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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.

Date Monday, May 11, 2026 Duration 2.0h Speakers 23 Public comments 2 Decisions 13 Lively
📄 Agenda ▶ Video

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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 May 11 Board of Selectmen meeting, several key decisions were made that impact both our town's transparency and our taxpayers' wallets.

Most concerning was the discussion and vote regarding a long-term lease and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with American Tower Corporation. This item was not included on the public agenda, which denied residents the opportunity to review the details or prepare questions before a significant commercial decision was made.

There was also notable division regarding spending. The Board narrowly approved $19,000 in impact fees for land surveying related to the Wilkins Elementary School project. The 3-2 vote reflected internal debate over whether a survey covering the entire 27-acre property was necessary or a poor use of taxpayer-funded impact fees.

Additionally, the Board voted 3-1-1 to reject the North O2 Bicycle Pedestrian project entirely, citing budget constraints and property easement issues. We will continue to monitor how these decisions, and the lack of agenda notice for commercial matters, affect the community.

May 11, 2026 2.0h long 23 speakers 2 public comments 13 decisions Lively
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“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. ▶ 46:59

“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. ▶ 1:23:29

“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. ▶ 1:24:07

“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. ▶ 1:08:58
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

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

Approval of approximately $69,000 in impact fee expenditures for school-related architectural and surveying services.

Topics ⁠discussed

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

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
What was discussed

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
What was discussed

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
What was discussed

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
What was discussed

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
What was discussed

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
What was discussed

Presentation of bids for Thornton's Ferry 2 bridge replacement, line striping, and pavement markings.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Review and approval of welfare lien interest waivers, elderly exemption deadline waivers, and elderly tax deferrals.

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

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
2
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Unidentified speaker
▶ 00:37
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 response
The 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
▶ 1:59:54
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 response
The 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.

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

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OFF-AGENDA CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS
Transparency Alert: At the May 11 Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board discussed and voted on a long-term lease and NDA with American Tower Corp—a high-significance item that was not listed on the public agenda. Residents... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-05-11/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
317/280 chars
Split votes and fiscal responsibility
The Board of Selectmen narrowly approved $19,000 in impact fees for a 27-acre land survey for the Wilkins school project in a 3-2 vote. Some members raised concerns about whether such a broad survey is the most fiscally... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-05-11/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
314/280 chars
Split votes and project rejection
Internal division on the Board of Selectmen: The North O2 Bicycle/Pedestrian project was rejected in a 3-1-1 vote. The Board cited budget constraints and easement issues, marking a total 'no-build' decision for the current... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-05-11/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
317/280 chars

X thread

1
What happened at the May 11 Board of Selectmen meeting? While some items were routine, several decisions were made without public notice or with significant internal division. Here is what you need to know. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH
233/280
2
First, a transparency issue: The Board discussed and voted to authorize a long-term lease and NDA with American Tower Corporation. This high-significance commercial matter was not on the public agenda, meaning residents couldn't prepare or attend specifically to weigh in.
272/280
3
Second, fiscal scrutiny: In a narrow 3-2 vote, the Board approved $19,000 for land surveying at the Wilkins site. At least one member argued against a full 27-acre survey, questioning if such a broad scope was a responsible use of school impact fees.
250/280
4
Finally, the North O2 Bicycle/Pedestrian project was scrapped. A 3-1-1 vote resulted in a 'no-build' decision due to budget, easement, and environmental concerns. The Board noted a need for better due diligence before committing to future grants. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-05-11/
270/280

Facebook — long form

At the May 11 Board of Selectmen meeting, several key decisions were made that impact both our town's transparency and our taxpayers' wallets.

Most concerning was the discussion and vote regarding a long-term lease and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with American Tower Corporation. This item was not included on the public agenda, which denied residents the opportunity to review the details or prepare questions before a significant commercial decision was made.

There was also notable division regarding spending. The Board narrowly approved $19,000 in impact fees for land surveying related to the Wilkins Elementary School project. The 3-2 vote reflected internal debate over whether a survey covering the entire 27-acre property was necessary or a poor use of taxpayer-funded impact fees. 

Additionally, the Board voted 3-1-1 to reject the North O2 Bicycle Pedestrian project entirely, citing budget constraints and property easement issues. We will continue to monitor how these decisions, and the lack of agenda notice for commercial matters, affect the community. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/board-of-selectmen/2026-05-11/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH

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

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.