Extravaganja 2015

Downtown Amherst 2:00 PM

The 24th running of the pot rally on the Amherst Town Common went off without a hitch, other than the normal traffic congestion you would expect for such a sizable crowd -- the likes of which Amherst all too seldom sees. 

Like last year's disastrous Blarney Blowout, great weather was a major contributing factor.

To compare the two public events is nothing short of astounding:  Blarney Blowout 2014, with 4,000 participants, had 58 arrests and many thousands of dollars in property damage.

Extravaganja 2015 had more than half again as many participants with zero arrests and zero property damage.

Almost from the start time of high noon the Town Common was packed to capacity.  The Amherst Farmers Market also debuted today so that too contributed congestion in the morning.

Extravaganja 5:30 PM

Downtown food service businesses and our two local tow truck companies certainly had a field day.

Amherst Police Chief Scott Livingstone recently announced this would be the last year he would sign off on the (free) permit required for Extravaganja to use the Town Common.

 Town Common Sunday morning.  Looks like they were never even there

So it will be interesting to see what becomes of this annual political rally that, unlike so many other liberal causes, actually made a difference.

Town Common day before Extravaganja

A Little Off The Top

Kendrick Park

The UMass Stockbridge School of Education Urban Community Forest Climbing Lab turned out in force this morning to help the town spruce up Kendrick Park.

Bucket goes up about 60'

Today is one of the two days designated by the Select Board as Arbor Day, with the other one being the Sustainability Festival next week.

Professor Brian Kane, head of the Graduate program, shows how it's done 

Amherst Tree Warden Alan Snow is a graduate of the 4-year program with a degree in Urban Forestry so he invited the dozen students and 2 professors (Brian Kane, Dennis Ryan) to come hone their skills on the urban forest anchoring the north end of town center.

Kendrick Park, which was donated to the town, is one of many major renovation projects awaiting funding with an estimated cost around $3 million. 

No Gas For You!

East Street School: future home to Leisure Services Supplemental Education (aka Rec Dept)

The natural gas moratorium on new hook ups called by Berkshire Gas is not only hurting local businesses, but town government as well.  And that means all of us local taxpayers.

Last month the Joint Capital Planning Committee approved $3 million in building and equipment needs for the fiscal year starting July 1st.  Part of that proposal (which still needs Town Meeting approval) included $20,000 to convert aging expensive oil heating units at the East Street School to natural gas.

But now that Berkshire Gas is playing hardball in support of the new Kinder Morgan Tennessee Gas pipeline, Finance Director Sandy Pooler said the $20,000 request is being put off. 

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.