NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOIRROF) NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOIRROF)
August 29, 2013
Town of Agawam
36 Main Street
Agawam,MA 01031 _;
Telephone (413) 786-0400
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS; 1r
On or about September 10, 2013, the Town of Agawam (lead community) on behalf of town
of East Longmeadow 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, for
the purpose of the following potential projects:
• Regional Housing Rehabilitation Program (rehabilitation of approximately 10 total
units of low-to moderate-income housing within the Agawam and East Longmeadow
target areas)
• Housing Authority Improvements Project(electrical and window upgrades at the
Agawam Housing Authority's Colonial Haven complex and security upgrades at the East
Longmeadow Housing Authority's Quarry Hill complex)
The activities proposed are exempt or 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 the Agawam Planning Department,Agawam Town Hall, 36 Main St., Agawam, MA and may
be examined or copied weekdays from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. with prior arrangement by calling (413)
786-0400.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Agawam
Planning Department. All comments received by September 9, 2013 will be considered by the
Town of Agawam prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Agawam Mayor's Office certifies to the DHCD that Planning Director Deborah Dachos, in
her official capacity 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 Agawam to use Program funds.
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OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The DHCD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Town of Agawam'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 Agawam;
(b) The Town of Agawam 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.
Deborah Dachos
Environmental Certifying Officer
Town of Agawam
36 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
August 29, 2013