Sunrise Amherst Endorsement Questionnaire
Name, Affiliations (If any), pronouns, District/At-Large:
Ana Devlin Gauthier, she/hers, District 5
What makes you an interested and qualified candidate?
I have served one term on the Town Council thus far, and my track record shows that I am engaged, unafraid to bring forward legislation, committed to the values of the town including climate action and racial justice, and capable of working with my fellow councilors. I love Amherst, and believe that my approach, skills, and commitment have and will continue to build a community which uplifts its residents and leads the way towards a safe, equitable, and healthy future.
What are your top priorities if elected to Town Council?
1. Seeing through the four capital projects.
2. Crafting and passing legislation which supports the Council in furthering progress on housing affordability and climate action.
3. Continuing to improve processes which are opaque and/or not built in a way which allows for significant input such as the creation of the budget guidelines and the Town Manager goals.
How do you plan to increase racial and economic equity in Amherst?
​
By introducing (as I have for example with the home rule regarding housing transfer fees) or supporting measures which increase access to things like homeownership. In addition, by supporting a budget and advocating for goals which include or continue necessary supports such as rental support vouchers or heat pump voucher programs.
What can the Town Council do to electrify Amherst's buildings and vehicle fleet?
​
The Council needs to push the DPW to reexamine how we use our vehicles. Often, we hear that we cannot switch to electric because they cannot run the same routes we currently run without recharging. We need to push back on that and insist on considering how we would do the work with electric vehicles, and then pursue grants to get those vehicles. Additionally, the Council could pass (and I plan to introduce in the next session) a bylaw which requires charging infrastructure at all new town buildings, and possibly all new large private buildings.
How do you plan to advance and accomplish recommendations in the Climate Action Adaptation and Resiliency Plan?
I have been a strong climate advocate in my two years on the Council. For the first time, the Energy and Climate Action Committee was able to provide input on the town manager goals. As their liaison, I worked with the group and brought their recommendations forward. Additionally, I have been a loud advocate for furthering key elements of the CAARP, including by recently introducing a proposal for the town to opt in to the Specialized Energy Code, creating stricter requirements for buildings in town. I have supported the waste hauler bylaw as it has moved through the Council and TSO.
How do you plan to address the condition of Amherst's roads?
​
I have and we must continue to advocate for increased state funding in Chapter 90 funds, including a reconsideration of the formula used to determine Ch.90 funds, which disadvantages Amherst. This is something I have met with our state legislators about and spoken at state hearings about. We also must pursue grants such as MassWorks grants to support the exponentially rising costs of paving.
How do you plan to support equitably increasing the wages and working conditions of Amherst's town employees?
While the executive branch is very clearly the responsibility of the Town Manager, this is something that should be examined in the Town Manager evaluation, which the Council oversees.
What will you do to support the expansion of the Community Responders for Equity Safety and Service (CRESS) Department?
Right now, the CRESS department is saying they are not ready to expand. So firstly, I will support the department in growing at the rate that those on the ground doing the work believe they can handle. I will listen to the staff, I regularly stop by and talk with them. I will also ensure that we have the data which shows the great work CRESS is doing, so we can demonstrate the capacity and need to our community.
What do you plan to do to address Amherst's housing affordability crisis?
​
In the past year, I introduced a measure with councilor Hanneke which would impose a real estate transfer fee on homes which are not owner occupied or which are 200% over the average sale price. The revenue from that fee would be split between the affordable housing trust, a capital projects fund, and the general fund. Introducing this fund supports racial and economic equity by not only de-incentivsing non-owner occupied homes, but also by generating funds which support housing access.
Would you vote for a town budget that cuts ARPS educational services and why?
I do not see myself voting for a town budget which cuts ARPS educational services. While the Council votes on the budget overall, I support budgets which at an absolute minimum provide level services.
Would you vote to redistribute funding from the Police Department to prevent cuts to ARPS educational services and why?
This is not a vote the Town Council is legally allowed to take. We can vote to lower budgets, but we cannot vote to redistribute.
How do you plan to increase the financial contributions of major colleges and universities towards the town budget?
I have met with the new Chancellor at UMASS and know that with the strategic partnership having been finalized, there are limited avenues for direct financial contributions until the next one. However as a Councilor I believe there is work to be done to improve the relationship between UMASS and the Town, and creative ways to build a better foundation before we go into the next round of the strategic partnership process. I am an employee of Amherst College, and due to conflict of interest laws cannot engage in conversations regarding them.
What can be done to make homeownership in Amherst an affordable reality for our low and middle income municipal employees? (Ex. teachers, firefighters, DPW employees)
Please see above for examples of what I have done to improve homeownership. Additionally, the town should continue to pursue and support projects which promote affordable homeownership such as that being completed on Ball lane.
Do you support the waste hauler bylaw?
(Yes, No, Other)
So far, yes. I look forward to ensuring that the hauler bylaw is feasible and the town is able to take it on. I hope to support it and believe fully in it's mission.
Would you support using town and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to install solar panels on the Amherst Regional High School Parking Lot?
(Yes, No, Other)
Yes.
Do you support to moving forward with the Jones Library project before the Fire Station and Public Works Headquarters?
(Yes, No, Other)
These three projects are at completely different stages and have completely different funding plans. Stopping the library project (which would be harmful towards our climate goals) would not impact the trajectory of the fire station or the DPW.
Would you support a user service fee for affluent college students to use town services?
(Yes, No, Other)
No.
Do you support increasing Fire/EMS staffing?
(Yes, No, Other)
Yes.
Would you support racial equity training explicitly for Business Improvement District and Police employees ?
(Yes, No, Other)
The BID is not a town entity and therefore it is inappropriate for the town to mandate training for them. I support racial equity training for all town departments, and believe that we should tailor each training to be specific to the department it is directed towards.
Would you support a minimum distance requirement or zone between non-owner occupied investment properties?
(Yes, No, Other)
I will need to think on this further and look at research.
Would you support a commercial tax rate on property owned for commercial purposes including taxable college/university property and excluding local small business?
(Yes, No, Other)
This would require state legislation, I believe. Although I am not quite sure how we would get at what you are saying. Essentially a number of employees would or would not trigger the tax rate? If we could exclude small businesses, I believe that would exclude small LLC's which own rental properties, and would go against what I believe you are saying the point is. Maybe I am not understanding the question, as we do have a commercial tax rate.
Do you support the Amherst Pelham Educators Association (APEA) in their request for a fair contract?
(Yes, No, Other)
As my mother is a member of the APEA (and a teacher at Wildwood), I am not comfortable answering this question as it would be a conflict of interest. I think it is safe for me to share that I am glad the contract was settled on.
Demographic Questions
In an effort to diversify both who we endorse, and who serves as our representatives, please fill out the following demographic questions. Sunrise Amherst hopes to endorse representatives who bring a wide range of life experiences and knowledge of our town. If you do not feel comfortable answering any, or all of the questions, simply skip over them, as they are encouraged, but not required to receive an endorsement.
How many years have you resided in the Amherst area?
7
Do you have any close relationships with municipal empoyees?
(Yes, No, Other)
Yes. See above.
What racial or ethnic group do you identify with?
White
What annual income grouping do you fall into?
$ 0 - $ 40,000 Annually
$ 40,000 - $ 110,000 Annually
Over $ 110,000 Annually
$40,000 - $110,000 Annually
What age bracket are you in?
Under 25
25 - 40
40 - 65
Over 65
25 - 40
Thank you for filling out this form and for your interest in Sunrise Amherst's endorsement. If there is other information you would like us to have, please include it here.
The income levels in that question above are HUGE swaths. The experience of someone living in Amherst on a 45k salary is extremely different from someone on a 100k salary...for what that is worth. Also, it doesn't take into account folks who have so much money that they do not need to work/don't have an income. Just some food for thought. Thanks!