Ways & Means Calls For Better Planning and Timely Investments

The Amherst ways & means committee is looking to see underfunding and lack of planning addressed in the town’s budget.

The committee recommended making better investments that follow strategic planning in their FY14 town budget presentation to selectmen on Monday. Departments focused on this week were town government, ems, police/communications and community development.

[See the full Amherst Ways & Means presentation in the attached PDF]

Their findings showed that “department heads are focused on making the most of the budgets they have, and not on strategic planning and communications.” The Amherst Master Plan only provides “aspirational direction” with no specific goals or targets.

Detailed analysis of these departments showed that most are well-funded in some areas, but are lacking in others, which deteriorates their effectiveness as costs increase each year. Holding off on key investments and lack of maintenance/protection on facilities and equipment is costing the taxpayers more.

For town government, the committee urged selectmen to upgrade the 10-year-old computers and update town hall’s software. They also called for a “workable plan” should be created to fix the structural and safety issues of the building, which has recently undergone emergency repair.

The committee supports raising wages for ems employees, who are paid far less compared to surrounding communities.

They recommended the selectmen address space issues on both floors of the police station, which the committee said are “cramped and inadequate” for the department. Communications Center equipment should also be moved to a space with better A/C to prevent damage on hot days. In addition, they would like to see a capital reserve fund for critical equipment such as firearms, radios and light bars.

In the community development department, the committee recommended spending $50,000 over two years to buy a new plotter/scanner for better service and storage of files. Their files need to be digitized at a cost of $25,000 for the first year of prioritized digital conversion.

The Amherst proposed FY14 budget is currently $11,235,340. The committee will address the public works, recreation, fire  and library departments at the next Selectmen meeting.