- MA
- Hampshire County
- 5/9/24
- 05/10/2024
- 136 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: The Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Board has set an ambitious new target to create 200 affordable housing units within the next five years. This revised goal, down from an initial target of 250 units, reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing the housing needs of the community while still aspiring to reach 300 units. In addition to the unit target, the board aims to secure $4 million over the same period to support the trust’s initiatives. These headline decisions emerged from a recent board meeting focused on affordable housing strategies, funding mechanisms, and community engagement.
- MA
- Hampshire County
- 5/8/24
- 05/10/2024
- 175 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: At the latest Amherst Conservation Commission meeting, pressing environmental concerns and significant public works projects took center stage. The Commission addressed a range of topics including the replacement of failing culverts to improve flood resiliency, the management of conservation properties, and the adherence to guidelines by private entities and educational institutions.
- MA
- Hampshire County
- 5/7/24
- 05/10/2024
- 119 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: In a review of Amherst’s financial health and future planning, the Finance Committee met to scrutinize the annual Auditor’s report and engage in a multifaceted discussion on the overall budget with a heightened focus on the capital budget. The audit, presented by Scott McIntyre from Markham, affirmed the town’s financial statements to be fairly presented and free of material weaknesses or deficiencies in the internal control structure. Deliberations spanned from the increase in net pension liability, pegged at approximately $16 million from the prior year, to comparisons with other communities on funding Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB), revealing a contribution deficiency of $1.5 million annually. Public comments amplified concerns over the Regional Schools’ budget, advocating for a 6% increase to avert staff reductions, and critiquing capital budget planning and allocations.
- MA
- Hampshire County
- 5/6/24
- 05/07/2024
- 177 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: The latest Amherst Town Council meeting was marked by discussions surrounding the higher-than-anticipated bid for the Jones Library building project, concerns over the proposed budget, particularly the education component, and the acceptance of roads in the Amherst Hills development as public ways.
- MA
- Hampshire County
- 4/30/24
- 05/07/2024
- 119 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: The Amherst Community Resources Committee recently focused on refining the solar bylaw. The discussions revolved around whether certain elements, such as design standards and battery energy storage systems, should be incorporated within the bylaw or outlined separately in rules and regulations. Additionally, the committee deliberated on the sufficiency of the applicant pool for the planning board and the strategies for enhancing diversity and participation.