Amherst Council adopts clean energy bylaw with water protection amendments
The Amherst Town Council unanimously adopted a Clean Energy Infrastructure Bylaw on second read, then approved two narrowly divided amendments strengthening water well protections for solar photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems. The main bylaw passed 12-0 with one member
Town Council · Meeting of September 14, 2026
AMHERST — The Amherst Town Council unanimously adopted a Clean Energy Infrastructure Bylaw on second read, then approved two narrowly divided amendments strengthening water well protections for solar photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems. The main bylaw passed 12-0 with one member absent. Councilor Lynn Griesemer's first amendment expanded private well disturbance areas to match public supply standards, passing 7-5 with support from Councilors Jillian Brevik, Amber Cano-Martin, Heather Hala Lord, Samuel A.
MacLeod, Cathy Schoen, and Jennifer Taub. A second amendment consolidating battery storage setback standards passed 8-4, gaining Councilor Ana Devlin Gauthier's support. Council President Andrew Churchill confirmed the Permit Granting Authority retains authority to impose larger setbacks based on site-specific conditions.
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Source: the Town Council meeting of September 14, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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