AMHERST — A mural with a theme of joy and fun will be created for the current eighth-grade hallway at the Amherst Regional Middle School, a gift from the members of the class of 2029 who have served on the school council.
Lena Holcombe and Nora Hanna, co-presidents of the council last school year, told the Amherst Regional School Committee earlier this month that the council is providing $900 to cover the costs of creating the mural.
The mural, with preliminary sketches provided to the commitee, will be narrated by a character and explore the day in the life of a student, such as waking up to have pancakes and then hanging out with friends.
Hanna said that over the past three school years, the graduating members of the council have agreed to dedicate a portion of the funds to benefit the school.
Holcombe said she and Hanna met with middle school art teacher Christopher Spinnozzi and student council advisor Mick O’Connor to develop a plan for the project, with middle schoolers taking a vote on the theme and offering input on the colors.
“We envision a mural that will not only bring color to the hallways but also serve as a lasting reminder of our connections as students,” Holcombe said.
O’Connor said the mural will be on canvas panels attached to wall space above lockers and will be done at the beginning of June, so that current eighth graders can enjoy it before the school year ends.
The gift has become a recent tradition, with graduating members of the student council using a portion of funds raised from events where they build community and create spirit.
The graduating members of the class of 2027 donated a bench for the main entrance to the school, while the class of 2028 donated 48 ceiling tiles to replace stained and damaged tiles in the library and classrooms.
WinterFest concludes
The Fire & Ice Festival is the final event of WinterFest, taking place on the Town Common Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m.
Ice sculptures, live entertainment, hot cocoa and s’mores over fire pits and a luminaria display will be part of the event, organized by Amherst Recreation and the Amherst Business Improvement District.
Finance Committee members sought
Non-voting resident members of the town’s Finance Committee are being sought by the Town Council.
The committee is made up of five councilors as voting members and three non-voting residents, who are chosen based on relevant experience, skills and policy knowledge, with an emphasis on municipal and public finance.
Those interested in volunteering can fill out a Community Activity Form at:
https://www.amherstma.gov/FormCenter/Community-Activity-Form-14/Community-Activity-Form-Town-Council-App-165.
Anyone with questions should contact District 5 Councilor Ana Devlin Gauthier, who chairs the Governance, Organization and Legislation committee, at devlingauthiera@amherstma.gov.
Chili contest in Hadley
The Friends of the Hadley Public Library is holding a chili contest at the 50 Middle St. site from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 28.
Community members are encouraged to participate as cooks or tasters. Anyone interested in registering to cook a meat or vegetarian chili should send email to FriendsofHadleyLibrary@gmail.com.
“This is a low-key way to bring people together in the middle of winter,” Patty Judice, a representative of the Friends, said in a statement. “There’s nothing like sharing good food with neighbors in the library’s community room.”
Trees OK’d for removal
The Public Shade Tree Committee recently gave the go-ahead for four street trees to be removed, with close to $4,000 going to the town’s tree-planting fund.
Three of the trees are red maples near the corner of University Drive and Amity Street and will be cut down to make way for a curb cut and bus pull-off associated with the Campus View mixed-use development The trees are at 8-, 9- and 10-inches in diameter at breast height and developer Barry Roberts will pay $2,430, or $90 for each inch of diameter at breast height.
Roberts also has agreed to replace trees in the public way. Tree Warden Alan Snow will review specifications of the plantings so the trees can survive and live a long and healthy life.
The other tree is a 17-inch diameter at breast height honey locust at 485 Pine St., near Hitching Post Road.
Kathy Song, the property owner, told the committee that the tree will go to put in a curb cut and allow safe access to the property. She will pay $1,530 replacement cost.
New school website
A new website for the Amherst and Pelham schools launched on Feb. 13.
“After lots of thoughtful design, several rounds of internal beta testing and more feedback than we can count, we feel confident it is ready to meet the ARPS community,” the schools wrote in a social media post.
The main district website is at arps.org, with each elementary and regional school, including Summit Academy and the Amherst Early Education Center, having their own refreshed online homes.
Meetings
MONDAY: Local Historic District Commission, 3 p.m., and Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
TUESDAY: Finance Committee, 1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Joint Capital Planning Committee, 5 p.m.
THURSDAY: Joint Amherst, Pelham, Union 26 and Regional school committees meeting, 5 p.m., high school library; Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.; Regional School Committee budget hearing, 6:30 p.m., high school library.