DELIBERATIVE SESSION FY23 BUDGET & WARRANT ARTICLES - February 9, 2022 - Town of Amherst NH
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DELIBERATIVE SESSION FY23 BUDGET & WARRANT ARTICLES February 9, 2022
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND
TOWN COUNSEL
TERM ENDS
TOWN MODERATOR STEVE COUGHLAN 2022
SELECTMEN PETER LYON, CHAIR 2022
DWIGHT BREW, VICE CHAIR 2022
DANIELLE PRAY, CLERK 2024
JOHN D’ANGELO 2024
TOM GRELLA 2023
TOWN CLERK NANCY DEMERS 2023
TREASURER ELIZABETH OVERHOLT 2024
TOWN COUNSEL ATTY CHRISTOPHER DRESCHER
TOWN DEPARTMENT HEADS
DEAN SHANKLE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
NICOLA STRONG COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
JENNIFER STOVER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
DEBBIE BENDER FINANCE DIRECTOR
MATTHEW CONLEY FIRE RESCUE CHIEF
AMY LAPOINTE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
MARK REAMS POLICE CHIEF
ERIC SLOSEK PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, ACT.
CRAIG FRALEY RECREATION DIRECTOR
GAIL STOUT TAX COLLECTOR
TOWN WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE Committee Member Term Expires Michael Parisi, Chair 2022 Lisa Eastland 2022 Michael Patterson 2022 Jim Kuhnert 2022 Bill Loscocco 2022 Lori Mix 2022 Wendy Rannenberg 2022 Diane Layton, Alt. 2022
Ways & Means Committee BUDGET ANALYSIS FY 2023
FY23: W&M Process Overview
W&M was an active participant in the town’s budgeting
process. Activities included:
Attendance during each department’s Strategic Plan
presentation to the BOS.
Attendance during each Department Budget Meeting with
members of the BOS.
Detailed review of the proposed FY23 budget, compared
against previous year’s budgets and actual spending
Throughout all of the meetings attended, the BOS and
department heads were receptive to the questions and
feedback provided by the Ways & Means Members.
Ways and Means voted 7-0 in support of the proposed
Operating Budget and all Warrant Articles with the exception
of Warrant Article 30, which received a 6-1 in favor vote.Summary & Conclusion The town’s budget process was open, transparent, and collaborative. The W&M Committee believes we were provided with all of the information necessary to cast educated, well- informed votes. The W&M Committee thanks the Board of Selectmen, all department heads, and all support staff for their engagement with our committee, ensuring we were able to provide informed guidance to the voters of Amherst.
WARRANT ARTICLES
ARTICLE 21: To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing terms as follows: 2 Selectmen for 3 Years 1 Town Moderator for 2 Years 1 Cemetery Trustee for 3 Years 3 Library Trustees for 3 Years 2 Planning Board Members for 3 Years 1 Trustee of the Trust Fund for 3 Years 1 Supervisor of Checklist for 6 Years 1 Zoning Board of Adjustment Member for 3 Years
Understanding the Estimated Tax
Impact of a Warrant Article
The “estimated” tax impact noted on a warrant article is based on the
amount of the appropriation in the article, the estimated revenues to
be received during that year, and the total property valuation of the
town.
It is important to remember that the estimated tax impact is not IN
ADDITION to the current year’s tax rate. In theory, on January 1 of
each tax year the rate reverts to “0” and is built up from there,
dependent upon which articles are passed by the voters.
If all articles pass, this estimates a total town portion of the tax rate of
$4.35/thousand.
The actual setting of the tax rate is performed in the fall by the NH
Department of Revenue Administration once the figures for the town’s
property valuation are known and the projected revenues can be
more closely estimated.ARTICLE 22: Operating Budget Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth herein, totaling $15,518,154. Should this article be defeated the default budget shall be $14,928,440 which is the same as last year with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting in accordance with RSA 40:13 X and XVI to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. This operating budget warrant article does not include appropriations contained in any other warrant article. (Majority vote required.) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 4-1-0 ) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $3.96 (three dollars and ninety-six cents) per thousand.
