AMHERST — All four members of the Town Council attending their last meeting on Monday were recognized for their service to the community and offered farewell thoughts.
At Large Councilor Andy Steinberg, who is wrapping up almost 30 years in elective office that began as a Town Meeting member in 1996 and continued with stints on the Finance Committee, Select Board and Town Council, joked that he flunked retirement after more than 25 years as executive director of Western Massachusetts Legal Services.
“People who elected me are the people we care about, and we hope what we’ve done for them makes their lives better, and I pass that test on to all of you,” Steinberg said.
District 5 Councilor Ana Devlin Gauthier said Steinberg approached his role as councilor “with the same care, compassion and commitment that have defined his entire public life.”
“Andy’s is a legacy of quiet diligence, deep knowledge and unwavering commitment to our community,” Devlin Gauthier said.
District 1 Councilor Cathy Schoen said Steinberg was generous with his time.
“You have provided a model for all of us, by always coming prepared, and informed, and bringing information about the most recent state actions, and what those were likely to do, and impact the town,” Schoen said.
Like Steinberg, District 2 Councilor Pat De Angelis has served since the inaugural council was seated in 2018. She said councilors should not let fears hold them back from pursuing hopes and making decisions on behalf of all people in the community.
“It’s challenged me to look at the people in my community, and it is the smallest connections that become real that are important to our work,” De Angelis said.
At Large Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke called De Angelis an unrelenting advocate for justice for housing affordability, food insecurity and workers’ rights. “You are strong and fearless and you are willing to vote your conscience no matter the costs,” Hanneke said.
“You’ve been a terrific councilor, and I’ve really enjoyed having you as my colleague,” said Councilor President Lynn Griesemer.
Leaving after one term are District 1 Councilor Ndifreke Ette and District 5 Councilor Bob Hegner.
Ette said national politics is a reflection of what happens locally. “We may fall short, but we’ve always tried to be a model of what it means to practice politics well,” Ette said.
District 3 Councilor George Ryan said Ette is someone who brings people together and District 3 Councilor Heather Hala Lord said he always asked thoughtful questions and paid close attention to details.
“Fairness is something that matters deeply to him,” Ryan said. “I’ve been impressed by his integrity and courage.”
“You have modeled respect and kindness in public service,” Lord said.
Hegner said he will be devoting efforts to addressing food insecurity as treasurer of the Amherst Mobile Market, and called on his colleagues to do the same.
“I think it’s a real problem, it’s a problem facing this community as well as the country, and I think we should do more about it than we have,” Hegner said.
At Large Councilor Ellisha Walker said Hegner asked hard questions and thought critically. “We are very fortunate to have your perspective and willingness to serve these past two years,” Walker said.
District 4 Councilor Pam Rooney said she hopes Hegner stays involved. “He brings a wealth of education and a really deep understanding of federal and state government,” Rooney said.
Jones Library donation
Children’s programs at the Jones Library are benefiting from a $7,174 donation from JCPenney’s Communities Foundation.
To celebrate the event, Mia Cabana, who serves as the children’s librarian, recently held a story hour at the JCPenney store at Hampshire Mall in Hadley, reading books with stories based in department stores.
Those attending were also entered into a raffle for $100 gift certificates to JCPenney.
The Jones was chosen as a recipient by store employees, led by General Manager Michelle
Guevin. Richard Waldman, an employee, also volunteers at the library. The money comes from customers who round up their purchase to the nearest dollar during checkout. The foundation previously supported the library’s English as a Second Language program.
“Especially as we wait for the reopening of our renovated building in early 2027, we are grateful for opportunities to meet the public and share our services in other locations in the community,” said Library Director Sharon Sharry.
Girl Scouts visit Town Council
Local Girl Scouts recently attended a regular Town Council meeting, both in person at Town Hall and virtually, as the second part of an orientation into local government.
The eight members of Troop 65231 are completing their Democracy for Juniors badge.
The day before, Council President Lynn Griesemer, Ryan and Angela Mills, executive assistant to the town manager, walked them through various processes of town government and town history.
Winter solstice
The public is invited to observe sunrise and sunset during winter solstice at the standing stones at the University of Massachusetts Sunwheel on Sunday at 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
During the hour-long gatherings, UMass astronomers Stephen Schneider, in the morning, and Grant Wilson, in the afternoon, will discuss the astronomical cause of the solstice, as well as the design of the Sunwheel and other calendar sites, like the Temple of Karnak in Egypt and at Chankillo in Peru.
Campus Pantry success
Since its opening on Sept. 6, the Campus Pantry at UMass has served more than 2,300 people.
A partnership between UMass and the Amherst Survival Center, the pantry offers weekly, grocery-store-style access to fresh produce and nonperishable foods. A slow rollout was expected, said Sam Guerin, the center’s director of finance and operations, “but really right out of the gate … we served 173 households in the pantry on the first day of service.”
Through November, 2,379 individuals and 1,551 households used the pantry, totaling more than 8,700 visits. More than 113,000 pounds of food, which is the equivalent of about 94,000 meals, were distributed.
Graduate students, household members and off-campus residents make up a significant share of visitors. The pantry’s busiest day was Dec. 4, when it served 222 households, following a snowstorm that shuttered operations earlier in the week.
Meeting
MONDAY: Jones Library trustees, 4 p.m.