Amherst Week Ahead 05.18.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye. Local Historic District Commission — Monday Town Council — Monday Public Art Commission (APAC) — Monday Cinema Seminar: “The Delicate Art of Film Restoration” – Monday Finance Committee — Tuesday Amherst School Committee Public Hearing on School Choice — Tuesday Amherst School Committee — Tuesday Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday Public Hearing on the Clean Energy Bylaw — Wednesday Eric Sawyer: Civil Disobedience Album Release Event - Wednesday Valley Green Energy Working Group — Thursday Joint Meeting of the Town Council and Finance Committee — Thursday Annual Plant Sale – Saturday Memorial Day Commemoration – Next Monday

theamherstcurrent.org

Marching to Its Own Beat, One Last Time

Hampshire College’s final commencement Saturday may have been most memorable for what wasn’t in evidence - bitterness, anger or grief at the school’s pending closure after years of financial struggles. If those emotions were there - and they surely must have been - they took a backseat to a ceremony whose joy and optimism matched the picture-perfect spring day. David Porter shares a recap of the event in words and photos.

theamherstcurrent.org

Lemon into Lemonade:

The sad closing of Hampshire College is symptomatic of massive change in Higher Education, and more broadly across American society. Rather than following the fate of other closed campuses into either oblivion or overly commercial development, Dominic Endicott would like to make the case that there is a path to reconceive of the Hampshire Legacy as one of transformation, for the college and campus, for Amherst, for the Pioneer Valley, and perhaps resulting in impact far beyond this region.

theamherstcurrent.org

On Race and Housing

In this opinion post, Evan Naismith advocates for implementation of the new Housing Production Plan, arguing that Amherst is expert at diagnosing racial inequity and negligent at fixing it.

theamherstcurrent.org

Town Manager Proposes $107M Budget; No Tax Override Planned

Amherst’s proposed town budget for Fiscal 2027 envisions a 3.8% increase from 2026, to $107.1 million, and won’t require a property tax override, Finance Director Sean Mangano said during a presentation to the Town Council on May 4. Dave Porter recaps the budget presentation and highlights.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 05.11.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye. Jones Library Building Committee — Monday Finance Committee Public Hearing on the FY27 Budget — Monday Cherry Hill Working Group — Monday Commission for Persons with Disabilities — Tuesday Finance Committee of the Town Council — Tuesday Cuppa Joe After Hours: FY27 Budget with Finance Director – Tuesday Energy and Climate Action Committee — Tuesday Public Shade Tree Committee — Tuesday Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee of the Town Council — Tuesday Historical Commission Public Hearing — Tuesday Urban Birding for Beginners – Wednesday Amherst Conservation Commission — Wednesday Finance Committee of the Town Council — Thursday The Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees — Thursday Cable Television Advisory Committee Public Hearing — Thursday A Wider Lens: An Intergenerational Art Partnership & Community Reception – Monday-Saturday

theamherstcurrent.org

The Hampshire Opportunity: How Can It Work for Amherst?

Hampshire College's closure has shocked the community, prompting urgent discussions on its impact and future uses of the campus. Bryan Harvey advocates for a clear strategy to reset Amherst's revenue base, arguing the priority should be managing this opportunity wisely for fiscal sustainability.

theamherstcurrent.org

Hampshire YPC Director Takes Her Final Bow After 27 Years

On Sunday, May 3, the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus (YPC) wrapped its 2025-2026 season with a Spring concert at the Wesley Methodist Church in Hadley. Not only did it conclude a packed schedule that included performances in Amherst, Deerfield, South Hadley, and Worcester, it also marked the end of KC Conlan’s 27-year tenure as YPC’s founding Artistic Director.  Freke Ette writes about Conlan's work and legacy.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 05.04.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

Town Council Rejects CPA Funds for Library, Discusses Impact of Hampshire College Closure

At its meeting on Monday, the Amherst Town Council rejected a recommended grant of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for part of the Jones Library building project and considered potential actions the Town could take in the wake of the recently announced closing of Hampshire College. Councilors also advanced a new clean energy zoning bylaw, and scheduled a public discussion of town policy on immigration enforcement. 

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 04.27.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

Wishful Thinking Isn’t a Budget Strategy

Allison McDonald argues that Amherst is again facing budget challenges as the School Committee proposes an unrealistic spending increase. She emphasizes the need to of make budgetary decisions based on current fiscal reality rather than relying on uncertain future funding.

theamherstcurrent.org

Celebrating the Town’s Remarkable Trees

Amherst is a town of extraordinary trees. Its canopy covers roughly 53% of town land — some 9,462 acres — yet many residents pass by the exceptional species around them without a second glance. To change that, the Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee (APSTC) has launched Amherst Arbor Spotlight, a monthly series devoted to the remarkable trees growing in and around town.  For Earth Day, here's a summary of the first four tree spotlights.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 04.20.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

Two Can Live Cheaper Than One

Terry Masterson writes that, as the Town of Amherst begins to plan for a new Department of Public Works facility, it should also simultaneously plan for the construction of the long overdue Fire Station either alongside the DPW Center or in another location.

theamherstcurrent.org

Film Series Exceeded Expectations. 

