Aftertaste

 West side of town common

The torrential rains that postponed the opening of the 22nd Annual Taste of Amherst last Thursday also primed conditions for that other byproduct of a successful public event on the town common:  turf damage.

Yes the town common is public space freely used by the general public.   But large events like the Taste of Amherst, Pot Rally and Town Fair do more than their share of damage, that has to be repaired at public expense.

 Northeast side of town common

The town should simply enact a fee for large events IF they end up causing damage, much like landlords collect a security deposit prior to leasing an apartment. 

Executive Session: Do Not Disturb

 11:05 AM, Town Manager's office: 4 of 5 Amherst SB members attended

Perhaps the reason the state calls it "Executive Session" is because it mimics a private boardroom meeting between a CEO and a corporation's Board of Directors.  In other words, by invite only.

Although in the case of a public body like the Amherst Select Board, they still have to convene in open session (hence allowing miscreants like me to take a photo) before retreating into private conversation.   Or in this case, evicting the general public. 

The meeting was posted to start at 11:00 AM and finish by 11:59 AM (somebody must have been worried about lunch).  Actual start time was 11:06, as SB member Alisa Brewer was her usual few minutes late.  And I'm told by SB Chair Stephanie O'Keeffe the meeting adjourned at 12:39 PM.

The reason for the secret meeting was a discussion of Cowls Cushman properties (154 acres) that are currently under a Purchase& Sale agreement with Landmark Properties for $6.5 million. 

The town can either invoke the "right of first refusal" and match any legitimate offer on the table for the property, or can simply take it by eminent domain via a simple majority vote of the Select Board. 

Although the draconian use of eminent domain also requires Town Meeting authorization for monetary backing. 

The town would then be liable to pay W.D.Cowls, Inc the "highest and best use" for the property, which obviously is not that of its current condition, a tree farm.

Bully For You!

Define "harassed"

So maybe school officials should go on a witch hunt to ferret out the other 20% who would not drop a dime on a harassment scenario and harass them into compliance. 

Do public officials really think these “social norms messages” suddenly turns outliers into conformists?  Or is it just something to do to make it appear they are doing something?

 And 28% of 27, 269 do not

Yes, I suppose they would argue it's not a sudden thing but a long term indoctrination starting as early in life as possible that makes the difference.

Kind of like the liberal mindset PC attitude that's so prevalent in the town of Amherst.

Government sponsored at every turn.

Fireground: Amherst Road Sunderland

 313 Amherst Road, Sunderland heavily involved in smoke and flames

 

WMECO kills power to the structure

(UPDATED morning after:  scroll down)

A fire broke out just after midnight at 313 Amherst Road, Sunderland and many FD units were still on the scene two hours later.  The two story wood structure, fortunately, seemed unoccupied at the time.

A Sunderland police officer was first on the scene and tried to quash the flames with a portable fire extinguisher but was driven from the house by ferocity of the fire.

At one point a horn bellowed as a signal for firefighters to get out of the building.  

Ladders used to help assist venting the roof

Adjacent garage used as elevated platform to pour water in though window

Fire Departments from Amherst, Hadley, Leverett, South Deerfield, Montague, and Greenfield converged on the scene to assist Sunderland FD who was first on the scene.

Many firefighters on scene

313 Amherst Road, Sunderland 6 bedrooms 

The Morning After:

Roof took a major beating

Taste So Good

Jada loved the Chinese food

Tonight's crowd at the 22nd Annual Taste of Amherst seemed to make up for last night's wash out as pretty much the entire town common was almost shoulder to shoulder with pedstrians, most of them eating.

 Atkins Country Market, all the way from deep South Amherst

The only thing that seemed equally popular was the area in front of the stage set aside for hula hooping.

The feast runs through Sunday 4:00 p.m. and the weather is projected to be as cooperative as it was this evening.

This One's For You

One of the 29 commemorative flags commemorates Flag Day

Yes, the college town that allows its commemorative flags to fly only once every five years to commemorate the most horrendous attack on American soil in our entire 237 year history proudly flies them annually for Flag Day. And Labor Day.

Flag Day reminds me of the hack writer who thinks leading with the word "interestingly" will make the follow up material more interesting. If something is truly interesting the readers will figure that out quick enough if you simply let the story speak for itself.

In other words, every day should be Flag Day.

Game On!

 Taste of Amherst prepared for Friday opening

Bring your galoshes and maybe an umbrella, the once delayed 22nd annual Taste of Amherst will not  be twice denied.  (Virtual) Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and if you just want to walk around and smell the food, entry is free.