Voter Guide

VOTE: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 6 AM – 8 PM | Souhegan High School

SOUHEGAN COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARTICLES

The following is provided as a quick reference please confirm all information with The Amherst School Board and official government websites.
SAU39 Website
Warrant Article Guide – From Deliberative
Deliberative Presentation
Voter Guide

Article 2:
Operating Budget ($22,599,250)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.47 per thousand (Amherst) / -$0.01 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Estimated Tax Impact (Fail): $0.44 per thousand (Amherst) / -$0.04 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (7-0)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (7-0)

Article 3:
Long Range Planning & Cost Review ($50,000)

Estimated Tax Impact: $0.02 per thousand (Amherst) / $0.01 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (7-0)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (5-2)

Article 4:
Souhegan School Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund ($325,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand (Amherst & Mont Vernon)

Estimated Tax Impact (Fail): -$0.11 per thousand (Amherst) / -$0.09 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (7-0)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (7-0)

Article 5:
Recreation Revolving Warrant Article ($100,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand (Amherst & Mont Vernon)

Estimated Tax Impact (Fail): -$0.03 per thousand (Amherst) / -$0.03 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (7-0)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (7-0)

Article 6:
Technology Warrant Fund Article ($50,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand (Amherst & Mont Vernon)

Estimated Tax Impact (Fail): -$0.02 per thousand (Amherst) / -$0.01 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (7-0)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (7-0)

Article 7:
Vehicle Fund Warrant Article ($20,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand (Amherst & Mont Vernon)

Estimated Tax Impact (Fail): -$0.01 per thousand (Amherst) / -$0.01 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (7-0)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (7-0)

Article 8:
Open Enrollment

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (6-1)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (6-1)

Article 9:
Souhegan Tuition Reserve Account ($200,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.07 per thousand (Amherst) / $0.05 per thousand (Mont Vernon)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (6-1)

Recommended by the Souhegan Cooperative School District Advisory Finance Committee (7-0)

AMHERST SCHOOL DISTRICT ARTICLES

The following is provided as a quick reference please confirm all information with The Amherst School Board and official government websites.
SAU39 Website
Warrant Article Guide – From Deliberative
Deliberative Presentation
Voter Guide

Article 12:
Citizen’s Petition to raise $37,000,000 for a Wilkins Elementary School Project

ESTIMATED TAX IMPACT:
Year #1 $925,000 – $0.38/$1,000
Year #2 $2,561,547.75 – $1.05/$1,000
Year #3 $2,560,671.50 – $1.05/$1,000
Year #4 $2,563,166.00 – $1.05/$1,000
Year #5 $2,563,945.50 – $1.05/$1,000

Article 13:
Citizen’s Petition to raise $1 for a Wilkins Elementary School Project

Estimated Tax Impact: $0.00 per thousand

Article 14:
Open Enrollment

NO TAX IMPACT

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

Article 15:
Operating Budget ($35,603,094)

Estimated Tax Impact [Year over Year] (Pass): $0.17 per thousand
Estimated Tax Impact [From Zero] (Pass): $10.79 per thousand

Estimated Tax Impact [Year over Year] (Fail): -$0.09 per thousand
Estimated Tax Impact [From Zero] (Fail): $10.53 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

NOTE: Warrant Article 15 (operating budget) does not include appropriations proposed in any other warrant articles.

Article 16:
AEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
($655,017)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.27 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (Advisory Budget Committee) (7-0)

Article 17:
Special Meeting for AEA Collective Bargaining Agreement

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (4-1)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (Advisory Budget Committee) (6-1)

Article 18:
ASSA Collective Bargaining Agreement

Estimated Tax Impact

FY 2027 – $167,298
$0.07 per thousand

FY 2028 – $160,342
$0.07 per thousand

FY 2029 – $159,111
$0.07 per thousand

FY 2030 – $166,294
$0.07 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (Advisory Budget Committee) (7-0)

Article 19:
Special Meeting for ASSA Collective Bargaining Agreement

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (4-1)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (Advisory Budget Committee) (6-1)

Article 20:
Tuition Agreement with Mont Vernon School District

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (Advisory Budget Committee) (7-0)

Article 21:
Portable Purchase 2 Classrooms 
($770,585)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.32 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (4-1)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

Article 22:
Capital Facilities Expendable Trust Fund FROM NEW Taxation
($325,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.13 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

Article 23:
Capital Facilities Expendable Trust Fund FROM UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE
($675,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand

Estimated Tax Impact (FAIL): -$0.28 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

Article 24:
vehicle Expendable Trust Fund FROM UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE
($45,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand

Estimated Tax Impact (FAIL): -$0.02 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

Article 25:
technology Expendable Trust Fund FROM UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE
($75,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand

Estimated Tax Impact (FAIL): -$0.03 per thousand

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

Article 26:
Capital Facilities-Donations Expendable Trust Fund: Accept Donated Gifts, Legacies, Devises

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)

Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee) (7-0)

TOWN ARTICLES

The following is provided as a quick reference please confirm all information with The Board of Selectmen and official government websites.
Town Website
Warrant Article Guide – From Deliberative
Deliberative Presentation

Article 26:
Open Space Acquisition Bond ($10,000,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass):
Year #1 $0.10/$1,000
Year #2 $0.37/$1,000
Year #3 $0.36/$1,000
Year #4 $0.35/$1,000
Year #5 $0.35/$1,000

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 4-1-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 27:
Operating Budget ($18,906,185)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $4.90 per thousand

Estimated Tax Impact (Fail): $4.84 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 28:
Contingency Fund ($150,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 29:
Baboosic Lake Septic Operating Budget ($83,450)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.00 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 30:
Communications Center Capital Reserve Fund ($40,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.02 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 31:
Computer System Capital Reserve Fund ($15,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.01 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 32:
Assessing Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund ($25,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.01 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 33:
Bridge Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund ($300,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.12 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 34:
Fire Rescue Vehicle and Equipment Purchase and Repair Capital Reserve Fund ($400,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.16 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 35:
DPW Vehicle/Equipment Acquisition & Replacement Capital Reserve Fund ($150,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.06 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 36:
Amherst Multimodal Facilities Capital Reserve Fund ($75,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.03 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 37:
Establish Town Facilities Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund ($100,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.04 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 38:
Fire and EMS Department PFAS-Free Personal Protective Equipment – Purchase ($185,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.07 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 39:
DPW Transfer Station Deck Replacement – Purchase ($125,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.05 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 40:
Modify the Optional Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability

No Tax Impact

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 41:
American Tower Company Ground Lease

No Tax Impact

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 6-0-0.

Article 42:
Christian Hill Road Scenic Road Designation – Petition Warrant Article

No Tax Impact

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 0-0-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 0-0-0.

Article 43:
Baboosic Lake Alum Treatment – Petition Warrant Article ($100,000)

Estimated Tax Impact (Pass): $0.04 per thousand

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 1-4-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 5-0-0.

Article 44:
Baboosic Greenway Rail/Trail: Right-Of-Way Easement Process including acquisition by eminent domain and Project Delivery Reaffirmation

No Tax Impact

The Board of Selectmen supports this article by a vote of 0-5-0.

The Ways and Means Committee supports this article by a vote of 0-0-0.

ZONING ARTICLES

The following is provided as a quick reference please confirm all information with the planning board and official government websites.
Town Website
Warrant Article Guide
2026 Amendments to The Amherst Zoning Ordinance

Article 45:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #1

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article III, General Zoning Provisions, to add Section 3.22 Short-Term Rentals (STRs), as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-1-0

Article 46:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #2

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IX, Definitions, Section 9.1 Meaning of Certain Words, to amend the definition of Accessory Dwelling Unit and Floor Area Ratio, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 47:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #3

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 3 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.19 Impact Fee Ordinance, Paragraph C Definitions, to add “public works facilities” as eligible to receive impact fee funds, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 48:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #4

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article III, General Zoning Provisions, Section 3.5 Accessory Dwelling Units, to allow a detached unit by right and allow existing structures to be converted into Accessory Dwelling Units, with limitations, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 4-2-0

Article 49:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #5

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.3 Residential/Rural Zone, Paragraph D Yard Requirements, to update setbacks for Accessory Dwelling Units to match that of the primary structure, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 50:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #6

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 6 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.4 Northern Transitional Zone, Paragraph D Yard Requirements, to update setbacks for Accessory Dwelling Units to match that of the primary structure, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 51:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #7

Article 51: Planning Board Proposed Amendment #7 Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 7 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.5 Northern Rural Zone, Paragraph E Yard Requirements, to update setbacks for Accessory Dwelling Units to match that of the primary structure, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 52:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #8

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 8 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.6 General Office Zone, Paragraph A Permitted Uses, to allow multi-family residential development, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 53:
Planning Board Proposed Amendment #9

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 9 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.7 Commercial Zone, Paragraph A Permitted Uses, to allow multi-family residential development, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0

Article 54:
DPW Planning Board Proposed Amendment #10

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 10 to the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Board?

Amend Article IV, Zoning Regulations, Section 4.15 Historic District, Paragraph B Definitions, to amend the definition of Abutter, as detailed in the full-text copy of the 2026 Amendments to the Amherst Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Amherst Planning Board.

No Tax Impact

Recommended by the Planning Board 5-0-0