TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS;
On or about April 18, 2022, the Town of Chester will submit a request to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, to undertake a project known as:
FY 2021 Southern Hilltowns Community Assistance Program:
Prospect Street Infrastructure Improvement Project – Phase 2. Drainage and roadway improvements on Prospect Street in the town of Chester, Massachusetts, approximately 2,000 linear feet. Total CDBG Funds: up to $650,000
Southern Hilltowns Housing Rehabilitation Program. Rehabilitation of up to six (6) housing units in the towns of Chester, Huntington, and Middlefield, Massachusetts. Improvements will include repair and/or replacement of basic building systems, lead and hazardous materials abatement, removal of architectural barriers, and corrections to sanitary code and building code violations. Total CDBG Funds: up to $270,000
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 this project is on file at Chester Town Hall in the Selectman’s office where it can be viewed Monday through Thursday 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 Katherine Warden, Environmental Certifying Officer for the town of Chester. All comments received by April 18, 2022 will be considered by the Town of Chester prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Town of Chester certifies to the DHCD that Katherine Warden, in her 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 DHCD’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 DHCD 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 DHCD; 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 DHCD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Katherine Warden, Town Administrator
Environmental Certifying Officer
Town of Chester
15 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011