Your area Not set — showing everywhere
How it works Support this town
Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
Creating this report cost real money. Help fund coverage →

Board of Selectmen — April 15, 2024

The meeting was largely routine with unanimous votes throughout, but the Fire Department's tower truck situation introduced urgency and process concerns — with a board member requesting written documentation before proceeding on a near-$1M decision — and the wide-ranging PFAS cost estimates and new federal standards introduced unresolved fiscal and environmental uncertainty.

Date Monday, April 15, 2024 Duration 1.2h Speakers 13 Public comments 1 Decisions 10 Routine
▶ Video

Questions about this meeting? ⁠Just ask.

Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.

Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — April 15, 2024 Meeting Recap

Several significant items came before the board that Amherst residents should be tracking closely.

🚒 FIRE TOWER TRUCK OUT OF SERVICE — ~$900K DECISION PENDING

Amherst currently has no operational tower truck. Repair estimates from two companies came in at $700,000–$750,000, prompting the Fire Chief to propose buying a used 2018/2019 truck from Monroe, CT for approximately $900,000 instead. This is an unbudgeted capital expenditure. Board member Bill requested proper documentation before proceeding: 'I'm open to the ideas, but not on the basis of a conversation. I would like to see the written reports.' No vote was taken. The Chief has been asked to submit formal written assessment reports from both companies before the board proceeds. The next meeting is approximately two weeks away — watch for this item to return with documentation.

☣️ PFAS REMEDIATION COSTS: $277K TO $1.9 MILLION

The town received preliminary cost estimates from Sanborn Head for PFAS remediation at the Food Basket site. The range is $277,000 on the low end and $1.9 million on the high end — a nearly sevenfold difference depending on whether contaminated soil must be removed as hazardous waste. No funding decision was made, but this is a major unresolved fiscal exposure. Making it more complex: the EPA just finalized new PFAS action thresholds at 4 parts per trillion — far stricter than New Hampshire's current standard of 12–18 ppt. The Board Chair flagged that this could affect homes the town previously considered resolved under state standards, and may also affect how the town can use remaining ARPA funds.

🌀 SOLAR PANELS AT FIRE STATION STILL NOT WORKING

The fire station's solar panels are not sending power back to the grid. The Fire Chief reported being redirected from Eversource to Constellation Energy with no resolution in sight — describing it as 'a circle they're sending us in.' He has until the May meeting to pursue a fix through Constellation. This is a public facility where a renewable energy investment is not delivering its intended return.

OTHER ACTIONS:

• Approved hawkers and vendors permit for Seasonal Specialty Store (5-0)

• Approved multiple board and commission appointments (5-0)

• Created a part-time Senior Program Coordinator position funded by revolving fund (5-0)

• Declared surplus DPW equipment for auction (5-0)

• Deferred Buck Meadow impact fee question to meeting with town attorney

• Scheduled stormwater committee dissolution for next agenda

All formal votes at the 4/15 meeting were unanimous (5-0). The board's next meeting is approximately April 29. Residents who care about fire department readiness, environmental cleanup costs, and federal regulatory changes should consider attending or following up.

Apr 15, 2024 1.2h long 13 speakers 1 public comments 10 decisions Routine
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“It just seems like a circle that they're sending us in”

— Fire Chief · Describing frustration with Eversource redirecting solar panel issues to different companies ▶ 12:46

“I'm open to the ideas, but not on the basis of a conversation. I mean, I guess what I would like to see is the written reports”

— Board Member Bill · Requesting formal documentation before making major equipment purchase decisions ▶ 22:19

“We're looking at 700, 750,000 to do a refurb on the truck, which is why, you know, a 900,000 give or take is much more palatable”

— Fire Chief · Explaining cost comparison between repairing current tower truck vs. purchasing used replacement ▶ 27:29

“This position will be paid for completely out of the revolving fund. So no cost to the taxpayer”

— Recreation Director · Explaining funding source for new Senior Program Coordinator position ▶ 48:55

