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Amherst council approves snow-policy changes, workers' compensation for reserve officers, road closure and rules of procedure
Summary
At its meeting the Amherst Town Council adopted revised snow-removal policy language allowing contracts with private firms during major storms, added reserve police officers to the town's workers'comp program by resolution, approved a road closure for the Independence Day celebration, and adopted rules of procedure; roll-call votes were recorded for each action.
The Amherst Town Council approved a set of routine administrative actions at its meeting, including revisions to the snow-removal policy, a resolution adding reserve police officers to the town's workers' compensation system, a road closure for the town's Independence Day celebration, and updated rules of procedure.
Snow policy: Town staff presented revisions intended to allow staff to contract with private firms for sidewalk snow and ice clearing during particularly bad weather events. Staff said the change was prompted by a recent severe storm and strong citizen support for using an outside contractor. After questions about whether firefighting or life-saving crews should be included as a backup, council moved and seconded the motion to adopt the revisions. The roll-call vote was announced as "Motion carried"; the meeting record notes the result as "4 0 1" (transcript formatting of the tally is unclear).
Workers' compensation for reserve officers: Staff reported that reserve police officers were not covered under the town's workers' compensation. The council adopted a resolution to add reserve officers into the workers' comp system to ensure coverage while performing public duties. A councilmember moved the resolution and another seconded; the chair announced the motion carried (transcript records the notation 'Carried 40' with clerk to correct formatting).
Road closure for Independence Day: Staff requested council approval to close roads for the annual Independence Day celebration (scheduled on the last Saturday in June). Council approved the closure and instructed staff to proceed with the closure permit process.
Rules of procedure and other housekeeping: The council adopted amended rules of procedure after staff clarified an earlier drafting error related to ordinance adoption dates. Council members also signed the code of ethics forms and raised several local items for follow-up, including removing an unused loading zone on South Main Street, revisiting outdated no-parking signs near Everest Elementary School, and planning next steps for town-owned park land (discussion included possibly halting hay cutting and exploring interim recreational uses).
Votes at a glance: snow-policy revision (approved, roll-call recorded as "Motion carried" / transcript tally "4 0 1"); workers' comp resolution (approved; transcript notation unclear); Independence Day road closure (approved); rules of procedure (approved).
What happens next: Staff will make the housekeeping updates and follow up on the action items, pursue the workers' compensation resolution implementation, and complete permit work for the road closure.
