By Joan Temkin
Membership and Marketing Director

                                                                 
                                           Val Nelson (left) teaching with a workshop participant.


At our latest Brown Bag gathering, almost 30 people participated in the workshop, Networking Secrets from an Ex-Wallflower, presented by Val Nelson, Career and Business Coach.

This was one of our most popular Brown Bag events yet! We struck a chord with this topic.

Val had promised that everyone would leave the Brown Bag with relaxed shoulders and new ideas for improving their networking skills, and she delivered.  The presentation included some effective interactive exercises. The photo shows Val with a participant enjoying a networking demo.

By the end, participants went from being hesitant to passionate about their next networking opportunity.

As a perfect extension, or for those who couldn't attend, Val is now forming a short-term group called Heart-Centered Networking Momentum Group. It's designed to help people have more ease, authenticity, and impact with networking. Group members will define their who, what, where, and when of networking... and even what to wear. Details here:  http://www.valnelson.com/nmg

By Kathryn Grandonico
Lincoln Real Estate
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
President, Board of Directors



Editor's Note - This is the first in a weekly series of blog posts from our Chamber Board of Directors.


During a recent Chamber board session where we were discussing the organization’s goals, accomplishments and what our future direction should be, it occurred to me that there are many ways in which the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce touches the lives of our community and our businesses on a daily basis. So I suggested a board project, to blog about our experiences as Chamber members with all of you. As members, we experience what you do, and can relate to your struggles, work, and issues. We know why you’ve joined –because we have, too – and what makes the Chamber important to your business.

Beginning this week, each of our board members will write a blog submission to begin a dialogue with not only our members, but the community. We want to have a transparent organization. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. Any of our members are encouraged to write on our blog as well. (Did you know that we created a new website where every member has their own porthole which they can update at any time: submit events, create member to member discounts, advertise, pay for dues and so much more?!)

How has the chamber impacted me recently?

On Thursday April 12, as the Amherst Area Chamber President, I attended a welcoming event for our town's new building inspector, Robert Morra. It was one of the most hopeful events I've attended in some time. Town hall officials. the police and fire departments, local business owners, members of the chamber, and members of the publiic all were there. Everyone was laughing and smiling and speaking about the potential for Amherst. The optimism in the room was tangible and might I add, refreshing. We are at the tipping point for greatness and prosperity. We’ve survived the difficult financial times and we are on an upswing for success.

The second event I attended was for the "Ground Breaking" for the Amherst survival center at the old Rooster's location in North Amherst. The AACC awarded the Amherst survival center an AACC A+ award this past year and with good reason. Did you know that over 200 people a day are helped by the center? In one week I was able to see success on a business development and community front; all of which were touched by the AACC. Congratulations Mr. Morra and the Amherst Survival Center. I wish you both great success!

So this is a rewrite of a great post that I wrote earlier and lost. I hope I remember everything.

The Chamber's first-ever Margarita Madness took place this past Wednesday at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. What a great evening. Almost 200 Chamber folk and members of the public were in attendance to sample a slew of spectacular tequila mixes by Chandler's Restaurant (by the way, check out Undercover Boss this weekend, as Yankee Candle CEO Harlan Kent will star), Elegant Affairs, The Pub, Johnny's Tavern, Judie's Restaurant, 30Boltwood, Lit/Moti, Encharter Insurance, Florence Savings Bank, Hope and Feathers Framing, NEPM, and Country Nissan/Northampton Volkswagon. 

Needless to say, as is my want, and it is my job, I sampled them all. I couldn't pick a favorite (what did you expect me to say?). But the crowd did speak. NEPM won for best business margarita. Judie's took best in the restaurant class. Overall winner was 30Boltwood with their beet-flavored margarita (locally grown!). 

We couldn't have done this without our participants and our sponsors - MassLive.com, Valley Advocate, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Applewood, Greenfield Savings Bank, Country Nissan/Northampton Volkswagon, Mix 93.1 (who sent their morning team Zito and Karen!), and Copy Cat Print Shop. Also, a big cheer to the Carle for hosting a wonderful event. The Museum turns 10 this year. I was at the first party waaaay back, and they still know how to have fun there! (Make sure to check out Kadir Nelson's exhibition before it leaves town.) Big ups to Alix Kennedy and her whole staff - Megan, Rebecca, Rosemary, Annie, Sandy (!), and Susan -  for making us feel welcome and comfortable.

The event doesn't happen without the brainstorm and dedication by Youssef Fadel, a past Chamber president, margarita champion, and MVP of this organization. Youssef just rocks and rallied our team, which included Joan Temkin (who led, as usual, on the staff end), Phil Ciccarelli of Murphy McCoubrey, and Tom Crossman of Crossman Properties. Youssef also brought in Suzanne Boniface who made this event hum by getting all the sponsors, media, and planning together. Great job all and thank you!

