Four-Way Race To Amherst's Two Selectmen Seats

The race for the two open selectmen seats promises to be an interesting one with four candidates in the running.

Incumbent Dwight Brew will be running again for his seat on the board, while three others are vying for the open spot that will be left by selectman George Infanti in March.

Brew is now up against newcomer John D'Angelo and two former selectmen: Reed Panasiti and Marilyn Peterman.

Panasiti, who was on the board from 2006-2009, has said that his focus will be to provide proper planning in order to produce a cost-effective budget that can accommodate necessary town services.

Peterman has served as selectman for six terms and has been a longtime member of the Amherst planning board. She has been openly critical of the performance of town administrator Jim O’Mara’s, and called for him to step down from his position.

D'Angelo is a management/business consultant and will focus on the town’s economic issues and the “process breakdowns” in local leadership.

There is a contested race for the zoning board with Allen Marrian and Robert Rowe in the running for the position. The cemetery trustee position has Richard Lefebvre up against Peter Bergin, who is also the only candidate for trustee of the trust funds.

William M. Cassidy, Kathy E. Brundage and Robin K. Julian are all running unopposed for the three open library trustee seats.