AMHERST — Three sedimentation basins directly upstream from the reservoir at Atkins Reservoir, located in Shutesbury, will be dredged in the fall of 2026.

Information about the project is being presented to the public before work gets underway on the basins, which are nearing capacity, compromising their ability to remove sediment from surface water.

During a resent information session, Isobel Arthen-Long, project environmental scientist with Tighe and Bond engineers, said access will be made by contractors from Cushman Road, primarily along existing trails, and an estimated 2,500 cubic yards of sediment will be removed during excavation. That sediment will be allowed to dewater on site before being transported elsewhere in town. The plans call for minimizing tree and vegetation removal.

The work at the 1930s-era reservoir, which provides about a third of the drinking water in Amherst, is being paid for with an Executive Office of Economic Development Inland Dredging grant received by the town last year. The basins were built at the same time as the reservoir and are located along a constructed channel that directs flow from the Nurse and Dean brooks into the reservoir.

Water will be blocked both upstream and downstream of the basins during construction to control movement of sediment. Erosion controls and stormwater best management practices are expected to be in place during the work.

Child Abuse, Prevention Awareness Month

Beginning Tuesday, a flag will begin flying in front of Town Hall to recognize Child Abuse and Prevention Awareness Month.

The Town Council adopted a proclamation this week stating that April “is devoted to activities that celebrate community care for families and children,” and “child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and finding solutions to child abuse depends on involvement of the entire community.”

Amherst EducationFoundation grants

The Amherst Education Foundation recently provided an update on how educators are using some of the grants awarded for this school year.

The awardees included Dustin James, who has bought new mats allowing Crocker Farm School students to use them in a number of lessons practicing skills and to play on clean and safe surfaces; and Jennifer Reese, who purchased microscopes, microscope cameras and supplies for sixth grade students in Amherst and Pelham.

At Summit Academy, Jo-Ann Konieczny has introduced various methods of fiber arts to students to expand their mindful practices and reach all learners, while at Pelham Elementary School Giselle Gonzalez and Venuta Carulli have worked on buying and installing Big Block Play playground equipment, increasing play options for students of all abilities.

Recognition of Amherst authors

A recognition of successful writers who make Amherst their home is being organized by the District One Neighborhood Association in North Amherst.

But the series titled “Conversations with Amherst Authors,” which had been slated to begin Sunday with Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, best-selling authors of novels for children and young adults, is being postponed until later this spring.

When the series does begin, the events will be held in the Community Room at the expanded North Amherst Library.

Among her 27 published novels, Clare is best known for her lengthy series “The Mortal Instruments.” Her most recent novel is “The Ragpicker King.”

Black is known both for her children’s books and for young adult fiction. Her most recent work is The New York Times bestselling young adult “Folk of the Air” series. She is also well known for “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” a series of children’s fantasy books. She has won a Nebula Award and a Newbery Honor.

The authors also occasionally have overlapping characters, including in”The Magisterium Series,” a five-book children’s fantasy.

District One Neighborhood Association member Meg Gage said the group has spent a long time planning the “Afternoon With Cassandra Clare and Holly Black” and wants to bring people together to use the library’s new community space.

The library is also on a history trail in North Amherst that will allow the public to better understand the mills that once dotted the landscape between that village center and the Cushman section of town.

Girl Scout troop in Hadley

A new Girl Scout troop in Hadley, Troop 65542, is welcoming new members in first grade, providing young girls with opportunities to explore leadership, financial literacy, life skills, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the outdoors, and community service.

Troop 65542 will meet biweekly on Saturdays at 2 p.m. For more information, go to https://mygs.girlscouts.org.

Meetings

WEDNESDAY: Planning Board, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY: Town Services and Outreach Commit tee, 10:30 a.m.