The Amherst Board of Health held a Public Hearing on Thursday: February 25, 2010 as part of their regularly scheduled meeting in order to receive public comment in regards to the proposed amendments for the Town of Amherst Regulation Prohibiting Smoking In Workplaces and Public Places. During the Public Hearing the Board of Health announced written public comments pertaining to the proposed amendments to the regulation will be accepted until March 15, 2010. Written public comments can be forwarded to: Amherst Board of Health, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002. An electronic version of the current regulation, as well as a draft version with the proposed amendments can be viewed by following the link below. [Additional info...]

Laurence Shaffer, Town Manager for the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts announced that an employment contract has been signed with Walter O. “Tim” Nelson, Jr. Chief Nelson shall become the Fire Chief for the Town of Amherst, effective Monday, March 22, 2010. Chief Nelson shall replace retired Chief Keith Hoyle, who retired August 1, 2009. Interim Fire Chief Lindsey Stromgren has served as Fire Chief from Chief Hoyle’s retirement to Chief Nelson’s appointment.

Chief Nelson is presently the Deputy Chief of the Holyoke, Massachusetts Fire Department. Aside from his responsibilities as Shift Commander, Chief Nelson is the Special Operations and Projects Chief. He is responsible for Homeland Security and Hazardous Materials along with being the Department’s representative to the City Emergency Management Team. Chief Nelson has enjoyed a 29 year career with the City of Holyoke Fire Department. Highlights of his career include significant expertise and leadership with hazardous materials and emergency management and preparedness. Chief Nelson has been the Disaster Co-Chair for the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross; he developed the partnership between the Massachusetts Air Wing and the Holyoke Fire Department; Chief Nelson has successfully completed many courses at the National Fire Academy; Chief Nelson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Westfield State College. Chief Nelson resides in South Hadley with his wife Gina and daughter Jessica.

Larry Shaffer said, “Tim Nelson is a great addition to the Amherst leadership team. I expect that he will lead a great Fire Department to an entire new level of performance. Tim Nelson is known as an accomplished professional who brings the full range of knowledge and experience to Amherst. I am pleased and proud to present him to the community as its new Fire Chief. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the Fire Chief Recruitment and Selection Team. They devoted countless hours to the review of resumes, development of interview questions and the conduct of the visits from the six candidates invited for consideration. The Recruitment and Selection Team included Chief Johnny Whitehead, UMass Police Department; Don Robinson, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts; Reynolds Winslow, Chair, Human Rights Commission; Brian Duggan, Fire Chief, Northampton; Chris Norris, Deputy Fire Chief, Northampton; Bruce Carroll, Ph.D.; Tim Finley, Fire Chief, retired; Aaron Hayden, Amherst Select Board; David Clooney, Firefighters’ Union representative.”

The Amherst Community Preservation Act Committee welcomes comment from the public on the Affordable Housing, Historic Preservation, Open Space, and Recreation proposals that have been submitted for funding in Fiscal Year 2011. The Public Hearing will take place on Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 pm in the Town Room on the second floor of Town Hall. Additional information about these proposals is available at www.amherstma.gov/cpa .

WHERE: Amherst Transfer Station

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: All residents of Amherst, Pelham & Shutesbury

Collection Dates:
May 4, 2010 through
September 18, 2010

Tuesday
Thursday
& Saturday

TIME: 8AM – 2PM

What is acceptable:

No more than 10 gallons per person per day

Oil and Latex based paints and stains will be accepted for reuse with the following conditions:

· Original container

· In good condition in liquid form

· Clearly labeled for contents and color

PLUS: (Aerosol cans & paint thinners will
be accepted)

Please be prepared to pay $2.00 per gallon (*equivalent) to leave any paint products.

Remember – small quantities of latex paint can be safely disposed of in household refuse by mixing an absorbent material (i.e. kitty litter, speedy-dri) to contain the liquid portion of the paint. Notify your trash hauler if you will be disposing of dried paint in this manner. Empty cans that have been scraped, brushed or wiped clean may be recycled at the Transfer Station at no cost.

Pre-register hazardous paint products if the materials are not suitable for the Paint Collection Program.

This program is designed to remove paint from the solid waste stream. Many paint products will be collected for safe disposal. Unfortunately, we may have to refuse materials that do not meet the specific conditions of the program.

Quantities over 10 gallons will be accepted by appointment; please call 259-3050 X-0

RESIDENTIAL UNIVERSAL WASTE PROGRAM – WITH STICKER

Fluorescent bulbs, thermostats, thermometers, button batteries and rechargeable batteries are accepted at the transfer station Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 8AM – 2PM. Cost $1/Bulb.

*equivalent is based on total number of full gallons. Example: bring 4 half gallons = 2 full gallons = $4.00 disposal fee.

The annual season for homeowners to burn brush as allowed by state regulations is January 15th through May 1st. Homeowners must receive a permit (no fee) from the fire department which requires an initial inspection of the site. Once a permit is issued it can be used through May 1st by renewing it over the telephone. We are encouraging homeowners to get their permit early - don't wait until the day you plan to burn brush. To request a permit call the fire department business office at 413-259-3082. [Additional info...]