- Jeff Lee on School Building Project Contract Not Yet Signed, Timeline Not Yet Re-established: “At least one town planning a large construction project (Westford) has added a contingency for escalating steel costs, anticipating the…” Dec 21, 11:20
- on Overcommitting to an MBLC Library Expansion — A Cautionary Tale from Westford: ““Amherst’s Jones Library expansion is the costliest grant-supported library project in Massachusetts.”” Dec 20, 22:41
- on Amity Street at University Drive Development Will Be Smaller Due to Rising Cost of Steel. Planning Board Nears Agreement on Overlay District: “I cannot conceive how any board, can interpret ,and enforce the particulars here . The rising cost of Steel ?…” Dec 20, 19:39
- on Opinion: Winning Hearts and Minds in the Battle Against Authoritarianism: “Thanks for that, Russ. I think having a grassroots campaign for a few months before an election is not enough…” Dec 19, 11:23
- on Objections Raised to Four Roundabout Plan for South East Street: “easy to see that the Wildwood site is much smaller.” Dec 18, 14:42
- on An Open Letter to U.S. Representative Jim McGovern Regarding the Jones Library Project: “The Town’s Section 106 webpage does not say that the Town’s efforts have been thorough enough to complete the process…” Dec 17, 15:30
- on AG Denies Bid Protest over School Project : “Every bid award might be delayed by a bid protest. The contactors know this and should allow for it in…” Dec 17, 12:53
- on Letter: Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fair and Balanced?: “Are Paywalls An Obstacle?” Here at the Indy we support several other publications with our personal subscriptions and we encourage…” Dec 16, 23:17
- on Letter: Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fair and Balanced?: “Re: gazette paywall. To Arlie and others who may not want to pay to read, you can unlimitedly access the…” Dec 16, 22:32
- on An Open Letter to U.S. Representative Jim McGovern Regarding the Jones Library Project: “Thank you for continuing to devote considerable time to document the long long unfolding of this 12 year contentious project.…” Dec 15, 12:43
- on Objections Raised to Four Roundabout Plan for South East Street: “Remind me again why we are building on a wet site between two busy streets instead of the dry and…” Dec 15, 12:29
- on Shutesbury Road Solar Project Hits Roadblock: “Glad to see construction is finally proceeding at Hickory Ridge. When did battery storage get added to the project? I…” Dec 15, 05:40
- on High School Track and Field Redesign Approved by Planning Board and Conservation Commission: “Big thank you to Mr. Ziomek for helping move this project forward. Still no javelin runway or discus cage and…” Dec 15, 05:32
- on Shutesbury Road Solar Project Hits Roadblock: “I agree with the need for alternate energy, and the importance of solar . Of course . I drive an…” Dec 14, 18:39
- on An Open Letter to U.S. Representative Jim McGovern Regarding the Jones Library Project: “Jeff’s open letter indicts the promoters of the Jones Library demolition/reconstruction project for having led the public — including our…” Dec 14, 17:18
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Leverett (Part 2): “Dear Mr. Ogden Yes, happy birthday to Leverett! My first article on Leverett mentioned the anniversary events. https://www.amherstindy.org/2024/11/29/amhersts-neighboring-towns-leverett/” Dec 14, 16:02
- on Opinion: Appoint Frontline Firefighters To Building Committee for New Fire Station: “A friend suggested that the existing DPW site is big enough for the new DPW headquarters and a fire station.…” Dec 14, 14:58
- on Letter: Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fair and Balanced?: “The Gazette also relies on subscription fees which I just paid for the privilege of reading it. Otherwise you get…” Dec 14, 14:57
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Leverett (Part 2): “This almost past year was Leverett’s 250th Anniversary. We had multiple events to mark the occasion. A giant “cake” sits…” Dec 14, 14:13
- on An Open Letter to U.S. Representative Jim McGovern Regarding the Jones Library Project: ““Records show that steps taken by the design team to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects to the historic landmark…” Dec 14, 13:25
- on Letter: Amherst’s Long Failure to Comply with Preservation Law: “In August, the project architects prepared a chart for the Amherst Historical Commission, detailing the distinction between the tax credit…” Dec 14, 13:21
- on Shutesbury Road Solar Project Hits Roadblock: “Electricity is the key to modern life. Without it we are living in the 19th century. Old Sturbridge Village illustrates…” Dec 14, 11:45
- on Letter: Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fair and Balanced?: “The Daily Hampshire Gazette began in 1786 as the merchant community’s opposition to Shay’s Rebellon. That popular uprising began with…” Dec 14, 11:29
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Leverett (Part 2): “Just for the editor and staff: I greatly enjoy reviews of towns in the area. That information is not easily…” Dec 14, 11:27
