Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — April 13, 2026
The meeting featured heavy, emotional testimony from 15 public speakers, particularly regarding the Rail Trail project, which created a high-tension atmosphere.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Baboosic Greenway Rail Trail Project
Significant impact on property privacy, safety, and potential use of eminent domain. Affected: Local landowners, Camp YJ, and the general community regarding recreational access.
other high impact
02
Amherst School District Impact Fee Request
$39,950 expenditure of impact fees for project management at Wilkins Elementary. Affected: All taxpayers
other high impact
03
Employee Medical Plan Selection
Selection of new medical plans to manage rising insurance costs. Affected: Municipal employees and taxpayers
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of committee reappointments and one new appointment to the Recreation Commission.
Approved reappointments for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, Conservation Commission, Heritage Committee, and Recreation Commission. Approved Rich Lapham as an alternate to the Recreation Commission for a term ending in 2029.
5-0
Authorize impact fee expenditure for the Amherst School District for an OPM for Wilkins Elementary School.
The expenditure of $39,950 was authorized to fund project planning, design oversight, and risk management.
5-0 (Passed)
Approve the job description for the regular part-time legal clerk for the Amherst Police Department.
The position is set at grade 06 with pro-rated benefits and hours not to exceed 1,534 per year.
5-0 (Passed)
Conditional approval of Founders Village Phases 3 and 4 road acceptance.
Approval is contingent upon Town Council review to determine if planning board conditions (specifically condition number three regarding homeowner notice/maintenance) are met, and the submission of required hard copy plans, mylars, and fees.
4-0
Authorization to purchase a Kubota MX5400 HSTC tractor from Chapel Tractor.
Purchase price of $53,800. Funding to include $13,000 from the Recreation Department equipment purchase line and $40,800 appropriated from the general fund through transfer or authorized overspend.
5-0
Authorization to purchase a Freightliner 10-wheel tandem axle dump truck with a Viking dump body.
Total amount of $272,780 utilizing SourceWell contract pricing and waiving the formal bidding process.
5-0
Approval of the creation of the regular part-time EMS captain position and associated job description.
Includes prorated benefits and a $4,000 annual stipend, with hours not to exceed 1,534 per year.
5-0
Authorization to apply for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs.
To replace self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and an air-filling station.
5-0
Approval of the Bank of New England loan for the aerial ladder truck at a 2.75% rate.
Includes a requirement to maintain $1 million in a collateralized account (CD) with the bank.
5-0
Authorization to release $49,610 from the DPW Vehicle and Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.
For the purchase of a 2026 Ford Maverick XL all-wheel drive hybrid pickup truck.
5-0
Adoption of three medical plan options through Health Trust: AB15IPDED, ABSOS20-40-1KDED, and LUMENOS2500.
Includes specified prescription benefit options.
5-0
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 02:10 Board Appointments
The board reviewed and approved reappointments to various municipal committees and one new appointment for the Recreation Commission.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 05:00 Babusik Greenway North 02 Project Presentation
Greg Backus from DHB presented the engineering study findings for the North 02 Rail Trail project, detailing study segments, constraints, and cost estimates for various alternatives.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 27:00 Public Comment on Rail Trail Project
Citizens provided extensive testimony regarding the proposed rail trail, with speakers raising concerns about privacy, safety, property rights, connectivity, and the conduct of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. The session included significant opposition from local landowners and Camp YJ regarding safety, privacy, trespassing, and the potential for eminent domain.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 113:00 Amherst School District Impact Fee Request
Review of a request from the school district to use $39,950 in impact fees to fund an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) for the Wilkins Elementary School project.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 116:00 Police Department Legal Clerk Job Description
Discussion and approval of a new job description for a regular part-time legal clerk within the police department.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 117:10 Founders Village Roadway Acceptance
Petition for the acceptance of roadways in phases three and four of the Founders Village subdivision, involving debates over administrative requirements, liability protections, and whether planning board conditions regarding homeowner notice and maintenance responsibility have been satisfied.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 184:40 Recreation Department Equipment Purchase