This presentation will review the
following:
• FY22 Review, FY23 Goals
• Tax Rate – Amherst vs other
Hillsborough County towns
BOARD OF and Amherst town v. schools
SELECTMEN • Amherst town portion of
OPERATING overall tax impact
BUDGET • Proposed Budget
PRESENTATION • Proposed Budget
Apportionment
• Revenue
• Default budget
• Property Tax Impact
• Ways and Means Committee
Input Every department maintained service to the public
despite pandemic challenges
Two-way Zoom meetings for nearly every public
meeting
Community Development, with volunteers, led Master
Plan project
Received a $40,000 grant from the Bean Foundation to
make upgrades to the Buck Meadow Clubhouse,
including handicap access to the building, new
windows and doors, kitchen and bathrooms and new
paint and carpeting
Updated the irrigation system at Buck Meadow, much
FY2022 Review of this system was re-purposed from a system that was
no longer needed at Amherst Middle School
Finished first phase of police station renovation in
January 2021 following three years of committee
planning and capital reserve investment
Completed fifth biennial community survey of police
department performance in 2021, showing a 96% Very
Good-Excellent rating for overall level of police
services
2021 community survey showed an overall caller
satisfaction rating of 93% for Communication Center
services Replaced twin 4’ culvert pipes at 485 BPR under
emergency authorization from NH DES
Constructed Amherst Street side-path from BPR
to Milford T/L
Reconstructed 3.5 miles of roadway
Erected steel mechanic’s garage at DPW
Upgraded to LED building lighting at DPW, Fire,
FY2022 Review
Transfer Station, and Rec dept
In conjunction with Vision Government
Solutions, Inc. completed the 2021 Town-wide
Statistical Revaluation of all Amherst properties
Receipt of 2021 Toyne Fire Engine
Library moved to "fine free"
Library enabled an "auto renew" policy/processFY23 Goals
Update library website
Hire a replacement Youth Services Librarian
Completion of second phase of the police station renovation
Police planning to implement body worn camera program in
2022/23
Replacement of Communication Center’s aging primary radio
tower planned for 2022/23
Add program offerings for older adult population, making use of
Buck Meadow Clubhouse
Resurface the AMS tennis courts to create one facility that can
be used as both a basketball and tennis court
With the support of the community, continue to establish
matching funds for a Land Water Conservation Grant for the
purpose of installing Recreational fields at Buck MeadowFY23 Goals
Upgrade Library, Town Hall, and PMEC with NEW LED building
lighting
Advance road preservation initiative by adding micro-surfacing
treatment for certain roads
Complete design engineering for Thornton Ferry Rd 1 and Mont
Vernon Rd. bridges
Rehabilitate 3.88 miles of road
Recruitment and Retention of Fire EMS personnel
Update and overhaul of town personnel policy handbook
Stabilize finance department and modernize and simplify the
accounting functionARTICLE 22: Operating Budget
Summary
2022 Approved Budget $14,877,676
2023 Proposed Budget $15,518,154
Increase $640,478 or 4.3%ARTICLE 22: Operating Budget Noteworthy Reductions to Budget: Stormwater II Projects ($15,000) Master Plan ($54,000) Police Computer Equipment ($6,000) Fire Call Pay ($5,700) DPW Part time Wages ($30,000) Pennichuck Water Main ($50,000) Interest Bonds & Notes ($25,000)
