Town Manager Report for March 23, 2026

Amherst Indy March 24, 2026 0
Amherst Town Seal

Photo:amherstma.gov

Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council, usually at the second 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 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 Report. All Town Manager Reports are available on the town’s website here: Town Manager Reports 

TOWN MANAGER

  • Response to Federal Immigration Activity: The Town reconfirmed its commitment to being a welcoming community and reasserted its commitment to its community values. 
  • The Town reaffirmed its committed to protecting all residents, regardless of immigration status, and ensuring that our community remains a place where everyone feels safe and respected. 
  • Increased immigration enforcement activity across the nation has caused concern among residents of the Town who called on their leaders to take action. Public officials have the responsibility to use their legal and moral authority to protect all members of the community and to foster a community that is free of fear, intimidation, and violence.
  • These values and policies are laid out in an Executive Order issued by the Town Manager and a Resolution adopted by the Amherst Town Council.
    • Town Council Resolution. The Town Council passed a Resolution Calling for Federal Immigration Agents to be Held Accountable for Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law at its meeting on February 23, 2026. 
  • View the Town Council’s Resolution.
    • Town Manager Executive Order. The Town Manager’s Executive Order establishes guidelines for local response and involvement in Federal enforcement of immigration laws and operations. 
  • View the Town Manager’s Executive Order.  
  • At the State level, the Governor issued an Executive Order which can be found here: Governor’s Executive Order
  • The Big Night: 
  • The Big Night Amphibian Migration happened this week.
  • Every year, the Town partners with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment during the “Big Night” amphibian migrations. Portions of Henry Street were temporarily closed to through traffic on anticipated migration dates to ensure safety for amphibians and volunteers.
  • Henry Street separates salamanders and other amphibians from vernal pools (small temporary ponds) and other wetlands where they migrate every spring to mate and to lay eggs. On Big Night, amphibian mortality can be especially high on roads as amphibians cross in search of their resident vernal pools. The salamander tunnels on Henry Street serve to shepherd the amphibians safely from the uplands on the east side of Henry Street, to the vernal pools to the west. During Big Night, volunteers gather in the area to aid amphibians’ safe crossing.
  • The Hitchcock Center reports that about salamanders and around 170 frogs crossed Henry Street safely to mate. We know that more than this moved, because the counts pretty much stopped around midnight last night and Wednesday at 1am, and there was still movement happening.
  • The safety of our residents was also greatly enhanced by the road closure. Between the two nights the Center estimates 150 people came out to help and witness the migration, including many young kids.
  • Early in the evening there were probably 60-70 people on the 1/4 mile of road, which would have been very dense if the road was open. This is a pretty famous event. It drew people from the surrounding towns, as well as far as Framingham this year. 
  • Many thanks to Town staff especially the Department of Public Works who pre-placed road closed signs in anticipation of the event, the Police Department who facilitated the road closure, and the Emergency Communications Center who handled calls and questions.
  • Cuppa Joe with Paul:  • The last Cuppa’ Joe was on Friday, March 13th. Library Director Sharon Sharry could not make it so we had a vigorous discussion of all things with Community Participation Officer Angela Mills at Amherst Coffee.
  • The next Cuppa’ Joe is scheduled for Friday, April 10th with a yet-to-be-determined guest. 
  • 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.
  • Hampshire County Community Conversaiton on Housing: 
  • I will be participating in this conversation organized by Wayfinders. Economic Development and Planning Director Jeff Bagg will serve on the main panel. 
  • The event is Wednesday, March 25th at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Old Chapel. 144 Hicks Way. 
  • This event is part of a series of regional conversations Way Finders is hosting in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) to share new housing data from a recent Building Homes. Building Futures. housing report by the UMass Donahue Institute and spark local dialogue about advancing solutions across the region. It will also serve as the start of PVPC’s engagement to update the regional housing plan. 
  • Doors will open and food served at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m.
  • Register here: https://pvpc.org/event/hampshire-county-housing-forum/  
  • Recruiting Now for Committees: 
  • We are preparing reappointments for the Town Council’s review.
  • We are recruiting members to serve on all committees. Please help spread the word. the community came together to recognize Tibet flag raising which included the reading of the Town Council’s proclamation.  
  • Grant Award: We have been informed that Congressman McGovern secured a $1,000,000 grant for the Town for the Shelter and Supportive Housing project we are developing at the former VFW site on Main Street. There are more details to come, but we hope this grant actually comes through as it will be a significant step in achieving this important goal for the Town. 

