Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — June 23, 2025
The meeting was largely procedural and unified. Mild tension arose from the Chestnut Hill Road residents' unresolved quality-of-life concerns, but no public speakers participated and all votes were unanimous.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Budget Surplus of ~$1.6–1.8M — Disposition Not Yet Decided
Approximately $800,000 in unspent funds plus $800,000–$1,000,000 in excess revenue; final report to be presented at July meeting Affected: All Amherst taxpayers and residents who depend on municipal services
other high impact
02
Finance Director Departure and Recruitment
The town's top financial officer indicated a planned departure; the role now includes integrated tax collector responsibilities. Recruitment to begin after summer vacations. Affected: All residents dependent on town financial management, budgeting, and tax administration
other high impact
03
Building Inspector Vacancy — Interim Coverage
Permanent position vacant; 3–4 applications received; interim replacement in place; interviews expected first week of July. Affected: Residents and contractors seeking building permits, inspections, and code enforcement
safety change
04
Police Chief as Interim Emergency Management Director
Police Chief Anthony Timole takes on dual role during fire chief vacancy; approved 4-0 as interim measure. Affected: All Amherst residents dependent on coordinated emergency response
safety change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Accepted Traffic Safety Committee recommendation on Chestnut Hill Road study
Board accepted formal recommendation and analysis despite resident disagreement with findings
4-0 approval
Approved trail signage purchase
Authorized purchase of signs for $893.40 subject to documentation of costs, with DPW to handle ordering
4-0 approval
Appointed interim Emergency Management Director
Police Chief Anthony Timole appointed as interim Emergency Management Director
4-0 approval
Approved budget encumbrances
Multiple encumbrances approved including fire vehicle repairs ($45,855.87), DPW projects, and road construction ($435,973.06)
4-0 approval
Approved vegetation management plan encumbrance
$8,000 encumbered from DPW wages for integrated vegetation management plan
4-0 approval
Denied charitable exemption application
46 Merrimack Road exemption denied due to non-occupancy and safety code non-compliance
4-0 denial
Approved job descriptions
Finance Director and Deputy Tax Collector job descriptions approved with tax collector role integration
4-0 approval
Approved meeting minutes
Minutes from June 4 and June 9, 2025 meetings approved
4-0 approval for both sets
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:08 Athletic Team Recognition
Discussion of multiple state championship wins by Amherst high school teams, with plans to recognize teams on July 14th. Teams include girls tennis, boys baseball, football, golf, and boys swimming.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 02:56 Chestnut Hill Road Traffic Safety Study
Traffic Safety Committee presented final study results showing no data-driven need for truck restrictions or speed changes, despite resident concerns about quality of life issues.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 09:36 Trail Signs for Souhegan Greenway
Request for $893.40 to purchase 30 triangular trail signs plus smaller informational signs for the Souhegan Greenway and other local trails.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 28:02 Emergency Management Director Appointment
Appointment of Police Chief Anthony Timole as interim Emergency Management Director while searching for new fire chief.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 29:20 Building Inspector Resignation and Replacement
Building inspector/code enforcement officer resigned; interim replacement secured and permanent position posted with 3-4 applications received.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 33:10 FY25-26 Budget Encumbrances
Approval of various department encumbrances totaling approximately $591,000 for equipment, repairs, and projects including fire apparatus and road construction.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 37:48 Budget Surplus Projection
Finance Director reported projected surplus of approximately $800,000 in unspent funds plus $800,000-$1M in excess revenue for FY25.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 39:15 Finance Director Job Description Updates
Approval of updated job descriptions for Finance Director and Deputy Tax Collector positions, incorporating tax collector role into finance department.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Chestnut Hill Road Traffic Safety Study — Data vs. Quality of Life
Residents raised concerns about truck traffic and speeding on Chestnut Hill Road, but the Traffic Safety Committee's data-driven methodology found no justification for restrictions or speed changes. This creates a conflict between resident-perceived quality-of-life harms and the committee's quantitative mandate — leaving affected residents without the relief they sought.
Board position: Accepted the Traffic Safety Committee's recommendation unanimously (4-0), deferring to the data-driven findings despite acknowledged resident concerns.
medium concern
02
Finance Director Departure and Recruitment
The Finance Director stated her goal is to 'not do another budget,' indicating a planned departure. The board directed the Town Manager to begin recruiting a replacement. This is a significant personnel transition for a role that now incorporates tax collector responsibilities.
Board position: Board directed the Town Manager to begin recruitment after summer vacations.
low concern
03
Health Inspector Position — Separated from Building Inspector Role
The Town Manager was directed to post the health inspector position separately from the building inspector role. This represents a change in how these services are staffed, with potential budget implications.
Board position: Board directed the Town Manager to post the health inspector position separately.
low concern
04
Charitable Exemption Denial — 46 Merrimack Road
The board denied a charitable exemption application 4-0 on grounds of non-occupancy and safety code non-compliance. Depending on the applicant and the property's intended use, this could affect a nonprofit or community-serving organization.
Board position: Unanimously denied the exemption based on non-occupancy status and failure to meet safety code requirements.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Coordinate with coaches to schedule team recognition ceremony
Assigned: Traffic Safety Committee · Due: July 14th meeting
Provide documentation for $150 small signs cost and develop verbiage/location proposals for board approval
Assigned: Trail Committee · Due: Before sign ordering
Post permanent building inspector position and coordinate interviews with Board member Tom
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: First week of July
Post health inspector position separately from building inspector role
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Not specified
Provide final budget report at July meeting
Assigned: Finance Director · Due: Next meeting in July
Begin recruitment process for Finance Director replacement
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: After vacations in coming weeks
Notable statements
Not only do we have the greatest town in the state, but apparently we have the most gifted athletes in the state too. — Unidentified speaker · Opening remarks about multiple state championship wins ▶ 00:15
What this comes down to is the age old argument of quality of life. And while we understand the resident's perspective, the committee is not tasked with that. We're tasked with bringing data to the board. — Unidentified speaker · Traffic Safety Committee explaining limitations of data-driven recommendations vs. resident concerns ▶ 02:56
My main goal now that the art book reporting is done, is to not do another budget. — Finance Director · Discussion of transition plans for Finance Director replacement ▶ 44:39
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Agenda items not discussed
Topics discussed — not on agenda
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Report composed by
claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-06-01.