Selectmen Make Cuts To Backup Funds, Agency Contributions

The Town of Amherst is facing more tough choices as it works towards the final draft of the FY13 town budget.

The Ways & Means Committee recommended that the Board of Selectmen cut $78,900 from the proposed operating budget this week, but some of the items on the chopping block were too much for the board.

Selectmen agreed to cut a suggested $10,000 from their contingency fund and $10,000 in funding for health & human services agencies.

They were against other budget cuts, including $21,500 in the Recreation Department, $2,000 in the Conservation Commission, $10,000 in wages for the and a $20,000 cut in Cost-Of-Living Adjustments.

Reducing the COLA for town employees struck a nerve with selectmen who said that they have gone three years without a raise.

Selectman Tom Grella said that reduction was a “slap in the face” to town employees who he said are the “lifeblood of this community.”

Chairman Bruce Bowler said that he wants to avoid cutting compensation for the new Planning Board hire in order to ensure the town gets a quality person in the position. He said that landing an individual with experience, especially in economic development, would bring in much-needed revenues into the town.

“We want to hire the best possible person,” he said.