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Board of Selectmen — June 24, 2025

Amherst board accepts no-action recommendation on Chestnut Hill Road traffic despite acknowledged data limitations, while ~$1.6M surplus heads to fund balance and multiple leadership vacancies remain open.

The meeting was largely administrative and collegial, with the only notable tension being the gap between long-standing resident concerns on Chestnut Hill Road and the data-driven recommendation for no action — though no residents appeared in person to press the issue.

Date Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Duration 0.9h Speakers 9 Decisions 8 Routine

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Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.

Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

📋 Amherst Board of Selectmen — June 24, 2025 Meeting Recap

If you live on Chestnut Hill Road, here's what happened: the Traffic Safety Committee completed a study and found that truck traffic represented less than 1% of total vehicles. Based on that data, the committee recommended no policy changes, and the board voted 4-0 to accept that recommendation. No residents spoke at the meeting. Police Chief Anthony Timole — who presented the study — acknowledged that a week of data 'does not encapsulate the 30 years that somebody has lived there.' The board accepted the recommendation despite that caveat. Residents who feel their concerns weren't resolved can raise them at the July 14 meeting.

On the town's finances: the Finance Director reported that Amherst is projected to end the fiscal year with roughly $1.6 million in surplus — about $800,000 in unspent budget funds and $800,000 to $1 million in excess revenue. This is projected to go to the unassigned fund balance. Separately, the Finance Director indicated her intention to retire before the next budget cycle. The town is recruiting for a Finance Director and has created a new Deputy Treasurer position to help with continuity.

Two staffing gaps are worth watching: the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer resigned, and interim coverage is in place while a permanent search proceeds (3–4 applicants so far, with interviews expected in the first week of July). Police Chief Timole was also appointed interim Emergency Management Director (4-0) while the town searches for a permanent Fire Chief replacement.

Other actions: The board approved approximately $600,000 in fiscal year encumbrances for fire vehicle repairs, DPW projects, recreation improvements, and a vegetation management plan. They also approved $893.40 for trail signage, denied a charitable tax exemption for 46 Merrimack Road, approved $5,877.22 in property tax abatements, and approved updated job descriptions for the Finance Director and Deputy Treasurer roles. All votes were unanimous at 4-0.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting is July 14, 2025, which will also include the rescheduled athletic team championship recognition ceremony.

Jun 24, 2025 0.9h long 9 speakers 8 decisions Routine
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“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 celebrating multiple state championship teams 00:15

“What I can capture in a week does not encapsulate the 30 years that somebody has lived there. I understand their experience is going to be different than mine, but I'm limited to the information that I have at hand.”

— Unidentified speaker · Police Chief explaining limitations of traffic study data versus resident experiences on Chestnut Hill Road 14:07

“Are we doing on excess revenue?... 800 plus 800 is 1.6 dropping into the unassigned fund balance.”

— Unidentified speaker · Board member calculating projected budget surplus of $1.6 million 38:08

“My main goal now that the art book reporting is done, is to not do another budget.”

— Unidentified speaker · Finance Director expressing intention to retire before next budget cycle 44:08
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Approximately $1.6 million surplus (roughly $800K unspent budget plus $800K–$1M excess revenue) projected for unassigned fund balance

What was discussed

Interim appointment of Police Chief to dual role during Fire Chief search; duration of interim arrangement not specified

What was discussed

Interim coverage arranged but permanent position not yet filled; interviews expected first week of July

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board planned to recognize multiple state championship teams (girls tennis, boys baseball, football, golf, boys swimming) but most players unavailable due to tournaments and summer activities. Recognition rescheduled to July 14th meeting.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Traffic Safety Committee presented results of comprehensive study including speed and truck traffic analysis. Data showed speeding issues but truck traffic under 1% of total after removing smaller commercial vehicles. Committee recommended no policy changes based on data alone.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Community committee requested $893.40 for 30 triangular trail signs for Pabusik Greenway and other mini trails, plus additional smaller informational signs. Signs use national trail system standards and specialized manufacturing.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board appointed Police Chief Anthony Timole as interim Emergency Management Director while searching for permanent Fire Chief.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer resigned. Town arranged interim coverage and posted permanent position, receiving 3-4 applications. Board member Tom Grella volunteered to participate in interview process.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board approved various department encumbrances totaling approximately $600,000 for items including fire vehicle repairs, DPW equipment, road construction, and vegetation management plan.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Finance Director reported approximately $800,000 remaining in current budget plus $800,000-$1 million in excess revenue, totaling roughly $1.6 million surplus for unassigned fund balance.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Board approved updated job descriptions for Finance Director (adding tax collector responsibilities) and new Deputy Treasurer position to improve continuity.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Chestnut Hill Road Traffic Safety Study — No Policy Change Recommended

