It’s Monday, and we’re back with our weekly outlook to the public meetings, activities and events for the upcoming week.

Town Council Meeting & Public Forum on Appropriations Outside the Annual Budget — Monday 

The Town Council and Finance Committee will hold a brief public forum on five proposed Council Orders appropriating funds from the General Stabilization Fund, Free Cash, and Opioid Settlement revenues for capital stabilization, reparations, road and sidewalk repairs, track and field maintenance, and opioid settlement funds. Following the public forum, the Town Council will discuss and vote on these appropriations. Monday, 6:30–6:45 PM Public Forum; 6:45-10:30 PM Meeting, Town Hall. MORE

Commemoration of Tibetan Uprising Flag Raising & March – Tuesday

Join members of the Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts and Amherst Town Council to commemorate the 67th Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising and Tibetan Women’s Uprising.

This event is an expression of solidarity for the Tibetan Peoples in exile across the world. The event includes the raising of the Tibetan flag, the reading of a proclamation by the Town Council, songs of protest and remembrance, speeches by community leaders, and a march from Amherst to Northampton along Route 9 and concluding in Easthampton. Tuesday, 9:00-10:00 AM in front of Town Hall. MORE

Commission on Persons with Disabilities — Tuesday

The commission will discuss the Worcester restaurant accessibility guide, updates on the Monson Library and Bangs Community Center, transportation and parking, introduction of a Town Council liaison, downtown design standards, a disability story time collaboration, a public informational video on snow removal, and approval of minutes. Tuesday, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, online meeting. MORE

Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee — Tuesday 

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Town Council’s GOL Committee will interview candidates and develop a recommendation to fill a vacant, non-voting seat on the Finance Committee. Tuesday, 6:30–8:30 PM, online meeting. MORE

Best Picture ‘76: Nashville – Tuesday

Head to Amherst Cinema on Tuesday for the next screening in its series Best Picture ‘76. Marking the midpoint of a legendary decade in moviemaking, the 48th Academy Awards®, held in March 1976, featured a Best Picture lineup of what would become five enduring classics.

With the New Hollywood movement in full swing, the teams behind these films took bold creative swings. No stories seemed off limits, from a sprawling, novelistic survey of America (Nashville) to a claustrophobic look inside a psychiatric hospital (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest). They pushed the boundaries of craft, be it through shooting primarily by candlelight (Barry Lyndon) or improvising full scenes of dialogue (Dog Day Afternoon). Even Jaws, the biggest blockbuster of the year, was forged in a crucible of ingenuity, when failed special effects necessitated a pivot towards creative tension-building. See Nashville on Tuesday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Regional School Committee & School Choice Hearing – Tuesday

The Regional SC will host a hearing on School Choice at its meeting on Tuesday. The committee also will review updates from the superintendent on the implementation of policies about bullying prevention and protection of undocumented students. Tuesday, 7:30 PM in the library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE

Valley Green Energy Working Group — Wednesday 

The group will vote on minutes from the October 2025 and February 2026 meetings, take public comment, and receive updates from Mass Power Choice, Valley Green Energy, and the Local Energy Advisor, then set the next meeting agenda. Wednesday, 1:00–2:30 PM, online meeting. MORE

Joint Capital Planning Committee — Wednesday 

On Wednesday, the JCPC will continue its review of municipal requests for the FY27 capital budget, discussing school information technology, school facilities and transportation, town information technology, recreation, and other departments as needed, then take public comment. Wednesday, 4:00–6:00 PM, online meeting. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will review and vote on February minutes, discuss the draft Amherst Clean Energy Bylaw, plan the 2026 Sustainability Festival, and address education and outreach topics including PACE, heat pumps, and an education series, as well as advisory topics including the UMass climate plan, a draft solar bylaw, transportation, regional and state policy updates, and the Climate Bank. Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, online meeting. MORE

Amherst Downtown Design Standards Presentation & Open House – Wednesday

The Town of Amherst invites the community to attend a presentation and open house focused on the Amherst Downtown Design Standards, which are guidelines that will shape the future of downtown. After nearly two years of community input, deep discussion by a dedicated working group, and the support of consultants from Dodson & Flinker, the Town is excited to present the Amherst Downtown Design Standards.

The event will feature a comprehensive presentation on the three volumes of the Downtown Design Standards which cover the context/vision for downtown, standards for private developments, and standards for public improvements. After the presentation, the event will transition to an open house where attendees have the opportunity to provide feedback on each volume by engaging directly with project consultants and Town staff. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Wednesday, 6:00-8:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 N. Pleasant St. MORE

Community Safety and Social Justice Committee — Wednesday 

The CSSJ committee will review announcements, hear member reports, take public comment, receive CRESS and DEI updates, discuss ICE updates and a sanctuary city bylaw, review Youth Empowerment Center funds and location, and plan a retreat. Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 PM, online meeting. MORE

Conservation Commission — Wednesday 

The commission will hear a chair’s report, director’s report, and drought status update, review land use updates, discuss the Conservation Land Management Policy and Regulations Final Draft, and address compliance updates and monitoring reports. Wednesday, 7:00–10:00 PM, online meeting. MORE

Talking Tech: How Tech is Supercharging ICE – Thursday

Facial recognition, AI, and data analysis are powerful tools that are being used by ICE to target both immigrants and protestors. Join UMass faculty Francine Berman and Laura Haas for an exploration of how these technologies are enabling ICE and how we might contain them. The session will start with a short presentation on the technology, followed by discussion and Q&A. Thursday, 6:00-7:00 PM at UMass Downtown. MORE

Cuppa Joe with Paul and Library Director Sharon Sharry – Friday

The Town of Amherst invites community members to join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Library Director Sharon Sharry on Friday. During this event, Sharon can share updates and answer questions about service numbers, library programming, and the Jones Library Building Project. Friday, 8:00-9:30 AM at Amherst Coffee. MORE

Regional School Committee & Four Towns — Saturday 

The Town Council and Finance Committee will meet jointly with officials from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury to discuss the draft FY27 Regional School Budget; no public comment will be taken. Saturday, 9:00–11:00 AM, Amherst Regional Middle School Library, 170 Chestnut Street. MORE