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Administration and Finance

  • Finance: 
    • CPAC: The Community Preservation Act Committee will present its recommendation to the Town Council at this meeting. All proposals can be found here: CPA Proposals  
    • Newsletter: I encourage you to read and share the Assessing Department’s newsletter which can be found here: Assessors Newsletter  
  • Human Resources: 
    • The Department continues to recruit, interview, and hire numerous Town positions. A list of current vacancies can be found here: List of Job Vacancies  
    • I was saddened to accept the Town’s Director of Senior Services resignation effective March 6th. In her resignation letter, she stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter of resignation, but know that this is likely the best course of action both for me, and for the Amherst community, who I have had the pleasure of serving… Had unforeseen health complications not encumbered my work; I had hoped to stay here for the remainder of my career. I have truly enjoyed my time here in Amherst serving the older adult community… The Town leadership, Council on Aging, Friends’ Group along with my colleagues, staff and the residents of this community have made me feel welcomed and appreciated…”
  • The Human Resources Department has been dedicating extensive time and effort in continue to engage in our collective bargaining work.
    • The Department has developed an Artificial Intelligence policy for the Town, which is now being reviewed by Town staff.
  • Town Clerk:
    • Public Record Requests: 
      • The number of public records requests to the Town has increased exponentially, demanding extensive staff time to respond in accordance by mandated deadlines. The Town Clerk’s office, Police Department, and I.T. Department are especially impacted by these requests.The Town Clerk’s office has developed a new process and has transitioned to OpenGov to manage public records requests. The Town is still accepting emailed requests, but this is the preferred method. The link is now live on the website: https://www.amherstma.gov/3325/PublicRecords. This new process will help streamline requests, improve tracking, and ensure consistent and timely responses. Our goal is to make for a smoother and more transparent process for both the public and Town staff.So far, there has been positive feedback from the community as they appreciate the added layer of transparency and being able to track the request’s progress.Major kudos to the Town Clerk for taking this initiative and developing protocols and to the I.T. team for many months of work to build and test the program.
      Website Improvement – Agenda Center:
      • The Town is transitioning most Town Boards and Committees to using “Agenda Center” on the Town’s website to post meeting agendas and minutes. This transition not only improves efficiency for staff and board members but also enhances public access to meeting information, supporting greater transparency and accountability.We are training Town staff on how to use the new system and expect to go live on July 1st.
      Dog Licenses: Last chance to renew dog licenses for the 2026 licensing year – licenses expire on March 31st. More information: www.amherstma.gov/398/Dog-Licenses  Ethics Training: Town staff, board/committee members, and elected officials are all required to participate in Conflict-of-Interest Law Trainings provided by the State Ethics Commission. Public employees must complete the online training program and acknowledge receipt of the Conflict-of-Interest Law summary within 30 days of election or appointment to a Town position. Create an account and access the trainings here:  https://massethicstraining.skillburst.com/Elections: The State Primary will be held on September 1, 2026. Residents can request a mail-in ballot here: www.mailmyballotma.com . If you are mailing in a request, it is important to indicate what primary party ballot you’d like to receive if you’re an unenrolled voter. The State Election will follow on November 4, 2026. You can choose to receive a mail-in ballot for all elections this year. Reminder: sign your application in the same form as your ballot envelope.
    • Staffing: Our new Assistant Town Clerk has begun her duties for the Town.
  • Information Technology:
    • Emergency Operations Center: Town staff from the Emergency Communications Center,

Police, Fire, Communications, and I.T. outfitted the Town Room so it can serve as an Emergency Communication Center for the Town in the event of an emergency. We installed updated technology and are now prepared to mobilize on a moment’s notice. It was operational during the events in March.

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Town staff are working on bringing the Town into the new WCAGuidelines. Small municipalities and government entities with a population less than 50,000 have until April 26, 2027 to comply with the new Federal rule. This is a major undertaking that involves I.T., Communications, DEI and everyone in our organization who posts to the website. We are looking to establish ADA best practices in posting material to the Town’s website.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department:

o Accomplishments/Announcements:

  • Philip Avila was elected to be the Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition, a statewide organization of DEI PR practitioners affiliated with the Massachusetts Municipal Association.  He assumes the role on April 15th.

