Amherst Town Council approves $36.3M Jones Library project
An artist’s conception of what one side of the renovated and expanded Jones Library would look like from Amity Street in Amherst. COURTESY FINEGOLD ALEXANDER ARCHITECTS
An artist’s conception shows the new adult collections room in an expanded and renovated Jones Library. To the right is the roof of the 1928 building. COURTESY FINEGOLD ALEXANDER ARCHITECTS
An artist’s rendition shows a renovated and expanded Jones Library as seen from next to the Amherst History Museum. COURTESY FINEGOLD ALEXANDER ARCHITECTS
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST A $36.3 million project to expand and renovate Jones Library for the first time in more than 25 years is expected to get underway in early 2022 following the Town Council’s approval Monday.
Parents, students denounce school budget cuts in Amherst
Children board buses at Wildwood School in Amherst. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 4/11/2021 11:29:34 AM
AMHERST Rather than cutting nearly 15 positions from the secondary schools, town officials should reduce Amherst’s public safety budget and compel higher education institutions to assist with funding the public schools, according to residents who spoke to the Town Council last week.
At a budget hearing on the $31.9 million proposed fiscal year 2022 budget for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, councilors were informed about concerns with a budget proposal that is $1.2 million below providing level services at the high school and middle school.
‘Voter veto’ maneuver launched to challenge Jones Library approval
Jones Library in Amherst STAFF FILE PHOTO/KEN HEIDEL
Published: 4/9/2021 5:12:44 PM
AMHERST A campaign to use the “voter veto” provision of the town charter to force the Town Council to reconsider its support for the Jones Library expansion and renovation project which could culminate in a townwide referendum is underway.
Vincent O’Connor of Summer Street picked up forms Tuesday at the town clerk’s office at Town Hall, a day after the Town Council voted 10-2, with one abstention, to borrow $15.75 million to support the $36.3 million project. The council also approved a memorandum of agreement related to the project between Town Manager Paul Bockelman and the elected library trustees, and agreed to use $1 million from the town’s Community Preservation Act account for the library’s special collections room.
Public comments favor Jones Library expansion as Amherst Town Council prepares to vote
Valerie Gracechild of Amherst reads in the atrium of the Jones Library in Amherst, Aug. 15, 2019. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 4/5/2021 9:50:15 PM
AMHERST A $36.3 million project to expand and renovate the Jones Library received significant support from residents at a hearing Monday night.
A decision by the Town Council was expected late Monday night following the hearing on the project, expected to break ground as soon as next March, that attracted more than 100 participants.
Under the plans, if approved, the original 1928 structure would be rehabilitated and the addition completed in 1993 would be replaced to increase the library from 48,000 square feet to 63,000 square feet.
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