 

Just for fun, and because I'm so far behind in posting, I thought that I might post with some links to recent Amherst Area Chamber and business news. Lots has gone on, and here's a good way for our readers to catch up.

The month got off to a rousing start, as the Chamber welcomed Amherst College President Biddy Martin to our February breakfast. We look forward to exciting times here in town with President Martin at the helm. Larry Kelley, local blogger extraordinaire covered the event. You can read all about it (and see it) here. 

The Chamber was pleased to contribute to the Springfield Republican's Outlook 2012 section this month. We took an appropriately optimistic tone for 2012, which we hope you'll agree is bright. Here's our contribution, but do read through the "Reinventing the Valley" insert. There's so much going on throughout the Valley. It truly feels like we're on the cusp of something grand. 

If you aren't paying attention, there's a whole bunch of great new restaurants to complement our already terrific cuilinary stock. Don't worry . . . I'm trying them all out for you! 

Chamber member and B and B owner Connie Kruger is helping to create a better permitting system in Amherst. Good luck and thank you, Connie! 

The Amherst Area Chamber congratulates UMass Deputy Chancellor Todd Diacon on his new appointment as Provost at Kent State. We're sad to lose such an important figure in our improved Town/Gown relations. You'll be missed, Todd.

Great news for downtown Amherst! The Amherst BID has officially formed as of last Thursday. To learn more about the BID click here. Those exciting gentlemen in the video have been great leaders in getting this initiative off the ground. The Chamber looks forward to an important and fruitful partnership with the BID in the months - and years - to come!

I'm going to personal blog today. I've got some stuff on my mind, and few readers at this point, so I think I'm safe. Also, I think the personal has more universal applications. Hopefully, I'll get some feedback that tells me I'm right. Or wrong.

"You catch more bees with honey . . ." That's today's motto.

I've been a crab lately. That happens when you work in New England. We're a seafood people, even out here in the sticks. Winter can get you hard. And when you work in an office with one window but you have a little nook without access to that daylight (my plight), it's easy to get crustacean or snarly or both.

So that has been me lately. That's the personal part. I've been in a bad mood.

But here's the universal part. Bad moods don't work. They make work terrible. Terrible attitudes yield commensurate results.

Generally when I'm in this mode, I try to fake it. But you can only fake it so long before someone calls you on it, or it catches up to you because that sentence that you think is innocuous is unusually harsh.

Sometimes for me that plays out in the public.  I get to satisfy my fantasy of being a journalist with my monthly column in the Amherst Bulletin. In that column space, I'm occasionally ready to rumble (at least as long as it takes me to write the column). As it was in my Decemeber column, I think my corn flakes were tampered with and I was unusually grumpy: "Village Center growth is key". The feedback I got from readers was pretty mixed. Even those who agreed with me did so through pursed lips and clenched fists.

However, the following month's column: "Passing peace pipe over dinner" (we didn't smoke a pipe, by the way . . .) was one that I received some accolades for. The pats on the back for the piece were jovial and releaved. Folks happily talked to me about what I wrote this month. Much love.

What do I take from all of this? A rather simplistic, but mostly easy to follow rule: your mood dictates how your business operates. That face you put on that the world sees is tied to your success or failure. 

A few years ago, the Chamber launched its A+ Campaign, with our slogan, The Amherst Area: A Perfect Place . . . The campaign was meant to counterbalance the long prevailing view of the town as a difficult place to open, to get permitting, to do anything.

We get the occasional smirks from cynics, and have been hit with some inventive chalk graffitti next our front door, but for the most part, the campaign has corresponded with a more optimistic view of the town as a place for business. We're getting things done here because we believe we can. Optimism makes a difference.

So what do you think? Am I nuts? Are you glass half-fuller? Why?

Join me in smiles and thank yous. Tell me how it goes.

Last week was pretty busy, which kept me from blogging as I promised I would. So, here's the Chamber week that was, January 9-13, 2012.

The big Chamber news last week was our January breakfast and Annual Meeting, sponsored by Elite Home Health Agency and held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Hadley. if you've been following the blog, the papers, and our social media feeds, you'd know that the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has a new president for the first time in two years in Lincoln Real Estate's Kathryn Grandonico. Kathryn delivered a terrific address, which laid out her objectives for 2012. Among her goals for the year are to work with the newly formed Business Improvement District, to create better signage for the downtown, and to support our work with the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council (RTC). Kathryn's energy was on full display, and I look forward to a productive and exciting year ahead.

As is custom, as Executive Director, I also get to address the Chamber audience. This is the first year that I'll be the "senior partner" in the Chamber leadership, as Kathryn is our youngest ever president at 31. I was able to get a few laughs out of the audience on that before seguing into the more important business of what the Chamber was able to accomplish in the past few years. I covered a lot of that in the last blog post, so I won't go over that again here. What I will say once more here, however, is that in order to continue to be successful, we need the support and participation of all of our membership. The business community has a lot of momentum and needs many hands to continue our positive changes here in the Amherst area.

