By Jack Jemsek

A report on the Regular Meeting of the Amherst Town Council on January 12, 2026.

The Town Council met on Monday night and laid out a plan to address action items recommended in the Charter Review Committee’s Final Report. The report was issued on January 5, 2026 and the Council has 90 days to vote upon the recommendations within the report. The vote is tentatively scheduled in early March.

Town Council President Mandi Jo Hanneke presented a proposed plan of action for reviewing, considering, and voting on the recommended amendments to the Charter. Hanneke’s proposal is to consider the Charter Review Committee’s 22 recommendations for vote at a Council meeting on March 9, with a special meeting–a Work Session–on February 9 to review about half of the recommendations that are more complex. 

The proposed Work Session would include the former Charter Review Committee members, the Town Manager and Clerk, and the Town Attorney, who would prepare and share information regarding the legality of the individual recommendations as well as the process for adopting and voting on revisions to the Charter.

At-Large Councilor Ellisha Walker made a motion to amend that the Work Session take place before any items are referred to the committees or working groups. Walker also proposed to incorporate additions from the League of Women Voters (LWV) or other community input submitted at least one week prior to the Work Session. 

Councilors Amber Cano-Martin and Jennifer Taub supported Walker’s proposal and stressed the importance of reviewing all items prior to the committee referrals. 

Councilor Ana Devlin Gauthier expressed concern that incorporating new comments from the LWV and public would violate the trust placed in the lengthy process the Charter Review Committee completed as part of its charge. 

Councilors Lynn Griesemer and Andy Churchill agreed, and Churchill added that the value of the LVW review of the Charter had already been captured, as well as 35 pages of public comment. 

Councilor Jillian Brevik also believed the Work Session should not redo or rehash the Charter Review Committee’s work. Instead, she viewed it as an opportunity to conduct “air traffic control” work on the recommendations, seek additional input, and look at the recommendations in a “holistically and strategic way.” 

Walker and Cano Martin stressed that they appreciated and respected the work of the Charter Review Committee, but thought that thoroughness was justified for a document as consequential as the Charter.

The motion was subsequently amended by removing the reference to receiving additional input from the LVW and the community, and then approved unanimously.

Hanneke also proposed that the Council refer to Council committees or to the Town Manager the initiatives recommended by the Charter Review Committee that were described as “Beyond the Charter.” The Town Manager and Council committees would study the initiatives further and provide recommendations to the Town Council by September 1.

An overview of the proposed revisions to the Charter is here.

Other Items

The following items were also addressed during the Council meeting.

Councilor Walker addressed the recent death of Renee Nicole Good, emphasizing the importance of community values. 

Proclamations for Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day were read by Councilor Walker and unanimously approved.

The Council debated the creation and role of an Ad Hoc Transparency and Public Engagement Working Group, many noting the need to avoid duplicating existing committees.

Appointments were announced for the Council’s committees:

• Community Resources Committee (CRC): Andy Churchill, Mandi Jo Hanneke, Pam Rooney, Jennifer Taub and Ellisha Walker.
• Finance Committee: Jillian Brevik, Ana Devlin Gauthier, Lynn Griesemer, Sam McLeod and Cathy Schoen.
• Governance, Organization & Legislation Committee (GOL): Amber Cano Martin. Ana Devlin Gauthier, Lynn Griesemer, Heather Hala Lord and George Ryan.
• Town Services & Outreach Committee (TSO): Andy Churchill, Heather Hala Lord, Pam Rooney, George Ryan and Jennifer Taub.
• Budget Coordinating Group, Joint Capital Planning Committee, and Transportation and Parking Commission were also filled by the Council members.

The next Town Council meeting will be on February 2 in Town Hall at 6:30. Future agenda items include residential rental inspections, financial orders, and CPAC Community Preservation Act recommendations. 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.