Amherst Council adopts tree‑trimming, road rehab and personnel ordinances; city budget moved to second reading

The Amherst City Council on Feb. 10, 2025 unanimously adopted several ordinances to authorize contracting for city services and to adjust personnel terms, while moving the city’s annual appropriations ordinance to a second reading.

The council voted 7‑0 to: authorize solicitation of bids for 2025 tree trimming work at a cost not to exceed $95,000 (Ordinance O25‑01); authorize an increase in appropriations to pay Bramhall Engineering and Surveying Company for additional professional services (Ordinance O25‑02); authorize solicitation of bids and the mayor’s execution of a contract for the 2025 road rehabilitation program and to engage Ramhall Engineering and Surveying Company for professional services (Ordinance O25‑03); and adopt an ordinance establishing wage rates, benefits and other conditions of employment that converts an existing director position from part‑time to full‑time (Ordinance O25‑04). Each of those ordinances was adopted on first reading after the council suspended the three‑reading rule.

The council also addressed the city’s annual budget ordinance (read as item 6(c)), adding an emergency clause and moving that ordinance to a second reading rather than adopting it that night. The clerk read the ordinance described in the record as “to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Amherst ... during the fiscal year ending 12/31/2025.” Councilmembers stressed the need to pass the appropriations ordinance in time for March deadlines.

On the personnel item (Ordinance O25‑04), Councilmember Winarski asked whether the position would be filled by appointment or by an open posting. Councilmember Dembinski clarified that the change was to the current director’s position and that the role would be filled by appointment and represents a conversion of an existing part‑time post to full‑time rather than the creation of an additional position.

All votes on the adopted ordinances were recorded as 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The clerk assigned ordinance numbers and confirmed the adopted measures as O25‑01 through O25‑04 for the respective items.

Why it matters: the adopted ordinances authorize immediate contracting for tree trimming and road rehabilitation, appropriate funds for additional engineering work, and alter staffing for a city director post — actions that affect city maintenance, capital projects and personnel costs in 2025. The appropriations ordinance, which dictates the city’s overall 2025 spending plan, was not adopted and will return for final action at the next reading.

What’s next: The budget ordinance was carried to the second reading with an emergency clause; the record shows council direction to complete the appropriation process by March to meet timing needs.