Tourism, tourism, tourism . . . The Hampshire County RTC has dominated much of the Chamber's activities in the new year. Along with our partners at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, we're working to assemble our advisory group, finalize our workplan through the RTC fiscal year ending June 30, and to invest our grant award into Hampshire County's tourism and hospitality industries.

On Thursday, the Hampshire RTC Advisory Committee met at the newly reopened, and spectacular Lord Jeffery Inn. We had a great meeting in a spectacular setting. We're moving full steam ahead now as we're working on a few joint projects with our sister RTCs in Springfield (GSCVB) and Franklin County, most especially on a comprehensive Pioneer Valley Guide, spearheaded by the GSCVB.

The PV Guide is a more comprehensive version of past editions. Each and every member of each of our organizations will have a listing in the guide, making it more robust and necessary for the visitor. We're really excited about the direction of the guide and look forward to its publication. For Chamber members, we'll have more infomation in the coming days about how you can advertise in the guide, which has a circulation of 125,000.

Some other work that we've committed to is a partnership with CISA to promote their Valley Farm Products guide beyond the area. In an enhanced run of 15,000 copies, we'll distribute this guide to the Boston area with additional editorial on local agritourism and farm festivals. It's an exciting way to promote one of the defining pieces of Hampshire County.

Just a few more quick notes - WinterFest is coming up and the planning for the event continues in earnest. The Chamber is not the organizer of the event this year - that's in the hands of our friends at Amherst Leisure Services - but we're a sponsor of the event. Do mark your calendar for February 11 and pray for snow!

Tomorrow, January 18, is our January After 5 at the Lord Jeff. We expect a terrific crowd to come out to see the refurbished heart of Amherst's downtown. The ballroom looks great, and Robert and Robin were getting things ready for a fun night. I can't wait. My wife and I spent an evening pretending we were tourists on Saturday as we stayed over and had dinner at 30Boltwood. I can't recommend it enough.

That's the week that was . . . how was your week?

This morning the Chamber's Executive Committee had its monthly meeting. For the first time in 2 years, the composition of the Executive Committee has changed, and as a result, on the agenda was a discussion of the organization's goals for 2012.

It's an interesting exercise. I have to admit, given how fast the past three years has gone since I've been in this position, the occasional check in is necessary. It's also a good time to reflect on how we've done as an organization.

I truly believe that we've done an exemplary job in the midst of a terrible economy. Like most Chambers, we have lost some members. We've gone down considerably from a high of 600 members in 2007 at the height of the bubble economy. However since 2008/early 2009, which was the beginning of the worst of the recession, we've stayed within a 500-525 member range. Either that is a demonstration of habit on the part of the accounting departments of our membership - someone is just rubberstamping Chamber renewal - or it demonstrates, as I believe it does, our value to the business community.

And what is that value? I was teased by a friend today who listed a number of accomplishments he has overseen with the question:What has the Chamber done? It was a perfect zinger to the email exchange, but it got me thinking how important it is that we list our accomplishments and beat our chests a bit.

Since 2008, the Chamber has done the following:

• Successfully advocated for the adoption of Amherst's Comprehensive Planning Document;
• Helped form the downtown's Business Improvement District;
• Formed, along with Northampton, Hampshire County's Regional Tourism Council (a wish for over 25 years);
• Created the Amherst Future initiative;
• Created stronger regional ties among fellow Hampshire County and Pioneer Valley Chambers of Commerce;
• Advocated successfully to streamline construction permitting in Town Hall.

While I think we've been visible, since the nature of the work is mostly behind the scenes it can get lost. I'm often asked about our organization as a value proposition for entrepreneurs and small business. What do you do for me?

Because of what we do, you can get open sooner, and with less red tape. Working with us, we can advocate and make sure that your concerns are heard with town and state governments. In a storm or an emergency situation, we can make the call on your behalf to the power company, because we have the relationships. We can't put money in your register with a magic wand, but we have been working on creating the conditions for growth. Our work helps you want to be here, and want to stay here.

Happy New Year!

It's a time for renewal, rebirth, and resolution.

Looking at teh number of blog posts I've put up since the new Amherstarea.com site went live, I'll make one resolution now: I'll blog more this year, and try to make it a worthwhile read. A blog isn't really all that worthwhile if we're not adding to it. And as we all know, there's always a lot to report in the Amherst area.

So far, the kickoff to 2012 has been very exciting. We've got new restaurants that have opened and are opening (more on that later this week), and some Chamber changes. Many of them will be unveiled next Wednesday morning at 7:30am at the Courtyard by Marriott in Hadley.

