- Nancy Hamel on The State of Amherst’s Roads is Fair. Town Faces $42 Million Repair Backlog: “We were told HEATHERSTONE ROAD was on the docket for paving in 2025. LIES….I don’t see it noted anywhere. ECHO…” Jun 24, 16:40
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Belchertown : “And this, from The Springfield Republican in a Special relating to Juneteenth by Michael Carolan https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2025/06/hidden-black-roots-unearthed-as-part-of-belchertowns-greater-family-tree.html” Jun 24, 07:25
- on Plans for North Amherst Overlay District Advance: “Which sewer main will take priority? 1. A new larger sewer pipe system to handle the proposed building of additional…” Jun 24, 06:17
- on Public Comment: Practical Policing Suggestions for Curbing ICE Abuses in Amherst: “Please know that residents can call LUCE to report any suspicious activity as well. 617-370-5023- this includes unmarked, missing license…” Jun 23, 10:20
- on Plans for North Amherst Overlay District Advance: “The Swift Way balanced by the Puffers Path. I am all for it! Hetty” Jun 22, 13:13
- on Photos of the Week: More Reflections from Dave Madeloni: “Note: We just added Dave’s actual reflection selfie (Reflection 1184 for National Selfie Day). Check it out here:https://www.amherstindy.org/2025/06/20/photos-of-the-week-more-reflections-from-dave-madeloni/” Jun 22, 12:25
- on FY26 Budget Adopted with Objections to Loss of CRESS Positions and Extra Money for the Elementary Schools: “Barry del Castilho was the Amherst Town Manager in 2002. Larry Shaffer became Town Manager in July 2006, shortly after…” Jun 21, 15:19
- on Photos of the Week: More Reflections from Dave Madeloni: “Self(?)-portrait 1126 is my favorite!” Jun 21, 13:48
- on Plans for North Amherst Overlay District Advance: “I am curious .. if I am reading this correctly . A member of the planning board,is pitching a concept…” Jun 21, 11:23
- on Photos of the Week: More Reflections from Dave Madeloni: “Good to see these new reflection images from Dave – I especially like the Boston photos, which have strong texture…” Jun 21, 10:11
- on Plans for North Amherst Overlay District Advance: “Plans to increase density at Puffton Village while creating a substantial stream buffer are good, but tripling or quadrupling the…” Jun 21, 09:35
- on Public Comment: Practical Policing Suggestions for Curbing ICE Abuses in Amherst: “I would like to sign this petition as well. I would also like to request our Town Manager to activate…” Jun 21, 09:30
- on Public Comment: Practical Policing Suggestions for Curbing ICE Abuses in Amherst: “I agree with these requests. Also, although the town has a web page devoted to immigration resources at https://www.amherstma.gov/3830/Immigration-Resources, it…” Jun 21, 09:05
- on Meet Audrey Falkner, the Indy’s New Intern: “Welcome Audrey! We need all the rising clear thinkers willing to engage and appreciate your participation.” Jun 20, 21:53
- on Plans for North Amherst Overlay District Advance: ““ Malloy noted that the consultants had a hard time quantifying the number of UMass students who consider themselves among…” Jun 20, 19:45
- on Opinion: Committed to One Another, and to the Earth: “I’ve read this a couple of times: and checked the links. Words to live by, especially for the interfaith communities…” Jun 17, 14:31
- on Opinion: Committed to One Another, and to the Earth: “Thank you for this article and forwarding this discussion. The reality around us defies my understanding and expectation that people…” Jun 17, 12:25
- on On No Kings Day, Let Us Call for an End to US Military Support of Israel: “An independent, unbiased accounting of atrocities is not needed to lead us to the conclusion that we should support peace…” Jun 17, 11:02
- on Town of Amherst Named Climate Leader Community: “The Current also reported on this grant. I submitted (something like) this comment, which was not accepted. https://theamherstcurrent.org/2025/05/21/another-green-milestone-amherst-designated-a-climate-leader-community/ Thanks Jack…” Jun 16, 14:45
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “Jonathan — https://www.foia.gov/how-to.html I’m pushing other boulders uphill currently. No legal expertise needed to file a FOIA request.” Jun 16, 14:16
- on Finance Committee Sees ‘Rocky Road Ahead’ for Amherst Budgets: “Thank you Cathleen. Omitting this data in their presentation says a lot about councilors’ attitudes towards racial equity and inclusion…” Jun 16, 09:17
- on Charter Committee Reviews Elected Offices and the Role of Town Manager: “These are valuable comments that the Charter Review Committee should hear and consider. I am sure others have thoughts that…” Jun 15, 08:47
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Would It Make Sense for the Town to Offer an Annual Downtown Parking Pass?: “In conclusion, thank you Darcy Dumont for suggesting a $25/per year parking sticker from the Amherst Senior Center, allowing 4…” Jun 15, 07:15
