- Rob Kusner on UMass Five College Credit Union Plans New Building On Route 9: “This is an opportunity to include a wide multi-use path there from the Swift Way along the south side of…” May 21, 12:42
- on Letter: In Developing Downtown Amherst, Plan For The Future: “Hear, hear! And please cover the bike areas as well!!” May 21, 12:33
- on Water Treatment Plant Replacement Costs Rise Significantly: “Already the town has a minimum water/sewer usage charge that amounts to about $150/year, and which will rise with the…” May 21, 12:30
- on Temporary Mask Mandate Reinstated At Amherst Middle School: “This could have been avoided. Vaccinated&boosted friends who always wear masks at ARMS – but whose students do not –…” May 21, 12:14
- on Town Receives Financing From State for Centennial Water Treatment Facility : “Has Town Manager Paul Bockelman, who meets with UMass officials every Monday, asked UMass to help pay specifically for this…” May 21, 10:27
- on Letter: In Developing Downtown Amherst, Plan For The Future: “Ira’s suggestion for the town lot at CVS is excellent! It resolves many issues positively. Much greener than another climate…” May 21, 09:48
- on Town Receives Financing From State for Centennial Water Treatment Facility : “Making this water treatment plant energy efficient, and sourcing it with renewable energy would go a long way to meeting…” May 21, 07:26
- on Letter: Build BIPOC Cultural/Empowerment Center At Wildwood School: “This is a great idea and would be a win-win for our community – put the new school at Fort…” May 21, 00:52
- on Town Receives Financing From State for Centennial Water Treatment Facility : “The estimated cost of this project is now $18 million!!! Over $4m more than this time last year. I’m glad…” May 20, 21:16
- on Opinion: In A Democratic Society, The Public’s Voice Must Be Heard: “Thank you Dorothy Pam and thank you Laura Draucker. I agree! A more vibrant and robust democracy would make room…” May 18, 09:40
- on Opinion: In A Democratic Society, The Public’s Voice Must Be Heard: “I completely agree that in a democratic society a public’s voice must not only be heard but also listened to…” May 17, 21:32
- on A Better World Is Possible: Creating Towns That Are Bicycle Friendly: “Guerrilla cycling. Who knew? A quick Google search yields several articles. See e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2018/may/11/the-guerilla-cyclists-solving-urban-transport-problems or https://99percentinvisible.org/article/guerrilla-bike-lanes-san-francisco-makes-illicit-infrastructure-permanent/” May 14, 14:57
- on A Better World Is Possible: Creating Towns That Are Bicycle Friendly: “One fast comment: the very expensive thermoplastic markings serve as a “straw” man in the fiscal argument. They can also…” May 14, 14:44
- on Timber Construction For New Library Gets Thumbs Up: “The lifetime for good concrete and steel construction can be many centuries – what about CLT? The “embodied carbon” calculation…” May 14, 14:27
- on Timber Construction For New Library Gets Thumbs Up: “Sadly, CLT is just another UMass hyped scam to continue business-as-usual in logging forests that should instead be left undisturbed…” May 14, 08:48
- on Opinion: Why Can’t We Move Faster On Climate Change?: “I feel compelled to disagree with Russ when he opens with: “Is it the climate deniers? Is it people not…” May 14, 08:23
- on Senior, Childhood, And Teen Centers Are Most Suggested Uses For Elementary School Building: “I was originally neutral about sites, but I have been persuaded that Fort River School would be the preferable site…” May 12, 09:13
- on Senior, Childhood, And Teen Centers Are Most Suggested Uses For Elementary School Building: “I really appreciate all of the great ideas shared via this edition of Speak Up. I read some great suggestions…” May 10, 20:19
- on Ground-Source System Offers Advantages Over Air-Source System, Say School Building Designers : “Thank you for your comment, Chad. The net zero consultant team working with the designers performed a life cycle costs…” May 9, 20:54