“The minutes are going to reflect the actual items. They'll specifically identify the items that we have taken action so that somebody reading minutes in the future will know the items that were approved even though we didn't voice them aloud tonight”

— Unidentified speaker · Explaining consent agenda documentation procedures for transparency ▶ 1:03:32

“Stormwater Committee was at a stage when our MS.4 work was really being done by volunteers. And we're kind of beyond that now... It's all being done now by DPW and consultants”

— Unidentified speaker · Justifying proposal to disband stormwater committee due to operational changes ▶ 1:07:08

“EPA finalized its rule setting the new thresholds for PFAS substances... reduces the action items to 4 parts per trillion. The state numbers have been between 12 and 18 parts per trillion”

— Unidentified speaker · Reporting significant change in federal PFAS standards that are more restrictive than state standards ▶ 1:07:33
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Approximately $900,000 purchase of a used tower truck; current truck is out of service, creating an active public safety gap

What was discussed

Preliminary cost estimates ranging from $277,000 to $1.9 million depending on soil disposal requirements — a nearly 7x variance reflecting significant fiscal uncertainty

What was discussed

EPA reduced PFAS action level by 67–78% below the state standard, potentially reclassifying previously compliant properties and requiring additional town remediation and funding reallocation

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Maggie, Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Maggie from Seasonal Specialty Store requested a permit to sell soft serve ice cream, slushies, and smoothies from a trailer in front of their store. The board approved the permit unanimously.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board approved multiple reappointments and new appointments to various committees including Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, Cemetery Trustee, Conservation Commission, Fourth of July Committee, Heritage Commission, Historic District Commission, Library Trustees, Planning Commission, Landfill District, Swap Shop, and Trust Fund positions.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Staff raised concerns about applying impact fees to Buck Meadow field improvements, questioning whether the work qualifies under legal counsel's opinion. Board agreed to schedule discussion with town attorney Stephen for clarification.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Fire Chief reported ongoing issues with solar panels at fire station not registering power flow back to grid. Eversource redirected him to Constellation energy supplier, creating complications in resolving the issue.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Chief reported the current tower truck is out of service due to torque box and balancer issues. Two companies assessed repair costs at $700-750K. Chief proposed purchasing a used 2018/2019 tower truck from Monroe, Connecticut for approximately $900K as a cost-effective alternative.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Town Administrator reported receiving preliminary cost estimates from Sanborn Head ranging from $277K to $1.9M for PFAS remediation, depending on whether soil requires off-site hazardous waste disposal.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Recreation Director requested approval to create a part-time Senior Program Coordinator position (15-19 hours/week, Grade 5 pay) to expand programming for older adults, funded entirely through revolving fund revenue.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

DPW Director requested declaring surplus six pieces of old equipment including sanders, sign boards, and an unused asphalt zipper to be sold at auction to generate revenue.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board approved all items on the consent agenda (items 9.1 and 9.2) without individual discussion. Minutes will specifically identify approved items for future reference.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion of draft cell tower agreement from Vertex, establishing Dean as point of contact and setting up process for board member comments and review timeline.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board member scheduled to meet with school representatives including superintendent and business manager to discuss impact fees.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Proposal to disband the stormwater committee as MS.4 work is now handled by DPW and consultants rather than volunteers.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

EPA finalized new lower PFAS thresholds (4 parts per trillion for PFOA/PFOS, down from state's 12-18 ppt), potentially affecting previously connected houses and ARPA funding usage.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Fire Department Tower Truck Replacement (~$900K)

The board is being asked to consider a major unbudgeted capital expenditure of approximately $900,000 for a used tower truck. With the current truck out of service, there is urgency, but at least one board member (Bill) explicitly pushed back on moving forward without written documentation, signaling concern about a rushed process for a near-million-dollar purchase.
Board position: Cautiously open to purchasing a used 2018/2019 tower truck from Monroe, CT, but deferred decision pending receipt of formal written inspection and assessment reports.
Internal dissent
Board member Bill explicitly stated he was 'open to the ideas, but not on the basis of a conversation' and requested written reports from both assessment companies before any decision, indicating at least one member wanted proper documentation before proceeding with a major capital purchase.
medium concern
02