Amherst Cinema’s film series, Best Picture ‘76, has completed its run. Every Sunday and Tuesday in March, five bona fide American classic films, all different in scope and ambition, screened to fans and the merely curious alike. Audiences of all ages turned up, filled the seats and stayed around for conversations afterwards.  Freke Ette reviews 3 films in the series and describes how they all gave him much to reflect on.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 04.13.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

DPW Workers Enter 10th Month Without Contract; Push To Move Them Out of Dilapidated HQ Gains Momentum

Department of Public Works employees in Amherst have passed nine months working without a contract, though the head of the union representing the workers told the Current that recent developments have given him cause for optimism that an agreement can be reached.  Meanwhile, the Town Council took two actions at its April 6 meeting to address the potential relocation of DPW workers to temporary space while discussions continue on replacing the current DPW building on South Pleasant Street. David Porter provides an update.

theamherstcurrent.org

An Open Challenge: Get Your Facts Straight, Town Councilors

Recently, a group of Amherst residents, including seven of Amherst's 13 Town Council members, sent a letter to UMass Chancellor Reyes and others asking them to commit to build more housing on campus for students, claiming student housing exacerbates local issues. Evan Naismith argues their assertions are unfounded and driven by NIMBYism, incorrectly attributing demographic and financial challenges to UMass students. He underscores the need for evidence-based housing policies to improve the situation.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 04.05.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

School Committee Backs $30M Budget–More Than a Half Million Over Town Guidance

The Amherst School Committee, meeting in a special one-topic session on Tuesday, debated four different budget “scenarios” for the FY27 Amherst elementary schools before ultimately unanimously approving a package that maintains specials teachers and interventionists while trimming central office costs. The nearly $30 million budget, a 5.87% increase over the current year, is $572 thousand higher than the Town Council guidance, setting up another contentious process to develop a final town-wide budget by June. 

theamherstcurrent.org

Town Council Unanimously Approves “Tariff Sanctuary” Status for Amherst

In an emergency session Monday night that drew nearly four hundred residents to Town Hall — including seventeen people who had been waiting since 6:00 PM to speak about an unrelated compost bin rebate program — the Amherst Town Council voted 13-0 to declare Amherst a "Tariff Sanctuary Municipality," making it the first town in the Commonwealth to formally refuse to acknowledge federal import duties on goods it finds "philosophically inconsistent with community values."

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 03.30.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

Town Council Advances Package of Charter Changes, Refers CPA Recommendation to Finance Committee

At its meeting on Monday, the Amherst Town Council voted to advance a package of changes to the Town’s home-rule charter, forwarding eight of the 22 changes recommended by the Charter Review Committee to be developed into a local ballot question, tabling one of the recommended changes, and referring the rest to committees for further review. The Council discussed the roughly $3 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding recommendations before voting to refer the proposal to the Finance Committee for further analysis and recommendation.

theamherstcurrent.org

Survival Center Marks 50 Years of Helping Neighbors in Need

Fifty years ago, Jane Holappa founded the Amherst Survival Center to support those in need by distributing food and necessities. Now, it serves over 1.5 million meals annually and offers diverse social services. Nick Grabbe writes about what's changed--and what hasn't--in 50 years at the Amherst Survival Center.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 03.23.26

It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst School Committee Hears Passionate Testimony, Presses for Details on FY27 Budget

At its March 17 meeting and public hearing, the Amherst School Committee discussed the FY27 budget which includes a $1.1M increase but proposes cuts to specialist and special education positions, facing criticism from educators and parents. Public comments emphasized the negative impact of these reductions on students, particularly those with high needs. The committee asked for further budget detail, including options for increasing the budget above the Town Council guidance.

theamherstcurrent.org

The Proposed East Amherst Historic District would be a Taxpayer-Funded HOA 

In this opinion post, Evan Naismith advocates against the proposed local historic district in East Amherst, arguing that it misuses taxpayer resources. With only eight out of 120 surveyed residents in favor and pressing budget cuts affecting education and services, he believes the town should prioritize future needs over preserving the past.

theamherstcurrent.org

Smaller Enrollment, Greater Needs: Four Towns Weigh Regional School Budget

The region’s four towns got a detailed look at the financial future of their schools at the Four Towns meeting on Saturday, March 14, where district leaders walked through a draft budget that tries to balance rising student needs, higher costs, and the fiscal limits of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury. Allison McDonald recaps the presentation and budget summary.

theamherstcurrent.org

Amherst Week Ahead 03.16.26

It’s Monday, and we’re back with our weekly outlook to the public meetings, activities and events for the upcoming week.

theamherstcurrent.org