Town Council Mar 23, 2026

The Town Council of Amherst, MA held a special meeting on March 23, 2026, focusing primarily on procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement discussions included the approval of a $364,700 purchase of 54 acres of watershed land for water supply protection, funded through the town's water fund rather than free cash. The council also reviewed and referred Community Preservation Act (CPA) appropriations totaling approximately $3 million for 16 proposals, with detailed deliberations on funding allocations, including a notable discussion on the Jones Library project and its historic preservation funding. The council addressed charter review committee recommendations, moving several items for further discussion or referral to committees such as Governance, Organization, and Legislation (GOL) and Finance. Additionally, the council authorized the president to submit testimony on the FY 2027 state budget, with particular attention to education funding, rural aid, and transportation. Other agenda items included updates on building projects, committee reports, and ongoing discussions about public engagement and transparency in board and committee appointments. The meeting concluded with plans for upcoming meetings and continued deliberations on charter amendments and budget advocacy.