Monday, June 8, 2026

Underwood Engineers groundwater task order

The commissioners agreed to schedule a meeting the following week to sign a contract with Underwood Engineers. No vote count was recorded.

On June 8, 2026, an Underwood Engineers representative presented a task order and said GZA GeoEnvironmental is contracted through Underwood. GZA's geologist showed geologic maps and said the study area is west of the river. He said the Society property would need a bedrock well and that sand and gravel wells may be possible at the corner of Summer and Pleasant Street. He said he would tell the commissioners within a couple of days if they are not finding water. The scope of work has 6 phases: mapping and survey; picking drill spots and staking them; exploratory test watering; a preliminary report to NH DES if water is found; drilling and testing a production well; and a hydrological report. He said phases 5 and 6 may need a public hearing.

Public hearing on connection fees and rate increases

Votes on the fees and rates were taken during the hearing (see items 2 and 3).

The 7:00 PM public hearing was on changing the Rules & Regulations for water and sewer connection fees and on rate increases. No members of the public attended. A commissioner presented the proposed increases. The commissioners noted service costs have risen while rates have stayed the same since 2022, and they agreed the increase is needed to keep the District able to pay its bills. They noted the District's elected officials also pay the rates. The same commissioner will work with the office administrator on the regulation changes and on updating rates in the billing system. The commissioners agreed to rename 'meter rate fees' as 'service rate fees'. The chair closed the hearing at 8:00 PM without public comment.

Approve service rate fees by meter size

Approved 3-0.

A commissioner moved to approve new service rate fees: $25.00 for a 3/4-inch meter; $35.00 for a 1-inch meter; $40.00 for a 1.5-inch meter; $60.00 for a 2-inch meter; $120.00 for a school's second meter ($60.00 x 2); $9,900 per year for the IPP rate; $1,196.00 per quarter for hydrants; and $12.50 for the senior rate. The minutes say the meter fees include sewer-only customers who have private wells.

Approve new sewer rates

Approved 3-0.

The $94.00 sewer base rate, which covered up to 10,000 gallons of water, is removed. A commissioner said it was unfair to customers who use less than 10,000 gallons per quarter. A new $25.00 service fee per dwelling will pay for upkeep of the collection system, including manholes and lines. The new sewer rate is $18.88 per 1,000 gallons. The minutes list Hutchinson Sealing Company, Coed Sportswear, and Conner Bottling Works as the top water users. The motion approved the rate changes in the attached rate sheet.

Shut off water at the landing

The commissioners agreed to shut off the water at the landing. No vote count was recorded.

The systems operator asked about repairs at the landing after someone removed a hose spigot and cut the pipe. A timesheet confirmed the repair work was done. The commissioners agreed to shut off the water at the landing because the District is under a Level 2 water ban, which prohibits washing boats.

Fire Department water meter

The commissioners agreed to install the meter. No vote count was recorded.

The commissioners agreed to install a meter to track the Fire Department's water use. Under the 75 Main Street purchase agreement, the Fire Department and Town Hall are not charged for water or sewer until October 2032.

Approve backflow preventor quote

Approved 3-0.

The systems operator asked the commissioners to sign a quote for a backflow preventor, a device that stops water from flowing backward into the system. The minutes say this is a budgeted item. A commissioner moved to approve the quote and the chair signed it.

Approve QuickBooks budget module purchase

Approved 3-0.

The office administrator asked to buy the budget module from QuickBooks, which costs $2,000.00. The systems operator said money for it was in the sewer collection system budget line. A commissioner moved to approve the purchase.

Office color copier/printer purchase

The commissioners agreed to the purchase. No vote count was recorded.

The commissioners agreed to buy a color copier/scanner/printer. They decided the 11-inch by 17-inch feature was not needed. The office administrator will order it.

Audit firm selection and 2026 audit bid

It was decided to continue with Dumais, Fuller & Fernald for the 2025 audit. No vote count was recorded.

The commissioners received a resume from a CPA who could do the audit. The office administrator said the CPA has no municipal experience. It was decided to keep Dumais, Fuller & Fernald for the 2025 audit. The firm will no longer do municipal audits, so the District will have to go out to bid for the 2026 audit.

Non-public session on land acquisition

Entering non-public session carried 3-0. Sealing the minutes carried 3-0.

A commissioner moved to enter a closed meeting under RSA 91-A:3,II(d), which covers land acquisition. After the board returned to open session, it voted to seal the closed-session minutes. The stated reason was that sharing the information would likely make a proposed action ineffective.

Asset Management grant applications

A commissioner said the District has a promising chance of receiving grant money for Asset Management Plans. The District should hear in August whether the grant is awarded. Work is expected to begin in September.

Rain barrel purchase

A commissioner said he has the rain barrel and will bring it to the district office that week. The office administrator was told to ask Town Hall for an invoice for the purchase, totaling $90.00. The secretary noted that the Garden Club is its own entity, and the office administrator will make a check out to the Garden Club.

Meter antenna purchase meeting

The office administrator will contact a Core & Main representative and schedule a meeting about buying meter antennas.