Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — May 11, 2026
The meeting was marked by narrow votes on significant spending and a lack of consensus on infrastructure projects, compounded by an off-agenda discussion on a commercial lease.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Amherst School District Impact Fee Requests
Approval of approximately $69,000 in impact fee expenditures for school-related architectural and surveying services. Affected: All Amherst taxpayers
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Conditional acceptance of Founders Way and Gatchel Way as town roads.
Approval is contingent upon the developer satisfying outstanding planning board requirements, specifically condition number three, monumentation issues, and Town Engineer comments regarding as-built plans.
4-1
North O2 Bicycle Pedestrian Project: No-build decision.
The board voted to not move forward with any segments of the project due to easement challenges, budget constraints, and environmental/community concerns.
3-1-1
Approval of $49,929 impact fee for architectural services.
Approved for Banwell Architects to provide design and planning services for the elementary school project.
5-0
Approve land surveying services for Wilkins Elementary School project (not to exceed $19,000).
Funds to be used for land surveying associated with the school project.
3-2 Aye
Conditionally approve Babuska Lake Association request to use Town Beach as a staging area (June -9, 2026).
Subject to submission and approval of a certificate of insurance from Solitude Lake Management naming the Town of Amherst as an additional insured.
5-0 Aye
Authorize Board Chair to execute long-term lease and NDA with American Tower Corporation.
Lease subject to Primex review and final wording resolution with town administrator/council.
5-0 Aye
Award Thornton's Ferry 2 bridge replacement to Cold River Bridges LLC ($947,571.50) and authorize up to $100,000 for construction engineering.
Funds from Bridge Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund; Public Works Director authorized as agent.
5-0 Aye
Award line striping contract to Industrial Traffic Lines.
Unit price contract (RFP DPW 0326).
5-0 Aye
Award pavement markings contract to Pro Finish Line Company (up to $13,000).
Unit price contract (RFP DPW 0426).
5-0 Aye
Waive interest on welfare lien for tax map 2, lot 166-5 ($15,155.25).
Relates to accrued interest.
5-0 Aye
Waive April 15, 2026 deadline for elderly exemption (Map 006, Lot 035-003).
Applicant missed the deadline.
5-0 Aye
Approve elderly deferrals for Frederick Mosley and James Clinic.
Waived March 1, 2026 deadline.
5-0 Aye
Accept meeting minutes for April 8, 16, 22, and 27, 2026.
All reviewed minutes were approved.
5-0 Aye
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:09 Public Hearing: Roadway Acceptance for Founders Village
A public hearing was held regarding a petition by Micachunk Development, Inc. to accept Founders Way and Gatchel Way as public roads. Staff recommended conditional approval pending the resolution of planning board conditions regarding monumentation, as-built plans, and implementation of condition number three.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 13:20 North O2 Bicycle Pedestrian Project Presentation
Town consultant Greg Backus presented options for the North O2 project. The board discussed various segments (1, 3, and 4) and constraints such as private property easements on segment 1, budget issues on segment 4, and the feasibility/utility of segment 3.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 24:10 Girl Scout Recognition
The Town issued a formal proclamation to honor Sophia Karen for achieving the Girl Scout Silver Award, declaring May 11, 2026, as Girl Scout Recognition Day in Amherst.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 58:00 Amherst School District Impact Fee Requests
The School District requested impact fee expenditures for architectural services ($49,929) and land surveying ($19,000) related to the elementary school project at the Wilkins site. The board debated whether land surveying for the entire 27-acre Wilkins property was an eligible expense under school impact fees.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 85:11 Babuska Lake Association Alum Treatment
A request from the Babuska Lake Association to use the Town Beach as a staging area for a water quality treatment project scheduled for June -9, 2026.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 94:34 Town Administrator Updates
Updates regarding a recent brush fire, the establishment of a youth police academy, upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations, and legal discussions with American Tower Corporation.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 101:08 Public Works Bid Awards
Presentation of bids for Thornton's Ferry 2 bridge replacement, line striping, and pavement markings.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 113:01 Consent Agenda and Waivers
Review and approval of welfare lien interest waivers, elderly exemption deadline waivers, and elderly tax deferrals.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
North O2 Bicycle Pedestrian Project
The project involves complex constraints including private property easements, budget limitations, and environmental concerns, leading to a complete rejection of the proposal.
Board position: Decided not to move forward with any segments (No-build decision).
Internal dissent
The vote was 3-1-1, indicating significant internal disagreement and a split on the direction of the project.
medium concern
02
Amherst School District Impact Fee Requests (Land Surveying)
There was a debate regarding whether using school impact fees for a 27-acre land survey was an appropriate or eligible expense, especially when the project is localized.
Board position: Approved the $19,000 for surveying, but with significant internal scrutiny regarding fiscal responsibility.
Internal dissent
The vote was a narrow 3-2. a speaker expressed strong reservations about risking taxpayer money on a survey that was not narrowly focused.
medium concern
03
American Tower Corporation Lease and NDA
This was discussed and voted upon despite not being explicitly listed on the public agenda, representing a potential transparency failure regarding a high-significance legal/commercial matter.
Board position: Authorized the Board Chair to execute the lease and NDA.
medium concern
Split votes
Roadway Acceptance for Founders Village
4-1
North O2 Bicycle Pedestrian Project
3-1-1
Approve land surveying services for Wilkins Elementary School project
3-2
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Satisfy outstanding planning board requirements, including condition number three, monumentation, and as-built plan revisions.
Assigned: Micachunk Development, Inc.
Provide certificate of insurance naming the Town of Amherst as an additional insured.
Assigned: Solitude Lake Management · Due: Prior to June 1, 2026
Send signage wording to the Recreation Director.
Assigned: Dominic (Solitude)
Coordinate with Town Council regarding American Tower long-term lease and NDA terms.
Assigned: Town Administrator/Board Chair
Execute contracts for Thornton's Ferry 2 bridge, line striping, and pavement markings.
Assigned: Public Works Director
Notable statements
I will take responsibility on behalf of this board... we have to have a better process for that going forward so that we're not signing a contract with the state for money that more homework needs to be done up. — Unidentified speaker · Reflecting on the management of the North O2 project and the need for better due diligence before committing to grants. ▶ 77:10
I am just not risking that full amount on a full land survey. I would be agreeable to something that was more narrow and focused. — Unidentified speaker · Expressing concerns about using impact fees for a survey covering 27 acres when the project is localized. ▶ 82:33
I think you have verbally given us all the information we need to say yes. — Unidentified speaker · Arguing that despite lack of detail in written minutes, the verbal presentation was sufficient to approve the survey. ▶ 84:59
I am very, very – I safeguard taxpayer money. I'll put it that way. — Unidentified speaker · Expressing scrutiny over the school district's request to use impact fees for land surveying. ▶ 115:02
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
2
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
The speaker opens the meeting and asks if a public hearing or a citizen's forum should be conducted first. They proceed to open the floor for public comment.
Key concern
Clarification of meeting procedure regarding public forums.
Board responseThe speaker is the Chair/Board member, so they proceeded with their own decision to hold the forum.
The board member/chair resolved the procedural question by initiating the forum.
Andrew Pataki
Addressed
The speaker asks if the public will be informed about the closure of Thornton's Ferry 2 road near the golf course due to construction. They also ask for the estimated timeline for the start and completion of the project.
Key concern
Public notification of road closures and project timeline.
Board responseThe DPW Director confirmed that public notice and detours would be provided and estimated the project would take approximately three months.
The board member (via DPW Director) provided specific answers to both the notification and timeline questions.
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
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-29.