It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural and recreational events that caught our eye.

Recreation Commission – Monday

The Recreation Commission meets on Monday to discuss the formation of the Cherry Hill Working Group, an ad hoc town committee that will advise the Town Manager on the long-term viability and management of Cherry Hill Golf Course. Two of the Working Group members will be members of the Recreation Commission, appointed by the Commission, and three will be Amherst residents appointed by the Town Manager. (Submit an application by September 2nd to be considered.) The Commission also will review the Independence Day 2025 event and discuss planning for Community Preservation Act funding. Monday, 6:00-8:00pm on Zoom. MORE

Town Council – Monday

At its meeting on Monday, the Town Council will review and potentially refer to the Finance Committee a proposed authorization for borrowing to fund a study of the Town’s wastewater facilities system. Much of the wastewater and sewer system is aging and the proposed comprehensive analysis and study would develop a multi-year master plan and budget for addressing the needs of the wastewater and sewer system.

The Council also will receive an overview presentation about the recently developed Housing Production Plan, a guide for housing production in Amherst, with an emphasis on homes affordable to people of moderate income or less. And, the Council will consider resolutions to commemorate St. Brigids church 100th anniversary and to support the U.S. constitution and democracy. Monday, 6:30-10:30 pm in Town Hall and on Amherst Media and Zoom. MORE

Finance Committee – Tuesday

The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the proposed borrowing authorization to fund a study of the Town’s wastewater and sewer system. Tuesday, 2:00-4:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Open Mic Night at The Drake – Tuesday

Head to The Drake on Tuesday for open mic night with Tank Hood as host and MC. Tank Hood plays mostly acoustic originals & American roots music. His originals are influenced by his deep appreciation of roots music, and he enjoys adding some modern/bent variations to standard folk structures. Doors open at 5:30 pm for sign-ups; music begins at 6:00 pm. MORE

Amherst School Committee – Tuesday

The Amherst (elementary) School Committee meets on Tuesday to review an update on the planning for restructuring K-6 schools. When the new elementary school building opens in Fall 2026, Amherst 6th graders will move to an Amherst 6th grade “academy” in the Regional middle school building and the Wildwood and Fort River schools will close. Because the new school building will accommodate 575 students, which is fewer than the combined student population at Wildwood and Fort River, new enrollment zones are needed.

The SC also will consider suspending its policy about adopting new policies so that it can hold an emergency vote on a proposed new policy about identity-affirming school culture. The proposed policy mandates new annual district-wide staff training, twice-yearly collection and reporting on student and staff climate data, and outlines staff accountability measures around investigation of policy violations and discipline. Tuesday, 5:30 pm on Amherst Media and Google Meet. MORE

Planning Board Public Hearings & Meeting – Wednesday

The Planning Board hosts public hearings on Wednesday about the proposed mixed-use residential development in South Amherst at Atkins Corner, an amendment to zoning bylaw about fees-in-lieu of affordable housing construction, and a replacement of the existing amendment about accessory dwelling units. Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Downtown Road Construction & Free Parking – All Week

The Town continues work this week on a major reconstruction of the main downtown intersection. The intersection will remain open to traffic while crews place the first coat of asphalt, with some temporary detours in place throughout the day. The Town and the Amherst Business Improvement District announced that there is free 2-hour parking in the lot behind CVS through Labor Day (September 1) to help mitigate the impacts of the construction work. MORE

Amherst Artisans Market – Thursday

Head downtown on Thursday for the weekly Artisans Market. The market showcases local artists, crafters, and food vendors offering handmade artwork, jewelry, pottery, and more. Thursday, 3:00-7:00 pm in front of Town Hall. MORE

Sunset Thursdays at the Carle – Thursday

On Thursday, the Eric Carle Museum continues its Sunset Thursdays with evening exhibition hours and live music. Enjoy drinks, order picnics to-go from area restaurants, or bring your own food. Feel free to bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. This Thursday, enjoy the music of the Wolf Pit Collective. See the full schedule. Thursday, 5:00-8:00 pm at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. MORE

Akira Kurosawa: A Retrospective – Friday & Saturday

All this month, Amherst Cinema is showcasing films from legendary director Akira Kurosawa, all presented in new 4K restorations never before available in North America. This week, see Ikuru. One of the greatest achievements by Akira Kurosawa, showcasing the director at his most compassionate, the film is about aging bureaucrat Kanji Watanabe, beautifully portrayed by Takashi Shimura, whose stomach cancer impells him to find meaning in his final days. Multiple showtimes on Friday and Saturday. MORE

Nomination Papers Available – Now through September 16

Nomination papers for all town elected positions are now available at the Town Clerk’s office for the upcoming Amherst Town Election. Nomination papers will remain available through the deadline of 5:00 pm on Tuesday, September 16. Learn more about the elected positions and who’s running on our 2025 Election Central!

Coming in September: Auditions for Amherst Community Theater’s Production of The Wizard of Oz

Amherst Community Theater is holding auditions September 12-14 for its January presentation of The Wizard of Oz. This multigenerational production features singing, dancing and acting for the whole cast! In addition to the traditional characters, there will be many featured roles for all ages in both Munchkinland and Oz: Harmonic Trees, Dancing Crows, Performing Poppies and more. You might even land a role as a flying monkey! Tappers are encouraged to come and share their skills. Children age 7 (and having entered grade 2) through adults are encouraged to audition. Auditions by appointment only, September 12-14 at Amherst Regional Middle School. To schedule an audition and find out more, go to the ACT website.

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Want more? We’ve gathered the event and program calendars from the many organizations and committees in Amherst onto Community Calendars. Check it out to find even more upcoming events.

Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com.