- on Water And Soil Challenges At Wildwood And Fort River Sites Similar And Solvable: “Related to Laura Quilter’s comments above, a new Traffic Study was published last week and can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/61499/22_0505_Draft-Traffic-Study…” May 9, 17:00
- on UMass Establishes Ellsberg Initiative For Peace And Democracy: “One of so very few givebacks (they certainly take) our anchor institution provides to the community. I like much this…” May 8, 21:28
- on North Pleasant Street Parking Plan Will Have More Spaces For Kendrick Park Users: “May be some lessons learned? Parking to be supplied with new buildings? planned Sharing w/buildings? More pocket parks so folks…” May 8, 21:14
- on Truth School Will Offer Eight Free In-Person Classes In May: “Nothing but the tops of local presenters since the tRump election (thank you Rev Dr Andrea) and many of national…” May 8, 20:58
- on ZBA Reviews Plans For Townhouse And Apartment Complex At Sunset And Fearing: “And so we see the future (currently) of Amherst. Growing university space into “the neighborhoods” at the expense of those…” May 8, 20:39
- on Water And Soil Challenges At Wildwood And Fort River Sites Similar And Solvable: “too bad the sites were chosen. The Hatch Act forbids use of our wet lands for building and its been…” May 8, 20:07
- on Ground-Source System Offers Advantages Over Air-Source System, Say School Building Designers : “I would caution the decision makers on their choices. I believe a full ‘ground source’ to be a life cycle…” May 8, 19:48
- on Amherst Media Struggles To Find Temporary Home: “The Town’s Land Bank – Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust sought the same information: what are the town buildings available…” May 8, 19:06
- on Senior, Childhood, And Teen Centers Are Most Suggested Uses For Elementary School Building: “Any time we can poll the community on its thoughts about our resources in common it’s a good move. Thank…” May 8, 10:59
- on Letter: When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic: “Recording of the 5/6 Elementary School Building Committee mtg is available on the Town’s youtube channel. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5KZ__QBTmw” May 7, 18:15
- on Letter: When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic: “At the most recent building committee meeting, Councilor Walker astutely pointed out that South East St between College and Main…” May 7, 18:01
- on Letter: When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic: “It was good to see that at the Elementary School Building Committee meeting on Friday, 5/6, so much time was…” May 7, 15:50
- on Board Of Health Votes To Join Mosquito Control District. Splits On Decision To Opt Out of Aerial Spraying Program: “How does anyone with an organic garden or orchard at their home “opt-out” of this spraying program?” May 7, 13:32
- on North Pleasant Street Parking Plan Will Have More Spaces For Kendrick Park Users: “Did anyone remember the on-street counterflow bike lane southbound? The May 5th plan still shows a mix of pedestrians and…” May 7, 13:10
- on Letter: How Will New Housing Development At Sunset And Fearing Transform The Neighborhood?: “The idea of an international house with apartments for visiting scholars, with programs open to the public, is such a…” May 7, 12:03
- on Senior, Childhood, And Teen Centers Are Most Suggested Uses For Elementary School Building: “Thanks for doing this Jeff–you gathered great public input!” May 7, 11:35
- on Public Comment: What Is A Neighborhood?: “Looking at the image Connie provided, my first of many questions is, where do all those cars go when it…” May 7, 09:54
- on Letter: How Will New Housing Development At Sunset And Fearing Transform The Neighborhood?: “This letter mentions an ad for four roommates to add a fifth roommate. In Amherst, doesn’t the current zoning bylaw…” May 6, 21:32
- on Letter: Amherst Needs More Collaboration Between Residents And BID/Chamber Of Commerce: “Top among stores I want downtown is the Common Shares Food Coop. What better store than one that will bring…” May 6, 09:37
- on Letter: When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic: “New Traffic Study report posted today, 5/5/22 at https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/61499/22_0505_Draft-Traffic-Study” May 5, 15:48
