system basis, and there is no fare box on UMass Transit buses. Beginning in July 2003, the van service for dial-a-ride and ADA trips costs $1 for local trips, more for further trips. The van fare would regularly be $2 for local trips, but the fare is partially subsidized by the Town of Amherst and the Council of Aging. In addition, the Town is offering additional subsidies to low-income families or individuals who cannot afford the new fare.

As FY 2003 ends, there is confusion about the new fare system and how it will work. It is also unclear what impact the new fare will have on bus ridership. The Public Transportation Committee is working to educate people about the new fare and to monitor the situation. The Committee is also working with Nancy Maglione and Al Byam to explore potential transit alternatives to serve current outreach route areas with low ridership. During FY 2004, the

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Committee expects to continue these activities. The Committee also anticipates that it will work with Mr. Byam and Ms. Maglione to explore the feasibility and costs of establishing annual transit fare passes, and of extending transit service to the Bread and Circus area of the Mountain Farms Mall in Hadley, and the Pulpit Hill co-housing community in Amherst.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities and Planning

During the year, the Committee met with Town staff and reviewed plans for a number of construction projects. These projects included reconstruction of the Route 116 (West Street)/Pomeroy Lane intersection, the Amity/Main/N. Pleasant/S. Pleasant Street intersection, the Route 9/Route 116 intersection adjacent to the Amherst Common, and the Main Street/parking garage entrance. They also included the downtown streetscaping work on the east side of North Pleasant Street. For each project, the Committee focused on ways to improve pedestrian and bicycle access, such as through well-placed sidewalks and crosswalks, designated bicycle lanes where the road width allows, and sensible traffic lights and signage. The Committee’s other main bicycle facilities project for the year was working with Guilford Mooring, Public Works Superintendent, to establish bike lane guidelines, so that bike lane stencils could be painted on current bike lanes and so that new bicycle lanes could be established. The Bicycle Subcommittee met with Mr. Mooring to discuss proposed guidelines and the Committee’s concerns about bike lane width, bike lane signage, and the need for door zones, where possible, to protect cyclists from being hit by opening car doors. The final agreed- upon guidelines were to be presented to the Select Board in July 2003. The guidelines call for 11- foot car travel lanes, at least 3-4 foot bike travel lanes when there is not on-street parking, and at least 5-6 foot-wide bike travel lanes when there is parking. In addition, when there is on- street parking, there should be a 1-2 foot door zone whenever possible.

During the year, the Committee also worked to improve bicycle facility signage in Amherst. The Committee reviewed current “Bike Route” signs between the University of Massachusetts and Hampshire College and advocated for the removal of the outdated “Bike Route” signs along the sidewalk next to Route 116 in South Amherst. The Committee also encouraged the installation of “Share the Road” signs on the major roadway corridors into Amherst.

In early 2003, the Committee met with Judith Steinkamp, Director of Campus Planning at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Mark Lerch and Heather Vinskey, two planning graduate students. They presented their work to date on the UMass campus bike facilities plan and on the Five- College Bikeway.

The Committee’s main work on pedestrian issues was its inventory of the current Town sidewalk facilities, and its discussions about future sidewalk improvements. The Committee also wrote a letter to the Amherst Bulletin to encourage better sidewalk shoveling and the clearing of snow near bus stops.

Police Department Captain Mike Kent joined the Committee in FY 2003 and worked to provide the Committee with data about reported traffic collisions which involved pedestrian or bicyclist injuries, and to assist the Committee on pedestrian and safety issues. The Planning Department

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is working with the Police Department to establish a GIS database that will make it easy to track pedestrian and bicycle crash locations.

The Public Transportation Committee plans to continue to work on the same kinds of bicycle and pedestrian projects in FY 2004 as in FY 2003. In addition, the Committee plans to do additional educational outreach and to complete and distribute a pedestrian and bicycle facilities improvement suggestion form for residents. The Committee would also like to work with the Public Works Superintendent and the Planning Department to lay the framework for a Town transportation plan. Such a plan would help guide the Town’s future transportation facilities investments, including those for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. It could also help establish support for a comprehensive multi-modal transportation network and the linking together of disparate pieces of the Town’s current transportation systems.

Other Activities

The Committee met with Jeff McCollough, Senior Transportation Planner for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). Mr. McCollough presented an overview of the PVPC’s Regional Transportation Plan update process, and asked the Committee about its regional transportation priorities for the next twenty years. Projects mentioned by the Committee included the Coolidge Bridge repairs and expansion, the bikeway connector at Damon Road in Northampton, improvements to existing bike routes, an expanded bikes-on-buses program, additional transit services, and a car-sharing program.

Members of the Public Transportation Committee worked to increase the Committee’s contact with other Town committees that consider items with transportation implications. Committee members attended some meetings of the Public Works Committee and the Select Board, and served as official Public Transportation Committee representatives on the Comprehensive Planning Committee, Disability Access Advisory Committee, and Parking Commission.

Committee Membership Members: Staff Liaison: John Clobridge Tracy Zafian, Chair (July 2002-May 2003) Select Board Liaison: Anne Awad Karen Jones, Chair (June 2003-present) Eli Cooper Associate Members: Molly Falsetti Robert Kusner, Resident Van Kaynor Lorna Peterson, Five Colleges, Inc. Margie Springer-Young Nathan Salwen, Resident Walter Wolnik Arthur Swift, PVTA Board & Amherst Alex von Braun (appointed May 2003) Finance Committee Frank Wells, Amherst Council on Aging

126 AMHERST PUBLIC ART COMMISSION Fiscal Year 2003

Members: Bernice Rosenthal, Edith Byron, Carol Lee, Peggy Cole, Gretchen Fox, Lora Simon, and Petula Bloomfield.

In December 2002, APAC received a grant of $2500 from the Amherst Cultural Council, to be used for the stained glass window FUGUE by Mark Ricker. It is to be hung inside the semi- circular part of the arched widow on the north side of Town Hall. This $2500 has been matched by $2500 in private donations. FUGUE was developed over the winter in consultation with the Design Review Board and the Select Board. It is expected that the window will be constructed over the summer of 2003 and installed sometime in the fall.

APAC organized its third annual competition for art to be displayed in Town Hall. Seventeen works, by the following nine artists, were selected to be displayed in Town Hall until July 1, 2004: Carol Belliveau, Sharon Carty, Michael Chan, Sue Katz, Lynn Lovell, Nancy Murphy, John Power, Janet Reider, and Nicole Roux.

As its next project, APAC would like to organize a competition for mural designs, to be painted on the columns on the lower level of the Boltwood Walk parking garage. In consultation with Director of Administration and Finance Nancy Maglione, we decided that it would be useful to hold the competition in two stages: one, for themes for the designs, and two, for the designs themselves. The deadline for the second will be September 1, 2003. Three good suggestions were received from the first competition. It was also decided that each winning design for a column would receive an honorarium of $100.

In the fall of 2002, sculptor John Sendelbach, creator of CROSSROADS SALAMANDER on the Cushman Common, approached APAC with the wish to build a similar stone sculpure in the Mill River recreation area. Shortly thereafter, Heather Halsey met with John and told him that she would like this new sculpture to serve as a memorial to her husband, Kevin Maxwell Brown, who died on October 17, 2002. With private funding in place and APAC acting as a sponsor, MILL RIVER NEWT received the necessary permissions from the Design Review Board, the Leisure Services Commission and the Conservation Commission, and was presented to an appreciative Select Board. Mr. Sendelbach plans to build the sculpture in August 2003.

APAC currently has $2700 in its account.

APAC is very grateful for the funding it receives from the Amherst Cultural Council.

Edith Byron, Chair

120 PUBLIC SHADE TREE COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2002*

The past year has been a wait-and-see period for the Public Shade Tree Committee: we watched apprehensively as fiscal reports became more and more dire, since public shade trees are extremely vulnerable to budget shortfalls. The only positive note in the fiscal arena is that shade trees are a long-term investment; hence, while it is important to continue plantings, a short hiatus for any reason eventually goes unnoticed because the trees planted survive and prosper over a very extended period. The FY 2002 budget for tree work, although reduced, still provided for some tree work and some minor plantings, while allowing for continuing work for tree maintenance and removal of dangerous or storm-damaged trees.

The Tree Division of the Department of Public Works, consisting of three full-time and one part- time employees, removed a total of 101 trees during the past year. The trees removed covered a broad spectrum of genera and species, including some very unusual species such as the Japanese Pagoda tree, and a large number of hemlocks and other hardwoods. Only thirteen trees were planted throughout the Town, although some of the specimens removed from the garage site have been replaced with other types in the overall landscaping of the parking garage. It should be noted that in addition to tree work, the Tree Division is also responsible for cemetery care, maintenance and burials.

Throughout the Town, a number of trees have been planted to honor citizens and public officials. The Committee believes it is important that periodically a note be made of these, so that we do not lose sight of this honor our Town has bestowed on these persons. Both Phil Renaud and Wally Vincent have oaks planted at the North Pleasant Street post office in their honor. The Town Common has two memorial copper beeches, one in recognition of Nancy Eddy and her important role in the Town and the second for Bill Hutchinson and his forty years on the Public Shade Tree Committee; a third copper beech, on the south lawn of the Munson Library, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Thursday Club. At Sweetser Park, a pin oak was planted to acknowledge the important contributions and the continuing work of Senator Stanley Rosenberg and his help to the Shade Tree Nursery Association in urban forestation.

A major issue facing the Town is the onslaught of the Wooly Adelgid on the many hemlocks (HWA) throughout the Town. Since many plantings throughout the Town utilized this tree, we are in the process of losing an important aspect of the Town: there are no native natural enemies of the insect, and untreated trees ultimately die. On some hemlock screening hedges, the infestation may already be seen as white cottony masses. Hedges such as those around “The Evergreens” may already have their days of existence numbered.

Another issue that has been submitted to the Public Shade Tree Committee for discussion concerns trees located on private property, such as in the setback areas in front of town residences. This will be a very touchy issue; but the question whether a bylaw covering such trees is realistic needs to be examined.

Amherst was again rated as a “Tree City” for its continuing support of tree preservation and planting and overall concern for trees in the community.

William A. Hutchinson, Chair

* This report was inadvertently omitted in the FY 02 Town Report.

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PUBLIC SHADE TREE COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

During the past year, the Public Shade Tree Committee has been particularly concerned about the need for landscaping guidelines. The Committee has explored the impact of tree removal on neighborhood setbacks and the impact of radical tree removal on the overall neighborhood environment. In several instances, when extreme removal of trees in portions of a neighborhood has taken place, the residents became aware of how important trees were in defining their space.

Working closely with the Planning Department, the Committee has developed some proposals to address issues such as non-compliance by developers of subdivisions regarding both removal and planting of trees. These have yet to be presented to and approved by the Zoning Subcommittee and the full Planning Board. We expect in the near future to meet with both boards to consider these, as well as developing some general landscaping guidelines for the Town. The Committee has looked closely at what other communities in the Commonwealth (Springfield, Lexington, Newton, Cambridge, and Amesbury) have implemented.

The Public Shade Tree Committee has formed a subcommittee to work out procedures to identify trees of significant stature, particularly when they occur on private property. The Public Shade Committee would like to call attention to outstanding specimen trees throughout the Town on a regular basis and to acknowledge the residents who have and care for such trees on their property. Such trees would be designated as Heritage Trees.

We continue to plant memorial trees, like the tree planted recently on the South Amherst Common for Carol Cornish, with funds provided by friends and neighbors.

Thanks to a cooperative meeting with Northeast Utilities, we have avoided the proposed cutting of the one remaining American Elm on Amity Street; we have also urged that alternative solutions be sought in the planned upgrading of the power lines in this area of town.

One positive result of the very cold, windy winter weather was to temporarily slow the progression of the Wooly Adelgid. Reports and observations from areas of town where the insect was found indicate that the population and damage from them has been greatly reduced.

The Shade Tree Committee has also worked with the Planning Department on the tree replacement in the proposed reconfiguration of Sweetser Park. We have suggested the use of Yellowood, a small flowering tree.

Bill Hutchinson, Chair

122

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Fiscal Year 2003

This has been a banner year for the DPW. The year got off to a great start, completing the very full construction season of 2002. Several projects did not start until after July 1st, such as the Main Street and Lessey Street project and the 2002 road-resurfacing project. The year continued with a memorable New England winter. Thirty-nine storms dropped a total of 72 inches of snow, as measured at the Town’s Waste Water Pollution Control Plant in the Valley. Snow removal cost an average of $3350 per inch this year. After the never-starting spring ended, the Town’s water supply was in excellent shape and it was time to start another busy construction year.

The 2003 construction season started with the completion of the Main Street and Amity Street intersection, the completion of the Middle Street sewer project and the continuation of the Route 9 and Route 116 intersection project. In addition to these projects, DPW crews returned to Sweetser Park to work on the new sidewalk on Lessey Street, and another DPW crew installed a new sewer line on Mountain View Circle.

In addition to our construction work, the DPW continued its efforts to support the Town’s goal of reducing our impact on the environment. The Water and Waste Water divisions continued to upgrade their infrastructure, replacing older pieces of equipment with newer, energy-efficient ones. The well #3 project replaced an old pump with a newer one with an efficient variable drive unit. The Department switched from using diesel fuel to using an 80/20 blend of Bio-diesel. This diesel-and-soy-based fuel reduces various diesel pollutant levels by as much as 30% for some emissions. The Department is working with Stephanie Ciccarello, Energy Conservation Officer, to implement the use of Bio-diesel for the Town’s fixed diesel equipment and for heating oil.

The DPW also upgraded the traffic signals at the intersections of Fearing and North Pleasant Streets, Governors Drive and North Pleasant Street, and Pine and North Pleasant Streets. This work has improved the reliability of the signals and reduced energy consumption. The DPW converted traffic lights at these three intersections from 8-inch incandescent bulb fixtures to 12-inch LED devices. This change has reduced energy consumption at these three intersections by 37%. The DPW has decided that all future traffic lights will be LED because of their energy efficiency and 12 inches in diameter to improve visibility. The DPW also tested a prototype LED street light replacement bulb. Once the bulbs enter production, the Department will use them for replacements once an agreement can be reached with WMECO.

The DPW has also spent the year reinforcing our relationship with other Town departments and the Schools. Combining the paving of two conservation parking lots approved in the budget with the annual resurfacing contract resulted in enough money to pave three lots.

Conserving our resources, and building and enhancing the relationships between the DPW and the rest of the Town, will continue to be a major goal of the Department. As resources become scarce over the next few years, this approach should pay big dividends for the community and keep levels of service from deteriorating too far.

Guilford B. Mooring II, P.E. Superintendent of Public Works

127

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

The personnel of the Highway Division completed the following projects during FY 03:

HIGHWAY RESURFACING: The following streets and roads were resurfaced, shimmed or reclaimed this year between July 2002 and September 2002, for a total of 5.6 miles.

Columbia Drive Grantwood Drive East Leverett Road Hunter's Hill Circle State Street. Lincoln Avenue Columbia Circle Baker Street Beech Street Valley View Drive Valley View Circle Dennis Drive Hillcrest Place Nelson Circle Dana Place Hickory Lane Hobart Lane Laurel Lane

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HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION:

STORM DRAINAGE PROJECTS

The College Street drainage and sidewalk project was delayed another year due to issues with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (T.I.P.)

The following TIP projects were completed this year:

1. reconstruction of the intersection of Main/Amity/North Pleasant Streets 2. traffic lights installation at the intersection of Belchertown Road/Gatehouse Road/Old Farm Road.

The reconstruction of the College Street and South Pleasant Street (Route 9/Route 116) intersection has continued into FY 2004. The contractor has been delayed by weather and other issues.

OTHER PROJECTS: 1. horse manure storage for Station Road farm owned by Water Fund 2. Main Street/Lessey Street & Garage entrance project Phase I 3. new traffic signals and wiring at the North Pleasant and Pine Street intersection 4. paved North Fire station parking lot 5. paved Police Departent parking lot 6. paved the conservation area parking lots at Mount Pollux, Amethyst Brook, and Puffer’s Pond.

SANITARY SEWER DIVISION

SEWER MAINTENANCE The Division investigated 59 sanitary sewer complaints and corrected 15 stoppages in the collection system. Approximately 10 miles of sewer mains were cleaned and flushed. Problematic sewer locations are flushed and cleaned on a quarterly basis.

The new sewer TV camera is working well and is permitting the Department to survey the sanitary sewer system. This equipment permits us to investigate chronic sewer line problems and avoid unnecessary excavation on the sewer system. Problem areas can be pinpointed within one foot, and the exact nature of the problem can be determined, e.g. broken line, grease problem, root problem or foreign object obstructing flow. A total of 17,000 feet of our sanitary sewer system was televised this year. Already the system has allowed the Department to address issues before new paving was put in place saving money and time in rework costs.

129

SEWER REPAIR NAME PIPE SIZE LENGTH TYPE REMARKS

Cranberry Lane Replacement 6” 400’ SDR

North East Street Collapsed Sewer 12” 20’ SDR Replacement 12” 150’ SDR (Caracas Const)

Mountain View Drive New Sewer Line 8” 500’ SDR

130 SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL

Annual Expenditure

$260,000 Inches of Snow $243,986

80$240,000

60$220,000 $193,619 40$200,000

20$180,000 $163,610 $160,0000 FY 99 FY 00 FY 01 FY 02 FY 03

Series1$140,00028.1 26.9 72.7 28.0 72.7 $124,952 $120,000 $101,730

$100,000

$80,000 FY 99 FY 00 FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 There were 39 snow and ice storms, with a total of 72.7 inches of snow. 5303 tons of sand were used. 1892.12 tons of salt were used. 14,505 gallons of Ice Band Magic were used on the roadways and sidewalks. Year Cost Snow (inches) No. of Storms FY 99 $163,610 28.1 9 FY 00 $101,730 26.9 10 FY 01 $193,619 72.7 21* FY 02 $124,952 28.0 17** FY 03 $243,986 72.7 39*** *10 Additional snow/ice events of less than 1” occurred; these required sanding operations only. **3 storms with no accumulation ***7 Additional snow/ice events of less than 1” occurred, which required sanding operations only.

131 TREE AND CEMETERY DIVISION The Tree Division removed a total of 39 street trees during the past year. Trees removed were: 1 white ash, 19 sugar maple, 8 red maple, 2 white birch, 1 beech, 2 cherry, 1 crab apple, 2 silver maple, 1 Norway maple, 1 hemlock and 1 flowering crab.

During FY 03, 3 trees were planted.

30 tree stumps were removed in FY 03.

In addition to tree care responsibilities, this division, consisting of three full-time employees and one part-time summer employee, is also responsible for the care and maintenance, including burials, of the West, North and South Cemeteries.

Burials in FY 2003 West Cemetery 1 North Cemetery 8 South Cemetery 6

PARKS DIVISION The Parks Division of three full-time employees and two part-time summer staff continue the day-to-day maintenance of our parks and commons, together with the maintenance of twenty-three softball, baseball, football, lacrosse and soccer fields and many multi-purpose areas.

As I mentioned in previous reports, continued heavy use of all our fields and facilities requires increased maintenance, due to continued wear and tear, and major renovations will undoubtedly be required at some of our facilities in the very near future.

132

WATER TREATMENT & DISTRIBUTION

Water Consumption: The average daily water consumption for FY 03 was 3.69 million gallons; on the peak day, August 14, 2002, it was 5.14 million gallons.

The figures below summarize the amount of water pumped, the revenue generated and the chemicals used to treat the water. Chlorine and ammonia are used for disinfection. Potassium permanganate is used for iron and manganese removal at Well #4. Polymer is used for water treatment at the Atkins and Centennial water treatment plants. Fluoride is added at a level of 1 part per million to reduce tooth decay, and sodium hydroxide is used to elevate the pH of the water for corrosion control.

Water Services FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 New services installed 63 52 26 Total water services 6,193 6,243 6,269 # Meters Replaced 165 164 229 Chemical Usage - All Sites Chlorine (lbs.) 16,380 14,618 15,998 Sodium Hydroxide (gals.) 18,140 16,509 16,735 Polymer (gals.) 2,936 2,830 2,463 Potassium Permanganate (lbs.) 345 589 1,029 Ammonia (lbs.) 3,345 2,996 3,444 Sodium Fluoride (lbs.) 23,020 23,525 23,185 Monthly Pumping in Million Gallons Month FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 July 107.646 114.714 123.894 August 103.606 130.526 123.977 September 123.370 127.739 124.138 October 125.097 123.709 117.570 November 111.235 107.669 109.672 December 106.642 103.200 102.175 January 91.840 89.980 95.161 February 103.730 104.158 109.458 March 106.136 106.148 112.257 April 113.164 113.910 114.008 May 133.884 116.228 117.837 June 104.033 99.891 97.613 Total 1330.38 1337.87 1347.76 Daily Average 3.65 3.66 3.69 Maximum Daily 4.98 (5/13/01) 4.89 (9/05/01) 5.14 (8/14/02) Minimum Daily 2.45 (12/26/00) 2.32 (12/26/01) 2.355 (12/26/02)

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Water Pumped – Million Gallons Source FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Wells #1 & #2 165 223 197 Well #3 366 382 341 Well #4 42 73 118 Well #5 16 46 34 Pelham Reservoirs 327 295 259 Atkins Reservoir 414 319 396 Total Water Pumped 1,330 1,338 1,347 Average Daily (millions) 3.65 3.66 3.69 Water Consumed – Cubic Feet FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 UMass 61,900,600 60,074,000 57,884,900 Amherst College 5,167,900 5,171,000 4,720,400 Hampshire College 2,654,700 2,372,600 2,478,800 Town 78,112,300 79,602,400 91,705,600 Municipal 1,165,700 1,335,800 1,356,300 Special Water Readings 425,300 324,900 1,659,300 Other 289,300 339,700 329,900 Un-metered Use 4,087,567 4,451,870 5,000,000 Adjustments (1,560,100) (94,000) (182,900) Total Metered (ft3) 155,363,467 153,766,270 159,952,300 Total Metered (million gals.) 1,162 1,115 1,200 % Unaccounted 12.61% 16.6% 10.5% Total Revenue – Dollars FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 UMass Water $1,164,272 $1,109,294 $1,064,359 Sewer $1,009,666 $1,020,517 $986,480 Amherst College Water $96,422 $96,995 $88,252 Sewer $84,823 $92,143 $92,112 Hampshire College Water $53,295 $44,885 $46,774 Sewer $43,821 $42,794 $48,356 Town Water $1,396,849 $1,418,333 $1,629,715 Sewer $1,151,365 $1,245,538 $1,560,742 Municipal Water $25,726 $27,053 $27,575 Sewer $18,957 $24,065 $26,184 Special Reading Water & Sewer $19,953 $13,814 $60,208 Adjustments Water & Sewer ($57,876) ($13,737) ($25,926) Other Water & Sewer $10,099 $12,430 $12,549 Total Revenue $5,017,373 $5,134,124 $5,617,380

134 WATER QUALITY DATA:

Bacterial Samples: Bimonthly samples were analyzed from 27 sites around town; all samples were negative for coliform bacteria.

Fluoride: Fluoride was added to all sources at a level of 1.0 ppm to prevent tooth decay.

Treatment Plant Performance: Both the Atkins (Shutesbury) and Centennial (Pelham) Water Treatment plants produced water that meets the requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The average turbidity from Atkins was 0.09 N.T.U. and from Centennial 0.12 N.T.U. The EPA requires that these readings be less than 0.3 N.T.U. in 95% of the samples. Total Trihalomethanes, a byproduct of disinfection, averaged 32 ppb from quarterly sampling at eight different sights around town. The EPA limit is 80 ppb. Haloacetic acids, another by product of disinfection, were also analyzed on a quarterly basis at 8 different locations; the average value was 39 ppm, well below the EPA limit of 60 ppm. Ozonation was utilized at the Atkins Treatment Plant from July to December for color, taste and odor control.

