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GOVERNMENT
3 Massachusetts College Towns Are Among the Best in the Northeast
Any New Englander will tell you that there are many factors contributing to the region's excellent reputation, including the schools and higher education opportunities. New England is home to over 250+ colleges and universities, according to The New England Board of Higher Education and CollegeSimply. But it's not just these institutions which hold appeal to prospective students; it's the towns they're located in. After all, when you're not in the classroom or studying, these communities are where you go to shop, eat, and have fun with friends.
Lake Pleasant 150th Anniversary Celebration
Lake Pleasant 150th Anniversary Block Party Celebration. The Lake Pleasant Village Association and The National Spiritual Alliance are excited to host the 150th Anniversary Celebration of Montague MA’s most storied Village of Lake Pleasant. This FREE public block party is scheduled from 1-9pm and marks the founding of the Village of Lake Pleasant in 1874, as well as the 150th anniversary of the Spiritualist Community. This momentous occasion will feature live music, regional craft vendors, festival food, history talks, metaphysical vendors and authors, 50/50 raffle, pie auction and activities for families. The celebration will culminate with a time capsule ceremony and illumination of the historic Bridge of Names.
Excitement high for a potential new path along Route 116 corridor
SUNDERLAND — The town of Sunderland is partnering up with the town of Amherst to design a mixed-use path from Whately to Amherst. Sunderland has received a $195,090 Mass Trails grant for a feasibility study and designing of the 10-foot-wide path that will go from Whately Park and Ride off Interstate 91 along Route 116 through South Deerfield and Sunderland ending just south of Meadow Street in Amherst.
North Whitney Street Duplex a No-go for Now
Application for Non-owner Occupied Duplex Withdrawn. Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, July 25, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. Steve Judge (Chair), Everald Henry, Craig Meadows, David Sloviter, and Philip White. Staff: Christine Brestrup (Planning Director), Jacinta Williams (Planner), and Rob...
Puffers Pond Remains Closed to Swimming
Puffer’s Pond will remain closed to swimming until further notice due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. There are many factors that could be contributing to this ongoing issue and the town is looking into causes and exploring long-term solutions. The town conducts water quality testing weekly with results posted on Wednesdays at www.amherstma.gov/puffers. The most recent results were posted on Wednesday, July 24 and new results will be posted on Wednesday, July 31.
Greenfield Business Assoc. Moves to Main Street to Better Serve Stakeholders
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Business Assoc., an advocate and partner for local businesses, announced it will relocate to a new office on Main Street in Greenfield on Aug. 1. This strategic move aims to enhance the association’s ability to support its members and the broader business community more effectively, and has been generously supported by partners at Cohn & Co. Real Estate, the city of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College, and the Franklin County Community Development Corp.
Elks Lodge hosts free car show at the VA hospital in Leeds
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Car enthusiasts are invited to the 5th annual car show for veterans on Sunday. The Northampton Elks Lodge is hosting the event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Medical Center located at 421 N. Main Street in Leeds. The event is free for drivers and spectators.
YMCA closed after water main pipe breaks
GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Franklin County YMCA at 451 Main Street in Greenfield has closed expectedly Friday after a water main pipe broke and will reopen as soon as repairs are made. From the Franklin County YMCA:. YMCA CLOSED DUE TO BROKEN WATER MAIN PIPE. The...
From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst. This Week: Catching Up
We’re still trying to catch up on the news from when we were on vacation a couple of weeks ago. Here are some links to stories that we missed. Here at the Indy we support several other publications with our personal subscriptions and we encourage our readers to do the same as they are able. And for this feature, we try to post articles that are not hiding behind a paywall. But sometimes an article worth reading is hiding behind a paywall, and subscription to the source is just not feasible. For such instances there are workarounds. Check out some possibilities here and here and here.
Philip Avila Named New Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced in his July 15 Town Manager Report that former Amherst Human Rights Commission co-chair Philip Avila will be the new Assistant Director of the town’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Avila will begin his duties on August 5. Avila is currently a...
Holyoke Water Works Commission Meeting July 30, 2024
– Healing from the Roots, LLC – Five Element Yoga. – William J. Boyle Scholarship Fund – Run Billy Run 2024. – Pope Francis Preparatory School – Cross Country Meets. 6. DAVID M. CONTI, MANAGER. RE: Old Business/New Business. – Mass. Audubon Grant Program. – Collective Bargaining...
Town Schedules Three Public Hearings on Proposed Changes to Jones Library Expansion Design
The Town of Amherst has scheduled three public hearings on proposed changes to the design of the Jones Library expansion. Recent value engineering adopted by the Jones Library Trustees in the hopes of lowering the overall cost of the project have resulted in significant changes to the design from what was originally proposed – requiring re-approvals from both the Planning Board and the Amherst Historical Commission. These changes include the elimination of nearly all sustainability features and many historic features that would impact the historic character of the building.
Embattled nursing home system asks judge to change receivership into monitoring
BOSTON — Attorneys for the company that owns three nursing care facilities placed into receivership last week over concerns that poor staffing would imperil the welfare of 300 residents asked a Superior Court judge to change the arrangement so that the state is only monitoring its operations. The Attorney...
Hibernians of Hampden and Hampshire Counties Annual Traditional Summer Picnic
Holyoke - The Hibernians of Hampden/Hampshire Counties invites the public to attend the annual traditional summer picnic featuring Jim O’Connor and the Boston Irish-American Blackthorne Band at Hamel’s Summit View Pavilion, 555 Northampton St. on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are...
Town Manager Report for July 15, 2024
Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council, usually at the first Town Council meeting of each month. The reports, usually 9 to 16 pages in length, provide up-to-date information on what is happening within and across town departments. The Manager’s Report is usually one of the last items on the agenda and is often taken up late at night, leaving little time for Bockelman to do more than mention a few highlights and this is usually all that gets entered into the Council minutes. What follows is a complete, unedited version of the Town Manager’s Report. All Town Manager Reports are available on the town’s website here: Town Manager Reports.
Town Manager Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Town Boards and Committees
Town Manager Paul Bockelman seeks volunteers to serve on Town Boards and Committees. The Town of Amherst has over 30 boards and committees that support and advise the work of town government and each has multiple residents who are members. Terms of service are typically three years; some may be shorter. Members typically serve for two terms. Members with terms expiring who have served one term may be seeking reappointment. Some multi-member groups have vacancies available for students enrolled at Amherst Regional High School (Human Rights Commission and Community Safety and Social Justice Committee).
IRS reinstates Holyoke Public Library’s nonprofit status
HOLYOKE — The Internal Revenue Service has reinstated the tax-exempt status of the Holyoke Public Library. The 501(c)(3) reinstatement took effect on June 27 and applies retroactively to November 2022. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive...
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