Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Guidance for town board meeting conduct

Guidance approved. No vote count is given in the minutes.

The Select Board approved guidance for town boards and commissions meant to keep public meetings orderly, respectful and open to all. Chairs must recognize speakers. Speakers are directed to use the podium and microphone. Board members are encouraged to help keep to these steps. Residents should be allowed to finish speaking without interruption or back-and-forth, unless the chair must step in for conduct such as threats or foul language. The Board also supported avoiding private texts, emails or other messages about meeting topics during meetings, so all participants can hear and respond to the discussion.

Library salary shortfall funding

A motion by Mark Kasper, seconded by Cat Tarnowski, approved paying the $8,950 shortfall from available unspent line-item funds, after balances are confirmed and payroll taxes are processed. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Paul Memorial Library has an estimated $8,950 salary shortfall for 2026. The Board raised concerns about weak budget tracking and late discovery of the gap. The library said it had trouble receiving and reviewing financial reports. Staff hours would stay the same. Some programs would move to every other week, and other operating costs might be cut. The library said it would start using QuickBooks, write a detailed FY2027 budget, track salary and operating costs, and set up steps to prevent future shortfalls.

Trust fund transfers to operating budgets

A motion by the chair, seconded by Cat Tarnowski, approved the $30,000 and $10,000 transfers and deferred the celebration-fund transfer. All were in favor and the motion carried.

The Board considered moving money from expendable trust funds (savings set aside for a set purpose) into operating budgets: $30,000 from the Road Maintenance fund and $10,000 from the Legal fund. A transfer from the celebration fund was put off until receipts come in.

Return to shorter meeting minutes

A motion by the chair, seconded by Mark Kasper, to return to concise minutes. The minutes do not state the vote count for this motion.

The chair read an email the Board received about meeting minutes. The Board then moved to go back to concise minutes that generally sum up each agenda item in one to four sentences, with supporting papers attached separately when needed. Approved minutes stay the official legal record, and recordings and transcripts give more detail. The Board also discussed using AI tools to help draft minutes, with a person reviewing and approving them.

ZBA hardship guidance review

Authorization given. The minutes do not state a vote count.

The Select Board authorized Kent Lawrence to work with the town's attorney, Cordell Johnston, to review a recent Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) meeting and clarify how hardship guidance applies.

Cemetery trustees' 2027 budget

The cemetery trustees presented a 2027 budget of $39,150. It is higher than last year because of higher groundskeeping costs. After staffing and upkeep problems with the earlier mowing contractor, the trustees asked for four bids and chose a new contractor for a three-year mowing agreement. The cost stays the same for the first two years and rises by $1,000 in the third year.

Planning Board report to Select Board

The Select Board's Planning Board representative reported on pending issues: Muddy River Smokehouse, the Oaklands Road subdivision, Newfields' transportation priorities for the Rockingham Planning Commission's long-range plan (already submitted), and zoning rules for swimming pools on small lots that do not meet current zoning rules. The Muddy River site plan must be recorded before the proposed winter Starlight Dome cinema can be considered. The Planning Board plans a hearing on subdivision rule changes on November 12. It plans to send its long-term transportation plan to the Rockingham Planning Commission. It may discuss changing pool zoning rules so that some owners would not each need a variance (permission to break a zoning rule for one property).

Public Safety Building plans update

The chair reviewed updated plans for the Public Safety Building. The building size was cut to about 14,000 to 15,400 square feet. The town-owned property was confirmed as the only workable site. The committee is working to limit harm to wetlands and to address neighbors' concerns with landscaping, limited emergency lighting and the direction vehicles face. Residents were encouraged to review project information online and attend upcoming committee meetings.

Runaway Road environmental compliance update

The Select Board reported that restoration work at two Runaway Road properties (numbers 29 and 25) addressed most concerns raised by the state Department of Environmental Services. These covered wetlands, buffers, and unauthorized structures and activities. Final restoration work at number 25 is expected by the end of October. An unapproved bridge at number 29 is still under review.