East Longmeadow lobbies with Agawam for grant funding

Date: 10/18/2011

Oct. 17, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow is hoping to join forces with Agawam in its attempt to receive monies available through the Community Development Block Grant.

“These grants are always competitive, so we’re teaming up with Agawam in the hopes of increasing our chances,” Building Inspector Dan Hellyer said.

Hellyer added that Agawam has applied for the grant, which is provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, but has failed in the past. The two municipalities decided that on their own, they most likely would not be successful in capturing the grant money, but together felt they had a better case.

“It’s good because it increases our chances, but the money would be reduced by about $300,000,” Hellyer said, explaining he believed the two towns would split the grant money evenly.

Hellyer pointed to the $70,000 proposed project to install a generator at the Pleasant View Senior Center and $40,000 for the development of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan as possible uses of the funds.

“The ADA transition plan is required by federal law and the town doesn’t have one yet,” Hellyer said. “Basically the plan would provide analysis and explain what needs to be done to municipal buildings in order to be compliant.”

Some funds can also be used for capital improvement projects, including infrastructure projects such as new sidewalks and road maintenance, as well as green energy initiatives, Board of Selectmen Chair James Driscoll added.

“We are working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) to make sure we don’t miss out on any free dollars that could be used to improve our town,” he said.

The PVPC would be intimately involved with the East Longmeadow’s use of the funds, should they be awarded to the town, because the commission would manage the grant funding, Hellyer said.

According to the guidelines of the grants, “not less than 70 percent of [Community Development Block Grant] funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons.”

Community Development Block Grants can offer low interest loans and grants to low-income homeowners to make improvements to their property. Hellyer acknowledged that the term “low-income” could scare some people off, but said it shouldn’t.

“The application process is done through the PVPC and it is all done confidentially,” he said. “No one in town will know if someone were to apply for this money.”

Driscoll also said while the term “low-income” is one that is not palatable to some, it’s important to remember exactly what it means and it should not affect people’s support for the grant application.

“It’s something that unfortunately and fortunately exists in every community,” Driscoll said. “A low-income area could include one of our affordable senior housing developments. As a town, we should take every opportunity to go after free money.”