Ways & Means Committee

This nine member Committee is appointed by the town Moderator to oversee the annual budget process of the Town of Amherst. Members attend the Selectmen’s meetings and examine, discuss and advise on line items in the budget and make recommendations to the voters during the Deliberative Sessions. Their terms last for three years.

It is the Town’s Ways & Means Committee that carefully studies the town’s proposed budget that — if approved — takes effect on July 1st of the town’s fiscal year. The Committee meets with department heads, the Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator, and others prior to the Town Meeting to gain a good understanding of budgets and money warrant articles that are proposed. As a Committee, it then votes on the proposed budget and proposed money warrant articles. From that vote comes the Committee’s recommendations to Amherst’s citizens. Citizens reflect on the Ways & Means recommendations at the Deliberative Town Meeting session in early February and then vote on the actual warrant articles and proposed Town budget at the March Town Meeting Election.

Current members of the Amherst Ways and Means Committee are listed below.