- Jeff Osborne on Town Manager Report for July 17, 2025: “Name: Department of Public Works Building Committee (DPWBC) Term of Appointment: **The length of the building process, estimated to be…” Jul 18, 18:38
- on Mixed-use Building at Amity and University To Be Bigger and Higher: “Is it just me or do the rendering a for this and the library look similar? Soulless L shaped boxes……” Jul 18, 16:28
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “I agree with the people here who comment on the poor workmanship of pothole repair in our town. When I…” Jul 18, 11:14
- on Survey: How Should the Town Use Its Opioid Settlement Funds?: “FIX SOME ROADS! FIX SOME ROADS! FIX SOME ROADS!” Jul 17, 13:18
- on Survey: How Should the Town Use Its Opioid Settlement Funds?: “Let’s use these funds to support CRESS and other projects recommended by CSWG as we know the overdose rates, while…” Jul 17, 10:45
- on Puffer’s Pond Closed to Swimming: “The only promises this town keeps is to the library.” Jul 17, 10:35
- on Puffer’s Pond Closed to Swimming: “What happened with the promise of upstream testing? And what about limiting dog access to the south portion at least…” Jul 17, 09:19
- on Opinion: An Elected Mayor?: “A few of us have wondered (since before the new Charter was adopted and put into effect) whether the failure…” Jul 16, 22:31
- on Interviews for Non-voting Members of the Finance Committee Set for July 15: ““Some GOL members expressed concern that filling the long-standing vacancy on the Charter Review Committee would be disruptive, because the…” Jul 15, 22:53
- on Opinion: An Elected Mayor?: “Our current form of government is flawed . Their are no checks and balances from the top down . Each…” Jul 15, 19:34
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “The Town Meeting vs. Town Council discussion here seems to be centered on the hypothetical benefits/detriments of each system. Either…” Jul 15, 15:50
- on An Introduction to the History of Housing in New England: “Thank you, Inge. That means a lot. And a recent follow up to the subject of burial grounds and more…” Jul 14, 23:37
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “Taking away legislative power from a large group and concentrating it in a small group is the opposite of better…” Jul 14, 18:24
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “As the old saw goes, democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the rest. I’d say that…” Jul 13, 16:42
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “Michael, I’m interested to hear how you think Brookline town meeting is not representing you. Who are the self-interested people?…” Jul 13, 12:15
- on Hunting on Conservation Land to be Discussed at July 30 Conservation Commission Meeting: “This issue came up 30 years ago when I lived on Middle street near Mt Pollux and mothers of young…” Jul 13, 11:35
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “Dear Michael, I suppose one could say the same thing about Amherst’s Town Meeting but it was much more “representative”…” Jul 12, 18:51
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “Brookline resident here. The problem with our current Town Meeting is that it’s a wildly nonrepresentative deliberative body. I suppose…” Jul 12, 15:35
- on Amherst Celebrates Disability Pride Month July 16 with Flag Raising and Free Film: “The best way for the Town of Amherst to celebrate the Disabled is to make sidewalks safe for pedestrians and…” Jul 12, 14:37
- on Opinion: Amherst’s Town Council Form of Government Fails Every Democratic Test: ““Amherst residents who would like to add their name to the list of signatories of this column should contact Art…” Jul 12, 13:22
- on Opinion: Potholes, The Charter, and a Board of Appointments: “Thank you Michael for your cogent analysis. Amherst Forward …. into a pot hole. The clique that dominates Town Council…” Jul 12, 07:39
- on Orchard Valley Gathering #2: Beyond Home and Household: “The big change was when electricity arrived and the post WWII food technology. Before that, being a housewife was a…” Jul 10, 23:24
- on Opinion: Potholes, The Charter, and a Board of Appointments: “Why not have them elected? Put every vacant appointment on the ballot. I never understood why Amherst didnt do that,…” Jul 10, 23:10
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “From the Twon Council: Policy Goals: 1. Climate Action: To continue to make progress on the Council’s Climate Action Goals…” Jul 9, 20:06
- on Our Demolition Delay By-Law, Time Capsules, and Other Thoughts about Working for the Historical Commission, Part 1: “The “old” Sacco house (remember the bakery?!) was used for fire practice as was a sweet gingerbread house on the…” Jul 9, 09:41
