Amherst Imposes Level 2 Water Use Restrictions Amid Summer Heat
Amherst has moved to Level 2 water use restrictions, town officials announced, as the community works through a stretch of extreme summer heat that has also prompted the opening of cooling centers around town.
TOWN HALL
The Level 2 restrictions mark the most consequential town hall news of the day, tightening water use rules as officials keep an eye on supply through the hot stretch. The move comes alongside a separate alert urging residents to use cooling centers and outdoor facilities that the town has opened for anyone needing a safe place to beat the heat.
The town also posted an update on swimming conditions at Puffer's Pond, a follow-up to this week's bacteria-related closure of the popular swimming spot.
Separately, the town detailed renovations underway at the Bangs Community Center, covering health and safety upgrades, accessibility improvements, work on the Senior Center, and the area near Room 101. The building will stay open throughout construction, with completion expected in early 2027. The town is also collecting resident input through a cable television survey open through Friday, Aug. 7, and continues moving forward on its Hampshire College campus zoning study, a story the town's News Flash also covered this week, with an information session scheduled Tuesday.
SCHOOLS
Amherst Central School District has recent leadership news to report: Patrick Kapperman was named principal of Amherst Central High School, and Adam Wierbinski was named assistant principal at the high school. Music educator Julie Furlong was awarded the 2026 General Music Educator of the Year, and the district was named among the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education for the tenth consecutive year.
The district also announced that Zoe Simonson was selected as the ex-officio student member of the Board of Education for a one-year term that began July 1, and that 74 students presented at the district's Seal of Civic Readiness Civics Fair, each receiving a medal to wear at graduation.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Amherst Town Library's "Plant a Seed, Read!" summer reading program continues through Friday, Aug. 7, with prizes, challenges and events for all ages. Family-friendly programming includes a Jay and Leslie Juggling show Thursday, July 23, at 2 p.m. and an Andy's Playhouse kids performance Friday, July 31, at 10 a.m. The summer reading program wraps up with an ice cream social finale on Friday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m.
COMING UP
The Finance Committee of the Town Council and the Historical Commission both meet Tuesday, July 21, the same day the library hosts an information session on the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study and Sprinkler Storytime and PJ Storytime take place at the library. The DPW Building Committee meets Wednesday, July 22, alongside Little Listeners and Story Makers Studio at the library. The Zoning Board of Appeals and the Valley Green Energy Working Group both meet Thursday, July 23; the Board of License Commissioners meeting that day has been canceled.