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: 61,346 (-329)
Last Week: 12,263 (+2447)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 24,552 (+176)
Last Week: 5463 (-666)

TOP FIVE MOST READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Library Project Fundraisers To Pay Themselves $1 Million Through 2027 by Jeff Lee
2. Interim Superintendent Not Forthcoming with Answers to Questions from School Committee by Art Keene
3. Investigation Conducted by Former ARPS HR Director Kathy Mazur Found to Be “Highly Inadequate” by Art Keene
4. APEA Calls for Resignation in District Human Resources Office by Amherst Pelham Education Association
5. Public Forums: Public Has Much to Say About Jones Library Expansion. Budget Forum Brings out Support for CRESS by Maura Keene

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
CAMPUS
UMass Police Drop Public Arrest Records
UMass Amherst Rises to Top 20 Nationally in World University Rankings for Sustainability

CLIMATE /ENERGY/ ENVIRONMENT/ NATURE
Library Supporters Turn Out in Force for Jones Renovation: Vote on More Town Borrowing Postponed Until December 18 by Maura Keene
UMass Amherst Rises to Top 20 Nationally in World University Rankings for Sustainability
Celebrate Sustainable Agriculture at FUTURA Coffee Roasters’ Grand Opening
Public Comment: Hopes For Adopting A Revised Solid Waste Bylaw in 2024 by Darcy DuMont

EVENTS
Celebrate Sustainable Agriculture at FUTURA Coffee Roasters’ Grand Opening
Public Forum on Police Resident Oversight Board
Two Celebrations this Weekend to Commemorate Human Rights Day
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

FEATURES
From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst.  This Week, a Brief Local News Roundup by Art Keene
Town Manager Report for December 4, 2023
Tis the Season on the Common by Art Keene by Art Keene

LIBRARY
Library Supporters Turn Out in Force for Jones Renovation: Vote on More Town Borrowing Postponed Until December 18 by Maura Keene
Planning Board Approves Permits for Jones Library Expansion by Maura Keene
Letter: Borrowing More Money for the Jones? Ask the Voters. by Kathleen Carroll
Letter: Oppose Library Profiteering and Cronyism by Jeff Lee

OPINION
Public Comment: Town Needs Framework to Investigate Civil Rights Complaints by Art Keene
Public Comment: Hopes For Adopting A Revised Solid Waste Bylaw in 2024 by Darcy DuMont
Letter: Borrowing More Money for the Jones? Ask the Voters. by Kathleen Carroll
Letter: Oppose Library Profiteering and Cronyism by Jeff Lee
Shredded Tire Mulch Playground Surface Raises Public Health Concerns by John Root
Letter: Proposing Reparations for All by Robert Repetto
Opinion: This Chanukah, Let Us Be the Light for Each Other by Dinah Kudatsky

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Engineering Study Recommended Before Creation of a Safety Zone at Cushman Scott Children’s Center by Maura Keene
Speakers Urge Town to Implement Community Safety Working Group’s Final Recommendations by Art Keene
UMass Police Drop Public Arrest Records
Public Forum on Police Resident Oversight Board
Public Comment: Town Needs Framework to Investigate Civil Rights Complaints by Art Keene
Shredded Tire Mulch Playground Surface Raises Public Health Concerns by John Root

SCHOOLS
Investigation Conducted by Former ARPS HR Director Kathy Mazur Found to Be “Highly Inadequate” by Art Keene
APEA Calls for Resignation in District Human Resources Office by Amherst Pelham Education Association

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Investigation Conducted by Former ARPS HR Director Kathy Mazur Found to Be “Highly Inadequate” by Art Keene
APEA Calls for Resignation in District Human Resources Office by Amherst Pelham Education Association
Speakers Urge Town to Implement Community Safety Working Group’s Final Recommendations by Art Keene
UMass Police Drop Public Arrest Records
Public Forum on Police Resident Oversight Board
Two Celebrations this Weekend to Commemorate Human Rights Day
Public Comment: Town Needs Framework to Investigate Civil Rights Complaints by Art Keene

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Investigation Conducted by Former ARPS HR Director Kathy Mazur Found to Be “Highly Inadequate” by Art Keene
APEA Calls for Resignation in District Human Resources Office by Amherst Pelham Education Association
Library Supporters Turn Out in Force for Jones Renovation: Vote on More Town Borrowing Postponed Until December 18 by Maura Keene
Planning Board Approves Permits for Jones Library Expansion by Maura Keene
Engineering Study Recommended Before Creation of a Safety Zone at Cushman Scott Children’s Center by Maura Keene
Speakers Urge Town to Implement Community Safety Working Group’s Final Recommendations by Art Keene
Town Councilors Lopes and Miller Receive Recognition by Maura Keene
Public Comment: Town Needs Framework to Investigate Civil Rights Complaints by Art Keene
Public Comment: Hopes For Adopting A Revised Solid Waste Bylaw in 2024 by Darcy DuMont
Letter: Borrowing More Money for the Jones? Ask the Voters. by Kathleen Carroll
Letter: Oppose Library Profiteering and Cronyism by Jeff Lee
Town Manager Report for December 4, 2023