ARTICLE 22 Operating Budget Noteworthy Increases to Budget 4% COLA $180,000 Health Insurance Rates $119,000 Health Insurance Plans $83,000 Town Clerk Office Hours $25,000 Assessing Outside Hire $11,000 Building Repair & Maint. $10,000 Police CBA Wages $30,000 Police Retirement $49,000 Road Salt $10,000 Road Rebuild $100,000 SRLD $50,000 Landfill Part Time Wages $14,000
FY23 BUDGET V. FY22 BUDGET
Department Changes
Pct
Department FY22 Budget FY23 Proposed Dollar Change
Change
Administration $1,128,511 $1,183,289 $54,778 4.9%
Finance $320,933 $332,818 $11,885 3.7%
Tax & Assessing $322,544 $346,070 $23,526 7.3%
Community Dev $552,381 $516,367 ($36,014) -6.5%
Public Works $4,241,249 $4,435,547 $194,298 4.6%
Cemetery $41,755 $49,057 $7,302 17.5%
Police $2,839,861 $2,978,423 $138,562 4.9%
Fire Rescue $1,351,269 $1,416,252 $64,983 4.8%
Landfill District $711,327 $785,010 $73,683 10.4%
Comm Center $499,573 $547,714 $48,141 9.6%
Septic Syst. O&M $60,356 $60,356 $0 0.0%
Public Assistance $69,326 $65,256 ($4,070) -5.9%
Recreation $452,370 $469,168 $16,798 3.7%
Library $1,047,624 $1,119,102 $71,478 6.8%
Principal $1,137,927 $1,137,927 $0 0.0%
Interest $100,670 $75,798 ($24,872) -24.7%
Total $14,877,676 $15,518,154 $640,478 4.3%
20FY23 PROPOSED BUDGET APPORTIONMENT FY23 PROPOSED BUDGET: $15,518,154
TOWN PORTION OF CURRENT TAX BILL
$482,000 HOME
Town
$4.30
20%
County
$0.93
4%
Schools
$16.08 December2021 Tax Bill
76% Rate / $482,000
$1,000 home
Town $4.30 $2,073
County $0.93 $448
Schools $16.08 $7,751
Total $21.31 $10,271HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MUNICIPAL TAX RATES
Town Municipal County State Ed Local Ed Total
Greenville $12.47 $1.17 $1.84 $9.67 $25.15 ➢ There are 29 towns and
Bennington $11.11 $1.12 $1.84 $16.27 $30.34 2 cities in Hillsborough
Hillsborough $10.35 $0.99 $1.84 $15.74 $28.92 County,
Antrim $9.65 $1.13 $2.05 $13.24 $26.07
Nashua $9.32 $1.20 $2.12 $10.58 $23.22
Peterborough $9.17 $0.97 $1.66 $13.96 $25.76 ➢ 22 of those communities
Greenfield $8.88 $1.05 $1.90 $14.97 $26.80 have a higher municipal
Goffstown $8.30 $1.16 $2.03 $13.33 $24.82 tax rate than Amherst.
Manchester $8.26 $0.96 $1.63 $6.83 $17.68
Francestown $7.80 $1.01 $1.83 $13.88 $24.52
Mason $7.39 $0.95 $1.61 $9.89 $19.84
➢ Amherst’s municipal tax
Lyndeborough $7.35 $1.02 $1.87 $11.86 $22.10 rate falls in the bottom
Hancock $6.54 $0.98 $1.77 $12.67 $21.96 half of the comparison.
Hudson $6.52 $1.20 $2.04 $11.91 $21.67
Mont Vernon $6.27 $1.07 $1.81 $19.29 $28.44
➢ The Town of Amherst’s
Deering $5.68 $1.01 $1.69 $14.18 $22.56
Wilton $5.65 $0.83 $1.54 $11.20 $19.22
current municipal tax
Hollis $5.65 $1.10 $2.00 $13.95 $22.70 rate is $4.30 compared
Temple $5.63 $1.01 $1.81 $14.96 $23.41 to the Hillsborough
Sharon $5.56 $0.97 $1.71 $14.11 $22.35 County average
Brookline $5.23 $1.08 $1.87 $20.40 $28.58 municipal tax rate of
Pelham $4.74 $0.83 $1.41 $8.98 $15.96 $6.50
Amherst $4.30 $0.93 $1.62 $14.46 $21.31
New Boston $4.09 $0.86 $1.48 $12.07 $18.50
Milford $4.03 $0.90 $1.60 $13.62 $20.15 ➢ Amherst continues to
New Ipswich $3.93 $1.05 $1.83 $15.41 $22.22 invest in services, while
Merrimack $3.82 $0.90 $1.51 $10.94 $17.17 maintaining a low
Litchfield $3.81 $0.97 $1.69 $11.97 $18.44 municipal tax rate.
