Bay State
GOVERNMENT
ZBA Opens Public Hearing for Affordable Rentals
Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, August 29, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. Steve Judge (Chair), Everald Henry, Craig Meadows, David Sloviter, and Philip White. Staff: Jacinta Williams, Nate Malloy, Chris Brestrup (Planners) Attorney Carolyn Murray (KPLaw) representing the Zoning Board...
Letter: Hope is Alive in Amherst
Jones Library Trustee Farah Ameen labels those who disagree with her a “vocal minority,” denigrates their concerns as “first world” problems and misinformation, and blames their advocacy for a loss of hope. Hope is alive and well among the many town residents who support the Jones Library but advocate a more measured and affordable approach than the plan proponents insist is the only way. Hope that other, higher priority town needs will not be short-changed or delayed because of this one project. Hope that those in positions of power will not abuse that power . Hope that reason will prevail. And hope that the Jones Library finally will be repaired, its unused spaces fully utilized, and its function as one of three town libraries continue well into the 21st century and beyond.
Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District Messaging
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a very rare but serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that can cause severe illness and even death. The last human case of EEE occurred in 2020. There is no specific treatment for EEE; prevention is crucial. West Nile virus (WNV) differs from EEE in...
Library Project Gets Past Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends
Amherst Historical Commission Nixes Asphalt Roof, Window Repairs. Amidst complaints that they were ignoring advice from the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), the Amherst Historical Commission (AHC) voted 3-1 to declare that recent cost-saving cuts to the design of the Jones Library Demolition-Renovation-Expansion “meet the [Town-Library] Preservation Restriction standards and comply with the Secretary of the Interior standards.”
The potential impact of a PVTA strike
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A potential PVTA driver strike could severely impact regular riders in Springfield and surrounding communities as early as Sunday. All of this over a contract dispute, after union drivers voted down the management company’s best and final offer, and if the union decides to strike it could impact thousands here in western Mass, including thousands of students in Springfield alone.
ZBA Denies Permit for Nonowner-Occupied Duplex on Chestnut Street
Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, August 22, 2024 , Part 2. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. Lixiang Yao applied for a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to convert the house she purchased in April at 161 Chestnut Street into a nonowner occupied duplex. The house is at the corner of Chestnut Street and Mattoon, near the middle school and high school and has an in-ground swimming pool in the rear. The previous owner occupied a one-bedroom accessory unit, while renting the two-story, three-bedroom main house. Both units are currently unoccupied, and the pool has not been opened this year. The property has had no rental registration permit since 2019.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.