Water Rate: The water rates for FY 03 are listed below.

0 – 10,000 cu. ft. $1.70 10,001 – 100,000 cu. ft. $1.80 100,001 cu. ft. $1.90

Cross Connection Program: The cross connection program was established in 1989 under Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulation 310 CMR 22.22 to prevent cross-contamination of the water supply with hazardous substances. Water Department staff tests these devices twice annually. Total Backflow Devices FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Town 47 49 51 UMass 350 353 357 Amherst College 60 55 77 Hampshire College 24 24 26 Commercial 66 74 99 Total 547 555 610

Chemical Analysis: The following water analyses were run in FY 03; all levels of substance in the water were below the Maximum Contaminant Level set by the Safe Drinking Water Act: - inorganic compounds – annually at all sources - total Trihalomethanes – quarterly distribution system samples at 8 locations - Haloacetic acids – quarterly distribution system samples at 8 locations - Fluoride – Daily at all sources - synthetic organic compounds – 3/4/03 at all sources.

135 OTHER ACTIVITIES Drought: The amount of rainfall measured at the official weather station at the Wastewater Treatment Plant was 45.23 inches in FY 2003. In September, October and November, Atkins Reservoir was measured as being down 9.3, 10.1 and 9.3 feet, respectively. This is the lowest sustained level of this reservoir in staff memory. With normal rainfall in the fall, the reservoir reached levels close to being full in December. The Lawrence Swamp wells also showed draw-down levels lower than ever recorded before (particularly Well #5).

Water Main Flushing: The annual water main flushing program was done in April.

Water Meter Testing: All major water meters and flow meters were tested and calibrated.

Consumer Confidence Report: The annual report on water quality is available on the Town’s website, WWW.TOWN.AMHERST.MA.US, or by calling the Public Works office at 256-4050, ext. 10.

Well #3 Rehabilitation: Tighe & Bond, Consulting Engineers of Westfield, Massachusetts, was contracted by the Town to engineer a complete rehabilitation of Well #3. The work was mostly completed by June 2003 by Davenport Construction of Greenfield, Massachusetts, at a cost of $270,000. The job included replacing the motor, pump and roof, and adding a variable-frequency drive and emergency generator.

Water Conservation Education: Once again, the Hitchcock Center of Amherst provided water conservation training for all Amherst and Pelham students in grades two, four and five.

Water Relining Project: Tighe & Bond prepared specifications and bid documents to clean and reline 9,600 feet of old cast iron water main on North Pleasant Street from Governors Drive northerly to Pine Street, Sunderland Road to the end of the water main, and all of Cowls Road. The project was awarded to Biszko Contracting of Fall River, Massachusetts, for a bid price of $513,272. The work will be done in the summer of 2003 to minimize traffic disruption in that area. The project involves removing the encrustation on the inside of the pipe and applying a thin film of cement to prevent future deposits. The water quality and available fire flow will be improved in the area where the work is being done.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Grant: In January of 2003, the Town was awarded a grant of $48,500 for the following work associated with source water protection:

1. The Hitchcock Center for the Environment will develop an educational program for the elementary schools in Amherst regarding groundwater protection. 2. Two more groundwater monitor wells will be dug to better monitor groundwater quality in Lawrence Swamp. 3. A forest management plan will be developed to improve timber harvesting practices. 4. A surface water protection plan will be developed for the Pelham Reservoirs. 5. A wellhead protection plan will be developed for Wells 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.

Robert E. Pariseau Director of Water Resources 136 WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

Flow Data The Wastewater Treatment Plant treated 1.31 billion gallons of wastewater in FY 03. The highest daily flowrate recorded was 11.0 million gallons, on 3/21/03 and 4/11/03. The flowrate in FY 03 reflects the return of normal rainfall after the drought we experienced in FY 02. FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Inches of Rainfall 48.32 34.46 45.23 Average Daily Flow 4.44 3.67 4.15 in Million Gallons 11.0 Highest Day in 10.28 10.1 (3/21/03 & Million Gallons (3/22/01) (9/21/01) 4/11/03) Chemicals Used Chlorine (lbs.) 14,034 13,656 12,775 Polymer (lbs.) 3,421 3,092 2,963 Potassium Permanganate (lbs.) 3,360 5,335 3,795

Chlorine is used to disinfect the wastewater prior to discharge into the Connecticut River. Polymer is used to thicken sludge as part of the disposal process. Potassium permanganate is used for odor control.

Treatment Efficiency The water that is discharged into the Connecticut River is tested in our treatment plant laboratory. Many process control tests are performed to optimize treatment and produce the best quality effluent possible. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitor our activities and measure our effectiveness by the parameters listed below. No violations of our EPA discharge permit occurred in FY 03.

Parameter EPA Limit FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Biological Oxygen Demand (mg/L) 30 10.95 14.7 12.8 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 30 4.2 4.3 3.5 Chlorination 1.0 0.55 0.55 0.55 Septage Received The treatment plant receives septage from residential septic tanks pumped from the towns of Amherst, Pelham and Shutesbury. Below is a summary of the number of septic tanks (usually 1000 gallons) that were pumped.

FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Amherst 184 185 136 Pelham 59 61 48 Shutesbury 69 86 67 Total 312 332 251

137

Sludge Data Sludge is the residual organic material left after the wastewater is treated. We currently thicken these solids on-site, and Casella Waste Management is under contract to deliver the liquid sludge to an EPA-approved sludge incinerator. Sludge in FY 03 was transported to three sludge incineration facilities: Fitchburg, Massachusetts; Milbury, Massachusetts; Cromwell, Connecticut and to the solid waste incinerator in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Sludge Data FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Total Gallons (transported) 3,727,700 3,515,265 3,638,000 Total Dry Tons 1,050 1,040 1,100 % Solids 7.3% 7.1% 7.3%

Month Total Ave. % Total Dry Tons Gallons Solids Dry Tons Per Day July 200500 7.3% 60.7 2.0 August 198000 7.5% 61.6 2.0 September 314500 7.0% 91.1 2.9 October 404500 6.9% 117.0 3.8 November 357500 6.7% 99.5 3.3 December 320500 7.1% 95.4 3.1 January 224500 7.6% 70.8 2.3 February 328500 7.5% 102.0 3.6 March 339500 7.5% 107.0 3.5 April 375000 7.5% 117.0 3.9 May 359000 7.3% 109.0 3.5 June 216000 7.5% 67.4 2.2 Total 3638000 87.0% 1100 36.1 Average 303170 7.3% 91.6 3.0

Power Consumption FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 Avg. kWh/month 121,450 104,533 108,558 Avg. kW Demand 218 224 227

Waste Water Treatment Plant FY 2003 Month Days kWh KWh Total Demand Bill On Peak Off Peak KWh KW July 28 40600 38500 79100 177 $ 7,002.69 August 31 42700 38500 81200 204 $ 7,381.35 September 27 51800 51800 103600 238 $ 9,070.55 October 29 57400 54600 112000 234 $ 9,750.84 November 33 58100 58100 116200 209 $ 9,830.26 December 35 60900 60900 121800 227 $ 10,379.47 January 44 89600 86800 176400 252 $ 15,487.28 138 February 10 19600 25900 45500 255 $ 3,875.18 March 31 69300 63700 133000 258 $ 11,523.11 April 29 65100 62300 127400 253 $ 11,076.06 May 33 62300 63700 126000 237 $ 10,827.88 June 29 40600 39900 80500 173 $ 2,705.13 Total 359 658000 644700 1302700 2717 $ 108,909.80 Average 29.9 54833 53725 108558 227 $ 9,075.82

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Facilities Improvements: The following construction projects were done by the treatment plant staff. These projects would normally be completed by hiring outside engineers and contractors, but skilled in-house staff were able to complete the projects at a considerable financial saving to the Town. A. Primary Sludge Pump: A third pump was demolished and replaced with new piping, wiring controls, and a new progressive cavity pump. B. Chlorination Systems: The existing system was demolished and new chlorinators, valves gauges, and associated piping and controls were replaced. C. Sludge Piping: The sludge piping for the tank truck connection was replaced with glass-lined pipe. This will increase the flow-rate and reduce the frequency of cleaning and blockages. D. Demolition of Vacuum Filter: A large, antiquated piece of equipment was cut up and disposed of. E. Propane Heater: A new propane heater was installed in the sludge removal area. F. Southeast Street Pumping Station: Plant staff prepared specifications and bid documents to replace three pumping stations on Southeast Street that were over 30 years old. The old pumping stations were removed and the new stations and associated piping and wiring were reconnected.

Construction and Engineering Projects: Camp Dresser and McKee of Boston, Massachusetts, provided consulting services to the Town for the following projects. A. Sewer Master Plan: This project is being done to investigate all unsewered areas of Amherst and develop a priority list for future sewer extensions. The study will explore environmental impact, frequency of septic system failure, soil conditions, cost, and alternative technologies. B. Middle Street Area Sewer: Construction began on this project early in FY 2003; 99% of the work was finished by June 30, 2003. Residents were allowed to connect to the sewer beginning on July 1, 2003. Caracas Construction of Ludlow, Massachusetts, completed the project for a total cost of $1,450,722.22. The project included the construction of pumping stations on Potwine Lane and Middle Street, and approximately 16,000 feet of pipe on Middle Street, Potwine Lane, Orchard Drive, Barry Circle, Blossom Drive, Sherry Circle and Bay Road C. Kendrick Park Area Sewer: Plans and specifications were prepared, and the project was bid and awarded to Caracas Construction Company of Ludlow, Massachusetts, at a cost of $200,950. The project began around June 1, 2003 and will be finished before classes resume in September. It involved replacing approximately 2,200 linear feet of sewer on McClellan Street, Beston Street, North Pleasant Street, Old North Pleasant Street and Pray Street. D. Main Street and Amherst College Sewer: Plans and specifications were prepared and the project was publicly bid and awarded to Insituform Technologies, Inc. of Charlton, 139 Massachusetts, at a cost of $238,091.28. The work involves relining of approximately 5000 feet of vitrified clay pipe on Main Street from Whitney Street to Northeast Street and from College Street southerly through the Amherst College Campus to near Route 116. The relining process is a “non-excavating” technology, in which a liner is placed within the existing sewer. When completed, the rehabilitated sewer will have the structural strength of a new sewer, all leaks will be sealed, and the carrying capacity will be increased. E. Final Clarifier Valves: Plan and specifications were prepared, and the project was publicly bid to replace three drain valves between final clarifiers 2 & 3. These valves are in need of replacement and are critical to plant operation. This will be a difficult project because of the depth (25’) and close proximity of tank and underground piping. F. Chapel Road and Mechanic Street Sewer: Plans, specifications, and preliminary design were done on Chapel Road, Mechanic Street and a section of Southeast Street to install approximately 6,500 feet of sewer pipe and one pumping station. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2003.

MISCELLANEOUS

Orchard Valley Pumping Station: During the winter of 2003, two breaks occurred on the force main exiting the pumping station. Approximately 100 feet of new pipe was installed to repair the pipe.

Robert E. Pariseau Director of Water Resources

140 FY 03 SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING Many changes occurred for the Amherst solid waste program in FY 03. With the Town landfill almost full and income from disposal fees much reduced, a new policy was enacted – a $25.00 annual fee per vehicle to enter the landfill/recycling center. The $25 fee brought resistance from some who felt that trash, and recycling in particular, should be “free”. Gradually, as residents realized that fiscal woes are universal and that the fee is low compared to other towns, the complaints diminished. Cheryl McNamee and Nancy Murphy of the DPW did a wonderful job handling this change. By the end of the fiscal year, more than 2000 vehicle stickers were sold. This helped defray some recycling costs, but tax dollars are now needed to support our solid waste program for the first time in more than twenty years.

To lengthen the life of the landfill, waste from larger waste haulers and the University of Massachusetts was no longer accepted, beginning in September. In November, waste was no longer accepted from Amherst and Hampshire Colleges and the two private trash haulers. The only waste accepted from then on has been from small businesses, the Amherst public schools, individuals with extra refuse (e.g. garage cleanouts), and residents with “variances” from the required curbside pickup. The tonnage dropped dramatically, from an average of 525 tons per month in the fall to an average of 80 tons or less per month after November. The landfill had enough room to accommodate the business and individual waste for a few more months, but in April the landfill was full and closed completely. Capping this final phase of the landfill has already started, and should be complete within the calendar year.

Without a Town landfill, the solid waste coming to the facility is now transferred to the Northampton landfill. The good news is that access to recycling and other programs remains the same for Amherst citizens. The “Sanitary Landfill and Recycling Center” has become the “Transfer Station and Recycling Center”. Curbside pickup of trash and recyclables continue for Amherst citizens. However, the bad news is that refuse haulers now must transport solid waste to waste facilities outside of Amherst. In addition to increased hauler costs, another drawback is that, except for the small amount of waste “transferred” by Amherst DPW, information about the total amount of waste Amherst generates and where it all goes is now no longer accessible. We hope to work on greater accountability of what waste is generated in the coming fiscal year.

The Town applied for a Special Permit from the Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals to make the transition from sanitary landfill to transfer station. Hearings were held in March and April, and the ZBA gave approval for two years for continuing both the transfer station and the recycling center at the same location, plus the ability to modify the recycling center as recycling programs expand for Amherst.

Recycling programs continued to do well in Amherst. Of the fifteen programs at the Recycling Center which divert materials from being landfilled, all remain strong. Some of the programs and approximate tons/count diverted from FY 01 to FY 03 are listed below. It is obvious how much more waste is now recycled. Other programs – the “Take-It-or-Leave-It” area, the book shed, Goodwill box, mercury-bearing waste – etc. are more difficult to quantify, but are equally active.

141 Material _____ FY 01 FY 02______FY 03

Chipped Brush/Leaves (tons) 525 536 310* Electronics (tons) 10 12.4 12 Scrap Metal (tons) 209 292 176 Hazardous Waste (in household equivalents) 116 145 216 Paint (gal.) 497 945 1301 Tires (count) 349 556 410 Appliances (count) 452 600 557 Propane Tanks (count) 59 98 190 * The extensive rain/snow/rain of FY 03 interfered with much of the brush & leaf collection this year.

The transfer station/recycling center continues to be active, especially on Saturdays, and a group of volunteers regularly help the staff at the “Take-It-or-Leave-It” and book shed areas. The regular staff much appreciates the extra service these committed recyclers contribute.

An exciting, cost-saving program which began this year with a grant from the state was the diversion of food waste from restaurants in Amherst. To date, 20 restaurants separate food from the general waste stream, which then is used to generate wonderful compost at the Smith Vocational School in Northampton or at two local farms. Around five tons of food waste are diverted every week from the participating restaurants, a most impressive figure.

In addition to home composting bins, two new products are now offered – kitchen counter pails for food scraps, and rain barrels to capture roof rain runoff. All three are popular items for sale. Please check out the Amherst recycling website for more information: from the Town website (www.town.amherst.ma.us), follow links from Town Government to Departments, then to Department of Public Works and from there to Recycling.

The “Pay-As-You-Throw” (PAYT) or “variance” program, a disposal option for residents who generate only a small quantity of refuse per week, began its third year with close to 300 households using the program, and ended with around 350 households. Participants in the PAYT program pay for Town bags, thereby basing disposal cost on the amount of non- recyclable trash generated; recycling at the drop-off center is included at no additional charge. With rising waste disposal contracts, the PAYT program continues to grow, and around 400 households are expected to use the option in FY 04. Amherst’s PAYT program has attracted the attention of communities statewide – at least six towns in the past year requested Amherst’s solid waste/recycling regulations and obtained descriptions of the PAYT program.

Amherst participated in the state Municipal Recycling Incentive Program (MRIP) for a sixth year, but only in the fall, as the state temporarily discontinued the program. In the course of the years, Amherst has received $202,728 of incentive payments for establishing programs that increase recycling and has been a leader in the state with our high rate of recycling. It is expected that the program will resume once the drastically slashed state funds for environmental and recycling programs are restored. But the long-term cost to the environment will be significant.

142 Carolyn Holstein, who served as the Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator for two years, was replaced by Marlene Barnett in accordance with the current union contract. Ms. Barnett comes from the Board of Health, where she served as the Tobacco Programs Coordinator until the elimination of state tobacco grant money this year.

143

AMHERST SCHOOLS Fiscal Year 2003

Amherst School Committee

Elaine Brighty, Chair Tony Rogers, Vice-Chair Alisa Brewer, Secretary Barbara Love Vladimir Morales

The Amherst School Committee is an elected body responsible for the public education of all children in kindergarten through grade six and of pre-school children with substantial special needs in our community. The Committee meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month and welcomes citizen participation at each meeting. The members of this committee also serve as Amherst’s members of the Regional School Committee, which has responsibility for the educational programs for children in grades seven through twelve.

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

Student enrollment as of October 1, 2002 was:

GRADE STUDENTS

Pre K 62 K 220 1 199 2 198 3 204 4 212 5 204 6 235 TOTAL 1,534

Enrollments for 2002-2003 were 5 less than the previous year. Eleven children from Amherst attended other school districts under the School Choice program.

Primary goals for the Amherst Schools are as follows:

144 3. making all students feel fully welcome and a part of our schools, regardless of race, class, gender, language, religion, sexuality, culture, academic success, or physical abilities 4. eliminating the achievement gap among students from different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds 5. addressing the demands and opportunities facing our schools as a result of the rapid growth in the use of technology throughout our society 6. increasing communication and collaboration among the district’s stakeholders – students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and the larger community – and using parents and the community more effectively as educational resources 7. hiring and retaining a high quality teaching and administrative staff. 8. equipping and maintaining school buildings to provide healthy, accessible, modern learning environments that support the achievement of our mission 9. sustaining a physically and emotionally safe environment in our schools for students and staff.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

This was the fourteenth and final year of leadership by Superintendent Dr. Gus A. Sayer. Principal activities during the 2002-2003 school year included the following:

• Meetings continued to be scheduled with the staffs of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury elementary schools to work on K-6 curriculum coordination.

• Renovations to Crocker Farm Elementary School were completed during the fall. The project included both renovation and expansion of the facility.

• In response to recommendations of the BAMSS Steering Committee, school- based diversity committees reported about activities in their buildings. The BAMSS Committee also received reports about district-wide activities aimed at furthering the BAMSS goals. These included participation in the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN), development of an instrument for measuring multicultural school climate, progress in developing a system for monitoring student achievement from K-12, an update on affirmative action statistics and the status of the district’s professional development program in anti- racist teaching practices. The district made plans to host the annual meeting of the Minority Student Achievement Network scheduled for June 2003.

• A 5-year capital proposal was submitted to the Joint Capital Planning Committee. The proposal provided for the ongoing replacement of computers and copiers, completion of a 3-year purchase plan for school furniture, major renovation projects at Fort River and Wildwood Schools, and various maintenance projects.

• The Department of Education provided the district with its performance rating, based on the results of the 2002 administration of the MCAS. The rating is a combination of the assessment results of students in the four elementary schools. Student performance in Amherst in English/Language Arts was rated “High,” and

145 in Mathematics was rated “Moderate.” The district improvement over the past two years in English/Language Arts was “Above Target,” but in Mathematics there was “No Change.”

• A report from the Department of Education addressed compliance with spending requirements for FY 02 and FY 03. Under Massachusetts law, the school district must meet its requirement for net school spending. It must also meet the requirement for spending on maintenance in order to remain eligible to receive SBAB support for building projects. The law also requires that the district spend $125 per pupil on the professional development of our staff, although failure to comply with this law has no consequences at the present time. The Amherst Elementary Schools were in compliance with all three requirements for FY 02 and FY 03.

• A food services management company, Chartwells, was selected to provide food services for all district schools, beginning in fall 2003.

• Due to local and state fiscal crises, the Amherst School Committee presented a FY 04 budget to the Town with an increase of just 1.25% over FY 03. A broad spectrum of reductions was made, including reduction of paraprofessional hours and reclassification of paraprofessional positions, elimination of the Assistant Superintendent and Mentor Teacher positions, reduction in technology expenses, elimination of the Staff Development Center, reduction in the number of classroom and intervention teachers, and a reduction in TBE staff.

• Passage of the Unz Referendum in November initiated plans to implement a structured English immersion program for fall 2003. The district will continue to use LAU tutors, paraprofessionals and other staff to assist students in their learning through clarification in each child’s first language. Basic features of the new program are (a) a full immersion program in kindergarten, supported by bilingual paraprofessionals in target languages (Spanish and Chinese) and immersion teachers; (b) intensive pullout instruction for 90-120 minutes for beginners in Grades 1-6, with smaller amounts for intermediate and advanced English Language Learners (ELL); and (c) classroom teachers, with in-class support from immersion teachers and/or LAU tutors, to be the primary teachers of children in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Health.

• The mathematics coordinator, Amy Wolpin, worked with secondary staff to develop K-12 curriculum maps. Work continued in aligning assessments for each grade and on getting assessment tests translated into a variety of languages.

• Two members of the School Committee, Elaine Brighty and Vladimir Morales, served on the Amherst Joint Capital Planning Committee.

• A new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jere Hochman, was selected to begin working in the district as of July 1, 2003.

146 AMHERST-PELHAM REGIONAL SCHOOLS

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

Barbara Love, Chairperson (Amherst) Marianne Jorgensen, Vice-Chairperson (Shutesbury) Elaine Brighty, Secretary (Amherst) Alisa Brewer (Amherst) James Duda (Pelham) Michael Hussin (Pelham) Michael Katz (Leverett) Vladimir Morales (Amherst) Tony Rogers (Amherst)

The Regional School Committee represents the four communities that comprise the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District: Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury. It is responsible for the direction and support of the educational programs for students in Grades 7 through 12 from each of these towns. Committee meetings are open to the public, except for executive sessions as prescribed by law, and are held regularly on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month. Opportunity is available at every meeting for public participation.

Dr. Gus Sayer completed his fourteenth full school year as Superintendent of Schools and retired at the end of the school year. Dr. Ronald Bell, Assistant Superintendent, retired in August, 2003.

STUDENTS The enrollment in the Regional Middle and Senior High Schools has continued to experience significant growth, as projected. Enrollments on October 1 over the last several years were as follows: 1994-1995 – 1722 1995-1996 – 1769 1996-1997 – 1907 1997-1998 – 1937 1998-1999 – 2007 1999-2000 – 2017 2000-2001 – 2044 2001-2002 – 2068 2002-2003 Grade Amherst Pelham Leverett Shutesbury Wards Tuition Total 7 214 26 30 33 1 24 328 8 262 17 24 30 1 17 351 9 229 29 23 34 1 16 332 10 260 23 18 27 4 17 349 11 289 14 20 25 2 15 365 12 221 6 30 31 2 17 307 TOTALS 1475 115 145 180 11 106 2032

147 In addition, 29 Regional students were enrolled in Smith Vocational School or Franklin County Vocational-Technical School as of October 1, 2002. Twenty students attended other school districts under the state's School Choice Program, and 44 students were enrolled at charter schools. Tuition for these students to attend these schools is paid by the Regional School District.

There were 318 students from Amherst who graduated with the class of 2003.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS The instructional program, developed by teachers in all areas of the curriculum, reflects the overall philosophy and goals of education established by the School Committee. An appropriate range of support services remains in place to help students achieve their highest possible potential. Included among these programs are Guidance, Health Services, Special Education, English as a Second Language and Transitional Bilingual Education.

