Objective: To continue to make progress on the Council’s Climate Action Goals and to prepare the Town

to be resilient in the face of climate change: 

(1) Use a climate lens when making budgeting, construction, repair, hiring, and operational decisions; 

(2) Complete Joint Powers Entity formation and implementation of the CCA upon approval; 

(3) Support the development of climate action focused

bylaws, including the Waste Hauler Bylaw that could include universal curbside compost pick up and a

pay-as-you-throw fee structure, Solar Bylaw, and other potential bylaws; 

(4) Ensure the Town can fully utilize state and federal funds targeted at sustainability initiatives; and 

(5) Take action on the portions of the Climate Action, Adaptation, and Resilience Plan (CAARP) that have been prioritized through FY25.

Objective: To ensure the safety of the residents of Amherst and maintain the health of the community:

(1) Facilitate the implementation of the Residential Rental Bylaw; 

(2) Continue implementation and

assessment of the Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS) Department; 

(3) Propose to the Town Council a plan for the creation of a Resident Oversight Board consistent with the

Council’s November 14, 2022 vote;

(4) Undertake a review of public safety protocols consistent with the Council’s November 14, 2022 votes; and 

(5) Develop programming for youth empowerment.

Objective: To ensure the present and future economic health and well-being of the Town: 

(1) Work

closely with local institutions and business entities to promote diverse neighborhoods, affordable

housing, new growth in downtown and village centers; 

(2) Review and revise Town regulations to reduce barriers to operating a business in Amherst; 

(3) Propose revisions to the Zoning bylaws to increase and support economic development throughout the Town; and 

(4) Review and revise policies to support increased year-round population in Town.

Objective: To increase and ensure access to safe, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income

residents, as set forth in the Council’s Comprehensive Housing Policy: 

(1) Ensure the operation of a seasonal or year-round shelter; 

(2) Propose measures to increase the diversity of housing stock available

to all residents; 

(3) Propose measures to retain, promote, and increase home ownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents, including first-time homebuyers; 

(4) Propose measures to address and increase the availability of attainable rental housing to residents; 

(5) Propose measures to stabilize housing for long-term residents in Town; and 

(6) Ensure the Town can fully utilize state and federal funds targeted at affordable and attainable housing.

Objective: To make progress on major capital building investments consistent with Council votes: 

(1)Support the Elementary School Building Committee; 

(2) Support the Jones Library Building Committee;

(3) Bring to the Council a request to set a location for the replacement of the Central Fire/EMS Station

and, if feasible, begin the schematic design phase; 

(4) Identify and secure a location or locations for the Department of Public Works and, if feasible, begin the schematic design phase; 

(5) Present a financing plan for the replacement of the Central Fire/EMS Station and Department of Public Works buildings; 

(6) Facilitate a Council discussion on the maintenance of public ways in anticipation of developing a multi-

year plan for roads and sidewalks; 

(7) Explore options for and facilitate a Council discussion on a youth empowerment center, improvements to the senior center, and/or community center; and 

(8) Continue progress on the development of a permanent seasonal or year-round shelter

Objective: To continue making advances in racial equity and social justice to uphold the Council’s

Statement of Values and adopted resolutions: 

(1) Use a racial and social justice lens when making decisions; 

(2) Support the work of the Town in repairing the damage of structural racism in Amherst; 

(3) Provide training regarding racial equity, rights, and other options to the Town Council, employees and

members of the public; 

(4) Begin to identify and propose revisions to policies, bylaws, and regulations to dismantle structural racism; and 

(5) Incorporate input from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, other marginalized communities, and appropriate Town committees when reviewing and revising policies and regulations.

Home Rule Charter, specifically, but not exclusively, the duties outlined in:

Section 3.2 (Executive and Administrative Powers and Duties), 

3.3 (Powers of Appointment), 

5.3 (Public Forum), and 

5.4 (Submission of Budget; Budget Message). 

To provide leadership: 

(1) Anticipate future needs and position the Town to meet those needs; 

(2) Improve the delivery of services to residents and businesses; and 

(3) Maintain essential municipal services.

