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: 32,857 (+4656)
Last Week: 10,401 (+2337)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 16,275 (+1894)
Last Week: 4686 (+807)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY
1. Letter: New UMass Pavillion A Flawed Undertaking by Robin Jaffin
2. Griesemer Failed To Share Information On Proposed State PFAS Ban With Town Council by Art Keene
3. What Will The Town Do With Its Surplus Property? by Art Keene
4. A Better World Is Possible: Houston Helps 25,000 People Exit Homelessness by Ingo Geiger (for Scoop.me)
5. Opinion: Distribution Of ARPA Funds In Amherst Was Not Equitable by Black Business Association Of Amherst Area

TOP FIVE MOST READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Griesemer Failed To Share Information On Proposed State PFAS Ban With Town Council by Art Keene
2. What Will The Town Do With Its Surplus Property? by Art Keene
3. Neighbors, Conservationists, Seek Dialogue With University On Proposed Pavilion At Renaissance Center by Art Keene
4. Letter: There Are Better Ways To Honor UMass Front Line Service Workers Than A Remote Pavilion by John Varner
5. Design For New K-5 Elementary School Features Improved Energy Efficiency by Maura Keene

WHAT”S IN THIS ISSUE?
CAMPUS
Controversial UMass Workers’ Pavilion Project Placed On Hold by Art Keene
Letter: UMass Must Consult Frontline Workers On New Pavilion Plans by Robin Jaffin
Letter: The Best Interests Of UMass And The Town Of Amherst Are Not Always Identical by John Varner
Opinion: Putting Aesthetics Into The Conversation About The Pavillion And “Surplus” Property by Michael Greenebaum

CAPITAL PROJECTS
Water Treatment Plant Replacement Costs Soar by Toni Cunningham
How $5.3 Million Was Saved On Elementary School Project Cost Estimates by Maura Keene
Bathroom Decision Stalls Library Design. Historic Compatibility Questioned by Jeff Lee
Solar Construction At Hickory Ridge To Start Soon

CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Solar Construction At Hickory Ridge To Start Soon
Amherst Climate Justice Alliance Kickoff, Saturday February
Amherst History Month By Month: The Spaces In Between by Hetty Startup
Photo Of The Week: The Northern Lights Over Lake Wyola by Susan Panlilio

CONSERVATION
Controversial UMass Workers’ Pavilion Project Placed On Hold by Art Keene
Amherst History Month By Month: The Spaces In Between by Hetty Startup

DEMOCRACY
A Better World Is Possible: Citizens’ Assemblies: Are They The Future Of Democracy? by Eva Talmadge (for the Guardian)

EVENTS
Luminaria On The Common Rescheduled Due To Cold
Amherst Climate Justice Alliance Kickoff, Saturday February
What’s Happening In Amherst? by Art Keene

FEATURES
Amherst History Month By Month: The Spaces In Between by Hetty Startup
A Better World Is Possible: Citizens’ Assemblies: Are They The Future Of Democracy? by Eva Talmadge (for the Guardian)
Photo Of The Week: The Northern Lights Over Lake Wyola by Susan Panlilio

HISTORY / HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
Amherst History Month By Month: The Spaces In Between by Hetty Startup

HOUSING
Planning Board Concerned About Proposed Zoning Amendments For Multi-Family Housing by Maura Keene
Letter: The Best Interests Of UMass And The Town Of Amherst Are Not Always Identical by John Varner
Letter: Are The Potential Harmful Consequences Of Rental Deregulation Really Unintended? by Ira Bryck

LABOR
Amherst/Pelham Educators Share Stories Of Rewarding Work And Dispiriting Contract Negotiations by Art Keene
Amherst Cinema Reaches Collective Bargaining Agreement With Box Office Staff
Letter: UMass Must Consult Frontline Workers On New Pavilion Plans by Robin Jaffin

LIBRARY
Bathroom Decision Stalls Library Design. Historic Compatibility Questioned by Jeff Lee

