North Amherst
GOVERNMENT
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.
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...
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.”
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.
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.
Board tosses complaint questioning residency of Ware Selectboard member
The Ware Board of Registrars voted unanimously at its Wednesday meeting to dismiss a complaint questioning the residency of Ware Selectboard member Terrance Smith. In June, Selectboard member Josh Kusnierz filed a complaint alleging Smith was living in Shutesbury, not Ware. In his complaint, Kusnierz asked the board to investigate whether Smith could serve as an elected official in the town given the allegations that Smith did not live in Ware. The Republican previously reported that Smith was prohibited by a legal order in his divorce proceedings from residing at his Ware property.
Public Comment: Moving Trash Bylaw Forward, Council Should Heed Advice from Mass DEP
The following public comment was presented at the meeting of the Town Services and Outreach Committed on August 29,2024. Following that meeting, the author appended comments on the meeting. My name is Darcy DuMont and I’m speaking on behalf of Zero Waste Amherst. We are very gratified that the waste...
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