AMHERST — The town’s $43.95 million project to expand and renovate the Jones Library earned compliments from the Design Review Board on how it will affect the 43 Amity St.
In a meeting Monday with Finegold Alexander Architects of Boston and The Berkshire Design Group of Northampton, the board reviewed elements under its jurisdiction, including various standards in the town zoning bylaw, finding that the project’s height, proportions, relation of structures and spaces, shape, landscape and scale all appear to have taken the library’s location in the heart of downtown into consideration.
With respect to height, for instance, member Pat Auth said the design team showed careful attention that the historic 1928 section of the building facing Amity Street not be overshadowed by the new construction. “A great deal of thought and sensitivity has gone into this new plan,” Auth said.
“Proportionally, it’s very respectful,” said Chairwoman Erika Zekos.
The board, while reviewing the project, is explicitly “precluded from mandating any official aesthetic style for Amherst or for imposing the style of any particular historical period.”
Zekos said the outdoor spaces are functional and accessible and she appreciates that there will be a children’s play area.
There were some questions about some of the straight lines in the outdoor areas, which Library Director Sharon Sharry said were recommended because they are easier to maintain and would also be better for people walking through the site.
“Kudos to Berkshire Design for amazing landscaping and re-landscaping of everything,” said Design Review Board member Catharine Porter.
The Town Council is beginning to consider how to get a town charter review committee up and running in 2024, a mandated part of the charter adopted by voters in 2018.
Council President Lynn Griesemer said the committee can’t change the Town Council/town manager form of government, the composition of councilors or the way in which people are elected. But it can recommend some revisions and amendments to the charter.
“There are some people who believe that it could lead to massive change. That would require a brand new charter commission,” Griesemer said.
The committee is to be made of people who do not hold elective office when appointed, with some having previous Amherst Charter Commission experience, knowledge of the town’s departments and services, Amherst schools, the Jones Library and town finances. In addition, the membership is to reflect the diversity of the town’s population.
A memo from Griesemer explains that there will be mechanisms for gathering feedback, how changes may be proposed, and reports and public hearings. A draft of any initial changes to the charter, section-by-section, could come by next May, a draft report showing all changes might be complete by Oct. 15, 2024, and a final report would come by Dec. 1.
The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its annual A+ Awards recipients at the “Rooted in Community” event, this year celebrating the region’s agricultural roots, set for Nov. 16 at the UMass Student Union Ballroom.
Nominations for the award can be made online through Sept. 8 at amherstarea.com, with a focus on agricultural achievements, whether bold farm relief, a trailblazing farmer or a leader in sustainable farm practices, or making an impact on preserving historical agricultural roots.
Categories include Lifetime Achievement/Legacy Award, Leader in Innovation Award, Leader in Sustainability Award, Young Professional Award, Community Service Award and Chamber MVP.
By Saturday morning, most University of Massachusetts students were expected to have moved into their on-campus dormitories and off-campus housing for the fall semester, with activities on campus held throughout Labor Day weekend.
The New 2 U Tag Sale is scheduled Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Newman Center Cafe, with new or gently used clothing, futons, lamps and TVs for sale. For UPlay, from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, students were to be at the Campus Recreation Turf Fields for lawn games, a silent disco, a movie night and snacks.
On Sunday, the New Student Convocation is at 1 p.m. at the Mullins Center; with UFest from 2 to 6 p.m. on the Goodell Lawn, with games, music, campus departments, and food and fun.
Folksinger and songwriter Paul Kaplan performs at First Church, 165 Main St., on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The Song & Story opening round theme will be climate. The monthly Song & Story Swap, in its 27th year, is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society of Western Massachusetts.
For information, call Kaplan at 413-687-5002.
TUESDAY: Amherst Cultural Council, noon.