The students in the Regional schools work hard and excel. For the 2002-2003 school year, the high school had 18 National Merit Commendations and 2 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists who received Certificates of Merit, in a class of 318 students. Ninety-three percent of our students will pursue higher education at colleges and universities across the nation after graduation from the Amherst Regional High School. Nationally normed standardized testing results reflect that, overall, our students score significantly above grade level in all areas tested. Students consistently enroll in courses beyond the standard graduation requirements.

Primary goals for the Regional Schools are as follows:

1. developing and maintaining an up-to-date, innovative, multicultural, academically challenging curriculum that promotes high standards and success for all students 2. providing creative, multi-faceted instruction that maintains high standards, engages all students, and enables all students to be successful learners 3. making all students feel fully welcome and a part of our schools, regardless of race, class, gender, language, religion, sexuality, culture, academic success, or physical abilities 4. eliminating the achievement gap among students from different racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds 5. addressing the demands and opportunities facing our schools as a result of the rapid growth in the use of technology throughout our society 6. increasing communication and collaboration among the district’s stakeholders – students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and the larger community – and using parents and the community more effectively as educational resources. 7. hiring and retaining a high quality teaching and administrative staff 8. equipping and maintaining school buildings to provide healthy, accessible, modern learning environments that support the achievement of our mission 9. sustaining a physically and emotionally safe environment in our schools for students and staff.

There were several matters to which the Regional School Committee and the Superintendent devoted considerable attention:

148

• A new program was developed for students with significant therapeutic needs. The program was temporarily housed in the middle school modulars, with a plan to move to the East Street School facility in fall 2003. The program, named ESAH (East Street Alternative High School), began with 11 students and was staffed with three full-time and two part-time teachers, as well as two paraprofessionals.

• In fall 2002, the district was informed of the loss of $170,000 in Regional transportation aid and the loss of $23,000 in Charter School reimbursements. It was learned in January that the state would not be able to meet its obligations for its 50% share of the costs of residential special education placements for the fourth quarter. All districts were asked to bear the full cost for the fourth quarter with a plan to reimburse districts at the end of the summer.

• As the FY 04 budget was being prepared for the towns, it was learned that Chapter 70 Aid that was formerly sent directly to the Region on behalf of the four towns instead would be sent directly to the towns. The amount of Chapter 70 Aid to the Region was cut by $1,903,000, about 20%. Regional Transportation Aid was cut even further than anticipated, a loss of about $300,000 to the Region. The final FY 04 budget proposal essentially level-funded the Regional budget. Many programs and services were affected as a result of this action, including closure of the middle school pool; elimination of 5 paraprofessional positions, reclassification of several paraprofessional positions, and reduction of paraprofessional hours; elimination of the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools; increases in athletic fees; elimination of one seventh grade team; reduction of 7 faculty positions at the high school; elimination of the Staff Development Center; and elimination of a Special Education and .6 ESL teachers at the middle school.

• Prior to the state's implementation of Education Reform, the Region calculated each member's assessment in accordance with the Regional Agreement. Since one of the purposes of Education Reform was to equalize community effort, a different assessment formula was required. Under this method, assessments are first calculated based on each member's effort. Next, the Regional Agreement formula is applied to the remaining amount needed to fund the budget. This latter method caused significant shifts in the obligation of each member in the Region. For Fiscal Year 04 both methods of calculating assessments were abandoned in favor of each member paying the same percentage increase, 8.76%. This compromise resulted from the severe fiscal constraint being experienced by each member community and by huge differences in percentage increase between the communities. Without this one-year agreement, Amherst's assessment would have been 6.38%.

149 measuring multicultural school climate, progress in developing a system for monitoring student achievement from K-12, an update on affirmative action statistics and the status of the district’s professional development program in anti- racist teaching practices. The district made plans to host the annual meeting of the Minority Student Achievement Network scheduled for June 2003.

• The School Committee supported a Resolution to continue issuance of high school diplomas based on local performance standards, regardless of student performance on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test. The Resolution was circulated among Massachusetts school committees for their consideration. By vote of the School Committee, it was ultimately determined that each student who completes local requirements will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

• Passage of the Unz Referendum in November 2002 led to plans to implement a structured English immersion program for fall 2003. The district will continue to use LAU tutors, paraprofessionals and other staff to assist students in their learning through clarification in a student’s first language.

• The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation established Excellence in Teaching Awards to recognize outstanding teachers in Western Massachusetts. At its first annual awards dinner in Northampton in May, the Foundation recognized Cheryl Wright, mathematics teacher at the high school, Madeline Hunter, English teacher at the high school and first year teacher Oumy Cisse, French teacher at the high school.

• The Commission on Public Secondary Schools of the NEASC continued the accreditation of the Regional High School, but placed the school on warning for the Standards of Mission and Expectations for Student Learning and Leadership and Organization. A special progress report will be prepared in July 2003 by high school administrators to respond to the concerns, some of which were met subsequent to the accreditation visit.

• The High School Parent Center initiated a Study Circle for the community on the theme, “Is our high school responsive to all learners? Racism, classism, power and inequality at ARHS.” The Parent Center sponsored several subsequent “Circles” through the school year, which were well attended.

• Hampshire Educational Collaborative obtained a grant that will provide $55,000/yr. for a five-year period to support the SAVUKA after-school program at the middle school.

• The Regional Schools received their Cycle II School Performance Rating Report from the Department of Education in November. The report incorporates a new system of analyzing data so that the state is in conformity with federal No Child Left Behind guidelines. Data from the middle and high school are combined to determine the district’s rating. Our district performance was “High” in English Language Arts and was “Moderate” in Mathematics. District improvement over the two-year cycle was “Above Target” in both areas.

150

• A food service firm, Chartwells, was hired to provide comprehensive meal service to the school district, effective September 1, 2003.

• The High School Boys’ Basketball Team won the State Championship. On May 1 the team was introduced to the legislature at the Massachusetts State House.

• Both the Boys and Girls Amherst Regional Ultimate Frisbee teams took first place at a national tournament.

• The Junior Engineering and Technical Society (JETS) teams competed in an annual competition held at UMass Lowell. The two varsity teams placed first and second in the state, and the Varsity A team placed tenth out of 88 teams in their nationally scored division.

• Sixteen ARHS Russian students won awards for exemplary performance in the New England State Olympiada of Spoken Russian held in May.

• The School Committees of the district selected a new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jere Hochman. Dr. Hochman served as Superintendent of the Clayton, Missouri School District for eight years prior to coming to the Amherst School District.

151 TOWN/COMMERCIAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE Fiscal Year 2003

The Town/Commercial Relations Committee (TCRC) was created by the Select Board to advise it on matters of commerce in Amherst. The TCRC’s charge corresponds to the following three areas of responsibility:

1. serving as a community forum for discussion of issues of mutual concern between Town government and the Amherst business community

2. helping to develop and support commercial area improvements in the downtown, village centers, and commercial corridors

3. advocacy and action in support of business development & facilitation.

Community Forum

Amherst Business Survey – To better understand the needs and desires of the Amherst business community, during FY 03 the Town/Commercial Relations Committee developed and distributed a survey for Amherst businesses. Foremost among the concerns identified by survey respondents was the difficulty that local businesses experience with Amherst’s regulatory and permitting process. Running a close second was concern over anti- business attitudes in Amherst. After further investigation and discussions with local business representatives, the TCRC decided to seek a Select Board mandate to work, during FY 04, with Town permitting boards and staff to seek ways to improve, clarify, and better coordinate Amherst’s permitting process.

Late Night Gatherings – The TCRC continued to provide policy guidance to the Select Board and Amherst Police Department concerning the management of late night gatherings and the interaction between those gatherings and downtown businesses.

Commercial Area Improvements

Streetscape Improvements – The TCRC recommended that the next phase of downtown streetscape improvements be the section of North Pleasant Street between Amity/Main Streets and the lights at Kellogg Avenue. The worsening state and local economy resulted in the postponement of those improvements.

Intersection Improvements – The TCRC was heartened to see significant progress on improvements to the Main/Amity/Pleasant Street intersection,

152 and work beginning on the South Pleasant Street/College Street intersection. Nonetheless, there needs to be a better-coordinated response to traffic disruption caused by construction.

Boltwood Walk Delivery Areas – Responding to a request from the Parking Commission, the TCRC met with local businesses and others to examine the interior of Boltwood Walk in terms of deliveries. The TCRC recommended closure of “rear” vehicle paths and alternative provision of delivery spaces within the parking facility itself.

Postering – The TCRC decided to revisit this long-standing downtown litter and appearance problem, initially exploring the possibility that the Town could install a meaningful number of alternative postering structures, before making any attempt to regulate postering.

Advocacy & Action

Permit Process – In response to the priority assigned to this issue by respondents to its survey of Amherst businesses, the TCRC first sought more information on the question. It met with a subcommittee of the Planning Board and representatives from the Design Review Board. In February 2003, the TCRC sponsored a forum at which four local development professionals – a regional development consultant, a local developer, an architect and a lawyer – discussed their experiences with the development-permit process in Amherst and other nearby communities.

Permit Recommendations – At the request of permit applicants, the TCRC also provided support to selected business development proposals during the year.

Town Meeting – The TCRC prepared recommendations for Town Meeting members’ consideration regarding proposed changes in Amherst’s regulations that would have an impact on business. The TCRC supported zoning amendments at the Fall 2002 and 2003 Annual Town Meetings to make the Professional Research Park (PRP) zoning district more viable.

Capital Budget Planning – The TCRC once again proposed the funding of several long-standing capital projects, including streetscape work and completion of the system of downtown wayfinding signs.

Wayfinding & “Quick Response” Information – The TCRC worked with Town staff to help the Town respond more quickly with directional signs (DOWNTOWN Î) when different street and intersection construction projects in and around the downtown resulted in confusing traffic redirection during the busiest end-of-semester weekends. The TCRC also promoted the creation of new signs to help drivers locate the new Boltwood Walk Parking Garage more easily.

153

Downtown Business Association – The TCRC noted with interest the creation of a new Downtown Business Association, whose stated purpose it is to better promote and invigorate the downtown Amherst business community.

Town/Commercial Relations Committee Barry Roberts, Chair, Bruce Carson, Barbara Ritter, Gerald Jolly, Vice-Chair Peter Grandonico, Jr., Nick Seamon Mark Parent, Clerk Cinda Jones

154 OFFICE OF THE TREASURER/COLLECTOR Fiscal Year 2003

TREASURER’S OFFICE:

Interest rates continued to fall during FY 03 from an average of 1.75% to 1.11% in June 2003. Certificate of Deposit rates varied from 2.25% early in the year to 1.60% by June. Municipalities are not allowed to invest for a period longer than one year. A total of $655,506 was earned from investment interest, stock and mutual fund earnings. These earnings are down approximately $300,000 from the prior fiscal year. The General Fund received $314,818, the Enterprise Funds received $134,749, the Community Preservation Fund received $1,424, the Stabilization Fund received $159,045, the Health Insurance Fund received $20,772, the Worker’s Compensation Fund received $4,453 and the Trust Funds received $19,433.

There were four borrowings during FY 2003. A bond, in the amount of $2,194,000, was issued in October 2002 for the Middle Street Sewer Extension, the College Street Sidewalk Project, the North Pleasant Street Sidewalk Project, the purchase of street lights and the Wildwood roof project. This bond is for ten years, with the sidewalks and street light portions retiring in four years. The net interest rate on this bond is 2.169%. Also, in October 2002, the Crocker Farm School project temporary debt, in the amount of $8,505,000, was renewed for one year at an interest rate of 2.50%. This borrowing also included the last year (out of five) for the maps and computers purchased in 1999. The amount was $120,000. In April 2003, the Cherry Hill Golf Course clubhouse and irrigation loan was renewed at an interest rate of 1.48%. The amount borrowed for this project was $114,000; there will be one more renewal, next year. Finally, in June 2003, $750,000 was borrowed in anticipation of state highway grants, under Chapter 90. This was a two-month issue.

The Treasurer’s Office manages the tax titles for the Town. During August the unpaid 2002 taxes were added to already established tax title accounts for 51 properties, totaling $91,226. Fifteen new properties were placed in tax title accounts during FY 2003, totaling $29,473. There were 18 properties removed from tax title accounts during the year. Payments totaled $133,200. Additional interest collected totaled $65,541.

The following revenues were collected through the Central Service Counter, with the help of the Collector’s staff:

Select Board $151,182 Rentals $ 43,928 Assessor’s Office 7,050 Town Clerk 71,788 Zoning 2,033 Planning 11,799 Police 140,375 Fire, EMS, Dispatch 70,464 Inspections 560,208 Public Works 420,209 Health 68,802 Conservation 5,667 Library 64,039 Leisure Services 1,013,512 Cherry Hill Golf 229,047 Veterans 313 Human Resources 105 Animal Welfare 2,290 In addition to these funds, the Treasurer’s Office also processes receipts from various sources. State aid receipts totaled $13,745,412, General Fund revenues totaled $244,695

155 and special county assessments totaled $635,471. This office also processes all the revenue generated through the Collector’s Office. In FY 2003, the Collector’s Office processed approximately $33,335,000 in receipts.

Collector’s Office:

The Collector’s Office continues to staff the Central Service Counter in addition to the normal work load of billing and collecting real estate and personal property taxes, water and sewer bills, ambulance bills, refuse bills and motor vehicle excise bills. This office also handles parking permits and parking tickets.

The number of Certificates of Municipal Liens issued in FY 2003 was l,303, generating $32,575 in revenue. This is an increase of 535 in the number of Certificates issued over the previous year.

The “marking for non-renewal of license and/or registration” at the Registry of Motor Vehicles continues to be a useful collection tool. During FY 2003, a total of 2,603 releases were issued. Of these releases, 658 were for unpaid motor vehicle excise bills and 1,945 were for unpaid parking tickets.

Parking issues constitute a large part of this office’s work load. 29,202 parking tickets were issued; 793 parking tickets were subsequently appealed and voided. There were 985 appeals in writing or through hearings. Revenue generated in FY 2003 from the collection of parking tickets totaled $170,627 for the violations and $61,901 for late fines. Parking permits were sold at the Central Service Counter, generating $20,340. Reserved spaces in the Boltwood Parking Garages generated $13,526. Other revenues collected for parking were meter coins totaling $296,351, Smart Card receipts of $1,146 and “boot” fees of $675.

During FY 2003 there were 7 taxpayers who took advantage of Clause 41A (of M.G.L., Chapter 59, Section 5), which allows the elderly to defer payment of their real estate taxes. There are currently 7 properties with deferred taxes, amounting to $99,724. The interest rate on deferred tax is 8% until the property is sold or the eligible taxpayer is deceased. The interest rate then increases to 16% until payment is received. One property was redeemed during FY 2003, totaling $42,041. The additional interest paid was $33,357.

The Town of Amherst adopted the Community Preservation Act, with a property-tax surcharge of 1% (with certain exemptions), effective for FY 2002. The amount calculated and added to real estate tax bills for FY 2003 was $146,639. The amount collected during FY 2003 was $144,459.

Submitted by

Norma J. Lynch Treasurer/Collector

156 COLLECTOR'S FISCAL YEAR 2003 TOWN REPORT

UNCOLLECTED LESS LESS TRANSFERS UNCOLLECTED TAX BALANCE ABATEMENTS TO TAX TITLE- LESS BALANCE RATE JULY 1,2002 COMMITMENTS & TRANSFERS DEFERRED TAX COLLECTIONS JUNE 30,2003 REAL ESTATE FY 98 19.20 $311 $0 $0 $0 $311 FY 99 19.98 1,189 0 0 0 1,189 FY 00 19.67 4,766 0 0 0 3,596 1,170 FY 01 19.66 17,043 0 0 0 13,023 4,020 FY 02 19.00 342,817 0 0 101,331 219,061 22,425 FY 03 17.11 11,424,640 12,624,699 101,861 9,203 23,610,975 327,300 FY 04 NOT SET 0 11,970,048 0 0 172,356 11,797,692 $11,790,766 $24,594,747 $101,861 $110,534 $24,019,011 $12,154,107 OTHER REAL ESTATE TAX TYPES TAX TITLE $343,591 $120,703 $0 $3,825 $133,200 $327,269 TAXES IN LITIGATION 1,405 0 0 0 1,405 0 TAX POSSESSIONS 17,404 6,324 0 0 0 23,728 ROLLBACK TAXES 0 26,317 0 0 26,317 (0) PROFORMA/PRORATA 0 3,092 0 0 3,092 0 DEFERRED TAXES 134,142 9,203 0 0 43,621 99,724 $496,542 $165,638 $0 $3,825 $207,635 $450,721

PERSONAL PROPERTY FY 99 19.98 $251 $0 $0 $0 $0 $251 FY 00 19.67 3,454 0 0 0 52 3,402 FY 01 19.66 2,237 0 0 0 65 2,172 FY 02 19.00 4,958 0 0 0 4,079 879 FY 03 17.11 418,607 294,152 5,249 0 697,544 9,966 FY 04 NOT SET 0 404,544 0 0 921 403,623 $ 429,507 $ 698,696 $ 5,249 $ - $ 702,661 $ 420,293

MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE FY 97 25.00 $21,186 $0 $0 $0 $372 $20,814 FY 98 25.00 22,343 0 26 0 727 21,590 FY 99 25.00 24,976 0 144 0 1,826 23,006 FY 00 25.00 30,215 0 139 0 4,471 25,605 FY 01 25.00 40,532 21,294 9,852 0 24,172 27,802 FY 02 25.00 85,349 259,854 31,906 0 277,372 35,925 FY 03 25.00 0 1,383,200 109,204 0 1,159,775 114,221 PRIOR YEARS 0 0 0 0 1,747 0 $224,601 $1,664,348 $151,271 $0 $1,470,463 $268,962

WATER FEES $301,970 $2,859,015 $12,405 $0 $2,624,106 $524,474 LIENS 4,729 33,697 39 3,816 27,015 7,556 $306,699 $2,892,712 $12,444 $3,816 $2,651,121 $532,030

SEWER FEES $279,597 $2,746,314 $13,738 $0 $2,524,208 $487,964 LIENS 3,705 28,759 25 2,789 22,259 7,391 $283,302 $2,775,072 $13,763 $2,789 $2,546,467 $495,355

AMBULANCE $371,224 $1,531,347 $353,995 $0 $1,095,717 $452,859 Collected after abate 0 0 0 0 11,961 0 $371,224 $1,531,347 $353,995 $0 $1,107,678 $452,859

COMM. LANDFILL $64,255 $301,788 $369 $157 $349,760 $15,758 REFUSE LIENS 0 157 0 0 157 0 $64,255 $301,945 $369 $157 $349,917 $15,758

PARKING FINES $167,520 $206,720 $12,135 $0 $170,447 $191,658 Collected after abate 0 0 0 0 309 0 $167,520 $206,720 $12,135 $0 . $191,658

COMMUNITY PRES. ACT FY 02 $1,699 $0 $562 $0 $1,093 $45 FY 03 0 146,639 935 0 143,367 2,338 FY 04 0 73,108 0 0 1,161 71,947 $1,699 $219,747 $1,497 $0 $145,620 $74,329

157 VETERANS’ SERVICES Fiscal Year 2003

VETERANS’ BENEFITS The Department of Veterans’ Services continues to offer assistance to veterans and their families through a number of federal and state programs. The state veterans’ benefits program provides temporary assistance to veterans and their families who qualify to receive benefits and can show need. These benefits provide for medical care and cash for living expenses.

The Department of Veterans’ Services will also aid veterans and their families in the filing of federal forms that are necessary for them to receive a wide range of benefits provided by the Veterans Administration. The Department now has access to many veteran-related Internet sites and government agencies.

FISCAL YEAR 2003

With the military deployed in over 100 different engagements around the world, and with the state on the verge of changing the definition “veteran” to include all those who have served regardless of whether it was in peacetime or wartime, it’s apparent that the need for veterans’ services will increase in the coming year.

However, this should not affect the Veterans’ Services budget, which has decreased significantly in recent times. The chances for employment for returning veterans seem to be increasing, and many veterans will surely seek to continue their education with the assistance of Veterans Administration funding. This department has made work-study positions available to all eligible students; this is a major component in supplementing their budgets. This program also provides staffing for Veterans’ Services without cost to the Town of Amherst.

Overall, I believe that we are well prepared to meet the needs of all our veterans and their families as we have done in the past years.

If you are a veteran, please register with our office so that we can better serve your needs and provide you with the latest and best information available. And if you have a friend or relative who has served in the armed forces, please share this information with them and have them register as well.

Rod Raubeson Director of Veterans’ Services

158

Zoning Board of Appeals Fiscal Year 2003

The Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals processed 49 permit applications this year. Forty- six were for Special Permits, two were for Variances and one was for a Special Permit and a Variance. Forty-eight of the Special Permit requests were granted with conditions, and one was denied. No appeals were filed this year.

The request to renew a Variance and Special Permit for the First Baptist Church on North Pleasant Street was granted, which allows construction of an addition that extends into the side setback. A request for a Variance in South Amherst to build a garage in the side yard setback was denied because the land-based criteria for granting a Variance were not met.

There were seven Special Permit requests to increase the number of dwelling units on properties. These permits resulted in a total of 10 new dwelling units. In addition, the Board approved eight new flag lots and renewed permits for three previously permitted flag lots.

As in the past, several restaurants filed requests for Special Permits. All were granted, with conditions:

• the Monkey Bar, to construct an addition on the east side of the existing restaurant, adjacent to the Boltwood parking garage

• Daniel Lanigan, to operate the Moan and Dove, a pub/restaurant at the former site of the Olde Amherst Ale House, at the corner of West St. and Pomeroy Lane in South Amherst

• the Loose Goose restaurant, to move to the former site of The Thirsty Mind, at the Carriage Shoppes

• Via Via Café, to operate a restaurant at the former site of the D’Angelo’s sandwich shop, on North Pleasant Street

• Hari’s Bistro, to operate a restaurant with outdoor dining and take-out on the former premises of the New India Restaurant, on Kellogg Avenue

• The Harp, to construct a deck for dining, on Sunderland Road, North Amherst

• Thai Corner, to increase occupancy, in the Boltwood Walk area

• Greg Stutsman, dba Andiamo, to operate a restaurant with take-out and delivery, at the corner of West St. and Pomeroy Lane, South Amherst

159

• Atlantis Restaurant, located in Boltwood Walk, to modify their Special Permit to reflect a change of ownership.

Other granted permits of general interest included:

• reconstruction of a non-conforming sawmill destroyed by fire at Cowles Building Supplies, Inc., in North Amherst • the Town of Amherst Landfill at Belchertown Road (now closed) to change to a transfer station and reorganize the recycling center • Hillel House, North Pleasant Street, to construct an addition to their non- conforming building • an addition and site improvements to the Five College Episcopal Chaplaincy at UMass • the former Grist Mill, West Street, to change the use from commercial and residential to residential only • an equipment shelter at a telecommunications tower at Norwottuck Fish and Game • construction of a single-sided storage structure for lumber and related products at Leader’s • an addition to a non-conforming dental office • a continuation of a quarrying operation • operation of a bed and breakfast establishment • continuation of the operation of a boarding house • construction of an addition to a repair building • an addition to a non-conforming building on a non-conforming parcel housing an office and a residence • continuation of the operation of a building as a fraternity house.

