Alpine Commons Fire

Smoke could be seen from a long way off

Smoke and fire billowed from the roof

Engine 2, the quint, was quickly on scene

Firefighters from Hadley, Pelham, Northampton, South Hadley, Belchertown and South County Ambulance joined every available member of AFD including the Call Force to go toe to toe with a stubborn fire that wreaked havoc on an 8 unit apartment building, but fortunately not finding human flesh to consume.

 West side where fire originated

Although at least one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion due to hot muggy weather, and performing strenuous activity in heavy turn out gear.

 Turnout gear is especially hot on a day like today

 Hot, demanding, dangerous work

The fire apparently started around 1:30 PM at the far western end of the building but managed to make it all the way to the far east end via the attic, the Achilles heel of circa mid-1970s or 1980s construction. 

AFD E2 left Hadley Ladder right

Amherst Engine 2, an aerial which can throw up to 1,000 gallons per minute from the top of her 75 foot ladder and Hadley's Ladder Truck with slightly better capabilities took up positions at each end of the building and unleashed water as though it were Niagara Falls.



But The Beast was having none of that and continued to consume the wooden two story building at a ravenous rate. 

The opposite end of the building from where the fire first started

After just over four hours of pitched battle, by 6:00 PM, The Beast was put down.

 The building will be uninhabitable for a long, long time (if indeed it's salvageable)

The Outrage Grows

 

Amilcar Shabazz, formerly Amherst School Committee & former Chair Equity Task Force

The chorus of outrage over the treatment of Aisha Hiza, a black single mom standing up for her bullied daughter only to be hit with an all-school property stay away order over ten weeks ago, are now reaching a deafening peak.

On his Facebook page Amilcar Shabazz, UMass Faculty Advisor for Diversity & Excellence, issued a stern statement to Amherst and Pelham officials that will be hard to ignore.

More like impossible.

 Click to enlarge/read

Safety Violations Found Amity Street Fire

219 Amity Street:  Tragedy avoided, barely

Normally I use public documents to back up my fiery rhetoric. But in this case I don't really have to.

I will let Amherst Inspection Services report sent to absentee owner Jamie Cherewatti speak for itself.

Loudly.

   219 Amity Fire Inspection Report

Click on headline '219 Amity Street Fire Inspection Report' to go to Scribd to better read document

Preventable Deaths = Priceless

11 Phillips Street

Any good fire prevention expert will tell you the best way to prevent fire related deaths is not to let The Beast form in the first place.  And nothing is better at accomplishing that then a sprinkler system.

Number two on the list is an early warning system that allows notification to residents to get out of the structure as quickly as possible i.e. smoke or heat detectors as well as simultaneously sending notification to a professional alarm monitoring company.  

But those detectors are worthless if they have been purposely disabled or simply not maintained properly, like changing the battery every year.

Take 11 Phillips Street -- and I wish somebody with eminent domain powers would take that entire street -- for instance:   In Eastern Hampshire District Court last week Fire Prevention Officer Mike Roy won yet another "disabling a smoke detector" case.

 Click to enlarge/read

While an $800 fine may seem steep for Mr. Weiner had AFD pressed to keep the mater criminal he would could have served up to two years in jail because the charge is a felony.

Instead, in a Clerk Magistrate Hearing, he was found "responsible" but as long as he abides by the four conditions the matter will be dismissed in November.

 Terms of settlement written up by his lawyer

And since he is one of only four who supposedly lives at 11 Phillips (but notice he identified himself as a "Fraternity Vice President ... hmmm) and rent is a whopping $4,800 per month, I think he -- or his Fraternity -- can well afford the fine. 

Beats being dead.

APD Community Liaison officer Bill Laramee (left) and absentee property owner Stephan Gharabegian this morning at 45 Phillips Street after first meeting at 11 Phillips Street

 AFD Fire Prevention Officer Mike Roy files complaint with Eastern Hampshire District Court on 4/26

Charter Jitters KO Ms. Capriola

Maria Capriola dropped out after being chosen new Town Manager

As I figured the main reason Maria Capriola dropped out at the last minute for relocating to Amherst as our new Town Manager from her current home and position as Assistant Town Manager in Mansfield, Connecticut was Charter Commission related.

