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.

Date Monday, April 13, 2026 Duration 4.0h Speakers 38 Public comments 23 Decisions 11 Spirited

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The April 13 Board of Selectmen meeting in Amherst revealed deep divisions and significant community anxiety, particularly regarding the Baboosic Greenway North 02 Rail Trail project. While the meeting agenda framed the project as a technical engineering presentation, the reality was a contentious public forum. Dozens of residents, including landowners and representatives from Camp YJ, provided testimony regarding serious concerns over privacy, safety, trespassing, and the potential for eminent domain.

One of the most pressing issues raised was the lack of accuracy in how the town identifies land; residents reported that private property is being incorrectly labeled as 'shared paths' on town websites and hiking applications, which has directly led to trespassing. While the Board has promised to meet with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and certain residents within the next two weeks, the fundamental disputes over property rights and safety have not been settled.

Beyond the trail debate, the Board also approved several significant expenditures, including a $272,780 dump truck for the DPW (using a contract to waive formal bidding) and $39,950 in impact fees for the Wilkins Elementary School project. As these projects move forward, we will continue to monitor whether the Board is prioritizing resident concerns and evidence-based planning over administrative convenience.

Apr 13, 2026 4.0h long 38 speakers 23 public comments 11 decisions Spirited

❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“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. ▶ 26:58

“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. ▶ 31:14

“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. ▶ 38:36

“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. ▶ 1:34:46

“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. ▶ 1:37:40

“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. ▶ 1:11:08

“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. ▶ 2:33:48

“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. ▶ 2:37:19

“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. ▶ 2:52:22

“We are just arguing without data [regarding the reconstruction budget].”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the delay in receiving a new road condition inventory/study. ▶ 3:28:50

“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). ▶ 3:24:16

This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.

What was discussed

Significant impact on property privacy, safety, and potential use of eminent domain.

What was discussed

$39,950 expenditure of impact fees for project management at Wilkins Elementary.

What was discussed

Selection of new medical plans to manage rising insurance costs.