In the spring, Keri Heitner, Earl Smith and Sonya Sofield resigned from the Board. Linda Faye resigned from her position as ZBA administrator. Marc Cohen and Zina Tillona were elected as Co-Chairpersons of the Board. Tom Simpson was appointed as a permanent member and elected as Clerk. Brenna Kucinski continued to serve as an alternate member and Ted Rising was appointed as an alternate member of the Board. New alternate members appointed to serve in FY 04 are Barbara Ford and Joan Golowich.

Marc Cohen Zina Tillona Co-Chair Co-Chair

Tom Simpson Brenna Kucinski Barbara Ford Ted Rising Joan Golowich

160 Report of the Town Accountant

The accompanying pages include the Town of Amherst’s unaudited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003.

Respectfully submitted,

Sonia Aldrich Town Accountant

161 Table of Contents

Combined Balance Sheet – All Fund Types and Account Groups

Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity – All Governmental Fund Types and Expendable Trust Funds

Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity – All Proprietary Fund Types and Similar Trust Funds

Statement of Revenues and Other Sources and Expenditures and Other Uses – Budget and Actual – General Fund

Statement of Revenues and Other Sources and Expenditures and Other Uses - Budget and Actual – Sewer Fund, Water Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Golf Course Fund and Transportation

Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and changes in Fund Equity – Expendable and Non-Expendable Trust Funds

FY 2003 Approved Budget – General Fund

162 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Combined Balance Sheet - All Fund Types and Account Groups On June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Fiduciary Account Governmental Fund Types Proprietary Fund Types Fund Types Groups Totals Special Capital Internal Trust and Long-term (Memorandum ASSETS General Revenue Projects Enterprise Services Agency Debt Only) Cash and cash equivalents$ 7,635,831.17 $ 3,208,606.36 $ 1,783,682.11 $ 8,822,207.59 $ 1,726,852.77 $ 5,111,284.34 $ 28,288,464.34 Investments ------Receivables: Property taxes 12,674,123.27 - - 17,246.50 - - 12,691,369.77 Special assessments - 121,206.47 - - - - 121,206.47 Tax liens and foreclosures 335,024.38 316.44 - 15,656.05 - - 350,996.87 Excises 268,961.03 - - - - - 268,961.03 Utility Charges - - - 1,028,196.21 - - 1,028,196.21 Departmental - 456,457.65 - 191,657.55 - 37,040.49 685,155.69 Deposits receivable 1,000.00 - - - 265,000.00 - 266,000.00 Other receivables 39,663.95 - - 187,931.51 - 6,843.07 234,438.53 Due from other governments 14,028.01 231,405.79 - - - - 245,433.80 Prepaid Expenses 31,425.45 31,425.45 Inventory - - - 6,037.98 - - 6,037.98 Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation - - - 19,820,690.69 - - 19,820,690.69 Amounts to be provided - payment of bonds - 89,465.00 - 8,075,287.55 - - $ 5,187,712.15 13,352,464.70 Amounts to be provided - vacation and sick leave ------Total Assets$ 20,968,631.81 $ 4,138,883.16 $ 1,783,682.11 $ 38,164,911.63 $ 1,991,852.77 $ 5,155,167.90 $ 5,187,712.15 $ 77,390,841.53

LIABILITIES AND FUND EQUITY

Liabilities: Deferred revenue$ 13,151,107.74 $ 577,980.56 $ - $ 1,252,756.31 $ - $ 37,040.49 $ 15,018,885.10 Provision for abatements and exemptions 316,312.96 - - - - - 316,312.96 Accounts payable ------Accrued payroll and withholdings 1,252,485.85 31,040.00 - - - - 1,283,525.85 Other liabilities 75,416.40 251,272.00 - 12,783.82 - 280,131.32 619,603.54 Bonds payable - 89,465.00 - 7,961,287.55 - - $ 5,067,712.15 13,118,464.70 Notes payable - 750,000.00 8,505,000.00 * 114,000.00 - - $ 120,000.00 9,489,000.00 Vacation and sick leave liability ------Total Liabilities 14,795,322.95 1,699,757.56 8,505,000.00 9,340,827.68 - 317,171.81 5,187,712.15 39,845,792.15

Fund Equity: Reserved for encumbrances 721,423.90 301,919.77 139,543.24 1,787,528.77 - - 2,950,415.68 Reserved for expenditures 3,360,000.00 1,197,000.00 - 2,306,527.00 - - 6,863,527.00 Reserved for continuing appropriations 517,085.52 - 1,361,646.60 1,940,941.88 - - 3,819,674.00 Reserved for appropriation deficit ------Reserved for endowments - - - - - 300,863.80 300,863.80 Unreserved, designated (452,098.00) (42,423.00) - 829,279.72 - - 334,758.72 Unreserved, undesignated 2,026,897.44 982,628.83 (8,222,507.73) - 1,991,852.77 4,537,132.29 1,316,003.60 Unreserved retained earnings - - - 2,139,115.89 - - 2,139,115.89 Investment in capital assets - - - 19,820,690.69 - - 19,820,690.69 Reserved for overlay deficits ------Reserved for over/under assessments ------Total Fund Equity 6,173,308.86 2,439,125.60 (6,721,317.89) 28,824,083.95 1,991,852.77 4,837,996.09 - 37,545,049.38

Total Liabilities and Fund Equit

y $ 20,968,631.81 $ 4,138,883.16 $ 1,783,682.11 $ 38,164,911.63 $ 1,991,852.77 $ 5,155,167.90 $ 5,187,712.15 $ 77,390,841.53

163 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity All Governmental Fund Types and Expendable Trust Funds For the Year Ended June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Fiduciary Governmental Fund Types Fund Types Totals Special Capital Expendable (Memorandum General Revenue Projects Trust Only) Revenues: Property taxes 24,579,779.57 269,645.26 - - 24,849,424.83 Excise 1,532,924.50 - - - 1,532,924.50 Interest, penalties and other taxes 1,164,499.21 - - - 1,164,499.21 Charges for services - 2,537,554.51 - - 2,537,554.51 Licenses and permits 800,461.08 - - - 800,461.08 Intergovernmental 14,282,930.00 2,845,309.46 3,523,000.00 - 20,651,239.46 Fines and forfeits 123,098.98 - - - 123,098.98 Interest earnings 314,818.24 4,710.93 - 159,437.41 478,966.58 Miscellaneous 794,655.96 61,203.83 44,531.80 47,733.04 948,124.63 Audit Adjustment - Contributions 52,376.00 47,466.23 - - 99,842.23 Total Revenues 43,645,543.54 5,765,890.22 3,567,531.80 207,170.45 53,186,136.01

Expenditures: General Government 6,165,257.99 79,407.24 501,085.94 21,424.25 6,767,175.42 Public Safety 6,881,831.91 201,576.08 - - 7,083,407.99 Public Works 1,816,221.19 644,795.03 565,119.16 - 3,026,135.38 Planning, Conservation and Inspections 777,052.72 34,234.22 198,369.76 961.16 1,010,617.86 Community Services 1,548,697.46 1,262,204.17 - - 2,810,901.63 Library Services 1,345,185.98 11,815.38 - - 1,357,001.36 Education 24,708,733.75 1,310,663.42 3,231,243.63 - 29,250,640.80 Debt Service 1,351,785.67 - - - 1,351,785.67 Intergovernmental 912,865.10 - - - 912,865.10 Total Expenditures 45,507,631.77 3,544,695.54 4,495,818.49 22,385.41 53,570,531.21

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures (1,862,088.23) 2,221,194.68 (928,286.69) 184,785.04 (384,395.20)

Other Financing Sources (Uses): Bond Proceeds - - 935,000.00 - 935,000.00 Operating transfers in 1,651,798.00 - 2,104,500.00 - 3,756,298.00 Operating transfers (out) (1,298,759.00) (1,306,586.00) (340,000.00) (196,264.00) (3,141,609.00) Total Other Financing Sources (Uses) 353,039.00 (1,306,586.00) 2,699,500.00 (196,264.00) 1,549,689.00

Excess (deficiency) of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses (1,509,049.23) 914,608.68 1,771,213.31 (11,478.96) 1,165,293.80

Fund Equity, July 1, 2002 7,682,358.12 1,524,516.92 (8,492,531.20) 4,475,702.26 5,190,046.10 0 (0.03) (0.03) Fund Equity, June 30, 2003$ 6,173,308.86 $ 2,439,125.60 $ (6,721,317.89) $ 4,464,223.30 $ 6,355,339.87

164 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity All Proprietary Fund and Similar Trust Funds For the Year Ended June 30, 2002 (Unaudited)

Fiduciary Fund Types Totals Internal Non-expendable (Memorandum Enterprise Service Trust Funds Only) Revenues: Property taxes$ - $ - $ - $ - Excise - - - - Interest, penalties and other taxes - - - - Charges for services 6,963,526.75 5,446,209.21 - 12,409,735.96 Licenses and permits - - - - Intergovernmental 273,876.66 - - 273,876.66 Fines and forfeits - - - - Interest earnings 152,492.53 20,729.89 19,253.04 192,475.46 Miscellaneous 21,770.06 32,952.04 1,137.50 55,859.60 Contributions - - - - Total Revenues 7,411,666.00 5,499,891.14 20,390.54 12,931,947.68

Expenditures: General Government - 5,952,474.49 - 5,952,474.49 Public Safety - - - - Public Works 7,656,557.27 - - 7,656,557.27 Planning, Conservation and Inspections - - - - Community Services 282,588.88 - 9,221.97 291,810.85 Library Services - - - - Education - - - - Debt Service 1,017,636.40 - - 1,017,636.40 Intergovernmental - - - - Total Expenditures 8,956,782.55 5,952,474.49 9,221.97 14,918,479.01

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures (1,545,116.55) (452,583.35) 11,168.57 (1,986,531.33)

Other Financing Sources (Uses): Bond Proceeds 1,920,000.00 - - 1,920,000.00 Operating transfers in 1,816,523.00 - - 1,816,523.00 Operating transfers (out) (2,430,212.00) - (1,000.00) (2,431,212.00) Total Other Financing Sources (Uses) 1,306,311.00 - (1,000.00) 1,305,311.00

Excess (deficiency) of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses (238,805.55) (452,583.35) 10,168.57 (681,220.33)

Fund Equity, July 1, 2002 25,262,733.46 2,444,436.12 363,604.22 28,070,773.80 audit adjustments to beginning fixed asset balance 3,800,156.04 3,800,156.04 - - Fund Equity, June 30, 2003$ 28,824,083.95 $ 1,991,852.77 $ 373,772.79 $ 31,189,709.51

165 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Statement of Revenues and Other Sources and Expenditures and Other Uses Budget and Actual - General Fund For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Variance Favorable Budget Actual (Unfavorable) Revenues and Other Sources: Property taxes$ 24,489,278.00 24,579,779.57 $ 90,501.57 Excise 1,420,623.00 1,532,924.50 112,301.50 Penalties, interest and other taxes 1,175,468.00 1,164,499.21 (10,968.79) Licenses and permits 567,300.00 800,461.08 233,161.08 Intergovernmental 15,187,085.00 14,282,930.00 (904,155.00) Fines and forfeits 81,000.00 123,098.98 42,098.98 Interest earnings 350,000.00 314,818.24 (35,181.76) Miscellaneous 541,264.00 793,940.62 252,676.62 Contributions 52,376.00 52,376.00 - Transfers in 1,656,933.00 1,651,798.00 (5,135.00) Other Sources(free cash and overlay) 1,298,263.00 1,741,364.00 443,101.00 Total Revenues and Other Sources 46,819,590.00 47,037,990.20 218,400.20

Expenditures and Other Uses: General Government 4,045,714.00 3,991,402.31 54,311.69 General Government-special appropriations 2,065,366.00 2,065,366.00 - Public Safety 6,970,419.00 6,856,803.02 113,615.98 Public Works 1,753,329.00 1,744,437.41 8,891.59 Planning, Conservation and Inspections 830,288.00 764,606.65 65,681.35 Community Services 1,259,911.00 1,228,646.84 31,264.16 Community Services-special appropriations 198,495.00 174,676.11 23,818.89 Library Services 1,347,581.00 1,338,893.27 8,687.73 Education 24,061,685.00 24,054,279.44 7,405.56 Education-unpaid bills 2,341.00 2,340.60 0.40 Debt Service 1,354,921.00 1,302,746.39 52,174.61 Debt Service-regional + def teachers 694,032.00 694,031.72 0.28 Intergovernmental-assessments 936,749.00 939,444.10 (2,695.10) Intergovernmental-assessment deficits 50,623.00 50,623.00 - Transfers Out 1,248,136.00 1,248,136.00 - Total Expenditures and Other Uses 46,819,590.00 46,456,432.86 363,157.14

Excess of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses$ - 581,557.34 $ 581,557

166 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, and Expenses and Other Uses Budget and Actual - Sewer Fund For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Variance Favorable Budget Actual (Unfavorable) Revenues and Other Sources: Charges for services$ 2,653,949 $ 2,717,318 $ 63,369 Interest earnings 70,000 56,145 (13,855) Other sources 120,000 124,038 4,038 Total Revenues and Other Sources 2,843,949 2,897,501 53,552

Expenses and Other Uses: Personnel 896,272 819,343 76,929 Purchase of services 691,254 689,257 1,997 Supplies 34,675 35,050 (375) Other charges and expenses 279,931 292,178 (12,247) Transfers 883,358 883,358 - Capital outlay 12,000 14,262 (2,262) Debt service 46,459 54,717 (8,258) Other uses - Total Expenses and Other Uses 2,843,949 2,788,166 55,783

Excess of revenues and other sources over expenses and other uses$ - $ 109,335 $ 109,335

167 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, and Expenses and Other Uses Budget and Actual - Water Fund For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Variance Favorable Budget Actual (Unfavorable) Revenues and Other Sources: Charges for services$ 2,919,826 $ 2,766,103 $ (153,723) Interest earnings 125,000 31,864 (93,136) Other sources 350,877 357,251 6,374 Total Revenues and Other Sources 3,395,703 3,155,219 (240,485)

Expenses and Other Uses: Personnel 755,372 684,264 71,108 Purchase of services 347,918 382,134 (34,216) Supplies 108,800 48,422 60,378 Other charges and expenses 656,251 666,925 (10,674) Transfers 995,536 995,536 - Capital outlay 11,600 7,520 4,080 Debt service 520,226 520,226 0 Other uses - Total Expenses and Other Uses 3,395,703 3,305,027 90,676

Excess of revenues and other sources over expenses and other uses$ - $ (149,808) $ (149,808)

168 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, and Expenses and Other Uses Budget and Actual - Solid Waste Fund For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Variance Favorable Budget Actual (Unfavorable) Revenues and Other Sources: Charges for services$ 97,500 $ 511,450 $ 413,950 Interest earnings 111,441 16,079 (95,362) Other sources 697,932 731,133 33,201 Total Revenues and Other Sources 906,873 1,258,663 351,790

Expenses and Other Uses: Personnel 126,068 116,421 9,647 Purchase of services 127,527 121,751 5,776 Supplies 1,800 1,373 427 Other charges and expenses 20,980 40,884 (19,904) Transfers 400,000 400,000 - Capital outlay 5,000 64 4,936 Debt service 225,498 225,498 (0) Other uses - Total Expenses and Other Uses 906,873 905,991 882

Excess of revenues and other sources over expenses and other uses$ - $ 352,672 $ 352,672

169 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, and Expenses and Other Uses Budget and Actual - Golf Fund For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Variance Favorable Budget Actual (Unfavorable) Revenues and Other Sources: Charges for services$ 138,169 $ 139,684 $ 1,515 Intergovernmental 79,900 79,900 - Interest earnings - 194 194 Other sources 130,052 118,030 (12,022) Total Revenues and Other Sources 348,121 337,808 (10,313)

Expenses and Other Uses: Personnel 160,341 150,058 10,283 Purchase of services 37,360 40,351 (2,991) Supplies 35,750 35,413 337 Other charges and expenses 21,628 19,951 1,677 Transfers 16,912 16,912 - Capital outlay 14,000 14,428 (428) Debt service 62,130 60,694 1,436 Other uses - Total Expenses and Other Uses 348,121 337,805 10,316

Excess of revenues and other sources over expenses and other uses$ - $ 2 $ 2

170

TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Statement of Revenues and Other Sources, and Expenses and Other Uses Budget and Actual -Transportion Fund For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Variance Favorable Budget Actual (Unfavorable) Revenues and Other Sources: Charges for services$ 724,762 $ 605,955 $ (118,807) Intergovernmental - Interest earnings - - Other sources - Total Revenues and Other Sources 724,762 605,955 (118,807)

Expenses and Other Uses: Personnel 220,113 164,469 55,644 Purchase of services 76,938 71,574 5,364 Supplies 10,000 8,887 1,113 Other charges and expenses 52,604 53,690 (1,086) Transfers 198,406 134,406 64,000 Capital outlay 4,000 763 3,237 Debt service 162,701 156,502 6,199 Other uses - Total Expenses and Other Uses 724,762 590,291 134,471

Excess of revenues and other sources over expenses and other uses$ - $ 15,665 $ 15,665

171 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity All Expendable Trust Funds For the Year Ended June 30, 2003 (unaudited)

8004 8403 8406 Stabilization Conservation Insurance Fund Fund Claims Total Revenues: Property taxes - Excise - Interest, penalties and other taxes - Charges for services - Licenses and permits - Intergovernmental - Fines and forfeits - Interest earnings 159,045.25 9.60 382.56 159,437.41 Miscellaneous 47,733.04 47,733.04 Contributions - Total Revenues 159,045.25 9.60 48,115.60 207,170.45

Expenditures: General Government 21,424.25 21,424.25 Public Safety - Public Works - Planning, Conservation and Inspections 961.16 961.16 Community Services - Library Services - Education - Debt Service - Intergovernmental - Total Expenditures - 961.16 21,424.25 22,385.41

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures 159,045.25 (951.56) 26,691.35 184,785.04

Other Financing Sources (Uses): Bond Proceeds - Operating transfers in - - Operating transfers (out) (196,264.00) (196,264.00) Total Other Financing Sources (Uses) (196,264.00) - - (196,264.00)

Excess (deficiency) of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses (37,218.75) (951.56) 26,691.35 (11,478.96)

Fund Equity, July 1, 2002 4,467,135.22 951.56 7,615.48 4,475,702.26

Fund Equity, June 30, 2003$ 4,429,916.47 $ - $ 34,306.83 $ 4,464,223.30

172

TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity All Non-Expendable Trust Funds For the Year Ended June 30, 2003 (unaudited)

8401 8402 Trust Trust Principal Income Total Revenues: Property taxes - Excise - Interest, penalties and other taxes - Charges for services - Licenses and permits - Intergovernmental - Fines and forfeits - Interest earnings 332.89 18,920.15 19,253.04 Miscellaneous 1,137.50 1,137.50 Contributions - Total Revenues 1,470.39 18,920.15 20,390.54

Expenditures: General Government - Public Safety - Public Works - Planning, Conservation and Inspections - Community Services 9,221.97 9,221.97 Library Services - Education - Debt Service - Intergovernmental - Total Expenditures - 9,221.97 9,221.97

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures 1,470.39 9,698.18 11,168.57

Other Financing Sources (Uses): Bond Proceeds - Operating transfers in - Operating transfers (out) (1,000.00) (1,000.00) Total Other Financing Sources (Uses) - (1,000.00) (1,000.00)

Excess (deficiency) of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses 1,470.39 8,698.18 10,168.57

Fund Equity, July 1, 2002 299,393.41 64,210.81 363,604.22

Fund Equity, June 30, 2003$ 300,863.80 $ 72,908.99 $ 373,772.79

173 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Equity Expendable and Non-Expendable Trust Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2003 (Unaudited)

Net Fund Fund Change in Balance Balance Other Total Operating Excess Transfers Transfers Fund June 30, June 30, Interest Revenues Resources Expenditures (Deficiency) In Out Balance 2002 2003 Martha D. Bianchi Fund - - $ - 1,025.00 1,025.00 Alice C. Burnham Fund - - - 15,020.66 15,020.66 Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund$ 1,137.50 1,137.50 1,137.50 1,137.50 84,815.14 85,952.64 Ephraim Y. Cosby Fund - - - 500.00 500.00 Florence B. Cutler Fund - - - 2,000.00 2,000.00 S. White Dickinson Fund - - - 5,000.00 5,000.00 George S. Kendrick Fund - - - 1,899.15 1,899.15 Herbert B. Adams Fund - - - 2,814.31 2,814.31 R. J. D. Westcott Fund - - - 3,000.00 3,000.00 Alfred F. Field Jr. Fund - - - 82,442.15 82,442.15 William E. Smith Fund - - - 1,899.15 1,899.15 Whiting Street Fund - - - 9,040.61 9,040.61 E. F. Cook Fountain Fund - - - 2,346.54 2,346.54 Barbara Smith Hospital Fund$ 332.89 332.89 332.89 332.89 9,086.53 9,419.42 Betty Jane Donley Fund - - 78,504.17 78,504.17 Total Non-expendable income 332.89 1,137.50 1,470.39 $ - 1,470.39 $ - $ - 1,470.39 299,393.41 300,863.80

Martha Dickinson Bianchi Memorial 62.49 62.49 62.49 62.49 680.35 742.84 Alice C. Burnham-West Cemetery Gate 1,994.69 1,994.69 1,994.69 1,994.69 13,172.68 15,167.37 Cemetery Perpetual Care 5,884.39 5,884.39 5,884.39 5,884.39 31,748.20 37,632.59 Ephraim Y. Cosby-West Cemetery 34.10 34.10 34.10 34.10 428.62 462.72 Florence B. Cutler-West Cemetery 129.89 129.89 129.89 129.89 1,545.22 1,675.11 S. White Dickinson Cemetery Fund 323.59 323.59 323.59 323.59 3,832.95 4,156.54 George S. Kendrick-West Cemetery 121.99 121.99 121.99 121.99 1,430.76 1,552.75 Alfred E. Field, Jr. 6,199.09 6,199.09 5,021.97 1,177.12 1,177.12 645.97 1,823.09 William E. Smith 70.19 70.19 70.19 70.19 15.52 85.71 Whiting Street Fund 653.87 653.87 200.00 453.87 453.87 151.39 605.26 Herbert B. Adams 114.84 114.84 114.84 500.00 (385.16) 586.19 201.03 R.J.D. Westcott 127.57 127.57 127.57 500.00 (372.43) 749.12 376.69 E.F. Cook Fountain 134.00 134.00 134.00 134.00 1,310.85 1,444.85 Betty Jane Donley Fund 3,069.45 3,069.45 4,000.00 (930.55) (930.55) 7,912.99 6,982.44 Total Expendable income 18,920.15 - 18,920.15 9,221.97 9,698.18 - 1,000.00 8,698.18 64,210.81 72,908.99

Total Expendable and $ 19,253.04 $ 1,137.50 $ 20,390.54 $ 9,221.97 $ 11,168.57 $ - $ 1,000.00 $ 10,168.57 $ 363,604.22 $ 373,772.79 Non-expendable Trust Funds

174 TOWN OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS FY 2003 Approved Budget General Fund

FY 2003 FY 2003 FY 2003 FY 2003 Final ATM STM STM Fin Com Approved April-Jun 02 Jul-02 Oct-02 Jul 14,2003 Budget OPERATING BUDGETS General Government: Select Board$ 56,933.00 $ 56,933.00 Town Manager 183,858.00 183,858.00 Finance Committee 1,560.00 1,560.00 Elections and Registration 42,325.00 42,325.00 Finance Department 781,706.00 781,706.00 Town Clerk's Office 132,370.00 132,370.00 Legal Services 100,150.00 100,150.00 Human Resources/Affirmative Action 1,587,369.00 1,587,369.00 Information systems 380,771.00 380,771.00 Facilities Maintenance 406,122.00 406,122.00 General Services 372,550.00 372,550.00 Total General Government 4,045,714.00 - - - 4,045,714.00