The Recreation Director requested authorization to purchase a new tractor to replace a non-functional one.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 188:00 DPW Vehicle Replacement
The Department of Public Works presented a plan to purchase a new 10-wheel tandem axle dump truck to replace an existing vehicle.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 193:00 DPW Spring and Summer Road Work Update
A report on upcoming road paving, reclamation, and reconstruction projects for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, including specific locations such as Thornton Ferry Road, Thornton Street, and Lineboro Road.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 195:12 Road Maintenance and Spring Work Plan
An overview of upcoming road reclamation, milling, and overlay projects for the current spring season, including specific locations such as Thornton Ferry Road, Thornton Street, and Lineboro Road.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 202:42 Fiscal 2027 Road Planning
A preview of planned reconstruction and preservation work for the next fiscal year, including Jones Road and Windsor Drive.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 212:10 Railroad Right-of-Way Concerns
Discussion regarding the railroad company's demand for a $25,000 deposit to perform work abutting their right-of-way, creating potential maintenance issues in 'no man's land' areas.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 211:00 Fire and EMS Department Updates
Briefing on the creation of a part-time EMS Captain position, the acquisition of a federal surplus shipping container for storage, and a pending FEMA grant application for SCBAs and an air-filling station.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 216:34 Quarterly Financial Report
A report on the town's financial health, including expected revenue surpluses, investment returns, and the status of capital reserve funds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 225:36 Municipal Bond for Aerial Truck
Comparison of loan options for the aerial ladder truck, specifically debating a 2.75% rate from Bank of New England versus the New Hampshire Bond Bank.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 231:00 Employee Medical Plan Selection
Discussion and selection of three new medical plan options through Health Trust to manage rising insurance costs.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Baboosic Greenway North 02 Rail Trail Project
The project faces intense opposition from local landowners and Camp YJ regarding privacy, safety, property rights, and potential eminent domain. Residents expressed concerns about trespassing, lack of connectivity, and the conduct of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (BPAC).
Board position: The board is in an assessment phase, tasked with endorsing an alternative and meeting with concerned residents/BPAC to address grievances.
high concern
02
Founders Village Roadway Acceptance
The developer is pushing for road acceptance, while town staff and regulations require specific planning board conditions (regarding homeowner notice and maintenance) to be met first. This involves legal tensions regarding 'estoppel' arguments and administrative requirements.
Board position: Conditional approval; the board deferred final determination to the Town Council to verify if all planning board conditions were satisfied.
medium concern
Split votes
Founders Village Phases 3 and 4 roadway acceptance
4-0
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Endorse a project alternative (No build, build a specific segment, or study additional alternatives).
Assigned: Select Board
Meet with the Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) to discuss concerns raised by the public.
Assigned: Board of Selectmen · Due: Within two weeks
Meet privately with Mr. Lucci and potentially other abutters.
Assigned: Board of Selectmen · Due: Within two weeks
Determine technical requirements to make segment one ADA/wheelchair compliant.
Assigned: Staff/Engineering · Due: Before meeting with ACC
Calculate the bottom line for the engineering project if the $346,000 allowance for number four is removed.
Assigned: Staff/Engineering
Review Founders Village Phase 3 and 4 documentation for completeness and determine if planning board conditions have been met.
Assigned: Town Council · Due: Next meeting (2026-04-27)
Provide a legal opinion letter to the Town including specific book and page numbers for all existing statutory protections/records.
Assigned: a speaker / Developer · Due: ASAP
Determine the specific source of the $40,800 required for the Recreation tractor purchase.
Assigned: Lincoln and Jacob
Apply for FEMA AFG grant for SCBAs and air-filling station.
Assigned: Fire and EMS Chief and Town Administrator
Execute documents for new Health Trust medical benefit implementation.
Assigned: Town Administrator
Set up a meeting with residents regarding property/path options.
