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Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — July 28, 2025

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.

Date Monday, July 28, 2025 Duration 2.0h Speakers 11 Decisions 12 Lively

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Community Power Program — New 36-Month Electricity Contract

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 Affected: All Amherst residents enrolled or eligible to enroll in the Community Power aggregation program — a town-wide electricity supply decision
other high impact
02

Budget Surplus of ~$1.6 Million to Unassigned Fund Balance

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 Affected: All Amherst taxpayers; the disposition of surplus funds affects future tax rates and capital planning
other high impact
03

NHIT Insurance Receiver — Potential Partial Recovery of Assessments

Receiver is now limiting claim releases to members who paid assessments; some return of assessment funds may be forthcoming, though amount is unspecified Affected: Amherst taxpayers who funded the assessments paid into the troubled NHIT municipal insurance pool; recovery could benefit the town's financial position
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Accept resignation of Michelle Abrogast as Amherst Tree Lighting Committee Chair
Motion made and seconded to accept resignation due to her moving out of state
Approved 5-0
35:09
Approve 2026 holiday calendar
Standard holiday schedule with Independence Day observed Friday July 3rd due to Saturday holiday
Approved 5-0
36:54
Approve 2026 Board of Selectmen meeting calendar
Following standard second and fourth Monday schedule with potential for changes
Approved 5-0
37:11
Approve FY27 budget preparation schedule
Schedule modified to remove early guidance to department heads, with Jim D. voting against
Approved 4-1
47:48
Hire Brian Carlton as DPW Master Fleet Mechanic
Grade 12 Step 2 at $31.64/hour ($65,811 annually) starting July 29, 2025
Approved (voice vote)
1:02:02
Motion to have DPW head contact Milan Township to determine what they can pay for the fire engine
Board directed Eric to reach out to Milan and report back on what amount they would be willing/able to pay, subject to getting actual market value assessment
Passed 3-2
1:15:30
Purchase of 2025 Dodge Durango for Fire Department
Approved purchase from Sullivan's North Northwest Hills Automotive for $41,680.40 plus $18,259 upfitting, total $59,939.04 from fire rescue vehicle capital reserve fund
Passed 4-0-1 (1 abstention)
1:24:01
Consent agenda approval
Approved payroll manifests and PA16 reimbursement form for state-owned exempt property
Passed 5-0
1:27:55
Village Green use permit for Golden's on the Green
Approved October 5th event from 12:30-3:30pm with October 19th rain date
Passed 5-0
1:29:09
Road name approval for Fawn Press
Approved road name for 9-lot Vorosa subdivision as recommended by community development and public safety officials
Passed 5-0
1:30:18
Approval of amended Board of Selectmen Rules of Procedure
Added Section 9 requiring all board communications with staff to go through Town Administrator
Passed 5-0
1:36:00
Authorization for Community Power Program contract
Authorized Town Administrator to execute 36-month contract with Direct Energy Services LLC at rate not exceeding 11.779 cents
Passed 5-0
1:58:08

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
01:15 Community Power Program Issues

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.

Speakers: Kelly Mullen, Unidentified speaker
04:18 Traffic Safety Concerns on Local Roads

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Kelly Mullen
11:30 State Senator Update on Legislation

Senator Tim McGu provided updates on state budget allocations, healthcare legislation, ambulance billing prohibition, PFAS mitigation funding, and other state-level initiatives affecting municipalities.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
34:33 Tree Lighting Committee Chair Resignation

Michelle Abrogast resigned as chair of the Amherst Tree Lighting Committee due to moving out of state, offering to help transition the role.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
35:58 2026 Holiday Schedule and Meeting Calendar

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
38:43 FY27 Budget Preparation 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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
48:33 FY25 Final Budget Report

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
58:38 NHIT Insurance Update

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:01:01 DPW Mechanic Hire

DPW Director recommended hiring Brian Carlton as master fleet mechanic at Grade 12 Step 2, starting July 29th at $31.64 per hour.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:05:34 Fire Engine Donation to Milan Township

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:16:28 Fire Department Vehicle Replacement

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:31:17 Board Rules of Procedure Amendment

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:36:34 Community Power Aggregation Program Renewal

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.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Board Rules Amendment — Staff Communication Channeled Through Town Administrator

The chair publicly disclosed that a board member sent a 'disrespectful and condescending' email directly to a town employee, prompting a procedural rule change. This implies internal misconduct and suggests dysfunction at the leadership level, which residents and staff may find alarming.
Board position: Board unanimously adopted amended rules of procedure (5-0) requiring all board communications with staff to go through the Town Administrator
medium concern
02

