Selectmen Want To Pay Off Bridge Costs Now, Free Up Funds

The Board of Selectmen approved a $10,853,361 default budget Monday night, but it may still undergo some changes in the coming weeks.

Town administrator Jim O’Mara told the board that the town departments are looking to come up with $38,627 in the current budget to pay off the engineering fees for bridgework. This would mean the town would not have to draw from the Bridge Bond in next fiscal year, and frees up that amount in the default budget.

The State of New Hampshire has redefined their original reimbursement commitment from funding all the of the bridge projects, to only the engineering portion at this time. The town has only spent the Bridge Bond on the necessary engineering to begin these projects.

O’Mara said the departments are currently working on finding the collective $38,627 in their budgets.

Selectman Brad Galinson said that the money could be used for gravel and crack sealing, as well as the contingency fund.

Selectman Tom Grella agreed.

“Crack sealing is a part of keeping good roads good,” said Grella. “If roads are not done that just need crack sealing, years from now they may need to be rebuilt and be a lot more expensive.”

Selectman George Infanti requested using $5,000 of the savings towards health and human services.

Some requested items left out of the approved default budget include hiring a patrolman for Amherst Police and an additional employee to Amherst DPW.

O’Mara said that the budget, crafted by himself and department heads, shifts healthcare premiums from the employer to the employee and changes a full-time position in the Recreation Department to part-time without.

The budget also includes a 1.5 percent wage adjustment for town employees. Chair Bruce Bowler said this was the first raise they have received in several years.

Selectman Brad Galinson commended the Amherst Town Library for making some significant cuts, including reductions in part-time wages and hours.

“The library made a tremendous effort to help get this default budget in line,” he said.