PFAS Remediation at Food Basket Site ($277K–$1.9M Cost Range)

The extraordinary cost range ($277K to $1.9M) for PFAS remediation reflects deep uncertainty about soil contamination severity. The higher end represents a significant fiscal exposure for the town. The recent EPA tightening of PFAS thresholds (down to 4 ppt from the state's 12–18 ppt) may further expand the scope and cost of remediation obligations across the town.
Board position: Acknowledged the preliminary estimates and the wide cost range; no funding decision made yet, monitoring situation.
medium concern
03

New Federal PFAS Standards Potentially Expanding Remediation Obligations

The EPA's finalization of PFAS thresholds at 4 parts per trillion — far stricter than New Hampshire's 12–18 ppt — could require the town to revisit previously connected homes and potentially redirect ARPA funding. This has broad implications for residents who believed their properties were already addressed, as well as for town finances.
Board position: Board chair flagged the rule change and its implications for ARPA funds; no formal action taken, but acknowledged as a significant development requiring monitoring.
medium concern
04

Buck Meadow Impact Fee Eligibility Dispute

There is unresolved legal ambiguity about whether impact fees can be applied to Buck Meadow field improvements. Staff raised concerns that the proposed use may not qualify under the town attorney's legal opinion, creating potential risk of improper fee application. This touches on development impact fee policy and could affect both developers and residents who benefit from recreational infrastructure.
Board position: Agreed to defer and schedule a meeting with Town Attorney Stephen for clarification before proceeding.
low concern
05

Stormwater Committee Dissolution

Disbanding a standing volunteer committee eliminates a formal civic participation channel. While the rationale (work now handled by paid DPW staff and consultants) is operationally sound, volunteer committee members and engaged residents may view the dissolution as a reduction in community input into stormwater and environmental policy.
Board position: Board signaled consensus to add formal dissolution to the next meeting agenda.
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
1
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Maggie
▶ 01:16
Addressed
Maggie, who works at Seasonal Specialty Store and lives in Amherst, requested a permit to sell soft serve ice cream, slushies, and smoothies from a trailer in front of the store. She clarified that no food would be prepared on-site, only pre-made items served. Key concern
Obtaining a hawkers and vendors permit to sell soft serve ice cream and beverages from a trailer
Board response
The board asked if there were any questions, then made a motion to approve the permit, seconded it, and voted unanimously (5-0) to approve
The board fully addressed her request by approving the hawkers and vendors permit unanimously after a brief discussion

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved hawkers and vendors permit for Seasonal Specialty Store
Permit allows selling soft serve ice cream, slushies, and smoothies from trailer
5-0 (unanimous approval)
Approved multiple board and commission appointments
Various reappointments and new appointments to committees with terms ending 2025-2027
5-0 for all appointments (Chair abstained on her own reappointment)
Accepted resignation of Tom Murphy from Recreation Commission
Motion to accept resignation with regret
5-0 (unanimous approval)
Approved creation of Senior Program Coordinator position
Part-time position at Grade 5, funded by revolving fund, maximum 19 hours per week
5-0 (unanimous approval)
Declared DPW equipment surplus for auction
Two sign boards, two sanders, and asphalt zipper with trailer to be sold via online auction
5-0 (unanimous approval)
Approved meeting minutes from April 1, 2024 with amendments
Minor corrections for missing names and typo corrections
5-0 (unanimous approval)
Approved consent agenda items
Items 9.1 and 9.2 approved without individual discussion
5-0 (unanimous approval)
Established process for cell tower agreement review
Dean designated as point of contact with Vertex, board members to submit comments to Dean, two-week review timeline established
Consensus agreement
Scheduled stormwater committee dissolution for future agenda
Will formally consider disbanding the stormwater committee at next meeting
Consensus to add to next meeting agenda
Meeting adjourned
Motion to adjourn approved by all members present
Unanimous approval

Share ⁠this report

Drafts ready to post — click any block to copy.