Public Safety: Police 3,432,624.00 3,432,624.00 Police Facility 125,969.00 125,969.00 Fire/Emergency Medical Services 2,941,456.00 2,941,456.00 Communications Center 434,393.00 434,393.00 Animal Control 35,977.00 35,977.00 Total Public Safety 6,970,419.00 - - - 6,970,419.00

Public Works: Public Works Administration 217,088.00 217,088.00 Construction and Maintenance 625,708.00 625,708.00 Sidewalk Construction 11,400.00 11,400.00 Snow and Ice Removal 145,460.00 85,000.00 230,460.00 Street and Traffic Lights 122,210.00 122,210.00 Equipment Maintenance 220,123.00 220,123.00 Tree Care and Pest Control 136,165.00 136,165.00 Town Cemeteries 8,900.00 8,900.00 Parks and Commons 181,275.00 181,275.00 Total Public Works 1,668,329.00 - - 85,000.00 1,753,329.00

Planning, Conservation and Inspections: Inspection Services 307,147.00 307,147.00 Zoning Board 46,823.00 46,823.00 Design Review Board 625.00 625.00 Planning Board 5,025.00 5,025.00 Conservation Commission and Department 187,162.00 187,162.00 Planning Department 282,506.00 282,506.00 Historical Commission 1,000.00 1,000.00 Total Planning, Conservation and Inspections 830,288.00 - - - 830,288.00

Community Services: Public Health 226,154.00 226,154.00 Children's Services 53,745.00 53,745.00 Council On Aging 226,296.00 226,296.00 Veterans' Services and Benefits 124,312.00 124,312.00 Town Commemorations 1,375.00 1,375.00 Housing Partnership/Fair Housing 400.00 400.00 Leisure Services and Supplemental Education 509,520.00 509,520.00 Municipal Pools 118,109.00 118,109.00 Total Community Services 1,259,911.00 - - - 1,259,911.00

Library Services: Jones Library 1,347,581.00 1,347,581.00 Total Library Services 1,347,581.00 - - - 1,347,581.00

Public Education: Elementary Schools 16,056,016.00 16,056,016.00 Regional School District 8,005,669.00 8,005,669.00 Total Public Education 24,061,685.00 - - - 24,061,685.00

175 Debt Service: Debt Principal General 793,520.00 793,520.00 Elementary Schools 75,000.00 75,000.00 Regional Schools 528,017.00 528,017.00 Debt Interest General 220,000.00 220,000.00 Elementary Schools 246,401.00 246,401.00 Regional Schools 166,015.00 166,015.00 Temporary Debt/Borrowing Costs 20,000.00 20,000.00 Total Debt Service 2,048,953.00 - - - 2,048,953.00

Transfers:

Art 42 Capital Program - Equipment 803,000.00 803,000.00 Art 43 Capital Program - Facilities 265,236.00 265,236.00 Art 1 STM Bleachers 60,000.00 60,000.00 Art 6 STM Fire Pumper 40,000.00 40,000.00 Art 7 STM Cherry Hill Tax Support 79,900.00 79,900.00 - - - - Total Transfers 1,068,236.00 60,000.00 119,900.00 - 1,248,136.00

Unpaid Bills: Art 2 STM 10/30/02 2,341.00 2,341.00 - Total Unpaid Bills - - 2,341.00 - 2,341.00

Assessments: State Motor Vehicle Parking Surcharge 41,120.00 41,120.00 Retired Teachers Health Insurance 63,540.00 63,540.00 Air Pollution Control Districts 6,282.00 6,282.00 Other Regional Transit Authorities 820,576.00 820,576.00 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 5,231.00 5,231.00 Total Assessments 936,749.00 - - - 936,749.00

Deficits: Revenue Deficit 50,623.00 50,623.00 Appropriation Deficit - - Overlay Deficit - - Total Deficits 50,623.00 - - - 50,623.00

SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS General Government: - Art 31 Retirement Assessment 1,948,408.00 1,948,408.00 Art 32 Council of Governments 100,958.00 100,958.00 Art 34 Reserve Fund 85,000.00 (85,000.00) - Art 39 Additional Town Center Shuttle 12,000.00 12,000.00 Art 35 ACTV 4,000.00 4,000.00 Total Gen Gov Special Appropriations 2,150,366.00 - - (85,000.00) 2,065,366.00

Community Services: Art 36 Human Services 153,495.00 153,495.00 Art 37 Congregate Housing 45,000.00 45,000.00 Total Community Services Special Appropriations 198,495.00 - - - 198,495.00

GRAND TOTAL GENERAL FUND $ 46,637,349.00 $ 60,000.00 $ 122,241.00 $ - $ 46,819,590.00

RECONCILIATION OF BUDGET TO GENERAL LEDGER: Final approved budget 46,819,590.00 Fund 1000 (46,819,590.00) Total General Fund budget per General Ledger -

176

OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK Fiscal Year 2003

Fiscal year 2003 has been a busy year for the Town Clerk’s Office: throughout the year, our department continuously provided the residents with a variety of services. Again, this year, the Town Clerk’s Office saw an increase in service levels associated with passport applications, notarizations, certified copies and various licenses and permits. During the year, passport application fees were increased by the U.S. Department of State. In response, our office saw a large influx in the number of applications processed in the weeks prior to the fee increase. Our department, which is one of the most active passport acceptance facilities in the immediate area, processed 1,424 applications in fiscal year 2003.

Several significant staff changes took place during the year. When, in September, an additional part- time position was added to our department, Andrea Heider joined our staff to assist with processing passport applications during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In April, Town Clerk Margaret Nartowicz announced her resignation, as she desired to spend more quality time with her family. Margaret had been employed with the Town for over fifteen years, and in that time she consistently performed her job with a great deal of dedication and professionalism. Upon her resignation, Assistant Town Clerk Anna Maciaszek was appointed Interim Town Clerk. In addition, Dianne Chamberlain, who worked in the Collector’s and Assessor’s offices, agreed to transfer to our department to assist with the staff shortage. Dianne immediately proved to be an asset to our office staff.

Fiscal Year 2003 proved to be a busy year for town meetings. There were five Special Town Meetings, as well as a six-session Annual Town Meeting. Of the thirty-six articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant, seven were placed by citizen petitions, which is a considerable reduction when compared to previous years.

The new procedure to fill vacancies under Section 1.5421 of the Amherst Town Government Act was moderately successful. Six of the twenty-seven vacancies which existed in October 2002 were filled in accordance with the Act. Of the twenty-seven vacancies, nineteen existed in Precinct 10, a predominantly all-student precinct at UMass.

Voter Registration As expected, voter registration activity was moderately high, due to the state primary, the state election and the Town election held during the fiscal year. The names of voters who had been on inactive status for four consecutive years were removed from the voter list. The number of registered voters at the state election in November was 17,842. After processing annual census forms and confirmation cards, and removing the long-time inactive voters, the number of registered voters was reduced to 15,698.

Elections The Town Clerk’s Office also had a busy year with elections that created a great deal of interest with the voters. The highly contested gubernatorial race in the state election brought out a high number (45.2%) of the Town’s registered voters. The annual Town Election that listed candidates for Town offices and Town Meeting and the binding Charter question saw a turnout of 30.8% of the registered voters in town. The Jones Library Trustees race resulted in a tie vote between two candidates, and the results of the Charter question were so close that a recount was requested for that as well. The results of the recount did not change the outcome of the Charter question; however, it did break the tie for the Jones Library Trustees. In addition, three training sessions were

177 offered to election workers prior to the election, to update them on current election laws and procedures.

On January 27, 2003, the Select Board voted to submit a Special Act to the State Legislature to replace the current precinct lines, in order to maintain, to the extent possible, traditional precinct lines within the Town. The request for special legislation was needed, in part, to rectify the low voter activity in Precinct 10. The bill is curently filed with the Committee on Election Laws and is awaiting a date for a public hearing. If voted favorably by the state legislature, it would need to be signed into law by Governor Romney.

BOARD OF REGISTRARS Fiscal Year 2003

Members: Robert W. McAllister, Sr. – Republican, Chair Gladys Rodriguez – Democrat Doris R. Holden – Republican Margaret Z. Nartowicz, Clerk (July 2002 – April 2003) Anna M. Maciaszek, Interim Clerk (May 2003 – June 2003)

The Board of Registrars held voter registration sessions on August 28, 2002; October 16, 2002 and March 12, 2003, as these dates were the deadlines for registering to vote in the 2002 State Primary, the 2002 State Election and Annual Town Election, respectively. There was a moderate turnout for each of the sessions, which were conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s office.

Several initiative petitions, Town and state nomination papers were circulated during the fiscal year. As part of the certification process, Town Clerk staff members are authorized by the Board of Registrars to assign codes to the signatures of registered voters on nomination papers and petition forms.

The 2003 annual register of voters and the Amherst Street List were produced, using information provided on the annual street listing forms and follow-up confirmation cards.

Respectfully submitted,

Anna M. Maciaszek, Town Clerk Clerk of the Board of Registrars

178

VITAL STATISTICS – FY 2003

Births 193

Marriages 140

Deaths 133

VOTING INFORMATION – FY 2003 (at April 1, 2003 Annual Town Election)

Precincts Registered Voters Poll Location Elected Town Meeting Members 1 1,665 N. Congregational Hall 24 2 1,795 North Fire Station 24 3 853 Immanuel Lutheran Church Lounge 24 4 1,633 Bangs Community Center 24 5 1,398 Bangs Community Center 24 6 2,020 Fort River School 24 7 1,685 Crocker Farm School 24 8 2,425 Munson Memorial Library 24 9 1,604 Wildwood School 24 10 620 Hampden Dining Commons, UMass 24 15,698

179 * * * Special Town Meeting July 17, 2002 The Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator at 7:47 p.m. 116 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. The Clerk read the call and return of the warrant.

Article 1. Petition – Capital Program – Bleachers (M. Handel) VOTED that the Town raise and appropriate $60,000 for the purchase of bleachers. Action taken on 7/17/02.

8:29 p.m. The business of the warrant was completed and the meeting voted to dissolve. 129 members checked in. Attest:

Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk

*** PRIMARY ELECTION September 17, 2002

In accordance with the warrant the polls were opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m. The voters cast their ballots in their respective precincts. The results were as follows:

DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRECINCTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL SENATOR IN CONGRESS JOHN F. KERRY 235 445 133 357 214 451 212 740 309 8 3104 ALL OTHERS 1 2 2 1 0 1 1 6 1 0 15 BLANKS 35 42 11 37 30 50 23 108 47 1 384 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

GOVERNOR THOMAS F. BIRMINGHAM 15 44 13 24 20 58 25 92 23 1 315 STEVEN GROSSMAN 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 1 0 7 SHANNON P. O'BRIEN 46 122 38 79 52 100 51 198 69 1 756 ROBERT B. REICH 178 247 66 241 132 298 112 437 193 5 1909 WARREN E. TOLMAN 31 75 29 49 37 43 42 122 71 1 500 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 BLANKS 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 5 0 1 14 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CHRISTOPHER GABRIELI 55 131 51 82 77 126 70 201 75 4 872 LOIS G. PINES 106 148 46 142 78 175 84 316 124 0 1219 JOHN P. SLATTERY 27 76 12 46 30 71 33 88 45 4 432 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 5 BLANKS 83 134 37 124 58 129 49 247 113 1 975 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

ATTORNEY GENERAL THOMAS F. REILLY 148 306 100 239 164 342 160 528 212 5 2204 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 6 BLANKS 122 183 46 155 80 160 75 324 144 4 1293 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

180

SECRETARY OF STATE WILLIAM F. GALVIN 137 292 95 231 162 327 151 504 202 5 2106 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 1 0 8 BLANKS 133 197 51 162 82 175 84 347 154 4 1389 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

TREASURER MICHAEL P. CAHILL 32 80 23 52 39 80 37 126 41 2 512 TIMOTHY P. CAHILL 30 62 22 41 40 70 37 111 41 2 456 STEPHEN J. MURPHY 17 31 4 28 17 34 23 40 22 2 218 JAMES W. SEGEL 57 101 29 88 57 113 44 160 78 1 728 JAMES O'KEEFE* 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 1 0 6 BLANKS 134 215 68 185 90 205 95 414 174 2 1582 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

AUDITOR A. JOSEPH DeNUCCI 120 258 84 205 133 285 129 452 163 4 1833 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 4 BLANKS 151 231 62 190 111 215 106 401 194 5 1666 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS JOHN W. OLVER 220 432 130 348 206 444 205 721 300 8 3014 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 5 0 0 7 BLANKS 51 57 16 46 38 57 31 128 57 1 482 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

COUNCILLOR EDWARD M. O'BRIEN 87 185 59 138 100 202 87 301 131 3 1293 AARON W. WILSON 60 115 36 104 63 120 76 249 84 4 911 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 BLANKS 124 189 51 153 81 179 73 303 142 2 1297 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT STANLEY C. ROSENBERG 218 442 134 343 214 446 204 738 310 6 3055 ALL OTHERS 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 5 BLANKS 53 46 12 51 29 56 32 114 47 3 443 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT ELLEN STORY 225 437 129 352 209 446 204 732 313 6 3053 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 5 BLANKS 46 52 17 42 34 56 32 120 43 3 445 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ELIZABETH SCHEIBEL * 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 ALL OTHERS 2 4 3 4 1 18 5 8 6 0 51 BLANKS 268 485 143 391 242 484 231 845 351 9 3449 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

REGISTER OF PROBATE JOHANNA COLLINS 29 40 16 33 23 47 25 80 35 1 329 MARY L. FORD 139 211 65 196 94 200 97 378 126 2 1508 DAVID E. SULLIVAN 45 142 40 116 84 160 76 250 122 3 1038

181 THOMAS F. SULLIVAN 15 54 11 16 23 52 29 77 35 2 314 DAVID FARNHAM * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 42 42 14 34 20 43 9 69 37 1 311 Total 271 489 146 395 244 502 236 854 357 9 3503

REPUBLICIAN PARTY PRECINCTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL SENATOR IN CONGRESS JOHN KERRY * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 1 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 1 7 BLANKS 13 33 20 22 22 41 23 86 26 0 286 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY 12 28 20 20 20 37 23 82 23 0 265 ALL OTHERS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 BLANKS 1 5 0 2 4 5 2 5 3 0 27 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KERRY MURPHY HEALEY 6 22 17 10 11 31 16 55 20 0 188 JIM RAPPAPORT 6 12 2 11 12 8 8 28 5 1 93 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 1 0 1 1 1 3 1 4 1 0 13 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 BLANKS 13 34 20 22 24 41 25 86 26 1 292 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

SECRETARY OF STATE JACK E. ROBINSON, III 10 15 14 12 11 27 14 49 17 1 170 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 3 19 6 10 13 15 11 38 9 0 124 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

TREASURER DANIEL A. GRABAUSKAS 4 9 6 6 6 16 7 22 8 0 84 BRUCE A. HERZFELDER 6 16 10 12 12 18 11 45 14 1 145 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 3 9 4 4 6 7 7 20 4 0 64 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

AUDITOR ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3 BLANKS 13 34 20 22 23 41 25 86 26 1 291 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS MATTHEW W KINNAMAN 9 24 17 16 17 28 16 55 19 1 202 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 BLANKS 4 10 3 6 7 13 8 32 7 0 90 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

182 COUNCILLOR AARON WILSON * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 13 34 20 22 24 41 25 86 26 1 292 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT STANLEY ROSENBERG * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 13 34 20 22 24 41 25 86 26 1 292 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT WILLIAM JOHNSON 0 5 2 1 4 0 1 1 1 1 16 ELLEN STORY* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 3 BLANKS 13 29 18 21 20 41 24 83 25 0 274 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ELIZABETH D. SCHEIBEL 9 21 18 15 14 31 17 65 21 1 212 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 4 13 2 7 10 10 8 22 5 0 81 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

REGISTER OF PROBATE DAVID FARNHAM 2 5 5 7 12 6 3 11 8 0 59 MARY L. FORD * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 JOHANNA COLLINS * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 4 THOMAS SULLIVAN * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 DAVID E. SULLIVAN * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 4 ALL OTHERS 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 3 0 0 8 BLANKS 11 28 15 15 11 34 21 62 15 1 213 Total 13 34 20 22 24 42 25 87 26 1 294

LIBERTARIAN PARTY PRECINCT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL SENATOR IN CONGRESS MICHAEL E. CLOUD 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

GOVERNOR CARLA A. HOWELL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RICHARD P. AUCOIN 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANK 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 183

SECRETARY OF STATE ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

TREASURER ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

AUDITOR KAMAL JAIN 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

COUNCILLOR ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT ALL OTHERS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

REGISTRAR OF PROBATE ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTAL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

GREEN PARTY PRECINCT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL SENATOR IN CONGRESS JOHN F. KERRY* 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 5 1 1 7 4 6 3 11 4 1 43 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

184 GOVERNOR JILL E. STEIN 2 2 1 7 3 5 3 10 4 1 38 ROBERT REICH* 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTHONY F. LORENZEN 2 2 1 7 2 7 3 10 4 1 39 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 6 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 2 7 3 11 4 1 45

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 7 3 10 4 1 43 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

SECRETARY OF STATE ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 44 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

TREASURER JAMES O’KEEFE 1 2 1 7 1 7 3 10 4 1 37 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 8 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

AUDITOR ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 44 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS JOHN OLVER* 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 5 3 11 4 1 42 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

COUNCILLOR AARON WILSON* 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 44 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT STAN ROSENBERG* 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 5 3 11 4 1 42 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT ELLEN STORY* 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 4 2 1 7 4 5 3 11 4 1 42 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

185 DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 BLANKS 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 10 4 1 44 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 3 11 4 1 45

REGISTER OF PROBATE MARY FORD* 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 DAVID SULLIVAN* 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 5 2 1 7 4 4 2 10 4 1 40 TOTAL 5 2 1 7 4 7 1 11 4 1 45

* Indicates Write-in candidate Pct. Dem. Dem. Rep. Rep. Green Greens Unenroll- P.M. Percentage Ballots Register- Ballots Register- Ballots Register- ed Voters Return Voting Cast ed Cast ed Cast ed Time 1 271 684 13 124 5 23 927 10:19 16.1 % 2 489 895 34 144 2 17 927 9:51 26.2 % 3 146 397 20 87 1 11 591 9:54 15.1 % 4 395 867 22 141 7 25 814 10:15 22.7 % 5 244 693 24 118 4 22 679 10:15 17.8 % 6 502 988 42 187 7 23 860 10:03 26.4 % 7 236 711 25 95 3 37 950 10:27 14.4 % 8 854 1309 87 290 11 22 870 10:14 38.1 % 9 357 715 26 107 4 41 961 10:39 20.9 % 10 9 284 1 86 1 4 641 9:55 1.1 % TOTAL 3503 7543 294 1379 45 225 8220 21.8 %

Dem. = Democrat Rep. = Republican

There are 160 voters registered in the Libertarian Party. One (1) Libertarian ballots was cast in Precinct 2. Two hundred fifty-nine (259) voters registered in other political designations were ineligible to vote in the State Primary.

The polls were closed in all ten precincts at 8:00 p.m. as directed in the Warrant. 3,843 ballots were cast, representing 21.8% of the 17,609 voters registered. The public announcement was made at 10:50 p.m.

Attest:

Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk

186 * * * Special Town Meeting October 28, 30, November 6 and 13, 2002

The meeting was televised by Amherst Community Television and shown on the Government Channel.

The Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Harrison Gregg at 7:45 p.m. There were 234 town meeting members. 118 checked in and a quorum was declared. The call and return of the warrant were read by Town Clerk, Margaret Z. Nartowicz. A moment of silence was held in remembrance of former Town Clerk, Cornelia D. Como and former town meeting member, Aldith Allen. The Moderator recognized the dedicated service of several town committee members. New town meeting members were sworn to the faithful performance of their duties. Article 1 and a portion of Article 8 were considered on October 28th.

ARTICLE 1. Reports of Boards and Committees (Select Board) VOTED that the Town hear only those reports of Town officers, the Finance Committee, and any other Town boards or committees which are not available in written form. Action taken on 10/28/02.

The Wednesday, October 30, 2002 session, adjourned from October 28, 2002, was called to order by the moderator at 7:42 p.m. 117 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 were considered. Consideration of Article 8, Motion E was postponed until 7:30 p.m. on November 13, 2002.

ARTICLE 2. Transfer of Funds – Unpaid Bills (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $2,340.60 to pay unpaid bills of prior years. Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 3. Debt Rescission (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town rescind the following borrowing authorizations:

Special Town Meeting, October 1991, Article 20a - $580,000 for Atkins Treatment Plant Special Town Meeting, April 1992, Article 17 - $200,000 for Closing Cell II of Sanitary Landfill Special Town Meeting, May 2001, Article 2A - $840,000 for Middle Street Sewer Extension Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 4. Senior Tax Exemptions (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town accept, for Fiscal Year 2003, the provisions of Chapter 184, Section 51 of the Acts of 2002, amending Chapter 59, Section 5(41C) of the Massachusetts General Laws, by decreasing the eligibility age for senior tax exemptions from 70 to 65, by increasing the amount of the exemption by 20%, by increasing the gross receipts limit from $13,000 to $20,000 if single and from $15,000 to $30,000 if married, by increasing the whole estate limit from $28,000 to $40,000 if single and from $30,000 to $55,000 if married, and by increasing the whole estate exclusion for the value of the applicant's domicile from no more than two units in addition to the unit occupied by the applicant to no more than three additional units. Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 5. Conservation Restriction – Pelham Watershed Land (Conservation Commission) VOTED unanimously that the Town convey a Conservation Restriction over a portion of premises located at 302 Amherst Road, Pelham, MA, to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement, in accordance with requirements of the Massachusetts Aquifer Land Acquisition Program and the “Option to Purchase Conservation Restriction” agreed to by the Town and the Commonwealth in June 2002, the premises further described as follows: a 187 36.893 parcel of land held by the Town for water supply purposes and located off of the northerly side of Amherst Road as shown on a plan of land dated June 10, 2002, and recorded in the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 193, Page 38, and further described in deed to the Town of Amherst recorded in Book 6694, Page 41. Action taken on 10/30/2002.

ARTICLE 6. Capital Program – Fire Pumper (Joint Capital Planning Committee) VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate an additional $40,000 for a fire pumper. Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 7. FY 03 Golf Course Fund Budget (Finance Committee) VOTED that the Town amend the vote taken under Article 33 - FY 2003 Operating Budget - Golf Course Fund, April 24, 2002 Annual Town Meeting by rescinding the Golf Course Fund appropriation and instead appropriate $348,121 for the Golf Course Fund and that to meet such appropriation $239,554 be made available from Golf Course revenues of the current year, that $28,667 be transferred from Golf Course Surplus and that $79,900 be transferred from Free Cash in the Undesignated Fund Balance of the General Fund. Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 8. Capital Program - Community Preservation Act Committee Recommendations (Community Preservation Act Committee) MOTION A VOTED that the Town appropriate $20,000 for an Historic Preservation Survey and to meet such appropriation, transfer $20,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Fund Balance. Action taken on 10/28/02. VOTED that the Town appropriate $130,000 for the Amherst Housing Authority and to meet such appropriation, transfer $130,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Fund Balance. Action taken on 10/28/02. VOTED that the Town appropriate $13,000 for open space property appraisals and to meet such appropriation, transfer $13,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Fund Balance. Action taken on 10/28/02. MOTION B VOTED that the Town transfer $17,577 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to the Reserve for Historic Preservation. Action taken on 10/28/02. MOTION C VOTED by a declared 2/3 vote that the Town authorize the Select Board to purchase, jointly with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, an Agricultural Preservation Restriction on a portion of Parcel 26D-4 of the Town Cadastre, located at 1720 South East Street, from Edith Gray; and transfer $20,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Fund Balance toward said purchase. Action taken on 10/28/02. MOTION D VOTED by a declared 2/3 vote that the Town authorize the Select Board to purchase Parcel 23B-60 of the Town Cadastre, located west of Middle Street, from John and Adele S. Simmons for conservation purposes under Chap. 40, Sec. 8C; transfer $60,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Fund Balance toward said purchase; and authorize the Town to apply for and receive grants, gifts, and bequests toward said purchase. Action taken on 10/28/02. MOTION E

188 VOTED by a tally vote Yes 118, No 35 that the Town appropriate $500,000 for athletic fields at Plum Brook and a riding ring at Station Road and to meet such appropriation authorize the Treasurer to borrow $500,000 in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7(25) and other applicable laws. Action taken on 11/13/02.

