SOS Amherst

MA Public Hearing on Local and School Aid (in person at UMass)
2025-03-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | UMass Campus Center, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, 01002
The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Ways and Means will hold a public hearing on local and school aid on Monday March 24th, 11 am, at the Campus Center on the UMASS Campus. Attend and advocate for equitable school funding that won’t leave out communities like Amherst, especially reform to the charter tuition reimbursement formula.

Amherst School Committee will vote on the Elementary School Budget (in person & public comment )
2025-03-20 18:30
RESCHEDULED Amherst School Committee
Thursday, March 20, 2025
6:30 PM
In-Person Meeting
Library at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, 21 Mattoon St.
This meeting will be shown via live-stream on Amherst Media (Channel 15)
Public comment can be emailed to SCpubliccomment@arps.org by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Public comment can also be left by voicemail (under 3 minutes) at 413-362-1891 by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Posted 3/18/25 at 9:35 AM

District 1 Meeting (in person only)
2025-03-16 15:00 - 17:00 | North Amherst Library Community Room, 8 Montague Road, Amherst, 01002
Find your district here.

District 1 Meeting

Sunday, March 16, 2025
LIST OF TOPICS: Welcome by Councilors Freke Ette and Cathy Schoen – Introduce topics; Update on FY26 Budget; Update on New Elementary School Construction and Timeline; Special Guest: David Ziomek, Assistant Town Manager / Director of Conservation & Development: Puffers Pond and Mill River Recreation Area: Open Discussion; What else is on your mind? Open discussion: questions, answers, comments: Potential topics for next District meeting? Zoning? Status of Proposed large development in Leverett/North Amherst Kittredge Properties

North Amherst Library Community Room
Sunday, March 16, 2025
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Free and open to the public.
Special guest: David Ziomek, Assistant Town Manager / Director of Conservation and Development

Cuppa' Joe with Town Manager Paul Bockelman (in person only)
2025-03-14 08:00 - 09:30 | Futura Coffee Roasters, 73 Cowls Rd, Amherst, 01002
We need to start showing up at these meetings to bring up the situation our schools are in, and to counter the narrative that a lot of community members have about our schools (overspending, wasting money, etc.)
A major barrier is many of us with kids in the school system also work full-time and our perspective is not heard at these events.

Regional School Committee will vote on the Middle/High School Budget (in person & virtual)
2025-03-11 18:30 - 22:30 | Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst
Will discuss the FY26 Budget – if you have specific questions or concerns that you would like School Committee members to ask/discuss, communicate to them prior to this meeting (RegionalSchoolCommittee@arps.org)

—

In person: Town Hall, Town Room. 4 Boltwood Ave. Amherst, MA 01002
Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/88484775377
Phone: (646) 876-9923; enter webinar ID 884 8477 5377

Call to order
Announcements
Hearings – None
Public comment
Consent Agenda
Resolutions and Proclamations – None
Presentations and Discussion – None
Action Items

Percent for Art Bylaw: Elementary School Building Project
Referral of Community Preservation Act Funding Recommendations to Finance Committee
Proposed Acceptance of Statute enabling Amherst to install and operate school bus violation detection monitoring systems
Proposed Adoption of Local Option changes for Veteran Property Tax Exemptions pursuant to the HERO Act
Proposed Bylaw outlawing public urination

Appointments

Town Manager Appointments

Commission for Persons with Disabilities: James Kruidenier, for a term to expire June 30, 2028; Ian Rhodewalt and Myra Ross, for terms to expire June 30, 2027; Seren Derin and Cody Rooney, for terms to expire June 30, 2026; Elysse Link, for a term to expire June 30, 2025; and Pamela Nolan Young, ex-officio

Town Council Appointments

Department of Public Works and Fire/EMS Station Building Committee – Recommendation to the Town Manager

Committee and Liaison Reports

Budget Coordinating Group
Community Resources Committee
Elementary School Building Committee
Finance Committee
Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee
Joint Capital Planning Committee
Jones Library Building Committee
Town Services and Outreach Committee
Liaison Reports: Amherst Affordable Housing Trust, Board of Health, Community Preservation Act Committee, Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, Conservation Commission, Council on Aging, Disability Access Advisory Committee, Energy and Climate Action Committee, Human Rights Commission, Transportation Advisory Committee

Approval of minutes

June 24, 2024 Regular Meeting
July 17, 2024 Regular Meeting
January 27, 2025 Regular Meeting

Town Manager Report
Town Council Comments

President Report
Future Agenda Items
Councilor Comments

Topics not anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting
Executive Session – None
Adjourn

Meeting materials are posted here https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/7092; materials may be added or changed up through and after the meeting date.

