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Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — December 22, 2025

The meeting was largely administrative and cooperative, with the only notable friction being a resident's concern about a federal firing range that received minimal board engagement and an implicit staffing warning in the finance department — neither of which produced board conflict or community confrontation.

Date Monday, December 22, 2025 Duration 1.9h Speakers 16 Public comments 1 Decisions 12 Routine

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

FY27 Operating Budget — $7,700 Increase

Draft 6 budget reflects a $7,700 net increase over prior year; full tax rate impact not specified but moving to public hearing January 12 Affected: All Amherst property taxpayers
tax increase
02

$10 Million Open Space Acquisition Bond

$10 million bond; board directed preparation of voter information booklet with 20-year amortization impact estimates before March town meeting Affected: All Amherst property taxpayers who will service the bond debt; conservation interests benefit
other high impact
03

New Aerial Fire Truck Purchase — $2.275 Million

Purchase order approved up to $2,275,000 (including 2.5% contingency) for 2027 Pierce aerial truck; March build date locked Affected: All Amherst residents dependent on fire services; taxpayers funding capital reserve
other high impact
04

Finance Department Operating Below Capacity

Department reduced to two staff; relying on temporary assistance from other departments and a former finance director with no defined resolution timeline Affected: All residents dependent on sound municipal financial management, vendors, and departments relying on timely processing
safety change
05

DPW 54 kW Solar System — Net Town Cost Under $10,000

$148,000 system offset by $96,777 DOE grant plus ~$40,000 tax credit filing pending; net cost under $10,000 with projected payback just over one year Affected: All Amherst taxpayers who benefit from reduced municipal electricity costs
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved 2025 municipal assessment data certificate and sales ratio survey certification
Motion to accept assessor's findings and sign certification form
Unanimous approval
23:58
Moved FY27 operating budget to public hearing
Draft 6 budget with $7,700 increase moved to January 12th public hearing
4-0 approval
45:58
Approved Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee appointments
Wendy Randenberg to alternate (term ending 2027), Nancy Gurzon and Ryan Helfind to full members (terms ending 2028)
4-0 approval
41:00
Moved all warrant articles to public hearing
Multiple warrant articles including $10M open space bond, various capital reserve funds, and veteran tax credit modification moved to January 12th hearing
4-0 approval on each
53:22
Approved addition of five purchasing organizations to pre-approved agreements list
Added SourceWell, HGAC, CommBuys, Plymouth County Commissioners list, and CTDAs to approved purchasing agreements
4-0
1:21:57
Approved hiring of Brittney Lovejoy as part-time transfer station attendant
Grade 3 step 4, $23.44/hour, with potential increase upon certification completion
Unanimous
1:25:46
Authorized town administrator to sign brokerage contract with Brinley Mountain Sales
For sale of 2004 E1 aerial fire truck
4-0
1:30:51
Approved purchase order for 2027 Pierce aerial fire truck
Maximum amount $2,275,000 including 2.5% contingency, expected to be lower with discounts
4-0
1:33:31
Accepted $100 donation from Amherst Fire Rescue Association
Hannaford gift card for crews working Christmas holidays
4-0
1:34:34
Approved name change from Amherst Fire Rescue to Amherst Fire and EMS
Name change to reflect merged department providing both fire and EMS services
4-0
1:42:48
Authorized surplus of 2000 Avon rescue boat
Boat no longer needed due to donation of new rescue boat, will attempt sale through auction
4-0
1:44:02
Accepted $4,000 New Hampshire Volunteers engagement grant
For recruitment and promotion videos, reimbursement grant with no local match required
4-0
1:47:29

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
01:00 New Boston Space Force Station Firing Range

Public comment about a proposed firing range at New Boston Space Force Station, approximately 100 yards from Freestyle Farm at the end of Mac Hill Road near the town line.

Speakers: Will Loot
02:51 K9 Program Introduction

Presentation of new K9 officer Nico and handler Officer Mark Frederick, who completed 14-15 weeks of training funded by the Stanton Foundation grant.

