Tag: Town Meeting

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

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)

Amherst Town Meeting Approves Sanctuary Bylaw, Puts Permanent Public Art Funding in Place (INCLUDES UPDATES)

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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 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

Conflict Runs High at Amherst Charter Commission Meeting (UPDATED)

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The growing discord on the Amherst Charter Commission was clear last night, where a few members expressed their unhappiness with the online communications they received from one another, and from the public. Commission member Julia Rueschemeyer said she is concerned that a "special interest group of developers" is trying to control the nine-person commission, and … Continue reading Conflict Runs High at Amherst Charter Commission Meeting (UPDATED)

Guest Column: Amherst Town Meeting Schedule of Three Nights Per Week Will Burden Some Families

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By TONI CUNNINGHAM. New members who were motivated to run for Town Meeting this election cycle may think “What have I done?!” when they learn they have committed to attending three evenings each week – Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. – until all the items on the warrant are voted upon. … Continue reading Guest Column: Amherst Town Meeting Schedule of Three Nights Per Week Will Burden Some Families

Amherst May Become 6th U.S. Town to Call for President Trump’s Impeachment, Amid Nationwide Effort Co-Led by Local Non-Profit

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Amherst Town Meeting has not shied away from taking a stand on national issues, and when the body of 254 citizens assembles on April 26, it will consider a resolution to investigate grounds for the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. Amherst lawyer John C. Bonifaz, who is instrumental in an effort to have cities … Continue reading Amherst May Become 6th U.S. Town to Call for President Trump’s Impeachment, Amid Nationwide Effort Co-Led by Local Non-Profit