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Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — April 27, 2026

The meeting was largely procedural and administrative, with the only significant friction being a single board member's dissent regarding insurance plan merits.

Date Monday, April 27, 2026 Duration 0.8h Speakers 12 Public comments 1 Decisions 8 Routine
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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At the April 27 Board of Selectmen meeting, several decisions were made that will impact both the town budget and local oversight.

First, the Board approved a new drone program for the Police Department. The $18,500 required for the program will be reallocated from full-time officer wages. The drones are intended for search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and building searches. During the discussion, a resident raised concerns regarding whether officers would receive enough frequent use to maintain the technical proficiency required for such equipment.

On the financial front, the Board authorized the purchase of a new DPW truck, totaling approximately $165,786 for a Ford F600 chassis and upfitting.

There was also notable internal debate regarding the Health Trust Plan. While the board adopted new cost-sharing percentages for employee insurance, one board member expressed specific reservations, stating they did not believe the merits of the new Point of Service plan justified the high cost-sharing amount being implemented. Residents should keep an eye on how these benefit changes affect the long-term municipal budget.

Apr 27, 2026 0.8h long 12 speakers 1 public comments 8 decisions Routine
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“I think waiting [to buy drones] is one of the rare circumstances where I think waiting has really helped us.”

— Unidentified speaker · Explaining why the department delayed the drone program to benefit from improved technology and lower costs. ▶ 10:43

“I still have concerns about introducing a new plan at 95.5... there was a reason for that high amount and it's been put onto a new plan that I don't think merits the same reasoning.”

— Unidentified speaker · Expressing reservations during the debate on cost-sharing percentages for the Point of Service plan. ▶ 38:40
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Changes in cost-sharing percentages for dental, life, disability, and medical insurance plans.

What was discussed

Introduction of drone technology for search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and building searches.

What was discussed

$165,786 expenditure for a new Ford F600 chassis and upfitting.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board discussed reappointments to the Historic District Commission.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Updates included the retirement of Town Clerk Nancy Demers, the sale of a 2001 aerial fire truck to Middlesboro, KY, progress on a communications tower and repeater project, and the upcoming launch of the Civic Plus town website.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion regarding renewal packages for dental, life, and disability insurance, noting slight rate increases for dental and short-term disability.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Chief Ciampolli proposed a drone program for accident reconstruction, building searches, and search and rescue, requesting a reallocation of $18,500.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Assistant Director Craig Durrett presented a proposal to purchase a Ford F600 chassis cab and upfit it with a dump body for approximately $165,786.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board debated cost-sharing percentages for the new Point of Service plan versus existing HMO and High Deductible plans.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Health Trust Plan Cost Share

The debate involved shifting cost-sharing percentages for different insurance plans (HMO vs. Point of Service), which directly impacts employee compensation and the town's budget allocation.
Board position: The board adopted a specific tiered cost-sharing structure (85/15 for HMO, 95/5 for High Deductible and Point of Service).
Internal dissent
a speaker expressed specific reservations regarding the new Point of Service plan, stating they did not believe the plan's merits justified the high cost-sharing amount previously established.
low concern
02