Fire Engine Donation vs. Sale to Milan Township

Board was divided on whether to give away or sell a publicly owned asset. One member argued that gifting even a $5,500 asset represents a misuse of taxpayer money. The humanitarian case (Milan covers 186 sq. miles and has been without a fire engine since January) created a genuine conflict of values between fiscal stewardship and regional mutual aid.
Board position: Board voted 3-2 to instruct DPW to contact Milan Township to determine what they are able to pay, deferring a final decision
Internal dissent
Passed 3-2; at least one member (a speaker) explicitly opposed gifting the engine without compensation, citing taxpayer obligation. The narrow margin reflects genuine disagreement over the use of surplus public property.
medium concern
03

FY27 Budget Preparation Schedule — Sequencing of Guidance vs. Strategic Plans

Board member John G. objected on principle that giving budget spending guidance to department heads before hearing their strategic plan updates is 'backwards,' arguing it inverts sound fiscal governance. The modified schedule was adopted over his dissent.
Board position: Board approved modified schedule (4-1) with early guidance to department heads removed, but retained the overall earlier timeline
Internal dissent
Jim D. voted against the approved schedule; John G. made substantive objections during deliberation about the sequencing logic of budget guidance versus strategic presentations
low concern
04

Community Power Program Enrollment Failures

Residents are receiving confirmation numbers but remain unenrolled and are still paying higher Eversource rates — a direct financial harm to residents who acted in good faith. The program involves public trust and money, and citizen Kelly Mullen identified systemic confusion affecting multiple residents.
Board position: Board acknowledged the concerns and the topic was addressed during the later Community Power renewal discussion; board ultimately authorized a new 36-month contract with Direct Energy Services
medium concern
05

Fire Department Vehicle Purchase — Insurance Proceeds and Funding Source

a speaker abstained and publicly stated dissatisfaction with the funding mechanism, arguing insurance proceeds from the totaled vehicle should offset the cost of the replacement rather than drawing entirely from capital reserves. This raises a fiduciary process concern.
Board position: Board approved 4-0-1 purchase of a 2025 Dodge Durango for $59,939 from the fire rescue vehicle capital reserve fund
Internal dissent
a speaker abstained, explicitly citing dissatisfaction that insurance reimbursement proceeds were not being applied to reduce the cost of the replacement vehicle
low concern

Split votes

Approve FY27 Budget Preparation Schedule
4-1
Motion to contact Milan Township regarding payment for surplus fire engine
3-2
Purchase of 2025 Dodge Durango for Fire Department
4-0-1 (one abstention)

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Address Community Power program enrollment issues raised by citizens
Assigned: Standard Power representative · Due: During upcoming renewal discussion
Refer traffic safety concerns on Lineborough Road and Christian Hill Road to traffic safety committee
Assigned: Board/Staff · Due: To be discussed under new business
Add CIP committee presentation to budget timeline
Assigned: Staff · Due: Before October budget presentations
Contact Milan Township to determine payment amount for fire engine and conduct internet search for market value comparison
Assigned: Eric (DPW head) · Due: Next board meeting
Send letter to departments requesting items for $10,000 Milford Rotary donation consideration
Assigned: Lincoln (Town Administrator) · Due: Not specified
Provide final pricing for community power contract by Wednesday and schedule public information sessions
Assigned: Ryan Fulton/Standard Power · Due: Wednesday

Notable ⁠statements

There's a lot of people in town who've had a very confusing experience getting signed up for the Community Power program... some of them still are not enrolled even though they were supposed to be — Kelly Mullen · Citizen complaint about Community Power program implementation issues 01:15
About 71% of New Hampshire residents report delaying healthcare... 83% worry about being able to afford healthcare as they get older — Senator Tim McGu · Discussing healthcare cost concerns and legislative priorities 16:02
We cannot give guidance to the department heads on how to plan their budgets until we've heard their strategic plan updates... That is backwards — John G. · Objecting to proposed budget timeline that would give spending guidance before strategic presentations 39:36
We are in relatively good shape both on the expense side and on the revenue side. The expenses... were about $500,000 under budget — Finance Director · Reporting positive FY25 final budget results 48:33
Even if it's only worth $5,000, that's $5,000 worth of the Amherst taxpayers money. I would not be inclined to give it to another town — Unidentified speaker · Opposition to donating fire engine without compensation 1:07:04
There was an email sent to an employee recently from a member of this board which I think was very disrespectful and condescending to a myriad number of people... We just can't. That can't be done. — Unidentified speaker · Chair addressing inappropriate communications with staff while discussing amended rules 1:33:58
I'm not satisfied that we are properly paying for this... we should be using money that we get from the insurance company to offset the cost of this vehicle — Unidentified speaker · Abstaining from fire truck purchase vote due to funding source concerns 1:25:41

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-06-01.