- Jonathan Sivel on Opinion: Equity Under Attack by Amherst Town Government #3: A Request For Inclusive ARPA Funds Distribution: “Chad, I think you rightly draw attention to one of Amherst’s central contradictions: the progressive politics of some are not…” Nov 21, 12:14
- on Budget Discussion Focuses on School Funding: ““He said that councilors hear many complaints about roads and sidewalks. Therefore, he advised against reducing the allocation to roads…” Nov 21, 08:56
- on Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Updated. Lack of Clarity on Downtown Dorm Persists: “Then our only hope would be that Amherst College finds this situation to be uncomfortable and pull out of the…” Nov 20, 16:42
- on Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials: “Anyone who listened to the Nov. 18 public forum on the FY2026 budget heard the litany of pleas for adequate…” Nov 20, 13:20
- on Town Council Hears About Four Ways to Pay for Amherst’s Major Capital Projects: “I am not sure how the numbers add up for repairs to the existing Library systems costing as much as…” Nov 20, 12:58
- on Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials: “If the MHC does not approve of the library’s plan to eliminate, minimize or mitigate the identified adverse effects of…” Nov 20, 08:03
- on Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials: “If the MHC (Massachusetts Historical Commission) does not approve/accept the requested “alternative analysis” from Amherst for the 106 review does…” Nov 20, 06:40
- on Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials: “While I was overseeing capital projects for a nearby city it never occurred to me treat state or federal agencies…” Nov 19, 17:48
- on Opinion: Equity Under Attack by Amherst Town Government #3: A Request For Inclusive ARPA Funds Distribution: “I’m a private white guy living in Amherst, MA. As such a member of society, I believe I should do…” Nov 19, 16:09
- on Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report: “There are many words that could be used to describe this plan but, quite simply, SELFISH seems to say it…” Nov 19, 13:48
- on Amherst Sets Townwide Speed Limit at 25 MPH: “Well, the new traffic calming measures (now a 20 mph safety zone), sought for over 30 years by residents along…” Nov 19, 13:24
- on Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report: “I recently came across the following: “So I was most offended by the assertiveness of those who favored the bigger…” Nov 19, 11:14
- on Amherst Sets Townwide Speed Limit at 25 MPH: “I think it’s a joke. I can’t imagine any compliance except in a traffic jam when UMass employees check in…” Nov 18, 23:23
- on Amherst Sets Townwide Speed Limit at 25 MPH: “The late Mary Wentworth (along with Eduardo Suarez, both representing The Commons Group) proposed 25 mile-per-hour speed limits on town-owned…” Nov 18, 21:24
- on Opinion: The Coming Trumpocalypse and the Jones Library Expansion Project: “Mass. court decisions require that construction change orders be “incidental” to the project. The Jones Library project people have, successfully…” Nov 18, 18:47
- on Opinion: The Coming Trumpocalypse and the Jones Library Expansion Project: “This is, indeed, a sobering reality. Let’s not forget that Trump’s proposed economic policies are the natural progression of the…” Nov 18, 12:20
- on Letter: Town Council Has an Obligation to Investigate Financial Viability of Jones Expansion: “Mickey Rathbun is right to warn of the “very real danger that the town will lose $2.1 million in federal…” Nov 18, 09:05
- on Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report: “This project is so full of flaws, withholding of information, excessive costs, and quite basically no need of expansion. We…” Nov 17, 22:18
- on School Building Project Still Stalled over Bid Protests: “Just another case of hurry up and wait, all involving tax payer funds. I wonder what a successful capital project…” Nov 17, 14:23
- on Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report: “Rob, I think you can chalk that up to the Town Charter’s lack of separation of powers: the Executive Branch…” Nov 16, 21:34
- on Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Updated. Lack of Clarity on Downtown Dorm Persists: “Janet and Ken are lawyers from Harvard and Yale law schools, respectively, i believe. Town Counsel is paid to represent…” Nov 16, 17:04
- on A Better World is Possible: Over 5000 Actions Offer a Glimpse of a Possible Non-Violent World: “I love ‘oppose and propose’! Imagining what else is possible for us humans, other than more of the same-old, same-old,…” Nov 16, 12:44
- on Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report: “Nor do they mention that project leaders failed to notify the MHC of the time and place of the meeting…” Nov 16, 10:52