Residents living on Chestnut Hill Road have raised concerns about speeding and truck traffic, reportedly over many years. The Traffic Safety Committee's data collection found truck traffic under 1% and recommended no policy changes. The Police Chief acknowledged the study's limitations versus long-term resident experience, noting a week of data cannot capture decades of observations.
Board position: Board accepted the committee's recommendation 4-0 to take no policy action based on available data.
medium concern
02

Building Inspector Vacancy and Interim Coverage

The resignation of the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer creates a gap in a critical public safety and development oversight role. With only 3-4 applicants and interim arrangements in place, residents and contractors may face delays or uncertainty in permitting and code enforcement during the transition.
Board position: Board accepted the resignation, arranged interim coverage, posted the permanent position, and had Tom Grella volunteer to join the interview panel.
low concern
03

Police Chief Named Interim Emergency Management Director

Appointing the Police Chief as interim Emergency Management Director while simultaneously searching for a permanent Fire Chief replacement raises questions about dual-role capacity and whether emergency management coordination may be stretched thin during a leadership transition.
Board position: Board approved the interim appointment 4-0 as a practical bridging measure.
low concern
04

Finance Director Retirement Signal and Succession Planning

The Finance Director indicated her intention to retire before the next budget cycle. The town is posting a Finance Director position and created a new Deputy Treasurer role to improve continuity, signaling an impending leadership transition in financial oversight at a time when the town is managing a $1.6 million surplus and significant encumbrances.
Board position: Board approved updated job descriptions and will begin recruitment after upcoming vacations.
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
14:50
Accepted Traffic Safety Committee recommendation and analysis for Chestnut Hill Road study
Motion by Tom Grella, seconded by John. Committee found no data-supported justification for traffic restrictions despite resident concerns.
Approved 4-0
27:18
Approved trail signage purchase for $893.40
Authorized DPW to purchase 30 triangular trail signs and additional informational signs, subject to documentation of costs.
Approved unanimously
29:03
Appointed Police Chief Anthony Timole as interim Emergency Management Director
Interim appointment while searching for permanent Fire Chief replacement.
Approved 4-0
33:29
Approved fiscal year encumbrances totaling $591,441.17
Included fire vehicle repairs ($45,855.87), DPW projects ($530,585.30), and recreation improvements ($14,693).
Approved 4-0
36:03
Approved additional $8,000 encumbrance for vegetation management plan
Funds from DPW full-time wages for integrated vegetation management plan for rights of way.
Approved 4-0
41:53
Approved job descriptions for Finance Director and Deputy Treasurer
Updated Finance Director role to include tax collector oversight, created formal Deputy Treasurer position.
Approved 4-0
49:07
Denied charitable exemption application for 46 Merrimack Road
Property not currently occupied or complying with safety codes as required by RSA 72:23-V.
Approved 4-0
50:00
Approved property tax abatements totaling $5,877.22
Three separate abatements based on assessor recommendations for property valuation corrections.
Approved 4-0 each

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Board accepting no-action recommendation on long-standing resident traffic concerns based on limited data window
Amherst BOS 6/24: Chestnut Hill Rd residents raised speeding/truck concerns for years. A traffic study found truck traffic under 1%. Board voted 4-0: no changes. The Police Chief noted one week of data can't capture decades of resident experience.
247/280 chars
Impending financial leadership transition at a fiscally significant moment
Amherst BOS 6/24: Finance Director signaled she plans to retire before the next budget cycle. Town is recruiting a Finance Director & created a Deputy Treasurer role — while managing a ~$1.6M surplus. Transition worth watching.
227/280 chars
Significant taxpayer surplus moving to fund balance without detailed public deliberation
Amherst BOS 6/24: ~$1.6M in budget surplus (~$800K unspent + ~$800K-$1M excess revenue) projected for unassigned fund balance. Board noted the figures with no discussion of alternative uses at this meeting.
206/280 chars
Simultaneous public safety staffing gaps and their potential impact on residents
Amherst BOS 6/24: Building Inspector resigned. Police Chief appointed interim Emergency Management Director while town searches for a Fire Chief. Two public safety-adjacent roles on interim arrangements simultaneously.
218/280 chars