Innovation Award for the Morning Movement and Mentoring Program. Various Town staff and officials accepted this award at the MMA’s Connect 351 annual conference on Friday, January 23, 2026.

  • The State announced a new, online portal for people to report ICE misconduct. Bystanders, lawyers, and families can report any potential misconduct by Federal immigration agents in Massachusetts through a new state portal, The portal is designed to help the state identify patterns of potential misconduct and “inform possible legal action.” State officials are also asking residents to use the site to report “potentially unlawful activity” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other Federal agents.

o Activities:

  • The Department hosted a conversation with the Veterans Breakfast group exploring the differences between debate, discussion, and dialogue, and how each shapes communication.
    • The Department participated in the Hampshire Queer Conference on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Hampshire College.
    • Over three dozen people joined in unveiling a display honoring the 100th anniversary of the celebration of Black History on display in Town Hall last month. While the display is no longer up, it can still be viewed on the DEI Department’s home page, or here.

The Department also hosted a conversation with the Veterans Breakfast group exploring the differences between debate, discussion, and dialogue, and how each shapes communication.

  • The Department will participate in the Hampshire Queer Conference on February 21st at Hampshire College.
  • Liberatory Visioning: 
    • The Department hosted community members on February 26th at the Bangs Community Center for a community conversation with Community Heart & Soul. This resident-driven process invites people from across Amherst to share what they value most about their community, envision the future they want, and explore how to get there, together. All individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate and help shape Amherst’s future. This event is part of the Department’s Becoming Beloved Community Conversation series. Registration is required, but you may register at any time, including the day of the event, using the link provided. The DEI Department is eager to engage in this process and is looking for community members to join the Core group for this work. 
    • The Department is continuing staff trainings. This month’s topic is on debate, discussion, and dialogue.
    • The Department completed six department trainings by the end of last year (Senior Center, CRESS, Health Department, Recreation, Police Department, and Jones Library). With three more to be completed by the end of the fiscal year. o Outreach:
    • Global Village: Save the Date, the Amherst Global Village Festival will be April 11th, 2026, at the Amherst-Pelham Regional High School. 
  • Youth Empowerment: 
    • The Department hosted its Youth Programming “The Game of Real Life” last month. 23 youth participants were welcomed and engaged in a hands‑on simulation of “the real world,” exploring essential life skills such as budgeting, interest rates, and the true cost of living. Many participants shared that they would love to see this program offered more than once a year, noting how valuable it was in helping them navigate the complexities of adult life. A heartfelt thank‑you to our dedicated volunteers (Amherst Innovative Living, the Recreation Department, the Public Health Department, Hilltown Community Health Center, and UMass students) whose support made this event a success.
    • The Department has begun its Youth Empowerment Programming on entrepreneurship. In the free five-week program youth will learn the skills needed to develop a business, actively create and sell their own products, and get hands-on experience in the process. Sessions will take place weekly on Saturday, March 7th through Saturday, April 4th, from 10:30-12 at the Bangs Community Center. In week 2, Alysya Bryant of Carefree Cakery shared her journey to business ownership.
  • Resident Oversight Board:
    • The report was advanced to the Town Council which referred it to the GOL Committee. 
  • Police Protocols: 
    • The Emergency Communication Center is now dispatching calls to Community Responders.
    • Town staff from the Communications Center and CRESS review calls regularly to ensure the calls that are going to CRESS are appropriate and that all calls that should go to CRESS are going there.

