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Board of Selectmen — October 28, 2024

Amherst's FY26 budget is uncertain, a $250K cell tower has no carrier commitment, and the Fourth of July fireworks may need a rescue — all heading to the March ballot.

The meeting was largely routine and procedural, but the election sign complaint introduced genuine emotional tension when a resident passionately challenged the board over political speech on public property, elevating the tone above a standard administrative session.

Date Monday, October 28, 2024 Duration 1.3h Speakers 10 Public comments 1 Decisions 3 Lively

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 — October 28, 2024 Meeting Recap

The board covered several items that will directly affect residents' tax bills and the March ballot. Here's what happened.

💰 FY26 BUDGET (Draft): Town Administrator presented the first budget draft showing a 3.09% overall spending increase, driven by a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees and rising benefit costs. The single biggest uncertainty: health insurance estimates currently range from 5% to 9.5% — a spread that could meaningfully shift the final tax rate. The board directed the Town Administrator to nail down accurate figures and return with a revised draft at the November 18th meeting, along with draft warrant articles.

📡 CELL TOWER WARRANT ARTICLE: The Police Chief reported that a town-owned cell tower would cost an estimated $225,000–$250,000. The town has Capital Reserve Funds that could cover part of this, but the board is considering asking voters to approve roughly $100,000 more via a March ballot warrant article. The significant caveat: no cell carrier has committed to using the tower. Spending a quarter-million dollars on infrastructure without guaranteed revenue is a real fiscal risk. The Chief was asked for firmer cost estimates before the board moves forward.

🎆 FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS: Board members met with the Fourth of July committee about what they described only as a 'fireworks situation.' The suggestion of a warrant article for the March ballot implies that existing funding is not sufficient to continue the event as currently structured — but the board did not disclose the nature or scale of the problem at the meeting. Full discussion is scheduled for November 18th. Residents who care about this community tradition should show up or tune in.

🪧 ELECTION SIGN COMPLAINT: Resident Lisa Dennis asked the board to remove a Trump campaign sign from public property, saying it spread dangerous election misinformation. The board declined, and their reasoning was legally sound: the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent prohibit municipalities from restricting political speech based on content. The town can regulate sign size and how long signs stay up — it cannot regulate what they say. The resident left frustrated, but acting otherwise would have exposed Amherst to a lawsuit it would likely lose.

Next meeting: November 18th. Budget draft, fireworks discussion, and warrant article decisions are all on the horizon.

Oct 28, 2024 1.3h long 10 speakers 1 public comments 3 decisions Lively
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“This is very tight budget... bottom line of this is still 3.09% now”

— Town Administrator · Presenting FY26 budget draft with minimal increases despite wage and benefit adjustments 07:01

“There's only one time when you can adjust something down and that's when the position is vacant... this is the only opportunity we have to get it right”

— Bill · Discussing recreation director salary competitiveness during job description review 1:00:36

“We have a constitutional obligation to allow words... We don't censor”

— Chair · Explaining First Amendment constraints regarding election sign content complaint 1:07:12

“We are not allowed to interfere with protected speech... if you have sign regulations, those sign regulations cannot tell people to do things or not to do things based on what the sign says. You can control how big the sign is, you can control how long it stays out, but you can't control the content.”

— Unidentified speaker · Explaining legal constraints on municipal authority over political sign content based on Supreme Court precedent 1:10:08

“It feels so dangerous. It feels way more dangerous than pornography... the fact that we say it's okay for our village green to support an election denying lie is just, it feels so dangerous.”

— Unidentified speaker · Resident expressing frustration with inability to remove political signs they consider harmful misinformation 1:13:43
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

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

Draft budget carries a 3.09% overall spending increase; final tax impact on rate not yet determined, complicated by health insurance estimate uncertainty ranging from 5% to 9.5%

What was discussed

Potential warrant article requesting ~$100,000 beyond existing CRF funds; total project cost estimated at $225,000–$250,000 with uncertain carrier revenue

What was discussed

Scale undisclosed; a warrant article for the March ballot is under consideration, suggesting existing funding is insufficient to continue the event as currently structured

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Speaker B (Town Administrator), Speaker H (Bill), Speaker E (Peter), Speaker I (Tom from Ways and Means)
What was discussed

Town Administrator presented the first draft of the FY26 budget with a 3.09% increase, including 5% health insurance estimates, 3% COLA, and debt service reductions from bond payoffs. Discussion covered wage comparisons, retirement system adoption, and need for wish list items to be included.

Speakers: Speaker D (Lisa Dennis), Speaker A (Chair), Speaker H (Bill)
What was discussed

Resident Lisa Dennis requested removal of Trump campaign sign claiming 'third win' from public property, citing election misinformation concerns. Board explained First Amendment constraints prevent content-based sign removal.

Speakers: Speaker G (Dr. Shanko), Speaker E (Peter), Speaker F (Eric)
What was discussed

Board formally accepted resignations of Nick Strong (Town Administrator role) who took position in Manchester, and Perry Dang from DPW after 27 years of service for retirement.