- on Spend December in Downtown Amherst: “Maybe downtown businesses would like to make suggestions about a place to park? Tongue in cheek with a nod to…” Nov 16, 10:51
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Granby: “Granby has lower taxes and property values when compared to Amherst.” Nov 16, 09:35
- on Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report: “In keeping with their track record of withholding information, the Trustees failed to share the contents of the letter from…” Nov 15, 22:55
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Belchertown : “Thank you Hetty. I love reading these articles.” Nov 15, 12:20
- on Letter: Much Still to Be Considered Before Adopting Overlay District for University Drive: “Do town leaders and UMass/Amherst College administration meet to discuss student housing issues? Who is responsible for providing housing for…” Nov 14, 17:40
- on A Better World is Possible: Over 5000 Actions Offer a Glimpse of a Possible Non-Violent World: ““Those who will think deeply and reflect carefully, with the imagination to dream and the courage to seek out new…” Nov 13, 16:42
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Here is a piece of fair-minded reporting from the Amherst College Student paper. https://amherststudent.com/article/jones-library-receives-first-under-budget-bid-for-renovation-project/ I noticed several of the people…” Nov 13, 08:53
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Great idea, Tom! Or maybe the librarians can just stack the books up in a three, adjacent, thousand-foot-high piles; place…” Nov 13, 03:34
- on Letter: Much Still to Be Considered Before Adopting Overlay District for University Drive: “Everything seems to be “ shoe horned “ or compromised for some reason. Nothing is clean . It is presented…” Nov 12, 19:23
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “I think we should have a library like the one that the University has. I’m sorry, sarcasm is the only…” Nov 12, 15:29
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “I don’t understand what he wants to do? Maybe he could elaborate on the plan he has. But to answer…” Nov 11, 13:12
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “The business of Amherst is higher education, but the “ancillary” or “place-based” industry that profits from it is student housing.…” Nov 11, 12:54
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “You don’t need to be an LLC to recognize that Mr Monaco and previous commenters are right. Low income families…” Nov 11, 12:13
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “Mr. Monaco, spoken like the owner of an LLC. Year round residents are not scared of density or diversity. They…” Nov 11, 10:36
- on Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Updated. Lack of Clarity on Downtown Dorm Persists: “The Planning Board needs to talk to the Town Attorney to figure this issue out. Even if PB members do…” Nov 11, 10:03
- on Almanac: Final Flowers: “On my way back to the parking lot at Mercy Hospital last week, I noticed that the witch hazel planted…” Nov 10, 23:31
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Numbers — as long as you can count correctly — tend to be pretty objective. However, the contexts in which…” Nov 10, 20:30
- on Legality of $1M Jones Library CPAC Award Remains in Question: ““I don’t think we should take any CPA funds until 100% of Massachusetts communities are getting an equal distribution of…” Nov 10, 17:32
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “As long as Amherst residents who bought in cheap maintain the falsehood that eliminating some areas of single-family zoning will…” Nov 10, 16:50
- on Legality of $1M Jones Library CPAC Award Remains in Question: “What a curious mental operation KPLaw attorney Shirin Everett uses to arrive at her idiosyncratic conclusion, “In my opinion, it…” Nov 10, 14:49
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Debra, There has been no indication at any public meeting that any more of the still outstanding $900,000 due to…” Nov 10, 12:50
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Given recent national events, I am proud to have been in the minority.” Nov 10, 12:16
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “The Town Manager told a group assembled at The Works for “A Cuppa Joe with Paul” on Friday that all…” Nov 10, 10:29
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: ““ Has anyone really considered the town should be spending less? Lowering the property taxes?” Yes, for many years now.…” Nov 10, 09:52
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Hadley, Amherst’s Mother Town: “Adding here some information about a trail in Hadley: “Elizabeth Huntington Dyer Field & Forest is a 35-acre landscape that…” Nov 10, 08:28