X thread

1
THREAD: Amherst Board of Selectmen met 6/24/25. No off-agenda controversies, but several decisions worth residents' attention — especially on Chestnut Hill Rd, a $1.6M surplus, and a string of open leadership positions. 🧵
221/280
2
1/ Chestnut Hill Rd: Residents have raised speeding and truck traffic concerns for years. The Traffic Safety Committee collected data and found truck traffic under 1%. Board voted 4-0 to accept the recommendation — no policy changes. The Police Chief acknowledged: 'What I can capture in a week does not encapsulate the 30 years that somebody has lived there.'
360/280
3
2/ That acknowledgment matters. The board heard that the data tool has real limits — and still accepted the no-action recommendation. No residents spoke at this meeting. If you live on Chestnut Hill Rd, the next opportunity to raise concerns is the July 14 meeting.
265/280
4
3/ Money: The Finance Director reported ~$800K unspent budget + $800K–$1M excess revenue = roughly $1.6 million projected for the unassigned fund balance. The board noted the figures without discussion of whether any portion should be directed elsewhere.
254/280
5
4/ Also on 6/24: The Finance Director indicated she intends to retire before the next budget cycle. The board approved a new Deputy Treasurer job description and will begin recruiting a Finance Director replacement. That's a significant transition in financial oversight.
271/280
6
5/ Public safety staffing: Police Chief Anthony Timole was appointed interim Emergency Management Director (4-0) while the town searches for a permanent Fire Chief. Building Inspector also resigned; interim coverage is in place, permanent search ongoing with 3-4 applicants.
274/280
7
6/ Other actions: Board approved ~$600K in fiscal year encumbrances (fire vehicles, DPW, recreation), $893 for trail signage, denied a charitable tax exemption, and approved $5,877 in property tax abatements. All votes unanimous at 4-0. Next meeting: July 14.
259/280

Facebook — long form

📋 Amherst Board of Selectmen — June 24, 2025 Meeting Recap

If you live on Chestnut Hill Road, here's what happened: the Traffic Safety Committee completed a study and found that truck traffic represented less than 1% of total vehicles. Based on that data, the committee recommended no policy changes, and the board voted 4-0 to accept that recommendation. No residents spoke at the meeting. Police Chief Anthony Timole — who presented the study — acknowledged that a week of data 'does not encapsulate the 30 years that somebody has lived there.' The board accepted the recommendation despite that caveat. Residents who feel their concerns weren't resolved can raise them at the July 14 meeting.

On the town's finances: the Finance Director reported that Amherst is projected to end the fiscal year with roughly $1.6 million in surplus — about $800,000 in unspent budget funds and $800,000 to $1 million in excess revenue. This is projected to go to the unassigned fund balance. Separately, the Finance Director indicated her intention to retire before the next budget cycle. The town is recruiting for a Finance Director and has created a new Deputy Treasurer position to help with continuity.

Two staffing gaps are worth watching: the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer resigned, and interim coverage is in place while a permanent search proceeds (3–4 applicants so far, with interviews expected in the first week of July). Police Chief Timole was also appointed interim Emergency Management Director (4-0) while the town searches for a permanent Fire Chief replacement.

Other actions: The board approved approximately $600,000 in fiscal year encumbrances for fire vehicle repairs, DPW projects, recreation improvements, and a vegetation management plan. They also approved $893.40 for trail signage, denied a charitable tax exemption for 46 Merrimack Road, approved $5,877.22 in property tax abatements, and approved updated job descriptions for the Finance Director and Deputy Treasurer roles. All votes were unanimous at 4-0.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting is July 14, 2025, which will also include the rescheduled athletic team championship recognition ceremony.

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Present athletic team recognition ceremony
Assigned: Board of Selectmen · Due: July 14, 2025 meeting
Submit documentation for $150 additional signage costs and develop signage location and verbiage plan for board approval
Assigned: Trail Committee · Due: Before sign installation
Participate in building inspector interview process
Assigned: Tom Grella · Due: First week of July
Post Finance Director position and begin recruitment process
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: After upcoming vacations
Explore posting separate Health Inspector position
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Not specified
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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-06-01.