Finance Committee non-voting member interviews scheduled soon

The Governance, Organization, and Legislation (GOL) Committee is set to conduct interviews for potential non-voting members of the Finance Committee on July 15, 2025. This event marks an important step in filling two vacant positions that are crucial for maintaining effective oversight of financial matters in the community. The interviews will take place at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom, allowing residents to engage with the candidates and learn more about their qualifications and vision for the Finance Committee.

Overview of Candidate Interviews

The GOL Committee will evaluate three candidates: Priya Atiyolil, Joseph Jayne, and Steven KaCey. Each candidate has submitted a statement of interest outlining their relevant experience and motivations for wanting to serve on the Finance Committee. Initially, five residents expressed interest in these positions, but two withdrew their applications before the interview process began.

The purpose of these interviews is to fill vacancies left by Matt Holloway and Bernie Kubiak. Holloway’s term ended last year while Kubiak’s expired on June 30. Tom Porter was appointed as a non-voting member in June 2024 for a three-year term.

Candidate Profiles

Priya Atiyolil

Priya Atiyolil brings a wealth of experience to her candidacy. She previously served on Warren’s Finance and Capital Planning Committee where she successfully initiated small business mentorship programs aimed at fostering local economic development. At UMass, she established a bioelectromagnetics lab focusing on innovative intersections between physiological systems and defense technologies—an endeavor that garnered recognition from notable figures including US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Governor Maura Healey. Additionally, she serves as an accountant for the Amherst Women’s Club and describes herself as “a mathematician, engineer, mystic poet, and designer” on her professional website.

Joseph Jayne

Joseph Jayne comes with over two decades of experience as a financial advisor and currently holds the position of Executive Director of Planned Giving at UMass. His previous tenure on the Town of Amherst Finance Committee from 2015 to 2018 has equipped him with valuable insights into local financial management practices. In his application statement, he emphasizes his commitment to ensuring that Amherst’s financial resources are directed effectively towards essential services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Steven KaCey

Steven KaCey is an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and is presently studying at Hampshire College. He has served as a municipal finance officer across several towns in Western Massachusetts and previously worked within Amherst’s Finance Department as a customer assistant for both the Treasurer’s office and Assessor’s office. KaCey highlights his ability to manage budgets through careful forecasting for future fiscal years while also generating detailed finance reports for various municipalities.

Interview Structure

The interview process will consist of eight standardized questions posed to each candidate ahead of time. This structure aims to provide all candidates equal opportunity to express their qualifications effectively:

• What do you feel you bring to the Finance Committee that can make it successful? Please include any experience you have with finance or specifically with the Town’s Finance Committee.
• What is your understanding of the role of the Finance Committee?
• What is your understanding of your role as a non-voting member?
• Tell us about an experience you have had collaborating when opinions were divided.
• Please describe what considerations you will take into account regarding financial matters when making recommendations.
• How do you plan on incorporating public comments into decision-making?
• Is there anything else about yourself you would like us to know that supports your candidacy?
• The Finance Committee meets bi-monthly throughout most months but increases meeting frequency during budget deliberations starting in May; can you confirm your availability?

Candidates will be allotted up to three minutes per question during their interview segments. Once all interviews are completed, GOL members will convene to deliberate before recommending two candidates for approval by the full council during its meeting scheduled for July 21.

Status Update on Charter Review Committee Vacancy

A separate issue discussed during recent meetings involved filling a long-standing vacancy on the Charter Review Committee following Dan Muscat’s resignation back in January. Some committee members raised concerns regarding introducing new participants who may face challenges catching up after nine months into ongoing committee discussions. To address this uncertainty, GOL has decided to first consult with chairs from within the Charter Review Committee before proceeding further.

Your Engagement Matters

This process not only highlights crucial governance but also invites community involvement in shaping leadership roles within local committees such as finance-related entities or charter review efforts—a vital aspect required for promoting transparency within municipal operations.