- Renata Shepard on Search for ARMS Principal Curtailed. Finalist Charges Discrimination: “Retaliation and discrimination indeed! Mika Magee is the middle school principal we need – a highly qualified, caring, dedicated member…” Apr 25, 15:16
- Amherst 6th Graders to Attend “6th Grade Academy” at ARMS Beginning in Fall 26: “I have always been against separating 6th grade from our elementary schools. Even if they were part of the regional…” Apr 25, 15:11on
- Letter: Operations of the Friends of the Jones Library Should Be Publicly Disclosed: “Michael and Rob, You are right to call attention to the failure of the Friends of the Jones leadership to…” Apr 24, 21:03on
- Library Construction Docs in Disarray as Town Payments Pass $2M: “Regarding those 16 payments that the Town made in February, March, and up to mid April, without getting votes of…” Apr 24, 17:21on
- The Railways in Amherst: “https://www.gazettenet.com/Railroad-Connected-Pioneer-Valley-to-World-51013261 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight,_Massachusetts Look for Dwight Day June 15, 2024!” Apr 22, 22:24on
- Library Construction Docs in Disarray as Town Payments Pass $2M: “It is very hard to read all of this when there is no visible progress on the Fire House or…” Apr 20, 07:33on
- Library Construction Docs in Disarray as Town Payments Pass $2M: “A close look at that expense report reveals yet another problem. 16 payments, totaling over $300,000, were made in February,…” Apr 19, 22:40on
- Public Comment: Who’s Watching the Books?: “Make that 22 addenda. Two more were posted today 4/19/24 – one of which yet again pushes back the bid…” Apr 19, 15:05on
- Hate Speech Invades Town Meetings: “Bastewell and colleagues just hijacked the zoom of the Lawrence, Kansas City Commission meeting so it appears they are targeting…” Apr 17, 10:46on
- Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Filed Against Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools: “Someone recently asked me what the hell is going on in Amherst’s schools. I am not sure, and I trust…” Apr 14, 11:30on
- Indy Rewind: Opinion: Is Amherst Redeemable?: “Who viewed middle school as a ”developmental stage?” Who curtailed the programs and partnerships?” Apr 14, 05:58on
- Amherst Regional High School Students Receive Exclusive Engineering Grant to Improve Search and Rescue Efficiency: “Nice work on these inventions! Fills me with hope to hear about students doing such important work in STEM.” Apr 13, 16:29on
- Property Inspections To Begin in April: “I can’t remember in my more than sixty years in town that the assessors have every systematically inspected the interiors…” Apr 13, 10:29on
- Gospel Choir Concert to Benefit Amherst A Better Chance: “What a wonderful way to celebrate our ABC program… i know Judy & Barry Brooks are proud! I hope people…” Apr 13, 08:30on
- Opinion: Does the Town of Amherst Still Value K–12 Education? Some Thoughts on the Amherst School Budget Crisis: “Hear, hear! The pending cuts to the regional schools are not unlike ripping the roof off the Jones Library or…” Apr 13, 08:09on
- The Hidden Potential of Bicycles: “Yes! And the electric assist bikes make it a no-brainer. They are all over the place in SF and with…” Apr 12, 12:37on
- The Hidden Potential of Bicycles: “Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking piece in The Indy.” Apr 10, 21:53on
- Town Council Approves New Rental Registration Bylaw: “In light of the first reading of a Revised Surplus Property Policy, I am curious to know if any provisions…” Apr 10, 16:35on
- Town Council Approves New Rental Registration Bylaw: “Good afternoon Maura, I hope it didn’t sound like I was complaining. I was communicating the consequences of implementing this…” Apr 10, 16:22on
- Affordable Housing on Belchertown Road: Planning Board Likes the Concept but Not the Plan: “What we’re talking about here is a public investment — using federal CDBG funds and locally-generated funds from CPA and…” Apr 9, 22:59on
- Affordable Housing on Belchertown Road: Planning Board Likes the Concept but Not the Plan: “I had voiced concern for the building being too close to the road on Belchertown Road, as it will be…” Apr 9, 11:46on
- Property Inspections To Begin in April: “I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to your question. I did look through MGL Chapter 59 and didn’t really…” Apr 8, 13:05on
- Poem: The Giant Black Walnut Tree: “The tree was on the Butternut Farm apartments property managed by Wayfinders. The management did not inform us why the…” Apr 8, 11:05on
