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5-year deal reached between campus and town of Amherst
Public services cooperation to increase
Jennifer Bergen
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: News
The University of Massachusetts and the town of Amherst signed a five-year strategic partnership in August to strengthen ties between the communities.
The new partnership with the town of Amherst includes a connection to the town's fire and ambulance services, agreements on town schools and public utilities, and assistance regarding economic development activities.
"The Strategic Partnership Agreement formalizes the critical role of collaboration between the University and the town in areas of significance for both," said Amherst's town manager, Laurence Shaffer. "I appreciate the willingness of the University to expand its important relationship with Amherst."
The newly created link between the town and UMass will cost the school $325,000 for fire and ambulance services, but will allow UMass to wipe the slate clean by fully reimbursing the town, costing the taxpayers of Amherst nothing.
While economic advantages are clear for the town of Amherst, UMass students will also reap the benefits of this agreement, according to Community Relations Officer Martha Nelson.
She explained that the tone between the school and community will be more cooperative now the University has full support from the town for all of its major services, such as fire, ambulance, public utilities, and economic development activities.
"The town and the University will continue to seek opportunities to cooperate to meet the needs of an increasingly challenging environment," Shaffer said.
While UMass is to continue with its water conservation efforts, the town will explore further ways to prevent an increase in the cost of water and sewer services.
The agreement also includes a clause that allows pollution from Amherst's wastewater treatment plant to be put to good use. At no cost, UMass will be able to use liquid waste to generate steam on campus after it is put through a secondary filtering process.
The five-year plan is a two-year increase from the previous partnership agreement length. The longer space between negotiating periods allows for new issues to turn up and be discussed.
"This new agreement with Amherst is a comprehensive document capturing the key dimensions of our relationship with the town," said former chancellor John V. Lombardi, who was present throughout the negotiating process. "We are pleased to do our part to support essential services and welcome the town as a partner in our conservation efforts."
Jennifer Bergen can be reached at jbergen@student.umass.edu
The new partnership with the town of Amherst includes a connection to the town's fire and ambulance services, agreements on town schools and public utilities, and assistance regarding economic development activities.
"The Strategic Partnership Agreement formalizes the critical role of collaboration between the University and the town in areas of significance for both," said Amherst's town manager, Laurence Shaffer. "I appreciate the willingness of the University to expand its important relationship with Amherst."
The newly created link between the town and UMass will cost the school $325,000 for fire and ambulance services, but will allow UMass to wipe the slate clean by fully reimbursing the town, costing the taxpayers of Amherst nothing.
While economic advantages are clear for the town of Amherst, UMass students will also reap the benefits of this agreement, according to Community Relations Officer Martha Nelson.
She explained that the tone between the school and community will be more cooperative now the University has full support from the town for all of its major services, such as fire, ambulance, public utilities, and economic development activities.
"The town and the University will continue to seek opportunities to cooperate to meet the needs of an increasingly challenging environment," Shaffer said.
While UMass is to continue with its water conservation efforts, the town will explore further ways to prevent an increase in the cost of water and sewer services.
The agreement also includes a clause that allows pollution from Amherst's wastewater treatment plant to be put to good use. At no cost, UMass will be able to use liquid waste to generate steam on campus after it is put through a secondary filtering process.
The five-year plan is a two-year increase from the previous partnership agreement length. The longer space between negotiating periods allows for new issues to turn up and be discussed.
"This new agreement with Amherst is a comprehensive document capturing the key dimensions of our relationship with the town," said former chancellor John V. Lombardi, who was present throughout the negotiating process. "We are pleased to do our part to support essential services and welcome the town as a partner in our conservation efforts."
Jennifer Bergen can be reached at jbergen@student.umass.edu
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