Public Safety

  • Fire Department: 
    • Professional Development: Chief Stromgren was admitted to the Fire Service Executive Development Institute, a program offered by the International Fire Chiefs Association. The program provides new fire chiefs with the tools they need to have a successful and productive tenure as a fire department leader. This is a year-long commitment by the Fire Chief that includes several sessions during the year at the Institute and self-study work in between sessions. The program is limited and its quite an honor to have a chief from a small community admitted. Outside grants fund most of the costs of the program.
    • o Fire Permits:  
      • Open air burning permits are now available from the Fire Department. Open air burning of brush for spring yard cleanup is allowed by state regulations from January 15th through May 1st of each year. To obtain a permit, you must complete an online application and pay the $25 fee. Once a permit is obtained, it is valid for the remainder of the burning season through May 1st.View more information and apply here!Please Note: Our area is still under a mild drought warning. If April brings warm and dry weather, we could see high fire dangers in which case open air burning could be banned for extended periods of time. To avoid disappointment this spring, we urge residents to get your permits now and plan to conduct your open air burning earlier rather than later this season.
    • Staffing: The Amherst Fire Department currently has an opening for full-time and is 
  • Police Department:
    • Staffing: The Amherst Police Department currently has an opening for full-time and is accepting applications at amherstma.gov/jobs.
  • Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service:
    • Grant Award: 
      • The Town as been awarded the Equitable Approaches to Public Safety (EAPS) grant from the Department of Public Health again! This is a significant grant that will enable the Department to continue to offer a robust array of services to members of the community. Many thanks to our State Legislators who lobbied very hard and successfully to include this funding in the State budget.
      • The Town secured $188,244 in funding for FY26 to supplement the funds provided by the Town.
    • Food Insecurity: The CRESS Department is providing short-term funding from one of its grants to support the community breakfast held at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst.  This support along with the support of other individual contributions will allow the continuation of serving hot, nutritious breakfast to guests in Craig’s Doors shelters as well as all other guests 8-10 a.m. every Wednesday.
    • Staffing: 

Terrell (T.J.) Jones began his duties as a Community Responder on January 12th. Mr. Jones has experience working at Bay State Hospital and at Behavioral Health Network as a crisis counselor.

  • Daniel Garcia began his duties as the grant implementation administrator. Mr.Garcia has 24 years’ experience leading equity-driven, trauma-informed programs in grant-funded, community-centered environments. As a recent resident of the Town, we were fortunate to recruit a professional of his caliber.
  • Operations:
    • Dispatch: 
  • CRESS, Police, Human Resources, and Town Manager worked extensively over the past two months to research, write, review, and finalize policies for the dispatching of community responders.
  • The Emergency Communication Center is now dispatching calls to Community Responders.
    • CRESS Connections: Cress Connections is a grant funded program for youth operating in the Town’s schools. The most recent workshop focused on robotics (STEM) with a book and robot project.
    • Newsletter: The Department has produced a newsletter which can be found here: CRESS Newsletter  

Community Services

  • Public Health:

o Respiratory Illness:

  • The winter respiratory season is finally easing. After six weeks stuck at high levels, influenza-like illness is starting to decline, although there are still reports of some cases locally. Last week, only seven emergency department visits for flu were reported in Hampshire County, down from the ten to twelve per week in February. Good riddance to a nasty flu season!
    • Respiratory illness is still prevalent, however, with RSV and common cold viruses climbing a bit. Full viral reprieve will come in another month or two.
      • Wastewater surveillance in Amherst shows that COVID levels were relatively low all winter season and are continuing to trend downwards.If you experience symptoms of respiratory disease (fever, muscle aches, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat, and congestion), stay home and away from others in your household.Return to daily activities when symptoms have resolved but wear a mask until you are completely recovered.Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, especially if you or a loved one is at higher risk.COVID and flu vaccinations are still widely available at health care provider offices and local pharmacies.
      • RSV vaccine is also available at local pharmacies. RSV can be quite serious, especially in infants and older adults. The RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults 75 and older and for adults 50-74 who are at increased risk for severe illness. Infants can be protected from RSV by receiving an RSV antibody or if their mothers are vaccinated during pregnancy. 

o Measles:


Unfortunately, the number of measles cases in the U.S. is continuing to climb. There have been over 1,300 confirmed cases in the United States since the start of 2026. This is more than half the number of reported cases in all of 2025 (2,283) and we are not even three months into the year. Most of the cases are in Texas, South Carolina, Utah and Florida, and more than 93% of them are among unvaccinated individuals or individuals with unknown vaccination status.

  • There have been two confirmed Massachusetts measles cases so far this year. The first is a school-age resident who was exposed and diagnosed while out of state. The individual remained out of state for the duration of their infectious window. The second is a resident of Greater Boston who was exposed while abroad and visited several locations while infectious. Contact tracers have been working to identify and notify individuals who were potentially exposed. So far, no other measles cases have arisen from this exposure.