- Property Inspections To Begin in April: “Denise, I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear. It is not the purpose of the inspection that I question, but rather…” Apr 8, 09:03on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “Three things on smoke detectors — they work by having a radiation source (memory is Americium) send alpha particles across…” Apr 7, 23:44on
- Earth Day Events In The Pioneer Valley: “Don, thanks for the kudos but the listing you cite is from 2022. We’ll try to pull together a listing…” Apr 7, 21:09on
- Poem: The Giant Black Walnut Tree: “New to the town…where was this great black walnut tree? Thanks in advance and thanks for the visual poem, and…” Apr 7, 19:40on
- Earth Day Events In The Pioneer Valley: “Thank you sooooooo much for compiling this listing. I just posted it on next week’s Enviro Show blog opening. You’ve…” Apr 7, 17:21on
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- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “More than 10 years ago, when looking for rental properties to invest in, I was shocked at the number of…” Apr 7, 14:12on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “I’m still waiting for Cinda’s answer to student behavior. Not sure this new bylaw will solve any of those issues…” Apr 7, 13:43on
- Bid Deadline for Library Project Slips Again Without Explanation: “Thanks for the kind words, Dale, and for urging citizens to pay attention and speak up. Leaders who blame Amherst’s…” Apr 7, 11:57on
- Property Inspections To Begin in April: “It is confusing, but I believe that these are separate inspections for separate purposes. The rental registration plan is to…” Apr 7, 11:48on
- Poem: The Giant Black Walnut Tree: “It’s sad but that tree was dangerous — look at the top picture and you can see the rot in…” Apr 7, 11:00on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “Dinah, That’s a terrific idea for folks like you who never move. The problem is that there are many turnovers…” Apr 7, 09:00on
- Property Inspections To Begin in April: “I have lived in my house for more than 25 years. To my knowledge, this is the first time the…” Apr 7, 08:15on
- Affordable Housing on Belchertown Road: Planning Board Likes the Concept but Not the Plan: “There’s a bigger problem with both East Amherst projects that is not being adequately addressed by the Planning Board or…” Apr 7, 08:08on
- Bid Deadline for Library Project Slips Again Without Explanation: “Jeff Lee is our “Archibald Cox” – and thankfully, no “bleeping Bork” can orchestrate his firing!” Apr 7, 00:06on
- Adventures of a Native Plant Gardener: Scilla in the Spring: “Tara! Thank you for telling me — I was being so casual after digging them up. Back to work! And…” Apr 6, 23:58on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “To Ed Cutting: You have experience in this matter, so everyone should welcome your input. “Inspect on turnover”. I love…” Apr 6, 22:38on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “When you are told that something is being done “for your own good,” you can be pretty sure that it’s…” Apr 6, 21:36on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “” Tenants have a property right in their unit and quiet enjoyment, but not an absolute right to keep anyone…” Apr 6, 16:07on
- The Indy Is Going on Vacation: “Have a wonderful vacation, Art and Maura. Well deserved!” Apr 6, 14:43on
- Bid Deadline for Library Project Slips Again Without Explanation: “Thank you, Jeff Lee for your vigilance and continuing attempts to “enlighten” Amherst residents (especially taxpayers), of the consequences of…” Apr 6, 13:42on
- Adventures of a Native Plant Gardener: Scilla in the Spring: “I have 14 years of experience battling squills in a 20 acre woods, and hope some of what I’ve slowly…” Apr 6, 12:02on
- Bid Deadline for Library Project Slips Again Without Explanation: “It is impossible to overstate the contribution to Amherst’s civic well-being of Jeff Lee’s and the INDY’s sober, detailed, and…” Apr 6, 10:47on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “If rental properties and hence, renters, are problems to homeowners, then homeowners should bear the cost of inspections as part…” Apr 6, 10:27on
- Historical Commission Reviews Plans for Affordable Housing in East Amherst: “I guess the reason might be that those houses were typical of that neighborhood over the years. Social history?” Apr 6, 10:06on
- Letter: One Lawyer’s Answer to Councilor Ryan’s Question, “Is a Lawsuit Worth It?”: “What is wrong with being sued for deliberately infringing Americans’ and Massachusetts residents’ constitutional rights? Attorney Pill has, pro bono,…” Apr 6, 09:47on
- Historical Commission Reviews Plans for Affordable Housing in East Amherst: “How can we remember what was here? Perfectly captures the reasons why some of us refer to the historical commission…” Apr 6, 08:46on
