Charter Commission

Charter Commission is not currently active. This is an archival page. 
On September 25, 2017, the Charter Commission voted 5 in favor, 3 against, and 1 abstaining to support the Final Home Rule Charter. The Commission voted 6 in favor, 3 against to support the Final Report. The Commission voted unanimously to send the Final Report, Minority Statement, and Final Charter to the Select Board, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Attorney General's Office in accordance with the law.

Final Report and Home Rule Charter (everything in one document)


If you would like them as separate documents, here they are:

Final Report (includes Majority Report, Statement from Abstaining Member, Minority Statement)
Home Rule Charter (only)
Majority Report (only)
Statement from Abstaining Member (only)
Minority Statement (only)

On July 13, 2017, the Charter Commission voted 5 in favor, 3 against, and 1 abstaining to support a Preliminary Charter that proposed a Council-Manager form of government. The Charter Commission then unanimously approved the Preliminary Report and the required submission to the Attorney General's Office, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Amherst Bulletin for publication.

Read the Preliminary Report here.
Read the Preliminary Charter here.
Give us feedback on them here.

See the Attorney General's Response here.

Copies of the Preliminary Report and Charter, as published int he Amherst Bulletin, can be obtained at the Town Clerk's Office.
The Charter Commission, elected by the voters of Amherst, is guided by State Law, MGL  c.43B. By law, we are charged with preparing a written document which establishes and defines the structure of the government for Amherst. This document, called a Charter, may create local offices, distribute powers, duties and responsibilities among local offices, and may establish and define certain procedures to be followed. Our work must be completed within 18 months of our election, and when completed, the final recommended Charter is submitted to the voters. If approved by the voters, the Charter would serve as Amherst's constitution.

News


District Combinations

For those interested int he various ways our 10 precincts can be combined into five district, here is a copy of all 9 potential options. At the June 7th meeting, we choose to propose this one.

Town Meeting Presentations

The Charter Commission presented an update to Town Meeting on April 27, 2017 as part of Article 1. Click here to view the PowerPoint Presentation.

The Charter Commission presented an update to Town Meeting on November 14, 2016 as part of Article 1. Click here to view the PowerPoint Presentation.



Stay Informed

We have created an email list in order to keep residents updated on what we're doing. Subscribe to it here. Also, connect with us on Facebook to keep updated.

Public Outreach

The Charter Commission welcomes input from the residents of the Town about Amherst and its values about Town government.You may send an email to the entire Charter Commission by emailing charter@amherstma.gov.

Comments received from the public by the Charter Commission can be viewed here.


Charter Commission Documents


General Reference




Name
Year  Elected
 Email
Andy Churchill, Chair
2016
Tom Fricke
2016
Meg Gage
2016
Nick Grabbe, Clerk
2016
Mandi Jo Hanneke, Vice Chair
2016
Irv Rhodes
2016
Diana Stein
2016
Julia Rueschemeyer
2016
Gerry Weiss
2016