Town Names Daniel Garcia New Senior Services Director
AMHERST — Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced the appointment of Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services, with Garcia expected to start on July 20, while the town continues to manage extreme heat conditions and a Level 2 water use restriction.
TOWN HALL
Town Manager Paul Bockelman's appointment of Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services is the most notable town hall news of the day. Garcia is set to begin his role on July 20, according to the town's News Flash announcements.
The town remains under a Level 2 water use restriction, and officials continue to promote cooling centers and outdoor facilities for residents seeking relief during the ongoing extreme heat. Separately, the town has opened a survey on residents' experiences with cable television, open through Friday, August 7, and is soliciting input on the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study following Hampshire College's announcement that it will cease academic operations after December 2026. Renovations at the Bangs Community Center, including health, safety, and accessibility upgrades along with Senior Center improvements, are underway and expected to wrap up in early 2027; the building will remain open throughout construction.
SCHOOLS
Amherst Public Schools announced several personnel and student honors. Adam Wierbinski has been named Assistant Principal at Amherst Central High School, and Patrick Kapperman has been named the district's High School Principal. The district also recognized Zoe Simonson, who begins a one-year term as Ex-Officio Student Board Member on the Board of Education starting July 1.
Seventy-four students presented at the Seal of Civic Readiness Civics Fair, earning medals they will wear at graduation, and music educator Julie Furlong was awarded the 2026 General Music Educator of the Year Award. The district also noted it has been named among the Best Communities for Music Education for the tenth consecutive year. Families should note the ACSD Substitute & Jobs Expo is scheduled for August 12, with online applications due by August 5.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Amherst Town Library's summer reading program, "Plant a Seed, Read!", continues through Friday, August 7, offering books, challenges, prizes, and events for all ages. The library's Friends of the Library Artist Reception is set for Saturday, July 18, at 1 p.m.
Additional library programming this week includes Bubbly Babies on Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m., and Little Art Makers on Monday, July 20, at 3:30 p.m. Town-wide, the Downtown Summer Concert Series and Office Hours with State Rep. Mindy Domb are both scheduled for Friday, July 17, according to the town's community calendar.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Local coverage also touched on community loss: "James Ellis Obituary (1935 - 2026) - Amherst, MA" was noted via a Daily Hampshire Gazette listing distributed through Legacy.com, remembering a longtime community member described as deeply engaged in local life (per Google Alerts aggregation of Daily Hampshire Gazette/Legacy.com content).
COMING UP
Several events are scheduled in the days ahead: the Amherst Farmers Market and Open-Play Pickleball at Mill River both take place Saturday, July 18; the Friends of the Library Artist Reception is Saturday, July 18, at 1 p.m.; Sprinkler Storytime and PJ Storytime are set for Tuesday, July 21; and the Town Council, Finance Committee, and a Special Town Council public forum on appropriations outside the annual budget are all scheduled for Monday, July 20, at Town Hall.