TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS;
On or about September 2024, the Town of Chester will submit a request to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, for the purpose of the following projects.
Housing Rehabilitation
Improvements will include repair/replacement of basic building systems, lead and hazardous materials abatement, removal of architectural barriers, and corrections to sanitary code and building code violations for up to six (6) units in the towns of Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Russell.
Total CDBG Funds: $200,000
Prospect Street Infrastructure Improvement Project Phase Two
This project includes water and drainage improvements, as well as surface-level roadway improvements along about 2,000 linear feet on Prospect Street in the town of Chester, Massachusetts.
Total CDBG Funds: $625,000
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is on file at Chester Town Hall in the Selectman’s office where it can be viewed Monday through Thursdday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 60 Congress Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01104, where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Donald Humason, Town Administrator and Environmental Certifying Officer for the Town of Chester. All comments received by September 16, 2024 will be considered by the Environmental Certifying Officer prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Town of Chester certifies to the EOHLC that Donald J. Humason, in his official capacity as Environmental Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The EOHLC’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Chester to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The EOHLC will accept objections to its release of funds and the Town of Chester’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases:
(a) The certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Town of Chester;
(b) The Town of Chester has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58;
(c) The grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the EOHLC; or
(d) Another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.
Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 55.76) and shall be addressed to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development at 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114. Potential objectors should contact the EOHLC to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Donald F. Humason, Jr., Town Administrator
Environmental Certifying Officer
Town of Chester
15 Middlefield Road
Chester, Massachusetts 01011
413-354-7760