Posted 3/6/2009
The scores are in!
The Town of Amherst has received a Commonwealth Capital score of 105 for Fiscal Year 2009!
Of 130 communities who submitted Commonwealth Capital applications in 2008, Amherst tied for sixth in the Commonwealth with a score of 105 points.
125 Barnstable (C)
118 Northampton
114 Newburyport
112 Dennis (C)
108 Fitchburg
105 Amherst, Falmouth (C), Framingham
104 Pittsfield
102 Groton
101 Dedham, Peabody, Plymouth (C), Worcester
(C) = Cape or Island communities operate under separate enabling legislation which allows them to undertake ‘progressive’ actions that other Mass. communities cannot.
The Commonwealth Capital program was established four years ago to promote more sustainable land use choices in Massachusetts cities and towns. The Amherst Planning Department has submitted the Commonwealth Capital applications on behalf of the community since the program’s inception in 2005. The Town of Amherst’s previous scores were: 94 (FY2008), 113 (FY2007/06), and 100 (FY2005).
The Commonwealth Capital program endorses planning and zoning measures and municipal policies and actions that are consistent with the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Principles, which can be viewed at this link:
http://www.mass.gov/Agov3/docs/smart_growth/patrick-principles.pdf.
The program examines thirty-two (32) aspects of a municipality’s implementation of zoning, planning, housing, environmental, energy, and transportation measures in place at the time of the application or measures that the community commits to implementing during the next fiscal year. The resulting scores are used, in part, to determine the distribution of financial assistance and grants from the Commonwealth.
For Fiscal Year 2009, the Commonwealth Capital application was developed and submitted by the Planning Department with assistance from other town departments. This year’s score will play an important role in the evaluation and distribution of more than $600 million in state grants and low interest loans.
Whether it’s the development of a Master Plan, completion of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, implementation of mixed use zoning principles or continued energy efficiency measures, Amherst prides itself on its progressive approach to local governance. Amherst citizens, Town Meeting members, over 50 volunteer boards and committees and Amherst’s professional staff all play a critical role in keeping Amherst an innovative and forward-thinking community. Through its annual applications to the Commonwealth Capital program, Amherst remains competitive and eligible for financial assistance from the Commonwealth for a wide range of local projects.
Congratulations on a top score!