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.

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Monday-Friday

Catch ARHS varsity athletes in action at home this week!  Boys Tennis vs. Ludlow, Tuesday at 4:00 PM. Girls Lacrosse vs. South Hadley, Tuesday at 4:45 PM. Girls Tennis vs. Longmeadow, Wednesday at 4:15 PM. Boys Baseball vs. Chicopee Comp, Wednesday at 4:30 PM, and vs. Ludlow, Thursday at 5:00 PM. Boys Ultimate Frisbee vs. Northampton, Wednesday at 4:30 PM. Boys Lacrosse vs. South Hadley, Friday at 4:15 PM. MORE

Special Town Council and Finance Committee Meeting — Monday

The council will hold a public forum on supplemental budget appropriations, covering the FY2027 Community Preservation Act budget and a borrowing order for construction of the War Memorial Bathhouse. Monday, 6:30–7:00 PM, Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE

Town Council — Monday

The council will take action on a regional school district borrowing order, a University Drive amendment of restriction, a water and sewer revenue information request, a plan for relocating DPW employees, the DPW Building Committee charge, and continued discussion of Charter Review Committee recommendations, plus appointments and committee reports. Monday, 6:45–10:30 PM, Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE

Cherry Hill Working Group — Monday

The group will receive an update from the Recreation Director, review the Working Group’s timeline and reports, hear an update on the Friends of Cherry Hill Group, and discuss Cherry Hill’s recreational role and community benefit. Monday, 7:00–9:00 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Finance Committee — Tuesday

The committee will discuss and vote on Community Preservation Act (CPA) financial orders related to the FY2027 CPA budget and the War Memorial Bathhouse borrowing authorization, review the budget calendar for May including proposed department meeting schedules, and discuss a potential April 21 agenda covering regional capital debt and revenue options. Tuesday, 1:00–3:00 PM, Zoom only. MORE

ARPS Elementary Music Fundraiser – Tuesday

Head to the Drake on Tuesday for a musical event to support the music program in Amherst elementary schools, with Yasu and Friends, featuring ARPS Elementary Band, HS String Players, and Trio Con Brio. Trio Con Brio is an acoustic Latin jazz group featuring Juan Araneda (guitar), Yasu Suzuki (bass), and Nick Shaw (percussion). Blending influences from across the Americas and beyond, their music weaves Brazilian, Caribbean, and Andalusian sounds into a vibrant, improvisation-driven take on classic jazz. Tuesday, 7:00 PM at The Drake. MORE

Valley Green Energy Working Group — Wednesday

The group will review and vote on minutes from three prior meetings, hear updates from Mass Power Choice, and receive Valley Green Energy and LEA updates. Wednesday, 1:00–2:30 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Council on Aging — Wednesday

The council will receive Senior Center updates, recap the Senior Sip event, discuss newsletter and survey progress, and take up new business including the 4th of July celebration, a community survey, and long-term Age & Dementia Friendly Community planning. Wednesday, 1:30–3:00 PM, Town Hall. MORE

Department of Public Works Building Committee — Wednesday

The committee will approve minutes from four prior meetings, review a draft Request for Qualifications for a building designer, and discuss swing space options for DPW employees. Wednesday, 2:00–3:30 PM, Town Hall. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday

The committee will prepare questions for a meeting with State Representative Mindy Domb, receive an education series presentation on residential solar in Massachusetts, and discuss the Sustainability Festival, heat pumps, PACE financing, a draft solar bylaw, transportation, and regional climate policy updates including the Climate Bank. Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Overview of Residential Solar in MA – Wednesday

Join the Amherst Energy and Climate Action Committee for this session of their 2026 Education Series. Daniel Berry, Co-Owner and Residential Design & Sales Specialist at PV Squared, will talk about rooftop solar in the new era of no federal tax credits. Have you considered solar on your roof? Concerned about how much it will cost, how much it might save, and how to finance it? Come with your questions and get answers! Wednesday, 6:00-7:00 PM on Zoom. MORE

Community Safety & Social Justice Committee — Wednesday

The committee will receive CRESS and DEI updates, hear an update from the Town Council Government, Organization, & Legislation committee about a proposed resident oversight board for the police department, discuss ICE-related sanctuary city bylaw developments, address funds and location for a proposed Youth Empowerment Center, and plan a retreat. Wednesday, 6:30–9:30 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Planning Board — Wednesday

The board will review and discuss Downtown Design Standards, the Clean Energy Bylaw, and will discuss and possibly vote on a recommendation to the Town Council about the proposed East Amherst Local Historic District. The board also will discuss potential zoning amendments to allow housing in the Professional and Research Park district. Wednesday, 6:30–9:00 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Amherst Conservation Commission — Wednesday

The commission will hold hearings on three Notices of Intent — involving a proposed single-family home at 750 West Street, an accessory dwelling unit at 407 Old Farm Road, and a mixed-use structure at 126–148 South East Street — and will discuss a final draft of the Conservation Land Management Policy including mowing, hunting, and beaver emergency guidelines. Wednesday, 7:00–10:00 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Zoning Board of Appeals — Thursday

The board will hold a continued public hearing on a special permit application for 113 Cowls Road, where the applicant seeks to open an arcade with a bar in the space formerly occupied by Atkins Farms Country Market North. Thursday, 6:00–9:00 PM, Zoom only. MORE

Bellwether Film Series: Powwow People – Thursday

Powwow People is a vérité-style documentary grounded in the rhythms, relationships, and lived experience of a contemporary Native gathering. Rather than entering as outside observers, the filmmakers organized the powwow itself, inviting dancers, singers, vendors, and community members to participate in the making of this film. Filmmaker Sky Hopinka joins us for a post-film discussion. Thursday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Global Village Festival – Saturday

Join the Town of Amherst for the 2nd Annual Amherst Global Village Festival on Saturday. This free and family friendly event is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and promoting inclusivity within the community. The festival will feature a vibrant array of activities, including food trucks offering cuisine from various cultures, live performances showcasing traditional music and dance, local vendors representing diverse crafts and products. Saturday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM at Amherst Regional High School. MORE

Amherst Lit Walk – Saturday

Join us for a stroll through Downtown Amherst and a day of free events celebrating all things literary! The Massachusetts Center for the Book and the Amherst Business Improvement District are partnering with downtown businesses and organizations to provide a day of author readings, poetry, local history, giveaways, and more, in celebration of Amherst’s rich literary community.

Pick up a map at participating locations. All events are free to attend (though donations/purchases are welcome). Collect at least 4 stickers at events throughout the day, and hand in your completed map to any MCB staff to be entered into a raffle to win some bookish goodies! Saturday, 11:00 AM-7:30 PM at locations throughout Amherst downtown. MORE