NO SWIMMING at Fort River/ Wentworth Farm Conservation Area

Due to high bacteria levels we ask that you refrain from swimming in the Fort River through Tuesday, August 18, 2020.  The Town of Amherst is testing water samples weekly.

For more information call: 413-259-3045

Thank you!

Transfer Station Stickers for FY21

FY21 Transfer Station Stickers

Amherst DPW will be issuing all FY21 stickers by mail. Apply for and purchase your transfer station stickers online by clicking here. 

Renewal forms are also available at the Transfer Station. 

Paper forms mus...

2020 Election FAQs from Town Clerk

What are the upcoming 2020 election dates?

• The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 1^st. View sample ballots
• The State (Presidential) Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3^rd
• Polls will be open from 7:00am – 8:00pm on ...

Amherst Awarded $321,577 in CDBG CARES Act Funding

The Town of Amherst is pleased to announce the award of $321,577 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). ...

Town & UMass Establish COVID-19 Working Group

To enhance their coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Amherst and University of Massachusetts Amherst have appointed a high-level Working Group to address areas of mutual concern. Students will be returning to the Amherst area next m...

Amherst Board of Health Emergency Order: Face Masks/Coverings in Part of the Town

The Board of Health for the Town of Amherst has issued an emergency order making the wearing of face masks or face coverings in part of the Town, in order to protect public health and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. (Please see map of area below)&...

Town Council Report on Polling Locations

In accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, the Amherst Town Council shall evaluate and report on the impact of a change in polling locations.In making a decision to change a polling place, the Town Council shall evaluate and report ...

Metered Parking Enforcement Resumes August 3rd

The Town of Amherst will resume enforcement of metered parking spaces beginning August 3, 2020.  

As Downtown businesses begin to reopen and students are expected back in the area, the demand on our parking spaces has increased. Our parking enforc...

New COVID-19 Massachusetts Travel Order

Effective August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders. The Commonwealth has made great progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 and gradually re-open the economy, and all visitors have a respons...

Amherst Dog Park Breaks Ground

The Amherst Dog Park had a groundbreaking ceremony today. Members of the Dog Park Task Force, CPA Committee, Town Councilors and Town staff were on hand to make remarks and break ground at the South landfill site where the 2.5 acre park will sit. With mor...

Amherst Designated a Housing Choice Community

Last week, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the Housing Choice Communities (HCC). The Town of Amherst was again named as one of 56 municipalities to receive an HCC designation, joined by another 8 communities who were newly added. This designatio...

Vote by Mail Applications

Voting by mail is available to all registered Massachusetts voters for all elections in 2020. You do not need an excuse to vote by mail this year. In-person voting will still be available. 

To vote by mail, all you need to do is:

1.   &...

Resolution Signed Denouncing Xenophobia & Discrimination Against Asians & Asian Americans

The Amherst Town Council recently passed a resolution calling on all local public officials to condemn and denounce any and all anti-Asian sentiment in any form in and around the Town of Amherst. The resolution was sponsored by community members Tracy Zaf...

Amherst Public Works: Working for YOU

Amherst Public Works continues to operate throughout COVID-19 to provide essential services to the Town.  DPW personnel are working daily to provide drinking water, treat wastewater, and keep public areas & roadways safe. Stay tuned for perio...

Town Manager Pens Letter to University of Massachusetts Regarding Reopening

Town Manager Paul Bockelman expressed concerns about elements of the plans announced by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to reopen in August.

Bockelman stated, “These decisions have consequences and it is up to the University to take re...

Amherst Joined 25 Other Communities in Support of Harvard & MIT’s Challenge to Proposed Visa Rules

The Town of Amherst had signed on to an amicus brief in support of Harvard and MIT’s challenge to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent changes to the F-1 and M-1 visa rules for foreign students.

The Town joined an effort s...

Online Kindergarten Registration is Open for Amherst Schools

It is important to register your child, even if you are not sure you will want to send them to school in the fall as this will help the district plan appropriately. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2020 are eligible to enroll,...

Groff Park Playground Now Open

The Town Council cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new Groff Park playground and spray park earlier today.

This is the culmination of a five-year effort to renovate this section of Groff Park. The new playground and Spray Park replace a 1950’s wad...

TOWN OF AMHERST COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE $250K GRANT PROGRAM

The Town of Amherst and the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund announce the availability of short‐term emergency rental assistance available for Amherst renters experiencing a loss or reduction of income due to COVID‐19. Rental assistance is ...

Amherst Leisure Services Outdoor Pools Open

The Amherst outdoor pools at Mill River and War Memorial opened to the public Saturday, June 27th and will remain open through August 30th, 2020 for Lap Swim and Open Swim. There are new restrictions to keep in line with Phase 2 Massachusetts regulations,...

Joint Statement from Town of Amherst Officials

We are haunted by the searing vision of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on a subdued man’s neck, as other officers watched the man die. We witnessed Mr. George Floyd’s pleas for help be ignored by the very people who are trained ...

Puffer's Pond Beach Open for Visitors

The Town of Amherst has opened the Puffer’s Pond area and South Beach for swimming and visiting. Our team will staff the pond 7 days a week from 10 am to 6 pm to keep visitors safe and to control the number of people using the South Beach area o...

Recreation & Summer Activities in Amherst

This is an update on Town activities this summer. Please note that all activities, if they are happening, will be different than they have been in previous years. We will put in place precautions to minimize the likelihood of spread of COVID-19, but it wi...

Outdoor Dining Services: Accepting Requests & Recent Openings

Update: The Town of Amherst Inspections Team and Board of License Commissioners have facilitated the opening of outdoor dining and alcohol service at seven Amherst restaurants so far. Opening this Friday with expanded outdoor seating and alcohol service a...