For the first time in two years, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will have a new leader at the helm in Kathryn Grandonico of Lincoln Real Estate.

Kathryn has been on the Chamber's Executive Committee for the past four years, serving as a Vice President, the last two as 1st VP. She is a member of the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, chaired the Chamber's recent website committee, and on the Merry Maple committee. She is a member of Promoting Downtown Amherst, and has been a member of Amherst's Design Review Board.

A second generation Amherst-based business owner, Kathryn manages Lincoln Real Estate's extensive residential and commercial holdings in Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst. One fun fact - Kathryn is the youngest-ever Chamber president at 31 (if our spotty records are correct!).

The Chamber's Executive Committee also includes Larry Archey, Hampshire College (1st VP); Lyne Kendall, UMass Small Business Development Center Network (2nd VP); Mark Ellsworth, Center for Extended Care (Treasurer); Nancy Buffone, UMass University Relations and Events (Secretary); Jim Brassord, Amherst College (at large); and Molly Keegan, Davis Financial Group, LLC (Immediate Past President).

Rounding out the board are the following (term expiration in parenthesis):

• Aaron Jolly, The Pub (2013)
• Meredith Schmidt, UMass Campus Center (2013)
• Jacqueline Zuzgo, Jones Group Realty (2013)
• David Perlmutter, The Daily Hampshire Gazette (2013)
• Cinda Jones, W.D. Cowls (2013)
• Niels la Cour, UMass Planning (2014)
• Felicity Hardee, Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas (2014)
• Jerry Guidera, Center for Cross Cultural Study (2014)
• Reza Rahmani, Moti and Lit (2014)
• Meghan Gregoire, PeoplesBank (2014)
• Barry Roberts, EV Realty Trust (2014)

Thank you to each and every one of the Chamber's board members for their time, energy, and efforts that go into creating a successful business climate for the Amherst Area. Their (mostly) unseen dedication is a gift to the entire business community.

Last week, Amherst lost one of its titans of business with the passing of Paul C. Jones. Paul was an 8th Generation President, and then chairman of the board, of W.D. Cowls, Inc. He was probably most known for building Cowls Building Supply, his family's retail store in North Amherst. The Chamber sends its best wishes to his wife, Ruth Owen Jones, his children Cinda and Evan, and the entire Jones family.

A memorial service will be held at North Congregational Church, tonight, Monday, November 28 at 5:30pm.

Below, in its entirety, is his obituary.

Paul Codding Jones, 69, died Nov. 21, 2011, following a short illness. Paul was born in North Amherst, son of the late Sarah (Hartman) and Walter Cowls Jones. With his brother Denison (DH) and sister Gertrude, he represented the eighth generation of the Cowls family to grow up on the historic Home Farm on Montague Road and manage the family business. Paul leaves his wife, Ruth Owen Jones; two children, Cinda and Evan; and three grandchildren, Hannah, Rachael and Samuel Jones.

Paul Jones grew up as an active member of the North Amherst Boy Scouts, attending the National Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pa., and the International Jamboree in England (where scouting began) in 1957.

Paul was a 1959 graduate of Amherst Regional High School, attended Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was an elected member of Tau Beta Pi, the National Engineering Honor Society. As a member of the UMass Skydiving Club, Paul made 65 jumps. Paul served as an Amherst volunteer fireman and on the fireman's muster team, reporting to the North Amherst station on Pine Street.

Paul married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Owen, one week after their UMass graduation. The wedding reception was held in the University's then-brand new Student Union.

Paul started his career as an engineer at Boston Edison and returned to the area to work for Western Massachusetts Electric Co. before returning to the family business.

As the eventual eighth generation president and then chairman of the board of W.D. Cowls Inc., Paul managed the family's timberland management, lumber manufacturing, real estate and building supply business. The May 13, 1981, Amherst Bulletin read "Paul Jones is one of those people about whom everything is fast. The way he walks, the way he drives, the way he gives orders." In this article Paul was also described as being a meticulous planner and a careful decision maker. His love of growing the family business was characterized by his comment, "I figure every day I'm at work, I'm on vacation."

Paul built Riverside Park Apartments and Stores adjacent to the North Amherst Post Office in the 1970s. In 1980, Paul Jones built Cowls Building Supply, a retail store that featured Cowls sawmill products as a specialty. He expanded the planer mill operation to include a timber sizer and a new planer-notcher, and finished locally harvested sawmill products for retail sales.

Paul and Robert K. Patterson partnered to build numerous North Amherst roads, and they sold over 120 house lots. Streets built by Patterson-Jones include Blackberry Lane Extension (twice), Jason Court, Kingman Road, Sacco Drive, Tuckerman Lane, Cherry Lane Extension, Weaver Circle and Emily Lane (and extension). With Bob Patterson, Paul bought the Barkowski Farm, and, after Bob's death, with his children, Paul developed the Barkowski Farm into Owen Drive and a 20 acre farmhouse lot on Teawaddle Lane. With a larger family partnership he built Lawrence Circle.

