What’s In This Issue?

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ANALYTICS
Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.

Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 38,364 (-1537)
Last Week: 7294 (+405)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 24,365 (-666)
Last Week: 3797 (+93)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Contentious School Committee Meeting Ends Without Reprimand Of Shiao by Maura Keene
2. Jones Building Project Enters Hurry Up Mode As Deadlines Loom by Jeff Lee
3. Amherst Media Honors Community Safety Working Group With Jean Haggerty Award by Art Keene
4. Town of Amherst Signs Purchase And Sale Agreement To Acquire Former VFW Site For Permanent Shelter
5. Compromise Reached On Using Free Cash For Artificial Turf At High School by Maura Keene

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

BUDGET
FinCom Hears Plans To Bump Up Sewer Rates, Add Local Real Estate Transfer Tax by Jeff Lee
Residents Question Town Budget At Cuppa Joe by Maura Keene
Council Begins To Discuss Budget Guidelines. Concerns Raised About Meeting Town’s Climate Goals by Maura Keene
Letter:  Sunrise Amherst Opposes GOL Proposal To Remove Specific Climate Action, Affordable Housing, And Racial Equity Priorities From Town Manager’s Goals by Amherst Sunrise

CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Council Begins To Discuss Budget Guidelines. Concerns Raised About Meeting Town’s Climate Goals by Maura Keene
Letter:  Sunrise Amherst Opposes GOL Proposal To Remove Specific Climate Action, Affordable Housing, And Racial Equity Priorities From Town Manager’s Goals by Amherst Sunrise
Opinion: Eight Billion Of Us! Population Growth And Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones
Opinion:  State Should Invest To Become Global Hub Of Clean Energy Innovation by Sarah Ross

DEMOCRACY
Issues & Analyses: Fundamental Issues That Need To Be Addressed In A Review Of The Town Charter by Michael Greenebaum
Opinion: The Future Of US Elections Hinges On An Outlandish Case Before The Supreme Court by Moira Donegan (for The Guardian)

EVENTS
Sip And Shop Stroll And Makers Market December 15
Community Celebration Of Kwanzaa Planned For December 26
What’s Happening In Amherst?

FEATURES
Amherst History Month-By-Month: Amherst’s New England Heritage by Hetty Startup
Town Manager Report For December 5, 2022
Photo Of The Week: Pelham Hills At Dawn By Janet McGowan

HISTORY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Amherst History Month-By-Month: Amherst’s New England Heritage by Hetty Startup

ISSUES & ANALYSES
Issues & Analyses: Fundamental Issues That Need To Be Addressed In A Review Of The Town Charter by Michael Greenebaum
Issues & Analyses: Mode Shift -Supporting Sustainable, Equitable Transportation by Eve Vogel

LIBRARY
Residents Question Town Budget At Cuppa Joe by Maura Keene

OPINION
Letters From The Public About The Relative Virtues Of Artificial Turf And Grass by Kitty Axelson-Berry
Letter:  Sunrise Amherst Opposes GOL Proposal To Remove Specific Climate Action, Affordable Housing, And Racial Equity Priorities From Town Manager’s Goals by Amherst Sunrise
Opinion: Eight Billion Of Us! Population Growth And Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones
Opinion:  State Should Invest To Become Global Hub Of Clean Energy Innovation by Sarah Ross
Opinion: The Future Of US Elections Hinges On An Outlandish Case Before The Supreme Court by Moira Donegan (for The Guardian)

PUBLIC HEALTH
Board Of Health Advises Unanimously Against Use Of Artificial Turf  by Maura Keene
Compromise Reached On Using Free Cash For Artificial Turf At High School by Maura Keene
Letters From The Public About The Relative Virtues Of Artificial Turf And Grass by Kitty Axelson-Berry
Huge Turnout For Vaccine Clinic Giveaway.  Second Clinic Scheduled by Maura Keene
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of December 7, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene

SCHOOLS
Board Of Health Advises Unanimously Against Use Of Artificial Turf  by Maura Keene
Compromise Reached On Using Free Cash For Artificial Turf At High School by Maura Keene
Letters From The Public About The Relative Virtues Of Artificial Turf And Grass by Kitty Axelson-Berry

TAXES
FinCom Hears Plans To Bump Up Sewer Rates, Add Local Real Estate Transfer Tax by Jeff Lee

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Board Of Health Advises Unanimously Against Use Of Artificial Turf  by Maura Keene
Compromise Reached On Using Free Cash For Artificial Turf At High School by Maura Keene
Letters From The Public About The Relative Virtues Of Artificial Turf And Grass by Kitty Axelson-Berry
FinCom Hears Plans To Bump Up Sewer Rates, Add Local Real Estate Transfer Tax by Jeff Lee
Residents Question Town Budget At Cuppa Joe by Maura Keene
Council Begins To Discuss Budget Guidelines. Concerns Raised About Meeting Town’s Climate Goals by Maura Keene
Amherst Town Council Gives Town Manager Strong Evaluation
Pollock Tapped For Town Planner Position In Montague
Town of Amherst Signs Purchase And Sale Agreement To Acquire Former VFW Site For Permanent Shelter
Issues & Analyses: Fundamental Issues That Need To Be Addressed In A Review Of The Town Charter by Michael Greenebaum
Letter:  Sunrise Amherst Opposes GOL Proposal To Remove Specific Climate Action, Affordable Housing, And Racial Equity Priorities From Town Manager’s Goals by Amherst Sunrise
Town Manager Report For December 5, 2022

TRANSPORTATION
Issues & Analyses: Mode Shift -Supporting Sustainable, Equitable Transportation by Eve Vogel

US POLITICS
Opinion: The Future Of US Elections Hinges On An Outlandish Case Before The Supreme Court by Moira Donegan (for The Guardian)