Town Manager Report for October 20, 2025

Amherst Indy October 28, 2025 0
Amherst Town Seal

Photo:amherstma.gov

Source: amherstma.gov

Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council, usually at the first Town Council meeting of each month. The reports, usually 9 to 16 pages in length, provide up-to-date information on what is happening within and across town departments. The Manager’s Report is usually one of the last items on the agenda and is often taken up late at night, leaving little time for Bockelman to do more than mention a few highlights and this is usually all that gets entered into the Council minutes. What follows is a complete, unedited version of the Town Manager’s Report. All Town Manager Reports are available on the town’s website here: Town Manager Reports 

TOWN MANAGER

  • The last Cuppa’ Joe with Paul was last Friday, October 10th with special guest new Director of Senior Services Lisa Borchetta at the Black Sheep Bakery and Deli. We had a large turnout with a lot of questions and comments for both Lisa and me. Thanks to all who made the effort to be there.
  • The next Cuppa’ Joe is scheduled for Friday, November 14th and I will be inviting our returning Finance Director, Sean Mangano to the event.
  • The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” coffees are a monthly event. Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.
  • All About Amherst: Civic Academy:  
  • The new Civic Academy launched on October 1st. The Civic Academy is a dynamic new program designed to give residents an inside look at our local government and how to be involved.
  • A group of people in a room AI-generated content may be incorrect.The program will run on Wednesdays until November 19th, with sessions held at various locations. Each session will include relevant department presentations, interactive activities, and facility tours.  

Participants toured the Town Clerk’s office last Wednesday and saw inside the vault and historic records.

Sessions include topics such as:

  • All About Amherst: The Basics 
    • Maintaining Amherst: Town Infrastructure and Facilities
    • Keeping Amherst Safe: Fire and EMS 
    • Keeping Amherst Safe: CRESS, Police, and Dispatch
    • Balancing Conservation, Sustainability, and Development in Amherst 
    • Supporting a Vibrant Amherst Community
    • Learning in Amherst: Schools, Libraries, & Recreation
    • Budget, Legislation, and Getting Involved
  • New Committees: The Town is recruiting members to serve on four new committees.
  • Amherst Black Reparations Committee
  • Cable Television Advisory Committee 
  • Department of Public Works Building Committee
  • Sister City Visit: Students and staff rom the Town’s sister city, Kanegasaki, Japan, will be in Town October 30th – November 1st. Town Councilors are welcome to join in welcoming the visitors on Thursday, October 30th at 4:30 p.m. in Town Hall when they meet with their host families. Town and School staff have collaborated with members of the Town Council and the host families to prepare a robust few days in the Town.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Administration and Finance

  • Town Clerk:
    • Election: The Biennial Town Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls will be open from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm.
    • To check your voter registration, click here:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch

  • To find your polling location click here:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote

  • The last day to register or update your voter registration is Friday, October 24th by 5:00 p.m. in person at the Clerk’s office or 11:59 pm online. You may register or update online only if you have an ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
  • You can read about the different offices being voted here:

https://www.amherstma.gov/1079/Running-for-Elected-Office.

  • Candidates running for office have the option to submit a candidate statement which highlights their priorities and goals. To view candidate statements, click here:

https://www.amherstma.gov/3747/Candidate-Statements.

Election-Information  on Ways to Vote: There are several ways for registered voters in Amherst to vote:

▪ In-Person Early Voting: Early voting will take place in the First Floor

Conference Room in Town Hall.  Free parking will be available at both the Main St. and Boltwood Ave. entrances. Voting will take place in the first-floor meeting room of Town Hall on the following dates:

  • Monday, October 27  8:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday, October 28  8:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday, October 29          8:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • Thursday, October 30             8:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, October 31                  8:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • Vote by Mail: Ballots have arrived at the Clerk’s office and will be mailed to all voters who submitted an application this year on Monday, October 20th. If you’d like to receive a mail-in ballot, you can apply online at www.mailmyballotma.com.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 28th by 5:00 pm.