Town Council Meeting (in person & virtual)
2025-03-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst
In person: Town Hall, Town Room. 4 Boltwood Ave. Amherst, MA 01002
Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/88484775377
Phone: (646) 876-9923; enter webinar ID 884 8477 5377

Call to order
Announcements
Hearings – None
Public comment
Consent Agenda
Resolutions and Proclamations – None
Presentations and Discussion – None
Action Items

Percent for Art Bylaw: Elementary School Building Project
Referral of Community Preservation Act Funding Recommendations to Finance Committee
Proposed Acceptance of Statute enabling Amherst to install and operate school bus violation detection monitoring systems
Proposed Adoption of Local Option changes for Veteran Property Tax Exemptions pursuant to the HERO Act
Proposed Bylaw outlawing public urination

Appointments

Town Manager Appointments

Commission for Persons with Disabilities: James Kruidenier, for a term to expire June 30, 2028; Ian Rhodewalt and Myra Ross, for terms to expire June 30, 2027; Seren Derin and Cody Rooney, for terms to expire June 30, 2026; Elysse Link, for a term to expire June 30, 2025; and Pamela Nolan Young, ex-officio

Town Council Appointments

Department of Public Works and Fire/EMS Station Building Committee – Recommendation to the Town Manager

Committee and Liaison Reports

Budget Coordinating Group
Community Resources Committee
Elementary School Building Committee
Finance Committee
Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee
Joint Capital Planning Committee
Jones Library Building Committee
Town Services and Outreach Committee
Liaison Reports: Amherst Affordable Housing Trust, Board of Health, Community Preservation Act Committee, Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, Conservation Commission, Council on Aging, Disability Access Advisory Committee, Energy and Climate Action Committee, Human Rights Commission, Transportation Advisory Committee

Approval of minutes

June 24, 2024 Regular Meeting
July 17, 2024 Regular Meeting
January 27, 2025 Regular Meeting

Town Manager Report
Town Council Comments

President Report
Future Agenda Items
Councilor Comments

Topics not anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting
Executive Session – None
Adjourn

Meeting materials are posted here https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/7092; materials may be added or changed up through and after the meeting date.

Town of Amherst - Budget Coordinating Group (virtual only - public comments)
2025-03-05 12:00 - 14:00
Budget Coordinating Group
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81893457664
Note: There will be no in person public access at this meeting. Members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom
https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81893457664 or by phone by calling phone (646) 931 3860
enter webinar ID 81893457664
Agenda:
Call to Order
 Updates
o FY26 Budget Projections
o Health Insurance Rates
 Free Cash/Excess & Deficiency
o Town of Amherst
o Amherst Regional Public School District
 Major Initiatives
o Amherst Regional/Elementary Schools (school consolidation and transition, etc.)
o Town of Amherst (major capital projects)
 Regional Assessment Method – update
 Operating Budget Override – procedure and options
 Individual Group Comments
o Library
o School Districts
o Town of Amherst
 Public Comment
 Next Meeting Topics
 Topics Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours in Advance of the Meeting
 Adjourn
Meeting materials are posted here; /DocumentCenter/Index/7073 materials may be added or changed up
through and after the meeting date.

State level advocacy with MARS (virtual)
2025-03-04 18:30
Senator Lewis has introduced two critical bills to strengthen public education funding:

SD.1912: An Act to Ensure Adequate and Equitable Funding for Public Education
SD.1237: An Act Increasing the Commonwealth’s Share of the Education Foundation Budget

If successful, these bills will eventually provide much-needed financial relief to school districts across the Commonwealth. However, it will likely be a few years before any formula changes are complete. If an interim solution is not provided, districts and municipalities will be forced to continue cutting essential services and programs just to survive.
MARS has been working with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS), the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to develop a K-12 funding proposal that we believe will bring much-needed relief to school districts and municipalities for FY 26. The proposal can be found here: K-12 Funding Proposal.
We encourage you to review this proposal and to join us on March 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM for a Zoom meeting. We will discuss the details and rationale behind each item in the proposal. We will also talk about advocacy steps that need to be taken to get the necessary attention from the state legislature and send a clear and consistent message that additional K-12 funding is imperative in FY 26.
You can register to join the Zoom meeting by following this link: Project 211 + 21: Uniting to Advocate for Increased K-12 Education Funding Once you have registered, you will receive an email with a link to join the meeting.

District 2 Meeting (virtual only)
2025-03-04 18:30 - 20:00
Join via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/88632449587
Find your district # on this map: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/44829/Districts–Precincts-Map—Updated-April-2022?bidId=
Find your town councilors here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3676/Meet-Your-Town-Council

Rally to Support Our Schools!
2025-03-01 15:30 - 17:30 | Downtown Amherst, Main Street and N. Pleasant
Rakk

Amherst School Committee Elementary Schools Budget Hearing (IMPORTANT to make Public Comments)
2025-02-27 18:30 | Amherst Regional High School library
Amherst School Committee will hold their annual ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS budget hearing on Thursday February 27th at 6:30 PM in the ARHS library.
This budget hearing is the main opportunity for the public to weigh in on the Amherst Schools budget for next year.

The Elementary Schools budget contains $1,561,314 worth of reductions and impacts the following positions: (Budget Book Part 1, Budget Book Part 2)

Three Special Education Teacher positions (one at each of Crocker Farm, Fort River and Wildwood) eliminated
One Special Education Reading Teacher position eliminated
One Building Blocks/AIMS Teacher position eliminated
One Crocker Farm Kindergarten Teacher position eliminated
One Wildwood General Education Teacher position eliminated
One Caminantes Paraeducator position eliminated
One ELL Paraeducator position eliminated
One Crocker Farm Kindergarten Paraeducator position eliminated
All specials/band/orchestra teachers reduced from full time to .9
3.4 Central Office positions reduced/eliminated

6:30 PM
In-Person Meeting and virtual at https://meet.google.com/fbb-fwur-odp
Library at ARHS
Public comment can be emailed to SCpubliccomment@arps.org by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Public comment can also be left by voicemail (under 3 minutes) at 413-362-1891 by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
This meeting will be shown via live-stream on Amherst Media (Channel 15)

2/26 Amherst Regional School Committee Budget Forum (Virtual & in person -- IMPORTANT to make Public Comments)
2025-02-26 18:30 | Amherst Regional High School library
This is the budget hearing for the middle and high school.
Link to presentation.

6:30 PM
In-Person Meeting & Virtual
Library at ARHS
Public comment can be emailed to SCpubliccomment@arps.org by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Public comment can also be left by voicemail (under 3 minutes) at 413-362-1891 by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
This meeting will be shown via live-stream on Amherst Media (Channel 15)

Join virtually: Click the video button or use the meeting info below.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84262479348?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 842 6247 9348
Passcode: [REDACTED]

District 4 Meeting (in person only)
2025-02-23 15:30 - 17:00 | Amherst Police Department Community Room, 111 Main St., Amherst, 01002
Attention residents of District 4 – Please attend this District 4 Meeting on Sunday 2/23, 3:30-5 at the Amherst Police Department Community Room. We need to keep the schools front and center at every town meeting. All you have to do is show up and ask a question or make a comment in support of funding our schools, and say why this matters to you.
Thank you!
Find your district # on this map: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/44829/Districts–Precincts-Map—Updated-April-2022?bidId=
Find your town councilors here: https://www.amherstma.gov/3676/Meet-Your-Town-Council

2/10 Town Council (in person and virtual)
2025-02-10 18:30 | Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst
Details will be provided when they become available.

Regional Schools Four Towns Meeting (in person; no public comment)
2025-02-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Amherst Regional Middle School – Library, 170 Chestnut St, Amherst, MA
Regional Schools Four Towns Meeting – Saturday February 8th 9:00-11:00 AM in the ARMS library. At this meeting, officials from Amherst, Leverett, Shutsebury and Pelham will discuss funding for the Regional Schools for next year, including the total amount of funding to provide and how to break down the funding among the four towns. Ahead of this meeting, please email your town officials and tell them that we are counting on them to provide at least level funding for our schools for next year.
See our Resources page for links of how to find and contact your Amherst Town Councilors. While there is no role for the public at this meeting, any member of the public can attend and listen to the discussion. Even if you can only join for a portion, it’s important for our elected officials to know that we are paying attention.

Budget Coordinating Group (Virtual only)
2025-02-05 12:00 - 14:00 | VIrtual (details above)
Call to Order
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Presentations and Discussion

Updated FY26 Budget Projections

Report on Budget Status:

Library
School Departments
Town

Discussion
Public Comment
Topics Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours in Advance of the Meeting
Adjourn

Virtual Meeting https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/83071315031
Note: There will be no in-person public access at this meeting. Members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/83071315031 or by phone by calling phone (646) 931 3860 enter webinar ID 83071315031

Link:
Click to join the virtual meeting

Finance Committee Meeting (Virtual with Public Comment)
2025-02-04 14:00 - 16:00
Call to Order, review agenda
Elect Chair and Vice Chair
Public Comment: The time limit for each comment is 3 minutes per person, unless the Chair sees a substantial number of people wishing to speak and limits comments to 2 minutes; comments must be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the committee; comments must be made in a peaceable manner
Updates

1st Quarter Financials
Health Insurance Projections
Cherry Sheet Projections

School Committee Response to Budget Guidelines – Discussion
Town Council Order FY25-05B An Order Appropriating Funds for a Portion of the Town of Amherst Capital Program
Approval of Minutes

March 5, 2024
March 19, 2024
April 2, 2024
May 3, 2024

Meeting Schedule for calendar year 2025
Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours in advance
Adjourn

Virtual Meeting https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/83852746244
Note: There will be no in-person public access at this meeting. Members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/83852746244 or by phone by calling phone (646) 931 3860 enter webinar ID 838 5274 6244

Link:
Click to join the virtual meeting

Nervous about making a public comment? See this quick tutorial.

Amherst Regional School Committee (in person & virtual; 3 min public comment)
2025-01-28 18:30 | Amherst Regional High School library
Amherst Regional School Committee joint meeting with Amherst School Committee, Tuesday 1/28 6:30 PM, ARHS Library
https://go.boarddocs.com/ma/arps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCZKN552A0E1

Public comment can be emailed to SCpubliccomment@arps.org by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Public comment can also be left by voicemail (under 3 minutes) at 413-362-1891 by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
This meeting will be shown via live-stream on Amherst Media (Channel 15)

Learn how to make a public comment here: https://www.arpsparents.com/resources/

Amherst Town Council (in person or virtual; 3 min public comment)
2025-01-27 18:30 | Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst
Amherst Town Council Meeting Monday 1/27 6:30 PM, Town Hall or by Zoom
Note: Members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom, by phone by calling phone (301)
715-8592, enter webinar ID: 894 3661 9923, or in person. The meeting will also be live
broadcast on Amherst Media channel 17 and https://amherstmedia.org/live-stream
1. Call to Order
2. Announcements
3. Hearings – None
4. General Public Comment
Residents are welcome to express their views for up to 3 minutes, at the discretion of
the Town Council President, based upon the number of people who wish to speak.
The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during
General Public Comment. Public comments are not reflective of the opinions of the
Town Council.
5. Consent Agenda

Learn how to make a public comment here: https://www.arpsparents.com/resources/

Town Council Meeting
2025-01-13 18:30 - 19:30
Save the date – January 13, 2025 6:30 PM will be the first Town Council Meeting of 2025. Full 2025 meeting schedule available here.

School Committee meeting (in person with live streaming, and public comments)
2024-12-17 18:30 - 21:30 | Amherst Regional High School library
LIST OF TOPICS: Joint meeting of Pelham, Regional, and Amherst School Committees Public comment; Academic calendar for 2025-2026; Superintendent’s Entry Plan findings; Adjourn Pelham School Committee; Adjourn Regional School Committee; Superintendent’s Update including FY26 budget, 6th-grade move, Fort River capacity, redistricting; Capital needs – review of process; Chair’s report; Member reports; Warrants and gifts; Review draft November minutes.

For more information and documents: https://go.boarddocs.com/ma/arps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBVTLU77F1FF The Regional, joint, and Amherst Committee meetings will be shown via live-stream on Amherst Media (Channel 15) Public comment can be emailed to SCpubliccomment@arps.org by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Public comment can also be left by voicemail (under 3 minutes) at 413-362-1891 by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Finance Committee (virtual and public comments)
2024-12-17 15:00 - 17:00 | VIrtual (details above)
Finance Committee Meeting 12/17/24 3-5PM. Join via Zoom. Ask the Finance Committee to consider the ongoing needs of our schools in their selection of a funding model for the four planned major capital projects in town.

