Finance Committee May 19, 2026

The Town of Amherst Finance Committee held a meeting on May 19, 2026, focusing primarily on budget presentations and discussions related to the Jones Library, public health, senior services, and the recreation department. The library presented its FY27 operating budget request of approximately $3.25 million, a 5.3% increase over FY26, including plans for staffing, special collections funding, and capital campaign fundraising efforts totaling $46.1 million for renovation and expansion. The library trustees requested a 3.85% increase in town appropriation and discussed the sustainability challenges of drawing from the endowment fund. The committee also discussed the potential for revolving funds, particularly for the Cherry Hill golf course, which is currently profitable but facing staffing challenges due to wage scale issues. The recreation department is planning a temporary move to Wildwood and is assessing operational changes and funding strategies. Public health and senior services highlighted collaborations with local organizations and the use of opioid settlement funds for community programs. Several policy and operational issues were raised, including wage scale adjustments, volunteer program expansion, and facility maintenance funding. No formal votes were recorded during the meeting, but action items include further budget recommendations and coordination on revolving fund creation.