Join the Community Conversation That Will Help Shape Amherst’s Future
Amherst Global Village Festival. Photo: amherstma.gov
Source: amherstma.gov
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Residents are invited to help shape Amherst’s future by participating in the town’s next Community Heart and Soul Conversation on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) is organizing the event as part of a series to bring Amherst residents together to share what matters most to them.
Community Heart & Soul is a resident-driven process that invites people from across Amherst to share what they love most about their community, envision the future they want, and explore how to get there—together. Community Heart & Soul brings the community together to reflect on what matters most to them. Through guided conversation, participants help shape a collective vision that informs future planning and community development. This initial conversation precedes the official launch of the Community Heart and Soul initiative in October.
All individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate and help shape Amherst’s future. Please register for the event so the organizers can plan accordingly.
Read more about the Community Heart and Soul Project here.
Register Here!
Registration is required, but you can sign up anytime – even on the day of the event.
It seems to this area resident that this event would be a good opportunity to feature what appears to be a disturbing situation revealed in a recent edition of the Daily Hampshire Gazzette (See: https://gazettenet.com/2026/08/25/investigation-finds-amherst-school-restraints-followed-state-law-but-families-still-have-concerns/ ) titled “Investigation finds Amherst school restraints followed state law, but families still have concerns.” After reading the report one morning I had to ask myself if I had woken up in the 19th century.
Restraints in grammar schools? Padded cells? The report didn’t seem to even question the use of such archaic, obsolete practices. If more details had been provided concerning the actual devices maybe it wouldn’t have been as shocking, especially in what is said to be a progressive community? That said, just the idea of our elementary school students being confined into what appeared to be a windowless padded cell seems really unsettling.