Category Archives: Economic Development
New Year’s Resolutions for Amherst
Okay gang, it’s time to come out of that christmakwanzukahnewyear stupor. The gifts have been opened, the champagne popped. You’ve dragged yourself away from the hearth and you’re back to the grindstone. That’s right, it’s a whole new year! We’re … Continue reading
Economic Development: Let’s get specific
There has been a lot of hopeful talk lately about economic development. And recently, Town Meeting voted to encourage sensible, Amherst-friendly, revenue-generating activity in some areas of town. We congratulate Town Manager Larry Shaffer, Select Board Chairman Gerry Weiss, Senior … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Master Plan
Zoning changes could ease tax burden
Fall Town Meeting is coming, and on the warrant are four common-sense, smart-growth zoning articles designed to help stimulate our local economy. Our town manager, Larry Shaffer, has been working with the Planning Department, Planning Board and scores of citizens … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Finances, Master Plan
Our Strength is also Our Weakness
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. We’re hoping this one is worth at least 800 (our monthly column quota). This map shows the amount of Amherst land that is tax-exempt and/or protected from development. The tax-exempt and protected … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Master Plan
Master Plan Raises Good Ideas
Well, it’s the dog days of summer, and everyone’s resting and recharging. Or is it reloading, as one town observer put it? Anyway, it’s that special, quiet time of year in Amherst. If you’re looking for some summer reading and … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Master Plan
Mr. & Mrs. Amherst Make a Family Budget
A $68 million budget, 852 employees across over 100 departments, and 35,000 residents (12,000 or so living in dorms). The complexities of Amherst’s budget can reduce the average Town Meeting member to tears on any given night – and there … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Finances
Business as usual, or plan for change?
Overrides tend to be highly charged and emotional. “No more overrides!” shout the opponents, yet we’ve only passed one override since 1994. “Focus on core functions!” they say, while our school and town managers waste six months a year wrestling … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Finances, Schools
Amherst’s Own ‘Inconvenient Truth’
From the tables at Rao’s to the counter at Kelly’s to the blazing online email lists, suddenly everyone’s a critic. There’s a drama being played out regarding Amherst’s budget crisis. The question is, what kind of drama are we in? … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Elections, Finances, Quality of Life
Who Will Lead on Economic Development?
Amherst Center is a monthly column that seeks to portray local issues from a centrist perspective. It is written by Town Meeting members Baer Tierkel and Clare Bertrand and School Committee member Andy Churchill. Those of us in the Amherst … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development
Great Ideas Emerge From the Master Planning Sessions
Well over 400 of our neighbors gathered this past week in small groups, taking time out together, sitting on folding chairs, intently focused on each other. No, it wasn’t a town-wide group-therapy session. It was the master plan idea-gathering sessions. … Continue reading
Filed under Economic Development, Master Plan