Bedford $3.76 $0.93 $1.66 $10.79 $17.14
Windsor $3.10 $0.77 $1.33 $3.74 $8.94
Weare $3.04 $0.88 $1.46 $11.82 $17.20FY22 Revenue Estimate Account FY21 Actual FY22 Adopted FY23 Proposed Budget $ Variance vs FY22 Yield Taxes 746 6,500 4,000 -2,500 Payment in Lieu of Taxes 10,000 32,000 39,000 7,000 Excavation Tax 50 50 50 0 Elderly Liens Redeemed 0 0 4,000 4,000 Current Property Tax Interest 124,891 140,000 124,900 -15,100 Business Licenses & Permits 161,888 230,000 161,900 -68,100 Motor Vehicle Permits 3,044,351 2,900,000 3,100,000 200,000 Building Permits 204,870 102,000 204,870 102,870 Other Licenses, Permits & Fees 56,434 52,000 56,500 4,500 From Federal Government 0 3,000 0 -3,000 Meals & Rooms Tax 586,941 584,000 856,238 272,238 Highway Block Grant 324,976 333,600 324,976 -8,624 NH State Aid Grants 91,543 0 78,000 78,000 State & Fed Forest Lands Reimb 11 12 11 -1 Other (Including RR Tax Reim) 543 2,000 1,423 -577 From Other Governments 90,000 90,000 90,000 0 Income From Departments 510,947 530,000 511,000 -19,000 Sale of Municipal Property 19,700 25,000 20,000 -5,000 Interest on Investments 233,271 370,000 215,800 -154,200 Penalties & Interest 375 5,000 4,500 -500 Donations 0 0 0 0 Other Misc. Revenue 43,358 75,000 43,000 -32,000 From Special Revenue Funds 28,032 20,000 0 -20,000 To Proprietary Funds 76,488 0 76,488 76,488 From Capital Reserve Funds 0 100,000 0 -100,000 From Trust Funds 0 50,000 0 -50,000 TOTAL REVENUE 5,609,415 5,650,162 5,916,656 266,494
WHAT IS A DEFAULT BUDGET?
New Hampshire law has defined a default
budget as follows:
RSA 40:13, IX (b) "Default budget" as used
in this subdivision means the amount of the
same appropriations as contained in the
operating budget authorized for the
previous year, reduced and increased, as
the case may be, by debt service,
contracts, and other obligations previously
incurred or mandated by law, and reduced
by one-time expenditures contained in the
operating budget.
25FY23 Default Budget Calculation
Operating Budget FY22 $ 14,877,676
FY22 Interest - Long Term Bonds $ (100,670)
FY23 Interest - Long Term Bonds $ 75,798
FY23 CBA Cost Increases $ 40,481
FY22 Souhegan Regional Landfill $ (388,000)
FY23 Souhegan Regional Landfill $ 423,155
26
FY23 Default $ 14,928,440FY23 Proposed Budget
/ Default Budget Comparison
$ / $482,000
Budget $1,000 home
FY23 Proposed Budget $15,518,154 $3.96 $ 1,907
FY23 Default Budget $14,928,440 $3.70 $ 1,785
Delta $589,714 $0.26 $ 122ARTICLE 22: Operating Budget Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth herein, totaling $15,518,154. Should this article be defeated the default budget shall be $14,928,440 which is the same as last year with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting in accordance with RSA 40:13 X and XVI to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. This operating budget warrant article does not include appropriations contained in any other warrant article. (Majority vote required.) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 4-1-0 ) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $3.96 (three dollars and ninety-six cents) per thousand.
ARTICLE 23: Contingency Fund Shall the Town vote to establish a contingency fund for the current year, in accordance with NH RSA Section 31:98-a, for unanticipated expenses that may arise and further to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) to go into the fund. Said sum shall come from the unassigned fund balance and no amount to be raised from taxation. Any appropriation left in the fund at the end of the year will lapse to the general fund. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has no tax impact.
ARTICLE 24: Communications Center Capital Reserve Fund Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be added to the Communications Center Capital Reserve Fund, previously established. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $0.01 (one cent) per thousand. The Communication CRF balance: $112,081 as of 12/31/2021.