Speakers: Speaker F (Chief), Speaker H (Bill), Speaker E (Peter), Speaker A (Chair)
What was discussed

Police Chief reported on cell tower feasibility, with estimated costs of $225,000-$250,000 for town-owned tower but uncertain carrier interest. Board discussed putting question to voters as warrant article for additional ~$100,000 beyond existing CRF funds.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Speaker E (Peter), Speaker H (Bill), Speaker A (Chair)
What was discussed

Board reviewed updated job description for recreation director position, discussing salary competitiveness compared to other towns, additional responsibilities like tree lighting coordination, and need for comparable town analysis.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board member reported on a successful Halloween event that was moved from Wilkins School to the high school due to larger capacity needs.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board members met with Fourth of July committee representatives about fireworks situation and plan to schedule full discussion for November 18th meeting, potentially including a warrant article for March ballot.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Election Sign Content Complaint – Trump 'Third Win' Sign on Public Property

A resident asked the board to remove a political sign she characterized as dangerous election-denial misinformation from public property. The board's refusal — while legally sound — left the resident visibly distressed and unsatisfied. This touches on deep community divisions over political speech, election integrity, and the limits of government authority, especially in a presidential election year.
Board position: Board unanimously declined to remove the sign, citing First Amendment protections and Supreme Court precedent prohibiting content-based restrictions on political speech. They noted doing so would expose the town to litigation.
high concern
02

FY26 Budget – Tax Impact and Wage/Benefit Pressures

The first draft budget carries a 3.09% overall increase, driven by a 3% COLA, 5–9.5% health insurance cost uncertainty, and debt service changes. The final tax impact on residents has not yet been determined. Budget discussions often generate community concern, and the wide range on health insurance estimates (5% vs. 9.5%) signals meaningful fiscal uncertainty heading into the March ballot.
Board position: Board received the draft as a starting point, directed the Town Administrator to update health insurance figures and return with a second draft on November 18th. Members signaled support for including departmental 'wish list' items for transparency.
medium concern
03

Cell Tower Project – $100,000+ Potential Warrant Article

The town is considering asking voters to approve approximately $100,000 in additional funding beyond existing Capital Reserve Funds for a town-owned cell tower estimated at $225,000–$250,000, with uncertain carrier interest. Spending a quarter-million dollars on infrastructure with no guaranteed revenue is a significant fiscal risk that voters would need to evaluate.
Board position: Board is considering a warrant article for the March ballot. No decision was made; the Police Chief was directed to obtain firmer cost estimates before proceeding.
medium concern
04

Recreation Director Salary Competitiveness

Board member Bill explicitly noted that a vacant position is the only opportunity to 'get it right' on salary, signaling concern that the proposed compensation may be too low to attract qualified candidates. If the town underpays and fails to fill or retain the role, recreational programming and services available to residents could suffer.
Board position: Board directed staff to conduct a comparable-town salary analysis before finalizing the job description, indicating openness to adjusting compensation upward.
low concern
05

Fourth of July Fireworks – Potential Warrant Article

The board met informally with the Fourth of July committee but has not yet disclosed the nature of the 'fireworks situation.' If fireworks are at risk of cancellation or require significant new public funding via a warrant article, this would affect a highly visible community tradition and could generate broad public interest.
Board position: Board deferred substantive discussion to the November 18th meeting, where a warrant article for the March ballot may be considered. No details on the underlying issue were disclosed publicly.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
0
Addressed
0
Partial
1
Not addressed
Lisa Dennis
1:04:45
Not addressed
Lisa Dennis requested removal of a political sign on public property in the center of Amherst that says "Trump 2024. We will win for the third time." She argued the sign spreads false claims about the 2020 election and is dangerous election denial rhetoric that should not be allowed on public property. Key concern
Removal of what she considers a misleading political sign containing election denial claims from public property
Board response
The board explained they cannot legally remove the sign due to First Amendment protections and recent Supreme Court decisions that prohibit content-based restrictions on political speech. They noted this would expose the town to lawsuits.
While the board provided a thorough legal explanation for why they cannot act, they did not and cannot address her actual request to remove the sign due to constitutional constraints on government censorship of political speech.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
31:05
Accept Nick Strong's resignation from town administration position
Motion made by Peter with 'profound regret' to accept resignation so she can pursue career in Manchester
Approved 5-0
46:51
Accept Perry Dang's resignation from DPW for retirement
Perry served 27 years with the town and will be missed according to DPW supervisor
Approved 5-0
1:16:11
Motion to enter non-public session for two purposes: hiring of public employee and consideration of pending claims/litigation
Motion made under RSA 91-A:3(II)(b) for hiring and RSA 91-A:3(II) for litigation matters
Approved

