Amherst Names Daniel Garcia Director of Senior Services, Effective July 20
Town Manager Paul Bockelman has named Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services, with Garcia set to start July 20 — a key hire as Amherst also moves to enforce mandatory water use restrictions and prepares for a major Independence Day celebration next week.
TOWN HALL
Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced the appointment of Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services, with an expected start date of July 20. No additional background details were provided in the announcement.
The town has activated Level 2 water use restrictions under its Water Management Act Registration, citing the broader Connecticut River Valley drought — though officials note that Amherst's own water supply remains stable and is not currently threatened. Residents should check the town's website for specifics on what the restrictions require.
Bockelman is also seeking one resident to join the Department of Public Works Building Committee, a temporary advisory body overseeing design and construction of a new DPW facility. Application review begins July 6.
Separately, the town's ongoing collaboration with MassDevelopment — the state's development finance agency and land bank — continues as Amherst works to plan for potential future uses of the Hampshire College campus.
Downtown Design Standards are open for public feedback through July 1, giving residents just a few days to weigh in on the shared vision and design guidelines for downtown improvements and private development.
A Puffer's Pond swimming update was flagged as an active alert on the town homepage; residents planning to visit the popular swimming spot should check current conditions before heading out.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Amherst Town Library's summer reading program, "Plant a Seed, Read!," runs through August 7 with books, challenges, prizes, and events for all ages. Note that the library will be closed Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, reopening Monday, July 6.
Coming up at the library this week: the ATL Reads Fiction Book Club meets in person Tuesday, June 30 at 1 p.m. On Thursday, July 2, a Parade Bike Decorating event at 1 p.m. lets kids get ready for the holiday weekend, followed by Slow Doodling (virtual) and Let's Play Mahjong! (in person), both at 2 p.m. For younger visitors, Tots & Tunes runs Thursday, July 2 at 10 a.m.
The town's free Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks is set for Friday, July 3 at UMass Amherst's McGuirk Alumni Stadium South Lawn, featuring fireworks, live entertainment, food vendors, and family activities.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
No new coverage from Patch, MetroWest Daily News, or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
COMING UP
- **Mon., June 29:** Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting; Little Art Makers at the library, 3:30 p.m. - **Mon., June 29:** Celebrate Pride at The Mill District General Store & Local Art Gallery - **Tue., June 30:** Virtual Joint meeting of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee (note: a separate in-person joint meeting for the same date has been canceled); Public Art Commission meeting; ATL Reads Fiction Book Club, library, 1 p.m.; Sprinkler Storytime, library, 10 a.m.; Open-Play Pickleball at Mill River - **Wed., July 1:** Little Listeners, library, 10 a.m.; Story Makers Studio, library, 3 p.m. — also the deadline to submit feedback on Downtown Design Standards - **Thu., July 2:** Parade Bike Decorating, library, 1 p.m.; Tots & Tunes, library, 10 a.m.; Slow Doodling (virtual) and Let's Play Mahjong! (in person), both 2 p.m. - **Fri., July 3:** Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks, McGuirk Alumni Stadium South Lawn, UMass Amherst (free); library closes for holiday weekend - **Mon., July 6:** Library reopens; Little Art Makers, 3:30 p.m.