    • Any children who need the MMR vaccine and do not have a primary care provider can receive it at the Amherst Public Health Department free of charge.
    • o Changing Vaccine Guidance:Following the release of a revised childhood vaccine schedule by the US Department of Health and Human Service on January 5, 2026, many prominent organizations have come together to sue the Federal government over the unlawful implementation of new vaccine policies, and the appointment of a new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These organizations include the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and many others. A federal judge recently ruled in their favor, blocking the appointment of new members to the ACIP, overturning the 2025 COVID-19 vaccine regulations, and putting a stay on the new childhood vaccine schedule.This ruling is a temporary hold, and things could still change as the case moves through the courts, but currently parents and practitioners are advised to rely on the evidence-based childhood vaccine schedule put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
    • Valley Vax, a local educational initiative and website headed up by Amherst Public Health, is an excellent source of accurate, evidence-based information about vaccines that features the faces and voices of people who live and work in the Pioneer Valley. The website has a feature where people can send in their questions directly. ValleyVax will respond and will post the answers to questions (without identifying information) on the website. Here is the link: www.valleyvax.orgo Ticks:

Tick season has started! We are already hearing reports of ticks on dogs and people after walks in the woods. A common misconception is that when we have a very snowy winter there may be fewer ticks come spring, but unfortunately the snow acts as an insulation layer for ticks and can protect them from the cold air temperatures that would normally kill them.

  • Peak tick season in Massachusetts runs April–September. Check yourself and pets daily after spending time in grassy or wooded areas. Ticks often hide in hard-tosee spots: armpits, groin, scalp, behind knees/ears. Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks outdoors.
    • Lyme disease from deer ticks is the most common tick-borne illness in the Northeast. If bitten: use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks ASAP. Bacteria can transfer within 48 hours, early removal matters. Call your healthcare provider if bitten; treatment may be recommended.
    • Warming Center: The warming center at the Bangs Community Center officially closed last Friday. This was a much-needed service and was steadily accessed throughout the cold and snowy winter season by a regular group of people. We are hoping for warmer temps soon!
    • Kratom:
      • Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves are often consumed in powdered or extract form for their stimulant and sedative effects.
      • Kratom is currently unregulated and is available for sale in Amherst. Kratom in its natural form generally has mild properties and is used by some to relieve chronic pain or to aid in recovery from opioid dependence.
      • The synthetic form of Kratom, called 7-OH, is much stronger and its use can be dangerous. The FDA has characterized it as a potent substance with high abuse potential and is moving to restrict its sale.
      • The Board of Health developed regulations to prohibit the sale of synthetic Kratom products in Amherst and restrict the sale of natural leaf Kratom products to adult only retail establishments. The regulations will be undergoing final revisions before being released and enforced.
  • Senior Services:
    • Director: As noted above, the Senior Services Director submitted her resignation. We are searching for a new Director.
    • Senior Services Newsletter: The Department is working with a vendor to reinstate mailing the bimonthly Senior Spirit newsletter to all 60+ residents in Amherst. The printing would be supported by ads. This endeavor is supported by the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center and the Council on Aging. It would fulfill a long-requested request of the community for an easily accessible paper newsletter. The hope is for this mailing to begin with the September/October edition. o Programming: 
      • Senior Services is presenting two programs, “Laughter is the Best Medicine” on March 13th and “How to be Happy in Difficult Times” on April 10th. The first program was well attended and had participants walking away with a renewed sense of positivity and a goal of incorporating the teachings they had learned into their daily lives. Please encourage attendance at the 2nd session on April 10th at 2:00 p.m. in Room 101 at the Bangs Community Center.
      • Senior Services is debuting a bi-monthly documentary film series on April 24th with a showing of “In the Whale” at 2:00 p.m. in Room 101 at the Bangs Community Center. In the Whale is an award-winning feature-length film about arguably the greatest fish story ever told – though this one is true. It’s the account of a man who survived to tell the tale of being swallowed by a whale, and what happened after he escaped. The documentary series will continue on June 12th at 2:00 p.m. in Room 101 at the Bangs Community Center with a showing of the film Gen Silent, which is the story of LGBT people who fought the earliest battles for equality who now face so much fear about discrimination, or worse. 
      • Future films to be shown in August, October, and December will be announced in the Senior Spirit newsletter.Bangs Center Renovations: Renovations to the Bangs Community Center are continuing. The Glass Room will be offline for programming for the time being. All classes will be maintained, although some adjustments have occurred. See Senior Services staff for further information about these changes.