- Bid Deadline for Library Project Slips Again Without Explanation: “The last time the Jones Library building committee met was on January 4, 2024 (despite reporting to the state grant…” Apr 6, 08:21on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “I own a rental property and am well aware of all the legal rights of tenants and respect them. At…” Apr 5, 19:54on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “Janet, when a landlord rents a property out, they are exchanging possession of the property for rent. The tenant is…” Apr 5, 16:41on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “I see this bylaw differently. Businesses that serve food get regular inspections, cars get inspected yearly, etc. Here we have…” Apr 5, 12:22on
- Poem: The Giant Black Walnut Tree: “Thank you so much for including my poem in the Indy. I would like to turn this moment of sadness…” Apr 5, 10:21on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “Laura Emberley, Thank you for adding your eloquent voice to the discussion. I appreciate in particular your emphasis on the…” Apr 5, 10:15on
- Finance Committee Skeptical About School Budget : “Did the Finance Committee ignore the “mammoth — indeed mammoths — in the room” in its assessment of potential budget…” Apr 4, 22:57on
- Letter: Inspections Mandated by New Bylaw Violate Renters Rights: “I sent my letter today, as well: To Whom it May Concern: As a longtime resident of Colonial Village in…” Apr 4, 21:49on
- Public Comment: Why the Delay Moving Forward with Waste Hauler Reform?: “Using the transfer station requires a payment to the Town. Using the hauler selected by the Town at prices the…” Apr 4, 18:22on
- ZBA Hears Appeal Of Citation For Too Many Occupants At 25 Nutting Avenue: “Pipeline Properties did not manage the property during this timeframe, as we discontinued our relationship with Mr. Malekniaz earlier in…” Apr 4, 14:19on
- Finance Committee Skeptical About School Budget : “Two notes on this article. While Hanneke and Steinberg insist that the request for $700k would have to be a…” Apr 4, 13:15on
- Letter: Operations of the Friends of the Jones Library Should Be Publicly Disclosed: “Thank you for speaking up, Michael!” Apr 3, 00:03on
- Public Comment: Why the Delay Moving Forward with Waste Hauler Reform?: “I don’t believe that is correct. Residents would have the choice of using the hauling service or the Transfer Station.…” Apr 2, 14:03on
- Groundbreaking at New Elementary School Ushers in Town’s First Net-zero Building: “Thanks Maria for attending and reporting on the groundbreaking for the new school. I was away last week and missed…” Apr 2, 12:23on
- ZBA Approves Plans for Trails at Hickory Ridge. Mexicalito Taco Bar Moving to North Amherst: “Denise is right. Vanity projects like the Library get millions while basic infrastructure like roads are allowed to disintegrate into…” Apr 2, 12:15on
- Public Comment: Why the Delay Moving Forward with Waste Hauler Reform?: “The Town may require all property owners to use a hauler of the Town’s choosing but that cost would be…” Apr 2, 09:53on
- Indy Celebrates Five Years of Local Reporting: “Thank you Art and Maura for five years of the Indy. It has been my ‘go to’ source for local…” Apr 1, 18:08on
- Indy Celebrates Five Years of Local Reporting: “It would be difficult to estimate the number of hours put in each week by Indy reporters and editors to…” Apr 1, 08:49on
- Town Council Retreat Takes on Meeting Management and Setting Priorities for 2024: “To clarify about the October 16 resolution: At the Town Council meeting of October 16, Dorothy Pam, Jennifer Taub and…” Mar 31, 11:54on
- ZBA Approves Plans for Trails at Hickory Ridge. Mexicalito Taco Bar Moving to North Amherst: “Peggy makes an interesting point: “When done walking the trail, most people return to their cars and leave.” But in…” Mar 30, 18:19on
- ZBA Approves Plans for Trails at Hickory Ridge. Mexicalito Taco Bar Moving to North Amherst: “Which is more fun to do: Redecorate the living room with all new colors and furniture, or fix a leak…” Mar 30, 17:35on
- ZBA Approves Plans for Trails at Hickory Ridge. Mexicalito Taco Bar Moving to North Amherst: “Article 12.20 of the zoning bylaw on page 114 defines Habitable Space in Gross Square Footage. Measuring Gross square footage…” Mar 30, 14:34on
- Town Council Retreat Takes on Meeting Management and Setting Priorities for 2024: “I can’t remember any Town Meetings as confused and disrespectful as these Council meetings in more than forty years I…” Mar 30, 13:52on
- ZBA Approves Plans for Trails at Hickory Ridge. Mexicalito Taco Bar Moving to North Amherst: “What is the rationale of spending funds to build (and maintain) a large “shade structure” at Hickory Ridge? At the…” Mar 30, 13:14on
