SOUTH DEERFIELD — The town is moving forward with plans to apply for housing rehabilitation funding from the state.
In order to make the town a better candidate in a regional Community Development Block Grant — that includes Deerfield, Leverett, Conway, and Sunderland — Deerfield officials held a public hearing to create a Community Development Strategy at a recent Selectboard meeting.
If awarded, a certain amount of income-eligible residents would be able to draw from the grant for housing repairs.
“Having a community development strategy is a requirement for submitting an application requesting Community Development Block Grant funds,” said Town Administrator Wendy Foxmyn.
“It’s mostly compendium — a collection of activities, particularly planning activities — the town has been a part of,” she continued, explaining what the strategy is.
The regional application, will be put together by the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
While the public hearing and the Community Development Strategy itself was put forward to bolster the town’s chances of receiving the grant, a handful of residents were given a chance to voice their thoughts on where the town is going, and provide updates on ongoing projects.
By way of an update, Nancy Maynard, chair of Tilton Library’s board of trustees said plans to renovate the library are moving forward. She said the committee recently submitted an application for state funding to help cover costs.
Others, like local resident Sharyn Paciorek, shared thoughts on the town’s direction. Paciorek said the town should increase its focus on the needs of seniors, noting, “it’s time to move our town forward. It seems like we’ve been at a standstill for so long. It’s time to make Deerfield beautiful again.”
Concerns expressed at the hearing included eroding sidewalks. As to notable suggestions, one resident suggested an initiative to plant more trees in town, possibly soliciting local businesses and residents for donations.
For more information on the block grant, contact the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority at 413-863-9781, ext. 137.