AMHERST — A townwide cleanup day, organized by Amherst’s community participation officers and University of Massachusetts work study students, is taking place Saturday.

Rain or shine, volunteers will fan out in town to remove trash and debris beginning at 9:30 a.m. Those who participate should wear sturdy, close-toed shoes and bring eye protection. Gloves and bags, along with some specific training, will be provided.

Locations for people to gather will be shared with those who register online at amherstma.gov.

Last weekend, a similar cleanup was done in Hadley, where 50 bags of trash, tires, parts of car doors and other items were brought to the town’s transfer station. About 40 people, including a number of Hopkins Academy students, cleaned up areas along the Norwottuck Rail Trail, in swampy areas and along the side of the road.

Jack Czajkowski, who helped coordinate the event as co-chairman of the town’s climate committee, said he and his wife collected six bags of trash along North Maple Street, including a license plate, a big broom head and an old lawn sign. About 100 cans and a number of fast food cups and nip bottles were also picked up.

Library ribbon-cutting

A formal ribbon-cutting for the North Amherst Library takes place Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the 8 Montague Road location, hosted by the District One Neighborhood Association and District 1 Councilors Ndifreke Ette and Cathy Schoen.

The library reopened in February following a $1.7 million expansion of the 1,080-square-foot, town-owned building. That project, funded by an anonymous donor, added 1,200 square feet of space for restrooms, a chairlift between the original floor and the addition, and a community room that can accommodate 40-45 people. The work was completed by Wright Builders of Northampton.

In addition, a large parking lot was built at the rear, reducing the number of people who have to parallel park along the roads.

Jewish American Heritage Month

The Town Council is proclaiming May Jewish American Heritage Month, inspired by a resolution passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006.

“The Jewish American experience is a story of faith, fortitude and progress. It is a quintessential American experience — one that is connected to key tenets of American identity, including our nation’s commitment to freedom of religion and conscience,” the proclamation reads.

The proclamation states that American Jews have joined with all faiths to work for Tikkun Olam, or repair of the world, remembering the lessons of the Holocaust, and play leading roles in movements for civil rights and social justice, It also notes that the University of Massachusetts in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s was open to hiring Jewish faculty, leading, in part, to the the establishment of the Jewish Community of Amherst in 1977.

Resident manager needed

Before the Zoning Board of Appeals will approve a modified special permit so rooms in a non-owner-occupied home at 50 McClellan St. can be rented out, the board will require specifics about the on-site resident manager.

Rachel and Craig Gibson, who own the property, were informed at a recent meeting that to continue renting rooms at the home, after they move to Ashfield, a resident manager will be needed. The hearing on the special permit application continues Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Craig Gibson said the plan is to eventually pass the home on to their children, but to rent the four furnished bedrooms in the meantime. The Gibsons will be on site enough to know if there are any problems. “We’re pretty cautious in how we rent. We’ve been landlords in the past,” Gibson said.

But Zoning Board of Appeals member David Sloviter said he needs to know how a resident manager will be selected, a means of ensuring that this will not become a problem property. “There’s a direct correlation, proven over and over, that non-owner-occupied has a strong correlation to properties that are disturbing to those around them,” Sloviter said.

Town Planner Rob Watchilla said a resident manager is required under a town bylaw.

Zoning Board of Appeals member Hilda Greenbaum said she is also concerned with renting room by room and having the site becoming a rooming house. “You’re going to have trouble,” Greenbaum said.

Joining Generations

A Joining Generations event will be held, along with drug take-back day at Wildwood Elementary School on Strong Street, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Police will be on hand to present information about scams, information about the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Council, and handing out a File of Life. A car seat technician will also be doing inspections for child safety seats.

World T’ai Chi and Qigong Day

A combination of Qigong and gentle yoga exercise is being held Saturday from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on the lawn at the Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle St.

Lynne Nicole is leading the exercise, which promotes well-being with an outdoor mind-body practice to relieve physical, mental and emotional tension, with simple light stretching and no mats needed.