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! Girls Soccer vs. Granby on Monday at 4:30 PM, and vs. Southwick on Thursday at 4:30 PM. Boys Golf vs. Chicopee Comp on Wednesday at 3:00 PM, and vs. Frontier on Thursday at 3:30 PM. Girls Field Hockey vs. South Hadley on Thursday at 4:15 PM, and vs. Greenfield on Friday at 4:15 PM. Boys Soccer vs. Northampton on Friday at 4:15 PM. MORE

Budget Coordinating Group — Monday

The group will hear a financial outlook presentation to kick off the annual budget development process for the town. The Budget Coordinating Group comprises representatives from the Amherst School Committee, Regional School Committee, Jones Library Board of Trustees, and Town Council. Monday, 6:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

Town Council — Monday

The council will begin with the Budget Coordinating Group meeting and discussion, then discuss the Regional School Agreement and the Town Manager evaluation and 2027 goals. Its consent agenda includes referring proposed zoning bylaw amendments on data centers (Article 12 and Section 3.3) and approving Town Manager appointments to the Amherst Black Reparations Committee, Community Preservation Act Committee, and Percent for Art Advisory Committee. Monday, 6:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Cultural Council — Tuesday

The council will hold a question-and-answer session about the FY28 grant cycle. The meeting is virtual only, with no in-person public attendance. Tuesday, 12:00–2:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Finance Committee — Tuesday

The committee will receive an update from the Budget Coordinating Group, follow up on the Financial Outlook presentation, and review the prior year’s budget guidelines. Tuesday, 1:00 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

Amherst School Committee — Tuesday

The Amherst School Committee will discuss and vote on increasing the English Language Arts intervention position at Amethyst Brook by 0.2 FTE and adding a 1.0 FTE English Language Learner teacher position at Crocker Farm Elementary. 

The Committee will then be joined by the Pelham and Regional School Committees and Superintendency Union 26 Committee and will consider entering executive session to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health of an individual, or the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, or staff member, with no intent to return to open session. The meeting is in person only. Tuesday, 6:30–9:00 PM, at the Library at Amherst Regional High School. MORE

ARHS Fundraiser: Come Together, A Beatles Immersive Sing-Along at The Drake — Tuesday

Amherst Regional High School performing arts staff turns the audience into the choir for a participatory Beatles sing-along. Led by ARHS vocal director Todd Fruth, participants will learn and perform two Beatles songs in three-part harmony. No experience is needed, and all voices are welcome. All proceeds support Amherst Regional High School Performing Arts. Tickets are on a sliding scale, with $20 suggested and $5–$10 for students. Tuesday, 7:00–9:00 PM at The Drake, with doors at 6:30 PM. MORE

Board of Assessors — Wednesday

The board will sign excise abatements, review the last three years of personal property history, and receive a Principal Assessor’s update covering a scheduled classification hearing, a stamp with board signatures, the Chapter land mailing, and Munis training for billing. It will also verify the date of its next in-person meeting before going into executive session to discuss exemptions and motor vehicle excise. Wednesday, 8:30–10:30 AM, in person at Town Hall, First Floor Meeting Room. MORE

Board of Health — Wednesday

The board will discuss enforcement of regulations governing smoking in workplaces and public spaces and hear an update on the proposed waste hauler program and bylaw. The Director’s update will cover the Block Party, the fall vaccine clinic, the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District, and kratom inspections. Wednesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, in person at Bangs Community Center, Room 101. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday

The committee will discuss retreat planning and, at 6:00 PM, hear an Education Series presentation, “Decarbonizing UMass,” by Lori Goldner. It will also discuss the landlord heat pump initiative, coordination with local groups, and the Education Series, and will receive updates on the UMass Climate Plan, transportation, and regional and state policy. The meeting is virtual only, with no in-person public attendance. Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Talking Tech: Predicting Elections: Why Can’t We Get It Right? — Wednesday

Election polls are often poor predictors of election results, even as the technologies for analyzing data and modeling behavior have advanced. UMass faculty Francine Berman and Laura Haas will explore the many sources of uncertainty in the prediction process and why even the best forecasters and pundits can be wrong. The talk is part of the Talking Tech series, sponsored by the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences and the Public Interest Technology Initiative at UMass. Free. Wednesday, 5:30–6:30 PM at UMass Downtown. MORE

Craig Taborn Trio at Bowker Auditorium — Wednesday

Jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer Craig Taborn brings his trio to UMass, with Thomas Morgan on bass and Tim Angulo on drums. Taborn added a MacArthur Foundation fellowship in 2025 to a long list of honors. He has released nineteen albums as a bandleader or co-leader over more than thirty years, and live improvisation is his great love. Wednesday, 7:30 PM at Bowker Auditorium, UMass. MORE

A Dialogue About Ballot Question 9 — Thursday

The UMass Amherst College of Social & Behavioral Sciences’ Democracy Project hosts a conversation about Question 9, the November 3 ballot measure on the state’s 2024 firearms law, a veto referendum where a “no” vote repeals the law and a “yes” vote keeps it. Toby Leary, founder of The Civil Rights Coalition, which is campaigning for a “no” vote, and Megan DesAutels, campaign coordinator for Vote Yes on 9 for a Safe Massachusetts, will take part. Jamie Rowen will moderate. The event is part of the Commonwealth Ballot Forum, a coalition of Massachusetts public universities hosting events on state ballot initiatives. Thursday, 12:00–2:00 PM, at the Old Chapel, UMass. MORE

Community Resources Committee of the Town Council — Thursday

The committee will discuss the proposed East Amherst Local Historic District; the committee’s assessment and recommendation are due by November 16, at which time the Town Council will review and vote on the proposal. The CRC also will discuss opportunities to implement the Housing Production Plan, which the town adopted in December 2025. Its next meeting, on October 22 at 6:30 PM, will include joint hearings with the Planning Board on accessory dwelling unit and data center zoning amendments. Thursday, 1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Bellwether: Zodiac Killer Project with Director Charlie Shackleton — Thursday

Filmmaker Charlie Shackleton set out to make a true crime documentary about a highway patrolman’s effort to catch the Zodiac Killer. When the project fell apart, he turned the unfinished fragments into a witty look at the true crime genre and our fascination with serial killers. Shackleton joins the audience for a discussion after the 91-minute film, his third visit to Amherst Cinema’s Bellwether series. Free to Amherst Cinema members. Thursday, 7:30 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Cuppa’ Joe with Paul Bockelman and Amber Martin, Town Clerk — Friday

Join community members for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Town Clerk Amber Martin. With the election on Tuesday, November 3, the event is a chance to learn more about the election and how to participate. The Town Clerk’s Office also keeps town records, oversees the census, posts public meetings, processes licenses, and responds to public records requests. 

Martin became Town Clerk in July 2025 and has worked in the office since 2019. Her goals include expanding outreach to residents who don’t typically vote, enfranchising the town’s large and transitory student population, offering services in multiple languages, and adding more online services. Friday, 8:00-9:30 AM at Futura Coffee Roasters. 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.