Dear fellow residents of District 3,
My hat is off to all of us for our responsible and calm behavior so far in this epidemic. If it weren’t for the fact that we talk to few people in person, then only in the cold fresh air, walk around with masks on, can’t visit most family members, teach, shop, go to meetings on Zoom, and then find the high point of the weekend is a Zoom meeting with old friends, I’d almost say that life seems quite normal!
There has been no panic here in Amherst…so far. But now it’s time for us to get our vaccinations.
As our friends in other states and towns report that they just got their first shot, many of us here have begun to get restless. The Town of Amherst and UMass have been organized and prepared to set up vaccinations for Phase 2 for a while; all that was missing was the vaccine.
So here is the good news!
**Amherst to Hold Covid-19 Clinic week of February 1st.
Go to Town of Amherst MA Website for complete article for information on how to sign up. Starting at 11:00 am Monday February 1st those in class 2 who are 75+ years old are eligible. People in class 1 will still be able to get the vaccine.
Registration links, dates and times will be posted after 11:00 AM on Monday, February 1st on our vaccine page: www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine
- All eligible individuals must schedule an appointment in advance for the vaccine clinic at www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine once times have been posted.
The vaccination clinic will serve eligible Eastern Hampshire County residents, primarily the communities of Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Pelham, South Hadley, and Ware. The clinic will be held at the Amherst Regional High School located at 21 Matoon St. in Amherst, MA 01002.
Vaccine also may be available from other clinics within the State, we encourage you to review the Interactive Map for Massachusetts Vaccine sites here.
Additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled as vaccine is received from the State. Due to limited state vaccine supply allocated from the Federal Government, clinic scheduling is limited at this time. When we know the details of planned clinics, we will broadly communicate the information through the Town, the Senior Center, and other communication channels. Up to date information can also be found at www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine
**UMass classes begin on campus and online this week. For a detailed presentation by UMass and the Town of Amherst on their Spring Semester safety protocols, tune in to the Town Council meeting on Monday February 8th at 5:30.
February 8, 2021, 5:30 PM – UMass and the Town of Amherst will be the featured presenters at a meeting of the Amherst Town Council. UMass will make a presentation about the opening of the Spring Semester and with the Town of Amherst Director of Health provide an update on COVID Vaccinations and Testing. You can join the meeting by Zoom at https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81377784552 or by watching it on Amherst Media. The most up to date information can be found at https://www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine. Please forward questions to: townc…@amherstma.gov
**Town Council Committees
As we start this final year of our terms as Town Councilors, there have been some committee changes. I will continue on the central Finance Committee and leave the Town Services Committee (TSO) to return to the Community Services Committee (CRC). Although it is sad to leave TSO where it has been great working with councilors Brewer, Ross and Ryan, all contributing to our meetings ably run by chair Darcy Dumont, Returning to CRC will allow me to spend more time on the key issues of how zoning changes can provide more housing that is affordable and desirable for a wide variety of people with a spread of incomes–including young families, senior citizens, people who work in town, housing that is still in tune with Amherst’s history and culture as a small New England Town. I will continue to be an attendee the Amherst Planning Board, the Planning Board Zoning Subcommittee, the Local Historic District Committee and other committees when dealing with housing.
Keep warm and keep your spirits up,
Dorothy Pam
Amherst Town Councilor – District 3
