A More Pleasurable Puffer's Pond

Puffer's Pond:  Amherst's most popular  recreation site

North Amherst is on a roll when it comes to infrastructure improvements with major thoroughfare Pine Street, finally, finishing up this construction season and the most loved recreational hide away -- Puffer's Pond -- getting badly needed modest tweaks even sooner. 

Having already received approval from the Conservation Commission (the higher hurdle) the modest revitalization plans go before the Planning Board next week and after their approval work can start immediately since the $37,000 budgeted is not FY16 money and will be mostly done in house by Conservation Department employees.

   Puffer's Pond Renovations

Conservation Director (and Assistant Town Manager) Dave Ziomek hopes to have everything completed by the start of the upcoming swimming season.

 North side rehab: striping parking lot, ADA walkway, new kiosk

North Beach: Cribbing along waters edge replaced to stabilize beach

The improvements span both sides of the pond, mainly where water meets lands edge.  The wooden "cribbing" on both beaches will be replaced and the North Beach (formerly called the "Dog Beach" until a leash law was enacted) will see more extensive work, including a new ADA Walkway and large kiosk.

 The lure of the cliffs will be mitigated by a new security fence

The plan to add more security fencing along the cliffs near the waterfall -- a popular diving spot -- will prove a lot less popular.  Over the years youthful daredevils have trampled the current chain link fence to where it is no longer functional.

The next step after these modest improvements is already in the works as town officials are getting serious about a major project: dredging the pond.

Open Space Slam Dunk

Owen's Pond top center

The acquisition of open space is a double edged sword, especially in a town more than half-owned by tax exempt entities.

Yes, it's beautiful and adds to the quality of life -- especially for immediate neighbors -- but it does not financially contribute to the General Fund for basic services like police, fire and DPW.

Regarding the 32 acre Hall property purchase for "conservation and public passive recreation purposes" Community Preservation Act Committee Chair Mary Streeter repeated stated that her committee has never seen such public support for a proposal.

 Gull Pond (right) Stavros Center, also a tax exempt, on left

And since the state is financing two-thirds of the $340K purchase price the $105,995 requested from CPA funds will fly through Town Meeting faster than a seagull targeting junk food.

The property near Owen's Pond was approved for a 14-house subdivision 25 years ago but is no particular "danger" at the moment of being developed.  And of course that is the #1 reason why Amherst housing is so damn expensive.

Too much demand and not enough supply.

Yet when a developer comes along and tries to increase density in the Village Centers, so that we can safely preserve outlying open space, the NIMBY machine gears up for war. 

Life is a balance, and Amherst land use is out of whack.

The much maligned 5-story mixed-use Kendrick Place (top center)

Danger, Danger!

David Rempp, age 23, hangs his head as he listens to victim testify

After giving sworn testimony of a violent domestic assault including punches to the face, kicks to the body, and wanton destruction of property with an aluminum baseball bat, prosecutor Matt Russo asked the victim how she would feel if her attacker were released on bail today?

The woman hesitated ... but then tearfully responded, "I can't say I'd feel safe.  He needs mental help.  I'm worried about him that way."

During her recounting of the altercation that took place at the Amherst residence she shares with her 16-year-old son, the victim states Rempp had told her he was "tired of living."

He then took two bottles of sedatives (60 pills), although he was the one who called the crisis center in Northampton to report the overdose.

Amherst Police patrolman Felipe Feliciano testified that Rempp, who he recognized from Craig's Place Homeless Shelter, was sitting on the front porch steps alone when he first arrived.

The victim, who was crying, had a swollen right eye and her bedroom was in disarray.  A fish tank and dresser mirror had been shattered and there were three holes in the drywall caused by a bat.

In closing arguments the prosecutor pointed out Rempp had a history of physical abuse and exhibited mental health issue to the point where he's "not all there all of the time."  He is "highly erratic, a danger to innocent bystanders as well as himself."

The Assistant District Attorney further underscored that danger by citing previous Assault & Battery convictions in 2014 (which he was still on probation over) and 2009.  And even as a juvenile a conviction for A&B with a dangerous weapon back in 2008.

