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: 51,221 (+ 3828)
Last Week: 16, 250 (+2756)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 23,745 (+ 926)
Last Week: 6830 (+42)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Town Leaders Silent as Library Misses First Payment of $2M by Art Keene
2. Historic Performance Space Will be Demolished to Make Way for New Downtown Apartment Building by Hilda Greenbuam
3. Opinion: Resolution in Support of Ceasefire in Gaza en Route to Amherst Town Council by Josna Rega
4. ZBA Denies Archipelago’s Request to Decrease Commercial Space at Mixed-Use Building Planned for Atkins Corner by Maura Keene
5. Amherst, A Rental Market of over $100 Million Dollars a Year? by Michael Burkart

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
CAMPUS
UMass Dining Wins Gold Medal at American Culinary Federation Competition

BUDGET
Trustees Downplay Library Payment Shortfall by Jeff Lee
Students And Parents Come Out in Force to Protest Elementary School Budget Cuts by Allegra Clark

CLIMATE / ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
EV Chargers Present Hurdle to Approval of Affordable Duplexes in North Amherst. Local Preference Still Undecided by Maura Keene
Advances in Electric Vehicles and Solar Canopies by Maura Keene
Opinion: My Net-zero “Ranchrofit,” Part I by Darcy DuMont
At Solar Farms Planted with Native Vegetation, Insects Flourish by Yale Environment 360

EVENTS
What’s Happening in Amherst?

FEATURES
Amherst’s Trolley System: Our Architectural History’s Gains and Losses…and a Little Mystery Solved? by Hetty Startup
At Solar Farms Planted with Native Vegetation, Insects Flourish by Yale Environment 360
Photo of the Week: Reflection # 754 by Dave Madeloni

FOOD
Amherst Survival Center Receives  $430,000 Farm to Pantry Grant by Maura Keene
UMass Dining Wins Gold Medal at American Culinary Federation Competition

HISTORY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Local Historic District Commission Approves Carriage House at the Evergreens and Projects on Cosby and Sunset Streets by Hilda Greenbaum
Amherst’s Trolley System: Our Architectural History’s Gains and Losses…and a Little Mystery Solved? by Hetty Startup

HOUSING
EV Chargers Present Hurdle to Approval of Affordable Duplexes in North Amherst. Local Preference Still Undecided by Maura Keene
Amherst, A Rental Market of over $100 Million Dollars a Year? by Michael Burkart
Opinion: My Net-zero “Ranchrofit,” Part I by Darcy DuMont
Opinion: Amherst’s Dual Crises by John Varner

ISSUES & ANALYSES
Amherst, A Rental Market of over $100 Million Dollars a Year? by Michael Burkart

LIBRARY
Trustees Downplay Library Payment Shortfall by Jeff Lee
Munson Library Seeking Funds for Infrastructure Improvements by Maria Kopicki

OPINION
Letter: Kudos to ARHS Girls’ Nordic Ski Team for Their Second Place Finish at State Meet by Lisa Candito
Opinion: Resolution in Support of Ceasefire in Gaza en Route to Amherst Town Council [updated] by Josna Rege
Opinion: Let’s Not Take the Bait. It’s Time for Solidarity by Ali Wicks-Lim, Lamikco Magee, and Martha Toro for the Ad Hoc LGBTQIA+, Black ,and Latinx Caucuses of Amherst
Opinion: My Net-zero “Ranchrofit,” Part I by Darcy DuMont
Opinion: Amherst’s Dual Crises by John Varner

SCHOOLS
Students And Parents Come Out in Force to Protest Elementary School Budget Cuts by Allegra Clark
School Superintendent Search Committee That Prioritized Diversity Chooses White Co-Chairs by Maura Keene
Amherst School Committee Meeting of February 15 Was Not Recorded by Maura Keene
Letter: Kudos to ARHS Girls’ Nordic Ski Team for Their Second Place Finish at State Meet by Lisa Candito
Opinion: Let’s Not Take the Bait. It’s Time for Solidarity by Ali Wicks-Lim, Lamikco Magee, and Martha Toro for the Ad Hoc LGBTQIA+, Black ,and Latinx Caucuses of Amherst.

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
School Superintendent Search Committee That Prioritized Diversity Chooses White Co-Chairs by Maura Keene
Opinion: Resolution in Support of Ceasefire in Gaza en Route to Amherst Town Council [updated] by Josna Rege
Opinion: Let’s Not Take the Bait. It’s Time for Solidarity by Ali Wicks-Lim, Lamikco Magee, and Martha Toro for the Ad Hoc LGBTQIA+, Black ,and Latinx Caucuses of Amherst.

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Trustees Downplay Library Payment Shortfall by Jeff Lee
Students And Parents Come Out in Force to Protest Elementary School Budget Cuts by Allegra Clark
School Superintendent Search Committee That Prioritized Diversity Chooses White Co-Chairs by Maura Keene
It’s the Law: Clear Snow and Ice from Your Own Sidewalks by Art Keene
EV Chargers Present Hurdle to Approval of Affordable Duplexes in North Amherst. Local Preference Still Undecided by Maura Keene
Local Historic District Commission Approves Carriage House at the Evergreens and Projects on Cosby and Sunset Streets by Hilda Greenbaum
Munson Library Seeking Funds for Infrastructure Improvements by Maria Kopicki
Opinion: Amherst’s Dual Crises by John Varner

TRANSPORTATION
Advances in Electric Vehicles and Solar Canopies by Maura Keene
Amherst’s Trolley System: Our Architectural History’s Gains and Losses…and a Little Mystery Solved? by Hetty Startup