Ways & Means Recommends Funding For Important Equipment, Facilities

The Amherst Ways & Means Committee honed in on equipment, facilities and staffing issues in their presentation to selectmen this week.

The committee gave their proposal for funding the library, fire department, dpw, and the recreation department in the FY14 budget. Read the first half of their proposed recommendations on Amherst Patch.

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

While the committee recommend compensation for firefighter’s time during certain meetings and trainings, they do not support a recent proposal to pay for each level of firefighter training and monthly meetings.

One big concern is proper funding for the fire department’s vehicles and self contained breathing apparatuses. Engine 2 is in critical condition due to tank support frame rust and other vehicles are showing signs of deterioration.

Ways & means recommended a better plan to replace the aging fleet, and an increase in preventative maintenance to prevent rust and deterioration.

Lengthening equipment life was another theme in regards to the Amherst DPW budget. The committee strongly recommends the department’s storage facility be rebuilt in this fiscal year using currently-owned resources. A better facility should result in increased equipment life and reduced prep time during winter, according to the committee’s presentation.

An increase for road repair in the annual budget was also strongly recommended to bring the funding up to realistic levels.

Amherst Recreation needs to focus on staffing, according to the committee, which can be done with no tax impact. The department lost a part time position two years ago, which should be brought back using funds from the revolving account.

The committee also called for a replacement of their tractor rather than repairing the current one. They also want the recreation department to focus on finding a replacement for Cemetery Fields before access is lost in 2014.

For the Amherst Town Library, the committee believes that, should the Library need to make budget cuts in FY15, they would want them to look at personnel cuts rather than cutting programs and materials further. 

The Amherst proposed FY14 budget is currently $11,235,340.