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.

Town Council – Monday

At its meeting on Monday, the Town Council will hear the annual State of the Town address from Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Town Council President Lynn Griesemer. The annual reports of the School Committee, Library Trustees, and other boards also will be published. 

Later, the Council will discuss and consider taking action on proposed zoning map changes related to three parcels on Main St., the Housing Production Plan (which was approved by the Planning Board in June), the 2025 Town Manager evaluation, the 2026 Town Manager goals, and the financial guidelines for FY27 budget development. Monday, 6:30-10:30 pm in Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE

Finance Committee – Tuesday

The Finance Committee meets on Tuesday to discuss the financial guidelines for FY27 budget development and revise as needed after the Town Council discussion the previous night (see above). The Committee also will review reports on the 4th quarter of FY25 and the 1st quarter of FY26. Tuesday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

ARHS Jazz Night @ The Drake – Tuesday

Amherst Regional High School Jazz Workshop comes to the Drake! Showcasing a variety of student groups and jazz combos. Tunes will range from American Songbook classics to soul hits and contemporary songs. Open to all! Any donations at the door will benefit the ARHS Jazz program. Tuesday, 7:00 pm at The Drake. MORE

Cultural Council – Tuesday & Wednesday

The Cultural Council meets on Tuesday and Wednesday to continue its discussion of new grant proposals as well as the funding rubric. Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 pm on Zoom, MORE, and Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 pm on Zoom (MORE).

Budget Coordinating Group – Wednesday

The Budget Coordinating Group brings together representatives from the Town Council, the school committees, the Library Board of Trustees, and the Town Manager to coordinate the annual budget development and ensure information is shared among the different bodies. The group meets on Wednesday to review the FY27 outlook prepared by the Town Manager and Finance Director and to discuss, and propose additions or changes to, the draft financial guidelines prepared by the Finance Committee. The Group also will discuss budget considerations from each of the departments—the Town, Library, Elementary Schools, and Regional Schools. Wednesday, 12:00-2:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Planning Board Public Hearings & Meeting – Wednesday

The Planning Board hosts three public hearings on Wednesday before its regular meeting. The first hearing is of a site plan review and special permit request by Archipelago Investments for the proposed 3-building mixed-use development at Gould Way and Lannon Lane. The second hearing is of a preliminary subdivision plan proposed by W. D. Cowls for a property on Shutesbury Rd. The third hearing is of a site plan review for a modification to a previously approved plan by Amherst College for a property at 40 Dickinson St. 

Later, at its regular meeting, the Board will continue its discussions about areas of town for possible housing development or redevelopment as well as a potential zoning overlay for existing apartment complexes. Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Board of Health – Thursday

The Board of Health meets on Thursday to discuss the feedback from the recent public hearing on “Nicotine-Free Generation” regulations and to vote on amending the Town tobacco regulations to adopt these regulations. These proposed regulations would prohibit the sale  of all nicotine products to people born on or after January 2005. Thursday, 5:00-6:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Short Films of Kelly Sears @ Amherst Cinema – Thursday

Hampshire College alum Kelly Sears’ films bridge documentary and speculative fiction, reconfiguring archival and original imagery using experimental animation. See some of her short films on Thursday at Amherst Cinema. Filmmaker Kelly Sears joins us for a post-film discussion. Thursday, 7:00 pm at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Lighting of the Merry Maple – Friday

Head downtown on Friday evening for this annual celebration of the winter holiday season! Downtown is alive with festive activities, including craft-making, open-house at the Fire Station, horse-drawn carriage rides, and caroling and performances from the UMass Treble Choir, the Amherst College Zumbyes, the Amherst Community Theater, and the ARMS Chorus. The celebration culminates with the arrival of Santa and Flakey the Snowfriend via fire truck, accompanied by the UMass Minuteman Marching Band. Friday, 3:00-6:00 pm in downtown and the Common. MORE

Downtown Amherst Greeting Card Days – Friday through Sunday

Send Amherst cheer with a weekend of savings and sweet surprises at participating retailers, featuring special offers and discounts up to twenty percent. Stock up on unique cards, thoughtful gifts, and wrapping essentials while you wander twinkling storefronts and check the most important names off your list. Friday through Sunday throughout downtown Amherst. MORE

Free Parking Saturdays – Saturday

Take your time exploring shops and sampling local flavors across downtown Amherst this holiday season! Catch a show at The Drake or a movie at Amherst Cinema! The Town of Amherst is suspending parking enforcement in all metered spaces and public lots in downtown Amherst on Saturdays through the end of December. Begins this week in time for Small Business Saturday! Saturdays, Nov 29-Dec27. MORE

Save the Date: Charter Review Committee Public Forum on December 16

The 2024 Charter Review Committee recently completed their Initial Report and expects to have its final, preliminary report published by Monday, December 8. The Committee will hold its final Public Forum in hybrid format to hear residents’ input on the Preliminary Report on Tuesday, December 16, at 7:00 pm in the Town Room on the second floor of Town Hall and on zoom. MORE

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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.