Category: Town Meeting

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

A Single New Or Renovated K-6 School on the Fort River Elementary School Site Will Be Study Committee’s Focus

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The Amherst School Committee is expected to vote next week on a mission statement for the Fort River Feasibility Study Committee, and will limit its focus to the Fort River Elementary School. The move would take the controversial prospects of townwide school consolidation and grade reshuffling off the table for the near future. On Tuesday … Continue reading A Single New Or Renovated K-6 School on the Fort River Elementary School Site Will Be Study Committee’s Focus

Concerns Over New Town Government Proposal Raised at Public Hearing in Amherst

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A plan to replace Amherst Town Meeting, which has 240 elected members, and the five-person Select Board with one 13-member elected Town Council received mixed reviews at last night's public hearing. About 40 people attended the 7 p.m. hearing at Town Hall, and 17 testified. All were limited to three minutes each. Some praised the … Continue reading Concerns Over New Town Government Proposal Raised at Public Hearing in Amherst

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

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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 Town Meeting Narrowly Gives Green Light to Jones Library Renovation Project, and Calls for Investigation of President Donald J. Trump (INCLUDES UPDATES & PHOTOS)

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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)

Press Release: Amherst Charter Commission Votes to Drop Mayor from Local Government Plan

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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

Wildwood School Boiler, Fort River Feasibility Study Win Resounding Approval at Amherst Town Meeting (UPDATED)

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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)

Amherst School Officials Seek $500,000 for Wildwood Boiler, $250,000 for Fort River Feasibility Study, As Interim Superintendent Launches New Ideas in PGO Presentations (UPDATED)

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Next Wednesday, Amherst Town Meeting will be asked to approve $250,000 for a feasibility study  on the Fort River Elementary School site to determine its suitability for construction, and $500,000 to replace an old boiler system at Wildwood Elementary School.  If those items pass, Town Meeting will also be asked to approve an additional $20,000 … Continue reading Amherst School Officials Seek $500,000 for Wildwood Boiler, $250,000 for Fort River Feasibility Study, As Interim Superintendent Launches New Ideas in PGO Presentations (UPDATED)

Historic Steeple Atop the Jewish Community of Amherst Building to be Restored with Preservation Funds (UPDATED)

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Amherst Town Meeting voted last night to approve spending of about $862,000 in Community Preservation Act funds, including $245,000 to repair the historic steeple on a building that now houses the Jewish Community of Amherst. The building at 742 Main St. that was once the Second Congregational Church dates to 1839. The Jewish Community of … Continue reading Historic Steeple Atop the Jewish Community of Amherst Building to be Restored with Preservation Funds (UPDATED)

Copycat Facebook Site “Amherst4All” Posting Photos Of Town Meeting Members & Comments: But Not To Be Confused With “Amherst For All”

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Some members of Amherst Town Meeting, including yours truly, were surprised last night to find themselves photographed and tagged by name in Facebook posts on a site called "Amherst4All."  Often, confusing remarks accompanied these images of people asking questions of local officials during Town Meeting, which can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amherst4all/ At one point, a … Continue reading Copycat Facebook Site “Amherst4All” Posting Photos Of Town Meeting Members & Comments: But Not To Be Confused With “Amherst For All”