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.

Local Historic District Commission Public Meeting — Monday

The commission will discuss revisions to the proposed East Amherst Local Historic District. Monday, 3:00–4:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Jones Library Building Committee — Monday

The committee will receive construction and schedule updates and vote to approve invoices from NV5, Slobody Development Corp, FAA (two invoices), Fontaine, and Colliers, and will discuss the donor wall. Monday, 5:00–6:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Special Meeting of the Town Council, Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, and Human Rights Commission — Monday 

The committees will meet jointly for the Town Manager to answer questions and provide more detail on the statements and action items included in the Executive Order issued by the Town Manager’s office on March 3, 2026 as it relates to the interaction between town staff and federal immigration agents. Monday, 7:30–10:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, and via Zoom. MORE

Cinema Seminar: Jurassic Park at the Dawn of Digital Cinema – Monday

When Jurassic Park premiered in 1993, it epitomized a film industry in transition, straddling the old ways of celluloid filmmaking and practical effects and the new ways of computer-generated images and other digital innovations.

Spielberg’s blockbuster film encapsulates that moment of cinematic evolution, as Jen Malkowski will illuminate, by negotiating tensions of old and new on multiple levels: in its blending of practical and digital special effects, its story of ancient lifeforms resurrected by cutting-edge science, and its surprising thematic anxieties about technological progress.

Jen Malkowski, Associate Professor of Film and Media Studies at Smith College, presents a Cinema Seminar before the film. Monday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Commission for Persons with Disabilities — Tuesday 

The commission will discuss mandatory masks at the library Disability Pride event, a MA Office on Disability (MOD) Municipal ADA Improvement grant for Munson Library and stairlift update, the status of bathrooms at the Mill River Recreation Area, and completion of accessible trails at Hickory Ridge, and will take up new business including Downtown Design feedback, a MOD grant application for 2026 and 2027, and final plans for Pride Month honorariums. Tuesday, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Public Shade Tree Committee — Tuesday 

The committee will discuss Second Saturdays, the 250th anniversary tree planting, and the Committee’s 50th anniversary. In 2027, the committee will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Amherst’s designation as a Tree City USA (which began in 1977), as well as 50 years of the committee’s work in protecting and managing the town’s public trees. It also will follow up on the Significant Tree Ordinance, food forest, tree tags, wood bank donations, state-level initiatives, the Merry Maple table, and the Adopt a Tree program. Tuesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee — Tuesday 

The Town Council’s GOL Committee will consider a resolution in support of a state ballot question that would establish rent control in all Massachusetts municipalities, approve proclamations for Banned Books Week and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and discuss the Resident Oversight Board, Charter Review Committee beyond-the-charter recommendations, and Town Council Rules of Procedure including president and vice president term limits and remote/hybrid meeting policies. Tuesday, 6:30–8:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Regional School Committee — Tuesday

The committee will reorganize, assign subcommittees, consider a request for approval of an adjustment to professional leave, review student handbooks, discuss School Committee goals and objectives for the 26-27 school year, and receive the School Equity Advisory Committee annual report. Tuesday, 6:30 PM, in person at the Library at Amherst Regional High School and on Amherst Media. MORE

Historical Commission — Tuesday 

The commission will consider an alternative proposal for 27–29 Phillips Street to lift the demolition delay, hear a presentation on the Wildwood Cemetery Poet’s Memorial, discuss West Cemetery signs, approve the final property list for the Mid-Century Architecture survey, and review St. Brigid’s Church under Section 106. Tuesday, 7:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Council on Aging — Wednesday 

The council will hear Senior Center updates, recap Senior Sips and discuss plans for its future, review preparations for the Fourth of July celebration, and receive newsletter and survey updates, and will take up new business including an Age and Dementia Friendly Community certificate and focus areas. Wednesday, 1:30–3:00 PM, in person at Town Hall and via Zoom. MORE

Department of Public Works Building Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will review the RFQ process, shortlist designer candidates, and discuss the interview process for RFQ finalists. Wednesday, 2:00–6:30 PM, in person at the Amherst Police Department Community Room. MORE

Superintendency Union 26 Committee and Regional School Committee Joint Meeting — Wednesday 

The committees will consider entering into executive session to discuss strategy related to contract negotiations with Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman. Wednesday, 6:00–6:30 PM, in person in the library at the high school. MORE

Cable Television Advisory Committee Public Hearing — Wednesday 

The community is invited to participate in a public hearing on the Town’s cable license agreement. 

