SHELBURNE FALLS — The towns of Buckland and Shelburne will be able to make infrastructure improvements and contribute to the West County Food Pantry program, thanks to separate Community Development Block Grants awarded to each town for the coming year.
Buckland was awarded a $541,000 grant, with $517,000 to be used for the reconstruction of Green Street, on the north side of Shelburne Falls. Also, $25,000 of Buckland’s grant will go to the West County Emergency Food Pantry program.
Green Street is in poor condition, with an 8-inch water main that creates a bottleneck in the water system. It will be replaced with a 12-inch water main from Sears Street intersection to Ashfield Street. There will be improved drainage and catch basins, and the reconstructed road will have a new crown. The narrow sidewalks will be replaces by wider sidewalks that meet ADA wheelchair use standards. There will be granite curbing on both sides, which also should improve drainage.
Shelburne’s grant of $757,000 includes $25,000 for the West County Food Pantry. The rest will be used for improvements to Highland Village, a 46-apartment complex for income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities. The upgrades, which include kitchen and bath upgrades, will make the apartments more handicap-accessible and more energy efficient.