Throughout his life, Paul instilled in his children a passion for family, the family business and making the most out of every minute. He would take his young children on tours of local factories and to enterprises of suppliers and customers. He delighted in woods walks, tree identification and wreath making. He had a vision of progress, and a love of Johnny Cash music, that were contagious. To his growing children, his mantra was, "Make us proud," and his tip for lifetime success was, "The harder you work, the luckier you get."

Paul was a past master of the Pacific Lodge of Masons and a Shriner, and served on the boards of the Three County Fair, the Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association and the Northeast Retail Lumber Association. He was a vocal Amherst Town Meeting member for many years, encouraging sustainable progress.

Paul was a skilled woodworker who made fine furniture and built-ins, but he especially enjoyed making games and toys with and for his grandkids. He once refused a wood burning tool that stamped "Handcrafted by Paul C. Jones" onto his creations, and insisted it be returned for one instead that read "Thrown Together by Paul C. Jones." He was a modest and understated Yankee.

Paul Jones was an excellent water skier, having grown up summering at the family camp on Lake Wyola. One can still hear him yell, "Hit it!" as he jumped off the end of the dock on one waterski as the slack line tightened up.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Ruth, and their friends, preparing elaborate meals, and entertaining.

Donations in Paul's memory can be made to the North Amherst Troop of the Boy Scouts of America. Donations may be sent to Troop 504, c/o People's United Bank, 25 East Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002.

Hi Folks - Below, please find 3 articles on Form Based Code and Zoning that have recently appeared in the Bulletin/Gazette. Normally, we wouldn't print the entire article, but wanted to make sure that members, and the public, can read the most recent articles on the topic.

Editorial: Back to the future on Amherst zoning (also run as Zoning for the Future in the Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Change is hard. When change is also hard to explain, it can be nearly impossible.

In a few days, Town Meeting members will consider tweaking Amherst's zoning map to encourage certain types of development in two of the town's designated village centers, North Amherst and Atkins Corner. This style of development, which seeks to cluster projects in historic centers and preserve outlying open space, goes under the fuzzy name of form-based zoning.

While not an idea ahead of its time, public understanding of it clearly lags. At a Planning Board meeting Oct. 19, one resident asked if the town could produce a 3-D model of the concept. Just adding more words to the definition, she warned, wouldn't help her understand.

That's the sort of challenge Town Meeting members face. And as they work to find the merits and minuses of this proposal, they will be listening to claims from some North Amherst residents that form-based zoning would bring unwanted change to their neighborhood.

Today on Page 1, we offer a Q&A on the zoning proposal, which grew out of meetings this summer aided by the Cecil Group, a Boston consulting firm.

For years, Amherst has seen the wisdom of directing growth into its village centers. We believe that the zoning plan now on the table is well-considered and rises out of good ideas that the community has already embraced. The two village centers that would be affected have already been identified in the town's master plan.

While the language of the zoning proposal is new, the concept is not. Once upon a time, before zoning bylaws existed, New England communities grew up in tight clusters around churches, mills and shops. Today, regular zoning normally specifies what's allowed in a particular district. In North Amherst, some tracts that could be developed are already classified as commercial, so their owners are relatively free to pursue projects of that type.

The new zoning is designed to guide both the mix of uses in a village center and the look of what's built with an eye to creating, over time, a place that is commercially vital but also appealing and human-scale. It seeks to preserve a community's character and encourage social activity. At the same time, its provisions aim to "calm" traffic, tuck parking lots behind buildings, embrace sustainable building design, encourage public transit and bicycling and, in general, connect with a village center's "historic fabric."

Read deep into the Cecil Group's definitions of form-based zoning and it can start to sound like a fairy tale - a pedestrian-friendly land of tree-lined streets where people live, work and obtain the goods and services they need.

Whether it remains an idea depends on Town Meeting, where form-based zoning will come up Nov. 16 and must win two-thirds support.

As is often the case, the pursuit of tomorrow clashes with the gripes of today - and a big one, for people in North Amherst and elsewhere, is concern about seeing their neighborhood become the home of even more University of Massachusetts undergraduates.

Those worries came out at the Oct. 19 public hearing that the Planning Board held and will no doubt be considered by Town Meeting members. Residents of Montague Road have asked why their zoning would change from "neighborhood residence" to "village center residence." They object because the change would allow multi-family dwellings with up to 10 units in each building in the residential section and up to 25 units in each building in the envisioned mixed-use commercial area.

Planners respond that it makes no sense to take the area of Montague Road that is close to the North Amherst center out of the "village" it is already in.