- on Finance Committee Sees ‘Rocky Road Ahead’ for Amherst Budgets: “I just want to add that in creating the chart that compares our schools to other districts, the Finance Committee…” Jun 15, 06:09
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Would It Make Sense for the Town to Offer an Annual Downtown Parking Pass?: “In addition to Tom Crossman’s reasonable concern about lack of turnover, here are a couple more: Aren’t there already too…” Jun 14, 17:16
- on Finance Committee Sees ‘Rocky Road Ahead’ for Amherst Budgets: “Hanneke uses comparable size schools for the comparison of per-pupil expenditures, but wouldn’t a better comparison be based on multiple…” Jun 14, 16:18
- on Charter Committee Reviews Elected Offices and the Role of Town Manager: “I agree with Hilda that under the current charter a smaller Town Council is a bad idea. But under a…” Jun 14, 13:57
- on Charter Committee Reviews Elected Offices and the Role of Town Manager: “Reducing Council membership to five is a bad idea given there are no checks nor balances in our Charter. All…” Jun 14, 10:47
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “Expanded testing is needed in order to prioritize remediation steps. This additional testing has not been conducted. If human-specific markers…” Jun 14, 09:18
- on On No Kings Day, Let Us Call for an End to US Military Support of Israel: “Does EVERYTHING have to connect to support for a group that has held hostages for 617 days? Is it possible…” Jun 14, 08:42
- on Charter Committee Reviews Elected Offices and the Role of Town Manager: “As a former 11 year Deputy Mayor (1987 to 1991) and Village Councilor (1983 -1991, 2009-2010) from a town in…” Jun 14, 07:28
- on Archipelago Presents Conservation Commission with Revised Plan for Atkins Corner: “As in baseball , three strikes and you are out . The same for this proposed project . Enough of…” Jun 14, 07:02
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “Bryan, you seem to have a lot of knowledge on the legal aspects of this. Perhaps you can take the…” Jun 13, 18:29
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “It doesn’t look good for swimming in Puffer’s Pond, AGAIN. Closed to swimming in June? This problem has gone on…” Jun 13, 15:18
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “Some unsolicited advice: In this highly charged environment, I highly recommend two parallel paths that you may already be pursuing:…” Jun 13, 08:54
- on Puffers Pond Open for Swimming: “It strikes me as significant that the readings at the South Beach are almost twice those of the North Beach.” Jun 12, 14:17
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “Update to this ongoing nightmare: Enrique Tarrio, leader of the neo-fascist Proud Boys and convicted Jan. 6 insurrection organizer, just…” Jun 12, 10:57
- on Letter: It’s Time to Repoen Take It Or Leave It At The Transfer Station: “Here: REUSE RECENTER SWAP SHOP over in ‘Hamp: The ReCenter season runs from April through October. It is open on…” Jun 11, 16:59
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Would It Make Sense for the Town to Offer an Annual Downtown Parking Pass?: “hi Tom, On the topic of AI taking your job away, many signs point to it’s already happening, eliminating entry…” Jun 11, 15:45
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Would It Make Sense for the Town to Offer an Annual Downtown Parking Pass?: “Also, don’t forget for those of us over 65: (from Town of Amherst website) The Senior Center has Senior Parking…” Jun 11, 12:20
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Would It Make Sense for the Town to Offer an Annual Downtown Parking Pass?: “Once someone has an “Annual parking pass”, what would prompt them from leaving a parking spot if there was no…” Jun 11, 10:06
- on Design of ADA Path at Munson Memorial Library Hinges on Rhododendron: “As to right turns on wheelchair ramps, there are very clear ADA specs as to how wide the ramp must…” Jun 10, 20:13
- on Five Vie for Three Open Positions on Planning Board: “Perhaps the council will see the need for a change . There has certainly been a lot of noise around…” Jun 10, 15:50
- on The Railways in Amherst: “Michael Carolan mentions Dwight Day 2024 and so it is with great relish that I share Dwight Day 2025 (thanks…” Jun 10, 14:48
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “I haven’t been a big fan of the demolition/addition of the Jones Library (but want a home for Special Collections…” Jun 10, 14:23
- on Amherst Board of Health Still Waiting for Waste Hauler Reform: “Who stands to gain if this does not get addressed? Seems like some accountability is in order here.” Jun 10, 11:51
- on Public Comment: It’s Time to Renew Support for Waste Hauler Reform: “As a relatively new Amherst resident I’ve been appalled at the discrepancy between how much I pay in taxes and…” Jun 10, 11:47
