The council heard a presentation on the Civil War tablets, significant for their acknowledgment of Black and Afro-Indigenous residents who served in the Civil War. The proposal involves relocating these tablets, which were temporarily displayed at a bank center, to a dedicated room in the library’s special collections area post-renovation. The funding for this initiative was a point of discussion, with concerns about the clarity of sources and the purpose of a previously allocated grant to the library. The grant, intended for broader special collections, did not specifically cover the tablets. Questions were raised about breaking down the budget to clarify allocations for tablet transport versus room preparation. With a rough budget of $35,000 for moving and installation, $15,000 for restoration, $22,000 for room design, and $3,000 for documentation, the council discussed contingency plans if the needed funds did not materialize, considering options like public fundraising or historical grants.

In tandem with the tablets, the council deliberated on the $1 million proposed budget for restoring the town hall’s slate roof. The roof, over 130 years old and last repaired in the late 1990s, requires urgent repairs due to missing, cracked, and chipped tiles. The discussion covered potential funding sources, including the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and state grants, with the possibility of returning funds to the town if additional grants were received. The facilities and maintenance manager detailed the restoration’s technical aspects, emphasizing the plan to use the original “beautiful red slate,” which is rare and costly. The council also addressed energy inefficiencies caused by the deteriorating roof, further underscoring the urgency of repairs. Concerns about past repairs and the condition of the wooden roof deck were noted, highlighting the need for a thorough assessment during the project.

The preservation of local cemeteries was another focal point. The council considered a $100,000 budget request to restore approximately 200 headstones at an average cost of $450 each. The restoration would prioritize headstones that are down, cracked, or leaning due to their safety hazards. The ongoing nature of cemetery restoration was acknowledged, with previous Community Preservation Act (CPA) proposals funding initial work in the North and South Cemeteries. The council discussed breaking up funding requests to address urgent needs first and explored the possibility of volunteer involvement from local heritage groups to aid in maintenance.

The council also engaged in discussions about the Strong House, managed by the Amherst Historical Society. Due to structural concerns, operations were relocated offsite in spring 2023. Immediate repairs, including foundation work and roof reinforcement estimated at $238,000, are required. The society’s director highlighted the need for CPA funding to pursue additional grants requiring matching funds. The council considered the broader vision for the Strong House, including plans for ADA accessibility, although the focus had shifted to more immediate structural concerns.

Conversations on the town’s governance also took center stage, with deliberations on regionalization and its incorporation into the charter. The council considered forming a committee to explore regionalization opportunities rather than enforcing a mandate. This approach was preferred to maintain flexibility and encourage organic collaboration on regional services. The council also reviewed recommendations from the Collins Center on public forum procedures, definitions within the charter, and the inclusion of public employees on the council. The dialogue touched on potential conflicts of interest and the need for legal consultation to ensure compliance with conflict of interest laws.

Amidst these discussions, the council addressed the structure of subcommittees and the timeline for preparing a preliminary report on the charter. The importance of balancing progress with community input was emphasized, with plans to refine recommendations and integrate public feedback into the report.