Charter Commission Feedback Sessions - Final Opportunity Tuesday, April 11 at 7pm

The Charter Commission is zeroing in on a set of recommendations for reshaping Amherst government. Please attend the final feedback session. These feedback sessions will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about and to comment on the emerging plan. There is still time to have input but as the weeks go by, the chance to influence the plan will diminish. You can also participate with a feedback form that you can find on our web site, or by sending us an email.

Details on the latest draft were covered recently in the Gazette: http://www.gazettenet.com/Charter-Commission-in-Amherst-meets-to-go-over-new-proposals-9147911

Web address: https://www.amherstma.gov/2248/Charter-Commission

Feedback Form: https://www.amherstma.gov/FormCenter/Charter-Commission-29/Amherst-Charter-Commission-Draft-Charter-133

Email address: charter@amherstma.gov

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Amherst CharterCommission

All feedback sessions will be held in the Woodbury Room (basement level) at the Jones Library. The last one is Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

Amherst Charter Commission Feedback Requests

Amherst Charter Commission

Public sessions to learn about and have input on the emerging recommendations

The Charter Commission is zeroing in on a set of recommendations for reshaping Amherst government.  We invite you to attend one of our upcoming feedback sessions. These feedback sessions will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about and to comment on the emerging plan.  There is still time to have input but as the weeks go by, the chance to influence the plan will diminish.  Please join us for one or more of these sessions.  You can also participate with a feedback form that you can find on our web site, or by sending us an email. 

Web address: https://www.amherstma.gov/2248/Charter-Commission

Feedback Form:https://www.amherstma.gov/FormCenter/Charter-Commission-29/Amherst-Charter-Commission-Draft-Charter-133

Email address:  charter@amherstma.gov

Facebook page: amherst charter commission

All feedback sessions will be held in the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library

Wednesday, April 5, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Amherst Charter Commission Workshops

Amherst residents will have an opportunity to respond to the specific proposals for changing Amherst government that the Amherst Charter Commission has developed in response to input from many residents, Amherst town staff, elected officials and committees, as well as perspectives and beliefs of the individual commissioners.  The first round of “listening workshops” sought broad input on any and all topics of concern and passion to participants.  This round of workshops seeks input on very specific proposals coming out of Commission deliberations, proposals focused primarily on executive and legislative functions as well as on public participation.

All workshops will be held in the Jones Library Woodbury Room (basement of the Jones library).  They are scheduled for different times of day in hopes there will be a time that is convenient for most people.  Modest refreshments will be serviced. 

• Feb. 28, Tuesday, 1 – 3
• March 30, Thursday, 7 – 9
• April 5, 10 – 12
• April 11, Tuesday 7 – 9

Next Charter Commission Listening Session is October 3 at 7pm at Crocker Farm - THEY ARE LISTENING!

Your Charter Commission is pleased to meet you! We are nine Amherst residents elected to propose possible changes to Amherst’s form of government. 

Our first step is to hear from you. Please join us Monday, October 3, from 7pm–9pm, at the Crocker Farm Elementary Cafeteria, where we will be having honest, direct conversations about diversity, inclusion, and landlord-tenant issues. These face-to-face discussions will help us to understand these issues more fully and will be of great influence in shaping Amherst’s Charter. 

We’re listening.

We look forward to working with you and fellow Amherst residents over the next year to design an alternative municipal charter that reflects Amherst’s ideals and values.  Keep updated through our website (www.amherstma.gov/charter) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/amherstcharter) for meeting times and more public events. Be heard!

Thank you so much,

Your Charter Commission

Listening Workshop for Amherst Charter Commission on September 20th at 7pm at ARMS

please read this message from the Amherst Charter Commission ... 

The Amherst Charter Commission is holding a series of Listening Workshops to get input for our work on examining our current charter. We are trying to get feedback on our town government--what works and what doesn't--and we are looking for ideas for change! 

Please join us at our Listening Workshop on September 20th from 7-9pm at the Amherst Middle School!

From the Amherst Charter Commission - Input Needed

The Charter Commission welcomes input from the residents of the Town about Amherst and its values about Town government. 

During the upcoming months, there will be several opportunities to submit your comments, through public forums, hearings and meetings. A Working Group, consisting of Charter Commission members and members of the public is currently working on scheduling listening workshops throughout town to gather more input and thoughts from the public relating to specific areas and perspectives. The following tentative dates represent just a portion of the listening workshops. 

• September 14, 2016, 2-4 pm, Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Community Center (Senior Services & Perspectives)
• September 15, 2016, 5-9 pm, Amherst Block Party (find our table and come talk to us)
• September 20, 2016, 7-8 pm, Middle School Cafeteria (Schools perspective)
• October 3, 2016, 7-9 pm, Crocker Farm Cafeteria (Renter perspectives)
• October 19, 2016, 6:30-8:30 pm, Survival Center (Social and Human Services & Perspectives)
• October 27, 2016, 7-8 pm, Woodbury Room, Jones Library (Library User Perspectives)

You may also submit input in two other ways:

• Send an email to the entire Charter Commission by emailing charter@amherstma.gov.
• Complete the Public Input Form, by clicking here.

Charter Commission To Hold Initial Public Hearing on May 12

The Amherst Charter Commission will be holding its first public hearing on Thursday May 12, 2016 in the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m., for a community conversation about Amherst and its values about Town government.  

 

We invite participants to share their thoughts on questions such as the following:

·         What aspects of Amherst's current approach to government do you like?

·         What aspects do you think could be improved?

·         What do you see as key challenges facing Amherst?

·         How can we improve our Town government’s ability to meet those challenges?

·         Any other thoughts or feedback you would like to provide?

 

Residents will be able to provide input verbally (2 minute limit each) and/or in writing at the event.  Residents can also provide their answers to the questions above using the Public Input Form link on the Charter Commission webpage (see below).

 

The work of the Charter Commission can be followed online at www.amherstma.gov (look for “Charter Commission” on the “Boards and Committees” page).  

 

Feedback is also welcome via email atcharter@amherstma.gov.  Other opportunities for input from residents, staff, and other stakeholders will be forthcoming.

The Amherst Charter Commission:

Andy Churchill, Chair

Tom Fricke

Meg Gage

Nick Grabbe, Clerk

Mandi Jo Hanneke, Vice Chair

Irv Rhodes

Julia Rueschemeyer

Diana Stein

Gerry Weiss

Contact:

Andy Churchill

Commission Chair

Achurchill123@gmail.com

413.461.6310