Amherst Enacts Drought Water Restrictions, Bockelman Submits FY27 Budget to Council
Town Manager Paul Bockelman submitted the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to the Town Council and simultaneously triggered mandatory drought water-use restrictions this week — a pair of consequential actions arriving together as the town closes offices for the Juneteenth holiday.
TOWN HALL
Amherst is now enforcing significant water-use restrictions even though town officials say the local supply remains stable and is not directly threatened. The restrictions are required under the town's Water Management Act Registration in response to the ongoing Connecticut River Valley drought. Residents should visit the town's News Flash page for the full list of prohibited and limited uses now in effect.
Bockelman also delivered the proposed FY27 budget to the Town Council, covering all aspects of town operations — municipal services, the Amherst Public Schools, regional schools, the library, and capital projects — for the fiscal year running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The full budget document is posted at amherstma.gov.
On the personnel front, Bockelman announced the appointment of Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services. Garcia is expected to begin on July 20.
The town is separately seeking one resident to serve on the Department of Public Works Building Committee, a temporary advisory body guiding design and construction of a new DPW facility. Application review begins July 6; interested residents should apply through the Town Manager's office.
Note for Friday: Town offices will be closed June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
No new coverage from Patch, MetroWest Daily News, or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
COMING UP
- **Friday, June 19:** Town offices closed — Juneteenth holiday. - **Saturday, June 20:** Amherst Farmers Market. - **Tuesday, June 23:** Department of Public Works Building Committee meeting; Jones Library Buildings and Facilities Committee; Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee. - **Wednesday, June 24:** Amherst Conservation Commission meeting. - **Thursday, June 25:** Board of Assessors; Zoning Board of Appeals. - **Sunday, July 6:** DPW Building Committee application review opens — deadline to submit.