Council approves sale of perpetual easement to Crown Castle after recusal and suspension votes

The Amherst City Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement to sell perpetual easements for several parcels to Crown Castle, after first resolving a recusal request and suspending the three‑reading rule.

The clerk read the ordinance authorizing the mayor to sell perpetual easements related to parcel numbers including 0500037115030 and 0500037115035 to Crown Castle and declaring an emergency. The mayor told council, “if this passes tonight, it would close by the end of the month,” noting the company’s internal schedule could delay closing if the ordinance did not pass.

A council member moved to suspend the rule requiring three readings so the ordinance could be adopted on first reading. One council member asked to be recused from discussion and voting; council moved to allow that recusal before taking the suspension vote. Following roll calls and the recusal, the chair announced the suspension and adoption on first reading by recorded vote.

The meeting record shows the council approved the suspension and adoption by unanimous recorded votes among voting members after the recusal. The chair identified the adopted measure with an ordinance number at the conclusion of the vote. No public comments were made on the sale during the discussion.

The council’s action authorizes the mayor to execute the sale agreement; the transcript does not specify closing documents, purchase price, or detailed terms beyond the parcel numbers and the buyer’s name.