Speakers: Chief Champoli, Officer Frederick
14:34 2025 DRA Sales Ratio Survey

Assessor Angela Silver presented findings showing 178 valid sales with weighted mean of 66.5% and median ratio decrease of 4%, indicating 4% market increase.

Speakers: Angela Silver
25:01 Traffic Control Public Hearing

Public hearing on adding Lineborough Road to no-through trucking ordinance and proposed stop sign at Thornton Ferry 1 and Ravine Road intersection due to sight distance issues.

Speakers: Chief Champoli, Eric Slazik
39:58 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Appointments

Appointment changes including Wendy Randenberg moving to alternate position, Nancy Gurzan and Ryan Helfind becoming full members.

Speakers: Board members, Nancy Gurzon
43:55 FY27 Budget and Warrant Articles

Review and approval of draft 6 budget ($7,700 increase) and multiple warrant articles including $10 million open space acquisition bond.

Speakers: Jacob Fitzgerald, Ways and Means Committee
1:08:04 U.S. Space Force Communications Tower Replacement

Town administrator reported meeting with U.S. Space Force regarding replacement of their communications tower in Boston. No impact expected on Amherst communications, federal government paying for replacement, town may contribute to inspection costs.

Speakers: Town Administrator
1:08:04 Route 122 and Merrimack Road Intersection

Meeting with DOT discussed implementing four-way stop signs as short-term solution at this intersection. Long-term solution remains on the 10-year plan.

Speakers: Town Administrator
1:10:42 DPW Solar Project Update

54 kilowatt solar system installed for $148,000 with $96,777 DOE grant reimbursement. System operational with just over one-year return on investment. Net town cost under $10,000.

Speakers: Eric Slazik
1:13:34 Town Website Migration

Contract signed with CivicPlus for new website platform. Implementation starts March 2025, expected completion June-July 2025.

Speakers: Town Administrator
1:13:45 Purchasing Agreements Expansion

Finance Director requested approval to add five additional pre-approved purchasing organizations beyond New Hampshire state bid list to provide more competitive options while bypassing formal bid process.

Speakers: Finance Director
1:23:02 Finance Department Staffing Shortage

Discussion of finance department operating with only two people due to one employee on leave. Using temporary assistance from other departments and former finance director.

Speakers: Board members, Finance Director, Town Administrator
1:28:14 Fire Aerial Truck Purchase Update

March build date locked in for new aerial truck. Committee reviewing specifications, legal counsel will review contract before board signature.

Speakers: Fire Chief
1:35:07 Fire Department Name Change

Chief requested changing department name from 'Amherst Fire Rescue' to 'Amherst Fire and EMS' to better reflect merged department identity and move toward true integration of fire and EMS services.

Speakers: Fire Chief
1:49:15 Budget Committee Recommendations

Budget Committee chairman reported votes on various warrant articles - 5-1 approval for open space bond, 6-0 approval for operating budget and all capital reserve fund articles.

Speakers: Budget Committee Chairman

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

New Boston Space Force Station Firing Range Near Residential Property

A proposed firing range at New Boston Space Force Station would be located approximately 100 yards from Freestyle Farm at the end of Mac Hill Road near the town line. Proximity to private agricultural property raises concerns about noise, safety, and quality of life for nearby residents. Federal involvement limits the town's ability to intervene, and the governor has already contacted the Secretary of Defense, signaling this is escalating beyond the local level.
Board position: Board acknowledged the information passively with minimal engagement — no action taken or proposed
medium concern
02

$10 Million Open Space Acquisition Bond

A $10 million bond for open space acquisition is a significant long-term financial commitment for a municipal government. While the Budget Committee approved it 5-1 (notably the only non-unanimous budget vote), the dissenting vote signals at least one official had reservations. Voters will bear the debt service cost, making this a direct taxpayer impact issue that may face opposition at town meeting from residents concerned about debt levels or prioritization of spending.
Board position: Board moved the warrant article to public hearing 4-0, signaling general support for letting voters decide
medium concern
03