      • Newsletter: The March/April 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: https://www.amherstma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/18926Hard copies can be picked up in the Senior Center lounge.
  • Recreation:
  • o Programming: The Recreation Department provides numerous programs and has developed partnerships throughout the community. Here are some examples from the Department’s work with the Jones Library:
    • During February vacation week, families are eager (borderline desperate) for free community events. Given the loss of space during construction of the Jones Library, the Library partnered with the Recreation Department to offer a preschool music performance at the Munson Hall. The Department brings sensory resources to events, which are roundly appreciated by many families
    .
    Another example was the first Chess Festival held at the Cherry Hill Golf Course clubhouse. The collaboration made it possible to offer a hugely popular intergenerational program.

    • Sumer Camps: Town staff are preparing for the summer. There will be changes this year as Summer Camp will now take place at the Amherst Regional High School, located at 21 Mattoon Street. Registration is open now.
    • Cherry Hill Working Group: The Working Group continues its work to investigate the long-term viability of golf operations at Cherry Hill Golf Course, explore innovative strategies for course management and fiscal sustainability, and develop alternative/compatible uses of the property. The Working Group has made some suggestions for managing Golf Course resources and finances which Town staff are evaluating.

Conservation and Development 

• Wildwood School Campus Re-use: The Town will undertake a focused, community-driven study to evaluate future use options for the Wildwood Elementary School and site, recognizing that the analysis shall include both renovation and demolition/redevelopment pathways. All steps are contingent on the School Committee determining the building and site are no longer needed for educational use by the District.

o To move forward, I will be establishing an advisory committee which will guide the process with support from the Planning and Economic Development Director and a multidisciplinary consultant team to ensure transparent decision-making, availability of technical research and cost estimates, and broad community engagement. The study will result in recommended reuse scenarios grounded in feasibility, cost, public input, and in accordance with the Town’s Surplus Property Disposition Policy.

o To move forward, we will be taking the following steps:

  • Recruit and appoint an advisory committee of 7–9 members with relevant expertise and establish the charge and reporting responsibilities.
  • Secure capital funding through the capital planning process.
  • With funding, hire a consultant team including land use planning, public engagement, architecture, and cost-estimating professionals.
  • Examine Town-wide needs to understand which needs could potentially be accommodated in the existing building or on the site as redevelopment.
  • Conduct existing conditions & cost assessment. Review deficiencies, code triggers, and renovation vs. demolition costs.
  • Begin community engagement including stakeholder discussions around needs, online surveys, public workshops/forums, etc.
  • Develop 3–5 future use scenarios. Explore municipal/community reuse, partial demolition, full redevelopment including but not limited to housing.
  • Continue community engagement. Review and evaluate options and cost/benefits, and work toward a preferred plan.
  • Produce Final Report & Recommendation. Summarize the preferred scenario, rationale, costs, phasing for presentation to the Town Council.
  • With funding, the project can start in July with a projected completion date of June, 2027.
  • Upon completion of this phase, the Town will be poised to conduct additional building and site due diligence, prepare infrastructure design plans, and prepare to seek funding for preparation of the site for whatever future use is anticipated. It would be anticipated that future phases may be primarily funded by state or other grants but a local financial match may be required.
  • Downtown Design Standards: 
    • On March 11th, the Town hosted an event featuring a comprehensive presentation on the three volumes of the Downtown Design Standards which cover the context/vision for downtown, standards for private developments, and standards for public improvements. After the presentation, the event transitioned to an open house where attendees had the opportunity to provide feedback on each volume by engaging directly with project consultants and Town staff.
    • To view the project website, review the Downtown Design Standards, and submit public comment, click here.  o     To view the slide deck of presentation (PDF), click here. o    To view the video recording of the presentation, click here. o          Additional outreach is planned over the next few months, with presentations to the Design Review Board, Planning Board, the Town Council’s Community Resources Committee, Historical Commission, and Commission for Persons with Disability. 
    • Public input can be provided online with the goal of collecting specific feedback on each of the three volumes.   o   Over the summer the Planning Department and the Town’s consultant, Dodson and Flinker. will compile all the feedback and work to create a final set of Downtown Design Standards in November 2026 with a presentation/submission to Town Council in December 2026.  
  • Once completed:
    • Some of the standards may be adopted as part of the Planning Board and/or Design Review Board rules and regulations.
    • Certain standards related to private property may become zoning amendments to be adopted by Town Council.
    • And others, especially those dealing with sidewalks, crosswalks, and the public way may be adopted by the Department of Public Works and/or the Town Council.
  • Potential North Amherst Development: As reported last month, Beacon Communities – the team that developed North Square in the Mill District – has begun preliminary discussions with Town staff, boards/committees, and community members about a potential project at 146 Montague Road in North Amherst.
    • Beacon is scheduling a community meeting in April. The specific date has not been announced.  o Beacon has been proactive in presenting the concept to the Conservation Commission (click here for a link to the December 17, 2025 presentation), Affordable Housing Trust (click here for a link to the January 22, 2026 meeting), meetings with some residents/neighbors, and Town staff.  o The contemplated project includes approximately 140 units in a single, four-story building with 80 units of senior and 60 units of multifamily – all of which would be capital “A” Affordable.
  • Culverts:
    • The Town received a major grant from the Municipal Vulnerability