- on Letter: Amherst’s Long Failure to Comply with Preservation Law: “As usual excellent stuff from Atty. McKee. There may be enough weasel room in the very polite but somewhat oblique…” Dec 14, 09:23
- on Finance Committee Ponders Spending Potential Savings from School Project Instead of Passing Them on to Amherst Taxpayers: “There are many roads in Amherst, including University Drive ,which are in considerable disrepair with potholes and temporary repairs leading…” Dec 14, 08:41
- on An Open Letter to U.S. Representative Jim McGovern Regarding the Jones Library Project: “For the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 9 months of 2023, Town Manager Paul Bockelman, the Jones…” Dec 14, 08:38
- on Charter Review Committee Will Emphasize Public Outreach: “Hynes noted that the Cambridge Charter Review Committee in January 2024 recommended amending its charter to “allow the City Council…” Dec 13, 21:39
- on Shutesbury Road Solar Project Hits Roadblock: “Thank you Mr. Hoar . As you stated the project was initially presented as Solar only , now pads for…” Dec 13, 15:58
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Leverett (Part 2): “TOLERANT SKEPTICISM A good motto to consider for universal adoption!” Dec 13, 01:29
- on Letter: The UMass Foundation “Respectfully Denies” Our Right to a Future: “Pressuring the UMass administration and UMass Foundation to disclose the names of UMass Foundation committee members might be a good…” Dec 12, 20:24
- on Opinion: Appoint Frontline Firefighters To Building Committee for New Fire Station: “A new fire station would be an excellent place to start a standing building committee like many Mass. Cities and…” Dec 12, 17:53
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Leverett (Part 2): “What’s not said about sawmills is what they did with the sawdust. Yep, right into the river — it’s jaw-dropping…” Dec 12, 15:31
- on What Is a Student Home? Planning Board Adds Definition to ADU Bylaw: ““…to make permanent residents in town somehow more valuable than other people who live in town. ” More valuable depends…” Dec 10, 19:33
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “Who attends the Town Council’s president’s monthly meetings with state legislators? Agenda? Minutes? Expense?” Dec 10, 06:52
- on Letter: Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fair and Balanced?: “Sure, the new North Common is nice, but I’d rather have foreign language instruction in the middle school. Hear, hear!!!” Dec 10, 02:20
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “This is not the first time that Council President Lynn Griersemer has withheld critical information from the town council. For…” Dec 9, 22:17
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “In addition to the above ideas for strengthening local democracy, I propose these changes to Amherst’s Home Rule Charter: 1.…” Dec 9, 21:50
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “The planning board , didn’t inform its own members of the vote for the dormitory in downtown, until minutes before…” Dec 9, 20:35
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “The fact that members of the Town Council had not been informed of rejections of the historical tax credits before…” Dec 9, 20:00
- on Letter: Inviting Bids on Jones Library Plans That Are Not Finalized Wastes the Town’s Money: “Change orders cannot be used to implement project changes that are recognized as necessary before a construction contract is signed.…” Dec 9, 18:27
- on Fate of Big Y Plaza Uncertain Following Hearing on University Drive Overlay District: “Removing Big Y and CVS for student housing would be devastating for the Amherst community. That would leave us without…” Dec 9, 18:14
- on Letter: Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fair and Balanced?: “In my time as an employee and resident of Amherst I had experience with 4 different town managers prior to…” Dec 9, 18:14
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “This article, “Council President Withheld Information from Colleagues,” is very damning in its content, essentially accusing the president of our…” Dec 9, 17:20
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: South Hadley: “Hello friends of Amherst Indy’s history and architecture feature: I am glad it brought back good memories, Hilda! There is…” Dec 9, 09:43
- on Library Commissioners Approve Second Jones Construction Deadline Extension: “It has become all too obvious that wielding power and control has become the modus operandi of those blinded to…” Dec 8, 18:15
- on Letter: Amherst’s Long Failure to Comply with Preservation Law: “Sarah, thank you for this. I watched the meeting on Zoom. Though it took me a minute to disregard my…” Dec 8, 18:10
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: South Hadley: “Lovely story, Hetty! But… hmmnnn… 1940–1931=9, and that would make LP rather precocious! Maybe recheck the architect’s name or the…” Dec 8, 18:05
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: South Hadley: “I have been doing volunteer work for the Gaylord Memorial Library that has more interesting historical information about this area…” Dec 8, 17:41