In 2025, the Amherst Finance Committee and Amherst Town Council will continue discussing and eventually vote on the Funding Model for the four major capital projects (Library, Elementary School, Department of Public Works, Fire Station). The funding models vary in terms of project start dates and how much of the funding comes from borrowing versus town reserves. All of the models, though, will result in constrained operating budgets as well as severely limit the funds available for ongoing capital needs (like repairs to buildings, the purchase of school buses, replacement of technology). Needs of this type are currently paid for via the annual Capital Improvement Plan funded by 10.5% of our tax dollars which are sequestered for this purpose. The funding models the town is considering redirect much of this money toward financing the four capital projects. We should ask the Finance Committee and Town Council to explain how existing needs are going to be met in each of the four proposed scenarios. Currently, we already have trouble meeting ongoing capital needs of our schools and other town buildings, as well as keeping up with the purchase of capital equipment. How will these needs be met when even less money is available? Amherst Finance Committee will meet Tuesday 12/17/24 3-5PM via Zoom to discuss. Town Council will likely take up the discussion in January.

Virtual Meeting https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81925770072
Note: There will be no in-person public access at this meeting. Members of the public may attend virtually via
Zoom https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81925770072 or by phone by calling phone (646) 931 3860 enter webinar ID
81925770072

Town Council Meeting (virtual and in person)
2024-12-16 18:30 - 22:30 | VIrtual (details above)
The final Town Council Meeting of 2024 will be Monday December 16 at 6:30 PM. Let’s continue to tell Amherst Town Council that our schools are important to us! Join in-person at Town Hall, via Zoom or Submit a Written Public Comment. Ask the Town Council to prioritize our schools in the FY26 Financial Guidelines and include the Region’s full amount in the base. Talk about why our schools matter to you and your family.

New to making a public comment? See our explainer here.
Background info here: https://www.arpsparents.com/school-budget-meetings-before-winter-break/

In person: Town Hall, Town Room. 4 Boltwood Ave. Amherst, MA 01002
Online: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/88218921421
Phone: (301) 715-8592; enter webinar ID 882 1892 1421

Four Towns Meeting (in person only - no public comments)
2024-12-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Amherst Regional Middle School – Library, 170 Chestnut St, Amherst, MA
Four Towns Meeting 12/14 9:00 AM in the ARMS Library: Representatives from Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury and Leverett will meet to discuss funding for the Regional Schools. There is no public comment at this meeting, but members of the public are welcome to attend – and it’s always good to let our public officials know we are paying attention and that our kids at ARMS & ARHS are still Amherst residents who deserve great schools.
—
Dr. Xi and the Regional School Committee (RSC) are preparing for the next Four Towns Meeting on Saturday 12/14 at the Amherst Regional Middle School Library. Dr. Xi intends to present the four member towns with several scenarios, all that use the 6% increase from FY25 in the base for calculating the increase for FY26. School Committee members were clear at the 12/10 RSC meeting that last spring, all four member towns voted to include the additional $355,440 for the Regional Schools and that amount now becomes part of the base, and is not optional at this point. Dr. Xi stressed that she and her team really need to know now, and not in several months, what amount of money they can expect for FY26 as they are already planning on how to handle the deficit and need to know exactly how large it is.

Superintendent Xi's Listening Lounge (virtual and/or submit a question before)
2024-12-13 16:30 - 17:30 | VIrtual (details above)
Attend Dr. Xi’s Listening Lounge on Friday 12/13 at 4:30 and/or submit a question for the Listening Lounge. This could be a good opportunity to express concern about the state of our facilities and/or encourage Dr. Xi to request part of the Town of Amherst’s surplus for the schools or ask what the status is of this.

Access the listening Lounge through the following link:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86836032278?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 868 3603 2278
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Town Council Meeting
2024-12-02 18:30 - 20:30
The Amherst Town Council will meet on Monday 12/2 at 6:30 PM and vote on the budget guidelines as prepared by the Finance Committee. Save the date! Advocacy may be needed!

Finance Committee meeting - public comments accepted (Virtual only)
2024-11-22 09:00 - 11:00
The Finance Committee will take up creating the budget guidelines for FY26 at their meeting on Friday 11/22 at 9:00 AM.
This is another potential opportunity to voice support for our schools and ask that the Town of Amherst find a way to better support education in Amherst.
Learn how to make a public comment here: https://www.arpsparents.com/public-comment/

Virtual only! Zoom link: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/82486802303

LIST OF TOPICS:

Call to Order, review agenda
Public Comment:
Budget Guidelines
Supplemental Budget

Council Order FY25-05C: An Order Appropriating Funds for a Portion of the Town of Amherst Capital Program – Sidewalk Equipment.

Discuss Four Capital Projects – presentation of 11.18.2024
Minutes

Adoption of November 8, 2024 meeting minutes
Adoption of November 15, 2024 meeting minutes

Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours in advance
Schedule next Committee meetings
Adjourn

Note: There will be no in-person public access at this meeting. Members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/82486802303 or by phone by calling phone (646) 931 3860 enter webinar ID 82486802303

Amherst Town Council Public Meeting on Budget (in person and virtual)
2024-11-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst
HOW TO TAKE ACTION:

Make a public comment at the 11/18 Town Council Meeting at 6:30 PM, in-person in the Town Room at Town Hall or via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/89382473012
Can’t attend the meeting? Submit a public comment to the Town Council online.
Take a few minutes to complete the SOS Amherst Survey to provide feedback on why our schools are important to you and your family
Forward this email to people in your networks and ask them to advocate for our schools

WHAT YOU CAN SAY

Share your story – How has your child or family been impacted by lack of adequate funding in our schools? Why are our public schools important to you and your experience in Amherst? Let the Town Council know that our public schools are a top priority for you and your family.
Ask the Town Council to:

Include the full amount allotted to the Regional Schools last year in the base for calculating this year’s increase.
Allocate as much money as possible to our schools this year, and prioritize operating budgets over surplus generation.
Distribute last year’s $5,227,426 surplus only after considering the needs of all stakeholders.
Ask the Town Council and Finance Committee to prioritize our schools – including the middle and high school – in the Town Manager’s budget guidelines for FY26

Meeting schedule:
5:00 p.m. Regular meeting, beginning with a Town Council Reading Period of Councilor Town Manager Evaluations
6:30 p.m. Public Forum on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
7:00 Public Forum on Supplemental Budget Appropriations
The regular Town Council meeting will resume following the 7:00 Public Forum

11/8 Finance Committee Meeting (Virtual)
2024-11-08 09:00 - 11:00 | VIrtual (details above)
Finance Committee

Friday, November 8, 2024

https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/85166756344

LIST OF TOPICS:

Review Agenda;

Public Comment: The time limit for each comment is 3 minutes per person, unless the Chair sees a substantial number of people wishing to speak and limits comments to 2 minutes; comments must be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the committee; comments must be made in a peaceable manner;

Discussion of Financial Indicators;
FY24 Fourth Quarter Report;
Rescissions of Borrowing Authorization Requests,
Council Order – FY2513 An Order to Rescinding Authorized but Unissued Bonds,
Supplemental Budget Appropriation Requests,
Council Order FY25-12A: An Order Appropriating from Free Cash to the Stabilization Funds,
Council Order FY25-05B: An Order Appropriating Funds for a Portion of the Town of Amherst Capital Program – Road and Sidewalk Repairs,
Council Order FY25-05C: An Order Appropriating Funds for a Portion of the Town of Amherst Capital Program – Sidewalk Equipment, Council Order FY25-05D: An Order Appropriating Funds for a Portion of the Town of Amherst Capital Program – Waste Hauler Study, Council Order FY25-16A: An Order Appropriating from Free Cash to the Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund, Budget Guidelines;

Minutes, Adoption of October 1, 2024 meeting minutes;
Schedule next Committee meetings;
Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours in advance.

TO JOIN MEETING:

To join the meeting via Zoom teleconferencing go to: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/85166756344
To indicate you wish to make a comment click “raise hand”
To join the meeting via telephone call; (646) 931 3860 enter webinar ID 851 6675 6344
when prompted to enter your participant number press #
To indicate you wish to make a comment, press *9 on your telephone
During the public comment period, the chair will recognize

RECEIVED: 11/5/24 at 10:46 am.

Amherst Town Council Meeting and Financial Indicators Presentation (in person and virtual)
2024-11-04 18:00 | Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst
Amherst Town Council Meeting and Financial Indicators Presentation (with Amherst School Committee, Regional School Committee, Finance Committee, Budget Coordinating Group, and Jones Library Trustees)

In-Person Meeting, Town Room, Town Hall
Virtual Public Access: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/82918600562

Note: Members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom, by phone by calling phone (301)
715-8592, enter webinar ID: 829 1860 0562, or in person.

The meeting will also be live broadcast on Amherst Media channel 17 and https://amherstmedia.org/live-stream
Posted October 16, 2024 at 10:10 a.m.
