The most discussed topic was the proposed bylaw on public urination and defecation, sponsored at the request of Chief Ting due to frequent complaints related to this issue, particularly in areas near bars and during house parties. The lack of public restrooms in Amherst, compounded by its vibrant college population, was identified as a significant contributing factor. Chief Ting described public urination as a pressing quality of life concern, noting that officers currently face limited enforcement options, often having to decide between issuing a warning or making an arrest. The bylaw aims to provide a middle ground by allowing civil citations, providing another option apart from criminal charges.

The committee deliberated on revisions made by the town attorney, Lauren Goldberg, who streamlined the bylaw into a single sentence. There was a consensus on the effectiveness of this simplification, which was described as clear, consistent, and actionable. A unanimous vote followed. One member highlighted the importance of simplicity in enforcement, emphasizing that overly specific definitions could complicate the bylaw’s application.

Following the bylaw discussion, the committee examined the town council policy for public ways, which had been reviewed by the Transportation and Safety Organization (TSO). The policy was revised to incorporate feedback from attorney Goldberg, with particular attention to the nature of public hearings and notice requirements. Concerns were raised over the term “short-term requests” and whether it referred to cumulative requests over a year or individual instances. The committee agreed on the need to clarify this language.

The committee also addressed the draft committee charge for the Transportation and Parking Commission (TPC), focusing on ensuring transparency and clarity in how the TPC receives and processes suggestions from various stakeholders. There was a proposal to align this new sentence with public engagement sections for better context. The committee voted unanimously to approve the amended committee charge.

In addition to these policy discussions, the committee turned its attention to setting the town manager’s goals for 2026. The chair stressed the importance of gathering fresh input from councilors and set a deadline for submitting proposed goals. The committee aimed to prioritize and organize these submissions to enhance future meetings. There was a suggestion to consider the town manager’s priorities in goal setting, aligning with past practices of involving him in discussions.

The committee then moved to proclamations, including one for Small Business Saturday. There was a focus on consistency and clarity in formatting, with a decision made to avoid using all caps in titles to adhere to grammatical norms. Another proclamation, supporting Medicare for All in Massachusetts, was discussed, resulting in unanimous approval to place it on the consent agenda for the next council meeting.

The committee also reviewed charges for various committees, proposing that each charge include a clause allowing consultation with legal counsel to ensure compliance with laws. This motion, along with others concerning the selection guidance for non-voting members and interview questions for finance and charter review committees, passed unanimously.