AMHERST — The loss of 140 future affordable apartments, after a Boston developer informed the town it would be putting a hold on the 246 Montague Road development, is eliciting strong feelings from residents.
Several residents used the public comment period at Town Council’s meeting Monday to express concern about housing availability in Amherst.
Describing a situation in which many international college students are paying $800 a month to sleep on a living room couch, Luz Rapaport, a University of Massachusetts graduate student, called on Amherst officials to work with UMass to confront predatory landlords.
“Most of my classmates live in Springfield or Connecticut and have to commute for about two hours to attend our classes,” Rapaport said. “The reality is that living in Amherst is a privilege.”
Evan Naismith, of District 5, said he has researched progressive housing solutions and that renters are increasingly cost burdened, and poverty is going up. He referenced the Land Court lawsuit that derailed the development proposal from Beacon.
“Councilors, Amherst is desperate for moral leadership on this issue, to take a stand for civil discourse,” Naismith said.
“Housing policy should not be a plaything for wealthy homeowners to pick and choose their neighbors, rather housing is the bedrock of the social safety net,” Naismith said. “Use the mechanisms of municipal government to make it plentiful and equitable.”
“Amherst has a housing affordability problem. Period,” said Jason Dorney, a District 2 resident.
The town needs to acnkowledge that only Amherst can only control its destiny, not UMass.
“Denying that we have a housing affordability problem is just burying our heads in the sand and wishing for someone to come in and save us,” Dorney said.
Jerah Smith, who serves on the Planning Board, said the death of the proposal for affordable homes for seniors and working families is a “moral outrage” that was caused by the preemptive lawsuit.
“It didn’t need to happen, but nobody, including myself, stood up for our future neighbors, when six members of the community closed the door to them,” Smith said.
Vincent O’Connor of Summer Street criticized UMass for what he described as “profoundly hostile acts” to expand enrollment and only build expensive on-campus housing.
“Amherst has a UMass housing problem, not a housing problem per se,” O’Connor said.
Connie Kruger tribute
A member of the town’s last Select Board who died last week, Connie Kruger was honored at the Town Council meeting.
“Connie Kruger was a force for good in Amherst. She served Amherst for decades,” said Council President Mandi Jo Hanneke, calling Kruger a dedicated member of Amherst’s municipal government community.
Kruger’s service also included being a town planner and serving on the Amherst Housing Authority, Board of Assessors, Housing and Sheltering Committee, Town Meeting and Planning Board.
“She was a tireless advocate for addressing Amherst’s housing affordability challenges, building affordable housing and planning for Amherst’s future development,” Hanneke said.
Hanneke, who said the town benefited greatly from Kruger’s love for Amherst, also noted that Kruger and her wife, Susan Tracy, were among the first same-sex couples to be married in Amherst.
Plant sale
The Garden Club of Amherst is holding its annual plant sale Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., under the tent on the Town Common.
The sale will feature hundreds of perennials, shrubs and small trees, including woodland and native plants as well as plants for both shade and sun, all donated by local gardeners.
Proceeds will help support town beautification projects, an annual University of Massachusetts scholarship and contributions to local conservation and education organizations.
Memorial Day
A procession and ceremony to honor and remember those who have died in service to the United States takes place on Memorial Day Monday.
The procession starts at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Spring Street and Boltwood Avenue, traveling up South Pleasant Street, turning right onto Triangle Street and finishing at the War Memorial Pool.
At the ceremony, there will be guest speakers and a special performance by the Amherst Chorale.
Youth Hero Awards
The Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the 2026 Human Rights Youth Hero Awards, recognizing Amherst youth who demonstrate kindness, selflessness, social courage and community service within their families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Nominations can be submitted online at amherstma.gov/youth-hero-awards through Tuesday.
“The Amherst Human Rights Commission is hosting its 22nd Annual Youth Hero Awards,
celebrating the acts of kindness and compassion demonstrated by young people in our
community, no matter the size of their impact,” said
Philip Avila, assistant director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said this will be the 22nd annual ceremony.
“We invite you to help the commission recognize these outstanding youth by submitting a nomination for this award,” Avila said.
The awards will be presented at the Race Amity Day and Youth Hero Awards Celebration at Mill River Recreation Area June 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meetings
TUESDAY: Finance Committee, 1 p.m.
THURSDAY: Finance Committee, 1 p.m.; Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.
