Town Services and Outreach Committee Apr 16, 2026

The Town Services and Outreach Committee of Amherst, MA, met on April 16, 2026, focusing primarily on communication and community engagement efforts. Key procurement-related discussions included the recent contract signed with Civic Plus for a comprehensive redesign of the town's website, aimed at improving usability, search functionality, ADA compliance, and the integration of an agenda center for boards and committees. The committee also discussed ongoing efforts to enhance email notification systems using vendors like Constant Contact and Civic Plus, and the challenges of balancing comprehensive information availability with user accessibility. No new contract awards or budget allocations were reported, but the website redesign contract and vendor collaboration represent significant procurement activity. The meeting also covered outreach initiatives such as the Civic Academy and strategies to improve public engagement and transparency. The committee approved minutes from a previous meeting and planned future agenda items related to street light policy and paving management inquiries.