Public Comment: Amherst Residents Will Have to Cover Jones Library Fundraising Shortfall

The following public comment was offered at the meeting of the Amherst Town Council, October 6, 2025.

The Jones Library project is well underway as it accumulates change orders and faces escalating prices that are bound to push the project’s final cost of $50 million or more.

The process now in place requires the town to pay all invoices while the library transfers funds to the town that it obtains through state and federal grants and from donations to its Capital Campaign. Based on the sketchy information available to the public, the campaign continues to fall far short of its goal, in excess of $9 million short. There is no sign that this trend will reverse. The only other source of funds is the library’s endowment, but if it is spent down, how will future operating expenses be met?

Given the likelihood of a shortfall, how will project expenses be paid? The logical answer is that the town will be expected to pay the deficit. And where will the funds come from? Ultimately, town residents will pay the cost, either in decreased services, increased taxes, or both.

Yet, with the potential for adverse financial impact on the town, it is puzzling that Town Council or its Finance Committee have shown such little interest in its financial picture, even while some councilors suggest a tax override, ostensibly to cover the most basic of services, road repair. It is equally puzzling that such information is not readily available to the public.

Where is the fiscal oversight that elected officials should be exercising, and where is the transparency that we should expect from our government?

In the interest of sound governmental oversight, councilors should be demanding regular and frequent reports on financial information and projections to monitor progress and assess the potential impact on the town.  And in the interest of transparency, councilors should be requiring town officials to ensure that the public have ready access to all pertinent information, without the need to make specific inquiries or formal document requests.

Town Council has consistently supported the library project.  Elections are less than a month away and several councilors are running for re-election. I call on all councilors and all candidates for election to the next council to commit to thorough and consistent fiscal oversight and full transparency of the library project. Those exercising the power of elected office cannot fulfill their fiduciary role otherwise.

Anita Sarro is a resident of Amherst and a retired attorney who has reported on Charter Review Committee meetings for the Indy.