   Amherst new Town Mgr Executive Sessions

Uprooting your family and moving out of state to a job that could be replaced in two years by a Mayor is a pretty big risk. And she doesn't look like the high risk type to me.

In the new Town Manager contract signed last night with Paul Bockelman he is guaranteed six months salary if his job is terminated by a change in government or he can stay on for that last year at full salary but will no longer be the top dog.

 Click to enlarge/read

Of course at that point you probably have a new Mayor making less money than Mr. Bockelman, which may strain their relationship a tad.

Two Sides To Every Story

Peter Hechenbleikner and Alisa Brewer at last night's SB meeting

At last night's Select Board meeting, after confirming a new Town Manager, Chair Alisa Brewer brought up the school issue that has caused consternation over the past ten weeks and has now grown into a full fledged public relations nightmare.

School Committee member Vira Douangmany Cage issued Amherst and Pelham officials a vitriolic statement urging them to address the Aisha Hiza school stay away order as a social justice issue.  And to remain silent is to endorse the injustice.

After a brief discussion the board asked Temporary Town Manager Pete Hechenbleikner to write up a response for their June 6th meeting although Ms. Brewer seemed to suggest a resolution of the matter may happen before then.

In response Mr. Hechenbleikner said, "Select Board is not privy to a lot of the details.  If social injustice is being done then silence is not appropriate.  I know more than the Select Board, and there’s no social injustice being done."

Aisha Hiza begs to differ:

Click to enlarge/read

School Committee Coup D'etat?

Trevor Baptiste (right), Superintendent Maria Geryk (left)

The first half hour of last week's Regional School Committee meeting was taken up by an attempt to "reorganize" the Committee i.e. vote in a new chair, coincidentally enough to replace one who is on Maria Geryk's enemies list.

During Public Comment at the RSC April 12 meeting Mr. Baptiste allowed friends, supporters and fellow ARHS grads to read a letter decrying Aisha Hiza's ban from all Regional school grounds for advocating on behalf of her bullied child.

Some members and school officials thought it was out of order since the incident originated at Pelham Elementary School which is not part of the Region and therefor beyond the purview of the Regional Committee.

Geryk started the meeting as Chair and immediately wished for them to "reorganize."   Chair Trevor Baptiste was having none of it and the bickering began.

Geryk was relying on a previous tradition where the Region would reorganize after local town elections as well as state law that says committees must do so within ten days of said elections, which happened more than a month ago.

But Baptiste pointed out that law does not apply because the Regional Committee is not elected they are appointed by the local school committees and his town, Pelham, has yet to appoint one of their members to the Region.

Amherst School Committee Chair (and automatic member of the Region) Katherine Appy pressed for the reorganization although she told Mr. Baptiste it was nothing personal.  

Interestingly at yesterday's Joint Capital Planning Committee meeting, composed of two members each from the Finance Committee, Select Board, Library and School Committee, one School Committee member was MIA.

 Joint Capital Planning Committee yesterday (minus one School Committee member)

Ms. Appy told the JCPC that Rick Hood had not run for reelection in the March 29 election and the School Committee (which has met twice since then) has not yet appointed one of their own to replace him on the JCPC.

With neither side seeming to budge a compromise motion was made and approved to have the Regional School Committee reorganization take place at their June 14th meeting, and by then Pelham would have appointed a member to the Region.

I'll be bringing popcorn to that meeting (and a fire extinguisher).

Is Silence Ignoring?

 Trevor Baptiste, Vira Douangmany Cage, Regional School Committee

Select Board Chair Alisa Brewer briefly allowed a discussion about a strongly worded email they received today from School Committee member Vira Douangmany Cage asking why they have remained silent on the matter of Aisha Hiza.

 Click to enlarge/read

Ms. Hiza you may remember was issued a "stay away" order on March 15 by Amherst Regional Public School Superintendent Maria Geryk after she vigorously demanded school officials do something about the bullying of her young daughter at Pelham Elementary School.

