Accountability Posts

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Board's passive non-response to a community concern with federal-level implications

12/22 Amherst: A resident flagged a proposed firing range ~100 yards from a farm near the town line. Board response: 'Okay, thanks.' No action, no follow-up. The governor has already contacted the Secretary of Defense over this.

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Understaffed finance department creating institutional risk for all residents

Amherst's finance dept is running on 2 people. A board member said 12/22: 'When the finance department falls apart, it takes months to put it back together.' No timeline for a fix was given. Every town payment, contract, and report runs through that office.

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Major long-term taxpayer commitment going to town meeting with one Budget Committee dissenter

Amherst voters: a $10 million open space bond is headed to March town meeting. The Budget Committee approved sending it 5-1 — one member dissented. The board directed staff to prepare a 20-year amortization breakdown for voters. Make sure you see those numbers before you vote.

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Positive accountability — efficient use of federal grant dollars with strong ROI

Good news from Amherst 12/22: A 54kW solar system at DPW cost the town under $10,000 after a $96,777 DOE grant and a ~$40K tax credit still pending. Projected payback: just over one year. This is what smart use of federal grants looks like.

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AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — 12/22/25 RECAP: Five things residents should know, from a $10M bond to a federal firing range to a finance department running on fumes. Thread 🧵

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1/ FIRING RANGE 100 YARDS FROM A FARM. Resident Will Loot told the board that New Boston Space Force Station is proposing a firing range at the end of Mac Hill Road — roughly 100 yards from Freestyle Farm near the town line. The governor has already contacted the Secretary of Defense. The board's reply: 'Okay, thanks.' No action discussed.

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2/ FINANCE DEPT STAFFING CRISIS. Amherst's finance department is down to 2 people due to an employee on leave. They're patching the gap with help from other departments and a former finance director. A board member warned directly: 'When the finance department falls apart, it takes months to put it back together.' No fix timeline was given.

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3/ $10 MILLION OPEN SPACE BOND ON THE MARCH BALLOT. The board voted 4-0 to send the bond to a January 12 public hearing, then to town meeting. The Budget Committee backed it 5-1 — the only non-unanimous budget vote of the night. The board has directed staff to publish 20-year amortization cost estimates for voters. Watch for that document.

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4/ $2.275 MILLION FIRE TRUCK APPROVED. The board locked in a purchase order for a 2027 Pierce aerial fire truck at up to $2,275,000 (includes 2.5% contingency). March build date is set. Legal counsel will review the contract. The old 2004 aerial truck is being sold through a broker.

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5/ THE GOOD STUFF: DPW's new 54kW solar system cost the town under $10,000 net after a $96,777 DOE grant — with a ~$40K tax credit filing still pending. Payback projected at just over one year. Also: Amherst has its first K9 officer (Nico), fully grant-funded by the Stanton Foundation. Public hearing on the full FY27 budget: January 12.

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Longer-form draft.

AMHERST BOARD OF SELECTMEN — December 22, 2025 Meeting Summary

Here's what was discussed and decided at Monday's meeting — including a couple of items residents should be tracking closely.

FIRING RANGE NEAR THE TOWN LINE: Resident Will Loot raised a concern about a proposed firing range at New Boston Space Force Station, located approximately 100 yards from Freestyle Farm at the end of Mac Hill Road near the Amherst town line. He noted that the governor has already contacted the Secretary of Defense about the matter — meaning this has escalated to the federal level. The board acknowledged the comment briefly but took no action and made no commitment to advocate on behalf of affected residents. If you live near Mac Hill Road or have concerns about this proposal, this is worth following — the board did not discuss it further Monday night.

$10 MILLION OPEN SPACE BOND HEADING TO VOTERS: The board voted 4-0 to move a $10 million open space acquisition bond to a January 12 public hearing, with a vote expected at March town meeting. The Budget Committee approved forwarding it 5-1 — the only non-unanimous vote on any budget item. The board has asked staff to prepare a voter information booklet with 20-year amortization cost estimates before town meeting. That document matters — make sure you read it before you vote on a two-decade debt commitment.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT RUNNING SHORTHANDED: Amherst's finance department is currently operating with only two staff members after one employee went on leave. The town is patching the gap with temporary help from other departments and a former finance director. A board member put it plainly: 'When the finance department falls apart, it takes months to put it back together. We really don't want you to fall apart.' No structural fix or hiring timeline was presented. Every vendor payment, budget report, and financial control in town runs through that office.

OTHER DECISIONS: The board approved a $2,275,000 purchase order for a new 2027 Pierce aerial fire truck (March build date locked), approved a department name change from 'Amherst Fire Rescue' to 'Amherst Fire and EMS,' and heard a strong update on the DPW solar project — a 54kW system that cost the town under $10,000 net after a $96,777 DOE grant, with a projected payback of just over one year. The FY27 operating budget (a $7,700 increase over last year) goes to public hearing on January 12. That's your opportunity to weigh in before a final vote.