Bockelman Names Daniel Garcia Senior Services Director
Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced the appointment of Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services, with a start date of July 20, as the town continues to navigate Level 2 water use restrictions and ongoing swimming conditions monitoring at Puffer's Pond.
TOWN HALL
Town Manager Paul Bockelman named Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services, with Garcia expected to begin the role July 20, according to the town's News & Announcements page. The appointment comes as the Bangs Community Center — home to the Senior Center — undergoes renovations focused on health and safety, accessibility, and building improvements, with completion expected in early 2027; the building will remain open throughout construction.
The town also flagged a Level 2 water use restriction currently in effect, alongside a swimming update for Puffer's Pond, both posted as active alerts on the town homepage. The Department of Public Works continues construction work on University Drive as part of ongoing road and sidewalk improvement projects across town, with residents advised to expect traffic impacts in the area.
SCHOOLS
The Amherst Central School District highlighted several recent recognitions and personnel moves. Seventy-four students presented at the Seal of Civic Readiness Civics Fair, earning medals they will wear at graduation. Zoe Simonson was selected as the district's ex-officio student Board of Education member for a one-year term beginning July 1, and Adam Wierbinski was named assistant principal at Amherst Central High School. The district's next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for July 14 at 7 p.m. in the District Board Room.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Amherst Town Library's summer reading program, "Plant a Seed, Read!," continues through August 7, offering books, challenges, prizes, and events for all ages. Upcoming library programs include ATL Reads: Cookbook Club on Thursday, July 9 at noon, and an ATL Reads Book Discussion of "Revolutionary Summer" by Joseph Ellis that same evening at 6 p.m. A virtual Presidential Series session featuring doodler Heather Rodgers on Andrew Jackson is set for Friday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m.
Downtown, the town's community calendar lists a Downtown Summer Concert Series performance and a Yellow Barn Summer Festival Concert, both on Friday, July 10, alongside "Cuppa' Joe" with Paul Bockelman and Communications Manager Samantha Giffen the same day.
COMING UP
The Council on Aging meets Wednesday, July 8, followed by the Conservation Commission the same day. On Thursday, July 9, the Community Resources Committee of the Town Council, the Jones Library Board of Trustees, the Board of License Commissioners, and the Zoning Board of Appeals are all scheduled to convene. Library children's programs include Little Listeners on July 8 at 10 a.m. and Storytime with a Twist on July 9 at 10 a.m. The Amherst Central School District's Board of Education meets July 14 at 7 p.m.