- on Letter: When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic: “That report does not appear to consider traffic volume on the existing roadways, just the traffic to and from the…” May 5, 14:53
- on Letter: When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic: “The impact of increased traffic both on and off site at Fort River and Wildwood is on the agenda of…” May 5, 10:31
- on Letter: Build Rooftop Solar First: “Hey Chad, I absolutely support putting solar on rooftops and anywhere in the built environment but the reality is that…” May 4, 15:31
- on Amherst Invitational Ultimate Disc Tournament Returns: “Great photo! This looks like so much fun! I will definitely be there!” May 3, 23:28
- on Final Performance Of Hair At ARHS Postponed Due To COVID: “Thanks, Maura, for posting this reminder that COVID-19 is still running rampant in Amherst and, though less dangerous to the…” May 2, 14:20
- on Opinion: The Best Use Of The Remaining Elementary School In Amherst: “I agree that we should use built building whenever possible. Why not turn the Hickory Golf Course clubhouse into a…” May 2, 13:46
- on Taking The Politics Out Of Repaving: Amherst’s Repair Priorities Are Data Driven: “I appreciate this article and the District 5 Representation. We talk about complex ways to decarbonize, but the easiest way…” May 2, 13:43
- on Ground-Source System Offers Advantages Over Air-Source System, Say School Building Designers : “UMass seems to have come to the conclusion that widespread use of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP or “Geothermal”) is…” May 2, 10:26
- on Inflation Forcing Library Project To Cut Construction Costs. OPM Sees ‘Tough Decisions’ Ahead: “It was distressing to hear Jones Trustees President Austin Sarat cut off a discussion among the trustees at the Jones…” May 1, 11:47
- on Opinion: The Best Use Of The Remaining Elementary School In Amherst: “Thank you, Meg. Thinking about how to reuse our buildings requires a change in thinking about how a municipality governs.…” May 1, 07:50
- on Inflation Forcing Library Project To Cut Construction Costs. OPM Sees ‘Tough Decisions’ Ahead: “Yes to all three comments above.” Apr 30, 21:34
- on Letter: Personnel Cuts At Amherst’s Branch Libraries Are Ominous: “I agree with you, Terry. There’s no way Mrs. Harbison can devote the time needed to Special Collections when she’s…” Apr 30, 20:16
- on Opinion: Community Safety Working Group Opposes New Young Adult Services Department At Jones Library: “I agree with Meg that the Trustee statement was opportunistic. It was performative and typical of the library’s tactics of…” Apr 30, 20:03
- on Public Comment: What Is A Neighborhood?: “The same transformation has happened on the north end of Lincoln Avenue – almost all family homes converted to student…” Apr 30, 17:17
- on Free COVID Vaccine Clinics Continue At Bangs Center And UMass: “From UMass Health Promotion Center: The PHPC vaccine clinic closes for the spring semester today [April 28] and will reopen…” Apr 30, 12:33
- on Inflation Forcing Library Project To Cut Construction Costs. OPM Sees ‘Tough Decisions’ Ahead: “We can all hope that Austin Sarat is right that we will be able to squeeze $6 million from the…” Apr 30, 12:05
- on Inflation Forcing Library Project To Cut Construction Costs. OPM Sees ‘Tough Decisions’ Ahead: “Perhaps a novel “naming opportunity” at the Jones could be an “adopt a book” program? Each “adoptee” would come with…” Apr 30, 11:10
- on Inflation Forcing Library Project To Cut Construction Costs. OPM Sees ‘Tough Decisions’ Ahead: “I had the same thought, Maura. I cannot envision how they could “value engineer” a quarter of the previously-estimated cost…” Apr 30, 10:56
- on Opinion: Community Safety Working Group Opposes New Young Adult Services Department At Jones Library: “I agree, Michael. Furthermore, apparently young people of color have sometimes not felt welcome at the Jones. I can only…” Apr 30, 09:53
- on Inflation Forcing Library Project To Cut Construction Costs. OPM Sees ‘Tough Decisions’ Ahead: “The following comment was sent to Angela Mills, staff liaison to the JLBC because I was not able to find…” Apr 30, 06:40