Discussion under Motion E began and a motion to dismiss Motion E was made on October 28th. After considerable discussion under the motion to dismiss, the meeting voted to adjourn at 10:05 p.m. to Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 159 town meeting members were checked in.

The Wednesday, October 30, 2002 session, adjourned from October 28, 2002, was called to order by the moderator at 7:42 p.m. 117 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Janet Chevan, Robert Kusner, H. Oldham Brooks, Deanne Sloane Riddle, Hill Boss and Hilda Greenbaum were sworn as tellers. The motion to dismiss Article 8, Motion E was defeated Yes 38, No 101. Article 8, Motion E was postponed until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2002.

ARTICLE 9. Capital Program – Sewer Fund – Chapel Road/Mechanic Street Sewer Extension (Select Board) VOTED to refer the Article to the Select Board [To see if the Town will appropriate $1.4 million for design and construction of a sewer and sewer facilities on Chapel Road/Mechanic Street and for the acquisition of land, easements and other interests in land in furtherance of the construction of such sewer and sewer facilities, and to meet such appropriation authorize the Treasurer to borrow in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 7(1) and other applicable laws.] Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 10. Capital Program – Sewer Fund - Sewer Facilities Plan (Select Board) VOTED that the Town appropriate $100,000 to update the Sewer Facilities Plan and to meet such appropriation transfer $100,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the Sewer Fund. Action taken on 10/30/02.

ARTICLE 11. Petition – Sewer – Mountain View Circle (B. Bouricius) VOTED that the town appropriate $20,000 for design and construction of a sewer and sewer facilities on Mountain View Circle, that to meet such appropriation $16,000 be transferred from the Sewer Fund Surplus and $4,000.00 in donations be accepted from Mountain View Circle residents, and that the Select Board be authorized to accept Conservation Restrictions on two acres, more or less, of land adjacent to Sweet Alice Brook. Action taken on 10/30/02.

10:14 p.m., October 30, 2002 – The meeting voted to adjourn to Wednesday, November 6, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 150 town meeting members were checked in.

The Wednesday, November 6, 2002 session, adjourned from October 30, 2002, was called to order by the moderator at 7:47 p.m. 117 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. The meeting took action on Articles 12, 13, 17, 18 and 19.

ARTICLE 12. Petition – Special Act – Runoff Voting Process (B. Bouricius) VOTED that the Town adopt the following resolution:

Whereas, it is desirable to have the members of the town’s committees and boards be elected by a majority of those who vote in municipal elections; and,

Whereas, the requirements of the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the Amherst and Hampshire College and University of Massachusetts academic calendars make either spring or fall municipal primaries or preliminary elections difficult to schedule;

189 Now therefore, be it resolved that the Amherst Representative Town Meeting request the Select Board appoint a commission whose purpose shall be to investigate using Instant Runoff voting and other preferential voting methods in Amherst. Action taken on 11/6/02.

ARTICLE 13. Town Bylaws – Handicapped Parking (Select Board)

VOTED to amend the Town Bylaws, Article II, Handicapped Parking, by increasing the penalty in Section 2 from $50 to $100 and by deleting Section 3 and replacing it with the following language:

This bylaw shall be enforced by Town of Amherst Police Officers, Parking Enforcement Officers or the Disabilities Access Coordinator. This bylaw may be enforced through the non-criminal disposition method provided in Section 21D of Chapter 40 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For purposes of non-criminal disposition, the enforcing persons shall be those town officials set forth in this section of the bylaw and the specific penalty shall be as provided in Section 2 of this bylaw. Action taken on 11/6/02.

ARTICLE 14. Zoning Map – Farmland Conservation (Planning Board)

VOTED by a declared 2/3 vote that the Town amend the Official Zoning Map by changing the designation of the Farmland Preservation (FP) District, wherever it appears, to Farmland Conservation (FC). Action taken on 11/13/02.

ARTICLE 15. Zoning Bylaw – Common Land Protection (Planning Board)

VOTED Yes 98, No 37 that the Town amend Sections 4.350 and 4.351 of the Zoning Bylaw by deleting the lined out language and adding the language in bold italics, as follows:

4.350 Except in the WP, ARP and FC districts, Aall common land hereunder shall either (1) be conveyed to the Town of Amherst and be accepted by it for park or open space use, or (2) be conveyed to a non-profit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space, (3) be conveyed to a corporation or trust owned or to be owned by the owners of the lots or residential units within the development, or (4) be conveyed to a private, non-profit or public entity for the purposes of farming, with a restriction enforceable by the Town of Amherst being recorded which provides that such land shall either be actively farmed or kept in an open and natural state. If such a corporation or trust is utilized, as indicated herein, ownership thereof shall pass with conveyances of the lots or residential units. Under the second and third ownership alternatives listed above, a restriction enforceable by the Town of Amherst shall be recorded providing that such land shall be kept in an open or natural state and not be built upon for residential use or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway.

4.351 In the FP WP, ARP and FC Ddistricts, that portion of the cCommon lLand which is set aside as permanently preserved farmland and and all Unbuildable Land Area (hereinafter within this section collectively referred to as “Common Land”) in a residential development shall be protected by a permanent agricultural preservation restriction recorded on the deed preserved as open space. Said Common Land shall be kept in an open or natural state, or as active farmland, and shall be used and managed so as to protect public water supplies (in the WP and ARP districts) and/or to preserve farmland and related accessory resource-based land uses (in the FC District, and in the WP or ARP districts where appropriate). Common Land shall not

190 be built upon for residential use or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway.

4.351.0 Title to this permanently preserved farm Common lLand may remain with the original farmland owner or another individual or entity (hereinafter “owner”), or may be conveyed to the Town of Amherst, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a corporation or trust functioning as a homeowners association, or a non-profit farmland trust or similar conservation organization whose principal purposes include the protection of water quality and/or the preservation of farmland and related accessory resource-based land uses, as appropriate. The agricultural restriction recorded on the deed shall be enforceable by the Town of Amherst. It shall be kept as active farmland or kept in an open or natural state for future farming uses, and shall not be built upon for residential use or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway.

4.351.1 The applicant shall submit a management plan detailing the future use and management of the Common Land. Review and approval of the management plan shall be a condition of the Site Plan Review approval. Action taken on 11/13/02.

ARTICLE 16. Petition - Zoning Bylaw and Map – Resource Protection Amendments (Resource Protection Coalition)

“To see if the town will vote to amend the Official Zoning Map by changing the designation of properties zoned Farmland Conservation (FC) and/or Neighborhood Residential (R-N), Outlying Residential (R-O), or Limited Density Residential (R-LD) to Agricultural (AG), and to amend Articles 2, 3, 4, 6, and 14 of the Zoning Bylaw by deleting the lined out language and adding the language in bold italics, as follows:

No motion was made under Section A.

Section B. VOTED unanimously to amend Sections 3.3240 and 3.3241 as follows:

Amend Section 3.3240 “Subdividable Dwelling” so that Condition #4 shall read, “This use will shall not be permitted in the Aquifer Recharge Protection (ARP) or Watershed Protection (WP) overlay districts.”

No motion was made under Section C.

Amend section 3.3241 “Converted Dwelling” so that the final sentence of Condition #2 shall read, “Conversion in the Aquifer Recharge Protection (ARP) or Watershed Protection (WP) overlay districts shall not be permitted.” Action taken on 11/13/02.

Section D. VOTED unanimously to amend Section 3.285 of the Zoning Bylaw by adding the language in bold italics as follows:

3.2850 To the maximum practical extent, all buildings and roads shall be located on that portion of the site with soils determined by the permit granting board to be least suitable for the production of crops and livestock. This provision shall not apply to the

191 location of on-site septic facilities, which must be placed in soils meeting the requirements of the Massachusetts Environmental Code.

1. To assist the permit granting board in making this determination, copies of the application and site plan shall be transmitted to the Farm Committee, which shall have thirty-five (35) days to report its findings. Upon notification by the permit granting board, the Farm Committee shall assemble an expert panel consisting of professional agronomists, soils scientists and other qualified professionals to evaluate and report on the suitability of soils, including but not limited to the historical uses thereof, and the overall agricultural viability of the farm property, consistent with the purposes of the bylaw. Failure to report in the allotted time shall constitute approval by the Farm Committee. The permit granting board may grant at least one extension of this time period in response to a written request from the Farm Committee for such an extension based on a need for additional time resulting from parcel size, project complexity, time of year, or other factors.

2. The permit granting board may, consistent with its regulations adopted pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 44, 53G, engage the service of independent professional agronomists, soils scientists, or other qualified consultants at the cost of the applicant, to assist in evaluating a site or project. Action taken on 11/13/02.

Section E. VOTED unanimously to amend Section 4.330 of the Zoning Bylaw by deleting the lined out language and adding the language in bold italics, as follows:

4.330 The Planning Board may authorize a greater number of dwelling units building lots than would be allowed by the density requirements of Section 4.3231 or Section 4.327 only if a minimum of 10% of the total dwelling units in the development are affordable units as herein defined. In no event shall the Board authorize a greater number of dwelling units building lots than 120% of the maximum number of units lots otherwise allowed under the applicable development method. For the purpose of this calculation, 10% of the total parcel size shall be subtracted for road allowances prior to calculating the maximum density normally allowed. Action taken on 11/13/02.

Section F. VOTED unanimously to refer to the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. [F. Amend Section 4.323 Density/Setbacks and Section 4.3270

4.323 Density/Setbacks

4.3230 Unless otherwise provided for, the Dimensional Regulations of Table 3 shall be complied with.

4.3231 The maximum base density of lots in a cluster subdivision, except for an affordable cluster, shall not exceed the allowed density for a standard subdivision in any zoning district, said density shall to be calculated by taking subtracting from the total parcel area acreage 75% of the unbuildable land area as defined in Section 4.327, then subtracting 810% of that the resulting net buildable parcel acreage for roadways, parking and utilities, and dividing that number the resulting net parcel acreage by the minimum lot area of the zoning district in which the parcel is located. In addition, it is the intention of this Section that the cluster subdivision not result in more lots than would be approved for a standard subdivision under a Definitive Subdivision Plan.

192 4.327 FC District

In the FC District, dimensional regulations for Cluster Subdivisions shall be as follows:

4.3270 The maximum number of building lots shall be calculated as follows:

1. Determine the Net Parcel Area by subtracting 7550% of the area of all Unbuildable Land Area from the total parcel acreage. Unbuildable Land Area shall consist of the combined acreage of all wetlands, and FPC District and 100-year floodplain areas (whichever of these two is greater). 100-year floodplain areas shall consist of those areas so identified on federal flood insurance maps.

2. Subtract 810% of the resulting Net Parcel Area for roadways, parking and utilities. 00.3 allowance.

3. Divide the remaining 90 percent of the Net Parcel Area by the Basic Minimum Lot Area for the underlying zoning district. The resulting figure shall be the maximum number of building lots allowed in the Cluster Development.] Action taken on 11/13/02.

Section G. VOTED unanimously to amend Sections 14.43 and 14.44, as follows:

14.43 Open Space/Farmland

14.431 Protection and retention of farmland according to the following impacts on working farms

Development on agricultural land, defined as land classified prime, unique -30 pts. or of state or local importance by the USDA SCS or land characterized by active agricultural use as defined by Chapter 61A or the Mass. General Laws.

In the Farmland Conservation (FC) District, rRetention and preservation 2pts./5% of of agricultural land, as a percentage of the total area of the proposed total project area development, under permanent agricultural restriction. protected (max. 30 pts.)

Provision of a 100 150-foot buffer zone including a fence and screening 5 pts. vegetation, from property boundary of a working farm.

14.432 FC District

14.4320 Frontage or flag lot development under M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 81P, with frontage located outside the FC District and a portion of lot area abutting or within the FC District

More than 5,000 sq. ft. of individual or average lot area in FC District -30 pts. 2,500-5,000 sq. ft. of individual or average lot area in FC District -15 pts. Less than 2,500 sq. ft. of individual or average lot area in FC District -5 pts. No lot area in FC District 0 pts.

14.44 Aquifer and Watershed Protection

A. Development in the Aquifer Recharge Protection (ARP) and Watershed Protection (WP) Ooverlay Ddistricts

Average lot size one half acres or less, no public sewer 30 pts. Average lot size more than one half acres, no public sewer 15 pts. Average lot size one acre or less, public sewer 5 pts. Average lot size more than one acre, public sewer 0 pts. 193

No public sewer -30 pts. Public sewer -15 pts.” Action taken on 11/13/02.

ARTICLE 17. Zoning Bylaw – PRP - Professional Offices (Planning Board) Voted to refer to the Planning Board. [To see if the Town will amend Sections 3.358 and 3.359 of the Use Chart (Section 3.3) of the Zoning Bylaw, by deleting the lined out language and adding the language in bold italics, as follows:

3.358 Bank, loan agency, real estate, insurance or other business or professional similar office providing services to the general public in person on the premises

R-O R-LD R-N R-VC R-G R-F B-G B-L B-VC COM OP LI PRP FPC

N N N N N SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR N N N SP Standards & Conditions

For the purposes of this section, the general public shall be defined as including all persons as customers or clients not receiving services by appointment. Exceptions shall be affiliated professionals or consultants conducting business with the office use, salespersons and service contractors (delivery, maintenance, etc.).

In the PRP District, no drive-through facilities or service shall be allowed in connection with a permitted use.

3.359 Technical or professional office such as architect, engineer, lawyer, financial services, or similar office providing services by appointment to clients in person on the premises, or, administrative business office or similar Business or professional office not providing services to the general public in person on the premises.

R-0 R-LD R-N R-VC R-G R-F B-G B-L B-VC COM OP LI PRP FPC

N N SP N N SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR N (SP)

Standards & Conditions

For the purposes of this section, the general public shall be defined as including all persons acting as customers or clients not receiving services by appointment. Exceptions shall be affiliated professionals or consultants conducting business with the office use, salespersons and service contractors (delivery, maintenance, etc.).

In the R-VC District, the Zoning Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit for an technical or professional office for professional or office uses not dealing directly with that provides services by appointment to clients in person on the premises, or that does not provide services to the general public in person on the premises. The Zoning Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit providing it finds that, in addition to meeting the provisions of Article 7 and Section 10.38, the proposed office uses meets the following conditions:

1. Is located on the ground floor only, and occupies no more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the structure, exclusive of storage space. 2. Shall be allowed only as a second Principal use, where the first Principal use is a residential use consisting of one dwelling unit. 3. Shares a property line with or is adjacent to another property with a similar use permitted under this section or a property in the B-L, B-VC or COM districts. 4. Employs no more than 5 persons who work on-site. 5. Where located in an existing building, the residential character of the structure and site shall be maintained.] Action taken on 11/6/02.

194 ARTICLE 18. Zoning Map – Old Belchertown Road – PRP to R-O (Schaffer Bacon/Zahradnik)

DEFEATED, 2/3 vote not obtained, Yes 76, No 48 [that the Town amend the Official Zoning Map by rezoning from Professional Research Park (PRP) District to Outlying Residence (R-O) District a portion of Map 21B, Parcel 18 of the Assessor’s Map measuring approximately 61,750 sq. ft. and shown as the westerly area of lots 10 and 11 on an October 2, 2002 survey plan prepared by Harold L. Eaton and Associates Inc., entitled “Preliminary Subdivision Plan, Plan of Land in Amherst, Massachusetts, prepared for AlenDev, LLC.” ] Action taken on 11/6/02.

ARTICLE 19. Zoning Map– Belchertown Road – PRP to R-O (Palley/Zahradnik)

Voted to dismiss. [To see if the Town will amend the Official Zoning Map by rezoning Map 18B, Parcels 4 & 7, from Professional Research Park District (PRP) to Outlying Residence (R-O).] Action taken on 11/6/02.

10:02 p.m., November 6, 2002 – The meeting voted to adjourn to Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 139 town meeting members were checked in.

The Wednesday, November 13, 2002 session, adjourned from November 6, 2002, was called to order by the moderator at 7:42 p.m. 117 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. The meeting took action on Articles 8 (Motion E), 14, 15 and 16.

The business of the warrant having been completed, the meeting voted to dissolve at 10:38 p.m. on November 13, 2002. 160 town meeting members were checked in.

Attest:

Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk

*** STATE ELECTION November 5, 2002

In accordance with the warrant the polls were opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m. The voters cast their ballots in their respective precincts. The results were as follows:

PRECINCTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL SENATOR IN CONGRESS JOHN F KERRY 390 795 256 568 450 855 442 1286 515 61 5617 MICHAEL E. CLOUD 56 87 33 47 49 92 72 174 64 8 682 RANDALL FORSBERG* 137 9831 134 100 119 145 197 129 11091 FRANCES CROWE* 2 5 5 5 3 4 2 3 2 0 31 ALL OTHERS 4 7 2 9 5 8 2 15 9 1 62 BLANKS 40 6832 59 54 87 45 128 65 2581 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

GOVERNOR & LT.GOVERNOR HOWELL & AUCOIN 9 11 2 4 2 14 9 3 10 1 65 O'BRIEN & GABRIELI 453 755 255 631 455 851 458 1248 571 46 5722 ROMNEY & HEALEY 84 192 71 101 122 214 107 447 111 13 1462 STEIN & LORENZEN 78 90 28 74 68 76 124 91 85 10 724 JOHNSON & SCHEBEL 1 6 2 3 2 2 4 3 2 0 25 195 ALL OTHERS 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 1 0 1 8 BLANKS 3 6 1 6 10 8 6 10 5 2 58 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

ATTORNEY GENERAL THOMAS F REILLY 468 813 275 640 504 929 540 1367 591 61 6187 ALL OTHERS 1 2 1 5 4 4 1 1 8 2 29 BLANKS 159 24583 177 153 232 167 435 185 101848 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

SECRETARY OF STATE WILLIAM F. GALVIN 524 853 277 669 519 907 569 1368 627 57 6369 JACK E. ROBINSON, III 50 10848 74 78 154 81 274 71 9947 ALL OTHERS 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 6 BLANKS 55 9733 79 64 104 58 160 85 6742 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

TREASURER TIMOTHY P. CAHILL 306 605 199 473 355 673 350 1052 430 39 4481 DANIEL A. GRABAUSKAS 83 17471 94 112 194 102 352 99 91290 JAMES O'KEEFE 201 190 65 182 142 206 221 250 200 20 1677 ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 4 BLANKS 39 9124 72 52 92 34 147 55 5612 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

AUDITOR A. JOSEPH DeNUCCI 438 749 256 566 466 842 487 1292 552 52 5699 KAMAL JAIN 41 60 14 37 28 57 40 63 43 4 387 JOHN JAMES XENAKIS 57 8333 69 60 95 76 166 51 9699 ALL OTHERS 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 BLANKS 93 16855 149 106 170 104 281 137 71271 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS JOHN W. OLVER 552 911 298 715 544 978 621 1471 674 59 6822 MATTHEW W. KINNAMAN 59 11953 75 87 148 67 294 76 8986 ERIC CHESTER* 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

PRECINCTS 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total ALL OTHERS 0 0 0 5 0 1 4 3 1 0 14 BLANKS 18 308 27 30 38 15 35 33 6241 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

COUNCILLOR EDWARD M O'BRIEN 467 757 266 584 472 874 515 1265 552 64 5815 ALL OTHERS 0 3 1 9 2 2 2 2 4 1 26 BLANKS 162 30092 229 187 289 191 536 228 82223 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064 196

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT STANLEY C. ROSENBERG 547 933315 713 556 1018 605 1583 662 636994 ALL OTHERS 0 2 2 4 0 1 1 4 2 1 17 BLANKS 82 12542 105 105 146 102 216 120 91053 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT ELLEN STORY 544 917 305 719 546 1003 600 1542 654 64 6893 ALL OTHERS 0 2 0 4 3 3 0 1 2 1 16 BLANKS 85 14154 99 112 159 108 260 128 81155 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ELIZABETH D. SCHEIBEL 282 534202 372 317 598 343 979 390 474063 ALL OTHERS 1 11 6 8 6 6 11 14 8 1 72 BLANKS 346 515151 442 338 561 354 810 386 253929 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

REGISTER OF PROBATE DAVID E. SULLIVAN 467 805 273 625 508 907 549 1369 600 61 6163 ALL OTHERS 0 5 1 5 3 1 5 5 2 1 28 BLANKS 162 25085 192 150 257 154 429 182 111873 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

QUESTION 1 YES 101 17365 117 113 191 131 332 106 221351 NO 493 804279 647 482 897 530 1343 632 446150 BLANKS 35 8315 58 66 77 47 128 46 7563 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

QUESTION 2 YES 144 324106 231 199 358 195 693 212 282490 NO 464 706248 561 419 782 501 1061 557 435341 BLANKS 21 305 30 43 25 12 49 15 2233 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

QUESTION 3 YES 382 619212 533 363 669 404 1021 501 294732 NO 223 397133 240 252 441 278 675 251 412931 BLANKS 24 4414 49 46 55 26 107 32 3401 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

QUESTION 4 - RUNOFF YES 420 678225 532 423 755 477 1101 524 455179 NO 124 22095 163 128 237 168 397 148 201700 BLANKS 85 16239 127 110 173 63 305 112 81185 TOTAL 629 1060359 822 661 1165 708 1803 784 738064

* Write-I 197 VOTE BY PRECINCTS

PCT Ballots Cast Registered P.M. Return % Turnout Time 1 629 1,799 9:36 35.0 2 1,060 2,013 9:42 52.6 3 359 1,111 9:22 32.3 4 822 1,898 10:18 43.3 5 661 1,555 10:18 42.5 6 1,165 2,128 10:01 54.7 7 708 1,892 9:54 37.4 8 1,803 2,525 9:53 71.4 9 784 1,886 9:52 41.6 10 73 1,035 9:36 7.1 TOTAL 8,064 17,842 45.2

The polls were closed at 8:00 p.m. as directed in the Warrant. 8,064 ballots were cast, representing 45.2 % of the 17,842 registered voters. Public announcement was made at 10:42 a.m.

On November 18, 2002, the Board of Registrars met to count one (1) overseas ballot. The results of that ballot are posted with the results of Precinct 2.

Attest:

Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk

*** Special Town Meeting December 9, 2002

The meeting was televised by Amherst Community Television and shown on the Government Channel.

The Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Harrison Gregg at 7:44 p.m. There were 230 town meeting members. 116 checked in and a quorum was declared. The call and return of the warrant were read by Town Clerk, Margaret Z. Nartowicz.