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is on board with the zoning shift because it views it as good for commercial growth in the village centers. The proposed zoning makes no bones about sharing that goal - and in these times, if that can be done in ways that keep Amherst livable, that's for the good. The zoning proposal says right up front one of its purposes is to "protect and expand opportunities for small locally owned businesses and entrepreneurial activity ...."

Planners better come to Town Meeting with a lot of patience, for this proposal will be rightly scrutinized. We ask that meeting members remember that while change can be hard, it is needed if Amherst is to reach for an economically vibrant future. Form-based zoning respects the past while looking ahead and deserves to be voted into the town's planning toolbox.

###

Questions & answers on whether form-based zoning benefits North Amherst

Friday, November 4, 2011

Town Meeting will be asked to consider a zoning change in which form-based code would be applied to the village centers in North Amherst and Atkins Corner. Like all zoning changes, it will need two-thirds majority support from Town Meeting to be adopted. Multiple sessions of Town Meeting begin Monday at 7 p.m. in the Amherst Regional Middle School auditorium. The zoning question is scheduled to be taken up Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Following are some questions and answers related to the proposed zoning:

What is form-based code?

Unlike regular zoning, which specifies the allowed uses in a particular district, form-based code adds another layer that attempts to achieve a specific appearance or mix of uses that is desired by a given community.

The Cecil Group, a Boston-based company hired to draft zoning plans that could lead to the revitalization of North Amherst and an emerging mixed-use district at Atkins Corner, writes on its website, "Form-Base Code is a relatively new and innovative method of managing growth and shaping development."

Why is form-based code being proposed for North Amherst and Atkins Corner village centers?

The town's master plan supports so-called smart growth principles that include concentrating development in already developed areas as a way of preserving open space. These are two village centers identified in the master plan, adopted by the Planning Board, as ripe for both new development and redevelopment.

In North Amherst, property that could be redeveloped includes the former site of the W.D. Cowls sawmill. At Atkins Corner, construction of a loop road that goes behind Atkins Farms Country Market is expected to be the spur for new commercial development to support the nearby community.

What will this rezoning do?

Supporters say the rezoning will make viable village centers a reality while assuring neighbors a consistency in the look and feel of buildings and parking that will be tucked behind buildings.

Critics say streamlining the development process could lead to development that is not properly regulated and will spur construction of off-campus housing for students, particularly in North Amherst, where the form-based code would be accompanied by a zoning change on Montague Road.

Why is the rezoning in North Amherst controversial?

While form-based code has support from many people who have been following the process, it is the inclusion of a portion of Montague Road, and the rezoning of this stretch from neighborhood residence to village center residence, that has elicited the most concern.

This creates the possibility of large-scale residential development that would allow multi-family dwellings, with up to 10 units per building in the residential corridor and up to 25 units per building in the mixed-use commercial area.

Residents also see it as going against the ideas they espoused at a public design study led by The Cecil Group in May that the homes along Montague Road north of Mill River Recreation Area should not be part of the North Amherst Village Center.

Why would the zoning on Montague Road change from neighborhood residence to village center residence?

The idea is that some of Montague Road should be included in the village center zoning so that services will develop to meet residents' needs. Jonathan O'Keeffe, chairman of the Zoning Subcommittee, said isolating this section from the village center would not be consistent with the vision of density in village centers to protect open space in outlying areas of town.

How soon could changes occur in the village centers?

The timing of any developments would be up to those who own the properties and the length of time needed for developers to obtain permits.

Both Cinda Jones and Barbara Puffer Garnier, who own the properties most likely to be developed, have either shown plans or contemplated ideas for how the land they own could be developed.

What financial benefits would the town see?

The Finance Committee's report to Town Meeting indicates that form-based code could allow for "a faster, more predictable and more economical outcome" for developers, and the town would benefit from projects more quickly.

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce also supports the rezoning because form-based code can be a mechanism to support existing and new businesses located in both areas.

How has adopting form-based code worked elsewhere?

Form-based code remains a relatively new concept and, where it's been implemented, has served to direct how revitalization will occur.

One early pioneer was the city of Alexandria, Va., where the city was facing development pressures and the form-based code has guided new mixed-use developments.

The Cecil Group is working with the city of Manchester, Conn. on redeveloping a commercial strip and Bourne and Eastham in southeastern Massachusetts on creating new commercial areas.

Won't the rezoning mean more student rentals?

Form-based code, and the village center rezoning, don't by themselves promote more housing.

Critics, though, say it is likely that new buildings will be filled with students, as they are the only ones who could afford the rents that will be demanded.

Even if this occurs, Jones said the rezoning is unrelated to this problem.

"This zoning proposal, though it does try to encourage diverse tenant types, is a very separate issue from the fact that Amherst is not doing a good job managing student renters," Jones said.

