Around Amherst: New elementary school sign floated

AMHERST — A main sign for the new Amethyst Brook Elementary School could be mostly purple, with white lettering, even though purple in town is often associated with Amherst College.

Tim Cooper, principal at DiNisco Design, told the Elementary School Building Committee at a recent meeting that instructions from a design subcommittee were to create a simple, cost-effective entryway sign for the main parking lot.

The idea, he said, was to have the sign be similar in color to amethyst, with the school’s name and address affixed to it.

Members appeared to be pleased with the sign, even though maroon, which is also used by the University of Massachusetts, has often been used for district communications and on its website.

Committee member Bruce Coldham observed that Amherst College has a strong affiliation with purple, including using that color on its garage doors for the buildings and grounds facility on Dickinson Street.

Wildwood School Principal Allison Estes said even if the color reflects Amherst College, that is fine because it brings cohesion to the community, and the schools do a lot of work with the college.

Fort River Principal Tamera Sullivan-Daley also agreed that the color is a “lovely nod” to the college.

The new school is scheduled to open for the 2026-2027 school year, with the 1970s-era Wildwood and Fort River schools to both close. The future use of the Wildwood property, on Strong Street, is unknown, while the Fort River building will be razed to accommodate parking, open space and play areas for Amethyst Brook.

Both schools that will be closing have “Say Goodbye to…” guided walking tours scheduled, with the next opportunities at Wildwood April 15 and May 20, both at 4 p.m., and on the same dates at Fort River, though starting at 3:30 p.m.

Police officers recognized

Several Amherst Police officers were recently honored by their peers for their actions in 2025 to save lives in the community and improve the town’s safety and well being.

Receiving letters of merit for their response to the Olympia Place fire last November, which destroyed the Olympia Drive building where 230 people lived, are Sgt. Gregory Wise and officers Stephen Worthley, Connor Shea and Matteo Picardi.

The four officers were able to evacuate the building on the evening of Nov. 7 with no loss of life, after a fire that began on a neighboring construction site spread to the occupied building.

Officers Justin Satkowski and Dylan Tucci were awarded letters of merit for their response to a medical event on Dec. 16 in which they provided CPR to an individual who was later transported to a medical facility, and recovered. Similarly, Officer Felipe Feliciano was awarded a letter of merit for his response to an incident on Sept. 27, in which he provided medical treatment to an individual who was transported to a medical facility and recovered.

For his investigation leading to an arrest of a person who traveled to Amherst to attempt to commit crimes against children, Detective Joshua Harris was awarded a letter of merit.

Finally, Officer William Laramee was awarded a letter of appreciation for his continued proactive community policing efforts as the neighborhood liaison officer in conjunction with his establishment of the department’s comfort dog program.

Vacancies on town boards

Both the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals will have vacancies that need to be filled for July 1.

The Town Council is accepting applications from Amherst residents interested in serving, with three vacancies on the Planning Board that run through June 30, 2029, and two full member vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals, with terms to expire June 30, 2029, and up to four vacancies for associate members, with terms to expire June 30, 2027.

Applicants should have experience with aspects of planning, development, design, architecture, law, construction, zoning and/or real estate, and those without prior municipal government experience are encouraged to apply.

Those interested in volunteering to serve can fill out a Community Activity Form at: https://www.amherstma.gov/FormCenter/Community-Activity-Form-14/Community-Activity-Form-2-165

Farm grant

Ziomek Farm on Meadow Street recently received a $22,196 grant from the state’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program.

The program provides financial incentives to farms that voluntarily adopt conservation practices, improve soil health, invest in renewable energy and upgrade aging
equipment and infrastructure with energy-efficient tools.

The grant announcement came from Gov. Maura Healey during the March 11 Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House. It was part of $3.3 million going to support farmers across the state and buy local efforts.

“As we celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, we’re reminded of just how central agriculture has been to our history and our identity,” Healey said.

ICE talk

Ariana Keigan, associate director of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, and Javier Luengo-Garrido, deputy field director from ACLU Massachusetts, will lead an online discussion on how to effectively respond to ICE sightings and attempted detentions Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m.

The free program, part of the Judy Harris Brooks series, is sponsored by the Racial Justice Committee of the Amherst League of Women Voters. Participants can register at lwvamherst.org.

The discussion, which will not be recorded to protect participants, will address immigration enforcement and how the LUCE network verifies ICE sightings, outline immigrant rights and what bystanders can do to protect their neighbors and cover strategies for immigrants and others who feel vulnerable on how to prepare in case of detention.

Senior Sips

Senior citizens 60 and older are encouraged to come to the inaugural Senior Sips, a gathering to connect with neighbors, discover local happenings and learn about available resources, March 26 starting at 4 p.m. at Protocol, 1 East Pleasant.

Snacks will be provided, though attendees will have to buy or bring their own beverages.

The event is sponsored by the Council on Aging, Amherst Business Improvement District, Friends of the Amherst Senior Center and Amherst Neighbors.

Meetings

MONDAY: Joint Policy Subcommittee, 5:30 p.m., superintendent’s conference room, middle school; Town Council and Finance Committee, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.

WEDNESDAY: Joint Capital Planning Committee, 5 p.m.

THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m., and CDBG Advisory Committee, 7 p.m.

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