MEDIA
Indy Appoints New Social Media Editor. Expands To Instagram

OPINION
Letter: UMass Must Consult Frontline Workers On New Pavilion Plans by Robin Jaffin
Letter: The Best Interests Of UMass And The Town Of Amherst Are Not Always Identical by John Varner
Letter: Are The Potential Harmful Consequences Of Rental Deregulation Really Unintended? by Ira Bryck
Opinion: Tyre Nichols’ Murder Is A Call To Action by The Community Safety Working Group
Opinion: Amherst’s Community Safety And Social Justice Committee On The Killing Of Tyre Nichols by Allegra Clark and Demetria Shabazz
Opinion: BBAA Mourns Tyre Nichols And Condemns Police Culture Of Violence by The Black Business Association of Amherst Area
Opinion: Putting Aesthetics Into The Conversation About The Pavillion And “Surplus” Property by Michael Greenebaum
Indy Rewind: Wildwood School Building Can Meet Town’s Pressing Needs For More Civic Space by Irene DuJovne
Indy Rewind: A Community Center: If Not At Wildwood, Where? by Kitty Axelson-Berry, Maura Keene and Art Keene

PUBLIC HEALTH
Town Issues Extreme Cold Weather Safety Reminders
PFAS Legislation Proliferates Across The Nation  by Maura and Art Keene
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of February 1, 2023 by Art and Maura Keene

PUBLIC SAFETY
Town Issues Extreme Cold Weather Safety Reminders
Opinion: Tyre Nichols’ Murder Is A Call To Action by The Community Safety Working Group
Opinion: Amherst’s Community Safety And Social Justice Committee On The Killing Of Tyre Nichols by Allegra Clark and Demetria Shabazz
Opinion: BBAA Mourns Tyre Nichols And Condemns Police Culture Of Violence by The Black Business Association of Amherst Area

SCHOOLS
Amherst/Pelham Educators Share Stories Of Rewarding Work And Dispiriting Contract Negotiations by Art Keene
How $5.3 Million Was Saved On Elementary School Project Cost Estimates by Maura Keene
Indy Rewind: Wildwood School Building Can Meet Town’s Pressing Needs For More Civic Space by Irene DuJovne
Indy Rewind: A Community Center: If Not At Wildwood, Where? by Kitty Axelson-Berry, Maura Keene and Art Keene
Indy Rewind: A Community Center: If Not At Wildwood, Where? by Kitty Axelson-Berry, Maura Keene and Art Keene

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Amherst Town Officials Issue Joint Statement On The Killing Of Tyre Nichols
Opinion: Tyre Nichols’ Murder Is A Call To Action by The Community Safety Working Group
Opinion: Amherst’s Community Safety And Social Justice Committee On The Killing Of Tyre Nichols by Allegra Clark and Demetria Shabazz
Opinion: BBAA Mourns Tyre Nichols And Condemns Police Culture Of Violence by The Black Business Association of Amherst Area

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Water Treatment Plant Replacement Costs Soar by Toni Cunningham
Amherst/Pelham Educators Share Stories Of Rewarding Work And Dispiriting Contract Negotiations by Art Keene
Planning Board Concerned About Proposed Zoning Amendments For Multi-Family Housing by Maura Keene
Solar Construction At Hickory Ridge To Start Soon
Amherst Town Officials Issue Joint Statement On The Killing Of Tyre Nichols
Letter: The Best Interests Of UMass And The Town Of Amherst Are Not Always Identical by John Varner
Letter: Are The Potential Harmful Consequences Of Rental Deregulation Really Unintended? by Ira Bryck
Opinion: Tyre Nichols’ Murder Is A Call To Action by The Community Safety Working Group
Opinion: Amherst’s Community Safety And Social Justice Committee On The Killing Of Tyre Nichols by Allegra Clark and Demetria Shabazz
Opinion: Putting Aesthetics Into The Conversation About The Pavillion And “Surplus” Property by Michael Greenebaum
Indy Rewind: Wildwood School Building Can Meet Town’s Pressing Needs For More Civic Space by Irene DuJovne
Indy Rewind: A Community Center: If Not At Wildwood, Where? by Kitty Axelson-Berry, Maura Keene and Art Keene

US POLITICS
PFAS Legislation Proliferates Across The Nation  by Maura and Art Keene