Every 10 years, the Town conducts a comprehensive review and renewal of its cable license to ensure community needs are met and service standards maintained. Currently, Comcast is the sole provider holding a franchise agreement to provide cable services within the Town of Amherst. The Cable Television Advisory Committee (CTAC) is formed to support and facilitate this renewal process. The Committee will advise the Town Manager on the cable operator’s performance under the current license and assist in gathering public input about the community’s future cable-related needs and interests. Wednesday, 6:30–7:30 PM, in person at Town Hall and via Zoom. MORE

Community Resources Committee of the Town Council — Thursday 

The committee will interview seven candidates for two 3-year full member positions and up to four 1-year associate positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals — Francisco Botto, Hilda Greenbaum, Everald Henry, Sarah Morton, Blair Nahm, Evan Naismith, and Philip White — and discuss the pool. Thursday, 1:00–3:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

The Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees — Thursday 

The board will receive committee reports covering the building project and donor wall, buildings and grounds, library art and donor recognition, the Annual Fund and Capital Campaign, a JEDI report, and the FY25 audit and FY26–27 budgets, as well as a Friends report and Director’s report. Thursday, 4:00–6:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Beyond the Silence: Dialogue on Domestic Violence, Safety and Support – Thursday

Join the Town of Amherst for this session of our Community Wellness and Resiliency Conversation series focusing on topics that have impacted our community. This session will focus on the impacts of domestic violence, facilitated by Amherst Police Sergeant Janet M. Griffin, MCJ, MS CMHC. Thursday, 5:30-7:00 PM in the Bangs Community Center. MORE

Community Preservation Act Committee — Thursday 

The committee will hold a public hearing on, deliberate, and vote on a revised restoration proposal for Goodwin AME Zion Church, approve May minutes, and discuss CPA practices and processes. Thursday, 6:00–8:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Zoning Board of Appeals — Thursday 

The board will hold a public hearing on a special permit request at 174 Amity Street to create a three-unit townhouse from an existing two-family home in conjunction with an affordable duplex on the same lot, under Sections 3.322 and 3.01 of the Zoning Bylaw. Thursday, 6:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Cuppa’ Joe with Paul and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pamela Nolan Young – Friday

Join the Town for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pamela Nolan Young. All community members are welcome to join this informal event to connect with some of our town leaders. Friday, 8:00-9:30 AM at West Street Coffee & Tea. MORE

Annual Pancake Breakfast for Puffer’s Pond – Saturday

Join the Friends of Puffer’s Pond for their annual Pancake Breakfast to raise funds that will help care for this special place we all love.

All you can eat pancakes and coffee! Multigrain pancakes will be made with ingredients by local farms. There will also be gluten free pancakes and local sausages available. And, as usual, we will have real maple syrup, live music, fabulous raffle prizes, and tons of community spirit! Saturday, 8:30-11:00 AM at Mill River Recreation Area. MORE

Youth Hero Awards & Race Amity Day Celebration – Sunday

The Human Rights Commission will be hosting the annual Youth Hero Awards in conjunction with Race Amity Day. All members of the community are invited to celebrate the day promoting understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of different races and cultures. The event will feature a proclamation from Town Council, performances from local groups, and the recognition of this year’s Youth Heroes. Lunch will also be provided to all attendees. Sunday, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM at Mill River Recreation Area. MORE

Ancestral Bridges 6th Annual Juneteenth Legacy Celebration: A Homecoming – Sunday

Join Ancestral Bridges as we honor the Black and Afro-Indigenous soldiers from Amherst who served in the Massachusetts 54th Regiment and 5th Cavalry during the Civil War. This Juneteenth, we remember and celebrate them together.

Come with us as we move from an invigorating remembrance at West Cemetery to a homecoming celebration at Ancestral Bridges, featuring Avery Sharpe with a Juneteenth jazz set in tribute to Gil Roberts and Dr. Fred Tillis.  This year, we welcome Pam Tillis, who will share memories of her father, Amherst musician and Ancestral Bridges icon Gil Roberts, and guide us on a journey across time and geography — from UMass to Amherst College to backyard improv sessions in Amherst, Massachusetts to Reedy Chapel in Galveston, Texas, where the 5th Cavalry stood in 1865. Sunday, 12:00-3:00 PM at West Cemetery and Ancestral Bridges (29A Cottage Street). MORE

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Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com. We publish the Amherst Week Ahead on Mondays; events that are submitted by Friday at midnight will be considered for the following Monday’s post. If your event is on a weekend, please submit it at least 10 days before the event.