- on Letter: Israeli Minister – Our Total Destruction of Gaza Has No Precedent. And the World Is Not Stopping Us.: “I would like to draw your attention to 2 articles: 1. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/israeli-soldiers-shoot-unarmed-palestinians-aid-gaza-1235373984/ 2.https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-05-28/ty-article-magazine/.premium/yes-to-transfer-82-of-jewish-israelis-back-expelling-gazans/00000197-12a4-df22-a9d7-9ef6af930000 I could continue. May I suggest that…” Jul 9, 08:45
- on Newcomers Appointed to Planning Board. Winter Denied Reappointment: “It is a pity that Karin Winter was not re-appointed. She has an independent perspective taking each case on its…” Jul 9, 08:37
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “Yep, Hilda, exactly what many of us feared, but expected, would happen, and the reason why some of those now…” Jul 8, 19:27
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “It seems pretty clear that UMass should be paying significantly more money to Amherst in order for the town infrastructure…” Jul 8, 12:44
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “I’m a financial planner. Since buying our house in 1984, our taxes have more than tripled–way above the inflation rate.…” Jul 7, 16:59
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “One could make a case for there being multiple elements in the basis for these assessments. For example, since larger…” Jul 6, 16:11
- on Sparse Attendance at Charter Review Listening Sessions: “I would agree that an elected mayor would bring more accountability. The article mentioned, better interface with the public, an…” Jul 6, 15:36
- on Town Council Resumes Work on Reparations with Creation of the Amherst Black Reparations Committee: “In response to a question posed at the Town Council meeting of June 30 by Councilor Rooney about whether town…” Jul 6, 12:49
- on Our Demolition Delay By-Law, Time Capsules, and Other Thoughts about Working for the Historical Commission, Part 1: “Hilda, the house that once sat at 50 Henry Street (captured in a historic Howes Brothers photo we own) was…” Jul 6, 11:53
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “They calculate (using gps) the square footage of rooftops, driveways, parking lots and all other impervious areas like tennis courts.…” Jul 6, 10:47
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “Focussing on a library rather than the infrastructure seems to be tipping towards desires of the elite rather than the…” Jul 6, 10:33
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “It is my understanding that most calculations for storm water management fees are based on impervious area. The system can…” Jul 6, 05:07
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “It isn’t only the lack of appropriation of $ for road/sidewalk repair and maintenance—- it is also the totally inadequate…” Jul 5, 13:59
- on Our Demolition Delay By-Law, Time Capsules, and Other Thoughts about Working for the Historical Commission, Part 1: “My 1737 house was slated for fire department practice in 1974. Luckily we got to the bank before the fire…” Jul 5, 12:00
- on Town Council Resumes Work on Reparations with Creation of the Amherst Black Reparations Committee: “A great relief to see this committee taking shape. Thank you for reporting on this important issue, Audrey, and welcome…” Jul 5, 11:56
- on Open Letter: Bare Roots Farm in Response to Gardener’s Supply Filing for Bankruptcy: “I am sorry to learn of the impact of Gardener’s Supply bankruptcy proceedings on Bare Roots Farm and understand what…” Jul 5, 10:13
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “Darcy, Look to the Historical Commission for the best example of committee stacking. Members should have understood that their sworn…” Jul 5, 09:13
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “What would be the basis for assessments? Land area owned? Impervious surface area? Disturbed (like gravel/furnace-ash covered roads) area? Total…” Jul 5, 08:55
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “I don’t know a single resident of Amherst who hasn’t complained about the condition of our roads—and many of our…” Jul 5, 08:52
- on Open Letter: Bare Roots Farm in Response to Gardener’s Supply Filing for Bankruptcy: “Thank you Anna and Chris for letting us gardeners know how the Garden Center’s Chapter 11 has impacted you. So…” Jul 5, 08:32
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “The condition of Amherst’s roads is a scandal. I have complained to the town manager, the director of public works,…” Jul 5, 07:22
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Amherst should consider the creation of a Stormwater Management Enterprise Fund. There are many instances in Amherst in which deteriorating…” Jul 5, 06:42