ARTICLE 24: Communications Center
Capital Reserve Fund
• Funds are to support repairs and maintenance for existing
communications infrastructure
• Approximately $95,000 expended over last four years
• Most recently, $30,000 expended for repair and replacement of
vital microwave radio equipment
• Funds are also used for grant funding match for major
anticipated equipment replacements and upgrades
• Primary radio tower replacement in 2022-23 requiring
estimated $45,000 match
• Radio console replacement in 2025 requiring
estimated $100,000 matchARTICLE 25: Assessing Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be added to the Assessing Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund, previously established. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $0.01 (one cent) per thousand. The Assessing CRF balance: $52,682 as of 12/31/2021.
ARTICLE 26: Bridge Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to be added to the Bridge Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund, previously established. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $ 0.09 (nine cents) per thousand. The Bridge Repair and Replacement CRF balance: $785,402 as of 12/31/2021
ARTICLE 26: Bridge Repair and
Replacement Capital Reserve Fund
COMPLETED Cost Source
FY2022 485 Boston Post Rd Culvert Replacement $ 305K Town CRF
FY022 66 Spring Rd Culvert Repair
Design Engineering $ 29K Town CRF
IN PROCESS
FY2022/23 #9 Mont Vernon Road 80% state
thru Bid Phase (#112/071) $ 127K funded
FY2022/23 - #17 Thornton Ferry Road 80% state
thru Design Phase I (145/106) $ 165K funded
FUTURE
FY2023 66 Spring Rd Culvert Repair $73K Town CRF
80% state
FY2023 9 Mont Vernon Rd Bridge (#112/071) $703K funded
FY2023 17 Thornton Ferry I 80% state
thru Bid Phase $8K funded
FY2024 17 Thornton Ferry I 80% state
thru Construction $1,258K funded
FY2026 - #71 Brook Road Bridge (063/118) 80% state
$ 960k funded 34
Yet Possible State
FY2027 - #18 Northern Blvd
Unknown FundingARTICLE 27: Fire Rescue Vehicle and Equipment Purchase and Repair Capital Reserve Fund Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred fifty-seven thousand dollars ($257,000) to be added to the Fire Rescue Vehicle and Equipment Purchase and Repair Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $ 0.11 (eleven cents) per thousand. The Fire Rescue Vehicle & Equipment Purchase and Repair CRF balance: $1,252,339 as of 12/31/2021.
ARTICLE 27: Fire Rescue Vehicle and Equipment Purchase and Repair Capital Reserve Fund Used for the purchase and repair of Fire Rescue Department Vehicles and Equipment $558,540.45 was withdrawn in 2020 for the replacement of the 1994 Fire Engine. In FY22 AFR will develop specifications to replace the 1991 Fire Engine. This reoccurring warrant article is important to help the department stay the course for the timely replacement of vehicles and equipment at a manageable cost to the taxpayer.
ARTICLE 27: Fire Rescue Vehicle and
Equipment Purchase and Repair CRF
Net Rep. Capital Capital
Model Useful
Vehicle / Equipment Type Replacement Year Reserve Reserve
Year Life
Cost (FY) Additions Balance
2021 $1,252,339
Ambulance 2 Ambulance 2011 10 $220,000 2022 $257,000 $1,289,339
Forestry 2 Pick Up 2006 15 $55,000 2022 $1,234,339
Engine 5 Class A Pumper 1991 25 $575,000 2022 $659,339
Car 2 Util-Comm 2009 12 $45,000 2023 $257,000 $871,339
Forestry 1 Forestry 1982 2024 $257,000 $1,128,339
2025 $257,000 $1,385,339
Car 3 Passenger Car 2016 10 $0 2026 $257,000 $1,642,339
CPR Machine Auto CPR 2016 10 $19,600 2026 $1,622,739
Tower 1 Tower/Ladder 1997 30 $1,000,000 2027 $257,000 $879,739
Ambulance 1 Ambulance 2017 10 $235,000 2027 $644,739
Engine 3 Class A Pumper 2003 25 $605,000 2028 $257,000 $296,739
Washer Extractor Gear Washer 2003 25 $12,000 2028 $284,739
Car 4 SUV 2016 12 $45,000 2029 $257,000 $496,739
Cardiac Monitors Monitor/Defib 2019 10 $31,100 2029 $465,639
SCBA Filling Station Compressor 2004 25 2029 $465,639
Dryer Gear Dryer 2019 10 $8,100 2029 $457,539ARTICLE 28: DPW Vehicles & Equipment Acquisition and Replacement CRF Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) to be added to the DPW Vehicles and Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund, previously established. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 4-1-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $0.05 (five cents) per thousand. The DPW Vehicles & Equipment Acquisition and Replacement has a CRF balance: $119,843 as of 12/31/2021.