  • In-person Absentee Voting: Voters can fill out an in-person absentee ballot application at the Clerk’s office and cast their ballot at the counter if they will be unable to vote at their polling location on election day because of one of the following: absence from Amherst on election day; physical disability; or religious belief. In-person absentee voting will take place during normal business hours until 12:00 pm noon the day before the election, November 3rd.
  • Human Resources: 
    • Collective Bargaining:
      • We reached agreement with the Town’s SEIU union which includes clerical, dispatchers, and community responders, among others.
      • We are making timely progress with the two Police Department unions.
      • We are working through mediation with the two DPW unions.
    • The Department has concluded several major searches including Finance Director, Town Clerk, and Director of Senior Services. We are hopeful to have the Planning and Economic Development Director and Comptroller positions completed soon. In addition, we are recruiting for Police, Fire, DPW, and CRESS vacancies.
  • Finance:
    • Staffing:
      • I have been conducting interviews for the Comptroller position ▪ The Finance Director will begin his duties on October 20th!
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department:
    • Outreach and Training: 
      • The Department restarted staff trainings last month. The first topic covered was inclusive language. The department has changed the framework for these workshops to cover 5 topics throughout the fiscal year, with a “101” training and a 2.0 more in-depth training to meet the needs of all Town staff.The Department held a facilitator training for our Becoming Beloved Community Series on Oct. 9th and trained four new facilitators.The Department is assisting the Human Rights Commission’s co-sponsorship of bystander training led by representatives from Pioneer Valley Workers Center, ACLU of Massachusetts, and LUCE, at the Unitarian Universalist Society on North Pleasant Street on October 29th at 6:00 p.m.The Department is hosting a Becoming Beloved Community conversation focused on Civics, Citizenship, and Civility on October 30th at Town Hall in the Town room from 5:45–8:00 p.m.The Department finalized its five-year strategic plan that builds on the Town Manager’s goals established by the Town Council. This plan will serve as a roadmap celebrating past achievements while setting a clear vision for future initiatives. While the plan will provide structure and direction, it is also designed to remain flexible. As community needs evolve and new opportunities emerge, we will adapt to ensure the work stays impactful and true to our values. Town staff look forward to sharing the plan in the coming months. The Department’s Strategic Plan can be found here.The Department’s October newsletter can be found here.
      Youth Empowerment: 
      • The Department is hosting a Youth Empowerment College Preparedness Program on Wednesday, October 29th, at 1:30 PM (Public Schools early release day) in the Town Room at Town Hall. This program will go beyond simply providing information; it’s about giving students the tools, confidence, and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future. Pizza and snacks will be provided. The Department welcomes two University of Massachusetts work-study students who will help with outreach, DEI programming, and other administrative tasks for the Department.  Valentina Bustamante, a senior at the University, is majoring political science and education and Aileen Feliz, a junior at the University, is majoring in journalism and legal studies.
      Activities:
      • The Department is seeking a grant – called the Community Heart & Soul Project – to support its outreach work. As part of the grant application, the funding agency requires a resolution of support from the Town’s chief elected body. The grant would further the work begun by Dr. Love with Liberatory Visioning. The resolution will be on the Town Council’s agenda.The Department is actively involved in the town’s Hazardous Implementation Planning Group, contributing to emergency preparedness and safety planning.The Department secured a $5,000 grant from the Mass Cultural Council to support the Amherst Global Village Festival 2026. 
      Resident Oversight Board: The Resident Oversight Board stakeholder group concluded its work. In collaboration with consultants, DEI staff supported the development of draft bylaws by the stakeholder group for the Resident Oversight Board. The documents and options developed by the group are scheduled to be presented to the Town Council by the Town Manager with a recommendation on November 3rd.
    • Police Protocols: The Police Chief is reviewing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to address the dispatching of CRESS responders and police procedures.

Public Safety

  • Fire Department:

Retirement: Assistant Chief Jeff Olmstead has announced that he will be retiring from the Fire Department. Jeff will be honored by the Town, his colleagues, friends, and family on his last day, October 31st, between 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the North Amherst Fire Station. Please join us in recognizing Jeff and his stellar career serving our community.

  • Promotions:
  • Effective November 3rd, Captain Steve Chandler shall be promoted to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief.
  • Effective November 3rd, Firefigher Ryan Gwyther shall be promoted to the rank of Captain.
  • The swearing-in for both positions will take place at 8:00 a.m. on November 3rd at the North Fire Station.  
  • Graduation:  
    • Two members of the career force graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy recruit program on October 20th.
    • Jaren Nobie who came from our Student Force and Elijah Norman who came from our Call Force are being recognized for this significant achievement.
    • They both started working for the Town in November of 2023 as firefighters and EMTs, then went to paramedic school where they graduated in May earlier this year. They have already been working since 2023 as full-time members of the Department and will now go back to their regular shifts after graduating from the Academy.
  • Training:

• New hire, Jack Belliveau, completed his four weeks of department orientation training on October 5th  and has now started working his shifts with his new crew at the North Fire Station.