Assigned: Board of Selectmen members
Notable statements
If a build option is endorsed, it actually has to come to the ACC [Amherst Conservation Commission] first because ACC is the entity in town that controls that property. — SPEAKER_17 (Jared Hardner) · Clarifying the legal authority over the property segments being discussed. ▶ 27:00
The town can't take people's land for a trail... [The project] is not in any proposal... that involves taking people's land. — SPEAKER_34 (Gordon Leedy) · Addressing concerns regarding eminent domain and land acquisition during the public comment session. ▶ 30:04
The state put the no-build option on the table saying if you can't find connectivity, no harm, no foul, we're good. — SPEAKER_04 (Derek Lucci) · Contradicting claims that choosing 'no-build' would result in penalties from the state. ▶ 38:50
There was no place in a strategic plan for any board to say that people giving their opinion is disruptive and does not belong. — Unidentified speaker · Responding to the criticism that residents were labeled as 'disruptors' in the strategic plan. ▶ 95:00
The goal is simple for us... to ensure the safety of every child and staff member that we're entrusted to care for [by limiting access points]. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing security concerns at Camp YJ following October 7th, 2023. ▶ 97:00
The conduct of the BPAC throughout this project has been questionable... BPAC members have been overreaching, even aggressive and dismissive of landowners. — SPEAKER_01 (Todd Newman) · Expressing dissatisfaction with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee's management of the project. ▶ 70:10
The only consideration in road acceptance is, are you getting a quality product that meets town standards? — Unidentified speaker · Arguing that the administrative/notice issues should not prevent the acceptance of a physically superior road. ▶ 156:20
It is incumbent upon the town to then accept it, and if the town doesn't accept it that creates an estoppel argument for the developer... — Michael F. (via Ken) · Formal statement read into the record asserting that the developer has fulfilled all promises and the town is legally obligated to accept the completed road. ▶ 161:00
The town cannot accept a road until all improvements have been completed in accordance with the final plot and all planning board conditions have been met. — SPEAKER_30 (Community Development) · Clarifying the regulatory requirement for road acceptance per subdivision regulations. ▶ 172:30
We are just arguing without data [regarding the reconstruction budget]. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the delay in receiving a new road condition inventory/study. ▶ 207:49
Our strategy... is always balanced and that's where our plans put together, but it really prioritizes preservation first. — Unidentified speaker · Explaining the road maintenance philosophy (preservation vs. reconstruction). ▶ 205:51
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
23
Total speakers
14
Addressed
4
Partial
5
Not addressed
Jared Hardner
Addressed
Speaking as Vice Chair of the Amherst Conservation Commission, he clarified the legal process regarding the project. He noted that any build option must go through the ACC because they control the property in segments one and three.
Key concern
Clarification of jurisdictional authority regarding property control.
Board responseThe board acknowledged the information and the speaker's role.
The board acknowledged the clarification regarding the ACC's role in the decision-making process.
Gordon Leedy
Addressed
A former community development director and current resident, he spoke in support of the rail trail. He highlighted the long history of the project and its potential benefits for community mobility and safety.
Key concern
Support for moving forward with feasible, funded segments of the trail.
Board responseThe board thanked him for his comments.
The board acknowledged the speaker's support and historical context.
Jim LaBelle
Addressed
He expressed strong support for the project, suggesting the town should raise the necessary funds to build both segments one and three. He also addressed misconceptions regarding land ownership and the purpose of the project.
Key concern
Request to consider raising funds to build segments one and three simultaneously.
Board responseThe engineer responded to his question about the specific funding shortfall.
The board (via the engineer) provided a direct answer to his specific question about the budget gap.
Derek Lucci
Partial
He argued against the project, citing a lack of connectivity and concerns about safety and property rights. He also questioned the accuracy of how the project has been marketed and the validity of the 'no-build' option claims.
Key concern
Lack of connectivity, safety issues, and perceived misinformation regarding the no-build option.
Board responseThe board chair offered to meet with him privately to discuss his concerns.
The board did not resolve his concerns during the meeting but offered a private follow-up meeting.
Katusha Mayer
Partial
A resident who expressed concerns regarding privacy and safety. She noted that the proposed trail design would interfere with her ability to enjoy her property and create safety hazards near her home.
Key concern
Loss of privacy, safety risks (blind spots/traffic), and property enjoyment.
Board responseThe board chair asked if she still wanted a private meeting, which she confirmed.
The board addressed her by offering/confirming a private meeting to discuss her specific property issues.
Jeff Kors
Addressed
He raised concerns about the impact of removing trees and vegetation, which currently provides privacy for his property. He also questioned the feasibility of horse use on a steep switchback.
Key concern
Loss of privacy due to tree removal and safety/feasibility of horse use.
Board responseThe engineer responded by explaining the potential for tree removal and the lack of horse presence in future plans.
The board (via the engineer) engaged with his specific concerns regarding privacy and horse usage.
Constantinos Calabunos
Addressed
He expressed concern regarding the potential for construction/turnarounds to impact wetlands and property. He specifically asked how the town would obtain easements if owners are against them.
Key concern
Wetland impact and the legality of obtaining easements for construction turnarounds.
Board responseThe engineer explained that construction would likely stay within the existing right-of-way and wouldn't require new easements.
The engineer provided a technical response to his question about construction logistics and easements.
Todd Newman
Partial
He voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over property rights, lack of transparency, and safety. He also raised worries about potential crime/vandalism and the impact on local camps and families.
Key concern
Property rights, lack of connectivity, safety, and potential for crime/loitering.
Board responseThe board chair asked him to email his specific comments regarding the committee to be handled separately.
The board acknowledged the weight of his comments but deferred the committee-specific grievances to a separate process/meeting.
