Category: Amherst News & Information

Slim Majority on Amherst Charter Commission Approves Preliminary New Town Government Plan

Featured ~ PCA ~ 1 Comment

The nine-member Charter Commission (https://www.amherstma.gov/2248/Charter-Commission) voted last night to approve a preliminary version of a new town charter, which will dramatically alter local government if passed by Amherst voters next winter. Although commission members are divided about Amherst's future, with a majority favoring a small, potentially more "efficient" government, and others defending the public participation … Continue reading Slim Majority on Amherst Charter Commission Approves Preliminary New Town Government Plan

Amherst’s Jones Library Not Among Nine to Win State Construction Grants; Project Put On Waiting List for “At Least A Few Years” (INCLUDES UPDATES)

Featured ~ PCA ~ 2 Comments

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners announced yesterday (July 13) that it was awarding $67 million in provisional construction grants to nine communities, a  list that included libraries in Hadley and Springfield, but not Amherst's Jones Library. The Baker-Polito administration placed the Jones Library 9th on a "waiting list" of 24 libraries statewide that "will … Continue reading Amherst’s Jones Library Not Among Nine to Win State Construction Grants; Project Put On Waiting List for “At Least A Few Years” (INCLUDES UPDATES)

Press Release: PVTA May Reduce Bus Routes, Public Hearing Dates Set

Featured ~ PCA ~ Leave a comment

The Advisory Board of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) will hold official public hearings to receive comments on potential cutbacks or changes to 16 bus routes, including the M40 Minuteman Express, which travels between Amherst, Hadley, and Northampton. The PVTA has said it faces an operating budget deficit of up to $1.2 million, because … Continue reading Press Release: PVTA May Reduce Bus Routes, Public Hearing Dates Set

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Adopts Debt Policy Designed to Prevent “Lunch-Shaming” (UPDATED)

Featured ~ PCA ~ Leave a comment

The Amherst-Pelham and Union 26 Regional School Committees adopted a new policy on overdue school cafeteria balances last night, to prevent children from being punished for debts, and to hold parents or guardians accountable instead. The policy for public schools in Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury replaces one that was approved in 2015, but not … Continue reading Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Adopts Debt Policy Designed to Prevent “Lunch-Shaming” (UPDATED)

Amherst Fire Department Swears In Christopher Bascomb As Latest Captain: Chief Tim Nelson Is Grooming New Leaders

Featured ~ PCA ~ Leave a comment

Longtime Amherst firefighter Christopher Bascomb, 42, was sworn in as the department's latest captain yesterday, in a ceremony at Town Hall attended by many of the town's 45 full-time firefighters. Fire Chief W. Tim Nelson said that about five years ago, he realized that several pending retirements would require him to groom younger firefighters for … Continue reading Amherst Fire Department Swears In Christopher Bascomb As Latest Captain: Chief Tim Nelson Is Grooming New Leaders

Guest Opinion Column By Molly Turner: Jones Library Expansion, other Capital Projects, Will Negatively Effect the Environment

Featured ~ PCA ~ 1 Comment

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

Monument Dedicated to Amherst Black Civil War Veteran Christopher Thompson, Brothers & Son Who Fought for Union Army

Featured ~ PCA ~ 3 Comments

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)

Featured ~ PCA ~ 2 Comments

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

~ PCA ~ Leave a comment

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)

Featured ~ PCA ~ Leave a comment

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)