Special Council Meeting Mar 30, 2026

The Town of Amherst, MA held a special council meeting on March 30, 2026, primarily focused on issues related to the Department of Public Works (DPW). Several DPW employees provided public comments highlighting critical concerns about unsafe and deteriorating working conditions, including a collapsing roof, mold, poor ventilation, and outdated facilities. The council discussed the urgent need for a new DPW building, the challenges of staffing and retention due to low wages, and the impact of infrastructure neglect on town services. The DPW building committee provided an update on progress, including plans to issue requests for qualifications for an owner's project manager and design services, aiming to move forward with construction by mid-2026. Councilors debated potential interim solutions such as swing space in existing vacant buildings and the possibility of adjusting water and sewer rates to generate additional revenue for DPW needs. While no motions were passed during the meeting, council members expressed a strong sense of urgency to address the DPW building and working conditions, with plans to consider motions and proposals in future meetings. The discussion also touched on budget priorities, collective bargaining challenges, and the need for improved communication and processes to support DPW staff and infrastructure improvements.