Finance Department Staffing Crisis

The finance department is operating with only two people due to an employee on leave, requiring temporary assistance from other departments and a former finance director. A board member explicitly warned 'when the finance department falls apart, it takes months to put it back together,' signaling awareness of serious institutional risk. Understaffing in the finance function creates risk of errors, delayed reporting, and loss of financial controls — affecting all residents who depend on sound municipal fiscal management.
Board position: Board expressed concern and is relying on stopgap measures; no structural solution presented
medium concern
04

Fire Department Name Change and Cultural Integration

The Fire Chief's candid admission that fire and EMS have functionally been 'two completely separate entities' with EMS 'stapled to the side' reveals a longstanding organizational dysfunction in a core public safety department. While the name change itself is administrative, it surfaces deeper questions about whether the merger has been managed effectively and whether service delivery has been compromised. Residents relying on emergency services have an interest in this being resolved.
Board position: Board approved the name change 4-0 and appeared supportive of the integration direction
low concern
05

Lineborough Road No-Through Trucking Ordinance and Traffic Displacement

Adding Lineborough Road to the no-through trucking ordinance addresses one road but may displace heavy truck traffic to Christian Hill Road — explicitly noted as a concern requiring monitoring. Residents on Christian Hill Road could face increased truck traffic without having been part of the discussion. The sight distance issue at Thornton Ferry and Ravine Road requiring a stop sign also suggests the road network has safety gaps requiring attention.
Board position: Board held a public hearing and directed staff to monitor Christian Hill Road after implementation
low concern

Split votes

Budget Committee vote on $10 million open space acquisition bond warrant article
5-1

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Monitor truck traffic on Christian Hill Road after Lineborough Road no-through trucking implementation
Assigned: Eric Slazik · Due: Ongoing after ordinance implementation
Prepare voter information booklet with bond impact estimates based on 20-year amortization
Assigned: Jacob Fitzgerald · Due: Before March town meeting
File solar project tax credit of approximately $40,000
Assigned: Finance Department · Due: Not specified
Work through details of purchasing agreements audit process
Assigned: Town Administrator and Finance Director · Due: Future board meeting
Work with Jen on public hearing notices for warrant articles
Assigned: Town Administrator · Due: As soon as possible
Submit grant report to Volunteer NH
Assigned: Fire Chief · Due: July 2025
Conduct debriefing session with Christmas market organizers
Assigned: Town Administrator · Due: Not specified

Notable ⁠statements

This is a historic moment for us. We've never had a K9 program, and I can't think of a better person to be in charge of it than officer Frederick. — Chief Champoli · Introducing the new K9 program to the board 06:06
The market has increased roughly 4% on average in Amherst over the last year. So you can see that the market's slowing down. — Angela Silver · Explaining sales ratio survey results showing market trends 17:40
It's a nice feeling to someone's looking after us [veterans]. So I'm all for this. — Andrew Pajtin (Ways and Means Chairman) · Supporting the veteran tax credit modification warrant article 1:03:15
The cost to the town is less than $10,000 for the [solar] system with a return on investment for just over a year. — Eric Slazik · Reporting on successful completion of DPW solar project 1:10:51
When the finance department falls apart, it takes months to put it back together. We really don't want you to fall apart. — Board member · Expressing concern about finance department operating with reduced staff 1:25:23
We have not been one department. We have been two completely separate entities, really. A call fire department with some EMS personnel stapled to the side. — Fire Chief · Explaining the current state of the merged fire and EMS departments 1:08:52
One department, one mission — Fire Chief · Fire Chief's model for the newly named Fire and EMS department 1:41:29

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
1
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Will Loot
01:52
Addressed
The speaker informed the board about a proposed firing range at New Boston Space Force Station, approximately 100 yards from Freestyle Farm at the end of Mac Hill Road near the town line. He mentioned that the governor has contacted the Secretary of Defense requesting the Department of Defense to look into this matter. Key concern
Proximity of a proposed military firing range to private residential and agricultural property near the Amherst town line
Board response
Brief acknowledgment with 'Okay, thanks'
The board acknowledged the information, which was presented as a heads-up notification rather than a formal request for action
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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-06-01.