- on Library Commissioners Approve Second Jones Construction Deadline Extension: “Well, Joe, what makes you think some of those “very bright people” aren’t also in the hoodwinking business? At least…” Dec 8, 16:54
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “It is mind boggling how we as a town have managed the Library project so poorly. Now we have to…” Dec 8, 11:21
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “The long presidency on our Town Council reminds me that in family businesses (my field), the average term of the…” Dec 7, 20:25
- on Owners Say Big Y Will Remain if University Drive Overlay District Created: “We should also be asking Crosspoint Associates if they are considering erecting solar canopies in their lot. They not only…” Dec 7, 17:24
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “The issue is not conflict of interest; Amherst is a college town and elected or appointed officials are obliged to…” Dec 7, 16:22
- on Library Commissioners Approve Second Jones Construction Deadline Extension: “Contrary to the view in the Amherst Current article linked above, the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s letter of December 23, 2016,…” Dec 7, 15:27
- on Library Commissioners Approve Second Jones Construction Deadline Extension: “The Office of the Inspector General publishes the Mass. public construction bible, Designing and Constructing Public Facilities, but enforcement of…” Dec 7, 14:55
- on Dear Reader: “Thanks for the critical analysis, Art! And please post some pix from the George Herbert Walker Bush Library while you’re…” Dec 7, 13:54
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “I think Lynn handles her relationship with Umass just fine ,and her past employment there doesn’t affect her decision making…” Dec 7, 13:20
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: South Hadley: “Oh, Hetty! You bring back such wonderful memories of summer, 1957 of my unpacking boxes of books as the “new”…” Dec 7, 13:19
- on Library Commissioners Approve Second Jones Construction Deadline Extension: “Wow! Great report! In addition, there will be a signifigant delay and cost while the Library project goes out to…” Dec 7, 12:16
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “The Council President is elected by the Council for a term of one year, according to the Charter. The Charter…” Dec 7, 11:25
- on Library Commissioners Approve Second Jones Construction Deadline Extension: ““I’m not moved by some of the allegations that were made in the submittal to the Inspector General,” continued Comeau.…” Dec 7, 11:09
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “Kathleen, The Council President and Vice President are elected each January by the Town Council. Only one individual has ever…” Dec 7, 10:20
- on Amherst Media to Honor Amherst Area Gospel Choir and Director Jacqueline Wallace: “What an amazing woman! Jackie is grace backed by deep strength. Congratulations.” Dec 7, 08:26
- on Council President Withheld Information From Colleagues: “When does the current President’s term expire? Is the president role embedded in perpetuity while in office or does the…” Dec 7, 06:38
- on What Is a Student Home? Planning Board Adds Definition to ADU Bylaw: “Students are not a “suspect classification” under the Equal Protection clause. If there’s a rational basis for the discrimination, it…” Dec 6, 19:05
- on What Is a Student Home? Planning Board Adds Definition to ADU Bylaw: “This is an invitation to litigation, because “student home” refers to characteristics of the occupants rather than regulating use of…” Dec 6, 18:00
- on What Is a Student Home? Planning Board Adds Definition to ADU Bylaw: “A quick note that the zoning bylaw regulates all kinds of uses in building, as shown by the detailed Use…” Dec 6, 15:50
- on Owners Say Big Y Will Remain if University Drive Overlay District Created: “Whatever ends up happening, the Town MUST REQUIRE PARKING SPECIFIC TO THE HOUSING. Otherwise, those residents will use the CVS…” Dec 6, 15:20
- on Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice. It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In.: ““Every system is perfectly designed to get the result that it does.” – Dr. W. Edwards Deming” Dec 6, 10:32
- on No Bidders for Library Swing Space: “Since this article also mentions Austin Sarat’s assertion that change orders will be used to implement the historical element changes…” Dec 6, 09:35
- on Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice. It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In.: “The term “agitators” is among the first words in the Authoritarian Dictionary. We’re in store for a long winter in…” Dec 5, 17:48
- on Owners Say Big Y Will Remain if University Drive Overlay District Created: “Well said, Ira: the current scene resembles a stampede of lemmings to – and over – a cliff!” Dec 5, 17:30
- on Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice. It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In.: “While it is true that in Amherst only the H is silent, that H stands for Heard. So many townspeople…” Dec 5, 14:32
- on Owners Say Big Y Will Remain if University Drive Overlay District Created: “Additionally ,provide the number of Net New units added in the last years . Aspen Heights, Kendrick ,Spring Street, Eleven…” Dec 5, 13:59
