AMHERST — A possible East Amherst village local historic district, which might help preserve the look of Amherst’s original commercial center, will be the subject of a public hearing by the Local Historic District Commission Monday.
Property owners in the proposed district, along lower Main Street, and members of the public, are invited to discuss both this proposal, as well as design guidelines that will apply to the existing local historic districts.
The Zoom meeting starts at 7 p.m.
The proposed district includes 55 properties. The commission has been working with Chris Skelly of Skelly Preservation Services, and will review the preliminary East Amherst Study Report, previously submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the town’s Planning Board for comments.
A final report will go to the Town Council, which will determine whether a third local historic district should become reality.
The town has previously created two local historic districts, one centered on the Emily Dickinson Museum on Main Street, established in 2012, and the other encompassing the North Prospect-Lincoln-Sunset neighborhoods, established in 2017.
Participants will be able to ask questions and discuss both the creation of the district and the new design guidelines, which are designed to improve the application and review process by clarifying for applicants and the commission on what basis projects are approved or denied, and giving applicants a road map to ensure their projects are approved as quickly as possible.
Skelly told the commission at a meeting in December that this will give applicants an idea of what is likely to be approved or denied.
“Every district commission really needs design guidelines, so I’m happy to see that it’s recognized in Amherst that you need design guidelines too, and I think they’ll make your life easier as district commission members,” Skelly said.
Steve Bloom, a member of the commission, observed that Nantucket is strict with its colors and look, but it’s uncertain where Amherst will draw the line on conformity.
“Different LHDs have different standards,” Bloom said.
Amherst’s Global Village
Several informational panels are on display throughout Amherst Town Hall as part of “The Making of Amherst’s Global Village,” put up by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department.
Complementing the Amherst Global Village Festival in the spring, the panels are in somewhat chronological order, including information on the First Peoples, early European immigration, Polish and Jewish immigration, Black in Amherst, Latine, Asian, Cambodian and Muslim immigration.
Panels also spotlight some community members, such as individuals involved in contemporary Amherst affairs.
School Committee reorganization
Deb Leonard is the new chairwoman of the Amherst School Committee following a reorganization vote Monday.
Leonard said she sees an opportunity for “leading the district in a way that keeps our priorities in the fore as well as manages the business of the committee in a responsible, respectful and legal manner.”
Leonard will lead the newly formed committee that includes returning members Sarah Marshall and Bridget Hynes and newcomers Andrew Hart and Laura Jane Hunter. Former Chairwoman Jennifer Shiao and member Irv Rhodes opted not to seek reelection.
Hynes will remain the vice chairwoman, and all five members will also serve on the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee.
Staff milestones marked
Fourteen people who work full-time for Amherst were recently recognized by the town for achieving milestone employment anniversaries of 20 or more years.
Leading the way is William Laramee, a police officer who has been on the force for 30 years. Five other police officers are also celebrating anniversaries, with Jamie Reardon marking 25 years and Dominick Corsetti, Yvonne Feliciano, Scott Gallagher and Marcus Humber all marking 20 years.
At the fire department, David Clooney is celebrating 25 years as a firefighter and Stephen Gaughan and Thomas Valle are both celebrating 20 years.
Also marking 25 years working for the town are Sustainability Coordinator Stephanie Ciccarello, emergency dispatcher Elizabeth Chudzik and Russell Coombs, a mechanic and supervisor at the wastewater treatment plant.
Serving 20 years are Glenn Burrows, a crew supervisor at the Department of Public Works, and Sean Hannon, who leads the Information Technology department.
Demolition paused
A proposal to demolish an historic single-family home at 80 South East St. will be back before the Historical Commission on Jan. 20.
Agnes Ting, who has been operating the home as a rental property, said the big challenge is the deteriorating foundation and floors, prompting her to consider rebuilding the home.
“I really don’t feel this house is safe,” Ting said, adding that it is too costly to upgrade the home.
The property is known as the Ephraim T. Sabin House and dates to at least 1851.
Meetings
SATURDAY: Four Towns Meeting, 8 a.m., middle school library.
MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
THURSDAY: Community Preservation Act Committee, 6 p.m.