Amherst Morning Brief, Oct. 22: $4 million road paving plan unveiled

From Amherst News

• Regional school committee rejects restraint procedures The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee took up procedures for physical restraint and behavior support required under Policy JKAA, with members split over whether legal review and outreach to the Special Education Parent Advisory Council had been thorough enough before a vote.Amherst News
• School committee reaches governance consensus at retreat Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee members and Chair William Sherr reached consensus at a weekend retreat on new operating protocols and communication standards for working with the superintendent, though disagreements remain over setting district goals and spending oversight.Amherst News
• Schools address bus shortage, building damage Superintendent Dr. Xi told the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee the district is grappling with a bus driver shortage that has forced after-school schedule changes, while contractors repair water damage and begin mold remediation at Amherst Regional Middle School.Amherst News
• Regional school committee approves new HR position The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee considered creating a new Human Resources Generalist position funded through a surplus in Regional Rural School Aid, then turned to a broader slate of supplemental pay assignments and revised school calendars for the year ahead.Amherst News
• Town launches online transportation, parking request form The Town of Amherst introduced a new online form letting residents, businesses, staff and officials submit transportation and parking suggestions, which the Transportation and Parking Commission will review.Amherst News

Happening Fri, Oct 23

• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Yoga & Pilates With Celeste: Friday at 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m Yoga & Pilates With Celeste is listed on the town calendar for Friday, Oct. 23 at 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 70 Boltwood Walk.Town of Amherst
• 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Folk Dancing: Friday at 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m Folk Dancing is listed on the town calendar for Friday, Oct. 23 at 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at 70 Boltwood Walk.Town of Amherst
• 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Tai Chi: Friday at 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m Tai Chi is listed on the town calendar for Friday, Oct. 23 at 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 70 Boltwood Walk.Town of Amherst
• 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Book Club: Friday at 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m Book Club is listed on the town calendar for Friday, Oct. 23 at 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 70 Boltwood Walk.Town of Amherst
• 2:00 p.m.: Library hosts virtual talk on Apollo 11's descent Amherst Town Library hosts a virtual program on Apollo 11's final descent to the lunar surface Friday, October 23, at 2 p.m.Amherst Town Library

Amherst on Thu, Oct 22

• Town unveils $4 million FY27 road paving plan Amherst is investing nearly $4 million in its fiscal 2027 pavement management plan, outlining roads to be paved and repaired this fall and next spring, with work expected to be complete by June 30, 2027.Town of Amherst
• Town launches zoning study for Hampshire College campus The Town of Amherst launched a zoning study to plan future uses of the Hampshire College campus after the college announced it will end academic operations after December 2026.Town of Amherst
• DPW begins fall curbside leaf collection The Department of Public Works started curbside pickup of bagged leaves this fall, asking residents to use Town-approved 30-gallon paper biodegradable bags and place them at the curb by 7 a.m. on their scheduled pickup day.Town of Amherst

Coming up

• Sat, Oct 24, 10:00 a.m.: National Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday Amherst holds National Drug Take Back Day Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 71 Strong Street, letting residents safely dispose of unused medications.Town of Amherst
• Sat, Oct 24, 2:00 p.m.: Dog park holds Halloween Pawty Saturday Amherst Dog Park hosts its Halloween Pawty Saturday, October 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Old Belchertown Road, with costumed dogs and fall activities.Amherst Dog Park
• Sun, Oct 25, 12:00 p.m.: Halloween Spooktacular returns Sunday downtown The Halloween Spooktacular runs Sunday, October 25, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at 35 South Pleasant Street, offering family Halloween activities downtown.Town of Amherst
• Mon, Oct 26, 4:00 p.m.: Amherst Housing Authority meets Monday afternoon The Amherst Housing Authority meets Monday, October 26, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Jean Elder Community Room at 9 Chestnut Street.Town of Amherst
• Tue, Oct 27, 1:00 p.m.: Library building design panel meets Tuesday The Jones Library Building Committee's Design Subcommittee meets Tuesday, October 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 101 University Drive, Suite B1.Town of Amherst
• Tue, Oct 27, 10:00 a.m.: Residents' Advisory Committee meets Tuesday morning Amherst's Residents' Advisory Committee meets Tuesday, October 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Town Room on the second floor of Town Hall.Town of Amherst
• Tue, Oct 27, 4:15 p.m.: Town welcomes Kanegasaki sister city visitors Tuesday Amherst holds a welcome ceremony Tuesday, October 27, from 4:15 to 5 p.m. at Town Hall for visitors from sister city Kanegasaki, Japan.Town of Amherst
• Tue, Oct 27, 7:00 p.m.: Library discusses 'An American Sunrise' Tuesday Amherst Town Library's Book Discussion Series covers 'An American Sunrise' by Joy Harjo Tuesday, October 27, from 7 to 8 p.m.Amherst Town Library
• Wed, Oct 28, 4:30 p.m.: Mill District hosts Truck or Treat Wednesday The Mill District hosts Truck or Treat Wednesday, October 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 91 Cowls Road, with decorated vehicles handing out treats.Town of Amherst
• Wed, Oct 28, 8:00 a.m.: Town begins processing absentee ballots Wednesday Amherst starts advance processing of early and absentee ballots Wednesday, October 28, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall ahead of the November 3 state election.Town of Amherst
• Thu, Oct 29, 7:00 p.m.: Library hosts Evening of Poetry Thursday Amherst Town Library hosts An Evening of Poetry Thursday, October 29, at 7 p.m., featuring readings in the Main Reading Room.Amherst Town Library

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