HUNTINGTON – In June, the Baker-Polito Administration announced Community Development Block Grants, totaling $28 million, will be awarded to a total of 57 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. The Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) program provides competitive funding that allows municipalities to pursue economic development projects, and support the needs of low- and moderate-income residents.
“Our assistance to municipalities is most effective when it provides flexibility to directly support their established goals,” said Governor Charlie Baker in the award announcement. “Community Development Block Grants provide for investment in wide-ranging improvements that will bring long-term, positive impacts in these communities.”
Massachusetts’ Community Development Block Grant Program is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs. Assistance is provided to qualifying cities and towns for housing, community, and economic development projects that assist low and moderate-income residents, or by revitalizing blighted areas.
Locally, it was announced that Huntington, Middlefield and Chester will receive $753,226 for infrastructure improvements to Pleasant Street in Huntington, a senior center feasibility study in Chester, housing rehabilitation assistance for 5 units of housing, and to provide senior services, adult education, a food pantry and domestic violence prevention services. The breakdown of the grant is as follows:
Phase 2 of Pleasant Street Infrastructure Improvement Project in Huntington: $290,600. Phase 1 of the project, which was funded in 2015, is underway and includes water, sewer and drainage improvements on Pleasant Street, and street and sidewalk replacement on Maple Street. Phase 2, next summer, will include final paving of the street, replacement of the sidewalks and replacement of the retaining wall on the corner of Pleasant and Stanton Ave.
Housing Rehabilitation: $132,894. Erica Johnson, senior planner of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) which runs the housing program, estimates that 5 households will receive loans through this program to correct code violations and/or other eligible projects including septic replacement. The grant provides funding for a wide range of work. Common projects include septic replacement, roof replacement, exterior work including the addition of siding, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and repair of porches and exterior steps. Residents interested in applying for the loans may call PVPC at 413-781-6045 and ask for Shirley Stephens for more information.
Chester Senior Center Needs Assessment & Feasibility Study: $52,500. A consultant will be hired to assess the needs of senior center participants in terms of programming and space to determine if modifications to the current space can be made to address these needs. Currently, seniors are meeting in the basement of the Chester Town Hall. If the current location cannot satisfy the needs of the center, other potential locations will be explored based on the needs identified.
Social Service Projects:
Hilltown Social Services Project, 9 Russell Road will receive $65,500. Hilltown Social Services provides case management and support focused on long term partnership plans with clients to assist with specific self-sufficiency goals (obtaining access to health care programs, fuel assistance, emergency food, housing assistance programs, welfare, unemployment, food stamps and other state, federal and local programs). They also operate the Hilltown Family Center, which provides support and education for parents and children birth to kindergarten through play-to-learn groups, a school readiness program, parent, grandparent and other caregiver workshops and support groups. The Health Outreach Program for Elders (HOPE) provides in-home medical care program for individuals 60+. A podiatric nurse, an RN outreach worker, and/or a community health worker visit as needed to support the health needs of participants.
The Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center will receive $41,500. SHAEC’s main classroom is located in Gateway High School, but programs are also held in the Town Hall or Senior Centers in Russell, Middlefield and Chester. Classes offered include GED prep classes, and computer classes ranging from beginner to advanced on a broad range of topics. SHAEC also offers computer drop-in hours for individuals that need access to computers (and maybe some assistance with it). Other classes offered include a wide range of economic and environmental sustainability classes and education and support for small businesses. Friends of SHAEC, a non-profit fundraising arm of the program, also maintains the community garden in Russell.
The Huntington Food Pantry will receive $33,500 in 2016. The pantry provides food at no cost to income eligible individuals. It is open on Thursdays, 9-5 at the Pioneer Valley Assembly of God Church, 63 Old Chester Road, Huntington.
The Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Prevention Project has been awarded $25,500. The grant funding supports the Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force program coordinator. The task force provides direct services to individuals impacted by domestic violence, including assistance with court procedures, transportation to/from court, and help obtaining other services. The program coordinator provides program development and fundraising support, conducts trainings at Gateway High School on healthy relationships, and runs community awareness campaigns through public service ads.
The remaining funds ($111,232) are used by PVPC to administer the grant on behalf of the towns, run the housing program, complete procurements, maintain financials and provide support to subcontractors (service agencies), according to Johnson, who wrote the Southern Hilltowns grant.
