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: 34,823 (+1966)
Last Week: 7988 (-2413)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 17,349 (+1074)
Last Week: 4445 (-241)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Letter: Company Responsible For Williamsburg Solar Disaster Hired As Hickory Ridge Solar Developer by Jenny Kallick and Michael Lipinski
2. Bathroom Decision Stalls Library Design. Historic Compatibility Questioned
3. Griesemer Failed To Share Information On Proposed State PFAS Ban With Town Council by Art Keene
4. PFAS Legislation Proliferates Across The Nation  by Maura and Art Keene
5. Fun And Hot Cocoa As Winterfest Returns For 2023 by Amherst Indy

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

ARTS
UMass to Host Performances by Wind Faculty, Guest Saxophonists

CAMPUS
UMass Research Institute’s Web-based Tool Tracks Air Pollution At Every U.S. School
New UMass Study Finds Community Choice Energy Aggregation Programs Have Reduced Costs, Increased Sustainability In Massachusetts Municipalities
UMass to Host Performances by Wind Faculty, Guest Saxophonists
In Memoriam: Black Studies Pioneer John Bracey Joins The Ancestors by Walter Hudson (for Diverse)

CAPITAL PROJECTS
Town Plans Historically Large Tax Hike For New School. Tapping Reserves May Reduce It by Jeff Lee
Council And Finance Committee Move Forward On New Elementary School And Water Plant by Maura Keene
Letter: Much To Love About New School Project by Toni Cunningham

CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
UMass Research Institute’s Web-based Tool Tracks Air Pollution At Every U.S. School
New UMass Study Finds Community Choice Energy Aggregation Programs Have Reduced Costs, Increased Sustainability In Massachusetts Municipalities
Amherst Climate Justice Alliance Kickoff, Saturday February 11
Letter: Company Responsible For Williamsburg Solar Disaster Hired As Hickory Ridge Solar Developer by Jenny Kallick and Michael Lipinski
Opinion: Local & Green – Moving From Gas To Induction Cooktops Improves Indoor Air Quality by Darcy Dumont
Opinion: Food And Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones
Photo Of The Week: Frozen Feathered Beauties By Annique Boomsma

EVENTS
Amherst Climate Justice Alliance Kickoff, Saturday February 11
UMass to Host Performances by Wind Faculty, Guest Saxophonists
What’s Happening In Amherst? by Art Keene

FEATURES
In Memoriam: Black Studies Pioneer John Bracey Joins The Ancestors by Walter Hudson (for Diverse)
Town Manager Report For February 6, 2023
Photo Of The Week: Frozen Feathered Beauties By Annique Boomsma

FOOD
Free Food And Meals Available For Those In Need
Opinion: Food And Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones

HISTORY / HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
Town Seeks Respondents To Survey On Historic And Cultural Resources
In Memoriam: Black Studies Pioneer John Bracey Joins The Ancestors by Walter Hudson (for Diverse)

HUMAN SERVICES
Free Food And Meals Available For Those In Need

OPINION
Letter: The Case for Natural Turf At The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools by Tom Fanning (and 18 others)
Letter: Support Amherst-Pelham Educators by Kathleen Traphagen
Letter: Company Responsible For Williamsburg Solar Disaster Hired As Hickory Ridge Solar Developer by Jenny Kallick and Michael Lipinski
Letter: Much To Love About New School Project by Toni Cunningham
Opinion: Local & Green – Moving From Gas To Induction Cooktops Improves Indoor Air Quality by Darcy DuMont
Opinion: Food And Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones

PFAS
Trust And Communication Issues Provide Impetus For Proposed Council Retreat by Maura Keene
Letter: The Case for Natural Turf At The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools by Tom Fanning (and 18 others)

PUBLIC HEALTH
Town COVID Vaccine Clinics Will Now Be Monthly by Art Keene
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of February 8, 2023 by Art and Maura Keene
Letter: The Case for Natural Turf At The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools by Tom Fanning (and 18 others)
Opinion: Local & Green – Moving From Gas To Induction Cooktops Improves Indoor Air Quality by Darct DuMont

SCHOOLS
Council And Finance Committee Move Forward On New Elementary School And Water Plant by Maura Keene
UMass Research Institute’s Web-based Tool Tracks Air Pollution At Every U.S. School
Letter: The Case for Natural Turf At The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools by Tom Fanning (and 18 others)
Letter: Support Amherst-Pelham Educators by Kathleen Traphagen
Letter: Much To Love About New School Project by Toni Cunningham

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Amherst Climate Justice Alliance Kickoff, Saturday February 11
In Memoriam: Black Studies Pioneer John Bracey Joins The Ancestors by Walter Hudson (for Diverse)

SOLID WASTE
TSO Continues Deliberations On New Regulations For Street Lights And Trash by Art Keene

TAXES
Town Plans Historically Large Tax Hike For New School. Tapping Reserves May Reduce It by Jeff Lee
Council And Finance Committee Move Forward On New Elementary School And Water Plant by Maura Keene

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Town Plans Historically Large Tax Hike For New School. Tapping Reserves May Reduce It by Jeff Lee
Council And Finance Committee Move Forward On New Elementary School And Water Plant by Maura Keene
TSO Continues Deliberations On New Regulations For Street Lights And Trash by Art Keene
Trust And Communication Issues Provide Impetus For Proposed Council Retreat by Maura Keene
ZBA Hears Appeal Of Citation For Too Many Occupants At 25 Nutting Avenue by Hilda Greenbaum
Town Seeks Respondents To Survey On Historic And Cultural Resources
Musical Celebration Of Black History Month, February 26
Letter: Support Amherst-Pelham Educators by Kathleen Traphagen
Letter: Company Responsible For Williamsburg Solar Disaster Hired As Hickory Ridge Solar Developer by Jenny Kallick and Michael Lipinski
Town Manager Report For February 6, 2023

VOTING
Trust And Communication Issues Provide Impetus For Proposed Council Retreat by Maura Keene