AMHERST — Unlike many years when the emergency overnight homeless shelter closes for the season on May 1, Craig’s Doors will be able to keep its sites open for at least several more weeks.
Executive Director Kevin Noonan said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregate shelter with 14 beds operating at the Unitarian Meetinghouse will remain in service until July 31. The town recently completed an inspection to allow the extended operations.
The shelter is supplemented by the Econo Lodge motel in Hadley, where 19 rooms will remain open through at least mid-June; and the University Lodge, with 20 rooms available until June 30, 2022.
The extended availability of beds comes as Mary Beth Ogulewicz, the town’s director of Senior Services, will serve as facilitator for the Homelessness and Rehousing Task Force that Town Manager Paul Bockelman is organizing.
Bockelman reported in a memo to the Town Council that officials are working with Craig’s Doors to secure appropriate showering and daytime sheltering options for guests over the summer and fall.
Amherst and Pelham are among area towns beginning to explore how to opt out of the state mosquito program’s aerial spraying.
Bockelman told the Town Council this week that the Health Department is looking at what can be done to avoid the possible threat of spraying, even though it has not occurred in the Pioneer Valley recently.
Communities have to prepare an alternative mosquito management plan to opt out, including receiving the advice of the Board of Health and public comment.
In Pelham, Select Board Chairman Robert Agoglia notes the challenge for a small community in determining whether an alternate management plan is sufficient.
In the interim, Bockelman is informing the state that Amherst does not want mosquito spraying and that he would like notice if spraying is planned. Individual property owners can opt out through an online form.
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern has put downtown Amherst in line for possible funding through the “Moving Forward Act” from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
McGovern has several requests that would be funded directly from the Highway Trust Fund, including “Amherst Town Common Transportation and Mobility Improvements.” This would supplement the town’s North Common project with $1.4 million in enhancements of College Street, Boltwood Avenue, South Pleasant Street and Main Street.
The only other town in McGovern’s congressional district that could get money is Greenfield, where “Leyden Road Sidewalk Construction” would be funded for $1.84 million.
Amherst Town Council proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this week.
In the proclamation, the council observes that the monthlong commemoration began in 1992 and that “while we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that enrich our history, society, and culture, we must also acknowledge the additional determination, hard work, and perseverance AAPI individuals must put forth to be heard and seen, and that these additional efforts are a result of inequitable institutional and systemic injustices such as those most recently manifested in racist attacks on Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The town will have its first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month virtual celebration May 17 at 5 p.m.
A webinar to give information on environmental issues and policies and to explain ways to support transitioning to clean, renewable energy takes place May 13 at 7 p.m.
Launa Zimmaro, the League of Women Voters Massachusetts climate specialist, will give a brief overview of climate-related bills and how they relate to executive actions. She will also share her experience in the State House.
To register, go to lwvamherst.org
MONDAY: Design Review Board, 5 p.m.
TUESDAY: Residents’ Advisory Committee, 11 a.m.; Public Arts Commission, noon; and Public Shade Tree Committee, 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Local Historic District Commission, 4 p.m.; and Cultural Council, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY: Board of Assessors, 11 a.m.; and Board of Health public hearing on smoking regulation changes, 5 p.m.