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Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — March 24, 2025

This was a largely administrative reorganization meeting with no public speakers, no contested policy debates, and unanimous votes on all major items. The abstentions on officer elections and the utility pole safety discussion added minor points of interest but no genuine tension.

Date Monday, March 24, 2025 Duration 0.7h Speakers 4 Decisions 10 Routine

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Trackless Machine Purchase — $205,775 Net Municipal Expenditure

Net cost of $205,775 approved; payment deferred to July 2025 citing tariff uncertainty Affected: All Amherst taxpayers funding municipal equipment
other high impact
02

Utility Pole Safety Hazards on Public Ways

Unknown number of dangerous partial poles remain standing; board agreed to compile locations and contact utility companies Affected: Residents and motorists near incomplete utility pole replacement sites in Amherst
safety change
03

Fire Department Aerial Truck Delivery

Aerial truck targeted for May 8 delivery; $9,500–$10,000 in transportation costs under review Affected: All Amherst residents dependent on fire department aerial capability
safety change

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Election of Danielle as Board Chairman
Danielle nominated and elected as Chairman
3-0-1 (John abstained)
02:07
Election of Cynthia Daco as Vice Chair
Cynthia Daco nominated and elected as Vice Chair
3-0-1 (abstention noted)
02:52
Election of Pam Coughlin as Clerk
Pam Coughlin nominated and elected as Clerk
4-0-1 (abstention noted)
03:59
Approval of Local Source Water Grant Extension
Approved amendment to extend grant deadline and authorized Christy Jobin to execute documents
5-0
29:35
Approval of Recreation Department Hire
Approved hiring Nathaniel Adonisio as Recreation Department Assistant at grade 5, step 1, $24.80/hour
5-0
31:31
Approval of Trackless Machine Purchase
Approved purchase of new trackless machine for net cost of $205,775 with payment deferred until July 2025
5-0
35:30
Approval of Consent Agenda
Approved consent agenda items
5-0
36:31
Approval of March 4, 2025 Minutes
Approved meeting minutes with abstention from member not present
4-0-1 (Pam abstained)
36:42
Approval of March 6, 2025 Minutes
Approved meeting minutes with abstentions
3-0-2 (abstentions from members not present)
37:09
Approval of March 10, 2025 Minutes
Approved meeting minutes
3-0-2 (abstentions noted)
37:51

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
02:07 Board Reorganization and Officer Elections

The board elected new officers following recent elections. Danielle was elected Chairman, Cynthia Daco as Vice Chair, and new member Pam Coughlin as Clerk.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
05:24 Committee Assignments

Board members were assigned to various committees and liaisons including conservation commission, heritage commission, recreation commission, and school board liaison positions.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
13:57 HSA Plan Implementation

Administrative update on implementing HSA deductible funding with 50% upfront payment and remainder distributed per pay period. Nine employees currently on the plan with $13,000 total town commitment.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
22:18 Building Code Violations

Two recent incidents involving unpermitted building activities: a collapsed garage that was removed without proper demolition permits, and structural damage to a business on 101A.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
24:54 Fire Department Aerial Truck

Chief Conley provided update on aerial truck delivery with target date of May 8th. Transportation costs estimated at $9,500-$10,000 with multiple shipping options being explored.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
28:38 Local Source Water Grant Extension

Community Development Director requested extension of local source water grant deadline and authorization for her to sign related documents.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
30:21 Recreation Department New Hire

Recreation Department recommended hiring Nathaniel Adonisio as Recreation Department Assistant at grade 5, step 1 ($24.80/hour) with March 31st start date.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
31:55 Trackless Machine Purchase

Approved purchase of new trackless machine for $223,525 with $17,750 trade-in value, resulting in net cost of $205,775. Payment deferred until July 2025 due to tariff concerns.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
38:40 Utility Pole Safety Concerns

Board member raised concerns about incomplete utility pole replacements leaving dangerous partial poles hanging. Agreed to compile specific locations and contact utility companies.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Board Officer Elections with Abstentions

John d'Angelo abstained from voting on the Chairman and Vice Chair elections, suggesting possible internal reservations about leadership selections among returning and new board members.
Board position: Elected Danielle as Chairman, Cynthia Daco as Vice Chair, and Pam Coughlin as Clerk
Internal dissent
John d'Angelo abstained on both the Chairman (3-0-1) and Vice Chair (3-0-1) elections, though the reason for abstention was not stated in the record
low concern
02

Utility Pole Safety Hazards

Incomplete utility pole replacements leaving dangerous partial poles hanging represent a public safety risk. Board member Tom raised the concern, and the board agreed to compile a location list and send a formal letter to utility companies.
Board position: Agreed to document locations and send a formal letter to utility companies
medium concern
03

Trackless Machine Purchase — Tariff-Driven Payment Deferral

The $223,525 equipment purchase includes a payment deferral to July 2025 due to tariff concerns, reflecting fiscal caution around procurement costs that could affect future municipal budgets.
Board position: Approved the purchase unanimously with deferred payment due to tariff concerns
low concern
04

Building Code Violations and Unpermitted Demolition

Two incidents involving unpermitted building activities — including a collapsed garage removed without demolition permits and structural damage to a business on Route 101A — raise questions about enforcement and liability.
Board position: Discussed the incidents as an administrative update; no formal enforcement action or policy change was voted on
low concern

Split votes

Election of Danielle as Board Chairman
3-0-1
Election of Cynthia Daco as Vice Chair
3-0-1
Approval of March 6, 2025 Minutes
3-0-2

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Implement HSA funding with 50% upfront payment system
Assigned: Debbie (Town Administrator) · Due: Not specified
Get updated shipping quotes for aerial truck delivery and provide options for April meeting
Assigned: Chief Conley · Due: Second meeting in April
Compile list of specific utility pole locations with safety issues
Assigned: Tom · Due: Not specified
Send formal letter to utility companies about incomplete pole replacements once locations are identified
Assigned: Debbie (Town Administrator) · Due: After location list is compiled
Schedule non-public meeting and email board members
Assigned: Debbie (Town Administrator) · Due: Not specified

Notable ⁠statements

We welcome re-welcome John d'Angelo back to the board and a new member, Pam Coughlin to the board — Speaker A (Chairman) · Welcoming board members after recent election 01:37
I think the town should just make a stand and say that we're aware of a situation should be addressed by either public service or the telephone company... it's their equipment and it's a danger — Speaker C (Tom) · Expressing concern about incomplete utility pole replacements creating safety hazards 38:40
I'd like to suggest that we express our deep sympathy for those families and encourage anyone in Amherst who wants to help contact share in Milford to see what those families might need — Speaker C (John) · Expressing sympathy for six families who lost homes in Milford fire 41:06
Dad, you've done an amazing job. You're not done yet, but this is your... this will be your last time — Speaker A (Chairman) · Thanking outgoing town administrator at final meeting before replacement starts 43:19

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
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Report composed by claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-06-01.