Around Town: Officials' images captured on film

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on November 28, 2008

Standing in front of a curtain in the Town Room at Town Hall, members of the Select Board and town manager posed for a series of photographs Monday night.

The numerous group shots and portraits were taken by professional photographer Joseph Kushick, with the photo shoot being arranged by Town Manager Larry Shaffer.

The idea, said Shaffer, is to use the photograph of the five-member board in the annual town report, as well as several other town publications, while the head shots may be placed in the foyer of Town Hall.

Shaffer said he finds it unusual that visitors to Town Hall don't have a place where they can see who Amherst's elected leaders are. "I think it's standard operating procedure in most municipalities," Shaffer said.

The new tradition also memorializes those who serve and put in a lot of time on behalf of the town, between 20 and 40 hours a week, Shaffer said. They should be recognized not only now, but for future generations, he said.

"People should know who they are," Shaffer said. "This is an acknowledgment of our history."

New street signs

"Slow: Children" signs will be installed on Pomeroy Lane near the Montessori School, a way of improving safety for the children who attend school there.

The Select Board this week agreed to have the signs go up near the school, even though Department of Public Works Superintendent Guilford Mooring told Shaffer he is skeptical that this will solve any safety problems.

The request was made by Tamara Balis, head of the school, who in a letter to the board wrote, "We would like to post signs that indicate there are children in these locations to help remind drivers to use a modest speed."

Shaffer said it is important to respond to the school's concerns and noted that the signs might have influence on some drivers.

"I agree with that approach," said Chairman Gerry Weiss.

Town Meeting votes

When Town Meeting members recently received anonymous postcards informing them that their votes and attendance would be recorded and sent to all residents, many members noted that this information is already available on the town's Web site.

Now, a newly launched Web site gives residents even easier access to the recorded votes by Town Meeting members.

The database, put together by Planning Board member Jonathan O'Keeffe, is available at the www.tallyvotes.org.

This shows results of the only three tally votes this fall, which were taken on referring the creation of a municipal housing trust back to the Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee, referring a zoning amendment on professional offices in light industrial districts back to the Planning Board and accepting the zoning amendment allowing these professional offices.

Meetings

MONDAY: Budget Coordinating Group, 1 p.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall; Amherst Cultural Council, 6 p.m., Jones Library; Select Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.

THURSDAY: Jones Library Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., Trustees, Room, Jones Library; Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall for public hearings to convert a one-family house to two at 290 West St.; to operate a restaurant at 460 West St.

SATURDAY: Select Board, 9 a.m., Regional Middle School to meet with Pelham, Leverett, Shutesbury officials.