🌱 What’s changing in Amherst’s $107M budget—and your water bill?
Amherst, Massachusetts Patch AM: a 5 min readGreetings Amherst! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What’s changing in Amherst’s $107M budget—and your water bill?
- How will UMass’s new housing plan reshape student life in Amherst?
- Why a key court hearing in the Hotel UMass case was delayed
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: A brief morning shower or two, with a high of 63 and low of 53 degrees.
- Thursday: Occasional rain, temps: high: 62, low: 53.
- Friday: Cloudy with showers around, with a high of 62 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Town Manager Proposes $107M Budget; No Tax Override Planned (theamherstcurrent.org) — Amherst’s town manager is proposing a $107.1 million Fiscal 2027 budget that avoids a property tax override but raises water and sewer rates for residents. The plan boosts funding for roads, sidewalks, fire/EMS staffing, and youth recreation, and may increase building permit fees to match nearby towns, with a Town Council vote expected in June. 
2. UMass Amherst Selects Team to Collaborate on Modernizing Campus Housing (businesswest.com) — UMass Amherst has chosen American Campus Communities to help design a long-term plan to modernize student housing on the Amherst campus while keeping it affordable. Planning starts this summer and will include input from students, faculty, and local stakeholders, with new and renovated residence halls expected to shape how thousands of Amherst-based students live on and around campus.
3. Court date for man accused of murdering UMass dining supervisor pushed back (westernmassnews.com) — A court hearing to review the mental health status of a man charged in connection with a killing at Hotel UMass in Amherst has been postponed to June 2. The defendant, a UMass Amherst chef, faces first-degree murder and assault charges after his wife, a dining supervisor at the university, was found dead last month.
4. Amherst Now in Level 2 Drought (amherstindy.org) — Amherst is now in a Level 2 Significant Drought, meaning residents should expect tighter water restrictions and are urged to conserve both indoors and outdoors. State officials say long-term precipitation deficits are stressing groundwater and local supplies, and they encourage Amherst households and businesses to fix leaks, limit lawn watering, and stay tuned to local rules and the town’s Water Supply Protection Plan.
5. Speaking of Nature: Unveiling the fringed polygala: The orchid imposter has a fascinating relationships with insects (gazettenet.com) — A local naturalist describes finding tiny fringed polygala wildflowers atop the Holyoke Range State Forest in Amherst and explains their intricate relationships with bumblebees and ants. He encourages readers to explore nearby Massachusetts state forests this spring to spot these striking blooms in moist, shaded woods while they’re at their peak.
📸 Around Amherst
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Amherst
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Crystal Springs Launch with Don Lesser - Rootstock Publishing →
North Amherst Library, 8 Montague Rd, Amherst
6:00 pm
Wednesday May 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Spring Concert & Art Show
Smith Academy, 34 School St, Hatfield
6:30 pm -
Library Trustees
Hatfield Public Library, 39 Main St, Hatfield
9:30 am -
Drop-In Pickleball at Mill River →
Town of Amherst Calendar, 95 Montague Rd, Amherst
10:00 am -
Chair Yoga With Lara →
Town of Amherst Council on Aging Bangs Community Center - 70 Boltwood Walk Amherst MA 01002
10:15 am -
Mindfulness in Watercolor with Lois Barber →
Town of Amherst Calendar, 91 Cowls Road, Amherst
10:30 am -
Playgroup with music! đ§¸
Hatfield Public Library, 39 Main Street, Hatfield
10:30 am -
Function Well →
Town of Amherst Council on Aging Bangs Community Center > South Meeting Room #101 - 70 Boltwood Walk Amherst MA 01002
11:30 am
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
📣 Amherst Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Urban Birding for Beginners →
Town of Amherst Calendar, Triangle St, Amherst
7:30 am -
Teen/Tween Dungeons & Dragons (currently FULL)
Pelham Town Library Pelham Library, 2 South Valley Road , Pelham, MA, 01002, United States
8:00 am -
30 Minute Reiki Session →
Town of Amherst Council on Aging Bangs Community Center - 70 Boltwood Walk Amherst MA 01002
9:00 am -
Wednesday Market →
Town of Amherst Calendar, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst
10:00 am
Wednesday May 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Found a silver ring in my front garden.
If you’ve done work for me on Summer Street in the past few years and lost a ring, message me with a description of it. The situation seems vaguely… (Nextdoor Amherst) - Does anybody know of a person who collects bicycles and repairs them to sell?
I remember seeing a post of a man who had bicycles that are low in cost. Looking for a mountain bike for adult male who is in his mid fourties… (Nextdoor Main Street)
- My Derm Recruiter posted a job opening for Medical Receptionist in Amherst. Apply here.
- Big Y posted a job opening for Produce/Floral Clerk in Amherst. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Amherst here.
Ok Amherst! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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