  • Call Fire Force:

• September 30th marked the end of the dedicated service by Fire Call Force Lieutenant Kristen Lindberg. Lt. Lindberg dedicated 39 years to her career as a call firefighter. In her final email, she wrote: There is nothing like the last minute to get things done but this is truly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write. September 30, 2025 marks the end of my career with the Amherst Fire Department. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the town of Amherst as a member of the Amherst Fire Department Call Force for the last 39 years.

  • I have served under 4 Chiefs, 4 Call Force Deputy Chiefs and worked with 4 Administrative Assistants as a member of Engine Company 4. It has been my pleasure to work with the outstanding members of this department and see the growth of Career, Call and Student Force members as they have advanced in their lives and careers within AFD and beyond. I also want to send a shout out to the professionals in the dispatch center who keep us all on track. I remember when dispatch was a 1-person operation on the second floor of the Central Station.
  • I’ve seen a lot of people come and go and I have learned something from each and every one of them. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given, lessons learned, and the support received over the years.
  • The Town of Amherst is blessed to have such a unique fire department structure, and I have been blessed to be a part of it.

Thank you for giving me the chance to be a part of such a great organization. I have memories that I will carry with me all my life. I wish for all of you at AFD continued success, health and all the best that life has to offer.

The Amherst Fire department currently has openings for fulltime and on-call firefighters and is accepting applications at amherstma.gov/jobs.

  • Open House: The Fire Department

Community Responders for Equity,

Safety, and Service:

  • The Department hosted CRESS Day on Sunday, September 21st and we thank those who were able to be there to celebrate. The highlights from the past three years of CRESS were on display with responders and staff there to answer questions and talking about what is next for CRESS.
  • Tury Research has been contracted to conduct an assessment of the CRESS for the State Department of Public Health. They gathered data for the EAPS grant including surveys of neighbors, town staff, and others who have utilized CRESS services. The assessment can be found HERE o   CRESS is continuing to recruit for a Community Responder position.
    • The bi-monthly Veterans Breakfast is steadily growing with over twenty-five veterans and neighbors participating last Frida. We are committing additional funds to continue to support this important outreach effort to our veterans and their families.
  • CRESS Connections, a grant funded program for  youth, is up and running with the schools. The most recent workshop focused on robotics.
  • Work continues with the Police Department and Dispatch on adopting protocols for dispatching CRESS directly from Dispatch with the goal of being actively dispatched by the end of the year.

• Police Department:

Outreach: The Department initiated a new program though its community policing outreach to have police officers serving coffee at bus stops.  This gives our community members a change to meet and ask questions of our officers. o Staffing:

  • Sergeant Jesus Arocho was promoted to Lieutenant effective September 8th. We had an incredibly competitive pool of strong internal applicants that made this decision a real challenge.
  • Three new officers have begun their duties with the Town:

Tatiana Sirbu, Erik Lamotte, and Nichole Hubbard.

All three will be in a mentorship program before entering the

Holyoke Police Academy this month.

  • Like the Fire and CRESS  Departments, the Police Department is hiring. It is easy to apply with an online application.

