South Hadley Begins Implementing $800,000 Community Development Block Grant
Earlier this year, the Town of South Hadley received an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant. Many persons who contributed significant amount of effort to make this application successful are also working to successfully implement the funded activities including:
Members of the Community Development Advisory Committee (Frank DeToma, chair; Doreen Larson, Vice-Chair; Jeff Labrecque; Ed Wall; Connie Clancy; and Linda Young)
Jeff Cyr, Fire District #1 Water Superintendent
Jim Reidy, DPW Superintendent
Yem Lip, Town Engineer
Joanne Trybus, Council on Aging Director
Richard Harris, Town Planner
Jim Mazik, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Deputy Director
Christina Quinby, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Approved Activities
Continuing the Town's 20+ year effort to enhance, and to stimulate revitalization in, the Falls, meet our housing needs, and to meet the needs of our senior citizens, the approved program includes the following activities:
Working with the Fire District #1 Water Department to replace the water line along Canal Street
Installation/rehabilitation of sidewalks along Canal Street and some adjoining streets
Drainage improvements along Canal Street
Rehabilitation of the town-owned duplex on School Street and conveyance to the Housing Authority for uses as affordable housing
Preparation of specifications for replacement of portions of the roof at the Senior Center
Status of Implementation
- Administration. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is administering the grant for the Town. The Selectboard authorized the contract with the PVPC at a November meeting. This contract has been approved by MassDHCD and Town Counsel and signed by the PVPC and the Town. The PVPC has undertaken the Environmental Review process for the project activities.
- Canal Street water line replacement. Under the plan for this project, the CDBG funds are to pay for the materials and the Fire District #1 – Water Department will do the installation. The bid for the materials was awarded by the Selectboard to Water Works.
Fire District #1 – Water Superintendent Jeff Cyr has reported that they have installed a new water line on Canal Street and successfully tapped all of the 5 residential services. The only remaining tie-in is the Connection for the industrial building occupied by Yankee Candle. The have also finished the base coat trench patch applied the top coat to the pipe trench. All laterals will be finish paved by hand due to their size.
Following the paving, the Fire District #1 - Water Department will:
- Installing the last Fire Hydrant on that side of the project.
- Connect the Yankee Candle Fire line.
- Need to install an 8” Ductile Iron Plug into the original tie-in to abandon the old 8” A.C. main entirely.
- Loam and seed the residential trenches outside of the paved areas.
- Sidewalk and drainage improvements. This activity will follow the water line improvements. Hence, it is anticipated to be undertaken during the middle/last half of 2010.
- Design of roof replacement. A committee has been formed to assist the PVPC in selecting a consultant for this project and to advise the consultant as the design work proceeds. The PVPC has drafted the RFP to recruit the architectural consultant. This draft RFP has been sent to the COA Roof Design Advisory Committee members for review at their initial meeting of the COA Roof Design Advisory Committee. The initial committee meeting has been scheduled for December 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Senior Center.
- Rehabilitation of 50-52 School Street. This project is scheduled to begin in the latter part of Spring 2010. The first step is removal of a vast amount of materials which the previous owner stored in the building and on the grounds. Mr. Jim Reidy, DPW Superintendent, agreed to have his personnel undertake the removal of materials in a manner to allow for the rehabilitation work to be undertaken in May.
The DPW crews have done a remarkable job. The vegetation around the building has been dramatically cut down which allows better access for work to the building. On Saturday, November 21st and November 28th, they cleared the first and second floors (except for a little bit of sorted materials (mattresses, cans of paint, etc. which will be removed shortly) and 3/4 of the basement. They plan to remove the “stuff” in the rear yard via the IntelliCoat property abutting and Gaylord Streets during the Spring/Summer months. Unfortunately, funding was not available to cover the cost of this clearance. The PVPC will develop the rehab specifications during the latter part of the winter as the building is cleared.
| 
