Accountability Posts

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Budget increase and unresolved variables affecting property tax rates

Amherst BOS (12/2): FY26 budget is on track for a 4.6% operating increase — 6.6% total with warrant articles. Final tax impact still unknown: tower truck ($1.9M) and rail trail costs are unresolved. Watch the December 9th meeting.

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Large school infrastructure request with taxpayer and Historic District implications

Amherst BOS (12/2): The school district asked the town to fund a $1.5M, 2-mile natural gas line extension to the new Wilkins school. No commitment made, but it's now on the table — and it runs through the Historic District.

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Fireworks cancellation and absence of any public comment opportunity on major fiscal decisions

Amherst BOS (12/2): The board quietly decided — no Fourth of July fireworks in 2025. Zero public comment was recorded at this meeting despite a packed agenda: $1.9M fire truck, $1.5M gas line, 6.6% budget increase, $1.2M fund balance draw.

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Reserve fund drawdown and risk to town's financial buffer

Amherst BOS (12/2): Town plans to draw up to $1.2M from its unassigned fund balance for one-time expenses — trackless vehicle, fuel pumps, PFAS remediation. Framed as fiscally smart, but it reduces the town's financial cushion.

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Post these in sequence for maximum impact.

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🧵 Amherst Board of Selectmen met 12/2 and worked through a budget with major unresolved questions. Here's what every taxpayer should know. (1/6)

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💰 FY26 budget is projected at a 4.6% operating increase — 6.6% when warrant articles are included. The board brought it down from an initial 14.8% draft, partly by drawing $1.2M from reserves and deferring projects. Final tax rate impact is still unknown. (2/6)

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🚒 Two fire truck decisions are in play simultaneously: a ~$300K used 2008 tower truck (Chief authorized to negotiate) AND a $1.9M new truck being planned for. Funding mix: impact fees, capital reserves, unassigned fund balance, borrowing. Still no final number. (3/6)

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🏫 The school district asked the town to cover a $1.5M natural gas line extension — 2 miles to the new Wilkins school. It would run through the village Historic District. The board didn't commit but didn't say no. This is now in the budget conversation. (4/6)

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⏰ The town also faces a year-end ARPA deadline. The board deferred a final decision to Dec. 9th. Whether ARPA funds can legally be used for payroll was still unresolved at meeting's end. If the paperwork doesn't land right, funds could be lost or misapplied. (5/6)

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🎆 One thing that was decided: no Fourth of July fireworks in 2025. Also notable — zero members of the public spoke at a meeting covering a 6.6% spending increase, a $1.9M truck, a $1.5M gas line, and a $1.2M reserve draw. Next meeting: Dec. 9th. (6/6)

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➡ All formal votes were 5-0 unanimous. The real debates — rail trail funding mechanism, tower truck financing, ARPA legality — were deferred. Pay attention to what gets decided next week with less public notice.

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Longer-form draft.

📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — December 2, 2024 Meeting Recap

Amherst residents: the Board of Selectmen spent most of their December 2nd meeting working through the FY2026 budget, and there are several big-ticket items that will directly affect your property tax bill. Here's what you need to know.

The proposed budget increase currently stands at 4.6% for operating expenses — rising to 6.6% when warrant articles are included. The board worked to bring down an initial draft figure of 14.8% by drawing up to $1.2 million from the town's unassigned fund balance (reserves) and deferring some projects, including a $50,000 DPW garage planning study. But two major variables remain unresolved: the cost of a new $1.9 million tower fire truck and the final scope and funding structure for the North O2/O3 rail trail projects. Until those are settled, the final tax impact is unknown.

Also on the table: the school district has formally asked the town to fund a $1.5 million, 2-mile natural gas line extension to the new Wilkins Elementary School — running through the Historic Village district. The board didn't commit, but they didn't say no either, and the Historic District Commission has been asked to weigh in. Separately, the board decided there will be no Fourth of July fireworks in 2025, with possible funding for 2026 as part of the town's 275th anniversary. And the town faces a hard year-end deadline on remaining ARPA funds — a final decision was deferred to the December 9th meeting, with legal questions about payroll use still unresolved.

What stood out: despite a meeting packed with decisions affecting every Amherst taxpayer — a 6.6% spending increase, a $1.9M truck purchase, a $1.5M infrastructure ask, and a $1.2M reserve drawdown — not a single member of the public spoke. If you care about where your tax dollars go, the next Board of Selectmen meeting is December 9th. Show up or tune in.