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Date: 5/16/2023
AMHERST — The Town Council began intial discussions of the fiscal year 2024 budget at a meeting on May 1 with follow-up reviews on specific items on May 9 and 12. Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Finance Director Sean Mangano and Comptroller Holly Drake made the presentations before the council.
Making note of the challenges created by the previous 3 years resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, Bockelman described the current budget proposal as stable, balanced and returning to normal.
“It is a balanced budget with expenditures not exceeding revenue projections. This is a no-nonsense, disciplined budget that accelerates the initiatives begun in prior years,” he said.
Bockelman told the board the budget continues to address the capital needs of the town more aggressively with a special emphasis on the needs to fix roads and sidewalks while also incorporating increases for salaries, pensions, health insurance along with utility costs and related items.
“The town’s overall financial condition remains strong with a bond rating of AA plus, with a healthy stabilization account and adequate reserves,” he added.
During his portion of the presentation, also provided information concerning progress in key initiatives including, climate action, public safety and racial equity.
Bockelman highlighted the five components of the budget proposal which includes the municipal budget, including the town’s four enterprise funds, the Elementary School budget, the library budget, the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District budget and the Capital Improvement Program.
Also included were the budgets for the Community Preservation Act and the Community Development Block Grant.
As indicted by the PowerPoint and oral presentation before the council, the proposed FY24 budget of $93,457,917 reflects an increase of $3,038,653 or 3.4% over the FY23 adopted budget including the .5% increase from the approved supplemental budget. The proposed increases represent 3% across the board and allocated for the town, schools and libraries.
Budget Director Sean Mangano illustrated the budget proposals, including infrastructure expenditures. $2,494,366 are allocated for roads and sidewalks, what he said was identified as the highest town priority as well as $40,000 for tree planting, removal, and care and $230,000 for field maintenance equipment.
Addressing climate action and sustainability expenditure proposals, Mangano included $775,000 for the purchase or lease of two new electric school buses along with the accompanying charging infrastructure. The figure would be offset with grant reimbursement of $200,000. Another $225,000 would go towards the purchase of three hybrid police cruisers and $200,000 for capital plan energy efficiency and sustainability improvements.
In the budget proposals for community health and safety, funding would be maintained for the 10 member CRESS department including $20,000 for overtime and communication expenses. Funding would be maintained for the officer of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with and additional $6,000 to support training and community engagement.
Presented also were a $725,000 in borrowing authorization and a $450,000 allotment for a Fire Department pumper truck and ambulance, respectively.
Under the proposed budget, two new projects in support of community housing and affordability would be funded with $1.8 million allocated from the Community Preservation Act.
The proposals also allow for increases in Enterprise Funds and Capital Improvement resulting from higher overall costs.
Finance Committee and Town Council meetings followed the initial budget proposal presentation and discussions. Reviews on school and library expenditures as well as police safety and community service allocations were hosted in the subsequent week.