School Superintendents have extraordinary power when it comes to issuing such an order, kind of like the combined power of a Clerk Magistrate and District Court Judge, but without much due process.

 Alisa Brewer:  "Silence is not ignoring.  We're not taking the easy way out"

   
The Select Board tasked Temporary Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner with coming up with a statement by their June 6th meeting so they can't be accused of remaining silent.  Mr. Hechenbleikner told the Select Board he "knew more than they did, and there's no social injustice being done."

Chair Alisa Brewer said "We are supportive of solving the stay awat order as quickly as possible" and then added, "The situation has been a very tension filled conversation across the community."

That it has. 

Bockelman It Is

Paul Bockelman, new Town Manager

After about 20 minutes sequestered away in a side office room adjacent to the Town Room the Amherst Select Board returned from executive session to confirm Paul Bockelman as new Town Manager for three years starting August 22, right around the time our beloved students come flocking back to town.

Select Board retreated behind closed doors 

Mr. Bockelman would know that of course since he lived in town as a college student who graduated from Hampshire College many years ago.

Yes, it would have been a little better if the term of the contract was only two years because now Town Meeting loyalists will use that last year buyout as an excuse to vote against a Charter Change, switching our form of government from Select Board/Town Manager/Town Meeting to Mayor/Council.

Three Year Employment Contract

 Town Press Release

 Click to enlarge/read

Select Board member Connie Kruger signing the contract

DUI Dishonor Roll

3x as many males were arrested for drunk driving than females in 2014

Amherst Police made no arrests for drunk driving over the long holiday weekend, a time when alcohol consumption probably goes up a tad.

Although, like rowdy student behavior, that can be weather related and Memorial Day itself was a bit wet for outdoor barbecues.

One arrest did occur in Amherst, however, by Amherst College Police Department.  Yes, they do have power of arrest and will sometimes come to the aid of our police on busy nights when APD low staffing inhibits proper responses.

 John Bedford, age 32, stands before Judge O'Grady

Click to enlarge/read

In Eastern Hampshire District Court on Tuesday both individuals decided to hire their own private attorney and will appear again for pre-trail in July.

 Brett Rogers, age 22, stands before Judge O'Grady

 Click to enlarge/read

In & Out Sweets

Insomnia Cookies opened last week in time for the Community Fair

Town center -- the heart of our business district -- lost a somewhat established business but gained a new one to keep things in balance.  Such is the trying nature of small business.

 For sale or lease

FroyoWorld frozen yogurt opened a few years ago in direct competition with GoBerry pretty much across the street, but now their freezers are shut down.

Amherst is not so much a mecca for frozen treats as iconic Ben & Jerry's couldn't survivive in the downtown and equally revered Bart's Ice Cream was saved by a last minute buyout and their name change to Amherst Ice Cream.

The big advantage with cookies is they are easy to deliver, which I'm sure will make up the major portion of Insomnia Cookies business.

After all, who doesn't like warm cookies delivered to your door at 3:00 AM?

3 Strikes

Claude Bolling (poster at Town Hall)

Besides tying up ambulances for frequent transports to the hospital, scaring away customers in the downtown and leaving unsightly debris in their favorite haunts another problem with our homeless population is some of them can be downright dangerous.

Over the weekend APD arrested Claude Bolling for Assault & Battery on a family member.

Because of the two year old domestic abuse law designed to protect victims the justice system will not release any paperwork concerning that crime.

But Mr. Bolling had two other charges.

In Eastern Hampshire District Court today in front of Judge William O'Grady he had his bail revoked for the previous offense of "failing to register as a sex offender" (which has to be done annually) and he had a Superior Court Warrant outstanding for a probation violation.

He is currently being held for up to 90 days in the House of Correction on the bail revocation, so he will not see the "streets of Amherst" for a while. 

School Ban Battle Escalates

Aisha Hiza (overcoming obstacles)

It has now been 10 weeks since a stay away order was summarily imposed on Aisha Hiza after she repeatedly demanded Pelham School officials find a way to keep her young daughter safe from bullying.

Last month, after media inquiries, Superintendent Maria Geryk stated she would not release any information unless Aisha Hiza signed a release, which her attorney advised her not to do.