- on Five Vie for Three Open Positions on Planning Board: “By Council policy, Bruce Coldham and Karin Winter are given preference to continue on the Planning Board. The Council policy…” Jun 10, 09:51
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “Can we advocate for more and consistent testing upstream. If it linked to rain, there must be a point/ several…” Jun 9, 14:25
- on Public Comment: It’s Time to Renew Support for Waste Hauler Reform: “We have bears in the neighborhood, and they’ve never bothered my compost bin, or my garbage for that matter. I…” Jun 9, 14:13
- on Amherst Board of Health Still Waiting for Waste Hauler Reform: “I was just wondering what the heck was going on with this! Is it so difficult to push it through?…” Jun 9, 14:09
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “I was waiting for this. Yes, it’s so great that some time in the future we’ll get a new library/…” Jun 9, 10:06
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “You know it’s June when the bacteria notices go up like clockwork. A good indicator of the towns intentions to…” Jun 8, 11:45
- on Five Vie for Three Open Positions on Planning Board: “Michael Greenebaum writes: “Members of the Planning Board should not have any real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest, and…” Jun 7, 20:00
- on Five Vie for Three Open Positions on Planning Board: “I think Karin Winter should be reappointed . She has consistently bucked up against the majority . She has a…” Jun 7, 19:17
- on Five Vie for Three Open Positions on Planning Board: “My list of qualifications would be quite different from Mr. Marshall’s. His first three are characteristics not qualifications, and mostly…” Jun 7, 14:10
- on Five Vie for Three Open Positions on Planning Board: “The planning board position should be an elected position . The choice should be the citizens of Amherst ,and we…” Jun 7, 07:19
- on Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming: “And so it begins. One of our most loved and used recreation areas will probably be unsafe for swimming for…” Jun 7, 06:29
- on Public Comment: It’s Time to Renew Support for Waste Hauler Reform: “Absolutely. The cost information is needed first so let’s get that done. One of the initial concerns about this proposal…” Jun 6, 17:53
- on Public Comment: It’s Time to Renew Support for Waste Hauler Reform: “At least as of a few years ago the was no competition for waste hauling in the Amherst area. USA…” Jun 6, 16:51
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “Thanks Jonathan, So to continue this thread, ICE agents, as with anyone else, acting as police when not police, are…” Jun 6, 13:48
- on Amherst Teams Capture State Championships: “These student athletes and their coaches worked hard for these wins, well deserved!” Jun 6, 13:44
- on Opinion: Care, Loyalty, Obedience: Where Congress and Boards Keep Failing: “As an educator, I so appreciate your point about civics education for young people! We all know that kids will…” Jun 6, 13:29
- on Design of ADA Path at Munson Memorial Library Hinges on Rhododendron: “Moving the rhododendron would cost $10-12K? Seriously?” Jun 6, 12:31
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “If I understand your question correctly, Jay, it’s a good one. There is some real, compelling evidence that these ICE…” Jun 6, 12:30
- on Town Manager: Town Was Not Informed in Advance of ICE Actions: “An open question: What part of being an ICE agent constitutes their being “police”; or is that a misrepresentation of…” Jun 6, 10:53
- on Design of ADA Path at Munson Memorial Library Hinges on Rhododendron: “Wheelchairs are quite able to make 90 degree turns, this is extremely common on sidewalks and inside buildings. This is…” Jun 6, 10:19
- on Design of ADA Path at Munson Memorial Library Hinges on Rhododendron: “People in wheelchairs cannot make right angle turns on the narrow ramp. The walkway should be curved at the corner…” Jun 6, 07:48
- on Design of ADA Path at Munson Memorial Library Hinges on Rhododendron: “Why don’t they move the rhododendron? They are very shallow rooted so this isn’t that difficult, except you will have…” Jun 5, 20:03
- on Design of ADA Path at Munson Memorial Library Hinges on Rhododendron: “It was disappointing that there was no acknowledgment at the Planning Board (PB) hearing that the Conservation Commission has met…” Jun 5, 16:53
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “The amazing thing about Orchard Valley is that the homes were intended as “starter homes”, but the homes and neighborhood…” Jun 5, 10:19
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “Echo Hill came a couple of years later with affordable units and middle income ones for those trading up. Student…” Jun 4, 20:31
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “Just a comment about some of the comments: I don’t believe capitalism is immutable (as a progressive!). As Ursula le…” Jun 4, 19:53