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Fiscal uncertainty in the FY26 budget and what it means for property taxpayers
Amherst BOS 10/28: The FY26 budget draft shows a 3.09% spending increase — but the town doesn't yet know its health insurance costs. The estimate ranges from 5% to 9.5%. That gap matters to your tax bill. Second draft due Nov. 18.
230/280 chars
Fiscal risk of a potential cell tower warrant article with uncertain return
Amherst BOS 10/28: The town may ask voters in March to spend $225K–$250K on a cell tower — with no guaranteed carrier interest. ~$100K would come from a new warrant article. No revenue commitment. Board asked for firmer cost estimates before proceeding.
253/280 chars
Lack of public disclosure about the nature of the Fourth of July fireworks funding problem
Amherst BOS 10/28: Fireworks on the line? The board met with the Fourth of July committee about an unspecified 'situation' and may bring a warrant article to the March ballot. No details were disclosed publicly. Discussion scheduled for Nov. 18.
245/280 chars
First Amendment limits on municipal authority over political sign content
Amherst BOS 10/28: A resident asked the board to remove a political sign from public property, calling it election misinformation. The board refused — correctly — citing the First Amendment. Content-based removal would expose the town to litigation.
249/280 chars

X thread

1
THREAD: Amherst Board of Selectmen met 10/28. Routine in places, but several items will hit your tax bill or ballot in March. Here's what you need to know. 🧵
157/280
2
1/ FY26 BUDGET — Draft #1 shows a 3.09% spending increase. Drivers: 3% COLA for employees, health insurance costs, and debt service shifts. Problem: health insurance estimates range from 5% to 9.5%. That uncertainty alone could meaningfully change the tax rate. Second draft: Nov. 18.
284/280
3
2/ CELL TOWER — The town is eyeing a town-owned cell tower at $225K–$250K total cost. Existing Capital Reserve Funds cover part of it. A warrant article for ~$100K more may go to March ballot voters. Catch: no carrier has committed to using it. Board asked for firmer numbers first.
282/280
4
3/ FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS — The board met privately with the Fourth of July committee about what they called a 'fireworks situation.' A warrant article for March is under consideration. What the situation actually is? Not disclosed at the meeting. Full discussion: Nov. 18. Residents deserve to know before that.
314/280
5
4/ ELECTION SIGN COMPLAINT — Resident Lisa Dennis asked the board to remove a Trump campaign sign from public property, calling it dangerous election misinformation. The board declined — and they were legally correct. Supreme Court precedent bars content-based sign restrictions. The town can regulate size and duration, not message.
333/280
6
5/ PERSONNEL — Nick Strong resigned from town administration to take a position in Manchester. Perry Dang retired from DPW after 27 years. Both accepted 5-0. The board also entered non-public session for a hiring matter and pending litigation. Next full meeting: Nov. 18. Be there if any of this affects you.
308/280

Facebook — long form

📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — October 28, 2024 Meeting Recap

The board covered several items that will directly affect residents' tax bills and the March ballot. Here's what happened.

💰 FY26 BUDGET (Draft #1): Town Administrator presented the first budget draft showing a 3.09% overall spending increase, driven by a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees and rising benefit costs. The single biggest uncertainty: health insurance estimates currently range from 5% to 9.5% — a spread that could meaningfully shift the final tax rate. The board directed the Town Administrator to nail down accurate figures and return with a revised draft at the November 18th meeting, along with draft warrant articles.

📡 CELL TOWER WARRANT ARTICLE: The Police Chief reported that a town-owned cell tower would cost an estimated $225,000–$250,000. The town has Capital Reserve Funds that could cover part of this, but the board is considering asking voters to approve roughly $100,000 more via a March ballot warrant article. The significant caveat: no cell carrier has committed to using the tower. Spending a quarter-million dollars on infrastructure without guaranteed revenue is a real fiscal risk. The Chief was asked for firmer cost estimates before the board moves forward.

🎆 FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS: Board members met with the Fourth of July committee about what they described only as a 'fireworks situation.' The suggestion of a warrant article for the March ballot implies that existing funding is not sufficient to continue the event as currently structured — but the board did not disclose the nature or scale of the problem at the meeting. Full discussion is scheduled for November 18th. Residents who care about this community tradition should show up or tune in.

🪧 ELECTION SIGN COMPLAINT: Resident Lisa Dennis asked the board to remove a Trump campaign sign from public property, saying it spread dangerous election misinformation. The board declined, and their reasoning was legally sound: the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent prohibit municipalities from restricting political speech based on content. The town can regulate sign size and how long signs stay up — it cannot regulate what they say. The resident left frustrated, but acting otherwise would have exposed Amherst to a lawsuit it would likely lose.

Next meeting: November 18th. Budget draft #2, fireworks discussion, and warrant article decisions are all on the horizon.

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Check health insurance rates and prepare second budget draft with updated figures, including 9.5% health insurance estimate
Assigned: Town Administrator (a speaker) · Due: November 18th meeting
Add function labels to budget line items for easier review
Assigned: Town Administrator (a speaker) · Due: November 18th meeting
Prepare warrant articles for November 18th budget discussion
Assigned: Town Administrator (a speaker) · Due: November 18th meeting
Research recreation director salaries at comparable towns with similar services and get Craig's input on additional responsibilities
Assigned: Jennifer (a speaker) · Due: Next week's meeting
Obtain firmer cost estimates for cell tower project for potential warrant article
Assigned: Police Chief (a speaker) · Due: Before warrant article discussions
Schedule Fourth of July fireworks discussion with committee representatives
Assigned: Board · Due: November 18th meeting
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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-06-01.