Planning Director Jonathan Tucker points to ways the town is trying to control student rentals, including a new housing enforcement code officer and work on a housing market analysis that will identify how the town can build the types of housing residents want to stabilize the tax base.

How many units could be built?

No one has precise estimates on how many new units could be constructed. At maximum density, some have argued there could be 250 units.

What controls does the town have over new development?

If apartments are proposed by a developer, they would have to go through a special permit process before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

If townhouse-style units are planned by a developer, the project would need site plan review by the Planning Board.

What if the rezoning is unsuccessful?

The land in North Amherst is already zoned commercial, so much of Cowls Road could still see business development take place.

The town could take other steps to improve the village center, such as finding a new use for the North Amherst Congregational Church, reconfiguring the dangerous intersection and installing sidewalks.

At Atkins corner, the roadwork is expected to be complete in the next couple of years, at which time development could be expected to occur.

Material for this article comes from public meetings and interviews with Jonathan O'Keeffe, chairman of the Zoning Subcommittee, Planning Director Jonathan Tucker and several opponents and proponents of the proposed changes.

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(From the Chamber's Constant Contact enewsletter):

The Chamber had power by Tuesday, Nov. 1, but we were without phone and internet until Nov. 3.  Tony posted as much information as he could on the Chamber Facebook page and we hope those of you with cell phones were able to access it.

Joan, Tammy, and Tony have been visiting our businesses since Monday to find out how each of you has coped with this unprecedented disaster.  These visits have been invaluable to us as we provide information to local and state agencies and service providers.  Most of all, we have been touched and inspired by your courage and can-do attitude.  Even though many of you were without power at home, you opened your businesses. 

Amherst Farmers Supply, along with several others in the area, were open without power or heat on Monday.  College Street businesses in East Amherst on the north side of the street had power right along but many did not have their internet services and could not accept credit and debit cards.  On the south side of the street, there was no power and only Amherst Pharmacy was open and operating by flashlight.

Downtown Amherst powered up slowly over Monday and Tuesday.  The east side of North Pleasant St. had power several days before the west side did.  Throughout town, there were many examples of one business having power, while their next door neighbor did not.  Of course, most food related businesses had to toss their refrigerated and frozen items and collectively the losses will be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In North Amherst, Cowls had free coffee (a very scarce commodity on Sunday!).  The Harp Irish Pub was fortunate to lose only one day but several others, like the House of Teryaki and Captain Video were out for three days.

On University Drive, most businesses had power by Monday morning and were able to function as usual.

In Hadley, there was no power until Monday when virtually all of Route 9 had power.  Some stores were dimly lit but open.

South Amherst got power back in the commercial sector on Tuesday, but Atkins Farms Country Market had to wait until Wednesday.  They estimate their losses in the tens of thousands.

WMECO lists town and commercial centers as their highest priority after public safety and we thank them for their hard work during what is probably the single worst and most widespread natural disaster ever to hit our area.  We are in direct communication with them and they are members of the Chamber.

We have spoken directly to Patrick Hebda at Comcast (also a Chamber member) to convey the serious problems that no access to phones or internet have caused.  He said that Amherst may have been harder hit than some others.  You are encouraged to contact him directly at patrick_hebda@cable.comcast.com to give him the specifics of your own situation.

In order for the Chamber to speak forcefully and specifically on your behalf and to report the financial losses our area businesses have incurred, we ask you to email us with specifics about the dollar value of lost product and business.  While we know how difficult it was for local government to keep us updated due to their own power outages, we would also like to be able to convey your concerns to Amherst Town Manger John Musante and Hadley Town Administrator David Nixon.  Contact Tony directly at tony@amherstarea.com or give us a call at 413-253-0700.

During this emergency, the Chamber has made it our priority to talk with as many of you as possible by visiting your offices and stores.  We would also like to hear from our many members with home and small offices.  We know you have suffered from lack of power and internet access.  We are working for all of you as hard as we can.  The more you can tell us, the better we can serve you and improve our own systems.

There has been much going on over the past few weeks, much of it quite good in the push for progress throughout town. The Chamber's position has been consistent over the past few years in its support for the implementation of the Town's comprehensive planning document, approved by the town's planning board in February 2010. As part of that effort, the Chamber helped spearhead the Amherst Future committee, which was created with an eye toward bringing together a broad coalition of businesspeople and residents to argue for the preservation of open space and appropriate development in the downtown and village centers. In other words, we're bringing people together to help pressure the town to actually implement the master plan.

Last Thursday, consistent with that message, my most recent Amherst Bulletin The Business of Amherst column entitled N. Amherst plan fits town's vision was published. Here's an except of the piece below:

In over a decade and a half of discussion, there has been substantial community input regarding the town's Master Plan. The final document affirms Amherst's values of protecting open space and developing the downtown and village centers. We've done a great job of protecting our open space, but implementation of the plan in the village centers has been much harder.

