Board of Selectmen — July 28, 2025
Amherst approved a new 36-month Community Power contract on 7/28 without publicly confirming that the enrollment failures already harming residents have been fixed.
The meeting featured genuine board disagreements on fiscal stewardship and process, a pointed public rebuke by the chair suggesting internal misconduct, and citizen complaints about a program causing direct financial harm — elevating the tone above routine without reaching open conflict.
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📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — July 28, 2025 Meeting Recap
The board covered a full agenda Monday night, but a few items deserve closer attention from residents.
⚡ COMMUNITY POWER ENROLLMENT FAILURES: Amherst resident Kelly Mullen reported to the board that multiple residents enrolled in the town's Community Power aggregation program — received confirmation numbers — and are still being billed at higher Eversource rates because the enrollment didn't go through. This is causing real financial harm to residents who followed the process correctly. The board acknowledged the issue. Then, later in the same meeting, voted unanimously to authorize a new 36-month electricity supply contract with Direct Energy Services at a rate cap of 11.779 cents/kWh. What wasn't confirmed publicly before that vote: whether the underlying enrollment problems affecting existing members have been fixed. If you think you're enrolled in Community Power, it's worth double-checking your bill.
📧 BOARD CONDUCT TOWARD STAFF: The board voted 5-0 to amend its rules of procedure, now requiring that all board member communications with town employees go through the Town Administrator. The chair explained the reason on the record: a board member had recently sent an email to a town employee that the chair described as 'disrespectful and condescending.' No member was named publicly. The rule change is a reasonable guardrail — but residents should know that internal conduct toward town staff apparently reached a point where a formal procedural fix was needed.
💰 THE FINANCES: On a more positive note, Amherst ended FY25 in strong shape. Expenses came in approximately $500,000 under budget, and revenues exceeded projections by $1.2 million — a combined surplus of roughly $1.6 million going into the town's unassigned fund balance. How the board chooses to apply those funds will matter for future tax rates and capital planning. The FY27 budget process is starting earlier than in past years, with the full schedule approved 4-1 — one member voting no over concerns about the sequencing of budget guidance versus strategic planning presentations.
🚒 FIRE ENGINE & MILAN TOWNSHIP: In a 3-2 split vote, the board directed the DPW director to contact Milan Township — which has been without a fire engine since January while covering 186 square miles — to find out what the town is willing or able to pay for Amherst's surplus Engine 5. A trade-in value of approximately $5,500 was cited. The split reflects a genuine disagreement: some members see a humanitarian and mutual-aid case for flexibility; others argue that gifting or undervaluing a public asset sets a bad precedent for taxpayers. The board will revisit this at the next meeting.
Public impact
36-month contract locking in electricity supply rate at or below 11.779 cents/kWh for participating residents; enrollment failures already causing some residents to pay higher rates
FY25 ended with approximately $500K in expense savings and $1.2M in excess revenues; combined surplus of roughly $1.6M being added to unassigned fund balance
Receiver is now limiting claim releases to members who paid assessments; some return of assessment funds may be forthcoming, though amount is unspecified
Topics discussed
Citizen Kelly Mullen reported ongoing confusion and enrollment problems with the Community Power program, including residents receiving confirmation numbers but still not being enrolled and paying higher Eversource rates.
Two citizens reported dangerous driving by construction vehicles on Lineborough Road and Christian Hill Road, including excessive speeds, forced evacuations of pedestrians, and requests for speed limit reductions and vehicle restrictions.
Senator Tim McGu provided updates on state budget allocations, healthcare legislation, ambulance billing prohibition, PFAS mitigation funding, and other state-level initiatives affecting municipalities.
Michelle Abrogast resigned as chair of the Amherst Tree Lighting Committee due to moving out of state, offering to help transition the role.
Board reviewed and approved the 2026 holiday schedule for town employees and the Board of Selectmen meeting calendar following the standard second and fourth Monday schedule.
Presentation of proposed budget preparation timeline starting earlier than previous years with strategic plan presentations condensed to two consecutive evenings and ending with a six-week buffer before the deliberative session.
Finance Director reported expenses came in approximately $500,000 under budget (3% under) and revenues exceeded projections by $1.2 million, putting the town in good financial position.
Finance Director provided update on the troubled NHIT insurance situation, noting the receiver is now limiting claim releases to members who paid assessments and may return some assessment funds.
DPW Director recommended hiring Brian Carlton as master fleet mechanic at Grade 12 Step 2, starting July 29th at $31.64 per hour.
Discussion of donating or selling surplus Engine 5 to Milan Township, which covers 186 square miles and has been without a fire engine since January due to computer failure. Board debated whether to gift or sell the vehicle valued at $5,500 trade-in.
Approval of purchasing a 2025 Dodge Durango to replace a 2017 Explorer that was totaled in a crash. Vehicle was already scheduled for replacement in FY26 and came in under budget at $59,939.
Adoption of amended rules requiring all board communications with staff to go through the Town Administrator to improve efficiency and avoid confusion. Chair addressed concerns about disrespectful communications to employees.
Authorization for Town Administrator to sign a 36-month contract with Direct Energy Services for electricity supply, with rate cap of 11.779 cents or less. Program allows residents to opt in/out at will.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Board Rules Amendment — Staff Communication Channeled Through Town Administrator
Fire Engine Donation vs. Sale to Milan Township
FY27 Budget Preparation Schedule — Sequencing of Guidance vs. Strategic Plans
Community Power Program Enrollment Failures
Fire Department Vehicle Purchase — Insurance Proceeds and Funding Source
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
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