By MOLLY TURNER In Amherst, we celebrate the earth, science and sustainability. We recently marched for science, and celebrated Earth Day. We have a sustainability office, and Amherst has won "Green Community" status from the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environment. To do so we had to meet certain criteria, including setting requirements to minimize life-cycle costs … Continue reading Guest Opinion Column By Molly Turner: Jones Library Expansion, other Capital Projects, Will Negatively Effect the Environment
Month: May 2017
Monument Dedicated to Amherst Black Civil War Veteran Christopher Thompson, Brothers & Son Who Fought for Union Army
About 20 descendants of Christopher Thompson, a Black farmer who fought in the Civil War with the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry, gathered yesterday at Amherst's West Cemetery for the dedication of a monument on Thompson's long-unmarked grave. The monument identifies the section of the West Cemetery where African-Americans were buried, and names Thompson's three brothers, John, … Continue reading Monument Dedicated to Amherst Black Civil War Veteran Christopher Thompson, Brothers & Son Who Fought for Union Army
Amherst Town Meeting Narrowly Gives Green Light to Jones Library Renovation Project, and Calls for Investigation of President Donald J. Trump (INCLUDES UPDATES & PHOTOS)
A project to renovate and expand the Jones Library narrowly won approval from Amherst Town Meeting last night (May 10), after two hours of vigorous debate. Town Meeting voted 105 to 94, with 2 abstentions, to approve a preliminary design for the historic library, and authorize library trustees to apply for a Massachusetts Public Library … Continue reading Amherst Town Meeting Narrowly Gives Green Light to Jones Library Renovation Project, and Calls for Investigation of President Donald J. Trump (INCLUDES UPDATES & PHOTOS)
Another “Cuppa Joe with Paul” to Be Held on Friday, May 19th: Town Manager Will Have Extra Doughnuts
Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman will be at Atkins Farms on West Street on in South Amherst on Friday, May 19th, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., enjoying his usual "cuppa" coffee and a cider doughnut. Bockelman is inviting anyone to come in and chat. (He will even have an extra doughnut for those who attend!) … Continue reading Another “Cuppa Joe with Paul” to Be Held on Friday, May 19th: Town Manager Will Have Extra Doughnuts
Amherst Town Meeting Approves Sanctuary Bylaw, Puts Permanent Public Art Funding in Place (INCLUDES UPDATES)
As the administration of President Donald J. Trump calls for a crackdown on undocumented immigrants and cuts to arts funding, The Town of Amherst moved in its own direction last night (May 8.) Town Meeting put in place a bylaw to protect immigrants from discrimination and certain deportation measures, and voted for ongoing public art … Continue reading Amherst Town Meeting Approves Sanctuary Bylaw, Puts Permanent Public Art Funding in Place (INCLUDES UPDATES)
Press Release: Amherst Police Department Will Hold Free “Youth Adventure Academy” for One Week in July, Grades 6-8
Amherst and UMass Police Youth Adventure Academy 2017 The Amherst and University of Massachusetts Police Departments have announced dates for this summer's Amherst and UMASS Police Youth Adventure Academy. The one-week program will be held Monday, July 24 to Friday July 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grades … Continue reading Press Release: Amherst Police Department Will Hold Free “Youth Adventure Academy” for One Week in July, Grades 6-8
Press Release: Amherst Charter Commission Votes to Drop Mayor from Local Government Plan
The Amherst Charter Commission posted this update today (May 7): The Amherst Charter Commission (https://www.amherstma.gov/2248/Charter-Commission) voted 7-0 yesterday, (May 6) with one member abstaining and one absent, in favor of a government model including a town council and a town manager. Unlike previous proposals, this model would not include a mayor. Proposed components include precinct … Continue reading Press Release: Amherst Charter Commission Votes to Drop Mayor from Local Government Plan
Press Release: Monument to Amherst Black Civil War Veteran to Be Dedicated May 13th
The Amherst Historical Commission will hold a ceremony in West Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, to dedicate a stone memorial honoring Christopher Thompson, a Black soldier from Amherst who served in the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry during the Civil War. Several of Thompson’s descendants are expected to attend, and all interested citizens … Continue reading Press Release: Monument to Amherst Black Civil War Veteran to Be Dedicated May 13th
Attorney General’s Office: Amherst Regional School Committee Violated Opening Meeting Law Last Summer (INCLUDES UPDATES)
The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has determined that the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee violated the state's open meeting law last year, in deliberating on committee business by email, and failing to follow proper procedures in announcing executive sessions, among other errors. The May 2 letter from Assistant Attorney General Hanne Rush, to the school committee's … Continue reading Attorney General’s Office: Amherst Regional School Committee Violated Opening Meeting Law Last Summer (INCLUDES UPDATES)
Wildwood School Boiler, Fort River Feasibility Study Win Resounding Approval at Amherst Town Meeting (UPDATED)
Smaller steps toward improving the infrastructure of two Amherst elementary schools easily won two-thirds majorities at Town Meeting last night (May 3). Town Meeting unanimously approved borrowing of $500,000 to replace the boiler system at Wildwood, which dates to the 1970s. Later, with only a few audible "nay" votes, Town Meeting also agreed to a … Continue reading Wildwood School Boiler, Fort River Feasibility Study Win Resounding Approval at Amherst Town Meeting (UPDATED)
The Spectator of Amherst. 