Amhersts top board greenlights vote on a new school with one member opposed

AMHERST — The Amherst Town Council voted Monday to let residents decide whether they can afford a new elementary school. The council’s 12-1 vote — after four hours of discussion — supported a tax increase to fund 30 years of borrowing to finance the town’s share of a proposed $99.2 million new elementary school. The action paves the way for voters to decide May 2, when a binding referendum is scheduled. Officials said they are projecting Massachusetts School Building Authority to fund $40 million of the cost. Plans envision a three-story K-5 school, for 575 pupils. It would combine the…