Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee Sep 15, 2026

The Town of Amherst Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee met on September 15, 2026, primarily to discuss the town manager evaluation process and the formation and charge of a resident oversight board (ROB). The committee deliberated on improving the town manager's annual evaluation by refining feedback collection methods, including using ADA-accessible forms with focused questions for public, board, and staff input. They emphasized aligning evaluation criteria with the town manager's job description and goals, and discussed challenges in obtaining sufficient and meaningful feedback. Regarding the ROB, the committee reviewed proposed models for its purpose, composition, and governance, debating membership size, stipends, and restrictions on members with law enforcement affiliations. They also considered the board's role in receiving and reviewing complaints related to the police and Crest, and the appropriateness of the board conducting public forums. The meeting concluded with approval of minutes and scheduling the next meeting for October 13, 2026. No contract awards, RFPs, or procurement decisions were discussed.