- on Public Comment: What Is A Neighborhood?: “Undergraduates are not a protected class. The developers of the Sunset/Fearing project could decide not to rent to undergraduate students.…” Apr 29, 19:21
- on Letter: Personnel Cuts At Amherst’s Branch Libraries Are Ominous: “Your letter, Natalie, brings up many important issues. Cynthia Harbeson, Head of Special Collections, has been given many additional responsibilities…” Apr 29, 11:07
- on Public Comment: What Is A Neighborhood?: “Quality of life is often forgotten ignored in our capitalist culture of short-sighted hustling. The town needs to address such…” Apr 29, 08:20
- on Amherst Media Struggles To Find Temporary Home: “As Paul Bockelman detailed the various Town-owned properties that either are fully occupied or are vacant and have fallen into…” Apr 27, 14:47
- on Water And Soil Challenges At Wildwood And Fort River Sites Similar And Solvable: “Fort River School seems the logical choice given it has so many more acres of land-flat land. This means more…” Apr 26, 19:26
- on Water And Soil Challenges At Wildwood And Fort River Sites Similar And Solvable: “You’re correct, Laura. There are many other differences between the two sites, including size and traffic. At the next building…” Apr 26, 10:49
- on Water And Soil Challenges At Wildwood And Fort River Sites Similar And Solvable: “Geologically they seem quite similar, but I notice (1) space of the sites and (2) traffic around the sites, were…” Apr 25, 15:19
- on Taking The Politics Out Of Repaving: Amherst’s Repair Priorities Are Data Driven: “Well, if South East Street is any indication of how milled and overlain roads last, this process has many flaws.…” Apr 25, 11:19
- on Taking The Politics Out Of Repaving: Amherst’s Repair Priorities Are Data Driven: “Thanks for this important article! The data available on the Town’s website appears to be from 2017 and I believe…” Apr 24, 12:04
- on Opinion: Community Safety Working Group Opposes New Young Adult Services Department At Jones Library: “I certainly agree with and support the CSWG recommendation to remove both the “teen room” and the new Young Adult…” Apr 23, 18:30
- on East Street And Belchertown Road Affordable Housing Plans Unveiled: “I am interested in how the report handles our college and university residents in their statistics and analysis who have…” Apr 19, 18:55
- on East Street And Belchertown Road Affordable Housing Plans Unveiled: “Kudos to the designers for adapting the East Street School building into the affordable housing complex thereby reusing an existing…” Apr 17, 12:39
- on COVID-19 Weekly Update Archive For The Month Of April 2022: “Exponential growth begins slowly, but … here we go again: ! | _ _ / Like many other institutions, it’s…” Apr 16, 19:02
- on Opinion: Local And Green. Turning The Titanic In Time: “While alt energy is a positive, it is not sufficient to reverse global warming. Renewable is a misnomer; the infrastructure…” Apr 16, 17:07
- on East Street And Belchertown Road Affordable Housing Plans Unveiled: “Housing is important, and so, apparently, is transportation. Both projects are on regular transit routes, which is a big plus.…” Apr 16, 17:04
- on Almanac: Invisible Multitude: “Thank you for such kind words Michael…it’s so much fun doing the exploring and poking around, then sharing it with…” Apr 16, 12:04
- on From Other Sources: News For And About Amherst. This Week, April 16, A Local News Roundup: “I like this feature, and would be pleased if the cited sources would reciprocate by including some Indy content in…” Apr 16, 08:42
- on Almanac: Invisible Multitude: “As usual, Steve reminds me of how much I don’t know about the world around me, and how much we…” Apr 16, 08:38
- on CRESS Director Earl Miller Receives Enthusiastic Welcome At Cuppa Joe: “Check out this article on the success of Denver’s civilian responder program. Denver City Council voted unanimously to allocate another…” Apr 16, 08:30
- on Panel: Connecting the Dots: Intersection of Environment, Health, And Social Justice: “This event has been cancelled.” Apr 15, 23:05
