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: 44,496 (-2451)
Last Week: 9,325 (-3104)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 19,612 (-567)
Last Week: 4572 (-77)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Opinion: The UMass Connection to Amherst Town Government. When Is It a Conflict of Interest? by Darcy DuMont
2.History Museum Seeks Protections and Concessions from Library Project by Jeff Lee
3. Winter Storm is Coming. Parking Ban in Effect by Art Keene
4. Want to Shrink Your Tax Bill? Town Assessor Announces Exemptions by Amherst Indy
5. COVID-19 Is Back! by Art Keene

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENT / ENERGY / NATURE
Two New Appointments to Energy and Climate Action Committee by Art Keene
Opinion: COP28 and the Climate Bomb on Binden’s Desk by Russ Vernon-Jones
Photo of the Week: Bobcat on Dennis Driver by Barbara Willis

EVENTS
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

FEATURES
Town Manager Report for January 8, 2024
Photo of the Week: Bobcat on Dennis Driver by Barbara Willis

HOUSING
Opinion: Better Ideas for Development in Leverett by John Varner

OPINION
Public Comment: Bangs Community Center Unable to Meet Needs of Amherst’s 5500 Seniors by Richard Yourga
Public Comment: Town Services for Seniors are Underfunded by Jeanne Horrigan
Letter: Use Non-Toxic Materials for Playground Surfaces at New Elementary School by John Root
Opinion: Amherst Town Council Should Support Gaza Cease Fire by Josna Rege
Opinion: COP28 and the Climate Bomb on Binden’s Desk by Russ Vernon-Jones

PUBLIC HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY
Playground Surface at New Elementary School Up in the Air by Maura Keene
Town Manager: No Changes To CRESS Mission by Maura Keene
Letter: Use Non-Toxic Materials for Playground Surfaces at New Elementary School by John Root
Opinion: Better Ideas for Development in Leverett by John Varner

SCHOOLS
Union Questions Spate of Child Abuse Investigations Launched by District Against School Staff
Interim Middle School Principal Appointee Withdraws  by Art Keene
Fundraising for Artificial Turf Field Falls far Short of Mark by Maria Kopicki
New Officers and Committee Assignments for Amherst and Union 26 School Committees by Art Keene
What Is Important to You Regarding the Next ARPS Superintendent? by Jennifer Shiao
Letter: Use Non-Toxic Materials for Playground Surfaces at New Elementary School by John Root

SENIORS
Seniors Plead for Services as New Council Convenes by Maura Keene
Public Comment: Bangs Community Center Unable to Meet Needs of Amherst’s 5500 Seniors by Richard Yourga
Public Comment: Town Services for Seniors are Underfunded by Jeanne Horrigan

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Amherst Lags in National Survey of LGBTQ+ Protections by Jeff Lee
Opinion: Amherst Town Council Should Support Gaza Cease Fire by Josna Rege

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Interim Middle School Principal Appointee Withdraws  by Art Keene
Fundraising for Artificial Turf Field Falls far Short of Mark by Maria Kopicki
Amherst Lags in National Survey of LGBTQ+ Protections by Jeff Lee
Playground Surface at New Elementary School Up in the Air by Maura Keene
Seniors Plead for Services as New Council Convenes by Maura Keene
New Officers and Committee Assignments for Amherst and Union 26 School Committees by Art Keene
Town Manager: No Changes To CRESS Mission by Maura Keene
What Is Important to You Regarding the Next ARPS Superintendent? by Jennifer Shiao
Council Seeks Applicants for Charter Review Committee, Housing Authority, ZBA, and Finance Committee by Maura Keene
Two New Appointments to Energy and Climate Action Committee by Art Keene
Public Comment: Bangs Community Center Unable to Meet Needs of Amherst’s 5500 Seniors by Richard Yourga
Public Comment: Town Services for Seniors are Underfunded by Jeanne Horrigan
Opinion: Amherst Town Council Should Support Gaza Cease Fire by Josna Rege
Town Manager Report for January 8, 2024