AMHERST — Senior citizens participating in the Senior Tax Work-off Program will have the opportunity for a 33% boost in the abatement they receive on their property taxes.

Town officials recently announced that the maximum earnings from the program for residents 60 and older eligible to participate is going up from $1,500 to $2,000 per year.

Town Manager Paul Bockelman said in a statement that the program is a lifeline for town elders.

“By reducing the tax burden, the reduction in taxes helps seniors remain in their homes and maintain their independence,” Bockelman said. “We thank the state Legislature for providing this added benefit for town residents.”

Current participants are eligible for this increase and have until Nov. 30 to submit hours worked for consideration. Applications for calendar year 2025 open on Dec. 1 and remain open through January.

Full eligibility guidelines are available at amherstma.gov/586/Tax-Work-Off-Plan. People interested in applying should contact Social Services Coordinator Lucas Schildbach at 413-259-3062 or schildbachl@amherstma.gov.

State primary

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the state primary, with Democratic, Republican and Libertarian ballots available to voters. The only contested election is on the Republican ballot, where three candidates are vying to be the party’s candidate for U.S. senator.

Following are the polling locations in Amherst for those who haven’t voted early, absentee or by mail:

Precinct 1-A, North Amherst Library, 8 Montague Road; Precinct 1-B, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant St.; Precincts 2-A, 3-A, 4-A and 4-B, Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, 21 Mattoon St; Precinct 2-B, Fort River School, 70 South East St.; Precinct 3-B, Crocker Farm School, 280 West St.; Precinct 5-A, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk; and Precinct 5-B, Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East St.

Jones Library retaining wall

A 131-foot-long retaining wall for the expanded and renovated Jones Library, extending 2 feet onto the neighboring Amherst History Society land, was recently approved by the Planning Board.

Planners agreed to a waiver of the setback for the footings of the retaining wall and the footings’ locations.

Jones trustees President Austin Sarat told planners extensive conversations have taken place with the historical society. “This is an integral part of what we are hoping to do as we move forward with the important construction and renovation project of the library,” Sarat said.

Bob Pereint, special capital projects coordinator for the town, said a concern for the society was the excavation and the possible impact on large ash tree, which like a spruce and sycamore tree will have a chain link fence installed around it, aeration matting system placed on the ground and mulch placed above that, with equipment passing near the tree traveling on timber mats. A certified arborist will have to be hired.

The contractor will also place a surety bond of $50,000 to make sure the trees are not damaged. “I think we’re dealing with it appropriately as we have with other trees on the Historical Society property,” Pereint said.

Peirent said there will be a requirement of hand digging and use of an air lance when getting near the tree, and the arborist will oversee any cutting of roots.

Gigi Barnhill, president of the Historical Society, appreciates the process. “I just want to thank the powers that be that tree will be looked after,” Barnhill said.

Wistaria String Quartet

Strings at the Strong continues Saturday with the Wistaria String Quartet performing from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the garden at the Strong House, 67 Amity St.

The museum is open before the free concerts so the public can view the exhibit “Cambodians in Amherst: The History of the Khmer Community.”

Hadley history signs

Four signs in both English and Spanish, with historical information about the West Street Common, Middle Street, North Hadley and Hockanum from pre-Colonial settlement to modern times, were recently installed in Hadley.

The signs, a project that has been six years in the making, will be officially celebrated with an event on the West Street Common near the Norwottuck Rail Trail on Thursday.

Diana West, who chairs the Hadley Historical Commission, thanked members for sticking with the project, and those who fabricated and placed the signs.

“Historic preservation starts with education, and we want these signs to serve as a reminder that Hadley has a rich history to be appreciated by residents and visitors alike,” West said.

The four signs are part of a larger project funded through the town’s Community Preservation Act and supported by voters. Two related projects are also coming, including an updated version of the West Street walking tour, originally published in 1987, and an audio driving tour taking people along Route 47 from Hockanum to North Hadley.

Meetings

WEDNESDAY: Residents’ Advisory Committee, 2 p.m., and Planning Board, 6:30 p.m., with hearing on four-lot preliminary subdivision on Shutesbury Road filed by W.D. Cowls, Inc.

THURSDAY: Board of Assessors, 8:30 a.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall.