New to Amherst, NH: a newcomer's checklist

Get your NH driver's license and register your car

New Hampshire gives new residents 60 days to register their vehicles and get an NH driver's license (RSA 263:35); licenses are handled by the NH Division of Motor Vehicles. Car registrations start at the Town Clerk's office. For a car you're bringing from another state, Amherst asks for:

• Proof of identification and proof of Amherst residency, such as a lease agreement or utility bill.
• Your current out-of-state registration, and the original title if you hold it.
• If you don't hold the title, the full name and address of the lienholder or leasing company.

The office takes cash, checks and cards (a fee applies to cards). Renewals can be done online, in person or by mail.

• Motor vehicle registration · Town Clerk · NH DMV

Property tax bills

Amherst's 2025 total rate is $23.98 per $1,000 of assessed value (NH DRA). The town's tax rate history lists a 2025 assessed ratio of 70.6%. Amherst did a full statistical revaluation for 2026 to bring assessments to market value as of April 1, 2026; the new values are posted on the town's assessing database. The first bill each year is half of the prior year's total; the final bill comes after the rate is set in late October. If you don't get a bill, call the Tax Office (ext. 201); not receiving it doesn't excuse late payment. Bills can be paid online, by mail, or in the drop box in the Town Hall lobby. If your mortgage company pays through escrow, forward any bill to them.

• Tax Collector · Online tax payments and lookup · Tax rate history · Assessing and the 2026 revaluation · Amherst property taxes and records

Trash and recycling (transfer station)

Amherst residents take household trash, recycling, yard debris and construction debris to the Transfer Station at 260 Route 101 (heading east, between Walnut Hill and Horace Greeley Roads). Hours: Tuesday and Thursday noon to 8 p.m., Friday 7 to 11 a.m., and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the scale house keeps shorter hours. It's for residents only, no commercial trash, and you need a valid transfer station sticker. Fees apply to a few items; the scale house has the final word on prices. Hazardous waste isn't accepted: Amherst takes part in the Nashua regional household hazardous waste collection program. The town also posts live cameras so you can check the line before you go.

• Transfer Station · Transfer Station FAQs (stickers) · Live cameras

Water: Pennichuck or a private well?

Some Amherst homes get public water from Pennichuck Water Works and many have private wells. PFAS has been found in Amherst private wells: an NHDES presentation posted on the town website (February 2022) reported more than 450 private wells sampled and more than 200 above state standards. If a home has a well, ask the seller for recent water test results before you buy; NHDES has information on testing private wells.

• PFAS occurrence in Amherst (NHDES presentation, PDF) · NHDES private wells · Well and septic guide

Dog license

Dogs 4 months and older must be licensed every year in the town where they're kept (RSA 466:1). Amherst licenses run May 1 to April 30 no matter when you buy them; bring a valid rabies certificate. Renewals can be done online.

• Dog licensing

Library card

Amherst Town Library is at 14 Main Street, in the village (603-673-2288). Residents can apply for a card in person or online with documentation showing their name and physical address (not a P.O. box); people who own property in Amherst can get a card too.

• Amherst Town Library · Library cards

Registering to vote

Register at the Town Clerk's office more than 10 days before an election, or at the polls on Election Day. Bring the documents that prove your identity, age, citizenship and domicile. You can check your registration on the NH Secretary of State's site.

• Register to vote · Check your registration · NH Secretary of State

Schools

Amherst's public schools are part of SAU 39, which serves the Amherst School District and the Souhegan Cooperative School District (Souhegan High School). New-student registration starts with SAU 39's online pre-registration form.

• SAU 39: new student information

Building or renovating

Most work, including remodels, additions, sheds, decks and roofs, needs a permit; applications go to the Office of Community Development at Town Hall (603-673-6041, ext. 206). In the Historic District, exterior work may also need Historic District Commission approval.

• Building and Code Enforcement

Your first year as a homeowner

• Escrow: if your lender pays your taxes and insurance, your first escrow review usually comes about a year after closing. A tax change, or a new assessment after the 2026 revaluation, can change the payment; Tom can explain any escrow letter.
• Abatement: if your assessment looks too high, the town says an abatement for 2026 may be filed after the second tax bill arrives, on or before March 1, 2027 (RSA 76:16).
• Keep your closing documents: they speed up any future refinance.

Buying, refinancing or settled in Amherst? Tom MacDonald lives nearby in Litchfield and is glad to help. Tom MacDonald, Loan Officer, Elite Mortgage Group · NMLS #2748687 · Company NMLS #2502308MBR.