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More Than Meets the Eye
Amherst has a rich array of interesting sights, stories, and architecture dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Recently, the Amherst Historical Commission was asked to weigh in on two demolition permit applications for quite modest buildings that got me thinking more about Amherst’s west side and perhaps generally, about a past era in town when the penetration of residential with commercial, service-industry buildings, barns, and outbuildings was easier to see and was seen as acceptable.
The state is asking the Medical Reserve Corps to help staff South Hadley nursing home
SOUTH HADLEY — Amid complaints of understaffing and reports of bounced paychecks, the state is sending in health workers to the Pioneer Valley Health & Rehabilitation and two of BluPoint Healthcare’s other Massachusetts locations. On Wednesday, the state Department of Public Health requested staff though the Medical Reserve...
New Owners for Black Walnut Inn
Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, July 11, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. It can be viewed here. Craig Meadows, Everald Henry, David Sloviter, and Philip White. Staff: Chris Brestrup (Planning Director), Rob Morra (Building Inspector), and Jacinta Williams (Planner) After...
DCR awards nearly $90,000 in funding to rural and volunteer fire departments
RUTLAND, Mass. — Nearly 40 communities will receive federal funding to help with volunteer fire assistance. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation announced the nearly $90,000 in funding at the Rutland Fire Department Friday. The grant money was given to municipalities with nonprofit rural, call or volunteer fire...
Annual League of Women Voters Book Sale Begins Friday, July 26
The Annual League of Women Voters Books sale opens on Friday July 26 in the gym at the Fort River Elementary School, 70 Southeast Street. Opening day hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The sale will continue on Saturday July 27 and Sunday July 28 and Saturday August 3 and Sunday August 4 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Valley Green Energy launches in Amherst, offering residents cleaner electricity
The town of Amherst has announced the upcoming launch of Valley Green Energy, a new program designed to offer Amherst residents and businesses a more sustainable and cost-effective electrical supply.
Kubiak and Porter Recommended as Nonvoting Members of Finance Committee
With only three of its five members present, the Governance, Operations, and Legislation (GOL) Committee recommended the appointment of Bernie Kubiak to serve the remaining year of Bob Hegner’s term as a non voting member of the Finance Committee and Thomas Avery Porter to a full three-year term. Hegner was elected to the Town Council in November, 2023. Kubiak has served as a nonvoting member of the Finance Committee since 2018, but his current term has expired. The recommendations will be forwarded to the council for consideration at its August 19 meeting.
Finance Director to Serve on Building Committees, 25 Reappointed to Boards, Commissions, and Committees
In memos to the Town Clerk dated July 9, 2024, Town Manager Paul Bockelman nominated Town Finance Director Melissa Zawadski to fill openings on the Jones Library and Elementary School Building Committees, and 25 people as reappointments to town boards, commissions, and committees. The nominations were unanimously approved on the consent agenda of the Town Council at their meeting on July 15.
Town Seeks Councilor Feedback on New Solid Waste Plan
Report on the Meeting of the Town Services and Outreach Committee, July 11, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. It can be viewed here. Andy Steinberg (Chair, at large), Bob Hegner (District 5), Hala Lord and George Ryan (District 3), and Jennifer Taub (District 4). Council President Lynn Griesemer (District 2) was also present.
Jones Library Consultant Amps Up the Vitriol
Few would attempt to assail the integrity and commitment to justice of former federal prosecutor and onetime President of the Jones Library Board of Trustees, Sarah McKee. McKee, an occasional contributor to the Amherst Indy, has served as general counsel to INTERPOL and has sat on the board of the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending. A 2009 Washington Post story recounts how she discovered a long-forgotten book which she returned to the Arlington (VA) Central Library along with a check for $25 and a note of apology for the book being 30 years overdue. McKee is also a vocal opponent of the Jones Library demolition-renovation-expansion project.
Letter: Library Repairs a Fraction of Expansion Cost
The following letter appeared previously in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. The Jones Library’s “Plan B” does not have to be — and should not be — one that addresses every deferred maintenance need. All town-owned buildings have millions of dollars worth of needed repairs. Why...
Opinion: Finally! A Big Step Forward for the Waste Reduction/Curbside Compost Pick Up Initiative
A version of this column appeared previously in the Amherst Bulletin. Conceived as a means to significantly reduce waste and resident costs in Amherst, the waste hauler bylaw proposal is moving forward! This, after several years of wheel spinning. In 2020, Amherst’s Department of Public Works (DPW) received a technical assistance grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protect (DEP) to look at the viability of changing from the current system of subscription hauling services to a town contract with the hauler, obtained through a competitive bidding process, that would include a Pay-As-You-Throw fee structure and universal curbside compost pick up. Currently, residents must either contract directly with USA Hauling and Recycling (USA) or haul their waste to the town’s Transfer Station.
The Connecticut River receives millions of gallons of dumped wastewater
The Connecticut River has been on the receiving end of millions of gallons of wastewater that have been discharged into it. Our neighboring state of Massachusetts has already experienced a similar situation in the past. According to Enfield resident Jasin Crowley, the water level has increased slightly. He believes that...
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