Council OKs Church Funds, DPW Move Delayed

Select Board · Meeting of July 20, 2026

AMHERST — The Amherst Town Council learned its Department of Public Works relocation plan will miss the council's October 1 deadline, even as the town selected Weston and Sampson to design a new facility within a $35 million budget. Town Manager Paul said three relocation options remain under review, including moving staff into the town-owned Wildwood building or building new on the current DPW site before demolishing it. Councilors pressed for a timeline and an employee headcount breakdown; none exists yet, Paul said.

The council separately voted unanimously to approve a Community Preservation Act appropriation for preservation work at Goodwin Memorial Church, with Councilor Lord recusing herself. Councilors also approved a consent agenda covering town manager appointments, a state primary election warrant and an agricultural preservation restriction amendment. "The need is there.

The commitment is there," Paul said of the relocation effort.

In the full story:

• Public Forum: Goodwin Memorial Church CPA Appropriation
• General Public Comment
• Consent Agenda
• Town Manager Goals Update
• DPW Staff Relocation Plan Update
• Action Item: Community Preservation Act Appropriation Order
• Committee and Liaison Reports
• School Traffic and Parking Planning
• Town Manager Report
• Council President's Report and PILOT Listening Sessions
• Future Agenda Items
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,819 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.