Government · Planning Board
Planning Board advances PRP housing rezoning effort
Amherst Planning Board advances a rezoning plan for housing in the Professional and Research Park and opens a debate on capping ADU parking.
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Governance Committee Discusses Evaluation Methods and Oversight Board Structure
The Governance Committee discussed Town Manager evaluation methods and a proposed Resident Oversight Board on September 15, focusing on feedback collection rather than establishing an evaluation timeline.
Government · Finance Committee of the Town Council
Jones Library Opening Delayed to May Due to Construction Phase Delays
The Finance Committee reviewed fourth quarter FY25 finances and heard the Jones Library project opening was delayed to May due to steel construction phase delays.
Government · Amherst School Committee Meeting
School Committee Defers Budget Vote on School Consolidation Plan
Amherst School Committee deferred a vote on the FY27 budget after a public hearing on proposed consolidation savings. The draft budget, proposing a 3.85 percent increase to serve 1,049 students, includes reductions of 4.0 special education teachers, 2.5 intervention staff, and 4.5 specials
Government · Amherst School Committee Meeting
Committee Maintains School Start Times Amid Construction
The Amherst School Committee voted to maintain school start times for 2026-27 despite six months of construction disruption. Laura Jane Hunter, the committee secretary, moved to formally declare no changes, with future modifications requiring extensive research and community input. The motion
Government · Amherst School Committee Meeting
School Committee approves restraint and seclusion policy
Amherst School Committee adopts new restraint and seclusion policy, votes to remove seclusion room doors. The committee voted 4-0 on May 7, 2026 to approve Policy JKAA, a comprehensive restraint and seclusion policy required by state regulations (603 CMR 46.00 and 603 CMR 18.00). The policy
Schools · School Committee
Amherst Schools Overhaul Bus Routes After Policy Drift
Amherst schools admit bus routes have drifted from policy, leaving kids arriving late. Superintendent Dr.
Government · Finance Committee
Finance Panel Logs $3.2M FY25 Surplus, Library Delay
Amherst Finance Committee logs a $3.2 million FY25 surplus as the Jones Library opening slips to May.
Government · Select Board
Council doubles solar well buffer, adopts bylaw
Amherst's Town Council adopted a clean energy bylaw and doubled its solar setback for private wells. The council voted 7-5 to raise the no-disturbance buffer between solar arrays and private wells from 100 feet to 200 feet, then adopted the full Article 18 bylaw 12-0, with Councilor Walker absent.
Government · Town Council
Amherst Council adopts clean energy bylaw with water protection amendments
The Amherst Town Council unanimously adopted a Clean Energy Infrastructure Bylaw on second read, then approved two narrowly divided amendments strengthening water well protections for solar photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems. The main bylaw passed 12-0 with one member