Police Department Drone Program

The program involves new surveillance technology for accident reconstruction and building searches, raising potential questions about privacy and training proficiency.
Board position: The board approved the program and the reallocation of $18,500.
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
1
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Russ Hodgman
▶ 22:33
Addressed
The speaker expressed support for the Police Department's proposed drone program. He inquired whether the drone would be used frequently enough for operators to maintain their proficiency. Key concern
Ensuring drone operators maintain necessary skill levels through regular use.
Board response
The Police Chief (a speaker) responded by explaining that they would use mock accidents for training and suggested creative uses like community event coverage to maintain proficiency.
The Chief provided a detailed explanation of training methods and potential diverse use cases to ensure skills do not atrophy.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Reappointment to the Historic District Commission
Reappointed Martha Chavinsky as a member and Jim Coonert as an alternate for three-year terms ending in 2029.
4-0
Approval of health benefit renewal package
Approved renewal for general short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance; authorized administration to sign the agreement.
5-0
Hiring of Assistant Clerk
Approved hiring Mary Ann C. Hallway as regular part-time assistant for the Town Clerk's office effective April 28, 2026, at $23.75/hour for 20 hours a week.
5-0
Approval of Police Department Drone Program
Approved the drone program and reallocation of $18,500 from full-time officer wages ($12,250 to New England Capital Line and $32.50 to Training Professional Development).
5-0
DPW Truck Purchase
Authorized purchase of a 2026 Ford F600 chassis from Grappone Ford for $59,386 and upfitting with Viking Size for $106,400, not to exceed $165,786 total.
5-0
Adoption of Health Trust Cost Share Percentages
Adopted: 85% Town/15% Employee for Access Blue HMO; 95% Town/5% Employee for Luminous High Premium High Deductible; and 95% Town/5% Employee for Access Blue Site of Service (ABSLS). Includes HSA contributions for Luminous participants.
Passed (unanimous)
Approval of Consent Agenda
Approved the consent agenda items.
5-0
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approved minutes from March 23, 2026, and April 13, 2026.
Passed (unanimous)

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new surveillance technology and funding reallocation
At the April 27 Board of Selectmen meeting, the Town approved a new Police Department drone program. This includes using drones for building searches and accident reconstruction, funded by a $18,500 reallocation from officer wages. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-04-27/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
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fiscal impact of equipment purchases
The Board of Selectmen approved a $165,786 expenditure on April 27 to purchase and upfit a new DPW Ford F600 chassis cab. Taxpayers should be aware of these significant equipment upgrades. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-04-27/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
280/280 chars
internal board dissent regarding fiscal/benefit decisions
During the April 27 meeting, one Board member raised concerns about the new Health Trust Point of Service plan, questioning if the plan's merits actually justify the town's high cost-sharing amount. The board moved forward... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-04-27/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
317/280 chars

X thread

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What was decided at the April 27 Amherst Board of Selectmen meeting? From new surveillance tech to six-figure equipment purchases, here is what happened. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
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1/ The Board approved a new Police Department drone program. The $18,500 cost will be reallocated from full-time officer wages. The program will be used for accident reconstruction, search and rescue, and building searches.
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2/ A resident questioned if officers would have enough practice to remain proficient with the technology. The Chief responded that training would include mock accidents and community event coverage.
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3/ On the fiscal side, the Board authorized a $165,786 purchase for a new DPW truck (Ford F600 chassis and upfitting). They also finalized new healthcare cost-sharing tiers for town employees.
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4/ Notably, one board member voiced reservations about the new Point of Service health plan, questioning if the plan truly merits the high cost-sharing levels the town is adopting. #Amherst #LocalGov https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-04-27/
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Facebook — long form

At the April 27 Board of Selectmen meeting, several decisions were made that will impact both the town budget and local oversight. 

First, the Board approved a new drone program for the Police Department. The $18,500 required for the program will be reallocated from full-time officer wages. The drones are intended for search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and building searches. During the discussion, a resident raised concerns regarding whether officers would receive enough frequent use to maintain the technical proficiency required for such equipment.

On the financial front, the Board authorized the purchase of a new DPW truck, totaling approximately $165,786 for a Ford F600 chassis and upfitting. 

There was also notable internal debate regarding the Health Trust Plan. While the board adopted new cost-sharing percentages for employee insurance, one board member expressed specific reservations, stating they did not believe the merits of the new Point of Service plan justified the high cost-sharing amount being implemented. Residents should keep an eye on how these benefit changes affect the long-term municipal budget. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-04-27/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Work with the Town Clerk's department to ensure a smooth transition following Nancy Demers' retirement.
Assigned: Town Administration
Coordinate with staff on the enrollment process for the newly approved benefit program.
Assigned: Town Administration
Coordinate a separate meeting with residents regarding the North O2 project.
Assigned: Town Administration · Due: Next week
Inquire with Irene Berry regarding the fireworks supplier contribution.
Assigned: Town Administration
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-28.