By David Porter

For the first time since it replaced the Town Meeting form of government seven years ago, Amherst’s Town Council has a new leader.

In a 7-6 vote Monday night, the council chose Mandi Jo Hanneke as president over Ellisha Walker in a choice between two at-large councilors. Voting for Hanneke were Andy Churchill (at-large), Ana Devlin Gauthier (D5), Lynn Griesemer (D2), Hanneke, Samuel Mcleod (D5), George Ryan (D3), and Cathy Schoen (D1). Voting for Walker were Jillian Brevik (D1), Amber Cano Martin (D2), Heather Hala Lord (D3), Pam Rooney (D4), Jennifer Taub (D4), and Walker. Minutes later, the council voted in Walker as vice president, with no other council members being nominated for the position. 

Hanneke has served on the Council for seven years, two of which were spent as vice president. Devlin Gauthier praised her detailed knowledge of council processes and logistics as well as her organizational skills.

Walker’s supporters, including councilors Cano Martin and Brevik, noted that Walker–who grew up in Amherst and is finishing up a master’s degree at UMass this spring–was the top vote-getter in last November’s council election and would be a champion of inclusivity. 

Hanneke replaces Griesemer, who served as council president for seven years. Walker replaces Ryan, who served two years as vice president. The president’s responsibilities include setting meeting agendas, presiding over meetings and appointing members to committees. 

Charter Review Committee Recommendations

Whether another council president will serve as long as Griesemer is one of the questions addressed by the Charter Review Committee, which presented its final report to the council Monday night after voting concluded.

The committee presented 22 recommendations, one of which was to limit council presidents and vice presidents from serving more than four continuous one-year terms. Other recommendations included requiring district councilors to hold three annual constituent meetings, up from two, and requiring at-large councilors to attend ast least five constituent meetings in a two-year term; allowing non-management town staff to run for council; requiring three councilors to postpone a vote on an item, up from one, and requiring the school, municipal and library budgets to be available by April 1.

The council has 90 days to act on the recommendations.

The next Town Council meeting will be on January 12 in Town Hall at 6:30 pm. 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. If you want the Current’s coverage of the next Town Council meeting delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe using the field below.