Community Services

  • Public Health:
  • Vaccines and Tests: A fall COVID/flu vaccine clinic for seniors will be held at the Bangs Community Center on Tuesday October 21st from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. COVID-19 vaccine will be available for individuals 65 and older; regular and high dose flu vaccine will be available to all ages as indicated. Appointments are full but walk-ins will be accepted until capacity is reached. One other vaccine clinic will be held on October 23rd at Clark House and is for residents only.
  • COVID and flu vaccines are available at local pharmacies for individuals 6 months of age and older.
  • The Public Health Department has exhausted its supply of COVID tests. The Department will continue to offer free PPE (masks and gloves) to the community at the Department’s office.
  • Mosquito-borne illness:
    • Mosquito surveillance concluded last week. There were no additional positive samples collected in the Pioneer Valley or in the state during this final week of testing. The total number of human cases of West Nile in the state this season was 8. None of these were in Hampshire County. There were no EEE human cases in Massachusetts this year.Mosquito activity has slowed down considerably but will continue, at least at a minimal level, until the first hard frost (28 degrees F or lower for several consecutive hours).We are still receiving occasional reports of tick-borne illness, but these are decreasing. Unlike mosquitoes, ticks can be active at any time of year, provided temperatures are above freezing. There is sometimes a fall peak of tick activity in October and November so it is still important to be vigilant – do tick checks after being outdoors, remove any ticks you find immediately, and call your medical provider if you have been bitten and later develop a fever or a rash/redness around the area of the bite.
  • The Nicotine-Free Generation policy prohibits the sale of nicotine products, including cigarettes, vapes, smokeless tobacco, and nicotine pouches, to anyone born after
    • January 1, 2005. Unlike traditional tobacco control measures that focus on specific age groups, NFG phases out nicotine sales over generations, effectively cutting off the pipeline of future smokers and nicotine users.
  • The Board will hold a public hearing on October 30th at 5:00 PM in the Bangs Community Center. Please help spread the word by sharing with your networks and communities. We want to hear from Amherst residents, especially young people, since this proposed change will affect them directly.
  • The Public Health Department’s brief local survey to hear from Amherst residents about priorities and needs related to the opioid crisis is still open. Please take a few minutes to share your input before September 30th.

o Public Health Department Services:

  • The Public Health Department had a table at last month’s Block Party that featured an interactive community needs assessment where visitors to the table could express their thoughts about what is at the root of a healthy community. Staff also had public health giveaways on hand, such as hand sanitizer, tick removal kits, and fun stickers with health promotion messages. We had a great turnout and a wonderful time!
  • Public Health Nurse: Public Health Nurse, Olivia Lara-Cahoon, offers weekly office hours in her office at the Bangs Community Center on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. During office hours, Olivia can provide blood pressure checks, general health consultation, and education.
  • Sharps Program: The Town’s Department of Public Health has a free sharps disposal kiosk, located on the ground floor of the Bangs Community Center. Full sharps containers can be disposed of free of charge in the kiosk, provided that the container is smaller than 64 ounces. Larger containers do not fit easily in the kiosk but can be dropped off upstairs at the Public Health Department. Replacement containers for disposal at the kiosk are available for free at the Health Department. Larger sharps containers are also available for a $5 fee. Questions? Call 413 259 3077.

  • Senior Services:
    • Survey:
      • The Council on Aging, in partnership with Senior Services, is pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at better understanding the needs of our community’s older adults. All residents ages 50 and older are invited to participate in an anonymous survey designed to gather valuable insights into the challenges faced by older adults and how they are accessing services at the Senior Center.
      • The survey will help the Town identify areas where Senior Services can improve and expand support to meet the growing needs of our aging population. Community feedback is essential in guiding future programs and resources that enhance quality of life for all seniors in Amherst.
      • Physical copies of this survey are also available at the Amherst Senior Center in the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk), which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Completed surveys can be returned to the Senior Center or by mail.
      • Results of the survey will be shared with the public by being posted on the Amherst Senior Services website. The information collected will be used to enhance services and ensure that our Senior Center continues to be a vital resource for our community’s older adults.
    • New Director of Senior Services Lisa Borchetta began her duties on September 8th and joined be at the Black Sheep Bakery and Deli for a Cuppa’ Joe with Paul on October 10th. We had a great turnout and lively discussion.
    • The Silver Shuttle is looking to expand its ridership. Seniors who live in Amherst may schedule rides within Amherst, Hadley, and Northampton on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Rides are free, but donations are welcome. To book a ride, call 413 259-3060. Help us spread the word about this important community service. o The Friends of the Amherst Senior Center held a pop-up closet fundraiser on September 20th at the Amherst Farmers’ Market that proved to be remarkably successful and popular, especially among younger people!
    • Coffee: The Senior Center hosts two coffee events at the Bangs Community Center:
      • Memory Café: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
      • Rainbow Café: First Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m.

o Newsletter:  The September/October newsletter from the Department of Senior Services –Amherst Senior Spirit – which includes a listing of the dozens of workshops and other activities being offered by the Department, is available HERE Hard copies can be picked up in the Senior Center lounge.

