Town Council May 18, 2026

The Town Council of Amherst, MA held its regular meeting on May 18, 2026, focusing primarily on community issues such as housing affordability, rental property inspections, and charter review discussions. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation and discussion on the rental registration, permitting, and inspection program, which has been active for about eight months. The program has identified numerous minor and serious violations in rental properties, highlighting the importance of ongoing inspections for tenant safety. Staffing challenges were noted, with the program currently operating at about half the desired staffing level, potentially extending the inspection cycle to ten years instead of the planned five. The council also discussed amendments to the Human Rights Commission charge, particularly regarding mediation and negotiation roles, aiming to clarify the commission's involvement in dispute resolution. Additionally, the council agreed to schedule a listening session within six months to discuss major structural changes recommended by the charter review committee, focusing on six key governance issues. Other updates included reports on capital improvement projects, committee activities, and ongoing negotiations related to the Department of Public Works (DPW) contract. No specific contract awards, RFPs, or vendor selections were reported during this meeting.