Preparedness Program Action Grant to conduct a watershed-wide culvert assessment followed by a prioritization plan for the Fort River Watershed using the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative protocols. The grant provides $427,700 over FY26 and FY27.

  • On March 16th, the Town hosted a community meeting about flooding and culverts.
    • Most flooding is caused by failing or undersized culverts, which are the pipes that enable water to pass under roads safely. 
    • Culverts that are too small can also prohibit wildlife movements which negatively impacts their survival. At this event, we will ask you to share your experiences with local flooding and help us identify problematic culverts and road washouts. This will inform our understanding of current conditions and prioritize our needs for new culverts. o This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals:
      • Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks.
      • Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.
      • Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).
  • Community Development Block Grant:
    • The Town is a Mini-Entitlement Community that is eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which are awarded primarily to support housing, community development projects, and social service activities that improve

the lives of Amherst’s low and moderate income residents (defined as individuals or families whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income as determined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – HUD), and be located in an identified neighborhood or target area.

  • Learn more about the CDBG Advisory Committee and view relevant documents.
    • The Town invites the community to participate in a virtual public hearing about the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7:00 pm via Zoom (Zoom Link).
    • This public hearing and public meeting of the CDBG Advisory Committee is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the final projects recommended for funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Application. The final application will be submitted to the State on April 21, 2026.
    • Any person, business, or organization has the opportunity to give public comments during the hearing or submit written comments. Written comments and any questions may be submitted at any time to Planner Walker Powell (powellw@amherstma.gov). Reasonable accommodations such as language translation services can be provided if requested seven (7) days before the meeting via a written request to the Town Manager’s Office (townmanager@amherstma.gov).  
  • Here are the recommended projects:

▪ Non-Social Service Proposals:

  • Multi-use Path along North Pleasant Street from Meadow Street to UMass. Phase 3.

▪ Social Service Proposals:

  • Amherst Survival Center. • Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
  • Family Outreach of Amherst.
  • Center for New Americans.
  • Amherst Mobile Market.
  • Sustainability: The Town’s Sustainability Festival will be held on April 25th. This free and family friendly event brings together local farmers, environmental vendors, live entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, and more.
  • Housing: 

o Housing Production Plan: 

  • The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) approved the Town’s Housing Production Plan (HPP). The effective date for the HPP is January 2, 2026. The HPP has a five-year term and will expire on January 1, 2031.  
  • Approval of the HPP allows the Town to request EOHLC’s Certification of Municipal Compliance when units of SHI Eligible Housing have been produced during one calendar year. For purposes of the Certification of Municipal Compliance, units will be considered to have been “produced” during the year when they are first eligible to be counted on the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI).
  • Click here to read the plan:  Housing Production Plan –  12–08–2025  

Department of Public Works

  • Road Money: We have been informed that the Town will receive $1,185,718.07 as its Chapter 90 apportionment for FY27. This is part of the Governor’s $300 million. The formula places greater emphasis on actual road mileage, instead of population, which favors Western Massachusetts communities.
  • Road Update: The Town Engineer will make a presentation to the Town Services and Outreach Committee on April 2nd about the Town’s roads. This will include an explanation of the process for evaluating and prioritizing road work, strategies for improving our roads, and a list of roads projected to be paved this year.

