AMHERST — After interning in the Southeast Housing Court in Fall River over the summer, Amherst College junior Dakota Costa gained an appreciation for the important work staff and commissions at local housing authorities do on behalf of tenants.
A few months later, following a successful write-in campaign at the town’s biennial election, Costa is taking her experience with the legal system to the Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, already having attended two of its regular meetings.
“You get to have a say in public housing,” Costa says about her new role. “I like that I’m able to collaborate with the Housing Authority on (apartment) vacancies and what needs to be fixed.”
As a participant in All About Amherst: Civic Academy, the town’s first-ever course offering an inside look at the town, Costa not only learned about the opening on the Housing Authority panel, but has gained a better understanding about aspects of both town government and day-to-day operations in the community.
“I love that the town of Amherst and a local government class are connecting me to the real world,” said Costa, who is studying political science at the college.
A total of 22 people who live and study in Amherst, selected from 40 applicants, have participated in the free eight-week, 16-hour course, with some sessions held at the Town Room at Town Hall, and other weeks having field trips, like in October when the group went to the North Fire Station and in November when it toured the police station.
In promoting the academy, the town stated that “participants will explore the inner workings of our local government as they learn about day-to-day town operations, talk directly with town staff, and follow along for behind-the-scenes tours.”
The academy was designed by Abigail Bowen, an Amherst College summer intern, who worked with Samantha Giffen, the communications manager and fellow community participation officer Angela Mills to make sure that the program had buy-in from all municipal, school and library departments.
In doing outreach, including at the Block Party, a cross section of the community was encouraged to sign up, including both high school and college students, young professionals, longtime residents and newcomers.
Giffen said the academy builds on the work done by other summer interns in recent years and uses information provided by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which suggests cities and towns find ways to expand relationships with the community and share information.
On the final evening, Finance Director Sean Mangano described the department structure and procurement law, the financial policies manual and the ins and outs of financing, and reflected on how the treasurer’s role takes on even greater importance because of the two major building projects underway, the new elementary school and the expansion of the Jones Library.
“We have to manage the borrowing of money, the timing of borrowing,” Mangano said.
Mangano also gave insights into the AA+ bond rating, the second highest available, but the town’s income per capita is low because of the high number of college students.
Finally, he showed them the revenue and spending projections for fiscal year 2027, noting that the town always starts with the money coming in and figuring out what the resources are and then looks at expenses, what is required to be paid, such as to the retirement system, and where choices can be made, like how much goes toward capital needs. that for a $750,000 fire truck recently received and a $1.5 million ladder truck that will soon be coming.
This was an appropriate culmination, as after the first week participants were given play money and asked to divvy it up among the town’s various needs.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman concluded the evening speaking about the legislative process, including how a proposed bylaw makes its way through the legislative process, in this case one focused on addressing problems with public urination and defecation.
On the final night, Council President Lynn Griesemer told the participants that for those looking to serve on the Town Council, the civic academy should be a prerequisite. “Not only do I admire you, I envy you,” Griesemer said.
While Costa had previous experience in government, including internships with State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, and State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, Costa said joining the Housing Authority comes at an important time as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is at risk and there is greater need to help people who depend on public agencies.
Others who participated in the course was Joseph Mascis, who is now appointed to the Cultural Council, Rani Parker, who chairs the Human Rights Commission and as the program culminated quipped “another course finished,” and Marc Barrette, who like Costa has been on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Some of those, though, are not involved in any way.
Lucy Payson, a junior at the University of Massachusetts, learned about the civic academy in a weekly political science newsletter.
As an out-of-state student, Payson said the civic academy was an ideal way to get an inside view of how Amherst functions as the university’s host community and to participate in activities, like putting on the turnout gear used by firefighters or blasting water through a hose.
“I feel like what I learned the most about is budgeting, it was honestly something I had no idea about,” Payson said.
Payson said she was also unaware of the community service possibilities.
“It was better than I expected, and it was so nice to meet different people and more of the Amherst community,” Payson said.
“As an immigrant, I wanted to learn about our community,” said Grace Zhu, adding that she appreciated the recognition on the final evening, a sort of graduation ceremony where they were greeted by Bockelman. “I am proud of the certificate.”
“This has been wonderful for me,” Barrette said. “I knew bits and pieces, but this helped me to make the connections between different departments.”
As the program closed, Mills said that Amherst has over 44 boards and committees and an appointment process either led by the Town Council or the town manager, with citizen activity forms that could be filled out for those interested.
“We always try to have more applications than vacancies,” Mills said.
Bernard Brennan, who runs Amethyst Farm, a place that uses sustainable and regenerative practices was previously on the dormant Agricultural Commission. Brennan said that some had encouraged him to run for elective office, but while he didn’ty do that, the civic academy gives him a chance to get his feet wet in town politics again.
“This is maybe a good way to get back involved in town government.” Brennan said.
