Town of Amherst, MA

06/10/2026

Exciting news! With high temperatures forecasted for this Thursday and Friday, Mill River Pool will be open after school from 4:00–6:00 PM to help residents stay cool. The splash pad at Groff Park will be operating regular hours. Town of Amherst, MA

06/09/2026

🎤📺 Join us for a public hearing about our Cable Television License Agreement with Comcast on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 pm. People can join the meeting in person in the Town Room on the second floor of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave) or virtually via Zoom.

This public hearing is an opportunity for residents to provide feedback about: (a) whether the current cable operator, Comcast, is in full compliance with its currently-existing cable license; and (b) what are the Town’s future community cable-related needs. Please note: This process has no role in determining cable television prices.

Every 10 years, the Town conducts a comprehensive review and renewal of its cable license to ensure community needs are met and service standards maintained. The Town formed the Cable Television Advisory Committee (CTAC) made up of residents and staff to support and facilitate this renewal process.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.amherstma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3959

06/02/2026

🌈✨We marked the beginning of LGBTQ+ Pride Month with a flag raising ceremony and a heartfelt proclamation reading from the Town Council. Together with members of Amherst Pride, the Rainbow Alliance, town officials, and community members, we united to promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Thank you to all who joined us. 💖

This year in particular, we remember Connie Kruger, former select board member and Town Planner, who recently passed away in May 2026. Connie and her wife was one of the first le***an couples to be married in the Town of Amherst when marriage equality was legally recognized in 2004. She will be dearly missed, and her impact and memory are indelible.

Amherst celebrates the important contributions of its LGBTQ+ residents to the Town’s history, culture, economy, and civic life; and we affirm our support for our LGBTQ+ residents and stand with them to protect their civil rights and ability to live openly without fear. Follow Amherst Pride to learn more about all the
other events happening in town this month.

🎉 Don't miss out on the annual Amherst Pride Parade on the Town Common on Sunday, June 28! Learn more and sign up to participate at: https://www.amherstma.gov/3851/Amherst-Pride

06/02/2026

Northampton Road has a new speed limit of 35 miles per hour! View original post for more details.

‼️ NEW SPEED LIMIT on Northampton Rd: 35 MPH

After a traffic study was completed, the Town requested that MassDOT change the speed limits on Northampton Rd between University Drive and South Pleasant Street. The MassDOT has accepted the request and has changed the signage to reflect the new speed limit of 35 MPH. This is a decrease from the previous 40 mph zone. The goal is to increase safety on this roadway.

“The District Traffic Section of MassDOT has completed a speed zoning study for the requested section of Route 9 within the Town of Amherst, East of University Drive, to the intersection of South Pleasant Street (approx. 0.7 miles). This investigation included spot speeds, trial runs, a review of roadway geometry and sight distances, and a review of the accident history on this roadway.”

06/01/2026

The Town of Amherst is pleased to announce its new collaboration with MassDevelopment for an extensive, but focused initiative to prepare for future potential uses of the Hampshire College campus.

The planning process will start in June with the goals of evaluating the land and creating a vision for the developable areas of the campus. This vision will position the property to generate much-needed new property tax revenue and various kinds of housing to be implemented over time.

The project aims to achieve a balanced approach between habitat preservation and development, focusing on areas where existing infrastructure - such as roads, water, and sewer - can be readily extended or already exists. Additionally, the project will develop a zoning plan that facilitates phased implementation.

MassDevelopment is the state’s development finance agency and land bank, providing resources to help create jobs, build housing, and foster vibrant communities across the state. Through MassDevelopment, the Town will receive technical assistance from a skilled team bringing environmental, land use, and economic development expertise to the effort. MassDevelopment will provide services from the Horsley-Witten Group, Dodson and Flinker, and U3 Advisors.

A project website will be created in the coming weeks to provide updates and collect questions/ideas. Community meetings will also be planned to ensure this is a community-informed process.

🔗Read the full announcement: https://www.amherstma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3957

05/29/2026

Honoring our heroes this past Memorial Day! 🌟

Despite the rain causing the parade to be cancelled, the Town of Amherst still came together to remember and celebrate our fallen heroes. We were joined by local veterans, officials, and community members for special remarks and a beautiful performance by the Amherst Chorale. 🎶

During the ceremony, State Representative Mindy Domb presented the Medal of Liberty to a family member of Staff Sergeant Stephen H. Barton, who passed away at the age of 24 while serving as a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber in the Army Air Corps in 1944.

This was also the first event led by Daniel Nye, the new Veterans Services Officer for the Central Hampshire Veterans Services. Welcome Daniel!

Thank you to those who participated in and attended this special gathering of remembrance and gratitude, including Amherst Massachusetts Fire Department, Amherst Police Department (Official), Town Councilors, Amherst Regional Public Schools Chorale, Scout Troop 5303, and American Legion Post 148.

05/24/2026

Due to the weather forecast, the Town of Amherst Memorial Day ceremony has been moved indoors to the Bangs Community Center. The parade has been canceled.

05/23/2026

🌍✨ Over 120 passionate volunteers joined us last month for the Amherst Rubbish Roundup, our annual community cleanup! Together, we braved busy roadsides, bustling sidewalks, and quiet trails in neighborhoods across town, collecting 101 bags of garbage and recycling.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors for making this event a success! This event reminded us of the incredible impact we can have when we join forces. 💪💚

Organizers & Volunteers:
Amherst Business Improvement District, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce , Amherst Department of Public Works Association, Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee, Amherst College Center for Community Engagement (CCE), UMass Off Campus Student Life, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Circle K International, Kazakhstani Students of UMass Amherst, MASSPIRG—UMass Amherst Chapter, Summit To Success, Inc., UMass Running Club, Zeta Beta Tau, and District One Neighborhood Association (DONA)

05/22/2026

🚨💧 Drought Declared 💧🚨

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declared the Connecticut River Valley to be in a Level 2 Significant Drought. Precipitation in April was below normal in the Connecticut River Valley, worsening drought conditions that have built up over the past two years.

The Town of Amherst's water supply remains stable and not currently threatened by the drought situation. However, the Town of Amherst is required by the Massachusetts Water Management Act to implement water use restrictions during all declared droughts.

🚫 All nonessential outdoor water uses are banned.
🌼 Exception: watering of ornamental and flower gardens with drip irrigation, handheld hose, or water cans.

Learn more about what is considered essential versus nonessential outdoor water uses on our website: https://www.amherstma.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/3953

05/21/2026

🌈 Get ready to show your pride! It's almost Pride Month and the Town of Amherst is gearing up for our Flag Raising Ceremony and our second annual Amherst Pride Parade! Details below. 🎉

𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆
🗓️ Monday, June 1 at 5:30 PM
📍In front of Town Hall

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
🗓️ Sunday, June 28 from 12-3 PM
📍Amherst-Pelham Regional High School to Amherst Town Common

11-12pm Sign Making and line up for the parade
12-1pm Parade from the ARHS to Town Common
1-3pm Celebration on the Amherst Town Common featuring performances, resource providers, and vendors

📝 Sign Up: Interested marchers, vendors, community resources, and volunteers should sign up by Friday, June 5!

🔗 Learn more and sign up: https://www.amherstma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3949