AMHERST — A final push to get more residents to participate in the census is taking place as the likelihood for an undercount of Amherst’s population increases.
“We’re worried about our census numbers because they’re relatively low,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman told the Town Council this week.
The self-response rate is down from the comparable time in 2010. As of Monday, that rate was 66.6%, whereas the rate was 70.8% 10 years ago.
If there is an undercount, Amherst runs the risk of losing access to numerous funding programs on which the town depends. Communications Manager Brianna Sunryd said the Complete Count Committee is encouraging anyone who hasn’t been contacted by an enumerator to go to 2020census.gov to fill out the form.
Residents are also being reminded to talk to their friends and neighbors to make sure they have filled out the census, for landlords to speak to tenants and for mentions to be made on neighborhood listservs. Previously, information has gone out with municipal bills and as stickers for restaurants’ to-go bags and cups.
Bockelman said the town is also making the point that filling out the census takes less than 10 minutes but will have an impact on the town for the next 10 years.
Amherst has been considered challenging to count due to its student, low-income and immigrant populations.
When Bockelman holds a virtual meeting with the community from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, he will be joined by Amherst Police Officer Bill Laramee and COVID Ambassador Coordinator Kat Newman.
But people may also want to tune in for a likely special guest, new police comfort dog Winston.
People can join via Zoom at https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/93952241687 or by calling 312-626-6799 and providing ID# 939 5224 1687
The stream on YouTube is at https://bit.ly/AmherstLive
People with questions in advance can send them to sunrydb@amherstma.gov
The Town Council has accepted a gift that will continue the process of getting a handicapped accessible addition, with restrooms, attached to the North Amherst Library.
A statement from the anonymous donor reads, “I am pleased to give to the Town of Amherst a cash donation of $200,000 for the public purpose of restoring and adding public restrooms, a community room and handicap access to the North Amherst Library. This is the first installment toward this project and is designated for the design and permitting of this new structure. The balance to be paid when the project goes out to bid.”
This money will be used for design and engineering costs.
Former University of Massachusetts Chancellor John Lombardi will discuss “Universities After the Crisis” during a talk sponsored by the Amherst Woman’s Club at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic is not allowing the usual in-person talks to take place, club members will receive an invitation via email to the live virtual Zoom meeting.
The general public will be able to view Lombardi’s talk at a later time on the club’s website at amherstwomansclub.org
At the beginning of many Town Council meetings, residents have an opportunity to tell councilors what’s on their minds and to provide feedback on municipal affairs.
But a councilor this week raised concerns that some people are getting more of an opportunity than others to participate by sending texts and emails to her colleagues, with questions and comments, throughout the course of the meeting.
“That strikes me as eminently unfair to the public,” said At Large Councilor Alisa Brewer.
“I just find that really offensive to other members of the public who don’t have those numbers easily accessible,” Brewer added.
MONDAY: Public Art Commission, noon, virtual meeting.
TUESDAY: Ranked Choice Voting Commission, 2 p.m., and Town Council public hearing on master plan, 7 p.m., both virtual meetings.
THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m., virtual meeting.
