Planning Department eyed for cost savings

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on November 27, 2009

A Planning Department that offers thorough review of local projects, proposed zoning amendments and land use issues is something residents have come to expect in Amherst, but which could no longer be offered if the town cut staff and relied more on outside agencies.

David Ziomek, director of conservation and development, told the Select Board Monday that trying to achieve cost savings in the budget by reducing Planning Department staff and contracting out more work would not be a good idea.

"I don't see the department shrinking dramatically and being able to provide the services the citizens of Amherst want," Ziomek said.

<h4>Initiated by chairwoman</h4>

The hour-long discussion was initiated by Select Board Chairwoman Stephanie O'Keeffe, who said she wanted to begin investigating all possibilities for cost savings in the municipal budget as preparations begin for presenting an override to voters in March. O'Keeffe said this could help lead to a more responsible override.

The discussion was also a response to periodic calls from Town Meeting members to pursue a model that would make more use of regional agencies, such as the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

Select Board member Alisa Brewer said using the regional agency is not a substitute for the town's in-house professional staff. "Amherst, in general, sees itself as beyond many of the services PVPC can provide," Brewer said.

Town Manager Larry Shaffer said his goal is to provide the highest level of service at the lowest cost within all departments, including planning.

"I've been very hesitant to do anything to change the quality of the work coming out of there," Shaffer said.

Over the last year, the department has been consolidated, having its offices merged with Conservation, Inspections and Community Development, and one administrative assistant position has been eliminated. The department also has an associate planner whose salary is being entirely paid for using grant money. The staff currently includes director Jonathan Tucker, two senior planners, Christine Brestrup and Jeffrey Bagg, and assistant planner Nathan Malloy.

Shaffer said the most important concept is that the Planning Department works on behalf of the town and puts Amherst first in all its work.

"When you get services from PVPC, it's for the region, the Pioneer Valley," Shaffer said.

While the town does get expertise when soliciting this assistance, this does not offer the same level of comfort. "I have to know in all things that Amherst comes first," Shaffer said.

Tim Brennan, executive director of PVPC, said having professional planners is an extraordinary asset that communities shouldn't easily give up, even in these times of economic stress.

"We're not a substitute for local staff," Brennan said. "We're there to assist municipalities in specialty areas or niches where we can be helpful."

PVPC has periodically augmented services in Amherst. For instance, when Amherst officials sought a downtown parking study, the town contracted with PVPC to have that completed through its transportation program, allowing for a more elaborate study than Amherst could have done on its own.

PVPC offers technical assistance to all cities and towns in Hampshire and Hampden counties, receiving an assessment of 15 cents per capita. As a community with professional staff, Amherst is eligible to receive two person days of staff time annually at no cost.

The agency also has access to District Local Technical Assistance money that is targeted for helping communities in refining their zoning ordinances, finding reuses for vacant buildings and efforts at sharing regional services, such as creating subregional health districts or mapping services.

Ziomek said PVPC best serves Amherst when it is involved in regional projects, such as rehabilitating the Norwottuck Rail Trail, preserving the Holyoke Range and advocating for reducing impacts on global climate change.

But Brennan said it simplistic to suggest that PVPC doesn't do its best for each member town. Brennan said the agency always try to operate "in stereo."

"Our job is to look out for the region, and to look out for the interests of every city and town," Brennan said.

He observed that when federal stimulus funds for transportation were going to be aimed solely at the Massachusetts Turnpike, PVPC stepped in, advocated for the region, and this has now meant money being redirected for several road projects that can move forward in Amherst.

<h4>Staying in-house</h4>

Ziomek articulated four primary reasons residents should prefer most of the professional planning work be done by Amherst's paid staff.

First, the regional agency acts only as consultants, offering services that have discrete beginnings and endings; PVPC, he said, is not necessarily able to closely tailor these services to a specific community.

Second, the engagement in the public process that residents appreciate would be diminished. Ziomek points out that zoning changes are vetted through subcommittees and the Planning Board before being considered by Town Meeting. An outside agency likely wouldn't be able to commit time and resources to as detailed a process.

Since 2007, 18 zoning changes have been passed by Town Meeting, all of which fall within concepts detailed in the draft the master plan, Ziomek said.

Third, PVPC's focus is on regional interests first. This concern was illustrated through the regional agency's ongoing efforts to reroute the Vermonter railroad line so it no longer passes through Amherst.

Finally, there would be more limited accessibility and availability. Regional planners can only act as visiting planners, and would not be available at all working hours. The Planning Department's staff is able to assist any resident or developer who comes to Town Hall.

The irony, Ziomek said, is that PVPC often consults with Amherst planners. "We see that as a compliment to the work Mr. Tucker and others have been doing for 25 years," Ziomek said.

If more efficiencies are needed in the next year, Ziomek said he may try to do these through examining the staff liaisons provided to more than two dozen committees, including the Puffer's Pond 2002 and Kendrick Park Committee.

"We are looking at that structure right now," Ziomek said,.

Currently, Ziomek and Wetlands Administrator Stephanie Ciccarello attend all Conservation Commission meetings, Tucker and Brestrup appear at all Planning Board meetings and Building Commissioner Bonnie Weeks and Bagg are at all Zoning Board of Appeals sessions.