ARTICLE 1. Petition – Special Act – Bilingual Education (Not In Our Town, Puerto Rican Association, Amherst Voting Rights Campaign, Multilingual Coalition) VOTED that the town adopt the following resolution and request to the Select Board to seek a special act from the General Court:

Whereas, the town of Amherst voted overwhelmingly to reject Question 2 at the November 5, 2002 General Election; and,

Whereas, the Amherst School District has Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) programs in each of its four elementary schools – Spanish in Crocker Farm, Khmer in Fort River, Korean in Marks Meadow, and Chinese in Wildwood; and,

Whereas, the Amherst School District and Amherst-Pelham Regional School District have English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in all their schools; and,

198 Whereas, Question 2 would eliminate Transitional Bilingual Education programs and drastically affect ESL programs, replacing them with a one-year, one-size-fits-all English immersion program; and,

Whereas, the Larkin-Antonioni Bill reforming bilingual education, An Act Relative to Enhancing English Opportunities for All Students in the Commonwealth, was passed by the General Court and signed by the Acting Governor in August of 2002; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Amherst Representative Town Meeting requests the Amherst Select Board to file as promptly as is possible with the General Court separate requests for special acts to exempt the Amherst School District and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District from any impact whatsoever of Question 2 of the November 2002 General Election and to allow each school district to continue to educate children whose primary language is not English in accordance with the provisions of the Larkin-Antonioni Bill and other applicable state and federal laws. Action taken on 12/9/02.

ARTICLE 2. Resolution – Bilingual Education (School Committee) Voted to dismiss. [To see if the Town will adopt the following resolution: Whereas, the programs for teaching English to non-English speaking students specified in Ballot Question #2, passed by the voters in the November 2002 election, are unproven and are considered controversial by many education experts; and, Whereas, the changes in the bilingual education law enacted earlier in 2002 by the Massachusetts Legislature have not yet taken effect and have not yet been able to demonstrate their impact on improving bilingual education success in the schools; and, Whereas, many school districts, including Amherst, do not want their bilingual education programs that have proven successful to be replaced with the unproven and less flexible “sheltered immersion” program specified in Ballot Question #2; and, Whereas, at the last convention of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), the members voted overwhelmingly against enacting Ballot Question #2; and, Whereas, the statistics analyzing the success of a similar, but less rigid, program in California are ambiguous and unconvincing; and, Whereas, all of the towns in the Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional school districts voted overwhelmingly against Ballot Question #2; Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Town of Amherst requests that Senator Stan Rosenberg and Representative Ellen Story support the enactment of the bilingual education reforms voted by the Legislature and signed by the governor in the summer of 2002, and that they use their full influence to prevent Ballot Question #2 from being enacted into law, And be it furthermore resolved that the Town of Amherst urges the Great and General Court to repeal the Ballot Question #2 initiative, And be it further resolved the Town Clerk of Amherst is directed to convey copies of this resolution to all Massachusetts Senators and Representatives, to the Governor, and to the Governor-Elect.] Action taken on 12/9/02.

The business of the warrant having been completed, the meeting voted to dissolve at 8:52 p.m. on December 9, 2002. 138 town meeting members were checked in.

Attest:

Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk

199 *** Special Town Meeting January 29, 2003

The meeting was televised by Amherst Community Television and shown on the Government Channel.

The Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Harrison Gregg at 7:38 p.m. There were 230 town meeting members. 116 checked in and a quorum was declared. The call and return of the warrant was read by Assistant Town Clerk, Anna M. Maciaszek. The Town Moderator informed Town Meeting Members that nomination papers were available in the Town Clerk’s office for those whose term was due to expire this year. New town meeting members were sworn to the faithful performance of their duties. Ann Grose, Hilda Greenbaum, Robert Kusner, H. Oldham Brooks, Deanne Sloane Riddle, Jim Pitstrang and Van Kaynor were sworn as tellers. Article 1 through Article 4 were considered on January 29th.

ARTICLE 1. Capital Program – Sewer Fund – Chapel Road/Mechanic Street Sewer Extension (Select Board) VOTED by a declared 2/3rds vote that the Town appropriate $1.4 million for design and construction of a sewer and sewer facilities on Chapel Road/Mechanic Street and for the acquisition of land, easements and other interests in land in furtherance of the construction of such sewer and sewer facilities, and to meet such appropriation authorize the Treasurer to borrow in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 7(1) and other applicable laws. Action taken on 1/29/03.

ARTICLE 2. Petition – Rescind Appropriation for Athletic Fields and Riding Ring (J. Chalmers) VOTED to dismiss YES 93, NO 54 [that the Town rescind the decision to appropriate and borrow $500,000 for the construction of athletic fields and a riding ring taken under Article 8, Motion E, which was approved on November 13, 2002 at the Special Town Meeting that commenced on October 28, 2002.] Action taken on 1/29/03.

ARTICLE 3. Holyoke Range Memorandum of Agreement (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town authorize the Select Board to enter into an intergovernmental agreement pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, s. 4A, regarding the preservation of the Holyoke Range in a form substantially similar to the following:

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR PROTECTION OF THE MOUNT TOM AND MOUNT HOLYOKE RANGES By and among the Towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley, the Cities of Easthampton and Holyoke Mass. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, The Kestrel Trust, Pascommuck Conservation Trust, Valley Land Fund, Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range, The Trustees of Reservations, The Mount Holyoke Range Advisory Committee, Mount Tom Citizen’s Advisory Committee Massachusetts Audubon Society and Other concerned or interested parties or citizen groups. (subject to final approval of all signatories) WITNESSETH:

200 WHEREAS, the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges have outstanding scenic qualities, outdoor recreational opportunities, wildlife resources, geologic features, forest resources, biodiversity, historic features, and unique natural and cultural characteristics;

WHEREAS, the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges are threatened by severe development pressures, and were designated by Scenic America in the year 2000 as one of the ten “Last Chance Landscapes” throughout the United States that are threatened natural treasures;

WHEREAS, the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges’ unique attributes and vital natural resources are key components in defining the community character and quality of life in the Towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley, and the Cities of Easthampton and Holyoke;

WHEREAS, the “Summit on the Range” was held on April 21, 2001, and participants from throughout the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges area agreed to continue to work cooperatively toward the protection of the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley, the Cities of Easthampton and Holyoke, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and other signatories to this agreement agree to work cooperatively to seek protection of the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges and their scenic, natural, recreational and historic attributes.

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that a Summit Land Use Task Force shall be formed, to be comprised of:

• Two representatives from each participating municipality, including one representative appointed by the Board of Selectmen or Mayor, as applicable, and one representative appointed by the Planning Board;

And one representative of each of the following:

• Pioneer Valley Planning Commission • Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs • The Kestrel Trust • Pascommuck Conservation Trust • Massachusetts Audubon Society • Valley Land Fund • The Trustees of Reservations • Mount Holyoke Range Advisory Committee • Mount Tom Citizen’s Advisory Committee • Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Summit Land Use Task Force shall meet as needed, and shall have the following purposes: • To advocate for the protection of the unique attributes of the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges; • To improve and coordinate zoning and land use regulation in the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges to achieve community goals; • To assist communities and agencies in efforts to protect the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges; • To educate the general public in regard to issues, threats and opportunities facing the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges.

201 IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that, for purposes of this agreement, the “Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges” shall generally be defined as the undeveloped area including and immediately surrounding the mountains in the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges, however it is anticipated that each participating community will further refine that definition, using its own criteria, in any local bylaws or regulations that are adopted by said municipality to help protect the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges.

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that this Memorandum is not intended to alter or affect existing uses of the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges,

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley, the Cities of Easthampton and Holyoke, and other signatories agree to protect the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges as follows:

Section 1. Role of the Communities The Towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley and the Cities of Easthampton and Holyoke shall have the following roles:

a. To designate two community representatives to serve on the Summit Land Use Task Force, who are interested in planning and land protection issues related to the ranges, one representative to be

b. designated by the Board of Selectmen or Mayor, and one representative to be designated by the Planning Board; c. To consider the adoption of land use regulations or bylaws designed to protect the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges and their natural attributes, and to control negative impacts of development, based on model bylaws suggested by the Summit Land Use Task Force. Any municipal zoning or other bylaws must be approved by Town Meeting or City Council, in accordance with the state Zoning Act or other applicable state laws.

c. Where the community determines it is feasible and appropriate, to apply for federal or state grant funds or use community funds to protect or acquire important Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges lands of conservation interest.

Section 2. Role of the Mass. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs The Mass. Executive Office on Environmental Affairs shall have the following role:

a. For all proposed state-funded, or state-permitted or state agency actions which are subject to review under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, to ensure that projects affecting the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges receive thorough environmental review consistent with the requirements and limitations of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act in order to mitigate impacts on the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges’ outstanding qualities;

b. To provide support and assistance, as available, for community efforts to develop and adopt land use regulations or bylaws designed to protect the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges and to control negative impacts of development;

c. To encourage all agencies under its jurisdiction to provide communities and organizations signatory to this agreement with information on programs or grants for open space preservation and farmland preservation.

202 Section 3. Role of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission shall have the following role:

a. To assist the municipalities in meeting their responsibilities under this Memorandum, including seeking grant resources to provide local technical assistance for land use regulations or bylaws designed to protect the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges.

Section 4. Role of Non-governmental Organizations and Other Groups The Kestrel Trust, the Pascommuck Conservation Trust, Valley Land Fund, Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range, Trustees of Reservations, Mount Holyoke Range Advisory Committee, Mount Tom Citizen’s Advisory Committee and Massachusetts Audubon Society and all other signatories shall have the following roles: a. To provide information and expertise in order to assist landowners along the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges who may desire to make a voluntary donation of a conservation restriction on mountain lands; b. To develop and implement long-term plans for their properties within the Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke Ranges which accord the greatest possible protection to scenic and natural resources; c. To assist the participating communities in identifying, developing and securing private and public grants, gifts and other funding sources for land and water conservation projects within the communities.

Section 5. Amendments This Memorandum may be amended at any time with the approval of all signatories. Any signatory to this Memorandum may rescind their participation through a majority vote of the signatory’s governing body.

Section 6. Effective Date/Authorization This Memorandum will become effective for signatories when it is signed by two or more participating parties. Action taken on 1/29/03.

ARTICLE 4. Petition - Resolution Opposing a Preemptive Military Attack on Iraq (G. Weiss et al.) VOTED that the Town adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, no credible connection has been demonstrated between the government of Iraq and the events of September 11, 2001; and,

WHEREAS, the Administration has failed to present conclusive evidence that Iraq represents a clear and present danger to our national security, even in secret session with the congressional leadership; and.

WHEREAS, the government of Iraq’s use of chemical and biological weapons during the 1980’s was enabled, facilitated, and tolerated without comment or sanction by the government of the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the Administration has been unable to present any credible evidence regarding the possession by the government of Iraq of any weapons forbidden by United Nations resolutions; and,

203 WHEREAS, the Administration’s post-Iraq War plans to make Iraq’s oil resources available to private energy companies is both morally and politically repugnant; and,

WHEREAS, a preemptive strike by the U.S. violates our commitments under the U.N. Charter, goes against established international law, sets a dangerous precedent for the world community, and further isolates the U.S. from the rest of the world; and,

WHEREAS, a U.S. led war in Iraq could cost the U.S. upwards of 100 billion dollars from our economy, enough money to provide health care to all uninsured children in the U.S. for 5 years, and require years of national building activities subsequent to a military invasion; and,

WHEREAS, the estimated cost of such a war and occupation would cost Massachusetts taxpayers $2.5 billion and Amherst taxpayers nearly $14 million; and,

WHEREAS, a United States war against Iraq threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East Region, possibly resulting in regional war; and,

WHEREAS, international diplomatic efforts should be the preferred means to resolve international conflicts; and,

WHEREAS, war should be a last resort; and,

WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution requires that Congress must debate and vote on whether to declare war on Iraq; and,

WHEREAS, the citizens of Amherst and its local elected officials have the constitutional right to petition the national government on this matter of grave concern to our community as part of the national and international debate now underway; and,

WHEREAS, an invasion of Iraq will put in harm’s way over 100,000 U.S. soldiers, a disproportionate number of them will be racial and ethnic minorities from our country’s most economically deprived areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Amherst hereby expresses our opposition to the United States’ continued and threatened violation of United Nations Charter and international law by unilateral or preemptive military action against the nation of Iraq; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we request that our Congressional delegates to Washington submit legislation to prohibit the use of federal funds for further troops and weapons buildups in the Mideast; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. aggressively promote international efforts to stem further arms sales to countries in the Middle East; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we affirm the articles of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law on the peaceful resolution of disputes; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we hereby urge the President and our representatives in Congress to actively support United Nations’ diplomatic efforts to support and encourage democracy and respect for human rights in Iraq and all nations; and,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to our congressional delegation, to the President of the United States, the Secretary General of the United Nations and to all members of the U.N. Security Council. Action taken on 1/29/03. The final text of Article 4 reflects an amendment that was brought forth by the petitioners, G. Weiss et al.

204 A quorum count was requested by Town Meeting Member, P. Drummond, at 9:28 p.m.. A count was taken and 121 Town Meeting Members were present and the discussion of Article 4 resumed.

The business of the warrant having been completed, the meeting voted to dissolve at 9:59 p.m. on January 29, 2003. 154 town meeting members were checked in.

Attest:

Anna M. Maciaszek Assistant Town Clerk

205

*** TOWN ELECTION APRIL 3, 2003

In accordance with the Warrant, the Polls were opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m. The voters cast their ballots in their respective precincts. The results were as follows:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL MODERATOR - one year (1) HARRISON L GREGG 225 428 172 324 243 446 219 777 326 4 3164 All Others 11 2 3 10 2 7 6 6 3 2 52 Blanks 109 248 55 170 120 222 127 433 135 2 1621 TOTAL 345 678 230 504 365 675 352 1216 464 8 4837

SELECT BOARD - three years (1) ANNE S AWAD 235 400 128 319 224 323 161 482 288 3 2563 PAUL G BOBROWSKI 78 223 77 128 107 279 148 585 142 0 1767 All Others 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 4 13 Blanks 29 55 25 56 34 72 42 147 33 1 494 TOTAL 345 678 230 504 365 675 352 1216 464 8 4837

SCHOOL COMMITTEE - three years (2) VLADIMIR MORALES 187 317 119 236 205 379 187 545 262 3 2440 ELAINE L BRIGHTY 186 392 147 289 213 431 198 714 303 2 2875 All Others 5 5 5 10 0 5 4 10 6 2 52 Blanks 312 642 189 473 312 535 315 1163 357 9 4307 TOTAL 690 1356 460 1008 730 1350 704 2432 928 16 9674

ELECTOR, OLIVER SMITH - one year (1) DAVID FARNHAM 174 361 133 279 206 397 185 628 295 3 2661 All Others 5 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 1 2 12 Blanks 166 317 97 223 159 277 167 587 168 3 2164 TOTAL 345 678 230 504 365 675 352 1216 464 8 4837

JONES LIBRARY TRUSTEE - three years (2) - per recount MERRYLEES TURNER 130 191 86 193 153 234 106 360 153 2 1608 ANN H GROSE 122 299 109 240 156 332 201 572 239 3 2273 ARTHUR P MANGE 100 231 97 160 99 242 88 372 217 1 1607 All Others 1 0 0 3 2 2 1 2 1 2 14 Blanks 337 635 168 406 320 540 300 1126 318 8 4158 TOTAL 690 1356 460 1002 730 1350 696 2432 928 16 9660

REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - five years (1) CARL W SEPPALA 188 394 149 301 218 445 203 707 309 3 2917 All Others 4 0 1 4 1 1 5 5 1 1 23 Blanks 153 284 80 199 146 229 144 504 154 4 1897 TOTAL 345 678 230 504 365 675 352 1216 464 8 4837

HAMPSHIRE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS COUNCILOR - two years (2) H. OLDHAM BROOKS 174 306 131 237 203 376 169 575 242 3 2416 *Michael R. McMahon 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 All Others 8 4 1 7 2 4 3 5 3 0 37 Blanks 508 1046 328 763 525 970 532 1852 683 11 7218 TOTAL 690 1356 460 1008 730 1350 704 2432 928 16 9674 206 BALLOT QUESTION - per recount YES 105 327 111 199 153 407 166 718 212 2 2400 NO 236 348 117 300 209 268 187 493 250 6 2414 All Others 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blanks 4 3 2 2 3 0 0 5 2 0 21 TOTAL 345 678 230 501 365 675 353 1216 464 8 4835

TOWN MEETING MEMBERS Prec. 1, three years (8) Peter W. Jessop 168 Jolene K. Hart 135 * Joseph H. Ames 109 William Lyons Witten 158 Robert F. Winne 130 * Edward T. Mann 91 Nancy E. Deprosse 143 Nonny Burack 121 Mary Jane Laus 143 Howard Sonoda 121

Prec. 1, one year (2) David Robson Gillham 118 * Josuha J. Rathbun 52 Nathaniel A. Whitmal, III 62 * Peter R. Palmgren 49

Prec. 2, three years (8) Issac BenEzra 308 Peter J. Shea 257 * Christopher B. Pile 211 Kristin T. O’Connell 284 Charlie M. Wang 256 * Gloria T. DiFulvio 179 Mary Matthews 277 Rene Theberge 224 Michael Joseph Waskiewicz 258 Caroline G. Arnold 222

Prec. 3, three years, (8) Catherine C. Porter 137 Steven A. Dunn 118 Dorwenda A. Bynum-Lewis 102 Irving P. Rothberg 128 Thomas Paul Flittie 114 Anthony M. Pascoe 93 Louis Anthony Roberts 123 Kevin C. Gale 110

Prec. 4, three years (8) Carol M. Johnson 192 Benson A. Bowditch 140 * Christine A. Kline 111 Timothy A. Neale 180 Jonathan P. Nelms 133 * Richard F. McGinn, Jr. 91 Ruth E. Backes 178 Alan W. Powell 129 * John J. Michaels 89 Leslie H. Brown 170 + Patrick E. Brock 121 * Cory Brett Rosenberg 83 Jon K. Rosenthal 151 * Amy B. Armenia 116 * Sarah C. Dabney 75

(Ruth E. Backes resigned; Patrick E. Brock filled the Chapter 117 seat left empty by Ruth E. Backes.)

Prec. 5, three years (8) Calvin L. Brower 192 Franklin E. Wells 179 @ Tong Shen 3 Rebecca Fisher 188 Leo C. Maley, III 177 @ Xiaoping Teng 3 James Burgess Oldham 185 @ Hisham F. Nakshbendi 26

Prec. 5, two years (1) Nathanael K. Miksis 189

Prec. 5, one year (1) Vernon D. Turner 204

Prec. 6, three years (8) Renata S. Pienkawa 357 Lee P. Gianetti 317 @ Lisa Kleinholz 3 Heyda M. Martinez 336 @ Mary Louise Rives 20 @ Douglas Wesley Slaughter 3 Miriam M. Dayton 335 @ Ruth V. Hazzard 13

207

Prec. 7, three years (8) Jane W. Price 163 Arthur S. Keene 152 @ Nancy E. DiMattio 17 Janet W. Chevan 157 Albert Chevan 150 @ Kelly Erwin 4 Douglas E. Lowing 153 Irene Dzioba 138

Prec. 7, one year (2) Adrienne M. Terrizzi 170 *Maura E. Keene 91 Manuel Frau-Ramos 129 *Martin F. Jones 41

Prec. 8, three years (8) Stephen P. Puffer, Jr 514 Martha Spiegelman 359 * Frank M. Gatti 303 Gerald S. Weiss 394 Ruth F. Hooke 348 * Richard E. Mudgett 243 Jenifer E. McKenna 388 Helen L. Mottla 337 * James A. Triplett 182 Mary Streeter 385 * John H. Dittfach 336 * Robert E. Erwin 163 Jean K. Tucker 367 * Richard B. Morse 311 * David O. Stowell 148

Prec. 8, two years (2) Pamela Crotty 364 Eleanor R. Manire-Gatti 219 Carol A. Lee 319 Henry D. Copeland 159

Prec. 9, three years (8) Irene Starr 262 Clifford L. Wilkinson 217 Elizabeth A. Hyman 202 Peter Vikery 257 Emily G. Lewis 210 Robie Hubley 194 Joseph D. Bodin 222 Mangala Jagadeesh 202 * Kerry David Strayer 193

Prec. 10, three years (8) There were no candidates on the ballot and no candidates were written-in. Prec. 10, two years (5) There were no candidates on the ballot and no candidates were written-in.

Prec. 10, one year (8) There were no candidates on the ballot and no candidates were written-in.

* Defeated # Tie @ Write-in + Chapter 117

Precinct Ballots Cast Number Registered PM Return Time % Turnout 1 345 1665 9:32 20.7% 2 678 1795 9:48 37.8% 3 230 853 9:05 27.0% 4 504 1633 10:05 30.9% 5 365 1398 9:35 26.1% 6 675 2020 10:15 33.4% 7 352 1685 9:40 20.9% 8 1216 2425 9:28 50.1%

208 9 464 1604 9:15 28.9% 10 8 620 9:07 1.3%

The public announcement was made at 10:45 p.m. on April 1, 2003. 4,837 ballots were cast, representing 30.8% of the 15,698 voters registered.

Attest:

Margaret Z. Nartowicz Town Clerk

*** TOWN WARRANT Annual Town Meeting April 28, 30, May 5, June 2, 9 and 11 2003

The meeting was televised by Amherst Community Television and shown on the Government Channel.

The 244th Annual Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Harrison Gregg at 7:43 p.m. There were 232 town meeting members. 117 checked in and a quorum was declared. The call and return of the warrant was read by Acting Town Clerk, Anna M. Maciaszek. The Moderator was sworn to the faithful performance of his duties. Town meeting members were sworn to the faithful performance of their duties. Articles 1, 2, 3, and 6 were considered on April 28th. Consideration of Articles 4 and 5 was postponed until after discussion of Article 36. Frederick Hartwell, Hilda Greenbaum, Nonny Burack, James Pistrang, James Scott and H. Oldham Brooks were sworn as tellers.

ARTICLE 1. Reports of Boards and Committees (Select Board) VOTED that the Town hear only those reports of Town officers, the Finance Committee, Kanegasaki Sister City Committee, La Paz Centro Sister City Committee and any other Town boards or committees which are not available in written form. Action taken on 4/28/2003.

ARTICLE 2. Zoning Map – Common Land Protection (Planning Board) VOTED by a declared 2/3 vote that the Town amend Sections 4.350 and 4.351 of the Zoning Bylaw by deleting the lined out language and adding the language in bold italics, as follows:

4.350 Except in the WP, ARP and FC districts, Aall common land hereunder shall either (1) be conveyed to the Town of Amherst and be accepted by it for park or open space use, or (2) be conveyed to a non-profit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space, (3) be conveyed to a corporation or trust owned or to be owned by the owners of the lots or residential units within the development, or (4) be conveyed to a private, non-profit or public entity for the purposes of farming, with a restriction enforceable by the Town of Amherst being recorded which provides that such land shall either be actively farmed or kept in an open and natural state, If such a corporation or trust is utilized, as indicated herein, ownership thereof shall pass with conveyances of the lots or residential units. Under the second and third ownership alternatives listed above, a restriction enforceable by the Town of Amherst shall be recorded providing that such land shall be kept in an open or natural state and not be built upon for residential use or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway.

209 restriction recorded on the deed preserved as open space. Said Common Land shall be kept in an open or natural state, or as active farmland, and shall be used and managed so as to protect public water supplies (in the WP and ARP districts) and/or to preserve farmland and related accessory resource-based land uses (in the FC District, and in the WP or ARP districts where appropriate). Common Land shall not be built upon for residential use or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway.