ARTICLE 28: DPW Vehicles &
Equipment Acquisition CRF
Rep.
Model Useful Net Repl. CRF CRF
Vehicle / Equipment Year
Year Life Cost Warrant Balance
(FY)
Starting CRF Balance $119,843
Hot Box 2011 10 $25,000 2022 $250,000 $344,843
Truck 17 - 6 Wheel Dump 10 $155,000 2022 $189,843
Truck 11 - Pick up 2012 10 $40,000 2023 $250,000 $399,843
Truck 4 - 6 Wheel Dump 2013 10 $155,000 2023 $244,843
Truck 5 - One Ton Dump 2011 10 $110,000 2023 $134,843
Chipper – Chipper 2013 10 $30,000 2024 $250,000 $354,843
Loader Trans Sta – Loader 2008 16 $155,000 2024 $199,843
Tractor – Trackless 2015 10 $147,000 2025 $250,000 $302,843
Truck 16 - Pick Up 2015 10 $35,000 2025 $267,843
Rec 3 - One Ton Dump 2016 10 $32,500 2026 $250,000 $485,343
Truck 1 - One Ton Dump 2016 10 $110,000 2026 $375,343
Truck 12 - Pick up 2016 10 $35,000 2026 $340,343
Truck 6 - 6 Wheel Dump 2016 10 $155,000 2026 $185,343
Truck 2 - 6 Wheel Dump 2017 10 $155,000 2027 $250,000 $280,343
Back Hoe - Case - Back Hoe 2016 10 $120,000 2028 $250,000 $410,343
Tractor - Kubota - M5-901 2016 10 $55,000 2028 $355,343
Truck 10 - 10 Wheel Dump 2017 10 $177,000 2028 $178,343ARTICLE 28: DPW Vehicles &
Equipment Acquisition CRF
Rep.
Model Useful Net Repl. CRF CRF
Vehicle / Equipment Year
Year Life Cost Warrant Balance
(FY)
Starting CRF Balance $178,343
Truck 14 - 6 Wheel Dump 2018 10 $155,000 2029 $250,000 $273,343
Truck 8 - 6 Wheel Dump 2019 10 $155,000 2029 $118,343
Truck 15 - 6 Wheel Dump 2020 10 $155,000 2030 $250,000 $213,343
Truck 7 - Pick up 2020 10 $32,125 2030 $181,218
Truck 9 - One Ton Dump 2020 10 $106,835 2030 $74,383
Grader - Grader 1986 25 $300,000 2031 $250,000 $24,383
Loader DPW - Loader 2016 16 $155,000 2032 $250,000 $119,383Article 28: DPW Vehicles & Equipment
Acquisition and Replacement CRF
For FY2022 & FY2023, the $250,000 funding for
DPW vehicles and equipment will come from a
$120,000 Capital Reserve request and $130,000 in
the budget.
In FY2024, the $130,000 will be removed from
the operating budget and added to the Capital
Reserve Request bringing the Capital Reserve
Request to $250,000ARTICLE 29: Amherst Multimodal Facilities CRF Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) to be added to the Amherst Multimodal Facilities Capital Reserve Fund, previously established. (Majority Vote Required). (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $0.03 (three cents) per thousand. The Amherst Multimodal Facilities CRF balance is $74,901 as of 12/31/2021.