  • Recreation:
    • Get ready for a day full of fun and frights for the whole family! Amherst Recreation will be hosting their annual Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, October 26 from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm. The event includes an exciting lineup of festive activities.
    • The event will kick off with Downtown Trick-or-Treating from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm in collaboration with the Amherst Business Improvement District. Participating businesses will be identified by flyers displayed at their locations. Pick up a free paper trick-or-treat bag and a list of participating businesses at the Amherst Visitor Information Center (35 South Pleasant St) or the Amherst Recreation office (170 Chestnut St, Suite 1) beginning Monday, October 20.
    • Show off your creative costumes at the Costume Parade! Participants should gather at 1:00 pm, with the parade officially starting at 1:15 pm on the North Common. All ages are welcome to join in the fun.
    • After the parade, Halloween Spooktacular continues at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk) from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed activities including a haunted house, kid’s carnival, crafts, and not-so-scary story time with the Jones Library.

Conservation and Development

• Conservation:

Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is hosting the Fall session of its Spotted Lanternfly

Quarterly Update on Wednesday, November 12, from 10AM – 11:15 AM, live on Zoom.  The November session will feature presentations from MDAR’s own SLF Survey

Team, including a roundup of newly infested towns for 2025 and planned management activities for 2026.

o These webinars are FREE, but registration is required. Register now at: https://bit.ly/SLFWebMANov25

  • Inspection Services: o The Town’s new Health Inspector, Yuchen Yan, started recently. Yuchen holds a master’s degree in Environmental Health Science from the University of

Massachusetts Amherst and will be working on food licenses and inspections.

o Inspection Services launched the residential rental inspection program with 23 early inspections completed.  Notice was sent on recently to all owners and managers with inspection scheduling starting October 1st. The town has 1,286 permits and 5,372 units in the properties and also 137 owner–occupied units.

  • Planning:
    • Culvert Replacement: The Planning and Conservation Department is seeking bids to replace culvert and stream restoration at East Street School.  This CDBG funded project is expected to be completed this fall.
    • East Amherst Village Center Zoning Update: The Planning Department received a $70,000 grant from the State Community Planning Grant Program to support the East Amherst Village Center Zoning Updates project.
  • Proposed East Amherst Local Historic District:
    • A proposed Local Historic District is currently under consideration for East Amherst, centering on the intersection of Main Street, North East Street, and South East Street. This area features well-preserved historic buildings that together create a unique and cohesive look into Amherst’s past.
  • This proposal process is being led by the Amherst Local Historic District Commission. The goal of establishing the proposed East Amherst Local Historic District is to preserve and protect the historic properties in Amherst’s original center of life, while also providing guidance on the development of new housing and commercial uses.
  • Follow the link below to view a Story Map that gives a tour of the proposed Historic District and highlights some of the significant people and places featured in this foundational part of Amherst. This Story Map also provides an overview of the study conducted by the Local Historic Commission and next steps for officially establishing the East Amherst Historic District.
  • East Amherst Village Local Historic District

Story Map

  • The draft study report for the proposed district has been submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for review and comment. The report will also be reviewed by the Amherst Planning Board and Historical Commission. Following the 60-day review period, a second public hearing will be held to discuss the comments and feedback received prior to submitting a final report to Town Council.
  • Facilities:
    • Critical maintenance completed on the Munson Library roof.  Substantial repairs to the slate roof, slate cap and flashing with materials and methods to preserve historic details.
    • Bangs Community Center project is reviewing all bids and will be awarding the bid shortly. We will then work with the contractor to schedule the work. This will be disruptive to those who utilize the Center, especially the departments who have their offices there. We thank – in advance – all of our colleagues who are collaborating with us to move this project forward expeditiously with as little disruption to normal operations as possible. Work will begin later this year.
  • Sustainability:
  • The equipment from the former vendor is failing and the new vendor is attempting to upgrade the system as quickly as possible. At the moment only 40% of Amherst’s docks are functioning (71 out of 176).
    • The good news is that there are operational funds on hand that can be allocated for all of Amherst’s outdated equipment (bikes, docks, and wayfinding) to be replaced with the new DROP Mobility equipment. Additional funds were made available by a $75,000 earmark that Senator Jo Comerford secured through Fair Share money in the Supplemental Budget.  All of the earmarked funds are being used to purchase Amherst’s 80-90 bikes.
    • A row of bicycles on a parking lot AI-generated content may be incorrect.The old equipment has been removed and new equipment installed.There is a much smaller footprint with the new docking system (the 5 ring docks can accommodate 5 to 7 bikes). The existing wayfinding will be replaced with a much lower profile design. 

o Heat Pump Program: – There was a Heat Pump Program Information Session held on September 9th. The Heat Pump program has 15 households signed up for a home conversion transitioning from fossil fuels to heat pumps. Program goal is to complete 30 household conversions. The current push is to sign up as many homes as possible before the federal incentives disappear.