Those who have supported a zoning change to North Amherst Village Center (NAVC) do want a better town. We are looking for solutions. We believe that planning, and the proposed form-based zoning, is a solution that sets us on a path to ameliorate problems while adding additional services, density and sustainability to the village centers.

While there is concern about the merits of form based zoning as opposed to current euclidean zoning, we're supporting the consideration of form based zoning at this fall's town meeting precisely because it helps get closer to implementation of the town's vision.

We urge our Chamber members to make your voices heard and support this zoning change for North Amherst Village Center. 

Tonight's the night.

Tonight is the night when nearly 300 people in the Amherst area business community come out in their business finest and celebrate some of the best and brightest people and organizations in our community.

Tonight is the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Annual A+ Awards Dinner.

Formerly the Millicent H. Kauffman Distinguished Service Awards and the Janet & Winthrop Dakin Community Service Citations, the awards were renamed in 2010 to extend the the Chamber's A+ branding initiative and to reflect the larger community - Amherst, Hadley, Pelham, Shutesbury, Leverett, Sunderland, and Belchertown - which it serves.

Each year, the program has a different theme. This year, in an area that is renowned for its terrific art, we are honoring our own "Works of Art," people and organizations that help make The Amherst Area A Perfect Place.

Consider the award winners:

Paul Kozub, founder of V-One Vodka, the winner of this year's A+ Young Entreprenuer Award, has made a world class product, inspired by his grandfather - a prohibition bootlegger - and his father - a successful area businessman. His product uses locally grown spelt wheat to produce one of the world's finest spirits. Dr. James Hunt, Businessman Who Gives Back, has long supported both UMass and Amherst Pelham Regional High School athletics. The Amherst Survival Center, which, in a small, overcrowded basement in an old North Amherst school building serves hundreds of families and individuals in need each week. We're also honoring Chancellor Robert Holub of UMass, our Change Agent, whose leadership has helped create the best town/gown relationship ever. And, Amherst Media, are deserving winners of the Legacy Award for their 35 years of service to the Amherst community. In a town where only the H is silent, they ensure the H is heard.

This event is a celebration of the excellence of our winners. But it is also a celebration of each and every Chamber member and the business community. It is our chance to be proud of the work we do to make our community a perfect place . . . to live, work, learn, and play.

As I was researching a tourism op-ed that I need to write and looking online at the Amherst Bulletin, I passed through the Chamber's other blog Cultural Mass and realizing how hard it is to keep up with these things. As a writer, I like words, and my blog posts are usually word heavy. And so I overthink things and I don't get to writing. Blah, blah, blah.

But I am obligated now that I've kicked this off, to keep up with some news.

The Amherst area has been pretty exciting over the past few weeks and the fall is sure to continue to be busy. Rather than give you too much from me, I'll pass along some links to articles for you to check out:

Amherst was again named the best college town in America;

We have a slew of incredible restaurants coming into Amherst in the fall (and some are already open!);

There's been some positive movement with the proposed Business Improvement District, which downtown business owners hope will be a positive boost to the local economy;

Thanks to the support of Sen. Stan Rosenberg, the Amherst Area Chamber and Greater Northampton Chamber have led the new Hamsphire Regional Tourism Council, which has recently received this bit of good news from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (whew! that was a long sentence made longer by these organizational names!);

and, Chamber board member Niels la Cour had an op-ed in the most recent Amherst Bulletin.

Enjoy reading! I'll be back with a few updates next week about the Chamber's annual awards dinner and some profiles of our winners.

Welcome to the Amherst Area Chamber's new blog, and our new website!

It's finally here! When we launched the Chamber's A+ campaign in early 2010, we envisioned a much shorter rollout period. By now, if you're a member of the Chamber you're quite familiar with our cheery A+ logo, designed by Doreen St. John of Persona. With Doreen's help we've spiffied up all of our published materials since 2010, including 2 Membership directories, a Visitor's Guide, and our Relocation Guide. Just this month, our banner program was launched in downtown Amherst, proclaiming the Amherst Area: A Perfect Place . . . to live, work, and learn.

We're proud our new site is finally live, and we look forward to its new functionality as a way to help our members do business better. And the website is better integrated with our office software, which will allow us to serve our members better. But there is also additional functionality for members that will make your listings pop off the page. Our SEO services will be better enhanced as well, drawing more eyes to your website, and more customers through your door.

For visitors to the area, our site will be easily navigable so that you might be able to find A Perfect Place... to eat, shop, and do business. 

Don't be afraid to give us feedback. You can respond here to our new blog, where you'll get all kinds of news, views, and information. Or contact me, Tony Maroulis, the Chamber's director at tony@amherstarea.com.