ARTICLE 29: Amherst Multimodal
Facilities CRF
A capital reserve fund for multimodal infrastructure
Places into the fund $75,000
Creates available funds to take advantage of cost-effective
opportunities, such as:
Grant Programs which can cover 80% of the cost of
projects, but are typically only awarded if towns have
raised their 20% portion in advance
Building multimodal infrastructure at the same time as
road construction which has been shown to offer cost
savings
Without funds available on hand, it is very difficult to take
advantage of cost-effective opportunities, generally leaving
the only remaining option of fully funding projectsARTICLE 29: Amherst
Multimodal Facilities CRF
This $75,000 figure represents 1/3 of the estimated cost
of our highest-priority project, the Boston Post
Road School Campus Side Path
An effort to provide safe, multimodal infrastructure in
the area of Souhegan High School and Amherst Middle
School
If this article is successful, the Town could use it for a
2022 CMAQ grant
Successful award of a CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation Air
Quality) would cover 80% of the cost of the entire school
campus projectPriority Project:
Boston Post Road School Campus Sidepath
(Map represents a proposed routing)
45ARTICLE 30: Village Area Multimodal Road Design & Engineering Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000) for the purpose of design engineering for reconstruction and safety improvements for bicycles and pedestrians on streets in the village area that are scheduled for reconstruction by the Department of Public Works, and the development of application materials for state, federal, and private grant programs. This shall be a special, non-lapsing warrant article that will not lapse for a period of five years. (Majority vote required) (The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-1-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $0.04 (four cents) per thousand.
ARTICLE 30: Village Area Multimodal
Road Design & Engineering
Five streets in the village are scheduled for reconstruction in 2025:
Carriage, Church, Davis, Jones, and Main. A budget of ~$485,000 is
planned for this project.
State and federal grant opportunities exist that could significantly
improve the scale and scope of this project but require (A)
engineering and (B) 20% project funding match.
This warrant article seeks to fund the necessary engineering to
develop a vision for such a project, including (1) a thorough public
input process, (2) a project design, and (3) grant writing.
Engineering and already-budgeted reconstruction funds qualify toward
the 20% project funding match, allowing the town to leverage these
funds for up to $2,332,000 in grant funding.
Such grant funding would permit the town to expand the scope of the
2025 project to additional streets and to include safety, accessibility,
drainage, and intersection improvements that will benefit drivers and
pedestrians.ARTICLE 30: Village Area Multimodal Road Design & Engineering
ARTICLE 30: Village Area Multimodal Road Design & Engineering
Ways & Means Minority Report: Warrant Article 30 W&M voted to support WA30 6-1. •WA30 asks the residents of Amherst to raise and appropriate $98,000 for the purpose of design engineering, which will aid in the planned road reconstruction by the Department of Public Works, providing recommendations for safety improvements for bicycles and pedestrians on the streets in the village area. The design engineering will also support grant applications at the state and federal level, in addition to private grant programs. •The W&M Member who voted not to support this WA believes this expenditure should not be a standalone WA, rather should be included in the town’s operating budget.
Ways & Means Minority Report: Warrant Article 30 • Road design engineering in high traffic areas should happen as a matter of course, providing the residents of Amherst with safer streets and improved traffic management. • The residents of Amherst have provided their support for safer multimodal transportation. This includes voting to establish and fund the Amherst Multimodal Facilities Capital Reserve Fund at the town election on March 9, 2021. Additionally, 78% of respondents to the Envision Amherst Survey of 2021 said they wanted to increase road safety for non-car users, and 90% of respondents to the same survey had a desire to provide safe routes for bicycles and pedestrians.
ARTICLE 31: Recreation Fields Acquisition and Construction CRF Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Recreation Fields Acquisition and Construction Capital Reserve Fund, previously established. (Majority vote required) The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) This article has an estimated tax impact of $0.02 (two cents) per thousand. The Recreation Fields Acquisition and Construction CRF balance is $52,406 as of 12/31/2021.
Recreation Fields Acquisition and
Construction CRF
This article is part two of three, in anticipation of
eventually raising $150,000
50/50 matching grant funding for the park will be
sought from the Land Water Conservation Fund.