Public Works

  • Water Restrictions:

o The State has extended the Connecticut River Valley as being in a Level 2

Drought.  (Significant Drought Conditions Declared in Several Regions | Mass.gov) o Per the Town’s Water Registration, this means that:

  • all nonessential outdoor water uses banned, except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose or watering cans may be permitted; and,
    • the same definitions of what essential vs. non-essential outdoor water uses remain the same as last time (let me know if you need that text).
  • Road Work: We have managed to get through an intensive amount of road repair work that was all taking place at the same time throughout the Town. We thank our residents and visitors for their patience during this time that caused so much inconvenience. Road work is disruptive, and it was important that we secure the work while the contractor was willing and available. I especially want to thank our talented staff at the Department of Public Works who did the engineering, prepared the plans, created the specifications, conducted public bid processes (with our Procurement Manager), prepared contracts, held numerous preconstruction meetings, oversaw the construction, listened and responded to dozens of complaints and concerns, and managing the construction schedule which seemed to be changed by the contractor due to weather or other issues. Please thank the DPW employees when you see them on the street. Our roads are better because of the work they did.
    • Downtown Intersection – Main, Amity, North Pleasant, South Pleasant Streets. Final paving and line painting has been completed. Pavement stamping will take place next year. The work enhances infrastructure, improves navigation, and addresses ADA accessibility requirements. This extensive work is an important complement to the renovations of the North Common.Potwine Lane: This work is mostly complete and involved replacement of the existing stream culvert located between house number 125 and house number 188.
    • Middle Street: Western Earthworks is replacing a stream culvert on Middle Street located between Orchard Drive and Bay Road The project construction work is expected to take 4 to 6 weeks. Middle Street will be closedto through traffic during the duration of the project. The road will be open to local traffic accessible from each end.

      o Town-wide Road Work:
      • The Town is nearing completion of its general paving plan for the calendar year.
      • Roads completed or nearing completion include:
  • Main Street intersection from Boltwood Avenue crosswalk to Amity Street crosswalk;
  • South Pleasant Street intersection from Spring Street to 11 North Pleasant Street;
  • College Street from South East Street to 259 College Street;
  • Pomeroy Lane from West Street to Carriage Lane;
  • South Pleasant Street from Snell Street to Northampton Road;
  • West Bay Road from Gould Way to Rambling Road;
  • West Bay Road from Spencer Drive to the Hadley Town Line; • South East Street from Norwottuck Rail Trail to Valley View Drive.

▪ The bid has been awarded for the construction of another major project of a new roundabout at the intersection of University Drive and Amity Street. Utility infrastructure work was done this year with additional drainage work anticipated during this calendar year. Major construction is anticipated next Spring.

• Leaf Collection:

  • Curbside pick-up of bagged leaves will begin Monday, October 27, 2025. Place bagged leaves at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the day your area is scheduled for pickup.
  • There is no curbside collection of loose leaves.  Loose leaves may be brought to the Transfer Station if you have a current sticker.
  • Leaf bags are no longer sold at the DPW or Transfer Station.  Town-approved, 30gallon paper biodegradable bags are available from many retailers, and prices may vary – please check that bags are biodegradable.
  • If a street is not specifically mentioned in the following lists, but within the boundaries, then it is included in the collection route that day.
  • Monday, October 27, 2025: :   East & West Amherst.   The WEST area of Town includes: Amity Street, Lincoln Ave. and all streets in between the boundary of Massachusetts Ave and Northampton Rd. (Allen, Beston, Blue Hills Rd., Cosby,

