AMHERST — A $2.06 million payment recently delivered to Town Hall by the co-chairs of the Jones Library Capital Campaign maintains a commitment to transfer money toward the building’s $46.1 million expansion and renovation project on a regular basis.
Lee Edwards and Kent Faerber were joined by Library Director Sharon Sharry and Trustees President Austin Sarat in giving the payment to Town Manager Paul Bockelman as a remittance toward renovation expenses.
So far, $3.71 million has been paid, and the campaign and the library also have provided more than $500,000 toward building project expenses.
Edwards, who is also an elected trustee, noted the remittance comes as general contractor Fontaine Brothers has removed all of the 1990s addition to make way for the new addition that will enlarge the building from 48,000 square feet to 63,000 square feet.
“It has been thrilling to see construction underway, and we are excited to see this long-awaited project finally come to fruition,” Edwards said. “Library programs for toddlers, teens, adults and seniors will blossom in this renovated and expanded community hub.”
Faerber thanked the 546 donors to date. “The renovated library will serve as the heart of Amherst, revitalizing our town for all to enjoy,” Faerber said.
The payments have resulted from a variety of fundraising efforts, including grants received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, even though a $1 million grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities was terminated.
As of Sept. 1, $39.3 million, or 85% of total project costs, have been secured from
all sources, including town money and a Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners construction grant.
CRESS Day
Amherst will mark the third anniversary of the founding of the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service with a community celebration at Mill River Recreation Area Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The day will include games and crafts, music and dancing with a live DJ and food and refreshments.
CRESS Director Camille Theriaque said the responders serve with compassion, respect and dedication.
“Three years ago, we set out to create a new model of community response, one founded on the belief that safety and support should be accessible to everyone,” Theriaque said.
From January through July 2025, CRESS has responded to an average of 55 calls for service per month and collaborated with an average of 14 social service agencies and businesses per month. Beyond response efforts, community engagement occurs by attending local events and hosting programs like CRESS Cares collection drives, bi-monthly Veterans Community Breakfasts and youth empowerment programs.
Cuppa Joe
Town Manager Paul Bockelman will be joined by School Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman for his next monthly Cuppa Joe, Sept. 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Large Activity Room at the Bangs Community Center.
Herman is expected to discuss and answer questions about K-6 restructuring, new administrators and policies that promote a safe and student-centered learning environment in the district that has 2,790 students who speak more than 38 languages.
Garage to be demolished
A seven-bay garage at 134 Montague Road, part of the historic Cowls homestead, can be razed after the Historical Commission opted against issuing a demolition delay.
The commission determined the garage, built in the 1920s and modified over the years, is not a significant structure.
“If this building was the original barn that was sitting there, or I could establish it was a 1930s garage, that’s why I’m not finding it significant,” said Chairoman Robin Fordham.
Only member Joel Greenbaum voted against allowing demolition to proceed, noting the North Square at the Mill District development is becoming more visible from Montague Road and overwhelming the historic homes there, especially after the removal of the neighboring Antiques Barn from the same property earlier this year.
“There’s more than just the building to consider here, there’s the landscape, and it was quite a special historic landscape, the Cowls homestead,” Greenbaum said.
Committee member Kenzie Landsittel, though, said there is a difference between historical significance and nostalgia, while Hetty Startup said the building sits in a very historic part of North Amherst, the garage itself isn’t significant.
Cultural Council grants
The Cultural Councils in both Amherst and Pelham are seeking grant proposals for community-based arts, humanities and sciences events that offer broad public benefit and impact.
This year, the Amherst council will distribute about $56,100 in grants and Pelham about $5,700 in grants.
Applications are being accepted through Oct. 16.
Projects funded by the Amherst Cultural Council in the last grant cycle included a Showcase Stage at the Amherst Block Party, the Amherst Area Juneteenth Jubilee by the Black Business Association of Amherst Area, Inc. and the Odenong Powwow.
In Pelham, projects funded included a summer youth theater program, support for a local ballet studio and a multi-medium, multilocation community art and place-making celebration called “Picturing Pelham.”
For more information, go to https://www.amherstma.gov/1221/Cultural-Council or send email to pelhamculture@gmail.com