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): None • Long-Term Parking Requests (Section 2bi of the Town Council Policy): None • Short-Term Public Way Closures (Section 3b of the Town Council Policy):

o June 28, 2026 – 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.; Matoon Street, Triangle Street, North Pleasant

Street, South Pleasant Street; Amherst Pride Parade  o November 1, 2026 – HMF Western Mass 10 road race; 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; North Pleasant Street, South Pleasant Street, Triangle Street, College Street, Main Street, Dickinson Street; Hartford Half Marathon

  • Placement of Road and Temporary Signs (Section 3d of the Town Council Policy): None

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS 

  • Jones Library Renovation and Expansion:  
    • The Jones Library Renovation and Restoration Project held a Topping Off Ceremony. A Topping Off Ceremony is a customary way to celebrate a significant milestone during the construction of a new building—when one of the last steel beams is put in place. o The ceremonial beam (painted white) was placed in the Amity Street parking lot directly across from the library where community members were able to sign the beam.  o Community members gathered behind the Historical Society building to watch the beam be put in place after a brief ceremony.  
    • When complete, the renovation and expansion will make the Jones Library one of the most climate- friendly buildings in Amherst, restoring most of the original 1928 building, expanding programming space to meet current and emerging needs for all ages and multiple populations, while improving the layout to be fully accessible, functional, and welcoming for everyone.

Additional information on the project can be found here:https://www.joneslibrary.org/352/Jones-Building-Project

  • DPW Building: The DPW Building Committee has begun its work and has established an aggressive bi-weekly schedule.
  • Fire Building: We are investigating additional sites for the location of a new Fire Station.
  • Fort River Elementary School: 
    • The project is proceeding on schedule and on budget after delays due to bid protests that delayed the start of construction until January. 

PROJECTS UPDATE

  • Bangs Community Center: 
    • The Town has begun work to renovate the Bangs Community Center. The building will remain open and accessible throughout construction though sections of the building will be off-limits during certain construction activity. Completion is expected in early 2027.
    • The renovation involves health and safety improvements such as fire protection including a new sprinkler system, electrical upgrades, HVAC improvements, and ensuring full access throughout the building to comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act. In addition, there will be small but noteworthy improvements to the Amherst Senior Center and the area adjacent to Room 101. The work is being funded by Federal ARPA funds set aside for this purpose. o The Bangs Community Center is home to numerous Town departments including the Public Health Department, Senior Center, Veteran’s Services, Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), and Community Responders for Equity, Safety, & Service (CRESS). Also located here are the Civil War Tablets Exhibit and the Musante Health Center. It serves as a location for voting, Veterans breakfasts, and hosts many meetings for the Town and the broader community.
  • To minimize disruption and enable the continued use of the building during construction, improvements will be completed in multiple phases. The first phase of work is underway in the lower/basement level of the building and will continue into early March of this year. o The second phase of work will be on the 2nd floor, requiring staff in the DEI and CRESS Departments to temporarily relocate to the lower level. These renovations are anticipated to start in late March and will continue until at least the middle of June. Upon completion of this phase, the DEI and CRESS Departments will be relocated back to their offices on the 2nd floor.
    • Next, the renovations will focus on the 1st floor with construction where the Senior Center and Public Health Department are located. These renovations are expected to continue through November. The final phase of the project will include renovations of the large activity room which will likely extend into January 2027. To minimize disruptions to Senior Services programs, efforts will be made to phase construction strategically. The Town and the Senior Center will provide updates regarding any impacted programs/services during this time.
    • Information regarding the timing of future phases will be better known after the first phase of work is complete, and updates will be provided when available. The improvements were designed by edmSTUDIO with the assistance of Tighe & Bond and work is being completed by Souliere & Zepka Construction.
  • Downtown Restroom: 
    • Portland Loo company – the product the Town wants to install at Kendrick Park – has received the required approvals from the State Plumbing Board. 
    • We are awaiting information regarding their production schedule but it appears that the project is back on track and we might be looking at installation in the spring.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

  • April 6th – Town Council meeting
  • April 20th – Patriots Day holiday
  • April 27th – Town Council meeting
  • May 4th – Town Council meeting
  • May 18th – Town Council meeting
  • May 25th – Memorial Day holiday
  • June 1st – Town Council meeting
  • June 15th – Town Council meeting
  • June 19th – Juneteenth holiday
  • June 29th – Town Council meeting
  • July 3rd – Independence Day holiday
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