Amherst Opens Zoning Study for Hampshire College Campus's Future
AMHERST — The town has begun a zoning study to plan for the future of the Hampshire College campus after the college announced it will end academic operations after December 2026, while Town Manager Paul Bockelman this week named Daniel Garcia as Amherst's new Director of Senior Services.
TOWN HALL
The town initiated the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study "to develop zoning options to prepare for future uses of the Hampshire campus property," following the college's announcement that it will cease academic operations after December 2026, according to the town's News Flash service.
In personnel and capital-project news, Bockelman announced Garcia will start as Director of Senior Services on July 20. Separately, renovations are underway at the Bangs Community Center covering health and safety, accessibility, the Senior Center and the area near Room 101; the building will stay open throughout the work, with completion expected in early 2027.
The town also posted two summer alerts: a move to Level 2 water use restrictions and the opening of cooling centers and outdoor facilities for residents seeking relief during the current stretch of extreme heat. Separately, the town is inviting residents — subscribers and non-subscribers alike — to weigh in on a cable television survey open through Friday, Aug. 7.
SCHOOLS
Amherst Central School District marked several leadership and recognition milestones in recent district news. Patrick Kapperman was named the new principal at Amherst Central High School, and Adam Wierbinski was named assistant principal there. Senior Zoe Simonson was selected as the Board of Education's ex-officio student member for a one-year term that began July 1. The district also highlighted 74 students who presented projects at its Seal of Civic Readiness Civics Fair.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Friends of the Amherst Public Library hold an artist reception Saturday, July 18 at 1 p.m. The library's "Plant a Seed, Read!" summer reading program, which opened June 15, continues through Friday, Aug. 7, with books, challenges, prizes and events for all ages.
COMING UP
Friday, July 17 brings a busy town calendar: the Elementary School Building Committee meets, state Rep. Mindy Domb holds office hours, the Veterans Breakfast for All takes place, and the Downtown Summer Concert Series continues. The Amherst Farmers Market and open-play pickleball at Mill River follow Saturday, July 18.
Monday, July 20 is a heavy municipal-meeting day: the Town Council and Finance Committee hold a special joint meeting for a public forum on appropriations outside the annual budget, alongside a regular Town Council meeting, a Residents' Advisory Committee meeting, a Design Review Board meeting, and a joint meeting of the Regional School Committee and Union 26.
At the library, children's programming continues through the week with Sprinkler Storytime and PJ Storytime on Tuesday, Story Makers Studio on Wednesday, and Tots & Tunes on Thursday. Adults can join a virtual talk, "The 3 Hidden Risks of Career Transition," Wednesday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m.