Petition seeks moratorium on large-scale building projects in Amherst amherstbulletin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from amherstbulletin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
AMHERST Town councilors in Amherst are apologizing for disrupting the work of a group studying alternative ways that public safety services can be provided in town.The Town Council approved a letter Monday that was drafted by Council President Lynn.
Amherst Council urges Gov. Baker to prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for school staff, passes resolution
Updated Feb 09, 2021;
AMHERST – The Town Council on Monday by a majority vote approved a resolution that requests Gov. Charlie Baker and the state department of public health to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers and staff, as a means to increase in-person learning.
During discussion, councilors said the lack of in-person learning at Amherst public schools was a major reason they supported the resolution, and is reflected in the two-page document.
It says in part: “a free and open K-12 public education system is integral to the functioning of our community.”
Around Amherst: Annual MLK breakfast off, but fundraising carries on
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST A breakfast to commemorate the life of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., held annually since 1984 and serving as a fundraiser for scholarships for high school seniors showing a passion for social justice, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the MLK Jr. Committee of Amherst, with the assistance of Amherst Media, will broadcast excerpts from past breakfasts Saturday, including guest speakers who have talked about King’s life and inspiration, youth musical performances and songs from the Amherst Area Gospel Choir.
Vira Douangmany Cage, a member of Amherst Media’s board, said staff members at the nonprofit are working to put together the program, with plans to have some newly recorded comments.
Amherst council backs zoning changes
Amherst Town Hall FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST Motivating developers to pursue housing projects downtown and in village centers is a primary goal of zoning priorities being endorsed by the Town Council.
With an affirmative vote Monday on action steps, which councilors deemed consistent with the town’s master plan, the hope is to encourage more housing options for people from all economic backgrounds.
“We have a massive deficit of housing in this town,” said At-Large Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke.
The 10-3 vote in support of the zoning priorities recommended by the council’s Community Resources Committee came despite concerns raised in writing from several residents, including from a group calling itself Citizens for Better Planning.