ARTICLE 3. Zoning Bylaw - Professional Research Park District (Planning Board) DEFEATED [that the Town amend Section 3.359 of the Use Chart (Section 3.3) of the Zoning Bylaw, by deleting the lined out language and adding the language in bold italics, as follows:

3.359 Technical or professional office such as architect, engineer, lawyer, financial services, or similar office providing services to clients in person on the premises predominantly by appointment or, administrative business office or similar Business or professional office not providing services to the general public in person on the premises.

R-0 R-LD R-N R-VC R-G R-F B-G B-L B-VC COM OP LI PRP FPC

N N SP N N SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR SPR N (SP)

Standards & Conditions

In the R-VC District, the Zoning Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit for an technical or professional office for professional or office uses not dealing directly with that provides services by appointment to clients in person on the premises, or, for an administrative business office or similar office that does not provide services to the general public in person on the premises. The Zoning Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit providing it finds that, in addition to meeting the provisions of Article 7 and Section 10.38, the proposed office use meets the following conditions:

210 6. Is located on the ground floor only, and occupies no more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the structure, exclusive of storage space.

7. Shall be allowed only as a second Principal use, where the first Principal use is a residential use consisting of one dwelling unit.

8. Shares a property line with or is adjacent to another property with a similar use permitted under this section or a property in the B-L, B-VC or COM districts.

9. Employs no more than 5 persons who work on-site.

10. Where located in an existing building, the residential character of the structure and site shall be maintained.] Action taken on 4/28/2003.

ARTICLE 4. Affordable Housing Restriction (Select Board and Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee) VOTED unanimously that the Town accept a permanent Affordable Housing Restriction, in accordance with Chapter 184, section 31, of the Massachusetts General Laws, requiring the construction of two (2) units of affordable housing on each of Lots 1 and 7 as shown on a plan entitled “Preliminary Subdivision Plan, Plan of Land in Amherst, Massachusetts, Prepared for ALANDEV, LLC,” which are lots situated on the southerly side of Old Belchertown Road and which comprise portions of Parcels 4 and 7 on Assessors’ Map 21B. Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 5. Petition - Zoning Map - Old Belchertown Road – PRP to R-O (Zahradnik, Palley, Schaffer Bacon) VOTED by a declared 2/3rds vote that the Town amend the Official Zoning Map by rezoning Map 21B/Parcels 4 and 7 and a portion of Parcel 18, from Professional Research Park (PRP) to Outlying residence (R-O). Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 6. Petition – Special Act – Resident Aliens (V. Morales) VOTED YES 142, NO 20 that the town authorize the Select Board to file with the legislature a request for a special act entitled, An Act authorizing local voting rights for permanent resident aliens residing in Amherst, as follows: Section 1. Notwithstanding the provision of section one of chapter fifty-one of the General Laws, or any other general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, resident aliens eighteen years of age or older who reside in Amherst may, upon application, have their names entered on a list of voters established by the town clerk for the town of Amherst and may thereafter vote in any election for local offices and local ballot questions. Section 2. The Select Board of Amherst is authorized to formulate regulations and guidelines to implement the purpose of this act. Section 3. Nothing in this act shall be construed to confer upon permanent resident aliens the right to vote for any state or federal office or any state or federal ballot question.” Action take on 4/28/2003.

10:05 p.m., April 28, 2003 - The meeting voted to adjourn to Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 188 town meeting members were checked in. *** The Wednesday, April 30, 2003 session, adjourned from April 28, 2003, was called to order by the moderator at 7:38 p.m. 117 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Articles

211 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 15 were considered. Consideration of Articles 10 and 11was postponed until 7:30 p.m. on May 5, 2003. Deanne Sloan Riddle was sworn as teller. Town Meeting began with Peter Vickery making a motion to reconsider Article 3. The motion for reconsideration was DEFEATED YES 66, NO 100.

ARTICLE 7. Petition – Conservation Land – Wentworth Farm (V. Morales) DEFEATED YES 100, NO 75 [that the Town vote the following: Whereas, 25-30 acres of land bounded by Belchertown Road, Old Farms Road, and land of the Conservation Commission abutting the Fort River and composed of Parcel 46 and portions of Parcels 17 and 18 of Map 18A of the Town Cadastre have been owned by the town and managed by the Conservation Commission since 1983; and, Whereas, according to state law and a 1998 Division of Conservation Services policy neither town land nor land that has been used or managed as conservation land may be donated as compensation for town conservation land whose purchase has been assisted by state funds if such land is proposed to be withdraw from conservation use; and, Whereas, there is no parcel of town conservation land or combination of parcels of town conservation land north of the town center that would be suitable for an elementary school site; and, Whereas, town conservation land may not be used for a school site or any other purpose unless there is no suitable private land available, notwithstanding price or other factors; and, Whereas, there are private sites north of the town center and elsewhere in town that are available and suitable for an elementary school site; and, Whereas, because of wetlands and vernal pools, this 25 – 30 acre parcel has only 3 plus buildable acres – which buildable acreage may be itself compromised by being a functional part of the habitat of an endangered species; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Amherst Representative Town Meeting vote to transfer this 25 – 30 acres of land bounded by Belchertown Road, Old Farms Road, and land of the Conservation Commission abutting the Fort River and composed of Parcel 46 and portions of Parcels 17 and 18 of Map 18A of the Town Cadastre which are now informally managed for the town by the Conservation Commission, from the care and custody of the Select Board to the formal management and control of the Conservation Commission under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8C.”] Action taken on 4/30/2003.

ARTICLE 8. Petition – Town Meeting Improvements Committee (A. Root) VOTED that the town authorize the Moderator to appoint a Town Meeting Improvements Committee consisting of 9 registered voters, at least 5 of whom shall be elected Town Meeting Members from different precincts of the town, to recommend to the Fall 2003 Town Meeting such additions and/or changes in by-laws and other governing acts, rules and regulations so as to improve Town Meeting. Action taken on 4/30/2003.

ARTICLE 9. Petition – Resolution - Genetically Engineered Food (A. Dunbar) VOTED TO DISMISS [“To see if the town of Amherst will vote to adopt the following resolution to protect our farms, our food and the environment: Whereas, genetically engineered foods have been shown to cause long-term damage to the environment, the integrity of rural and family farm economics, and can have serious impacts on human health; and, Whereas, GE crops, which are stringently regulated in over 30 countries, have been found to contaminate their crops through cross-pollination; and, Whereas, studies have implicated GE crops as a risk to human health, including allergic reactions, stomach lesions and cancer; Now, be it resolved that the Town of Amherst calls upon our Federal Legislators to support the mandatory labeling of all genetically engineered food and seeds, as well as a Massachusetts moratorium on the further growing of GE crops until there is credible and independent scientific evidence that these products are not harmful to our health, the environment, and the integrity of organic crops; And further be it resolved that the Clerk send copies of this resolution to the elected representatives for this town, including the Massachusetts State Legislators, the Governor, and the Commissioner of the Department of Food and Agriculture.”] Action taken on 4/30/2003.

ARTICLE 10. Petition – Council on Youth (E. Morales) VOTED that the Town establish a Council on Youth to study questions concerning youth and to recommend and support initiatives that address resolving those issues that contribute to putting youth at risk. It would be appointed by town manager and local citizens would be allowed to join through

212 submitting specific written requests made to the council. The council should consist of a minimum of 12 persons. This "Council on Youth" would be made up of at least, one third youth ages 15-20. They could nominate themselves or be nominated by school personnel. The terms of membership would be at least one year to maintain consistency and go to 3-5 years to allow for new membership. Qualifications: representatives from local agencies that are concerned with youth issues; school representation; representative from a university/college group concerned with youth issues; local community members interested in supporting youth; youth interested in taking a leadership role in the community. Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 11. Petition – Committee for a Teen Center – Skate Park Complex (E. Morales) VOTED YES 90, NO 73 to refer the article to Leisure Services and Supplemental Education Comission. [“We request that a Task Force/Committee For a Teen Center–Skate Park Complex be established to do the following: A. Develop an Action Plan of all the elements needed in order to build or dedicate a site to a Teen Center-Skate Park Complex for the youth of Amherst. B. Set a timeline for each element to be resolved so that the final product is the establishment of such a youth-friendly complex. This includes: 1) Explore all viable and available, now or in the near future, town owned land or property, centrally located and on a bus line, that could be used for this purpose: for ex.- the Kendrick Park site that has been deeded to the town; the L-shaped piece of land adjacent to the War Memorial Pool leading down to Triangle Street; 2) explore the acquisition or leasing of property from Amherst College or the University of Massachusetts that may be available now or in the near future. 3) Develop a funding strategy and design architecturally sound, working with qualified individuals. The results of the actions listed above will be presented as needed to the Town of Amherst Select Board and any other relevant town department or agency for advice or approval. In other words, the best make-up of this task force would be youth (skate-boarders and others), representatives from relevant youth-concerned departments in the town or schools, local adult allies for youth, a legal consultant, an architect familiar with the construction and design of skate parks. This task force would be volunteer and by appointment of the town manager, and could provide internship and community service learning credit for students.”] Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 12. Simmons Property Conservation Restriction (Conservation Commission) VOTED unanimously (declared 2/3 vote) that the Town (a.) rescind the vote taken on Motion D under Article 8 of the Special Town Meeting of October 28, 2002. And,

(b.) that the Town 1) authorize the Select Board to purchase a parcel of land containing 12 acres, more or less, designated as Parcel 23B-60 of the Town Cadastre, located west of Middle Street, from John and Adele S. Simmons for conservation and passive recreation purposes in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 8C, 2) appropriate $195,000 for such purchase, 3) transfer $60,000 from the Community Preservation Fund and authorize the Select Board to accept a Self Help or other grant in the amount of $135,000 in accordance with Chapter 132A, Section 11, and 4) authorize the Select Board to convey a conservation restriction in accordance with Chapter 184 to the Kestrel Trust. Action taken on 4/30/2003.

ARTICLE 13. Bylaw Amendment – Human Rights Bylaw (Human Rights Commission) VOTED that the Town amend the Human Rights Bylaw to increase the number of members from seven to nine. Action taken on 4/30/2003.

ARTICLE 14. Sidewalk Easement – Amherst Housing Authority (Select Board) VOTED UNANIMOUSLY that the Town authorize the Select Board to acquire at no cost from the Amherst Housing Authority an easement approximately 1,500 square feet in area for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a new public sidewalk and associated utilities and landscaping along the west boundary of the Ann Whalen Apartments property at 33 Kellogg Avenue, which comprises a portion of Parcel 65 on Assessors’ Map 14A. Action taken on 4/30/2003.

ARTICLE 15. Street Acceptances – Farview Way and Valley Lane (Select Board)

213 VOTED unanimously that the Town establish as Town ways and accept the layout as Town ways, Farview Way and Valley Lane, or any portion thereof, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen on or before April 28, 2003, bound and as described below, and to authorize said Board to take by eminent domain, purchase, or otherwise acquire any fee, easement or other interest in land necessary therefore, no appropriation being required.

FARVIEW WAY: a strip of land 40 feet in width running northerly from Farview Way (a 1952 Town Way) a distance of 210 feet to an unopened roadway easement, being a portion of a street shown on a plan recorded in Plan Book 35 Page 1 in the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.

VALLEY LANE: a strip of land 40 feet in width running westerly from Valley Lane (a 1952 Town Way) a distance of 92 feet, more or less, to Valley Lane (a 1982 Town Way), being a portion of a street shown on a plan recorded in Plan Book 35 Page 1 in the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds. Action taken on 4/30/2003.

10:02 p.m., April 30, 2003 - The meeting voted to adjourn to Monday May 5, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 183 town meeting members were checked in. * * *

The Monday, May 5, 2003 session, adjourned from April 30, 2003, was called to order by the moderator at 7:46 p.m. 117 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Articles 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 were considered. Seymour Friedman was sworn as a teller.

ARTICLE 16. Landfill Closing (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town appropriate $2,200,000 to close and cap cell 3 of the Amherst Sanitary Landfill and to meet such appropriation transfer $2,200,000 from Solid Waste Fund Surplus. Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 17. Bio-Stabilization Process for Cell 3 (Select Board) VOTED unanimously to DISMISS [To see if the Town will appropriate $800,000 for the installation of a bio- stabilization process in cell 3 of the Amherst Sanitary Landfill and determine whether such appropriation shall be met by the transfer of available funds, by borrowing, or otherwise and further authorize the application for and acceptance of any gifts, bequests, or grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or otherwise and further authorize the Treasurer to borrow in anticipation of reimbursement for said grants.] Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 18. Comprehensive Site Assessment for Old Landfill (Select Board) VOTED that the Town appropriate $50,000 to conduct a Comprehensive Site Assessment study at the old sanitary landfill on Old Belchertown Road and to meet such appropriation transfer $50,000 from Solid Waste Fund Surplus. Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 19. Sewer Easement – Chapel Road Sewer (Select Board) VOTED that the Town acquire by purchase, gift or eminent domain for construction of a wastewater pumping station, highway, drainage and general utility purposes, a triangular shaped parcel of land bounded northerly by South East Street a distance of more or less 100 feet, southerly by land now or formerly owned by Haneef and Nazrin Sanabdeen a distance of more or less 90 feet and northerly by Mechanic Street a distance of more or less 110 feet. Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 20. Cushman School Transfer (Select Board and School Committee) Voted by a declared 2/3 vote that the Town authorize the transfer of the care, custody and control of a certain parcel of land situated on the westerly side of Henry Street, being Parcel 94 on Assessors’ Map 6A, containing approximately two acres of land, more or less, with a building thereon known as the

214 Cushman School, from the School Committee to the Select Board for the purpose of conveyance or lease of the Cushman School building and either conveyance or lease of a portion of the parcel of land, referred to above, upon which the Cushman School building is situated. Action taken on 5/5/2003.

ARTICLE 21. Cushman School Conveyance (Select Board) VOTED that the Town authorize the Select Board: 1) to convey the building known as the Cushman School, which is situated on a certain parcel of land on the westerly side of Henry Street, being Parcel 94 on Assessors’ Map 6A, 2) to lease a portion of the above-referenced parcel, which portion shall contain one acre, more or less, and 3) to enter into a lease agreement of 99 years on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems reasonable and appropriate. Action taken on 5/5/2003.

10:04 p.m., May 5, 2003 - The meeting voted to adjourn to Monday, June 2, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 171 town meeting members were checked in. * * * The Monday, June 2, 2003 session, adjourned from May 5, 2003, was called to order by the moderator at 7:43 p.m. 115 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Articles 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, and 30 were considered. Consideration of Articles 26 and 27 was postponed until after discussion of Article 30. Article 26 (Debt Service, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Golf Course Fund, and Transportation Fund) was considered.

ARTICLE 22. Transfer of Funds – Unpaid Bills (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $3,192 to pay unpaid bills of previous years. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

ARTICLE 23. Authorization for Compensating Balance Accounts (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town accept the provisions of Chapter 44, section 53F of the Massachusetts General Laws, which authorize the Treasurer to enter into written agreements with banking institutions pursuant to which the Treasurer agrees to maintain funds on deposit in exchange for banking services. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

ARTICLE 24. Optional Tax Exemptions (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town authorize a maximum additional exemption of 100 percent, subject to other statutory limitations, for taxpayers qualifying for exemption in accordance with Chapter 59, Secton 5, Clauses 17D, 22, 37A, and 41C. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

ARTICLE 25. Retirement Assessment (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $2,080,289 for the Hampshire Regional Retirement System assessment. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

ARTICLE 26. FY 2004 Operating Budget (Finance Committee) VOTED that the Town adopt a comprehensive operating budget for the ensuing year and raise and appropriate money therefore.

DEBT SERVICE VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $1,955,399 for payment of the Town’s General Fund indebtedness. Action taken on 6/2/2003

215 WATER FUND VOTED that the Town appropriate $3,248,056 for the Water Fund and that to meet such appropriation $3,248,056 be made available from Water Fund revenues of the current year. Action taken on 6/2/2003

SEWER FUND VOTED unanimously that the Town appropriate $2,728,348 for the Sewer Fund and that to meet such appropriation $2,728,348 be made available from Sewer Fund revenues of the current year. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

SOLID WASTE FUND VOTED unanimously that the Town appropriate $482,619 for the Solid Waste Fund and that to meet such appropriation $120,735 be raised by taxation and $361,884 be made available from Solid Waste Fund revenues of the current year. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

GOLF COURSE FUND VOTED that the Town appropriate $349,508 for the Golf Course Fund and that to meet such appropriation $82,201 be raised by taxation and $267,307 be made available from Golf Course revenues of the current year. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

TRANSPORTION FUND VOTED that the Town appropriate $588,527 for the Transportation Fund and that to meet such appropriation $532,000 be made available from Transportation Fund revenues of the current year and that $56,527 be transferred from Transportation Fund surplus. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

* * *

The Monday, June 9, 2003 session, adjourned from June 2, 2003, was called to order by the moderator at 7:40 p.m. 115 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Article 26 (General Government, Public Safety, Public Works, Planning/Conservation/Inspections, Community Services, and Library Services) were considered. Peter Shea was sworn as teller.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT VOTED that the Town appropriate $4,066,095 for General Government, that the salary of the Moderator be fixed at $100, that of the Select Board at $300 each, that of the Elector under the Oliver Smith Will at $20, and that to meet such appropriation $4,034,095 be raised by taxation and $32,000 be transferred from the Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account. Action taken on 6/9/2003

PUBLIC SAFETY VOTED that the Town appropriate $7,179,309 for Public Safety and that to meet such appropriation $6,179,309 be raised by taxation and $1,000,000 be transferred from the Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account. Action taken on 6/9/2003.

PUBLIC WORKS VOTED that the Town raise and appropriate $1,654,697 for Public Works. Action taken on 6/9/2003.

PLANNING/CONSERVATION/INSPECTIONS

216 VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $786,380 for Planning/Conservation/Inpsections. Action taken on 6/9/2003.

COMMUNITY SERVICES VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $1,205,764 for Community Services. Action taken on 6/9/2003.

LIBRARY SERVICES VOTED that the Town approve the Library Services operating budget of $1,777,718 and that the Town raise and appropriate $1,220,654 as its share of that budget. Action taken on 6/9/2003.

10:11 p.m., June 9, 2003 - The meeting voted to adjourn to Wednesday, June 11, 2003 at 7:35 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 161 town meeting members were checked in.

* * * The Wednesday, June 11, 2003 session, adjourned from June 9, 2003, was called to order by the moderator at 8:23 p.m. 116 town meeting members checked in and a quorum was declared. Article 26 (Elementary Schools and Regional Schools), 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 4 and 5 were considered.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $16,470,636 for the Amherst Elementary Schools. Action taken on 6/11/2003

REGIONAL SCHOOLS VOTED that the Town approve the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District operating and capital budget of $22,220,587 and that the Town raise and appropriate $8,707,273 as its proportionate share of that budget. Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 27. Reserve Fund (Finance Committee) VOTED that the Town raise and appropriate $85,000 for the Reserve Fund for FY 2004. Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 28. Special Services - Amherst Community Television (Select Board) VOTED that the Town raise and appropriate $4,000 for Amherst Community Television and related expenses. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

ARTICLE 29. Special Services - Human Services (Select Board and Human Services Funding Committee) VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $151,995 for the following human services:

Amherst Survival Center Casa Latina Outreach Program Family Outreach of Amherst Domestic Violence Response Project Big Brothers/Big Sisters Family Outreach of Amherst Not Bread Alone Center for New Americans Children’s Aid and Family Services

217 HomeSharing Everywoman’s Center Amherst Family Center First Call For Help Men’s Resource Center Safe Passages Service Net/Interfaith Cot Program YWCA/Youth Outreach Program School-Age Tuition Assistance Fund Action taken on 6/2/2003.

ARTICLE 30. Special Services - Congregate Housing (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate $5,000 for the development and coordination of support services for tenants of congregate housing and related housing units, said program to be fully reimbursed by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Action taken on 6/2/2003.

9:11 p.m., June 2, 2003 - The meeting voted to adjourn to Monday, June 9, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 170 town meeting members were checked in. * * *

ARTICLE 31. Special Services – Transportation Subsidies (Select Board and the Public Transport. Committee) VOTED that the Town endorse subsidized public transit service to the Amity Street/University Drive, Village Park, Echo Hill, Cushman, Orchard Valley and Elf Hill areas of the Town, year-round weekend service on the South Amherst/North Amherst/Belchertown Road routes, elderly and disabled special transportation services, and approve the levying of an assessment by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the Town's proportionate share of the cost of such services. Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 32. Capital Program - Chapter 90 (Joint Capital Planning Committee) VOTED that the Town authorize the expenditure of $475,000 of Chapter 90 funds for qualifying purposes and further authorize the Treasurer to borrow in anticipation of reimbursement of these funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Action taken on 6/11/203.

ARTICLE 33. Capital Program – Equipment (Joint Capital Planning Committee) VOTED that the Town appropriate $915,800 to purchase, repair, and/or install new or replacement equipment and to meet such appropriation, raise $601,000 by taxation, transfer $35,800 from Ambulance Receipts Reserved For Appropriation, transfer $211,000 from Article 42 of the FY 03 Annual Town Meeting, and accept $68,000 in grants. Action taken on 06/11/2003.

ARTICLE 34. Capital Program - Buildings and Facilities (Joint Capital Planning Committee) VOTED that the Town appropriate $309,600 to repair and/or improve buildings and facilities and determine whether such appropriation shall be met by taxation, by the transfer of available funds, or otherwise and further to authorize the application for and acceptance of any gifts, bequests, or grants. Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 35. Stabilization Fund (Select Board) VOTED to dismiss [To see if the Town will appropriate and transfer a sum of money to the Stabilization Fund for FY 2004.] Action taken on 06/11/2003.

218 ARTICLE 36. Free Cash (Select Board) VOTED unanimously that the Town appropriate and transfer $3,360,000 from Free Cash in the Undesignated Fund Balance of the General Fund to reduce the tax levy of the 2004 Fiscal Year. Action taken on 06/11/2003.

After consideration of Article 5 and the business of the warrant having been completed, the meeting voted to dissolve at 10:41 p.m. on June 11, 2002. 155 town meeting members were checked in.

Attest:

Anna M. Maciaszek Acting Town Clerk

*** TOWN WARRANT Special Town Meeting June 11, 2003

The meeting was televised by Amherst Community Television and shown on the Government Channel.

The Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Harrison Gregg at 7:44 p.m. There were 229 town meeting members. 116 checked in and a quorum was declared. The call and return of the warrant was read by the Former Town Clerk, Margaret Nartowicz. Articles 1 through 2 were considered on June 11, 2003.

ARTICLE 1. Amend Amherst Pelham Regional School District Agreement (Select Board) VOTED that the Town approve an amendment to the Amherst Pelham Regional School District Agreement reallocating the total amount to be contributed by the member towns to the District for fiscal year 2004, as required under the Agreement, so that each town's contribution, including the statutorily required minimum district contribution, increases by an equal percentage of its contribution for fiscal year 2003, which amendment shall apply to fiscal year 2004 only. Action taken on 6/11/2003.

ARTICLE 2. Overlay Surplus (Select Board) VOTED that the Town transfer $443,101 from Overlay Surplus to balance the fiscal year 03 budget. Action taken on 6/11/2003

The business of the warrant having been completed, the meeting voted to dissolve at 8:22 p.m. on June 11, 2003. 155 town meeting members were checked in.

Attest:

Anna M. Maciaszek Acting Town Clerk

219