(7/27/07) Here is a small collection of bits and pieces of news and information from around town.
Deadline looms: Property taxes are due Wednesday, August 1st for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2008. Paying online is free and easy (read all about it here) or just dive right in. Have your tax bill handy, as well as your checkbook – unless you're a glutton for punishment and would rather pay exorbitant fees by using your credit card.
Evaluation invitation: Town Manager Larry Shaffer has just completed his first year on the job, and now it's time for his performance review. The Select Board conducts the annual evaluation, and as part of that process, solicits input from the community. Comments can be e-mailed to Select Board Chair Gerry Weiss, or sent to his attention at the Select Board Office, Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst MA 01002. Comments are due by August 24th.
Speaking of the Select Board: This week's Select Board meeting will be on Wednesday (August 1st) instead of Monday. The final meetings on this summer schedule are Monday, August 13th and Monday, August 27th. All will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Room at Town Hall.
Why wonder when can you can know: What are all these various construction projects going on around UMass campus? John Lombardi's “New Dirt” legacy of new and improved buildings and infrastructure is well-chronicled on the UMass web site, with a big-picture overview here, details of specific projects here, and a (usually) weekly update here. The very-informative site includes architectural representations, construction photography, 3-D walk-arounds, and even a construction web cam.
Wine, cheese, art: Thursday, August 2nd is the monthly Amherst Art Walk. Tour galleries such as Gallery A3, the Jones Library's Burnett Gallery, and don't miss the Public Art Commission's exhibit at Town Hall. At the Fiber Art Center, the opening reception and gallery talk (gallery talk at 8:00 p.m.) will be held for “All (W)Rapped Up: Works by members of the Northeast Feltmakers Guild,” an exhibit that will run until September 1st. The Art Walk is held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. See your neighbors, enjoy free snacks, be downtown and support the arts.
More art, of the musical variety: The Yellow Barn Music Festival wraps up this week with a series of classical music concerts at Amherst College's Buckley Recital Hall. Times, ticket prices and programs vary, so click here and scroll down for complete information. Friday, August 3rd's performance will be followed by a reception.
Last call: You've heard about the Master Plan, and all the idea gathering sessions, but maybe you just haven't gotten around to participating. It's not too late. Comments and suggestions are still being collected on the Planning Amherst Together web site. They have created a great system for reading through and commenting on the goals and strategies related to each of the seven elements of the plan: Economic Development, Housing, Land Use, Natural and Cultural Resources, Open Space and Recreation, Services and Facilities, and Transportation and Circulation. The deadline for submissions couldn't be confirmed, but really, haven't you waited long enough already? [Updated 7/30: The Comprehensive Planning Committee will begin processing the comments after August 10th, so try to get yours in by then.]
In case you missed it: Amherst's own Augusten Burroughs was featured on NPR's All Things Considered July 23rd, offering his pick for the “You Must Read This” feature. Read or listen to his recommendation of Carson McCullers' The Member of the Wedding here.
New and noteworthy: Downtown businesses have come, gone, expanded and relocated since last we nuggeted. Here's a sample: Souper Bowl has expanded its offerings and space in fancy new digs, two doors down from its former location. Little Black Dress has relocated to Boltwood Walk, near Panda East. Toy Box is bigger and better, expanding into the space previously occupied by Valley Books (which moved across the street) in the Zanna block. A few doors away, Blue Marble replaced Happy Valley Gifts, and offers jewelry, crafts and a variety of pretty things. Rolando's is offering roast beef and falafel at the former Fatzo's location, by Antonio's. The Refinery at Suite 59B is a new hair salon facing the parking garage, where The Art of Basketball had been located for about 5 minutes. Elements Hot Tub Spa opened in the former Fenton's space on Main Street. With a little luck, some of these might get more inAmherst coverage than a nugget mention, but you never know.
Other people's problems: Imagine some 10,000 residents descending on the high school athletic fields for an event that requires more than $120,000 in logistical expenses such as tents, security, a sound system, and porta-potties. It might sound like Woodstock, but it's actually the town of Middleborough's July 28th Special Town Meeting to vote on the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's casino proposal. And we thought Amherst's Moderator had it tough. Tally vote, anyone? [Updated 7/30: Attendance didn't quite live up to the predictions, but it was still quite a crowd. Middleborough Town Meeting voted 2,387 to 1,335 to approve the casino deal.]
Now I don't need to rename the site SelectBoardRecaps.com.
-- Stephanie O'Keeffe
