Board of Selectmen — October 20, 2025
The meeting was substantively challenging — simultaneous budget pressures from staffing, health insurance, SRLD uncertainty, and capital needs created real fiscal tension — but the board handled it deliberatively without public conflict, resulting in a workmanlike rather than heated session.
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📋 AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — October 20, 2025 Meeting Summary
FY27 budget season is underway in Amherst, and residents should be paying close attention. At Monday's meeting, the board worked through a second draft of the FY27 budget and heard from multiple department heads seeking new staff. Six position requests totaling roughly $207,000 are on the table — including a part-time fire department administrative assistant ($45K), a police clerical position ($45K), a full-time transfer station attendant, and others. That's before accounting for a potential health insurance cost spike: the town budgeted a 10% increase, but the actual figure may come in around 17.5%. Final numbers won't be known until late November, which leaves very little time before the budget must be finalized.
On top of staffing and benefits, two fire department warrant articles — each for $200,000 — are being prepared for Town Meeting. One addresses radio equipment that is 20 years old; the other would standardize PPE gear across different generations of firefighters. These are legitimate public safety needs that have been deferred, and voters will be asked to fund them. Meanwhile, the town's trash hauling contract through the Souhegan Regional Landfill District drew only one bid, and a new $3.50/ton state surcharge adds further uncertainty. One selectman raised the question of whether Amherst should remain in the district at all if costs keep rising — a significant policy question that hasn't been formally addressed.
A Ways & Means Committee member also publicly questioned the library's staffing levels — 7 full-time and 17 part-time employees on a $760,000 budget — while critical departments struggle to get single positions approved. No formal response was given, but in a constrained budget year, that kind of scrutiny tends to have consequences. The board chair acknowledged the difficult position plainly, noting 'it's not my money, it's taxpayer money,' and one board member observed that years of holding the line on hiring means 'the chickens are coming home to roost this year.'
The board approved a $2.1 million federal Safe Streets grant for the Village Streets intersection project (local match: $528,960 from road construction funds), accepted the town treasurer's resignation, and appointed the same person as both Finance Department Consultant ($59.20/hr) and new Town Treasurer — an unusual dual-role arrangement during what will be a critical audit period. The next budget review will incorporate all warrant articles. Residents who care about the tax rate and town services should show up — or at least follow along.
Public impact
~$207,000 in new staffing requests plus potential 17.5% health insurance increase (vs. 10% budgeted) and $400,000 in fire warrant articles — cumulatively threatening the board's self-imposed 3% tax increase ceiling
Estimated 7.5 percentage points above budgeted 10% increase; dollar impact unknown until late November 2025
$400,000 in warrant articles ($200K radios, $200K PPE) requiring Town Meeting voter approval; addresses 20-year-old safety equipment
New $3.50/ton state surcharge plus potential contract cost increase from single-bid competitive environment; dollar impact on town budget and residents not yet quantified
$2.115M federal grant leveraged with $528,960 local match drawn from road construction funds; project reconstructs critical infrastructure 2025–2030
Simultaneous treasurer resignation and appointment of same person as both consultant ($59.20/hr, up to 29.5 hrs/week) and Town Treasurer creates an unusual dual-role financial transition with audit implications
$12,085 immediate budget increase for DPW Director reclassification; structural change affecting future department head salary benchmarks
Topics discussed
Will Loot announced a ceremony on November 8th at 11:00 AM at the old burial grounds to dedicate a war memorial to Revolutionary War patriots.
Jim Cooner applied for appointment as alternate to the Historic District Commission, citing his 35-year residency and desire to make the commission more responsive to community needs.
Andrew Pataki presented the annual CIP report covering projects from fire equipment to school infrastructure, with total new projects estimated at $3.1M for FY27.
SRLD representatives reported significant budget uncertainties due to expiring trash hauling contract, new state $3.50/ton surcharge, and only receiving one bid for services.
Town staff presented the second iteration of the FY27 budget incorporating Ways and Means feedback, with ongoing uncertainties around health insurance costs and new position requests.
Discussion of multiple new position requests including part-time building inspector ($5,000), DPW building part-time position, and full-time transfer station employee.
Board discussed hiring a full-time transfer station attendant to reduce burden on highway department. DPW Director reported $7,000-9,000 in annual overtime costs and operational disruptions when highway crew must staff transfer station.
Discussion of part-time administrative assistant for fire department to handle payroll, AP, and administrative duties currently done by chief and deputy chiefs. Position estimated at $45,000.
Police department requested part-time clerical position for cross-training and succession planning, as current full-time clerk is in late 60s. Position would cost $45,000.
Recreation Director requested converting part-time administrative assistant (29.5 hours) to full-time (40 hours) to handle increased workload and provide office coverage. Would split costs 75% revolving fund, 25% town budget ($30,000).
Town Administrator reported expected healthcare cost increases above budgeted 10%, potentially 17.5% average increase. Final numbers expected by end of November 2025.
Two critical warrant articles planned: $200,000 for radio replacement (20-year-old equipment) and $200,000 for PPE gear replacement to standardize equipment across generations.
Accepted resignation of Rick Katzenberg as Town Treasurer due to moving out of state. Appointed Debbie Bender as Finance Department Consultant and new Town Treasurer.
Current town website ending December 2025, transitioning to CivicPlus template #3 with $5,000 annual increase for security and ADA compliance features required by July 2027.
Approved new wage scale creating grades 20-21 between department heads and town administrator to address compression issues. DPW Director moved to grade 20, step 2 with $12,085 total budget increase.
DPW Director presented $2.1M federal grant agreement for Village Streets Project to rebuild six key intersections. Project timeline 2025-2030 with $528,960 local match from road construction funds.
Statutory requirement to walk and verify town boundaries every seven years, with appointment of town staff to conduct the process instead of selectmen.
Approval of withdrawal from trust fund to reimburse town expenses related to trust-funded projects.
Annual request for use of town common for Boy Scout Troop 613's chili and hot dog sale on Halloween.
Invitation for selectmen to attend annual veterans assembly at Souhegan High School on November 10th.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
FY27 Budget — Multiple New Position Requests Totaling ~$207,000
Souhegan Regional Landfill District — Contract Uncertainty and Membership Viability
Health Insurance Cost Spike — Potential 17.5% Increase vs. 10% Budget
Historic District Commission — Perception of Rigidity and Community Responsiveness
Library Staffing Scrutiny from Ways and Means
Fire Department Radio and PPE Warrant Articles — $400,000 in Capital Requests
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
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