- on Town Council Appoints Four to Sustainability Group for Regional Schools: “IMHO , both incumbent planning board members should not be reappointed . Primarily for their role in the approval, and…” Jun 4, 19:29
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “Oh, we were so much wiser then, we’re money hunger than that now.” Jun 4, 18:16
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “Wait a moment… there is actually a history of local government intervening in the sacred Market to make housing more…” Jun 4, 09:46
- on Records Reveal UMass Police’s Recent Weapons, Equipment Purchases: “What do the police apologists among us think this hardware is going to be used for? Just a little tussle…” Jun 4, 09:37
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “I am always struck by the attacks on single-family houses as if they have created almost all housing and environmental…” Jun 2, 14:54
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “I remember, as a town employee in 1974, Longmeadow Drive, Greenwich Road and Deepwoods Drive were commonly referred to (at…” Jun 1, 19:50
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “Thanks for adding this detail. And he may not want to appear to sound his own trumpet but here is…” Jun 1, 18:30
- on Orchard Valley, Amherst: Reprising Social Housing and Its Histories: “As the article notes, the last phase of development in Orchard Valley involved HUD financing. In fact, the development of…” Jun 1, 17:54
- on Letter: Expanded Jones Is Way Out of Step With The Future: “Fantastic that was amazing well said.” Jun 1, 09:44
- on Letter: Expanded Jones Is Way Out of Step With The Future: “Thanks, Ken. I could not agree more. The library’s expansion was always unnecessary and its exorbitant cost will affect the…” May 31, 17:10
- on Letter: Trump and White Afrikaners – Déjà Vu for a South African Expatriate: “Thank you Margaret for your truthful heartfelt words and for sharing perspective from your experience in South Africa. Spot on” May 31, 12:58
- on Ask Perplexity AI: What is the Feasibility of Building 700-900 New Units of Housing in Amherst?: “Any human occupied area has a natural carrying capacity, and one of the constraining features in our area is the…” May 31, 09:04
- on Housing Production Plan Aims for 700 to 900 New Units Over the Next Five Years : “Pelham is about to have 34 affordable units come online. As a participant in the ZBA process that permitted the…” May 31, 06:35
- on Where Do We Stand With the School Budgets?: “Does the Regional budget still cut world language programs in the middle and high schools? If so, this may drive…” May 31, 02:50
- on Town to Purchase Land to Protect Drinking Water Supply: “At least one bit — at least 50 acres worth 🙂 — of good news!” May 31, 02:28
- on Letter: Trump and White Afrikaners – Déjà Vu for a South African Expatriate: “Oh Margaret thank you for writing this. Your move to the US has inspired Jimmy and me for years and…” May 30, 21:50
- on Design for Hickory Ridge Solar Nears Completion: “Would some group , planning board, zoning , or conservation ,please abide to the bylaws in town ? Restore my…” May 29, 20:45
- on Letter: Israeli Minister – Our Total Destruction of Gaza Has No Precedent. And the World Is Not Stopping Us.: “How is this relevant to Amherst? Why do I keep writing? As Gabor Mate points out about his writing and…” May 29, 08:00
- on Opinion: Affordable Housing is Cruel to the Majority: “Unfortunately, Jonathan Sivel and Darcy DuMont, everything is commoditized. Despite the wishes of a loud portion of the area population,…” May 28, 16:36
- on Opinion: Affordable Housing is Cruel to the Majority: “Hear, hear, Jonathan Sivel. Our current form of government is doing a LOT to enable this sort of thing -…” May 28, 12:20
- on Opinion: A Profound Choice: “Thank you, Russ. While building community we also have to fight back against those who would tear it down. I…” May 28, 11:02
- on Opinion: Affordable Housing is Cruel to the Majority: ““Developers need to make money too.” This one, seemingly innocuous statement speaks volumes. Why should housing, an absolute necessity of…” May 28, 10:52
- on Housing Production Plan Aims for 700 to 900 New Units Over the Next Five Years : “The 207 page Amherst housing production plan does not include a financial projection for municipal tax revenue from a full…” May 28, 08:31
- on Letter: Trump and White Afrikaners – Déjà Vu for a South African Expatriate: “Thanks for sharing this powerful testimony about life in Apatheid South Africa and the alarming parallels with today’s USA. Bravo,…” May 27, 20:22
- on Opinion: Affordable Housing is Cruel to the Majority: “Because the non-profit Valley Community Development screens, trains, and selects all the buyers. The deeds are restricted such that the…” May 27, 08:47
- on Letter: Trump and White Afrikaners – Déjà Vu for a South African Expatriate: “I am grateful to have learned from your thoughtful letter and continue to be embarrassed by the treatment of foreign…” May 27, 08:30