The middle school is just one of many sites that will host "Public Idea Gathering Meetings," a series of discussion sessions organized and facilitated by Amherst's Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC). The purpose of the Town Master Plan meetings is to receive input from community members.
A Master Plan, required by state law for the eligibility of state funding and use of state bylaws to regulate construction, is, essentially, a blueprint. The blueprint will serve as a set of general guidelines for the future development of the town of Amherst.
According to Massachusetts State Law, a Master Plan must incorporate nine elements that include land use, housing, transportation, economic development, community facilities, parks and open spaces, natural and cultural resources, services and facilities as well as implementation.
This year's Master Plan will be the first in Amherst's history. Previously, Amherst's development was guided by a series of studies and proposals with specific focuses in mind. The CPC was given the task of creating a Master Plan and $200,000 was allocated for the plan in place.
In order to ensure that the Master Plan accurately depicts the wants and needs of the Amherst community, the CPC organized five Public Idea Gathering Meetings at four different locations and at different times and dates. Two of these meetings have already taken place, this past Thursday and Saturday, at Amherst Regional Middle School.
"By scattering the Public Idea Gathering Meetings widely throughout the town, at very different times, sometimes with child care and in different languages we hope to facilitate participation of a wide variety of town citizens," said Aaron Hayden, chairman of the town's Planning Board and a member of the CPC committee. Hayden also serves as Capital Projects Manager at Amherst College.
Given Amherst College's ties to the community, the College has a great deal of influence and interest in the matter, according to Hayden. Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst also have considerable say on the matter.
Hayden commented on the College's participation in the master planning process. "Amherst is an active participant in the Master Planning Process by sending representatives to the Comprehensive Planning Committee meetings and Idea Gathering meetings, and by engaging the Town Manager in meetings with the Director of the Physical Plant Jim Brassord and President [Tony] Marx," said Hayden.
In addition to seeking and receiving input from the administrative entities of the neighboring educational institutions, the CPC also seeks to encourage students participation from the Five Colleges in the meetings. Students comprise 25-50 percent of the town's population. Though they may not reside for the full year, their concerns are just as valid as other residents' and hold equal weight in meetings and the Committee's considerations.
To date, students have typically been severely underrepresented in town meetings, perhaps due to a lack of interest from the student community. As a result, the CPC has undertaken several efforts to further encourage students to participate in the Master Plan process.
Hayden discussed his recent efforts. "I will be asking Public Affairs to announce these [meetings] on the College's various communications, e.g., Intranet, the e-Digest. It would be wonderful for students to participate in these open meetings as [they] are certain stakeholders in the Town's future," said Hayden.
The CPC's initiatives have already increased student involvement in the meetings. Earlier this year, the CPC asked for students to volunteer to help with the organization and running of the Idea Gathering Meetings. Several students from the colleges responded to the CPC's call and now serve as facilitators, taking down and presenting the ideas brought up in the discussion.
In addition to serving as facilitators, some students have also participated in the meetings, where they can bring up concerns relevant to their particular interests. Hayden recalls one proposal presented by a student during a discussion session that called for more establishments that would cater to underage students who cannot yet drink alcohol. "A number of students have already participated in the meetings to date and we would love to have more," he said.
It is still possible for students to become involved in the planning process. There are three more meetings scheduled for the month on Wed., Oct. 18, 1-3 p.m., at Jones Library, downtown; on Wed., Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Amherst; and on Fri., Oct. 20, 9-11 a.m. at Hampshire College's Franklin Patterson Hall.
"We need to hear from the students," said Senior Planner of the CPC, Niels LaCour. "The students are an important part of our population."