Board of Selectmen — July 14, 2025
Amherst board leaves 20-year Christmas tradition in limbo while new 8,000-person market claims the same date — no resolution reached.
The meeting was substantive and occasionally tense — particularly around the unresolved Christmas event scheduling conflict and the disputed health insurance payment — but most business proceeded smoothly, with disagreement confined to specific votes rather than broad board dysfunction.
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**Amherst Board of Selectmen — July 14, 2025 Meeting Recap**
The Board covered a full agenda on Monday, but several decisions warrant closer public attention.
**Christmas Event Scheduling Conflict:** Amherst's Christmas House Tour — a church-run community tradition in its 20th+ year serving 600 ticketed guests — is now directly threatened by a newly approved German Christmas Market scheduled for the exact same date: December 13th. The market has been conditionally approved to draw up to 8,000 people. The church's co-chair, Sally Hoover, told the board directly: "We will not be able to operate on the same day." The board acknowledged the conflict but issued no directive to resolve it. The Town Administrator was asked to reach out to the German Christmas Market organizers — specifically about parking and crowd logistics, not about changing dates. Residents who care about preserving this long-standing community event should contact the board before the December date becomes locked in.
**Rail Trail Cost Gap:** The board voted 3-1 to authorize the Town Administrator to sign a state NHDOT agreement for the North O3 Rail Trail extension. The problem: the state's cost estimate is $300,000 higher than the amount voters approved. Proceeding into the engineering phase is not a final construction commitment, and the scope may change — but the town is now formally in the pipeline. One board member voted against the authorization. A community advocate also warned the board that federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure may be cut going forward, making these grant opportunities potentially non-renewable. Voters should watch for whether a supplemental appropriation request is eventually required.
**Disputed $64,864 Insurance Payment:** The Finance Director reported that Amherst paid a $64,864 assessment tied to the NH Interlocal Trust (the town's former health insurance pool, now in receivership). Other municipalities in the same situation have refused to pay. Amherst paid. Legal counsel is now reviewing options — but the money is already out the door. The board directed staff to continue working with attorneys on possible recovery, but no clear outcome was identified. Taxpayers are entitled to a clear explanation of why this payment was made before the legal review was complete.
**Other notable items:** The Police Chief flagged a compensation gap for non-union command staff (two captains and the chief) that could push captains toward union membership — a budget and leadership stability concern that received no formal board action. The board also approved a 36-month fixed electricity supply contract on a 3-1 vote, contingent on a non-appropriation clause whose availability was unconfirmed at the time. The next meeting is July 28th at Amherst Town Hall.
Public impact
An 8,000-person event approved for the same day as a long-standing 600-person community event may effectively cancel or severely disrupt the Christmas House Tour if dates are not separated
Vacancy since June 19th; 8 applications received but no hire made yet — ongoing gap in regulatory enforcement affecting all construction activity in town
Loss of Patrolman Anthony Colada effective August 2nd reduces patrol capacity; department has 12 applicants but no hire completed, leaving a temporary gap in coverage
State estimate exceeds voter-approved amount by $300,000; proceeding into engineering could ultimately require a supplemental appropriation or project cancellation
$64,864 paid to NH Interlocal Trust receivership while other municipalities refused payment; potential loss of taxpayer funds if legally contestable and not recovered
Grant covers costs for 4 years, but starting in year 5 the town faces a $65,000 annual recurring obligation; chief recommends beginning to budget now to avoid a future budget shock
Chief flagged that two captain positions and the chief's position are under-compensated relative to union ranks, creating risk of command-level attrition or unionization pressure
Topics discussed
Board recognized Souhegan High School championship teams: girls tennis (D2 state champions), boys baseball (20-1 record, state champions), and girls lacrosse (Division 1 runner-up). Seniors shared their college destinations.
Sally Hoover representing the church's Christmas House Tour expressed concerns about both events being scheduled for December 13th. The house tour has been running for 20+ years and serves 600 people, while the German Christmas market was conditionally approved for up to 8,000 people.
Town received 12 applications for fire chief position. Staff and board reviewing applications with interviews expected within two weeks. Board approved adding Rick Todd to the evaluation committee.
Building inspector resigned June 19th, position posted with 8 applications received. Discussion about posting health officer position, with disagreement about timing and whether to look internally first.
Town Administrator presented amended rules focusing on communication between board members and staff. Board will review and vote at next meeting on July 28th.
Chief provided extensive update covering SWOT analysis, prosecutor performance, body cameras, accreditation progress, technology upgrades, staffing changes, and budget considerations including upcoming resignation and Captain Blake's retirement plans.
Chief discussed a potential $65,000 annual cost for a new records system starting in year 5 of a grant program, with costs covered for first 4 years. Recommended starting to save funds now to avoid future budget impact.
Chief announced resignation of Patrolman Anthony Colada effective August 2nd, citing employment not working out. Department has 12 applicants and hopes to start interviews next week.
DPW Director requested declaring three fire trucks as surplus equipment for disposal through public auction. Board also discussed potential donation of Engine 5 to Milan, New Hampshire.
Board approved accepting donation of a 15-foot Douglas fir tree from Bill and Pat Paxton to serve as future holiday tree when current tree becomes too large to decorate.
DPW Director reported receiving CMAC grant agreement for rail trail extension, noting state estimate is $300,000 higher than voter-approved amount. Engineering phase will provide options including no-build.
Project accepted into state 10-year plan, though state estimate of $2.033 million is nearly double the town's $1.125 million estimate. Town has sufficient match funds currently saved.
Board approved purchase of Ford F350 pickup truck with plow and sander for $69,423 from Grappone Ford, waiving competitive bidding requirements to use state pricing.
Board approved hiring five per diem EMS providers: one paramedic, three advanced EMTs, and one EMT.
Finance Director reported town paid $64,864 assessment due to New Hampshire Interlocal Trust receivership, with legal counsel reviewing options as other towns refused payment.
Board approved consent agenda including accounts payable, payroll, and three veteran approvals under assessing.
Discussion of renewal of town's electricity supply contract through regional aggregation program, with new pricing components requiring board decision on contract structure and length.
Board approved minutes from June 23, 2025 and July 7, 2025 (as amended).
Board member praised DPW for excellent work removing a 5-foot diameter tree that fell across New Boston Road, restoring power within 3-4 hours.
Discussion of scheduling conflict between two groups wanting to use town facilities on December 13th, with one group refusing to share the date.
Board chair praised the Fourth of July committee for excellent festivities, parade, and vendor coordination.
Discussion of potentially forming a separate committee for the town's 250th anniversary celebration in 2026, separate from the Fourth of July committee.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
German Christmas Market vs. Christmas House Tour Scheduling Conflict
Building Inspector Vacancy and Health Officer Position Posting
North O3 Rail Trail Project — Cost Overrun Risk
Electricity Supply Contract — 36-Month Commitment with Dissent
Police Department Compensation Gap for Non-Union Leadership
Health Insurance Assessment — Town Paid Despite Other Towns Refusing
Fire Department Surplus Vehicle Declaration — 3-1 Vote
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Accountability flags
Agenda items not discussed
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