AMHERST Overwhelming support for the renovation and expansion of the Jones Library by Amherst voters at November’s town election means planning for the $36.3 million project should continue, according to a Hampshire Superior Court judge.In a.
Jones Library project foes: Petition decision violated Open Meeting Law
Published: 5/6/2021 8:26:34 PM
AMHERST A complaint that the town’s Board of Registrars violated the state’s Open Meeting Law when it met last month to allow the town clerk’s office to certify signatures on a voter veto petition effort has been filed with state attorney general’s office.
Petitioners seeking to have a townwide referendum on the $36.3 million Jones Library project announced in a statement Thursday that they filed the complaint in advance of a 10 a.m. Friday meeting by the registrars.
The complaint stems from a brief April 21 Board of Registrars meeting that petitioners say was inadequate to inform the public of the subject to be discussed. The petitioners also say there was “impermissible deliberation” before the meeting, and that the board failed to conduct deliberations in public about delegation of authority to the town clerk’s office.
Amherst to forge ahead on Jones Library project in wake of court decision
An artist’s conception shows a renovated and expanded Jones Library as seen from next to the Amherst History Museum. COURTESY FINEGOLD ALEXANDER ARCHITECTS
Published: 5/2/2021 8:08:20 PM
AMHERST A building committee will soon be formed to oversee the process of expanding and renovating the Jones Library into a fully accessible community center following a court decision halting an effort by petitioners seeking a townwide referendum on the project.
With a Hampshire Superior Court judge on Friday denying a preliminary injunction sought by residents attempting to bring the $36.3 million project to a townwide vote, library and town officials say they can begin work on enhancing the Amity Street building, built in 1928 and most recently expanded in the early 1990s.
Amherst forging ahead on Jones Library project in wake of court decision
An artist’s conception 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 building committee will soon be formed to oversee the process of expanding and renovating the Jones Library into a fully accessible community center following a court decision halting an effort by petitioners seeking a townwide referendum on the project.
With a Hampshire Superior Court judge on Friday denying a preliminary injunction sought by residents attempting to bring the $36.3 million project to a townwide vote, library and town officials say they can begin work on enhancing the Amity Street building, built in 1928 and most recently expanded in the early 1990s.
Amherst officials: Petition challenging Jones Library project short 22 signatures
Jones Library in Amherst GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST Petitioners seeking to overturn the Town Council’s decision in favor of the $36.3 million project to renovate and expand the Jones Library fell just short of collecting enough signatures to initiate a voter veto, according to a tally completed by the town clerk’s office Wednesday.
A memo issued by Brianna Sunryd, the town’s communications manager, states that 842 signatures were certified as valid on the voter veto petitions, 22 signatures short of the 864 needed to initiate a process that would force the Town Council to reconsider its April 5 vote to authorize $15.75 million in borrowing for the project. Of the 13 councilors, 10 voted in favor, two voted against and one abstained.