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: 47, 393 (+ 1866)
Last Week: 13,498 (+3408)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 22,819 (+ 1114)
Last Week: 6830 (+1831)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1.Second Educator Departs Amherst Schools Amid 51A Furor by Art Keene
2. New Market and Residential Building Planned for Downtown by Maura Keene
3. BID Responds to Dinosaur Jr. Dis with Amherst Eatery Challenge and Drawing by Maura Keene
4. Visions for Housing on University Drive by Maura Keene
5. Letter: Installing 2.5 Acres of Impermeable Plastic at High School Could Destroy Remaining Grass Fields by Maura and Art Keene

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
CAMPUS
Council Endorses CHERISH Act in Support of Higher Education by Maura Keene

CLIMATE / ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Opinion: A Big Win on Fossil Fuels! by Russ Vernon-Jones

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

FEATURES
The Railways in Amherst by Hetty Startup
Town Manager Report for February 5, 2024
Photo of the Week: Backyard Sunset by Carole Horowitz

HISTORY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Historic Performance Space Will be Demolished to Make Way for New Downtown Apartment Building by Hilda Greenbaum
The Railways in Amherst by Hetty Startup

HOUSING
ZBA Denies Archipelago’s Request to Decrease Commercial Space at Mixed-Use Building Planned for Atkins Corner by Maura Keene
Michael Burkart Appointed to Housing Authority by Maura Keene
Opinion:  What Is the Optimal Housing Density for a Town Like Amherst? by Ira Bryck

ISSUES & ANALYSES
Library Construction Documents: 3400 Pages of Specs Plus a Few Questions by Jeff Lee
Granby’s Plan To Repurpose Old Elementary School Suggests Possibilities for Amherst by Art and Maura Keene

LIBRARY
Town Leaders Silent as Library Misses First Payment of $2M by Art Keene
North Amherst Library Reopens to Community Delight by Art Keene
Library Construction Documents: 3400 Pages of Specs Plus a Few Questions by Jeff Lee

OPINION
Opinion: Resolution in Support of Ceasefire in Gaza en Route to Amherst Town Council  by Josna Rege
Opinion: A Big Win on Fossil Fuels! by Russ Vernon-Jones
Opinion:  What Is the Optimal Housing Density for a Town Like Amherst? by Ira Bryck

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Amherst Board of Health Advises Against Crumb Rubber Products for New School by Maria Kopicki
Updates on CRESS and the Police Chief Search by Maura Keene

RECREATION
Amherst Board of Health Advises Against Crumb Rubber Products for New School by Maria Kopicki
Feedback Sought from Amherst Residents on Recreation and Open Space

SCHOOLS
Amherst Board of Health Advises Against Crumb Rubber Products for New School by Maria Kopicki
Planning Board Signs off on New Elementary School by Maura Keene
Granby’s Plan To Repurpose Old Elementary School Suggests Possibilities for Amherst by Art and Maura Keene

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Council Endorses CHERISH Act in Support of Higher Education by Maura Keene

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Town Leaders Silent as Library Misses First Payment of $2M by Art Keene
ZBA Denies Archipelago’s Request to Decrease Commercial Space at Mixed-Use Building Planned for Atkins Corner by Maura Keene
Amherst Board of Health Advises Against Crumb Rubber Products for New School by Maria Kopicki
Updates on CRESS and the Police Chief Search by Maura Keene
Historic Performance Space Will be Demolished to Make Way for New Downtown Apartment Building by Hilda Greenbaum
A Tale of Two Roads: The Continuing Saga of Subdivision Streets in Amherst Hills and the Meadows by Maura Keene
Council Endorses CHERISH Act in Support of Higher Education by Maura Keene
Planning Board Signs off on New Elementary School by Maura Keene
Town Seeks Applicants for Service on Charter Review Committee by Art Keene
Michael Burkart Appointed to Housing Authority by Maura Keene
Library Construction Documents: 3400 Pages of Specs Plus a Few Questions by Jeff Lee
Granby’s Plan To Repurpose Old Elementary School Suggests Possibilities for Amherst by Art and Maura Keene
Opinion: Resolution in Support of Ceasefire in Gaza en Route to Amherst Town Council  by Josna Rege
Opinion:  What Is the Optimal Housing Density for a Town Like Amherst? by Ira Bryck
Town Manager Report for February 5, 2024