Because of a confluence of events, Amherst could choose to ask voters whether to cut two members from its Town Board this year.
Amherst is one of the few remaining communities with a seven-member board. The Village of Lancaster will no longer have membership in that club, after residents last week voted to downsize.
If Amherst wants to take action this year - with one board member not seeking re-election and another about to leave the board to be town clerk - the time could be right. But to do this year would require a costly special election.
Still, the long-term savings would more than offset the cost of the election.
Should the town start the downsizing wheels in motion?
--- Bruce Andriatch
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Government