Council adopts land purchase measures for parcel 0500039104019, increases first‑year payment to $315,000

The Amherst City Council approved measures to authorize the purchase of parcel number 0500039104019 and to increase appropriation language to reflect payment terms discussed by the administration and the mayor.

During discussion on an ordinance increasing appropriations to purchase the identified parcel from the Catholic Bishop, council and the mayor clarified the document’s payment language. The mayor explained the ordinance’s text referenced both a $15,000 deposit and a $300,000 first payment and asked the council to amend two places in the draft from $305,000 to $315,000 to avoid contract complications. A motion to make that numeric change was made, seconded and passed on a recorded vote.

Council then moved to suspend the three‑reading requirement and adopted the amended appropriation ordinance on first reading. Later in the meeting, on third reading, council also adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a real estate purchase and sale agreement for a portion of the same parcel; the chair announced the third‑reading adoption by roll call. The transcript assigns ordinance numbers for the adopted items and shows roll‑call approval by the voting members.

The transcript does not include the final purchase contract, closing statements, or a complete funding breakdown beyond the amended $315,000 reference and the mention that some money will be returned under contract terms. Council did not specify how much of the parcel will be conveyed in the third‑reading purchase agreement within the transcript.