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “There’s a little crater wedged below the north crosswalk at the northwest corner by the lites at the main intersection.…” Jul 4, 21:07
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Our DPW can’t maintain our roads because Council has other priorities for our tax dollars. Every bent rim and blown…” Jul 4, 08:34
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “Karin Winter has been a hardworking, thoughtful, creative member of the Planning Board. She carefully researched all projects and brought…” Jul 3, 18:50
- on Newcomers Appointed to Planning Board. Winter Denied Reappointment: “Ha! Conflict of interest? The President of the Council is CURRENTLY serving UMass Senior Advisor to the Donahue Institute and…” Jul 3, 13:14
- on Newcomers Appointed to Planning Board. Winter Denied Reappointment: “Jennifer Taub makes an excellent point about the potential conflicts of interest ,that exist with members of the planning board,and…” Jul 3, 12:20
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “This Council came in with an understanding among the majority that it would steamroll its development agenda. That has meant…” Jul 3, 10:37
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “The article linked below, and the Amherst Indy comments above, suggest the Amherst Town Council is stacking the Planning Board…” Jul 3, 07:08
- on Opinion: Is This the Better Story That We Need?: “Yes! This is the better story! And that is what Democrats should be about. Thanks, Russ.” Jul 2, 09:04
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “Denise, nothing has changed in fifteen years…only it’s worse because there is no Town Meeting to balance city hall. Committees…” Jul 1, 21:56
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “During my own tenure on the Planning Board, from 2007 to 2010, I spent hours upon hours reading board materials…” Jul 1, 20:23
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Speaking of town roads, today I drove west down Amity Street…no detour…yay! What I wasn’t expecting was a rectangular deficit…” Jul 1, 18:02
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “Apparently that is not enough–nor is spending hours and hours reading PB packets, taking extra time to work on the…” Jul 1, 14:52
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “The quality of the “fixes” tells us that someone doesn’t know how to do the job properly. Not just ROADS—-…” Jul 1, 13:04
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “Yes, Karin can be counted on to be thoughtful and reasonable” Jul 1, 12:49
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “could the town buy a few dozen roundabouts and straighten them out on top of our failed streets?” Jul 1, 09:20
- on Public Comment: Practical Policing Suggestions for Curbing ICE Abuses in Amherst: “I assume we have the right to bar entry to any person(s) even with indentification or a warrant until we…” Jul 1, 08:46
- on Meet Audrey Falkner, the Indy’s New Intern: “The Indy is amazing. Gives me hope for a futures of power derived from open mindedness, inclusion, participation, collaboration. Let’s…” Jul 1, 08:33
- on Opinion: It’s Time for Reusable Takeout Containers : “Good idea. In my case it will increase my spending on food and beverages. I often refrain from buying food…” Jul 1, 08:11
- on Letter: Reappoint Karin Winter to the Planning Board: “I agree. Karin brings beneficial diversity to an important town committee.” Jul 1, 08:04
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Well, maybe instead of throwing money at all these problems the town has. We need to look at who’s in…” Jul 1, 06:51
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Excellent suggestion by @KathleenCarroll to ask UMASS to participate; specifically through a parking pass tax. I hope the town seriously…” Jun 30, 21:35
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “As I read these comments, I am struck by anyone suggesting we need to collect more taxpayer’s money to improve…” Jun 30, 18:26
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Some of the revenues collected for UMass campus parking stickers are sent directly to the PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority)…” Jun 30, 17:08
- on Meet Your Apartheid Free Community on July 4: “Let’s call it what it is: U.S. supported genocide.” Jun 30, 09:30
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “If Amherst is spending roughly the same amount each year to fix roads with flat state reimbursement, doesn’t this mean…” Jun 30, 09:05
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Great comment, Kathleen Caroll Excise taxes on autos are based on where the car is “garaged”. MA doesn’t get any…” Jun 30, 09:02