Joanne Dumas
Not addressed
She expressed outrage that her private land is being represented on the town website as a 'shared path' without her consent. She noted that she has written multiple letters to the town without receiving a response.
Key concern
Misrepresentation of private property on town website and lack of communication from the town.
Board responseNone provided during her speech, though her concerns were part of the general debate.
The board did not provide a direct response to her specific grievances regarding the website during her testimony.
null
Not addressed
Speaking as a partner of a landowner, she highlighted the difficulty of enforcing 'no trespassing' signs when the town website and hiking apps incorrectly label private land as a public greenway.
Key concern
Incorrect labeling of private land as public on websites/apps, leading to trespassing.
Board responseNone.
No direct response was given to the specific issue of app/website inaccuracies during her time.
David Brown
Not addressed
Representing frontage on segment three, he expressed concerns about truck access in narrow areas and the safety risks posed by mixing bicycles and horses.
Key concern
Truck access in narrow sections and safety risks of mixing bicycles and horses.
Board responseNone.
The speaker was not directly addressed by the board during his comment.
Tom Christianson
Addressed
A member of the NH Rail Trail Coalition, he argued that rail trails are successful community assets despite initial controversies and that similar issues are common in other towns.
Key concern
Support for the project based on successful models in other NH towns.
Board responseThe board thanked him.
The board acknowledged his perspective.
Derek Lucci
Addressed
He returned to ask for clarification on whether the DOT holds eminent domain power along the route, despite the town's vote against it.
Key concern
Clarification on DOT's eminent domain authority.
Board responseThe engineer and board member responded that the DOT does not likely have it for recreation purposes.
The engineer provided a response regarding the scope of DOT's authority.
null
Not addressed
Shared an anecdote from a neighboring town regarding the maintenance issues (trash and needles) often found on rail trails.
Key concern
Potential for trash, drugs, and loitering on the trail.
Board responseNone.
The speaker's anecdotal evidence was not directly addressed by the board.
Jen Gilkey
Partial
She reiterated concerns about safety, specifically regarding pedestrians/cyclists on roads and the potential impact on the local camp.
Key concern
Safety issues and potential impacts on the local camp.
Board responseThe board chair acknowledged her comments and addressed the characterization issue in the strategic plan.
The board chair addressed the characterization of residents as 'disruptors' in the strategic plan, which was a point of her frustration.
John Spack
Addressed
Executive Director of Camp YJ, he expressed gratitude for the town but emphasized the critical need to limit access points to the camp to ensure child safety and security.
Key concern
Security and limiting access points to the camp property.
Board responseThe board thanked him.
The board acknowledged his testimony.
Jay Dinkle
Not addressed
He spoke in support of the project, citing the success of other rail trails in New Hampshire and encouraging the board to look at the long-term benefits.
Key concern
Support for the project as a long-term community asset.
Board responseNone.
No direct response was given to the speaker.
Derek Lucci
Not addressed
Returned to clarify that the trail section in question is a recognized walking trail in the town, not just an abandoned rail bed.
Key concern
Clarification of the existing nature of the trail.
Board responseNone.
No direct response was given to this follow-up comment.
Linda Kaiser
Addressed
Expressed extreme distress over the idea of eminent domain being used for a project that might not be finished in her lifetime, arguing against wasting taxpayer money.
Key concern
Opposition to eminent domain and use of taxpayer funds.
Board responseThe board chair thanked her.
The board acknowledged the speaker.
Emily Gehring
Addressed
Representing the developer, she argued that the road is built to spec and that the town's administrative hurdles are excessive and unusual for the road acceptance process.
Key concern
Requesting road acceptance and criticizing administrative 'roadblocks'.
Board responseThe board moved to grant conditional approval pending Town Council review.
The board responded to the developer's request by moving for a conditional approval subject to further review.
null
Addressed
Staff member clarifying that the items requested by the developer (monumentation, etc.) were part of the original planning board approval, not new requests.
Key concern
Clarifying that requests are not 'new' but existing requirements.
Board responseThe board chair and other members engaged in discussion regarding these points.
The board engaged in a thorough discussion regarding the staff's clarification of the requirements.
Ken Clinton
Addressed
The surveyor for the developer, he clarified that while he can provide physical plans, he cannot verify property bounds for every individual lot as that is no longer a town requirement for COs.
Key concern
Clarification on monumentation/bounds verification.
Board responseThe board chair and others discussed the implications of his answer.
The board engaged with the surveyor's explanation regarding the bounds/monumentation issue.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Agenda items not discussed
Topics discussed — not on agenda
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-05-19.