Author: PCA

Amherst Media Plans State-of-the-Art Multimedia Communications Center: Fundraiser Sept. 29 Will Feature Live Music, Wine & Appetizers

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AMHERST - One of the nation's longest-running local cable television stations, Amherst Media, hopes to break ground on its own state-of-the-art facility in coming months, and supporters will hold a fundraising celebration on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Amherst Woman's Club to raise funds. (Details and ticket information are here.)  The "Raise Your Voice" Capital Campaign's … Continue reading Amherst Media Plans State-of-the-Art Multimedia Communications Center: Fundraiser Sept. 29 Will Feature Live Music, Wine & Appetizers

Major Concerns About Air Quality at Fort River and Wildwood Schools “Put to Rest”: Open Classroom Design Still Criticized

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AMHERST -  The Amherst School Committee has reviewed air quality reports from the Wildwood and Fort River Elementary schools, which members said alleviate certain prior worries.  "It put a lot of the concerns to rest," said the Committee Chairwoman Anastasia Ordonez at the Aug. 14 meeting.  Ordonez added that removal of carpets and old ceiling … Continue reading Major Concerns About Air Quality at Fort River and Wildwood Schools “Put to Rest”: Open Classroom Design Still Criticized

Tests Find No Major Air Quality Issues at Wildwood and Fort River Elementary Schools: Dirty, Blocked Vents Faulted for Carbon Dioxide Excess in Limited Areas

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AMHERST -  Tests performed at Amherst's Wildwood and Fort River Elementary Schools in April showed that both schools have acceptable levels of asbestos, bacteria, mold, and radon.  The environmental consulting firm ATC Group Services of a West Springfield was hired by the district to test the buildings, following longstanding claims of poor air quality.  The … Continue reading Tests Find No Major Air Quality Issues at Wildwood and Fort River Elementary Schools: Dirty, Blocked Vents Faulted for Carbon Dioxide Excess in Limited Areas

Judge Weighs Challenge to Amherst Election Calendar: UMass Students Claim Schedule Infringes On Their Rights to Campaign & Vote

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Hampshire Superior Court Judge Richard J. Carey heard arguments yesterday (Aug. 3)  in a lawsuit brought by two students from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, who claim their campaigning and voting rights have been infringed upon by the town's election calendar.  The students, Caitlin Cullen and Lily Tang, are seeking an emergency injunction, to … Continue reading Judge Weighs Challenge to Amherst Election Calendar: UMass Students Claim Schedule Infringes On Their Rights to Campaign & Vote

Developer Makes Obscene Gesture, Refuses to Heed Moderator Before Zoning Vote at Amherst Town Meeting

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A man later identified as local developer Jerry Guidera made an obscene hand gesture at Town Meeting members on Wednesday night, before getting into a dispute with the meeting moderator, James Pistrang, over a seating issue. Guidera also loudly proclaimed that a woman present called him a "bastard." Some of the drama (although not the … Continue reading Developer Makes Obscene Gesture, Refuses to Heed Moderator Before Zoning Vote at Amherst Town Meeting

Letter from Amherst Regional Middle School Interim Co-Assistant Principal Alicia Lopez, Defending the Work of Interim Principal Patty Bode

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Editor's Note: An interim co-assistant principal at Amherst Regional Middle School, Alicia Lopez, submitted a letter (below) last week to the district's School Equity Task Force and the regional school committee, in support of ARMS Interim Principal Patty Bode.  Lopez, a Latina, is a longtime educator in Amherst and her letter follows the controversy which … Continue reading Letter from Amherst Regional Middle School Interim Co-Assistant Principal Alicia Lopez, Defending the Work of Interim Principal Patty Bode

Interim Amherst Regional Middle School Principal Will Not Accept Reappointment, Following Public Questions About Licensure (REVISED)

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AMHERST -  Amherst Regional Middle School's Interim Principal Patty Bode has notified the district that she will not be continuing in the role for the 2018-2019 school year. On April 11, Amherst Regional Public Schools Superintendent Michael Morris and Assistant Superintendent Doreen Cunningham sent an email to the community, stating that although Bode previously accepted … Continue reading Interim Amherst Regional Middle School Principal Will Not Accept Reappointment, Following Public Questions About Licensure (REVISED)

Amherst Town Meeting Votes to Spend $50,000 on Architectural Study of North Amherst Library: Boards Criticized for Neglect of Building’s Problems

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After decades of functioning without a public restroom, water fountain or a wheelchair-friendly entryway, the North Amherst Library will be studied for improvements. Amherst's tiny first public library, dating to 1893, is on the state and national registers of historic places. It longtime lack of adequate public facilities prompted a resident, Terry Johnson, to pay … Continue reading Amherst Town Meeting Votes to Spend $50,000 on Architectural Study of North Amherst Library: Boards Criticized for Neglect of Building’s Problems

Amherst For All, Promoting Local Government Overhaul, Schedules Practice “District” Meetings

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Amherst For All, an organization seeking major changes to local government in Amherst, will hold a series of three practice "district" meetings beginning on Monday. A plan to replace Town Meeting, which has 240 elected members, and the Select Board with a 13-member Town Council also calls for merging Amherst's 10 voting precincts to create … Continue reading Amherst For All, Promoting Local Government Overhaul, Schedules Practice “District” Meetings

Amherst Town Meeting Votes to Create New Advisory Committee to Study Proposed Local Projects & Laws: Select Board Opposes Move

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Amherst Town Meeting has voted to create a new, nine-member elected Advisory Committee, which will analyze and report on the bylaws, resolutions and projects proposed to the 240-member body by petitioners and local officials. The new committee, called TMAC, will study the potential benefits and impacts of proposed measures on public safety in Amherst, and … Continue reading Amherst Town Meeting Votes to Create New Advisory Committee to Study Proposed Local Projects & Laws: Select Board Opposes Move