- Indy Celebrates Five Years of Local Reporting: “Happy Birthday. Thank you for your reporting. The town needs multiple people to cover the news, present board views, and…” Mar 30, 11:17on
- Opinion: Happy Birthday to the Indy: “I am grateful to Art and Maura, and everyone who contributes and supports the Indy. This news outlet is anti-crazy-making…” Mar 30, 11:08on
- Indy Celebrates Five Years of Local Reporting: “Congratulations! As long as we don’t have to eat that cake we will celebrate along with you. Once there was…” Mar 30, 11:07on
- ZBA Approves Plans for Trails at Hickory Ridge. Mexicalito Taco Bar Moving to North Amherst: “If we want to encourage more walking and less driving, this trail plan is puzzling. It appears none of the…” Mar 30, 10:49on
- Town Council Retreat Takes on Meeting Management and Setting Priorities for 2024: “Thank you Indy for your reporting. I never knew that when Pat DeAngelis tried to get Palestinian people simply mentioned…” Mar 30, 09:20on
- Town Council Retreat Takes on Meeting Management and Setting Priorities for 2024: “Hmmm. Some councilors feel that it is very important to spend time on resolutions that will have NO PRACTICAL EFFECT…” Mar 30, 08:04on
- Friends of the Jones Library Wield Power Without Public Accountability: “Excellent exposé, Jeff! It wouldn’t be the first time that crusading ideologues demolished the intellectual infrastructure of their communities. Perhaps…” Mar 30, 08:01on
- Opinion: Happy Birthday to the Indy: “Happy (2+i)(2-i)th Birthday, many happy returns, and a huge thanks for providing the keystone of our self-governing infrastructure!” Mar 30, 07:44on
- Indy Celebrates Five Years of Local Reporting: “Happy birthday 🎉. I am so glad you exist.” Mar 30, 07:04on
- Opinion: Happy Birthday to the Indy: “I join Kitty Axelson-Berry and Sean and Rita Burke in congratulating the Indy and its team of editors. Thank you…” Mar 29, 21:27on
- Opinion: Happy Birthday to the Indy: “We cannot thank enough Art, Maura and all responsible for this life-line to reality, common sense, and open and honest…” Mar 29, 19:52on
- School Committee Names Superintendent Finalists : “I am happy that we have interest in the position. .. We need to lighten up on our expectations from…” Mar 29, 10:32on
- School Committee Names Superintendent Finalists : “Expertise in DEI is not an issue of race. Anyone of any race can acquire the expertise. The key issue…” Mar 29, 08:18on
- School Committee Names Superintendent Finalists : “I am struck by the background of two of the finalists. One comes from Norfolk, a town that, according to…” Mar 29, 07:41on
- Letter: Senior Center Lacks Necessary Space, Budget, And Staffing To Meet Needs Of Amherst’s Older Residents: “On first consideration it would seem a good idea to have a community center adjacent to a city’s higher rise…” Mar 28, 08:09on
- on
- Letter: How About a Community Impact Fee for Our Colleges and University?: “I strongly support Bryck’s idea. I’ve written short comments in the past particularly pertaining to the condition of our roads.…” Mar 27, 22:00on
- Photo of the Week: Spring at the Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge: “Great photos of a place I need to visit! Important to share, just like your recent letter. Thank you! Hetty” Mar 27, 21:03on
- Opinion: Things I Have Not Said : “This piece is much welcome reckoning many of us have been waiting to hear.” Mar 27, 10:35on
- Opinion: Councilors Steinberg and Ryan Declare War on the Public: “Steve George has the right of it. The resolution passed was a Council Resolution, not a Resolution of 750 Concerned…” Mar 26, 23:36on
- Lynnfield Demonstrates Danger of Juggling Building Projects: “Correction/Update: The original post listed Tappé Architects as designers of Lynnfield’s unsuccessful library replacement project. The design firm was William…” Mar 26, 20:36on
- Black Business Association Proposes Alternate Plan For ARPA Funds: “Who is representing the Asian businesses? The Mexican restaurants, the Chinese dry cleaner, or the Indian grocery store in North…” Mar 26, 11:33on
- Opinion: Things I Have Not Said : “This piece touches me deeply. So eloquent and heartfelt. Thank you for putting your beautiful writing out into the world.” Mar 25, 16:28on
- The Original Drake: “The Drake in the early 80’s had a bit of an outlaw air to it. I decided to give it…” Mar 24, 16:58on
- Black Business Association Proposes Alternate Plan For ARPA Funds: “This is so disheartening to hear that much needed funds needed by the poorest of the poor were mishandled. There…” Mar 24, 15:29on
- Hate Speech Invades Town Meetings: “The name Chad Bastewell appears in the minutes of the February 28, 2024 meeting of the Citizen’s Council of Helena,…” Mar 24, 12:13on