Amherst Selectmen Focus on Transparency

Amherst selectmen are working to improve their transparency after months of public criticism following a town investigation.

The new board met on Monday and elected a new chairman, Dwight Brew, to lead them as they work to make government information more open to the public.

Brew said that the board will no longer act on any items unless they have been posted on the agenda. This would allow any interested parties to come prepared to either support or oppose decisions.

“The public has an expectation to know what we are going to be discussing at our meetings,” said Brew. He added in an interview after the meeting that his board will work to better understand procedures along with making them better known to the public.”

The board had previously discussed updating its policies and posting it on the town website for public access. Brew said that this will help the public better understand the decisions his board makes, and better inform them on what is going on in town hall.

Selectman Brad Galinson proposed, in some form, publishing salaries of town employees on the website as well. Regular updates on the budget process, revenue and other expenses should also be included.

Selectmen had been the focus of controversy in recent months after they had purchased a $130,000 dump truck in October before a lease agreement had been finalized. The agreement fell through because the town was operating under a default budget, and the entire amount had to come out of their budget.

The board could not legally disclose certain information regarding the investigation that followed this purchase, and the paid leave of town administrator Jim O’Mara during it. Many in the public voiced concern that the board was withholding information.

The DPW truck investigation brought multiple right-to-know requests, with all but one being resolved as of Monday. The Nashua Telegraph currently has a request for emails sent between O’Mara and Bruce Bowler.

Brew has now made rules and procedures a highlight for the new board, including their policy on such requests.

“I’m always a strict believer that there are laws and rules, and it is really not an option to decide whether we think those are the right things to follow,” said Brew. “It has been my experience that is what the people of Amherst expect.”

Former selectman George Infanti also urged transparency in the selection process for a replacement selectman after the sudden resignation of Bowler on Monday.