Town Approves Budget Timeline, Talks Road Safety

Here is what you missed at this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting:

• The Board approved the Budget Timeline for the fiscal year of 2013. There will be a presentation of Department Reviews to the Board of Selectmen at their next meeting on September 26 and the meeting after on October 3.

• Charlie Vars presented the Board with equipment bags that will be gifted to the town on behalf of the Amherst Lions Club. The organization recently provided the town of Amherst with a reviewing stand and sound system for community events, but had money left over in their budget. The bags can be used to safely transport sound equipment. including mixers and amplifiers

• Vars also brought up safety issues with the cutoff at the intersection of Jones Road and Mack Hill Road. He said that motorists had been speeding through the cutoff, which creates a dangerous situation for those in the neighborhood. The cutoff has been partially blocked due to the work being done on Mack Hill Road during the summer and Vars said he believes the road has been safer. After hearing additional feedback from other residents, the Board decided to put the issue on the next agenda and decide whether or not they will temporarily block the cutoff during the winter and take the issue to voters in spring.

• The Board accepted $425 in leftover funds raised from an Eagle Scout project lead by scout Ian Gowell. He designed and grew gardens at the Peabody Mill Environmental Center that grew various herbs and vegetables. Gowell said he wants the money to be put towards maintaining the garden in the future.

• John Harvey, Chair of the Amherst Conservation Commission, continued his proposal to create an OHRV ordinance to allow law enforcement to address loud vehicles on town-owned and conservation land. Harvey suggested that the town offer permits for snowmobilers when there is enough snowfall, but the Selectmen said that would require the town clerk to be available for additional hours. They moved to table the issue until the issue of permits can be addressed.