Amherst budget funds community response program; advocates say funding inadequate By SCOTT MERZBACH AMHERST — The creation of an unarmed community responder program whose members will respond to some emergency calls typically handled by police is included in a $25.1 million municipal budget delivered to the Town Council Monday by Town Manager Paul Bockelman. The proposed budget includes $130,000 for the Community Response for Equity, Safety and Service, or CRESS program, funded through savings from keeping two current police officer positions vacant. But some councilors say this spending may be an insufficient answer to appeals for cutting police funding and redirecting money from law enforcement.