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.

Joint Meeting of Town Council, Budget Coordinating Group, Jones Library Trustees, School Committee, and Finance Committee — Monday

The five bodies will meet in a special joint session to discuss the Town’s long-term financial outlook and Fiscal Year 2028 budget projections. The special meeting is being held during the regular Town Council meeting. Monday, 6:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

Town Council — Monday

After the joint budget session, which comes right after announcements, the council will hear a waste hauler update (the Board of Health discusses its role in the waste hauler RFP on Wednesday) and take up Zoning Bylaw Article 19, a petition for a one-year pause on rezoning any part of the Hampshire College campus in Amherst. It will also vote on referring the Four Towns Fiscal Sustainability Group report to the Finance Committee and consider appointment recommendations for the Regional Agreement Review Advisory Committee. General public comment begins no earlier than 8:00 PM. Monday, 6:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Recreation Commission — Monday

The commission will discuss use of the Wildwood school building, recreation-related Community Preservation Act funding, and the Cherry Hill Working Group. Monday, 7:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

State Election — Tuesday

Polling locations are open Tuesday for the State Election. See a sample ballot and read about the 9 ballot questions. Not sure where to vote? Look up your polling location. Tuesday, 7:00 AM–8:00 PM. MORE

Board of Assessors — Tuesday

The board will sign excise abatements and commitments for 2025 and 2026, take up Chapter land matters, and receive a Principal Assessor’s update covering classification hearing results, end-of-year processes, and the return on investment of the RRC. Tuesday, 8:30–10:30 AM, in person at Town Hall, First Floor Meeting Room. MORE

Finance Committee — Tuesday

The committee will hear the Finance Director’s answers to questions from its previous meeting, discuss FY28 budget projections and budget guidelines, and review the First Quarter revenue update. It will also take up the Four Towns Fiscal Sustainability Group report (if the Town Council refers it Monday night), and designate members to the Regional Agreement Review Advisory Committee (if needed) and the Bylaw Review Committee. Tuesday, 1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Amherst School Committee — Tuesday

The committee will review the Superintendent’s SY26-27 goals and post-evaluation plan for the 2025-26 school year, and discuss, with a possible vote, forming a new Communications Working Group, Finance Subcommittee, and EdTech Subcommittee. Tuesday, 6:30–9:00 PM, via Google Meet. MORE

Rainbow Coffee Hour — Wednesday

The monthly coffee hour for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, moved from Tuesday because of Election Day, offers coffee, tea, bagels, and conversation. Free and open to all. Wednesday, 9:30–11:00 AM at Bangs Community Center. MORE

Board of Health — Wednesday

The board will discuss its role in the waste hauler request for proposals (RFP), which the Town Council also takes up Monday, and hear an update on its recent review of tobacco regulations. It will also receive a presentation from John Briggs, Director of the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District, and discuss future plans for the board. The Director’s update will cover the MHOA conference, recent vaccine clinics, the Amherst Community Health Improvement Plan, and tobacco permit renewals. Wednesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees — Wednesday

The board will go into executive session to review and discuss its response to an Open Meeting Law complaint filed against it on October 26, vote on any remedial action if appropriate, and authorize the Town Attorney to submit a response. Wednesday, 5:00–6:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday

The committee will discuss its meeting time, review the draft agenda for its retreat, and hear a presentation on the landlord heat pump initiative. It will also talk through coordination with local groups and the Education Series, and take up the UMass Climate Plan, transportation, and regional and state policy updates. Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

History on the Half Shell — Wednesday

The Amherst Historical Society and Amherst Oyster Bar launch a new monthly lecture series that puts a historical perspective on current events and trends. The first talk features Eric Ross, a PhD candidate in history at UMass Amherst, on “The Atomic Age and the Rise of AI: New Technology, Old Problems.” Tickets are $12 at the door and include a drink, plus 15% off dining after the event. Wednesday, 6:00 PM at Amherst Oyster Bar. MORE

Planning Board — Wednesday

The board will review the Jones Library’s site plan approval conditions, including a sign plan and specifications for amenities such as bike racks, site furniture, and benches. Innes Land Strategies Group will report on its continued work on the East Amherst Zoning Study. The board will also get updates on potential zoning amendments to allow housing in the Professional and Research Park district and on a potential Campus Adjacent Zone, and will hear liaison reports from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Community Preservation Act Committee, and Design Review Board. Wednesday, 6:30–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Keynote Conversation with Presidential Scholar Rhiannon Giddens — Thursday

Amherst College hosts Rhiannon Giddens, a two-time GRAMMY-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and Pulitzer Prize winner, in conversation with Darryl Harper, the college’s John William Ward Professor of Music, and Francesco Turrisi. Giddens’ work centers on recovering the overlooked contributions of Black and Indigenous musicians to American musical history. President Michael Elliott will introduce the conversation, which will be followed by audience Q&A. Open to the public. Thursday, 5:00–6:30 PM at Johnson Chapel, Amherst College. MORE

Community Preservation Act Committee — Thursday

The committee will hear five funding proposal presentations: a restroom at the Plum Brook Recreation Area, public pickleball courts at Groff Park, a new main pool liner at the Mill River Recreation Area, an ADA and improvement plan for the Mill River Recreation Area, and boardwalk permitting and construction at the Larch Hill and Brickyard/Upper Fort River conservation areas. Thursday, 6:00–8:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

UMass Theater Presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — Thursday through Saturday

UMass Theater stages the Tony-winning musical by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin, directed by Gina Kaufmann, about a motley crew of spelling bee competitors whose hilarious and heartfelt stories unfold as they try to dodge the dreaded bell that signals a misspelling. Audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance. Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex. Tickets are $19 general admission and $7 for students, seniors, and Card to Culture patrons. Performances Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 PM, with a Saturday matinee at 2:00 PM, at the Rand Theater in the Bromery Center for the Arts at UMass. MORE

Table to Table: A Community Dinner — Friday

The Town launches Amherst Community Heart & Soul, a resident-led initiative to reflect on what people value about Amherst and collaborate on its future, with a community dinner featuring food from Atkins Farms Country Market, Pasta e Basta, and Carefree Cakery. There are two seatings, at 5:00 and 6:00 PM. Registration is required; childcare is available when you register. Friday, 5:00–7:00 PM at Bangs Community Center. MORE

Opening Reception: Mixed Media by Keith Hollingworth at Gallery A3 — Friday

Gallery A3, the downtown cooperative fine arts gallery, celebrates the opening of Mixed Media, an exhibit of what artist Keith Hollingworth describes as “paintings with objects added.” His work often uses primary colors and found objects such as sea shells and small figures. The exhibit runs November 5–28, and the gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 2:00–7:00 PM. Free and open to the public. Opening reception Friday, 5:00–7:00 PM at Gallery A3 in the Cinema Courtyard. MORE

New Constellations w/ Vox Rea at The Drake — Friday

Portland-based indie-pop duo Harlee Case and Josh Smith, known as New Constellations, come to The Drake on Friday behind their debut album It Comes In Waves. Their debut single “Hot Blooded” has passed 220 million streams, and they’re fresh off 38 sold-out US shows and festival sets at Lollapalooza, BottleRock, and Austin City Limits. Vox Rea opens. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. Friday, 8:00 PM (doors at 7:00 PM) at The Drake. MORE

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Want more? Check out our Community Calendars page to find even more upcoming events.

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.