signBy SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Three solar-powered signs with electronic displays providing details about coming town events, municipal matters and bus schedules could be up in downtown Amherst next spring.
Under a plan presented to the Town Council this week, the pilot project, initially funded through federal CARES Act money, would bring the Soofa solar information and emergency communication technology, and three solar charging cores, to sites in town center.
Amherst Communication Manager Brianna Sunryd told councilors that the 42-inch high displays, with e-ink screens, are an ideal way to get out information, keep the public engaged and post notices about emergencies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Soofa technology will supplement the permanent wayfinding signs already going up, such as the welcome sign set in the middle of the roundabout at East Pleasant and Triangle streets.
While advertising could support the signs long term, Sunryd said the expectation is local businesses would be able to use the technology for free to promote themselves during the pandemic.
The three charging cores, available to the public as a place to recharge their electronic devices, would be placed near the signs, and will remain in place even if the signs are removed after the one-year pilot ends.
Sunryd said the plans are for the signs to go up on North Pleasant Street at the entrance to Pleasant Walk, the pedestrian walkway to the parking garage, at the intersection of Amity and North Pleasant streets near the Jones Library and at the transit stop adjacent to Spring and South Pleasant streets.
Dr. Michael Rawlins, associate director of the Climate Systems Research Center at the University of Massachusetts, will be giving a live Zoom talk to members of the Amherst Woman’s Club Monday at 1:30 p.m.
“Observations of Climate Warming and Projections of Future Climate Changes” is the title of the talk by Rawlins, who is also the extension associate professor in the Department of Geosciences.
The talk will be recorded and will be made available to the public at a later date at www.amherstwomansclub.org.
Vacancies on several town boards and committees is prompting Town Manager Paul Bockelamn to put out an appeal for volunteers.
The Agricultural Commission, CDBG Advisory Committee, Disability Access Advisory Committee, Historical Commission, Public Art Commission and Public Shade Tree Committee are among panels that need members.
More information about the vacancies is at: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/37003/Committee-and-Board-Vacancies-Report-05012020?bidId=
People with relevant expertise or experience, and from diverse backgrounds, are being sought and can fill out a Community Activity Form at amherstma.gov/caf. For more information about the positions, send email to the town’s community participation officers at GetInvolved@AmherstMA.gov.
Building Homes for Heroes, a New York national nonprofit organization, recently received a donation from the Allan B. Bunce Squadron at UMass.
The nonprofit, which builds and modifies homes for injured veterans, and then gifts them, mortgage-free, got $6,272 for its projects.
The ROTC cadets at UMass raised the money through a Warrior Weekend Virtual 5k and made the donation on Veterans Day at a check ceremony at the Mount Tom B17 memorial in Holyoke.
During Thanksgiving week, no public meetings are scheduled. Community meals to go will be available Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road, and on Thanksgiving at 1:30 p.m. at Not Bread Alone, 165 Main St.