X / Twitter — by angle

Unbudgeted ~$900K capital purchase with at least one board member demanding written documentation before any decision on a major public safety asset
Amherst's fire tower truck is OUT OF SERVICE. Fire Chief proposed a used 2018/19 replacement for ~$900K. Board member Bill pushed back: wants written reports before any vote. No decision yet. 4/15 Board of Selectmen.
216/280 chars
Enormous fiscal uncertainty in PFAS remediation costs that taxpayers will ultimately bear
PFAS cleanup at Amherst's Food Basket site: estimates range from $277K to $1.9M — nearly 7x spread depending on whether soil is hazardous waste. No funding decision yet. 4/15 Board of Selectmen.
194/280 chars
New federal PFAS threshold is far stricter than state standard and could expand town remediation obligations and reshape ARPA spending
EPA tightened PFAS limits to 4 ppt — down from NH's 12–18 ppt. Amherst board flagged 4/15 that properties previously addressed under state rules may no longer comply. Could affect ARPA funds too.
195/280 chars
Ongoing unresolved infrastructure issue at a public safety facility — accountability for follow-through
Amherst fire station solar panels still aren't sending power to the grid. Fire Chief: 'It just seems like a circle they're sending us in' — bounced between Eversource and Constellation. Still unresolved. 4/15 meeting.
217/280 chars

X thread

1
THREAD: Amherst Board of Selectmen met 4/15/24. Several items residents should be watching — including a public safety gap, a potential $900K unbudgeted purchase, and a federal environmental standard that could cost the town significantly more than expected. 🧵
260/280
2
1/ FIRE TRUCK OUT OF SERVICE. Amherst's tower truck is currently down — torque box and balancer failures. Two companies assessed repairs at $700K–$750K. Fire Chief proposed a used 2018/19 replacement truck from Monroe, CT for ~$900K instead.
241/280
3
2/ Board member Bill requested documentation: 'I'm open to the ideas, but not on the basis of a conversation. I would like to see the written reports.' No vote taken. Chief must submit formal written assessments from both companies before the board proceeds. Next meeting: ~2 weeks.
282/280
4
3/ A ~$900K unbudgeted purchase — even for a legitimate public safety need — warrants formal written documentation. Watch for those reports and what the board does next.
169/280
5
4/ PFAS CLEANUP: The Food Basket site remediation just got a preliminary price tag — and the range is wide. Sanborn Head estimates: $277K on the low end, $1.9M on the high end. The difference? Whether contaminated soil requires off-site hazardous waste disposal.
262/280
6
5/ No funding decision was made. But with a nearly 7x cost spread, this is a major open fiscal question. Residents should be asking: where does that money come from if it hits the high end?
189/280
7
6/ NEW FEDERAL PFAS RULES. The EPA finalized PFAS action thresholds at 4 parts per trillion — compared to NH's current 12–18 ppt standard. That's a 67–78% reduction. Board Chair flagged this 4/15 as potentially affecting homes previously connected to municipal water and how ARPA funds can be used.
298/280
8
7/ In plain terms: properties the town already addressed under the state standard may now fall out of compliance under the new federal one. This could expand the town's remediation obligations significantly. No formal action taken yet — but this will be back.
259/280
9
8/ ALSO AT THE MEETING: Solar panels at the fire station still aren't working properly — power isn't flowing back to the grid. The Fire Chief has been bounced between Eversource and Constellation with no fix. He called it 'a circle they're sending us in.' Deadline: May meeting.
278/280
10
9/ What to watch: Will the board receive and act on the tower truck written assessments at the next meeting (~4/29)? Will PFAS remediation costs and the new EPA threshold get a dedicated agenda item? These are significant issues. Stay tuned. /end
246/280

Facebook — long form

📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — April 15, 2024 Meeting Recap

Several significant items came before the board that Amherst residents should be tracking closely.

