AMHERST — State Rep. Ellen Story’s quarter-century of service in the state Legislature, and her commitment to community engagement and social change, are being honored by Amherst Media.
Amherst Media’s board of directors recently presented Story with the Jean Haggerty Award, named after the late resident who had a lifetime dedication to community betterment and concern for those denied an opportunity to be heard.
“I’m extremely honored to be given the Jean Haggerty Award,” Story said.
Haggerty, who died in 2015, was a former Amherst Community Television producer, board member and activist, chairwoman of the Council on Aging and reactivated the Ann Whalen Tenants Association. The award was established to honor those who pursue community engagement and social change.
Story said the recognition means a lot to her since she knew Haggerty, describing her as sharp, articulate and impressive. Haggerty came to Amherst from Texas in 2000.
“I always thought it was lucky, for us, that she moved to Amherst,” said Story, who retires from her position in January.
Previous award winners include Isaac Ben Ezra, Cynthia Brubaker, Ed Severance, Judy Brooks, Jerry Gates and the founders of the “Student News” program.
Amherst will lift the water ban that went into effect in August at some point, but it remains uncertain when that will happen.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the current drought took many years to arrive, and will take many to end.
Town officials, he said, need to confer with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College about how to end the ban, understanding that it would resume when people again undertake outdoor activities like watering lawns and filling swimming pools.
“We will be thinking about how this will not be a one-time occurrence,” Bockelman said.
The wells are continuing to meet the current demand as the Atkins Reservoir in Shutesbury and the Pelham reservoirs remain off line.
Bockelman also expressed appreciation to college students cutting their water use.
“Students have responded remarkably well,” Bockelman said.
A $21,000 van purchased by the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center will be used for social worker home visits, grocery shopping and other activities.
But the idea of transporting seniors to medical appointments won’t happen immediately.
“We’re exploring what support we can get to run a small Amherst-based van service,” said Senior Center Director Nancy Pagano.
Pagano said there needs to be staff to drive the van, space in the Bangs Community Center for a dispatch center and files before that could happen.
Two town committees are beginning to solicit proposals for various projects.
The Community Preservation Act Committee is seeking requests from organizations with projects related to community housing, historic preservation, open space and outdoor recreation.
The account for fiscal year 2018 is at $1.09 million
Proposals are due by Dec. 9 to Sonia Aldrich, comptroller and acting co-finance director, by sending email to aldrichs@amherstma.gov.
The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee is seeking proposals for the 2017 application. In 2016, the town received $825,000 to support social service and non-social service projects.
Proposals are due at noon Jan. 6, with proposals to be reviewed and recommended to Bockelman and the Select Board.
MONDAY: Amherst Housing Authority Executive Director Search Screening Subcommittee, 1 p.m., Jean Elder Community Room; Select Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall; Charter Commission, 7 p.m., community room, police station.
TUESDAY: Cultural Council, 4 p.m., Crafts Room, Jones Library; Recycling and Refuse Management Committee, 5:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall; Union 26 School Committee, 7:30 p.m., high school library.
THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, comprehensive permit hearing on Beacon Communities LLC project in North Amherst, 6 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
