Board of Selectmen — January 27, 2025

Amherst's Town Administrator disclosed that the state DRA can change — even retroactively — voter-approved warrant article language. The board treated it as routine. Here's what residents should know.

This was a largely administrative meeting with no public speakers, unanimous votes on all items, and only a brief moment of mild internal discussion around the DPW Director's proposal to shift to two-year road contracts.

Date Monday, January 27, 2025 Duration 0.5h Speakers 6 Decisions 7 Routine

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**Amherst Board of Selectmen — Meeting Recap: January 27, 2025**

Most of this meeting was routine — community event permits, a $10,000 donation to the Conservation Commission, and a staff promotion. But two items are worth residents' attention before Town Meeting season.

**DRA can change warrant article language — even after voters approve it.** Town Administrator Debbie disclosed that the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has the authority to change warrant article language, and can do so even after voters have approved an article at Town Meeting. In this case, the DRA required removal of a PFAS contingency clause and rewording of bike path project funding language. The board accepted the changes as routine administrative compliance. This is a matter of state-level authority over local warrant articles, and residents may want to understand this dynamic before casting votes at Town Meeting.

**A difference of opinion on road contracting.** DPW Director Eric recommended that Amherst shift to two-year road paving contracts, citing reduced administrative burden and alignment with peer communities. The board approved a one-year extension of the existing Continental Paving contract through FY26 (4-0) — granted as an exception to the town's purchasing policy — but Board Chair a speaker stated: 'I'm not ready tonight, personally, to do that,' referring to the two-year approach. No vote was taken on the two-year proposal, and the matter was deferred to the next bidding cycle in January 2026. Road paving is one of the most significant recurring expenses in the town budget. How those contracts are structured and how often competitive bids are solicited are decisions that affect every taxpayer. This conversation will likely continue.

**Everything else passed 4-0.** Rick Keys was promoted to Facilities Manager (formerly Buildings and Grounds Foreman) at $35.94/hour, effective January 20. Three community event permits were approved: Memorial Day parade (May 23), 4th of July activities, and the Easter egg hunt (April 12). A $10,000 donation to the Conservation Commission from a repeat donor was formally accepted. Upcoming: the DPW Director will present transfer station policy adjustments at the February 10 meeting.

Jan 27, 2025 0.5h long 6 speakers 7 decisions Routine

❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“I really think that looking at what other communities are doing... our recommendation is to really look for more of a two year agreement”

— DPW Director Eric · Explaining rationale for changing road contracting approach to reduce administrative burden 10:41

“DRA can make these changes. We don't need to approve them. And in fact... even after the voters vote on a warrant article, if DRA doesn't like the language, they can retroactively amend it”

— Town Administrator Debbie · Explaining DRA's authority over warrant article language 07:24

“I'm not ready tonight, just personally, to do that. I think that may be a discussion that we would have when you're ready to go out to bid for that next contract”

— Chair Speaker B · Expressing reservation about committing to future two-year contracting approach 18:53

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Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.

What was discussed

One-year contract extension with Continental Paving through FY26; a proposed shift to two-year contracts could change pricing and vendor relationships for a major recurring municipal expenditure, with implications for competitive pricing and taxpayer value.