Cherry Hill Working Group (Session #4) Mar 2, 2026

The Town of Amherst's Cherry Hill Working Group convened to discuss the financial and operational future of the Cherry Hill Golf Course. Key topics included the consideration of moving the golf course's funding structure from the town budget to either an enterprise fund or a departmental revolving fund. Presentations highlighted the challenges of maintaining the course, including underfunding, necessary capital improvements, and the need for increased management and operational staffing. The group reviewed detailed financial models projecting revenues and expenses under different funding scenarios, with a consensus emerging that a departmental revolving fund would provide greater financial transparency and flexibility while mitigating risks associated with an enterprise fund. The meeting concluded with a unanimous recommendation to the town manager to adopt a departmental revolving fund structure for the golf course, aligning revenues and expenses transparently and dedicating revenues to support operating costs. Discussions also touched on fee adjustments, software upgrades for better management, and potential collaborations with local educational institutions for turf management. The group planned future meetings to continue oversight and recommendations.