- on ARHS Will Introduce Disability Justice Course This Fall: “Thanks to Sara Barber-Just for developing this important addition to the ARHS curriculum and to Walter Lloyd for piloting the…” Apr 15, 17:29
- on Letter: Senior Center Lacks Necessary Space, Budget, And Staffing To Meet Needs Of Amherst’s Older Residents: “Now or soon would be the time to have a town-led community discussion about the pros and cons of future…” Apr 15, 12:07
- on Letter: Senior Center Lacks Necessary Space, Budget, And Staffing To Meet Needs Of Amherst’s Older Residents: “I heartily support Toni Cunningham’s idea of using one of the sites for intergenerational programs. I understand that the adjacency…” Apr 13, 08:49
- on Letter: Senior Center Lacks Necessary Space, Budget, And Staffing To Meet Needs Of Amherst’s Older Residents: “I appreciate this letter and the benchmarking table which compares Amherst’s Senior Center to neighboring towns. I also appreciate Emilie…” Apr 12, 13:21
- on Opinion: A Fork in the Road – Whither Amherst?: “Hear, hear on the concluding sentence!” Apr 12, 10:32
- on Library Building Project Plans Outreach Event. Rising Costs Pressure Budget: “Thanks for this link, Jeff. I urge everyone to watch it. You’ll see that Alex Lefebvre reaffirms that there are…” Apr 11, 06:42
- on Opinion: A Fork in the Road – Whither Amherst?: “It would be interesting and useful to think about what would attract families to town . Is it possible given…” Apr 9, 19:06
- on Library Building Project Plans Outreach Event. Rising Costs Pressure Budget: “Thank you for your comments and clarification, Anika. You are accurate in saying that the Civil War tablets were not…” Apr 9, 16:14
- on Library Building Project Plans Outreach Event. Rising Costs Pressure Budget: “For clarity and truth: -Amilcar Shabazz and Debora Bridges (please note correct spelling) will partner at the Special Collections station.…” Apr 9, 14:29
- on Town Council OK’s Increased Parking Permit Fees, Changes To North Pleasant Street, And Revised Plan For Polling Places: “One clarification: Covid PCR testing is still available through UMass for UMass students, staff, and faculty, and members of their…” Apr 9, 10:57
- on Letter: There Are More Effective Ways To Protect Pollinators Than Not Mowing In May: “Instead of “clear-cut” mowing, selective cutting with a human-powered grass-whip is also effective — and pretty good exercise too! But…” Apr 9, 09:04
- on No Mow May Aims To Protect Pollinators: “And consider getting a grass whip for some quiet, meditative exercise in June — and July and August and…!” Apr 9, 08:56
- on UMass Will Give Away Free Seedlings: “good to know. thank you for sharing this information with us.” Apr 8, 23:17
- on Letter: Senior Center Lacks Necessary Space, Budget, And Staffing To Meet Needs Of Amherst’s Older Residents: “for quite a number of years there have been discussions of moving the Amherst Senior Center from it’s present location.…” Apr 8, 16:39
- on School Budget Vote Leaves Art and Technology Teachers In Limbo: “A million here, a million there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money…. — Something else that the late Senator…” Apr 4, 17:48
- on Letter: A Plea To Save Amherst’s Old Trees: “Both Magnificent Maples are on the west side of Sunset — have a (virtual) look: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3805391,-72.5275551,3a,75y,321.33h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUv0kJU2kHz_wJqi9w0ukLw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 There’s no sidewalk anywhere…” Apr 4, 17:36
- on School Budget Vote Leaves Art and Technology Teachers In Limbo: “Let’s see if I have this right. Due to a declining population of school-age children and for want of $79,200…” Apr 3, 11:28
- on Opinion: A Fork in the Road – Whither Amherst?: “First, thanks for posting this. .I attended the Amherst schools which zi still regret. I am retired after 35 years…” Apr 2, 19:01
- on Letter: A Plea To Save Amherst’s Old Trees: “ready to show up for support for the trees when needed!! MM” Apr 2, 16:51
- on Trustee Denies Library Grant Application Wrongdoing: “Hi, Rob – To your question, here’s what the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 149, § 44A 1/2 , say about…” Apr 2, 13:36