AMHERST — A net-zero elementary school under construction that is on time and on budget to open in fall 2026, ongoing expansion and renovation of the Jones Library and building of a new track and two fields at the high school are visible signs of progress around Amherst.
In his annual State of the Town address on Monday, Town Manager Paul Bockelman noted those projects, along with the ribbon cuttings for the North Common greenspace in front of Town Hall and the Centennial water treatment plant in Pelham.
“The state of the town is strong,” Bockelman said. “We’re moving forward with purpose and clarity, (and) we’re holding true to our values.”
Bockelman also made a point of saluting all town, school and library employees.
“There are no ceremonies for our day-to-day work, like tonight when our DPW workers are out at 4 a.m plowing snow or treating icy roads, or when our town clerk is making sure our elections are held fairly, or when our IT department is on their computer monitors warding off dozens of cybertattacks daily, which is true, or when our teachers are reviewing lessons and homework and preparing for the next day’s classes,” Bockelman said. “I salute my colleagues and thank them for their work.”
He also referenced the recent fire that destroyed Olympia Place apartments, displacing 230 residents, which showed how there is reliance on each other for safety and security. He praised the composed professionalism of dispatchers, the police officers and firefighters who responded initially and those who went inside the building to battle the blaze, and the oversight of fire department leaders.
While climate and racial and equity initiatives continue to be pursued, the town has retained its values of being a sanctuary community and not cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bockelman said the challenges include roads exploding with potholes that couldn’t be filled last winter and how he and his financial team will be presenting a financing plan for dealing with that issue, supplementing the resurfacing of other roads and the new roundabout to be built at Amity Street and University Drive using a $1.9 million MassWorks grant.
“I heard your comments and complaints and we’re determined to do better,” Bockelman said. “Our roads are a high priority and need a greater investment, and town residents need a better response.”
Council President Lynn Griesemer outlined the work of the Town Council, including 31 meetings in the past year, subcommittees and district meetings and 25 proclamations, resolutions and citations.
Like Bockelman, she mentioned building projects and a commitment to affordable housing.
She also promised taxpayers sound fiscal guidance and being fiscal stewards. “I think it’s a strength of this council, and something the public will want to hear, that their elected officials are paying attention to the bottom line,” Griesemer said.
With some progress on racial equity and social justice, Griesemer said there are still challenges and work to do, such as getting a Resident Oversight Board and a Black Reparations Committee set up.
The council also is continuing to advocate for ranked choice voting, fee on transfer of properties and voting rights for legal permanent noncitizens.
Griesemer thanked all those who serve on the more than 40 committees and recognized her colleagues who will be departing when four new councilors are sworn in next month.
During public comment, School Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Shiao said the schools have made significant progress in 2025, pointing to Amherst students exceeding pre-pandemic MCAS scores in English Language Arts and mathematics, a major accomplishment that she said deserves recognition.
But she also noted the misconception about cost savings that will come from the new school, with each school still requiring full staffing, administration and student services.
“In reality, the district is moving from three schools to two only in the most superficial sense,” Shiao said. “Functionally, we are moving from three buildings to three buildings.”
The district is also facing pressures from inflation and health insurance.
“These rising costs are unavoidable and will require continued partnership between the School Committee and Town Council to navigate in a way that best serves our students and our school community,” Shiao said.
A written report from the regional schools was delivered by Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman, who wrote about the anticipated releases of a strategic plan and a “portrait of a graduate,” deepening instructional coherence in math and literacy, expanding My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) pathways and advancing attendance and wellness initiatives.
“The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools are not only moving forward; we are moving forward with purpose,” Herman wrote. “Our students deserve a system that grows with them, supports them and celebrates who they are.”
Another written report from Judith Souweine, who serves as the elector under the Oliver Smith Will, showed that the organization this year has disbursed $15,935 to individuals in nine communities, but only Amherst and Whately had no recipients for the four categories, brides, nurses, tradespersons and widows. However, one 2024 nurse beneficiary in Amherst was awarded an additional $600 from surplus money.
Other written reports are being provided by the Jones Library, the Amherst Housing Authority and the Board of License Commissioners.