Total associated costs are expected to be $300,000
The funding will be used in a three-phased project to
build:
two full sized rectangular fields and one smaller
rectangular practice field.
additional parking, a playground, picnic area, and
irrigationARTICLE 32: Elderly, Blind and
Disabled Exemption (1 of 3)
Shall the Town vote to modify the elderly, blind, and
disabled exemptions from property tax in the Town of
Amherst, based on assessed value, for qualified taxpayers
to be as follows:
For elderly persons:
65 years of age up to 74 years inclusive,
an exemption of $104,120. (formerly $76,000);
75 years of age up to 79 years inclusive,
an exemption of $156,180. (formerly $114,000);
80 years of age or older,
an exemption of $206,870. (formerly $151,000); andARTICLE 32: Elderly, Blind and
Disabled Exemption (2 of 3)
For blind persons of any age:
an exemption of $ 50,690. (formerly $37,000); and
For disabled persons of any age:
an exemption of $ 89,050. (formerly $65,000); and
For the elderly and the disabled exemptions only
a net income of not more than $ 49,960. (formerly
$41,760) for a single person, or if married, a combined
net income of less than $ 67,640. (formerly $57,000);
and
own assets not in excess of $ 165,000. (formerly
$150,000) excluding the value of the person’s
residence in accordance with RSA 72:39-aARTICLE 32: Elderly, Blind and Disabled Exemption (3 of 3) To qualify for any of the above exemptions, a person must have been a New Hampshire resident for at least three (3) years (5 years for the disabled person), own real estate individually or jointly, or if the real estate is owned by such person’s spouse, they must have been married for at least five (5) years. (Majority Vote Required). ▪ The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0) ▪ (The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 7-0-0) ▪ Thisarticle has an estimated tax impact of $0.03 (three cents) per thousand.
ARTICLE 33: New Hampshire Resolution to Stop the Puppy Mill Pipeline (By Petition) By petition of 25 or more eligible voters of the town of Amherst; to see if the town will go on record opposing the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores in the town. This resolution is necessary because the majority of dogs and cats sold in pet stores are sourced from large-scale, inhumane commercial breeding facilities commonly called “puppy mills.” The record of this vote shall be transmitted by written notice from the selectmen to the town’s state legislators and to the Governor of New Hampshire. (Tax Impact = $0.00)
FY23 ESTIMATED TAX IMPACTS
Gross $/ $482,000
Warrant Article Amount $1,000 home
22 Operating Budget $ 15,518,154 $ 3.96 $ 1,907
23 Contingency Fund $ 120,000 $ - $ -
24 Communications Center Capital Reserve Funding $ 25,000 $ 0.01 $ 5
25 Assessing Revaluation Capital Reserve Funding $ 25,000 $ 0.01 $ 5
Bridge Repair/Replacement Capital Reserve
26 Funding $ 200,000 $ 0.09 $ 41
Fire Rescue Vehicle/Equipment/Repair Capital
27 Reserve Funding $ 257,000 $ 0.11 $ 53
28 DPW Vehicles and Equipment Replacement CRF $ 120,000 $ 0.05 $ 25
Amherst Multimodal Facilities Capital Reserve
29 Funding $ 75,000 $ 0.03 $ 15
30 Village Multimodal Road Design & Engineering $ 98,000 $ 0.04 $ 20
31 Recreation Facilities Capital Reserve Funding $ 50,000 $ 0.02 $ 10
32 Elderly, Blind and Disabled Exemption $ 78,000 $ 0.03 $ 16
FY23 Total Appropriations (if all articles pass) $ 16,566,154 $4.35 $ 2,098
58Year to Year Tax Comparison
Gross
Municipal
Budget & Amount of $482,000
Rate per
Warrants Budget & home
Thousand
Articles
FY22 $16,109,676 $ 4.30 $ 2,075
FY23 $16,566,154 $ 4.35 $ 2,098
Delta $ 656,478 $ 0.05 $ 23The Board of Selectmen would like to thank the town administrator, our department heads, and the administrative staff for the time and energy devoted to this process. We would also like to thank the Ways & Means Committee for their thoughtful participation in this budget process.
See You at the Polls
Tuesday March 8, 2022
6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
At Souhegan High School
Gymnasium
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