Town Council Mar 9, 2026

The Town Council of Amherst, MA held a special public forum and regular meeting on March 9, 2026, focusing heavily on financial orders related to capital improvements and budget appropriations. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval of several financial orders appropriating funds from free cash and stabilization funds for projects such as road and sidewalk repairs ($2.7 million), care of school fields ($150,000), opioid settlement fund allocations, and the replacement of the middle school auditorium roof ($1.6 million). The council debated the timing and amount of funding for the roof replacement, ultimately approving the appropriation after a motion to postpone was defeated. The roads and sidewalks funding was also approved unanimously. The meeting included discussions on intermunicipal agreements related to these projects and the need for better long-term planning and coordination with regional school districts. Additionally, the council reviewed charter review committee recommendations concerning governance and procedural changes, with plans to seek legal counsel on the appropriate legislative process for amendments. Public comments addressed concerns about budget allocations, infrastructure needs, and community safety. No new contracts or vendor selections were explicitly mentioned, but the appropriations and intermunicipal agreements indicate upcoming procurement activities for capital projects.