The Amherst Town Council meeting prominently featured a debate on housing policies, drawing a comparison between Amherst and Newark, Delaware. A speaker presented a case for adopting Newark’s model, which has resulted in more affordable rents due to its allowance of off-campus student housing. Newark has managed to maintain lower rent rates compared to Amherst by embracing market-rate student apartments instead of focusing on subsidized housing. This approach has apparently resulted in Newark renters paying between $350 and $700 less monthly, collectively saving them millions each year. It was argued that Amherst could similarly benefit from broader tax bases and more affordable housing by implementing such policies, potentially saving residents $15 million annually. The council was urged to consider Newark’s strategy to foster a more balanced residential environment, one that could be populated by more families rather than predominantly students.

The council also delved into the issue of relocating DPW staff from their current inadequate building. Concerns were raised about health and safety conditions, and the urgency to find a suitable alternative was emphasized. Multiple options were discussed, including utilizing existing town buildings, constructing temporary structures, or developing a new site while still occupying the current building. The town manager noted that Weston and Samson had been selected to design the new facility and highlighted the need for urgent relocation before winter. Options such as relocating water services to the Centennial site and acknowledging the existing wastewater facility were considered, with an emphasis on maintaining critical operations during the transition.

The council also addressed the Community Preservation Act appropriation order for the Goodwin Memorial Church. This order was previously reviewed and unanimously supported by the finance committee. The council underscored the necessity of these funds in light of emergency circumstances, with town staff working to secure matching funds. The appropriation order passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The meeting included updates on various town projects and initiatives. The Elementary School Building Committee reported progress towards the timely opening of a new school, with landscaping already underway. While paperwork delays with Eversource concerning solar connections were addressed, the thermal envelope of the building exceeded standards, reflecting positively on the construction efforts. Plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony were announced for late October. Additionally, the council discussed traffic management and parking challenges related to the new school, with plans for stakeholder meetings to address these issues.

Another topic was the relocation of the Recreation Department to Wildwood due to the termination of a license with the regional school district. Despite securing two classrooms at Wildwood, the space was noted as unsuitable for office use. The town manager outlined potential solutions, including remaining at Wildwood, moving to the Bangs Center, or relocating to North Amherst School. The future of the Wildwood building remains uncertain, with a reuse committee set to explore options.

The meeting also featured updates on various infrastructure and traffic management initiatives, including the impact of ongoing construction on local traffic patterns. Access to the bank parking lot was discussed, with plans to segregate construction traffic and maintain access during peak times. There was a call for outreach to university landlords to mitigate traffic issues around construction sites, and the potential for police presence as a traffic calming measure was suggested.

The town manager’s report highlighted the importance of a public information meeting on Hampshire College’s campus rezoning study, which aims to provide insights into land patterns and wetlands. Additionally, the hiring of Dan Garcia as the new director of senior services was announced, and the council congratulated staff members for their professional achievements.