Posted 4/17/09
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Intent to Request the Release of Funds (NOI/RROF)
Town of Amherst, 4 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002
Contact Person: Laurence Shaffer, Environmental Certifying Officer
Telephone: (413) 259-3002
Fax: (413) 259-2413
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS, AND PERSONS:
On or about at least one day after the end of the comment period the Town of Amherst will submit a request to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the release of Housing Development Support Grant (HDSP) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), as amended, to undertake a project known as the North Amherst School Repair Project that will consists of masonry re-pointing, new stoop, ramps, rails, lights, doors and hardware.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is on file at the Community Services Office , 70 Boltwood Walk (Bangs Center), Amherst, MA and may be examined or copied between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Amherst Selectmen’s Office at the above address. All comments received by May 5, 2009 will be considered by the Town of Amherst prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
RELEASE OF FUNDS: The Town of Amherst is certifying to the Commonwealth that Laurence Shaffer, in his capacity as Town Manager, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The Commonwealth’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under the NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Amherst to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS: The Commonwealth will accept objections to its release of fund and the Town of Amherst’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases:
a) The certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Town of Amherst;
b) The Town of Amherst has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58;
c) The grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Commonwealth; or
d) Another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.
Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58.76), and shall be addressed to the Mass. Small Cites Program, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300, Boston MA 02114. Potential objectors should contact DHCD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Signed:
Laurence Shaffer
Environmental Certifying Officer
Town of Amherst