And thus far she has not signed such a release.

But on Friday, Amherst Regional Public School officials broke their silence on this sad affair ... and it did not take long for Aisha to respond (scroll down Scribd document for her response).

   School Ban War of Words

Click headline "School Ban War of Words" to go to Scribd to better read documents

Amherst Regional Public Schools Superintendent Maria Geryk

A Grateful Town Remembers

Town flag at half staff Amherst town center

Over 100 people of all ages and walks of life turned out at the VFW Post 754 this morning -- including police, fire, politicians, veterans and families -- to honor and remember all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep us free.

A reminder of course that freedom is never free and must be defended with utmost vigilance, as the men and women of our armed forces have done for 240 years.

 Master of Ceremonies Selectman Doug Slaughter.  Flowers from SB and Boys & Girl Scouts

Guest speaker Ray Elliot, who served four years in the South Pacific, reminded the crowd how far we've come as a nation in the past 100 years.

 Ray Elliot

His father before him, William S Elliot, a Buffalo Soldier, had served in France in WW1 after white commanders in the US refused to lead black soldiers in battle because they questioned their intelligence and bravery.

 William S. Elliot

His all black squadron would go on to win the highest honor France could bestow on troops -- black or white.

Even on that infamous December 7th, "a date which will live in infamy", the US army was still segregated.  Ray Elliot told the hushed audience he was once chased down by a white crowd in Biloxi, Mississippi when he strayed outside the black district, fearing he would be lynched.

Black troops would flash each other a "Double V Victory" sign using both hands to indicate not only victory over the Axis powers trying to enslave the world, but also as a sign of victory over racism at home.  

At the conclusion of his speech, which had centered around respect, he was given a standing ovation.

 State Representative Ellen Story

In her last appearance at a Memorial Day ceremony as our State Representative  Ellen Story reminded us that this somber ceremony tradition started out soon after the Civil War when citizens would visit cemeteries to leave flowers on the graves of the fallen, both Union and Confederate.

Veterans Agent Steven Connor

Steven Connor announced The Healing Wall, a portable version of the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. will be coming to the Eastern States Exposition this August.

The names of all 58,307 troops killed or MIA, out of 3 million who served during that controversial conflict, are inscribed on the wall so we as a nation can never forget them.

Today we also remembered all those Amherst residents who served their country, lived to tell about it, but have passed away since our last Memorial Day:

 

Click to enlarge/read

Requiring A Life Saver

Rolling Green fatal fire 1/21/13 (photo by Stephanie Jernigan)

Sprinklers are a firefighter's best friend, an automated system on duty every minute of the day or night, making a monumental difference by catching a fire before it voraciously feeds and transforms to killer beast.

 Southpoint Apartments four alarm fire 8/9/14

Amherst Town Meeting just approved $390K in Community Preservation Act money to assist the Amherst College owned Evergreens Museum and First Congregational Church next door with installing protective fire suppression sprinkler system in their historic structures.

Since 219 Amity was constructed a long time ago they do not have a sprinkler system even though they are currently commercial housing and were "grandfathered" so town officials could not just suddenly require them.

 219 Amity Street near town center

But after the fire on Friday night, new codes will now kick in with the relevant three being: "Would otherwise require sprinklers" (Yes); "Sufficient water pressure available in the area" (Yes); and "Work area exceeds 50% of the building" (No).

And it only takes one "no" to avoid sprinklers.

State law, however, gives extraordinary authority to a fire chief, so Chief Nelson can simply order them to install sprinklers as part of the renovation.

After the fatal fire at Rolling Green Apartments, where a sprinkler system could have been a life saver, and the major fire at Southpoint Apartments 1.5 years later, which fortunately did not cause casualties, Chief Nelson required sprinklers in the newly rebuilt/renovated structures.

At the time he told me, "As a general statement, with few exceptions, we always lean toward sprinkler use in occupancies."

If the 219 Amity Street fire happened when UMass was in session that rental property would have been far more densely populated. 

Obviously the saving of just one life justifies the cost of a new commercial sprinkler system.

Every time.