What Would A Default Budget Mean For Amherst?

Amherst has spent the last two years in a default budget, but town officials are hoping that trend ends next week.

Selectmen have proposed an operating budget of $11,414,625 this year, which is $144,825 more than the $11,269,800 default budget. The biggest differences between the two budgets are increases to Amherst Fire/EMS wages and compensation, and repair work on Spaulding Field.

A total of $45,000 is being proposed for part-time wages in the fire department in order to retain the volunteer personnel and continue to add new recruits. The operating budget also includes $9,000 for replacement Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and $2,000 to repair the department’s aging fleet of vehicles

Selectmen have added $76,000 to increase EMS wages this year, and plan to increase the wages again next year. A survey of similar NH towns by Chair Bruce Bowler showed that Amherst EMS personnel were being compensated far less.

EMS director Brian Gleason said that improved compensation will help retain and recruit quality personnel, which has been an issue with surrounding towns offering higher wages.

“It is a very difficult economy,” said Gleason. “Understanding that, it is also a very competitive marketplace for experienced EMS professionals. The passage of this budget would allow EMS to retain experienced employees and recruit experienced employees, which ultimately would enhance the patient care capabilities for our residents.”

Bowler said that supporting these higher wages is his top priority in order to provide adequate emergency service to Amherst residents. A lineup of quality personnel is also important to keep the fire department a volunteer operation, the alternative being a much higher cost to the town.

“These are important personnel for the town to be able to retain,” said Bowler. “We need to compensate these individuals fairly.”

Also added to the operating budget this year is $13,000 to replace a retaining wall at Spaulding’s Field. Rotting has damaged the wall and created a safety issue, which the town would be liable for if anyone were to be hurt.

Recreation director Nancy McMillan said that the wall replacement is part of her department’s master plan, and its deterioration is worrying.

“It just keeps bulging out, the uncertainty is what is behind there,” said McMillan.

Bowler said that while the above additions were added to the operating budget, other expenses could be on the cutting table if voters choose a default budget again this year.

"Everything is on the table if we go to a default," he said. "And improving those wages is very important."

The Amherst Ways & Means Committee says the increase at an estimated $0.23 per thousand, or approximately a $75.00 increase over last year's taxes for the average $325,000 home in Amherst (a $6.25 / month increase.) The committee has unanimously thrown its support behind the proposed operating budget, and said that it works towards rebalancing the appropriate funding of departments.

Amherst's proposed operating budget of $11,095,396 was shot down by voters last year and replaced with the $10,853,361 default budget in effect now.