AMHERST — A modern Department of Public Works headquarters, with operations spread among multiple sites, and a new fire station in South Amherst at the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course, could both be under construction within the next three years, based on plans unveiled to the Town Council on Nov. 18.

In updating both the potential locations and possible financing plans for the four major town building projects, which also includes a new elementary school and an expanded and renovated Jones Library, Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Finance Director Melissa Zawadzki presented scenarios for completing the four projects at taxpayer costs ranging from $118.9 million to $155.2 million. Those total costs will depend on the level of municipal reserves applied, the length of borrowing and when the projects break ground.

Town officials have long pledged that all four projects would move forward, with construction on the $99 million elementary school likely to begin this fall, after voters passed a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion in May 2023, and work on the Jones Library, with $15.8 million coming from the town for a building pegged at $46 million, possibly starting next spring.

DPW plans

For the DPW’s $35 million project that could break ground in 2026, Bockelman said the plan is to build at the current 586 South Pleasant St. site, where operations since the 1940s have been from a deteriorating 1915 trolley barn.

While the main headquarters and base of operations would remain, the DPW would also use the Ruxton gravel pit off Pulpit Hill Road as an auxiliary site, swing space and “lay down” space for storing equipment and materials used in projects, and possibly satellite space as the project gets underway. The department would also be located at the Atkins water treatment plant off Market Hill Road in the Cushman section of town, and at the trees and grounds building next to the War Memorial Pool on Mattoon Street near the high school.

“We will have multiple smaller locations instead of one larger location,” Bockelman said.

For several years, the town has examined other town-owned parcels and put out requests for proposals, but none have proved to be workable, including a South East Street parcel that would have been provided by Amherst College.

“Many of you have actually said why don’t we just keep it where it is,” Bockelman said.

Bockelman said while staff would prefer to be at one location, using the current site allows a dire need to be addressed.

“The goal initially was one DPW location to accommodate everyone, but that has proved a hurdle too high to clear,” Bockelman said.

South fire station

For the South fire station, which would also feature ambulance service, the cost would be about $30 million, with construction beginning in 2027. The Hickory Ridge site at 191 West Pomeroy Lane is ideal because the town already owns it.

“I’m looking at the path of least resistance, in fact, so having site control is part of that,” Bockelman said.

The location is also easier for ambulances to get to and from Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, avoiding some of Route 9 and more heavily trafficked side roads in Hadley.

The Central fire station would be shut down. That is an aging building where some modern vehicles don’t fit.

Bockelman acknowledged that the plan for both buildings is based on needs rather than wants. “With very tight budgets, we have to recognize what the town can afford,” Bockelman said.

Financial plan

Zawadzki presented the financial plan that could include using $11.67 million set aside in the capital stabilization reserve.

The four options include decreasing the capital allocation and using more reserves; maintaining the capital allocation but using less reserves; delaying the project start dates and using less reserves; and using a high amount of reserves.

Bockelman is asking the Town Council to commit to the locations for the DPW headquarters and new fire station at its Dec. 2 meeting, while approving the financial plan consistent with budget guidelines two weeks later.

There would also be a need to update existing feasibility studies and convene a joint Fire and DPW Building Committee.

Councilors appeared supportive, with some questions around the plans and the financial numbers, such as the need for temporary locations, and whether all potential town costs associated with the Jones Library project have been accounted for.

“I think the decisions you are asking for make sense,” said District 1 Councilor Cathy Schoen.

District 4 Councilor Pam Rooney said the siting decisions come before Hickory Ridge has been determined to be appropriate for affordable housing or another town use.

“It feels a little ironic that we still don’t really have a master plan yet we’re siting a facility there,” Rooney said.

District 4 Councilor Jennifer Taub said the plan means the town could have the four building projects complete by 2030.

Zawadzki confirmed that to be the case.

“That’s the hope, because the longer we put it out, the more costs rise,” Zawadzki said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.