Cowls Lane, Dana Pl., Dana St., Elm, Fearing, Gaylord, Hallock, Kendrick, McClellan, McClure, Nutting Ave, Paige, Phillips, North & South Prospect, Sunset.)  The EAST area of Town includes Amherst Woods and Echo Hill Developments and Belchertown Rd. east of Gatehouse Rd, Cortland Dr., Old Belchertown Rd., Old Farms Rd., Harkness Rd. (west side from Stony Hill to Route 9), Heatherstone, Iduna Lane, and Logtown Rd. o Tuesday, October 28, 2025: South Amherst.   All streets proceeding from Northampton Rd. (south), Bay Rd, Belchertown Rd. (west of Gatehouse Rd.), Carriage Rd., Columbia Dr., East Hadley Rd., Farmington Rd., Glendale Rd., Hulst Rd., Longmeadow Dr., Middle St., Mill Lane, Mount Holyoke Dr., Orchard Dr., Pelham Rd. (to Town Line), Pomeroy Lane, Pondview Dr., Potwine Lane, Shays St., South Pleasant St., Stanley St., Station Rd. (west of Iduna Lane), West Street to Bay Rd., West Bay Rd., and West Pomeroy Lane.

  • Wednesday, October 29, 2025: North Amherst.   All streets proceeding from North Pleasant Street (north of the UMass Campus), East Pleasant St. (north of Strong St.), Berkshire Terrace, Blackberry Lane, Bridge St., Cherry Lane, Cowls Rd., East
    • Leverett Rd., Fairfield St., Flat Hills Rd., Grantwood Dr., Harlow Dr., Henry St.,
  • Hitching Post, Leverett Rd., Market Hill Rd., Meadow St., Montague Rd., North East St. (north from Strong St.), Pine St., Pulpit Hill Rd., Rolling Ridge, Sand Hill Rd., Sheerman Lane, State St., Sunderland Rd., Shutesbury Rd., and Van Meter.
  • Thursday, October 30, 2025: Central Amherst.   All streets within the boundaries and including Strong St., No. Pleasant, College St., and North East St. (from Main to Strong), Arbor Way, Butterfield Terrace, Canton Ave., Chestnut, Churchill, Clifton
    • Ave., College, Cottage, Dickinson, Eames Ave., East St. Common, East Pleasant
    • (from Strong St. to North Pleasant St.), Gray, Grove, Harvard Ave., Hedgerow, High,
  • Hills Rd., Kellogg Ave., Lessey, Main St. (to the bridge at Fort River), Maplewood
  • Cir., Maplewood Dr., Mt. Pleasant, Newell Court, North Whitney, Pleasant Court,
  • Pokeberry Ridge, Red Gate Lane, Salem, Seelye, Shumway, Smith, South Whitney, Spring, Strong, Taylor, Triangle, Tyler Place, Wildwood Lane, and Windridge Terrace.
  • Friday, October 31, 2025: This day is reserved as a make-up day.   If for any reason (such as inclement weather) the DPW trucks are unable to complete the bagged leaves pickup in scheduled areas, trucks will return to the missed area on this day.
  • Weather permitting; the same routes will be used for a second collection starting the week of November 24, 2025.  Place leaves, bagged in a 30-gallon paper biodegradable bag, at the curb by 7:00AM for collection on the following dates:
    • Monday, November 24, 2025, in; East & West Amherst
    • Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in South Amherst
    • Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in North Amherst ▪ Monday, December 1, 2025, in Central Amherst
    • Friday, December 5, 2025, will be a make-up day.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY

  • Short-Term Event Uses of Town Commons (Section 1a of the Town Council Policy): None
  • Short-Term Parking Requests (Section 2a of the Town Council Policy): 
    • November 29, December 6, December 13, December 20, December 27, 2025: Free Parking for all metered spaces on the streets and in the lots in the Downtown Business Improvement District. Time limits remain in effect.
    • December 5, 2025: Merry Maple; Spring Street parking lot, Boltwood Avenue from Main Street to Spring Street
  • Long-Term Parking Requests (Section 2bi of the Town Council Policy): None
  • Short-Term Public Way Closures (Section 3b of the Town Council Policy):
    • North Pleasant Street and a portion of Kellog Avenue – Amherst Business Improvement District Annual Block Party – September 18, 2025 – 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.
    • Boltwood Avenue from Main Street to Town Hall parking lot exit – Amherst Recreation Department – October 26, 2025 – 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. 
    • Lincoln Avenue from Amity to Fearing Streets – Lincoln Avenue Halloween – October 31, 2025 – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy): None

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS  

  • Jones Library Renovation and Expansion: [Photos by Jock McDonald via The Amherst Current.]
    • Construction is in full swing at the Jones Library. See photos.
    • The Jones Library continues

to serve the public at its temporary library location at 101 University Drive in Amherst, next door to the

Post Office. It is about a mile from the Jones Library. Full library services will be available. The new location is fully accessible, has ample free parking, and is on two bus routes: Both the 33 (Puffer’s Pond / Shopper Shuttle) and B43 (Northampton / Hadley / Amherst) buses will take you there.