He requested the Judge find in favor of the Commonwealth on this Chapter 58A dangerousness hearing.

The public defender pointed out a restraining order was already in effect so the Judge could simply extend the order and require his client to seek mental health treatment.

 David Rempp (bright pants) stands to hear Judge Payne's decision

Judge John Payne said he was "troubled by the nature of events, especially the level of violence."  Then looking directly at Rempp the Judge declared, "I don't feel comfortable releasing him; I find in favor of the Commonwealth."

David Rempp, with hands and feet shackled, was escorted from the Courtroom.  He will be held without bail at the Hampshire County House of Correction until his next District Court appearance May 7.

DUI Dishonor Roll

Nicholas Levesque stands before Judge John Payne

Since it was the first nice weekend since late fall I'm actually surprised there were not more drunk driving arrests in our little college town.  22-year-old Nicholas Levesque was the only one.  Not that I'm complaining.

UMPD Statement of Facts (click to enlarge/read)

In Eastern Hampshire District Court on Monday morning Mr. Levesque had a plea of "not guilty" entered in his behalf and he was assigned a public defender.  His case was continued until May 12.

UMass HazMat Incident

AFD Engine 2 (the quint) on scene UMass Whitmore Building 9:00 AM

Around 8:40 this morning a leaking UPS battery caused a massive response by AFD, UMPD and Enviromental Health & Safety units to the Whitmore Administration building.  One employee was transported by ambulance to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital after inhaling toxic fumes.

 AFD transported one for non life threatening injuries

Whitmore was evacuated, but only that one building.  AFD removed the 6" x 24" lead acid battery, ventilated the building and turned over command to UMass personnel around 9:30 AM.  The building is expected to reopen for normal business at 10:00 AM

Employees were evacuated to the adjacent parking lot

AFD Chief Nelson (far left) took command at the scene

 UMass Environmental Health & Safety department on scene

Daydrink Believer & A Homecoming Queen

Crowd on the east quad of Townhouse Apartments

Had the weather been ten degrees warmer Saturday afternoon's "daydrink" at Townhouse Apartments could easily have doubled in size, becoming another Blarney Blowout.

In 2012 and 2013 the western most quad became ground zero for rowdy behavior requiring police in riot gear to disperse.  

Temperatures peaked at 53 degrees

 Line up of police patrol cars and detective vehicles around 2:30 PM

 Posted on Fade the day before

The youthful crowd starting forming around noon and Amherst police arrived in force around 2:00 PM.   But their response was relatively low key, mainly handing out summons tickets for alcohol related infractions.

The crowd peaked at about 1,000, or about half the size of the previous riotous Blarney incidents.

 A Fade fan of my live tweeting

In 2013 the catalyst for confrontation occurred when a young women in the middle of the crowd passed out from too much alcohol.  

As AFD was administering aid they were met with bottles, cans and snowballs from an unruly minority in the crowd.  APD with the aid of state and UMass police successfully shut down the event, arresting six. 

Will the crowd get out of control the next time?  That depends.

On the weather.

Party House of the Weekend

20 Allen Street

The first really nice weekend of the year after such a miserable winter is bound to bring out the most hardy of the party boys.  Around midnight Friday one of the usual suspect streets -- Allen Street -- produced a BIG winner.  20 Allen Street to be exact.

Party goers flooded onto Phillips Street after police broke up the party after midnight

After clearing the house of over 200 "guests" APD arrested seven residents for both Noise and Nuisance bylaw violations or other alcohol related charges:  Curtis Anderson (19), Luke Dowley (22), Devon Farrell (20), Nicholas Defusco (21) Gabriel Follettie (21), Timothy Orton (20) and Anthony Spano (19).

 Click to enlarge/read

In addition to five physical arrests APD also issued 3 summons arrests for liquor law violations

All the offenders took the standard "diversion" plea deal offered by the Commonwealth.  Pay one of the $300 tickets plus $100  in Court costs and stay out of trouble for the next four months.

Curtis Anderson

Devon Farrell

Luke Dowley

Nick Fusco

Gabriel Follettie

Timothy Orton