Amherst Week Ahead 03.23.26

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.

Special Town Council and Finance Committee Meeting – Public Forum on Appropriation Outside the Annual Budget — Monday

The council and finance committee will host a public forum on a proposed water fund appropriation to purchase 54 acres of watershed land in Pelham for water supply protection. Monday, 6:30–6:45 PM, Town Hall Town Room, 4 Boltwood Ave (also on Zoom). MORE

Town Council — Monday

The council will consider proclamations for Purple Heart Community, Arbor Month, and Global Village Day; hear a presentation on the Sanctuary Community Bylaw data request response; vote on a water fund watershed land purchase appropriation; take up Charter Review Committee and Beyond the Charter recommendations; and receive committee and liaison reports. Monday, 6:35–10:30 PM, in Town Hall. MORE

Cherry Hill Working Group — Monday

The group will hear an update from the Recreation Director, discuss course management and operations, and take up the formation of a Friends of Cherry Hill group. Monday, 7:00–9:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Science on Screen: Son of Monarchs – Monday

French-Venezuelan biologist and filmmaker Alexis Gambis is a leading voice in the Science New Wave, a movement that fuses scientific inquiry with imagination, experimentation, and personal storytelling. His feature film Son of Monarchs (Hijo de Monarcas), winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, draws on ideas from evolutionary and developmental biology to explore themes of (im)migration, inheritance, and metamorphosis. Gambis joins by Zoom to provide an introduction before the film. Monday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

The Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees — Tuesday

Trustees will receive reports from committees covering the library building project update, library art, the annual fund and capital campaign, the library’s posture in relation to democracy including programming and staff training, and the FY27 budget request, along with a Friends of the Jones Library System report and director’s report. Tuesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Regional School Committee — Tuesday

The Regional School Committee meets Tuesday to vote on the FY27 budget for the regional secondary school district. Tuesday, 6:00-6:30 PM in the library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE

Amherst School Committee — Tuesday

At its meeting Tuesday, the Amherst elementary School Committee will receive a superintendent’s update on searches for Student Services Director and Mental Health Director, and status of Bullying Prevention & Intervention Plan committee appointments, and will potentially vote on the FY27 budget. Tuesday, 6:30–8:00 PM, in the library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE

Board of Health — Wednesday

The board will address old business on the effective date of approved kratom regulations and a waste hauler update, and hear a presentation on the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Everyone (SAPHE 2.0) program from the Mass Department of Public Health. The board also will receive the director’s update on infectious disease, mosquito and tick season, and ValleyVax. Wednesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Joint Capital Planning Committee — Wednesday

The committee will discuss and finalize its recommendation on capital improvement projects to be funded in the FY27 budget and take up report discussion. Wednesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday

The committee will discuss the Sustainability Festival, PACE outreach, heat pump and education series programming, the UMass Climate Plan, a draft solar bylaw, transportation, the Climate Bank, and regional and state policy updates. Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Cultural Council — Wednesday

The council will do a deep dive into grant criteria and brainstorm decision-making guidelines, and review and discuss the FY26 rating tool. Wednesday, 6:00–7:30 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Conservation Commission — Wednesday

The commission will review a notice of intent for a proposed mixed-use development with parking and stormwater work at 126, 140, and 148 South East Street and 43 Belchertown Road, hear a Gull Pond update, and discuss the final draft of the Conservation Land Management Policy and Regulations. Wednesday, 7:00–10:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Senior Sips in Downtown — Thursday

Join local seniors 60+ to connect with neighbors, discover local happenings, and learn about available resources! Snacks will be provided; attendees are responsible for their own beverages. Thursday, 4:00-6:00 PM at Protocol. MORE

Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing and Meeting — Thursday

The ZBA will host a public meeting with LSE Fornax on an updated operations and maintenance plan for a battery energy storage system at Pulpit Hill, and conduct public hearings on a special permit modification for a solar project at 191 West Pomeroy Lane and a special permit for a proposed arcade with bar at 113 Cowls Road in the former Atkins Farms North space. Thursday, 6:00–9:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

CDBG Advisory Committee Public Hearing — Thursday

The committee will host a public hearing on the final projects recommended for a total of $744K in funding in Amherst’s FY2026 Community Development Block (CDBG) Grant application, including continued construction of a multi-use path along North Pleasant Street and funding for social services provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Amherst Survival Center, Amherst Mobile Market, Center for New Americans, and Family Outreach of Amherst. Thursday, 7:00–9:00 PM, on Zoom. MORE

Immigration Discussion with the League of Women Voters – Thursday

Join the League of Women Voters Amherst for an online discussion on immigrant rights and what bystanders can do to protect their neighbors. Ariana Keigan, Associate Director of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, and Javier Luengo-Garrido, Deputy Field Director from ACLU Massachusetts, will lead the discussion and address questions about immigration enforcement and how the LUCE network verifies ICE sightings. Thursday, 7:00 PM on Zoom. MORE

Kaleb Cohen with Lucia Dostal – Thursday

Kaleb Cohen is a rising artist known for his raw storytelling and soulful vocals. A gifted pianist and songwriter, he has the rare ability to play almost anything by ear – a skill that fuels the emotional depth and authenticity of his music. With a natural gift for melody and a voice that cuts straight through, Kaleb Cohen is carving out a space as one of the most exciting new artists to watch. Lucia Dostal opens. Groovin’ her way through life, artist and songwriter Lucia Dostal channels a clever blend of pop, folk, and soul. Growing up in Western Massachusetts, Lucia’s music journey has taken her to Canada, Spain, and now Los Angeles. Thursday, 8:00 PM at The Drake. MORE

America is Wild! Book Presentation & Walk – Saturday

Discover the wild side of America with wildlife ecologist and author Brad Timm as he shares his new book, America Is Wild! (released on March 3, 2026). This visually captivating state-by-state wildlife encyclopedia—beautifully illustrated by Jill De Haan and Margaux Samson Abadie—celebrates the diversity of life across the United States from the tiniest of pollinators to the tallest of trees. Featuring over 400 illustrations, one iconic mammal, bird, insect, and plant is highlighted from each state along with fascinating facts about adaptations, habitats, and cultural significance.

Join the Kestrel Land Trust on Saturday for a presentation and walk at Kestrel’s headquarters in Amherst. We will begin with a slideshow presentation by Brad that brings our natural world to life, followed by a walk outside to see what wildlife we see! Saturday, 9:00-11:00 AM at the Kestrel Land Trust Headquarters. MORE


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.


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