Board of Selectmen — January 13, 2025
Amherst selectmen approved $18M+ in spending decisions at a public hearing where no residents showed up to speak — here's what's heading to Town Meeting.
Despite the volume and fiscal significance of decisions made — including a $1.9M bond, multi-year trail commitments, and a tower sole source debate — the meeting proceeded without public opposition, board dissent, or visible conflict, making it a substantively busy but procedurally routine session.
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📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — January 13, 2025: What Was Decided and Why It Matters
The Board of Selectmen held a formally noticed public hearing and voted on more than 20 warrant articles at their January 13th meeting — covering over $18 million in spending. Here's a plain-language breakdown of the most significant decisions heading to Town Meeting.
💸 BUDGET & TAXES: The board unanimously approved sending an $18.3 million FY2026 operating budget to deliberative session — a 4.9% increase over the prior year. The main cost drivers are a new police union contract, stormwater compliance requirements, and road maintenance. The estimated tax impact is approximately $25.02 per year on an average $482,000 home in Amherst. Every warrant article passed 5-0.
🚒 FIRE DEPARTMENT: Two separate but related decisions. First, the board approved a $1.9 million bond authorization to purchase a new aerial/tower truck — with a 10-year sunset clause expiring June 30, 2035. Second, and separately, the Fire Chief returned from Alabama recommending a $225,000 purchase of a used 2001 platform truck from Brinley Mountain as a near-term fix, noting the town has been without aerial firefighting capability for months. That purchase was approved 5-0 and will be funded first from impact fees, then from the Capital Reserve Fund. Residents should be prepared to evaluate both decisions at Town Meeting.
⚠️ PROCUREMENT QUESTION — COMMUNICATIONS TOWER: The board debated whether awarding a $170,000 radio tower replacement to Two Way Communications constitutes a sole source contract. The police chief cited system compatibility and public safety needs. The board approved $20,000 in preliminary engineering from the Capital Reserve Fund, but the full contract award is still pending. The sole source question was not fully resolved — residents and Ways & Means Committee members should ask for documentation on why competitive re-bidding was not required.
🛤️ RAIL TRAIL & COMMUNITY POWER: Two separate Souhegan Greenway rail trail grant match articles were combined into a single $888,254 multi-year commitment (the town's required 20% match on more than $2 million in state/federal grants). Because it's a multi-year appropriation, it will require a 60% supermajority vote at Town Meeting. The board also authorized the acting Town Administrator to negotiate Community Power electricity pricing, with a target April rollout — residents who don't opt out would automatically be enrolled if rates beat Eversource's default.
📢 Finally: A legally required public hearing was held at this meeting covering the FY2026 budget and the $1.9M bond. Zero residents attended to speak. Two veteran board members — with a combined 23 years of service — also announced they will not seek reelection. Amherst is entering a period of transition. Your voice at Town Meeting is how these decisions get made.
Public impact
$18.3M budget, 4.9% increase; estimated $25.02 annual tax impact on average $482,000 home
$888,254 committed over 5 years as 20% match on $2M+ in state/federal grants; requires 60% supermajority at Town Meeting
$1.9M bond authorization with 10-year sunset (expires June 30, 2035); direct public safety and debt service implications
Up to 9.5% increase in town health insurance premiums effective July 1, 2025
Town-wide electricity supply program targeting April rollout; rates contingent on beating Eversource default pricing
Topics discussed
Two Board of Selectmen members announced they will not run for reelection - one citing retirement after 14 years of various town service roles, another after 9 years on the board.
Discussion of $1.9 million bond authorization for aerial/tower truck purchase, with proposed amendments to broaden language from 'tower truck' to 'aerial truck' and add 10-year sunset clause.
Presentation of $18.3 million operating budget representing 4.9% increase, with detailed breakdown of cost drivers including police contract, stormwater compliance, and road maintenance.
Discussion of authorization for preliminary engineering and site work for a new communications tower, with debate over whether this constitutes a sole source procurement since previous competition had occurred.
Removal of item A2 from the assessing consent agenda because it was not included in the package sent to board members, to be considered at the next meeting.
Review and approval of two property tax abatements: one for $271 due to overtaxation of a vacant lot, and one for $1,162 related to a blind exemption.
Approval of meeting minutes from four previous meetings: December 6, 9, 16, and 30, 2024.
Multiple capital reserve fund appropriations presented including communication center ($40K), computers ($15K), revaluation ($25K), bridges ($300K), fire/rescue equipment ($267K), and DPW equipment ($130K).
Two equipment replacement requests: $230K trackless tractor and $500K fuel pump system replacement, both funded from unassigned fund balance with zero tax impact.
Two rail trail grant projects (North O2 and O3) requiring 20% town match over 4-5 years, with alternative combined proposal presented based on bicycle pedestrian committee feedback.
Board discussed funding for two rail trail grants totaling over $2 million, requiring 20% town match. Decision made to combine two separate articles into one multi-year funding warrant requiring 60% supermajority vote.
Proposal to reclassify portion of Class 6 roadway to Class B trail for safety reasons, as residents found cars using what is essentially a hiking trail.
Updates to income thresholds for property tax exemptions to account for two years of Social Security COLA increases, preventing eligible residents from losing exemptions.
Request for expanded authority to sell tax-deeded properties beyond just sealed bid/public auction, including use of real estate agents and sales to abutters.
Presentation of $7,000 proposal for comprehensive 5-day IT security and infrastructure assessment covering all town departments using ISO 27001 framework.
Discussion and approval of awarding IT and security assessment work to CISO for $7,000, covering comprehensive technology infrastructure review including servers, PCs, applications, security training, and interoperability needs for police and fire departments.
Review of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application for bicycle/pedestrian improvements along Boston Post Road, with discussion of conservation land concerns and waterway crossings.
Motion to adjust acting Town Administrator Debbie's pay from grade 19 to grade 20, step 9, effective retroactively to the first day of Dean's vacation.
Authorization for acting Town Administrator to negotiate Community Power pricing and launch the program if rates are better than Eversource default, targeting April rollout.
Chief's report on trip to Alabama to inspect used fire apparatus, recommending purchase of 2001 E1 95-foot platform truck from Brinley Mountain for $225,000 including upgrades and warranty.
Police Chief's request for sole source authorization to proceed with Two Way Communications for new 150-foot radio tower replacement at $170,000, citing system compatibility and public safety needs.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
FY2026 Operating Budget — 4.9% Increase
Communications Tower — Sole Source Procurement Debate
Rail Trail Multi-Year Funding — $888,254 Town Match Requiring Supermajority
Tax-Deeded Property Sale Authority Expansion
Used Fire Truck Purchase — $225,000 for 24-Year-Old Apparatus
Public Hearing Agenda Items Appear Unaddressed
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Accountability flags
Agenda items not discussed
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