John Varner News Today

From Dream to Reality

AMHERST — Regular examinations of rental homes in Amherst that would be required in an updated rental permitting bylaw appear to have support from residents, even though some have questions about whether the town has the ability to undertake such a...

The figures John Varner brings up in his guest column (“Amherst awash and slowly going under,” Sept. 23) concerning housing in Amherst hold a lot of truth but just tell one side of the story.As a former member of the late Amherst Housing Partnership...

Kudos to John Varner for encapsulating the issues (“Amherst awash and slowly going under,” Sept. 23) facing Amherst — the history and current challenges. Are we up to the challenge? Nathan and Pearl-Anne MargalitAmherst

Early in the 20th century, the Boston metro area needed more water. As a result, four small towns in the center of the state were taken by eminent domain, the residents compensated, the Swift River valley was dammed and flooded, and the Quabbin...

Early in the 20th century, the Boston metro area needed more water. As a result, four small towns in the center of the state were taken by eminent domain, the residents compensated, the Swift River valley was dammed and flooded, and the Quabbin...

Amherst Forward is a group that purports to want to help Amherst thrive. True, as has been noted by members of the group, neighborhoods change; towns change; everything changes — that is the nature of passing time. A main function of Town Council is...

The recent confabulation between the Amherst Town Council and John Varner as to whether he is qualified for the town Zoning Board of Appeals is another unfortunate example in Amherst of two sides talking past each other on totally irrelevant...

AMHERST — An associate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals remains vacant this week after the Town Council turned down a resident’s application to serve on the panel, in part due to concerns with his written responses to a council subcommittee’s...

I would encourage the Town Council to get serious about regulating the conversion of single-family homes into student housing. This means writing regulations that address the future conversion of houses by investors, and it means allocating funds to...