  • The Jones Library Capital Campaign Committee delivered a
  • check for $2,060,661 to the Town Treasurer as part of the Committee’s continuing commitment to raising funds for this project. See the report from the Capital Campaign Committee at the end of this report.
  • Additional information on the project can be found here: https://www.joneslibrary.org/352/Jones-Building-
  • Fort River Elementary School: 
    • The project is proceeding on schedule and on budget.

The architects will be presenting an update to the School Committee at its meeting on October 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Amherst Regional High School library.

  • The building will soon be fully enclosed with many of the exterior windows installed.
    • All geothermal wells have been installed. The next step is connecting the wells to the building’s mechanical system.
  • DPW Building: I am still recruiting for the Building Committee. I anticipate having members appointed for the Council to review at one of your meetings in November.
  • Fire Building: We are investigating additional sites for the location of a new Fire Station.

PROJECTS UPDATE

  • Centennial Water Treatment Facility: 
    • Construction is in its final stages this $21 million facility. 
    • We will have a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of the new Centennial Water Treatment Plant on October 28th.
    • The Centennial Water Treatment Plant provides up to 1 million gallons of clean drinking water per day to the Amherst water system. The previous facility, which went offline in 2018 after a lightning strike caused extensive electrical damage, needed to be replaced due to its aging infrastructure and changes in water quality that made the treatment process less effective. The new plant, located in Pelham, features advanced, more efficient treatment technology to keep Amherst’s drinking water safe, reliable, and sustainable. 
  • High School Track and Field: 
    • Work is nearing completion on the new track and field construction with all major earthwork and site drainage improvements completed. 
    • The project remains well within budget, and we recently advised the School District that there will be adequate funds to sod the second field at the site including new irrigation and drainage systems similar to the field on the track interior, instead of simply regrading the field area are reseeding it as had originally been planned. This will create two high quality athletic fields at the site, both which will be playable for the spring 2026 season.
    • Unfortunately, some person walked on the fenced-off track causing considerable damage to the newly poured base. The damage has been repaired.
  • North Common Restoration: 
    • After more than a decade of public engagement, thoughtful design, and careful construction, the Town of Amherst’s North Common Revitalization Project is officially complete! 
    • We will be celebrating the official opening of this dynamic community space at a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, October 22 at 12 p.m. All are welcome to attend this special event. Please RSVP here.   
    • In 2013, the Town set out on a mission to transform the North Common into a more inviting and vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. The vision was to create a lively gathering place that would draw people to Downtown Amherst for community events, civic activities, shopping, and dining at our local small businesses. The now completed design incorporates ADA accessible walkways, a new bus stop on Main Street, small seating areas, new landscaping, improved storm water management, and a plaza in front of Town Hall for gatherings and events. 
    • This project has been a truly collaborative journey supported by various Town departments, boards, committees, and passionate community members. The total project cost was $1.8 million, which includes $827,066 from a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant and $986,148 from the Town’s Community Preservation Act Funds. 
  • Downtown Restroom: There have been some delays in the permitting of the facility that was selected, which is being reviewed by the State plumbing board. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

  • October 22nd – North Common ribbon cutting ceremony
  • October 28th  – Centennial Water Treatment Facility ribbon cutting ceremony
  • November 3rd – Financial Indicators presentation
  • November 3rd – Town Council meeting
  • November 4th – Town Elections
  • November 11th – Veterans Day holiday
  • November 17th – Public Forum on the budget
  • November 17th – Town Council meeting
  • November 27-28 – Thanksgiving holiday break
  • December 1st – State of the Town presentation
  • December 1st – Town Council meeting
  • December 15th – Town Council meeting
  • December 24-25 – Christmas holiday break
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