- on Opinion: Appoint Frontline Firefighters To Building Committee for New Fire Station: “Getting input from the AFD is crucial, of course. Fire Departments are equipment and location sensitive. The Chief or his…” Dec 5, 10:55
- on Opinion: No Mandate for Extremism: Debunking Lies in the Trump Era: “I found this video interesting: A Plan to Save the Planet from Climate Change, Part 1 By Glenn Weinreb 12.04.2024…” Dec 5, 10:05
- on Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice. It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In.: “Thanks to Anita Sarro for this vigorous and pointed update on how things appear to stand with regard to the…” Dec 5, 09:40
- on Owners Say Big Y Will Remain if University Drive Overlay District Created: “Why is the Planning Board and Planning Department not figuring out? • actual numbers of UMass students living in town…” Dec 5, 06:25
- on Owners Say Big Y Will Remain if University Drive Overlay District Created: “The interactions from the Planning Board and Staff ,sound like a card game. I will give you this , but…” Dec 4, 20:33
- on Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice. It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In.: “I am hoping that this summary of the “constraints” on the the committee are not accurate. I did not attend…” Dec 4, 15:35
- on Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review: “The guidelines for public constuction put out the the Office of the Inspector General strongly recommends that the Owner’s Project…” Dec 4, 13:21
- on Letter: Gazette Letter About Jones Library Critics Requires Correction: “I sent the following to the Gazette on 11/30. I don’t think they’ll print it. I read the opinion piece…” Dec 3, 10:12
- on Town Manager Report for December 2, 2024: “Thank you Amherst Indy for keeping us informed . Lots happening .” Dec 2, 20:52
- on Historic Commission Approves Stained Glass Window Restoration at JCA: “The Second Church was formed by patriots who split off from the First Church and its Tory minister. The first…” Dec 2, 17:21
- on Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review: “I asked the Mass. Attorney General’s Construction Bid Unit if Amherst could alter the project through change orders if a…” Dec 2, 16:36
- on Letter: Please Tell Senators to Advise But Not Consent to Trump’s Cabinet Nominations: “Thank you. Am using this template to send to your recommended representatives.” Dec 1, 11:30
- on Saving Money on Clean Energy for Schools: “The last few years have taught us that cities and towns have to lead. Let’s take advantage of any grants…” Dec 1, 10:28
- on Saving Money on Clean Energy for Schools: “Amherst has a consultant’s report listing all the schools and town buildings that could effectively install solar panels over parking…” Nov 30, 12:03
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Belchertown : “Thanks, Janet! While I am ‘here’, another local preservation project in Belchertown is being championed by the Quabbin Art Association.…” Nov 30, 10:59
- on Lighting of Merry Maple December 6: ““Unless” Unless Holidays come to an end or nobody noticed to do it again or it didn’t show up on…” Nov 30, 10:30
- on Issues and Analyses: How We Can Meet the Challenges of Authoritarianism: “Here is a link to a possible organization that is allied to your comments – I think it is an…” Nov 30, 10:26
- on Issues and Analyses: How We Can Meet the Challenges of Authoritarianism: “Resistance is essential but more is needed. In the Summer of 2012 I drove through northeastern Ohio heading to Columbus…” Nov 30, 07:51
- on Historic Commission Approves Stained Glass Window Restoration at JCA: “Those windows are a historically significant photo of rural America in the 1890s and definitely worth preserving. What I find…” Nov 27, 21:56
- on Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review: “Perhaps the Town is doing market research to see what is available for space from at least two property owners…” Nov 26, 10:40
- on Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review: “Hiring an OPM requires a selection process. You can’t just hand a contract to a company you used before. The…” Nov 26, 07:18
- on Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review: “Even if the Jones Libray demolition/expansion project has not yet risen to the waste, fraud or abuse of federal funds…” Nov 25, 20:51
- on Town Council Hears About Four Ways to Pay for Amherst’s Major Capital Projects: “Whatever happened to the interactive capital budget modeling tool the town was going to provide for public use? https://www.amherstma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10911” Nov 24, 19:36
- on Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review: “Would be good to know what conversations are happening “behind the curtain” between town admin and federal and state legislators…” Nov 24, 11:23
- on Planning Board Continues to Discuss University Drive Overlay District and Accessory Dwelling Unit Guidelines: “The planning board and the Towns staff have no data. They rely on the economic principle of supply and demand,…” Nov 23, 19:52