Objective: To effectively supervise and manage the Town’s workforce: 

(1) Retain, recruit, and develop a highly qualified, diverse, and effective staff; 

(2) Ensure wages for municipal employees are competitive

and equitable; 

(3) Improve cooperation and coordination of services across departments; 

(4) Inspire attitudes of respect, helpfulness, courtesy, and sensitivity toward and among all employees, residents, and visitors in Amherst; and 

(5) Foster a proactive anti-racist culture throughout all Town departments.

Objective: To ensure the Town’s strong financial and fiscal health: 

(1) Effectively administer the adopted FY24 and FY25 Budgets; 

(2) Prepare and propose a balanced FY25 Budget in accordance with the Town Council Budget Policy Guidelines and Charter Section 5.4; 

(3) Increase, utilize, and maximize revenue and shared regional resources to meet the Town Council’s Policy Priorities and Budget Policy Guidelines;

(4) Implement Town Financial Management Policies and Objectives and other sound financial management policies and practices; 

(5) Facilitate conversations with the Council on the challenges of providing adequate staffing given the level of municipal services desired and existing revenue sources;

(6) Effectively manage and disperse ARPA funds to support high priority public needs with a lens of equity and inclusion, and report to the Council on the impacts and uses of these funds; and 

(7) Ensure all user fees, such as water fees, sewer fees, solid waste fees, and permit fees are appropriate and, consider and cover the cost of providing efficient delivery of services.

Objective: To maintain and manage the Town’s capital and public assets: 

(1) Ensure that the Town’s facilities and infrastructure are well-maintained and safe; 

(2) Propose a 5-Year Capital Improvement Program in accordance with Charter Sec. 5.7(b) that is logical, transparent, balances competing capital needs, and able to be implemented; 

(3) Include in the Capital Inventory (Charter Sec. 5.7(a)) a timeline for the transition of municipal buildings, vehicles, and equipment from the use of fossil fuels; 

(4) Propose a plan to develop options for disposition of public-private development of Town-owned,

unused properties; and

(5) Maintain a list of future road and sidewalk repairs and new sidewalks that is available to the public and updated regularly.

Objective: To maintain, develop, and increase positive relationships and communication with residents

and local and state governmental entities: 

(1) Facilitate the flow of information to and between the various constituencies; 

(2) Encourage and support new ideas and methods for expanding resident involvement in Town government and awareness of Town matters; 

(3) Implement the plan for community visioning with a focus on safety and social justice; 

(4) Create a publicly available dashboard and database to track the Town’s energy transition in its municipal capital infrastructure; 

(5) Re-evaluate, as appropriate, committee charges to ensure committees are contributing to the municipality;

and 

(6) Implement a system of two-way resident communication for issues submitted via See Click Fix or

other means.

Objective: To maintain and develop positive relationships and communication with the Town Council to

ensure the Council’s effectiveness: 

(1) Assist and support the Council in providing policy leadership, developing and revising legislation, and establishing and implementing long-range goals; 

(2) Provide appropriate support for Council Committees; 

(3) Respond to communications from the Councilors in a timely manner; 

(4) Resolve issues at the administrative level to avoid unnecessary action at the Council level; 

(5) Provide regular communications to the Council to ensure the Council receives relevant

information, including analysis and supporting documents as appropriate, in advance of meetings or

media coverage; 

(6) Carry out Council directives and report on their progress on a regular basis; and 

(7) Advocate for, and assist the Council in advocating for, special acts and Council prioritized state

legislative action.

Objective: To continue to develop positive relationships, collaboration, communication, and partnership

with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College to address areas of

mutual concern, particularly those related to housing, economic development, the long-term financial

viability of the Town, and the financial and social impacts of the higher education institutions on the

Town: 

(1) Execute and manage strategic partnership agreements with each institution that provide

financial and community benefits to the Town of Amherst; and 

(2) Work with UMass, Amherst College, and Hampshire College to develop a strategic plan on economic development and housing issues.