Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita

In 2024 Amherst spent just under $2 million from its general fund on public works according to state data.  When divided by a population of 39,263, this works out to an investment of local tax revenues into highways and other infrastructure of $49.75 per resident.

This level of expenditure places Amherst in last place among all Massachusetts cities and towns.  The statewide average public works spending per person is $367 or more than seven times higher than what Amherst allocated from its general fund.

See related: Little Relief in Sight for Amherst’s Roads

Amherst’s low budget priority for public works helps explain why the town invested only $522,991 in road resurfacing in 2024 and completed only 1 mile of road treatment. 

Road maintenance is typically paid for by a combination of general fund appropriations and state Chapter 90/Fair Share funding that added $1.2 million in 2024.  Town Engineer Jason Skeels explained that in 2024 “we were working on the Pomeroy roundabout and were worried about the budget so we only did a couple of roads and saved some of our chapter 90 money just in case we had to spend it to finish the roundabout.”

In FY25 Amherst road resurfacing coverage improved to 4.3 miles thanks to a MassWorks grant of $2.3 million for work on Belchertown Rd.  Using the town’s StreetScan program, Skeels estimates that to maintain the town’s current Pavement Condition Index of 62 (55 to 70 is considered “fair”) will require a resurfacing commitment of $18 million over the next five years, or $3.6 million per year.  Actual improvement of road conditions will require spending $5 million per year.

Amherst Library Spending Exceeds Public Works
Other categories of general fund spending have fared better in Amherst, e.g. library funding. The Jones Library is a cherished institution in town, benefiting from a dedicated Friends organization and a strong library lobby. 

The town contributed $2,213,530 from its general fund in 2024 toward the Jones Library operating budget for a rate of $55.26 per resident.  This makes Amherst one of only two towns in the commonwealth to spend more for library services than for public works.  The other is West Tisbury on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with a total of 14 miles of roads.

Beginning in FY27 the commitment of town funds toward the Jones Library will see a bump, as the Capital Improvement Program calls for paying back debt service of $1.3 million for the library renovation-expansion project.  This amounts to an additional general fund expense of approximately $34 per resident.

What’s a Citizen to Do?
A robust submission of comments to the Amherst Indy indicates a high level of concern among residents over the state of Amherst roads, and offers several suggestions.

The idea that the University of Massachusetts should contribute toward improving Amherst’s roads makes sense.  UMass accounts for more than half of the town’s population and is responsible for a corresponding amount of wear and tear on the town’s roads.  The state’s formula for apportioning Chapter 90 road funds is in fact based on each community’s population and employment as well as road miles. This works to Amherst’s benefit as in 2024 the town received $11,500 per mile in state road funding compared to the statewide average of $9,000 per mile.  However, as is the case with Chapter 70 public education support, state funding for roads does not come close to providing what Amherst needs.

Questioning the materials and techniques used to address road repairs is also in order. Surface treatment is no substitute for milling/overlay which is no substitute for road reconstruction.  More durable repairs are more expensive.

The ultimate solution is to elect leaders who understand sound fiscal management and recognize the importance of public works. The campaign season for the November election of a new town council is gearing up.  Know where candidates stand on road maintenance or consider taking out nomination papers!

See related: Nomination Papers Available for the 2025 Amherst Town Election