On Monday, August 25th, I attended the birthday celebration for Gertrude Abrams at the beautiful Arbors on University Drive. Mrs. Abrams is 101 years old. She is also the oldest citizen in Amherst and, for that remarkable feat, was awarded the traditional Boston Post Cane. I was moved by her grace and serenity. Nancy Pagano, Senior Center Director and Barbara Sutherland, Chair of the Council on Aging, both incredible advocates for senior citizens, also attended the celebration.
On Tuesday, I attended the reception to welcome international students attending the various local educational institutions of higher education. It was great to witness the fantastic energy and excitement that the international students bring to our community. They make Amherst a richer place to live. Gerry Weiss, Chair of the Select Board and I formally greeted the international students on behalf of the Town of Amherst.
On Wednesday, I attended the opening session for teachers at the Amherst Regional High School. I was very impressed with the presentation by Alton Sprague and Helen Vivian, the Interim Co-Superintendents. Both possess a unique combination of experience and practicality. Their quiet confidence and steady hand will serve the school district well. I was very impressed with our teachers. Their commitment to quality public education was in evidence throughout the morning. Select Board members Stephanie O'Keeffe and Alisa Brewer were also in attendance.
Daily, I am reminded of the greatness of our community.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lord Jeffery Inn and New England Environmental Projects
The recent approval of the Lord Jeffery Inn expansion and restoration project by the Planning Board represents the culmination of a significant amount of work by the Planning Board, the Planning staff, Select Board and Town Meeting. The most important catalyst was the change in zoning proposed by staff, polished and approved by the Planning Board and Select Board and adopted by Town Meeting. I deeply appreciate this effort and look forward to the community enjoying the benefit of an expanded Lord Jeffery Inn. I must also acknowledge the vision of the Amherst College Board of Trustees and President Tony Marx. The Lord Jeffery Inn project will cost twenty million ($20,000,000.00) dollars. I appreciate the confidence that this investment demonstrates in downtown Amherst. The Lord Jeffery Inn project includes restoration of existing rooms, the addition of rooms, dramatic improvements to the restaurant and the creation of conference and banquet facilities.
New England Environmental has been approved for the construction of two environmentally sensitive buildings. That project would not have been proposed if the zoning changes that were proposed by staff, revised and recommended by the Planning Board and Select Board and finally adopted by Town Meeting were not enacted. The creation of new commercial space to support New England Environmental is exactly consistent with my vision of appropriate economic development for Amherst.
I wish Amherst College and New England Environmental the best as they move forward with these important projects.
Larry Shaffer, Town Manager
New England Environmental has been approved for the construction of two environmentally sensitive buildings. That project would not have been proposed if the zoning changes that were proposed by staff, revised and recommended by the Planning Board and Select Board and finally adopted by Town Meeting were not enacted. The creation of new commercial space to support New England Environmental is exactly consistent with my vision of appropriate economic development for Amherst.
I wish Amherst College and New England Environmental the best as they move forward with these important projects.
Larry Shaffer, Town Manager
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
THE BEST WEB SITE EVER
Okay, so the title is a little over the top but I am very pleased with the new Town of Amherst web site, www.amherstma.gov. You will soon see the features that provide significant improvements to the previous web site effort. Many thanks to the Town of Amherst IT team for this significant achievement. Let me review some of the remarkable new features of the new web site. First, and in my the opinion the most important, the site provides the opportunity for individuals to subscribe for notice when certain postings to the new web site are made. If you are interested in minutes from a particular board then you will receive notice of the minute posting by e-mail upon the posting of said minutes to the new web site. Second, the site search capabilities have been dramatically enhanced to ease the ability to locate information. Third, the the new web site affords, for the visually impaired, capabilities to make their viewing easier. Although the new web site is not perfect, with your suggestions and input we can move towards improving it. Let me know your thoughts.
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