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Late last evening, when Ira Bryck’s interesting (AI-generated?) first comment appeared, I attempted to quickly post a terse response The…” Nov 9, 18:14
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “Has anyone really considered the town should be spending less? Lowering the property taxes? Whether or not people want to…” Nov 9, 16:36
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “It is sad, if not dangerous, that the town manager sees those who disagree with him as agitators, or worse.…” Nov 9, 14:51
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Thanks, Ira! I agree with AI on this one, the Jones demolition-expansion is a “watermelon project.” How could it be…” Nov 9, 13:11
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “A very useful article, but there are many special factors that affect Amherst housing. First, it is a “college town,”…” Nov 9, 12:06
- on Opinion: Beyond Election Day: “Thank you!! This friend speaks my mind better than my own right now.” Nov 9, 11:46
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Has the town received $900,000 due in January?” Nov 9, 10:34
- on Letter: Planning Board Should Reconsider Its Decision on Downtown Dormitory: “Thank you Janet McGowan for laying out the legal zoning issues raised by this alarming plan to build an Amherst…” Nov 9, 10:04
- on Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Updated. Lack of Clarity on Downtown Dorm Persists: “If planner Malloy is right, and building commissioner Rob Morra doesn’t think a student residence is a dormitory because “each…” Nov 9, 09:06
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “I am, proudly, one of the “lots of people or small group of people out there” whom Town Manager Bockelman…” Nov 9, 08:17
- on Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Updated. Lack of Clarity on Downtown Dorm Persists: “It is time for the Town Manager to ask for legal review. The members of the PB won’t budge on…” Nov 9, 07:58
- on Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Updated. Lack of Clarity on Downtown Dorm Persists: “Question from Planning Board chair Doug Marshall: What’s the problem? What’s the harm we’re trying to protect ourselves from? Answer:…” Nov 9, 06:23
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: ““I can’t help but feel like we are being precious about a strip mall, [but] I want the overlay district…” Nov 8, 18:38
- on Town Councilors Ask About Annual Budget Surplus: ““Bockelman said…the town must accommodate house moves…” Why? Where is it written that the “town” must accommodate house moves by…” Nov 8, 16:43
- on Amherst History Month By Month: The Bowker Auditorium At UMass Amherst: “I met the love of my life at Bowker in 1967, we got married in 1978, and return often for…” Nov 8, 14:29
- on Letter: New Amherst College Dorm Violates Town’s Zoning Bylaw: “Additionally, all projects that the Developer has before the town boards, and any that Amherst College has, should be put…” Nov 8, 07:38
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “Thank you Mr. Grabbe. Our housing issues are the culmination of countless decades of poor decision making.” Nov 7, 22:14
- on Some Councilors Wary of Next Steps for Jones Library Project: “Asked of perplexity.ai: Is there a word or phrase that means a project that continues to go forward, despite numerous…” Nov 7, 20:18
- on Letter: Planning Board Should Reconsider Its Decision on Downtown Dormitory: “On Strong Street we had an underground fraternity being run out of a nearby house for a few years .…” Nov 7, 15:40
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: ““ The average annual income for homeowners in Amherst is $137,102,” No wonder I’m struggling.” Nov 7, 11:24
- on Letter: Planning Board Should Reconsider Its Decision on Downtown Dormitory: “Another reason this is an unfortunate development is this: there is interest in living downtown from non-students, over-55, retirees, alum,…” Nov 7, 09:51
- on The Cost of Higher Housing Costs: “I bought my first building lot in Amherst Woods for $17,500 in 1981. It was the only lot that Jeff…” Nov 5, 20:15
- on Letter: Planning Board Should Reconsider Its Decision on Downtown Dormitory: “It was an intentional strategy by the Developers team to have the decision making process at this meeting rushed .…” Nov 5, 17:23
- on Letter: Planning Board Should Reconsider Its Decision on Downtown Dormitory: “I have to wonder when this plan to make this building into a dorm was in the works. This possibility…” Nov 5, 16:42
- on Letter: Planning Board Should Reconsider Its Decision on Downtown Dormitory: “I could not agree more with all that Janet reveals and explains here. It is a useful question to ask…” Nov 5, 16:12
- on Letter: Residents Demand Relocation of Proposed UMass Geothermal Well Field: “Even better would be asking UMass to add your neighborhood to the new geothermal network as a town/gown benefit of…” Nov 4, 18:14