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Let’s ask UMass to add an “Amherst Road Service fee” to every campus parking sticker sold. Or if not an…” Jun 30, 05:56
- on TSO Contemplates Action on Heatherstone Road Roundabouts and Public Urination Bylaw: “re: the bylaw — Criminalizing basic human needs is going to do what? stop drunk college kids from peeing? stop…” Jun 30, 01:36
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Downtown will be a mess as well . Currently with the dormitory construction , the contractors take a lot of…” Jun 29, 20:00
- on TSO Contemplates Action on Heatherstone Road Roundabouts and Public Urination Bylaw: “Waste Hauler RFP Process:30 years of studies now? Numerous commissions, committees, independents, and more with still no program. Ever wonder…” Jun 29, 17:31
- on TSO Contemplates Action on Heatherstone Road Roundabouts and Public Urination Bylaw: “NOT porta-cans but real spots for the need. Are these people in need (college folk eating & drinking, people who…” Jun 29, 17:08
- on APEA Charges District with Failing to Follow Legal Requirements for Hiring Licensed Staff: “but this is not Springfield. We’ve done this at upper levels (not just teachers) to our detriment. I believe it’s…” Jun 29, 16:53
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “There are some state-level programs that Amherst can apply for to receive additional funding for projects that will enhance the…” Jun 29, 15:39
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Amherst roads have been unsafe for vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian use for many years. The safety of our population should…” Jun 29, 13:11
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “I think it’s time for a PROTEST It’s time for the town to triple the budget for the DPW. Not…” Jun 29, 12:01
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “The reality is that Amherst’s extremely poor and poorly maintained roads say a great deal about the town’s priorities. Many…” Jun 29, 07:52
- on The State of Amherst’s Roads is Fair. Town Faces $42 Million Repair Backlog: “Just for clarification, we were here then and am still here now. We accept that times change, but don’t think…” Jun 28, 22:43
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “In response to Hilda’s question, I’m guessing the tax revenue from businesses in Hadley is at least partially responsible for…” Jun 28, 19:32
- on APEA Charges District with Failing to Follow Legal Requirements for Hiring Licensed Staff: “Ummm, ummm, ummmm — as a licensed teacher, this caught my attention. DESE isn’t saying anything about this?!? Let’s assume…” Jun 28, 19:04
- on The State of Amherst’s Roads is Fair. Town Faces $42 Million Repair Backlog: “Hilda, sadly, that was when our elected and appointed officials were responsible and accountable in providing the best basics to…” Jun 28, 18:05
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Certainly a valid question Hilda! Perhaps we should have a forensic accounting of town finances.” Jun 28, 15:20
- on TSO Contemplates Action on Heatherstone Road Roundabouts and Public Urination Bylaw: “The plows could not plow around the roundabouts this winter because the turning radius around them is too sharp for…” Jun 28, 15:04
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “In answer to Hilda Greenbaum’s question, because we allow vanity projects instead of need based projects.” Jun 28, 14:42
- on TSO Contemplates Action on Heatherstone Road Roundabouts and Public Urination Bylaw: “A year later, the Town Manager promises TSO action on popular waste hauler reform, after many, many delays. In an…” Jun 28, 13:24
- on TSO Contemplates Action on Heatherstone Road Roundabouts and Public Urination Bylaw: “Or how about when you are campaigning in Amherst Woods:) I say organic gardening.” Jun 28, 13:08
- on The State of Amherst’s Roads is Fair. Town Faces $42 Million Repair Backlog: “Dan: In the past century the Town carried liability insurance to cover damage to cars from potholes. I was reimbursed…” Jun 28, 12:56
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “What is interesting is that Hadley gets the same or more traffic on the “alternate” Rte 9 and the roads…” Jun 28, 12:50
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “There is little glitz connected with making sure the janitors’ closets and maintenance facilities are stocked and adequately staffed. Ribbon…” Jun 28, 11:05
- on Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads: “Hey! Steve Kurtz seems to be the one and only one who can put a positive spin on the condition…” Jun 28, 09:11
- on The State of Amherst’s Roads is Fair. Town Faces $42 Million Repair Backlog: “i propose that the town set up a fund to reimburse drivers for any suspension repairs, due to the negligent…” Jun 28, 08:46