Finance Committee May 5, 2026

The Town of Amherst Finance Committee held a meeting on May 5, 2026, to review the recently released budget and discuss the capital improvement plan. Key procurement-related topics included the management and funding of various capital projects such as the Wildwood property redevelopment, the DPW building with a planned $35 million budget, and school infrastructure projects. The committee discussed the use of unspent capital funds, potential supplementary appropriations for operating costs like utilities, and the development of a vehicle purchase policy to evaluate departmental needs. Grant funding efforts were highlighted, including collaboration between town and school departments to secure energy efficiency and other grants. The committee also addressed challenges related to inflationary pressures on wages, fuel, and capital costs, as well as the impact of private equity ownership on service providers and contractors. Discussions on revenue growth strategies, development challenges, and agreements with local universities for financial contributions were also part of the meeting. No formal votes were recorded during this session, but a motion to adjourn was passed unanimously.