Finance Committee Jul 21, 2026

The Town of Amherst Finance Committee met on July 21, 2026, to review financial management policies and several financial orders referred by the town council. Key procurement-related discussions included the appropriation of settlement funds from PFAS chemical contamination for water monitoring and potential mitigation, with an approved motion to recommend the PAS special revenue fund appropriation to the town council. The committee also reviewed budget requests related to the Wildwood building, which the school committee is returning to the town. The discussion covered operating and capital costs for maintaining the building, including custodial staffing, utilities, and accessibility improvements, with emphasis on cost scrutiny and potential future uses such as swing space for the Department of Public Works (DPW) or recreation department. Additionally, the committee approved a supplemental funding order to support an intermunicipal agreement providing treasurer/collector services to the town of Pelham, funded by dedicated revenue. The meeting concluded with plans to address financial policies and audit reports in August, and ongoing attention to pension and OPEB funding strategies.