Ware Community Development Program
Welcome to the Town of Ware’s Community Development Program web page! The Town received funding through a regional FY2021 Community Development Block Grant for $1,000,000. The funds will be used for engineering design work to Cottage Street, housing rehabilitation, implementation of a Facade Improvement Program, and to support public social services. For additional information and to learn about non-CDBG projects underway in Ware, please see the Town's Community Development website.
The following are current/ongoing FY2021 CDBG projects:
- Housing Rehabilitation: The Ware/Hardwick Housing Rehabilitation Program will make improvements to approximately 8 eligible housing units in the region’s two target areas (5 in Ware and 3 in Hardwick). Improvements will include repair and/or replacement of basic building systems, lead and hazardous materials abatement, removal of architectural barriers, and corrections to sanitary code and building code violations in both owner-occupied and investor-owned units. It is expected that there will be approximately 20 low- and moderate-income beneficiaries assisted through this program. For more information, please contact Shirley Stephens at 413-781-6045 or sstephens@pvpc.org.
- Facade Improvement Program: This program is intended to assist commercial property owners in the renovation of the exterior of their buildings in order to improve visual quality of the downtown and to enhance the area as a place to visit, shop, and work. Funding will be available as deferred payment loans for large facade rehabilitation and smaller grants for sign, awning, and lighting projects.
- Cottage Street Design Project: This is an engineering design project that will lead to future infrastructure improvements. The Cottage Street Design project is located within the Northside Neighborhood area. The project limit includes Cottage Street, from North Street to Church Street. It will address the many substandard conditions in the roadway, sidewalks, drainage, sanitary sewer, and water systems found in this area.
- Bank Street Improvement Project: Construction is currently taking place on Bank Street to address improvements to street and sidewalk surfaces, sewer, curbing, draininage, and a full replacement of the water main. The project was conceived as part of the previously-funded FY08 North Side Neighborhood Infrastructure Planning Study, which evaluated public works throughout the entire neighborhood and developed a plan for revitilization based on priorities and demonstrated need. The planning study led to a recently completed FY16 Bank Street design project, which provided detailed plans and specifications for the improvements that are currently under construction.
Ware is also part of the regional social services, which include:
- The Literacy Project (TLP): The Ware Adult Learning Center provides an integrated curriculum of Adult Basic Education, preparation for the High School Equivalency Test, and economic literacy to undereducated residents of the Ware River Valley, notably to reach the towns of Ware and Hardwick.
- PATCH Program (Planned Approach to Community Health): PATCH provides staff in Ware and Hardwick who offer limited transportation to appointments and adult education, and limited childcare during appointments. Staff help prioritize, plan, and teach life management skills, offer interpersonal support, and mentoring to people in need.
- Domestic Violence Task Force Program: This is a regional program throughout the Quaboag Valley area. The program is directed by a Community Task Force comprised of residents, as well as representatives from agencies that serve the region including, police, schools, courts, health workers, local faith leaders, domestic violence shelters and programs, and child care agencies. The Task Force will work on prevention initiatives, community education and outreach, providing support groups and individual domestic violence advocacy services for victims, and professional training and development for local schools and health workers.
- Senior Outreach Program: This program provides an array of modest but essential services designed to meet a wide range of senior needs and capabilities, all with the goal of helping seniors to remain living safely and independently in their homes for as long as they wish to and are still able. These services include mobile food bank deliveries, yard work, shopping for groceries and/or personal items, companion for COA van for medical appointments or running simple errands such as prescription pickups.
Ware Community Development Department
Rob Watchilla, Director of Planning & Community Development
Laura White, Administrative Assistant
Community Development Authority
- Danielle Souza, Chairman
- John Carroll
- Brandy Bruso
- S.K. Robinson
- Rhiannon Gresty
. . . . . . .
Please note that Community Development Authority meeting notices and agendas are available on the Town's website here.
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