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Amherst news briefs

2nd skating rink

AMHERST – The town already has one ice skating pond, and eventually there could be a second, much larger one, at the Bean Field complex.

Town Recreation Director Craig Fraley told selectmen his department is trying to get funding for a 75 by 100-foot PortaRinx that would be put inside the tennis courts.

He is working with the Amherst Community Foundation.

Board members liked the idea, according to minutes of the Sept. 22 meeting and asked Fraley to seek the School Board’s approval.

The Middle Street ice rink would remain in use.

– KATHY CLEVELAND

Popular library

AMHERST – Town Library Director Amy Lapointe gave selectmen an overview of the library’s strategic plan Sept. 22, saying total circulation has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, but is now dipping slightly, according to draft meeting minutes.

The summer reading program remains very popular, and 500 children enrolled this year, and there are plans to lengthen the program next year.

The library had 115,000 visitors last year, and there has been a lot of positive feedback on maintenance work – carpeting and painting, she said.

– KATHY CLEVELAND

Finance director

AMHERST – Town Administrator Jim O’Mara introduced the town’s new finance director to selectmen Sept. 22.

Lisa Ambrosio most recently worked at the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School and before that she was director of finance for SAU 39 in Amherst.

O’Mara said the town received eight applications and six were interviewed by a panel consisting of town and school officials and an auditor from Municipal Resources Inc.

– KATHY CLEVELAND

Ways and Means

AMHERST – Each year for more than 80 years the town’s Ways and Means Committee has been reviewing the town budget, and on Sept. 22, Town Moderator Steve Coughlan introduced this year’s committee to selectmen.

Serving their third year are Jay Dinkle, Colleen Lynch, Russ Thomas and Paula Troie. Serving their second year are Nate Jensen, John Post and Andy Ouellette.

Two new members, who will serve as alternates, are Jim Lockwood and John Rubery.

– KATHY CLEVELAND