- on Opinion: Where Did Jim Lescault Go?: “Jim Lescault created something amazing at Amherst Media, even as he shepherded it through outside crises such as the loss…” Nov 4, 07:56
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Lastly ,I promise . We need to think in terms of being prepared for a natural disaster . The tornado…” Nov 3, 10:06
- on Potluck Pride Season: “Here is some general information about Amherst Neighbors for the readership of the Amherst Indy. “Our MISSION is to build…” Nov 3, 09:13
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Remember when the tornados flew through town many years ago ? I do , the town was in a condition…” Nov 3, 08:03
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Where is UMass, Hampshire College and Amherst College in this discussion? These schools have land and adaptable existing buildings on…” Nov 3, 06:49
- on Almanac: Final Flowers: “The “witch hat” galls gave Steve’s enthralling story a nice surprise ending!!! Besides the wild species Steve found, which grows…” Nov 3, 01:22
- on Opinion: Will Brutal Campaign to Remake Mideast Work This Time?: “Like most Americans, Joseph Levine needs to stop relying on western corporate mainstream media. Even with unconditional U.S. support, the…” Nov 2, 19:00
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “I fault the planning Board and staff for looking the other way on the dormitory in town . The Developer…” Nov 2, 18:14
- on Amherst Girls Win Third Consecutive Western Mass Cross Country Title: “Fantastic result. Congratulations to Genevieve, Marit, and all the Amherst girls and boys XC team!” Nov 2, 16:46
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “Just more evidence that Amherst College has also become a “…hedge fund with a school attached”? https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/universities-are-becoming-billion-dollar-hedge-funds-with-schools-attached/” Nov 2, 15:57
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Of course this is absurd! If the nearest supermarket were in Hadley, that will almost surely increase the number and…” Nov 2, 15:44
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “The US FDA has categorized almost all of the Town of Amherst a food desert because of the lack of…” Nov 2, 12:48
- on New Downtown Housing Development to Become an Amherst College Dorm: “Rosenthal and Coldham’s suggestion of making the 1st floor residential is a compromise that I agree with in theory, but…” Nov 2, 12:24
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Below is the link for the Planning Board hearing, which I attended by Zoom this week. My “hand raised” function…” Nov 2, 11:36
- on Opinion: Will Brutal Campaign to Remake Mideast Work This Time?: “Despite the massive crackdown on free speech driven by U.S. subservience to the Israeli lobby, and the price that critics…” Nov 2, 10:44
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Absurd. Both Big Y and CVS are go to places for me and many Amherst residents. Staples, both. Consider another…” Nov 2, 09:23
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “The Big Y Plaza is a very serious asset for town residents and students should not be vacated. This plaza…” Nov 2, 08:27
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “Amherst College is driving a nail into the coffin of Downtown Amherst. With news that the College will be leasing…” Nov 2, 08:21
- on Almanac: Final Flowers: “For those of us not able to get out to the trails, Steve Braun is an essential hiking companion. And…” Nov 2, 08:16
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “The idea of encouraging that student housing replace the shopping area including Big Y is absurd. It is a locally…” Nov 2, 05:33
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “This article has an error. The motion to reopen the hearing was not made by Karin winter, but Doug Marshall.…” Nov 1, 22:12
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “Every building in Amherst can now have dormitories upstairs …” Nov 1, 15:26
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “Kind of hard to follow Senior Planning staff reasoning . Without the commercial space , it would be a dormitory,…” Nov 1, 14:56
- on Library Construction Bid Comes in Close to Budget : “Once the Jones Library walls have been knocked down, and its roof has been torn off, I guess the Town…” Nov 1, 13:14
- on Planning Board Declines to Reopen Hearing on Downtown Amherst College Dorm: “Don’t legislatures make, amend, and rescind laws, in a manner consistent with the federal and Commonwealth constitutions, as interpreted by…” Nov 1, 13:05
- on Opinion: Equity Under Attack by Amherst Town Government #2: A Call for Inclusion: “Will there also be a similar center for social conservatives? If not, why not?” Nov 1, 12:59