Town Council Jun 1, 2026

The Town Council of Amherst, MA held a meeting on June 1, 2026, which included a public forum on the town's capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal year 2027. The finance director presented the CIP, highlighting allocations totaling $11.5 million, including funds for economic development, road repairs, sustainability initiatives, and debt payments related to new school and library building projects. The council discussed prioritizing projects due to limited resources and emphasized a cautious approach to new debt. The meeting also addressed land use planning for the Hampshire College campus, with authorization for the town manager to enter agreements with MassDevelopment to support planning efforts. The council passed a motion identifying key priorities for the future use of the Hampshire College land, emphasizing preservation of sensitive habitats, diverse housing development aligned with town policies, and consideration of town space needs. Additionally, the council approved appointments to the planning board, including a contested appointment where a motion to substitute a candidate was defeated. Other procurement-related actions included approval of permanent changes to public ways and acceptance of deeds. The meeting concluded with a vote to enter executive session to discuss real property matters.