By Alex Cox || coxalexj@gmail.com

Nuisance Property Bylaw

Amherst Town Council adopted an amended Nuisance Property Bylaw as part of its October 7, 2024 regular meeting (10:2, 1 absent).

The new bylaw, called Nuisance Property (General Bylaw 3.26), replaces the previous Nuisance House bylaw (now rescinded). Nuisance Property seeks “to protect the quiet enjoyment of residents in Town and to empower the Town to take corrective action on properties that have become a Public Nuisance.” 

The Community Resources Committee (CRC) proposed the language of Nuisance Property Bylaw as the culmination of a process begun by a Town Council referral on June 13, 2022. The language of the new bylaw was designed to better interface with the new Rental Registration Bylaw. In their memorandum to the Council, CRC stated that the “proposed Nuisance Property Bylaw provides flexibility for enforcement opportunities and a corrective process currently not available to the Town.” 

The new Nuisance Property Bylaw refines the processes by which “Occupants, Property Owners, and Persons-in-Charge” are notified of violations of State and Local law. The new bylaw further clarifies the responsibility of the owner/manager of the property following a third violation of a property (which results in the designation of a property as a ‘nuisance’) and provides a way by which persons-in-charge may implement a Corrective Action Plan and seek to have the designation removed.

Councilor Cathy Schoen (District 1) successfully (8-4, 1 absent) added an amendment to the Bylaw as presented which clarified the penalties of failing to comply, including that the Town can deny a rental permit to a property if it is deemed to be a ‘persistent nuisance’ over a span of two years. Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke (Councilor-at-Large) further amended the bylaw three times (12:0, 1 absent in all instances)  to clarify intent and language to match previous Council discussion.

Amherst Police Chief Gabriel Ting and Building Commissioner Robert Morra stressed the ability to coordinate efforts that the new Bylaw provides. “This version gives some enforcement to Inspection Services,” said Morra. “This new portion gives us an extra avenue for properties that may be a problem,” added Ting. “It’s a nice partnership.”

Amherst Black Reparations Committee (ABRC) Charge

Town Council then considered the proposed Charge for the Amherst Black Reparations Committee (ABRC), presented by the Governance, Organization & Legislation Committee (GOL). ABRC, a successor body to the African Heritage Reparations Assembly (AHRA), is intended to “carry forward the work of the AHRA guided by the recommendations in the AHRA Final Report”. Councilor Pat De Angelis (District 2) stressed the importance of the ABRC Charge to the Council, stating that “the decisions made by the AHRA are a starting point. This is not a committee that should be managed or implemented by anyone other than those that have experienced harm.” 

Council quickly adopted an amendment (12-0, 1 absent) as proposed by Councilor Heather Hala Lord (District 3) which shortened the proposed term of ABRC members from 3 years to 2 years. However, Council did not vote on adopting the amended charge after Councilor Hanneke exercised her right to postpone. The postponement followed a discussion about the proposed scope and purpose of ABRC and how it interfaced with existing duties of the Town Council and a failed motion by Council President Lynn Griesemer (District 2) to refer the Charge back to GOL to seek revision. 

Other Business

Council also used the meeting to finalize appointments to Town committees (including: the Community Preservation Act Committee, Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, Council on Aging, and Human Rights Commission) filling some of the more than 30 posted vacancies on Boards and Committees. 

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Council briefly discussed the Town Manager goals, which they referred to GOL, and heard reports from committee liaisons and general announcements to conclude the meeting. 
The next Town Council Meeting will be held on October 21, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Town Room. Town Council meetings are also accessible via Zoom, livestream, and Amherst Media broadcast. Meeting details, agendas, and access are posted on the Town Council webpage. If you’re interested in knowing more about upcoming Council meetings, you can subscribe to text and email updates from the Town. 

Alex Cox (he/him) is a current graduate student at UMass studying Regional Planning (MRP) and Public Policy and Administration (MPPA). He currently serves on the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund and as the Graduate Director of the Student Union Art Gallery. He has been a member of the Amherst Current editorial board since 2024.