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Date: 6/20/2023
AMHERST — The Town Council approved the operating budget for fiscal year 2024 at its June 12 meeting, paving the way for the $75.4 million plan which comes alongside the $17.7 million already approved back in April for the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District.
Picking up with the agenda from the previous week’s meeting, the council quickly reviewed the items outlining the town manager’s office budget plan and presentation for FY24.
A unanimous vote, with Councilor Michelle Miller absent, followed passage of a three-item consent agenda.
Not included in the plan, the Amherst School Committee’s budget request for an additional $84,000 above the town guidance of a 3% increase for departments, with schools receiving $25.9 million.
The bond authorization approving the borrowing of funds to purchase a new Fire Department pumper truck passed as did budget orders to fund capital projects.
Council President Lynn Griesemer made note that the council had become versed in the budget items as they were presented.
“Many councilors were able to attend a lot of the Finance Committee meetings and participate in the very rich discussions,” she said.
Appropriations as recommended by the Finance Committee included $2.2 million for the Jones Library, $5.2 million each for the Water and sewer departments and expenditures addressing climate action and sustainability, including $775,000 for the purchase or lease of two new electric school buses and $225,000 towards the purchase of three hybrid police cruisers.
$2.49 million is designated for improvement to road and sidewalks which had been identified previously as the town’s top priority for FY24.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, the council again heard from community members calling for a reduction in funding for the Police Department in favor of additional monies put instead towards the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service to increase their scope and hours of service.
Discussions regarding a potential increase to councilor stipends had not concluded by the June 12 meeting so the council agreed to continue a review at the meeting on June 26.