🚒 FIRE TOWER TRUCK OUT OF SERVICE — ~$900K DECISION PENDING
Amherst currently has no operational tower truck. Repair estimates from two companies came in at $700,000–$750,000, prompting the Fire Chief to propose buying a used 2018/2019 truck from Monroe, CT for approximately $900,000 instead. This is an unbudgeted capital expenditure. Board member Bill requested proper documentation before proceeding: 'I'm open to the ideas, but not on the basis of a conversation. I would like to see the written reports.' No vote was taken. The Chief has been asked to submit formal written assessment reports from both companies before the board proceeds. The next meeting is approximately two weeks away — watch for this item to return with documentation.

☣️ PFAS REMEDIATION COSTS: $277K TO $1.9 MILLION
The town received preliminary cost estimates from Sanborn Head for PFAS remediation at the Food Basket site. The range is $277,000 on the low end and $1.9 million on the high end — a nearly sevenfold difference depending on whether contaminated soil must be removed as hazardous waste. No funding decision was made, but this is a major unresolved fiscal exposure. Making it more complex: the EPA just finalized new PFAS action thresholds at 4 parts per trillion — far stricter than New Hampshire's current standard of 12–18 ppt. The Board Chair flagged that this could affect homes the town previously considered resolved under state standards, and may also affect how the town can use remaining ARPA funds.

🌀 SOLAR PANELS AT FIRE STATION STILL NOT WORKING
The fire station's solar panels are not sending power back to the grid. The Fire Chief reported being redirected from Eversource to Constellation Energy with no resolution in sight — describing it as 'a circle they're sending us in.' He has until the May meeting to pursue a fix through Constellation. This is a public facility where a renewable energy investment is not delivering its intended return.

OTHER ACTIONS:
• Approved hawkers and vendors permit for Seasonal Specialty Store (5-0)
• Approved multiple board and commission appointments (5-0)
• Created a part-time Senior Program Coordinator position funded by revolving fund (5-0)
• Declared surplus DPW equipment for auction (5-0)
• Deferred Buck Meadow impact fee question to meeting with town attorney
• Scheduled stormwater committee dissolution for next agenda

All formal votes at the 4/15 meeting were unanimous (5-0). The board's next meeting is approximately April 29. Residents who care about fire department readiness, environmental cleanup costs, and federal regulatory changes should consider attending or following up.

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Contact Constellation energy supplier regarding solar panel power flow issues
Assigned: Fire Chief · Due: Next meeting in May (4 weeks)
Provide written assessment reports from both companies that evaluated tower truck
Assigned: Fire Chief · Due: Next meeting (2 weeks)
Arrange professional inspection of used tower truck in Connecticut if board decides to proceed
Assigned: Fire Chief · Due: To be determined based on board direction
Schedule meeting with town attorney Stephen to clarify Buck Meadow impact fee eligibility
Assigned: Town Administrator · Due: Next meeting
Provide attorney with Bruce Mayberry's impact fee report before meeting
Assigned: Town Administrator · Due: Before scheduled attorney meeting
Serve as point of contact with Vertex on cell tower agreement and collect board member comments
Assigned: Dean (Town Administrator) · Due: 2 weeks
Send draft cell tower agreement to all board members
Assigned: Dean · Due: Immediately
Review draft Vertex cell tower agreement and provide comments to Dean
Assigned: All Board Members · Due: As soon as possible for 2-week review cycle
Meet with school representatives regarding impact fees
Assigned: a speaker · Due: Tomorrow (day after meeting)
Add stormwater committee dissolution to next meeting agenda
Assigned: Staff · Due: Next meeting
Support coverage

Creating this report cost ⁠real money.

MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering Amherst.

Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-05-19.