AMHERST — A process to renew the town’s cable contract with Comcast, which takes place every decade, is about to get underway, even as the landscape for cable television continues to change rapidly.
The Town Council recently appointed the voting members of the Cable Television Advisory Committee. Those who will be on the panel are Peter Berek of Woodlot Road, Frederick Civian of High Point Drive, John Milas of Northampton Road, Brianna Sunryd of Flat Hills Road and Rachel Figurasmith of Pelham, who is also the executive director of Amherst Media.
Sean Hannon, the town’s director of Information Technology, will be a nonvoting member.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the committee will be advising and assisting with the upcoming license renewal process with Comcast, Amherst’s cable operator.
Every 10 years, the comprehensive review and renewal of the cable license is done to ensure community needs are met and service standards are maintained.
Bockelman said he doesn’t expect the work for the committee members to be as contentious as in 2016, when getting support for the public, education and governmental channels, or PEG access, and capital needs for Amherst Media, was difficult.
“The key skill is an eagerness to learn the industry and willingness to read documents in order to provide well-reasoned advice,” Bockelman said.
Much of the debate in 2016 centered on how much in capital support Comcast should be obligated to provide to Amherst Media, which also led to consideration of putting Amherst Media’s services out to bid.
Vinyl siding nixed
The former Bruno’s Pizza building at 363 Main St., which is being converted entirely into apartments, will have to maintain the existing wood siding.
The Local Historic District Commission, which has jurisdiction over buildings in the Emily Dickinson Local Historic District, told building owner Roula Kofides she wouldn’t get a certificate of appropriateness for the vinyl siding. Kofides had proposed this as a way to reduce maintenance and promote durability.
Commission member Steve Bloom said the guidelines are explicit that siding, windows and roofs should remain as they are, if feasible.
“I do know it would set a really bad precedent, and other people would use it,” Bloom said.
Commission member Greta Wilcox said she feels bad about saying no because the building renovations are improving the building’s appearance.
Body cameras for police
Police Chief Gabriel Ting told the Joint Capital Planning Committee at a recent meeting that the department is likely to make a request for body-worn cameras next year, a $215,000 investment that would outfit all 46 officers.
The department’s capital requests for this year include replacing 15 mobile data terminals for cruisers that tie into the Criminal Justice Information System.
Before body-worn cameras are pursued, Ting said there will be a community conversation “We want that transparency and we want that accountability with our police department,” Ting said.
He said the patrol and supervisors unions are supporting the initiative.
Democrats to caucus
Amherst Democrats will convene at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Saturday at 11 a.m. to elect delegates and alternates to the 2026 State Democratic Convention, to be held at the DCU Center in Worcester in late May.
Democrats will choose up to 17 delegates and four alternates to represent the town at this year’s nominating convention, which will decide endorsements for the U.S. Senate, governor and other statewide offices.
Those interested in getting involved with the organization should visit www.amherstmademocrats.org or send email to AmherstMADemocrats@gmail.com.
Debra Cowan to perform
The next Song & Story Swap, being held Saturday at 7 p.m. at First Church, 165 Main St., will feature folksinger Debra Cowan.
A former middle school math teacher who left her career to pursue music in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cowan has become a full-time performer. For information contact Paul Kaplan at 413-687-5002.
Cuppa Joe
Town Manager Paul Bockelman will be joined by Library Director Sharon Sharry at the next Cuppa Joe with Paul, being held at Amherst Coffee, 28 Amity St., March 13 at 8 a.m.
During the gathering, Sharry will share updates and answer questions about library service numbers and programming, and the ongoing Jones Library building project.
Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions and get to know each other at Cuppa Joe.
Shays’ Rebellion talk
The last chapter of the American Revolution, as some have called Shays’ Rebellion, will be the focus of the next Amherst Historical Society talk March 13 at noon at the Bangs Community Center.
Tom Goldscheider, who is on the board of the David Ruggles Center in Florence, will be leading the presentation.
Meetings
MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
TUESDAY: Regional School Committee budget public hearing, 6:30 p.m., high school library.
WEDNESDAY: Joint Capital Planning Committee, 5 p.m.