Select Board
Friday, June 27, 2025
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Kathy Scott, Andrea Hodson
Attendees: Cheshire County and Cheshire County EMS Officials Mark Kraemer, Claudia Stewart, Christopher Coates, Sheryl Twombly and Skip DiBernardo. Harrisville attendees: Wayne Derosia, Dave O’Neil, Sonja Bianchi, Jon Richardson, Matt Perry, Susan Weller, Mike Wilder, Steve LaMears, Adam Drew, Liz Friberg, Lynn Cook, David Belknap, Jeff Cady

Agenda, Minutes of 6/12 – With the addition of an update on Community Power’s new rates, the board approved the agenda. Minutes were deferred to the end of the meeting.

Cheshire Co. EMS and Commissioners – County officials updated the SB on the programs and services it provides and the 20 departments it oversees. Of particular note to the SB is the county’s grant writing course and potential grant writing assistance.

Between 2019 and 2024, the county had the lowest average tax increase, $.57, of the state’s 10 counties.  The SB raised the concern about managing the local tax rate given the reduction in both grants and revenue to towns, including education funding, highway block grants and distribution of meals and rooms tax. County officials await the fallout from the passing of the state budget to have a clearer sense of the effect on municipalities, including on ambulance contract costs. The town’s 3-year EMS contract with the county ends in July 2026. The end of ARPA funding will result in an increase, projected in the range of $43-$47 per person for 2 years. For 2026, the budget impact will be for half the year.

County EMS Chief Mark Kraemer addressed coming dates for academy training in Swanzey for local Fire and Rescue depts, and shared data on call responses to Harrisville. EMT class starts in Nov and Advanced EMT course starts in March 2026. Chief Kramer will provide cost information as soon as it is available. The County projects a total of 47 calls for Harrisville in 2025.

Old Home Days, July 18-19 – Committee Chair Sue Weller discussed budget and logistics for this year’s event. The SB commended her on the extensive list of volunteers. The SB office will coordinate with the committee on preparation logistics and notification of affected property owners regarding street closings. The Fire Department once again will offer food both at OHD and on Fireworks night, Sun 7/20. The street dance is Sat. 7/19.  The committee chair will invoice the town for stipends to workers.

Junk complaint, Chesham – The SB held extensive discussions with Chesham property owners who are in dispute over alleged junk and nuisance violations. The board noted its prior decision on the matter, on October 17, 2024, that it found no violation under town ordinances or zoning regulations.

The SB explained the context of the renewed complaint, outlined in a June 14, 2025 letter to the SB, the SB’s obligation to act on it, and the process for doing so.  A different finding by the SB as a result of investigating the renewed complaint would initiate the need for a formal hearing. If the allegation is deemed insufficient for finding good cause for violation, the matter would be closed for now.

The violations alleged in the recent complaint cite Articles 4.1.8., 4.1.18 and 4.1.19. On the latter two, the SB noted this is not a situation where a home occupation or home-based business had been applied for or approved. Article 4.1.8 addresses the accumulation of junk, which is at issue, as is the use of the property and what is allowed in a village residential district.  Article 4.1.3. may also be relevant.

The complainants note their intent to sue both the town and the abutter for lack of enforcement and for nuisance. The abutter defends his right to use his property in ways he believes in no way violate the ordinances. He explained that the materials stored are for personal use and are not harmful in any way. He reiterated his frustration with being surveilled every time he visits his property. The Code Enforcement Officer shared photos of site conditions and his opinion that there is no violation under town ordinances.

In discussion of a new allegation about storage of bricks, referred by the complainants to state environmental officials, the SB noted it will await any determination by the state, but is authorized to revisit prior decisions based on new information.

Mr. Maneval then moved to defer a decision on the matter, before accepting it as an issue or dismissing it, in order to review materials submitted and for further input from DES or any other state entity on the newly raised issue. Andrea Hodson seconded. During discussion, the abutter expressed frustration that a deferral causes continued harassment by the complainant.  The complainant noted that repeated requests to the abutter have gone unheeded. The SB noted its role is to enforce ordinances and that it cannot undertake neighbor to neighbor complaints. It affirmed the previous decision that at this time no business activity is occurring and no violation exists. The new allegation needs to be addressed but it requires input from the state. The vote on the motion was unanimous.

Public Works and facilities – Jeff Cady noted the quote for library chimney repair came in at $6900. Andrea Hodson moved to approve. Mr. Maneval seconded. All voted in favor.

A Primex subcontractor was on site for building inspections for town insurance purposes. No action is required at this time.  Steve LaMears noted APK Construction out of Marlborough will undertake the curbing to complete the village road project. The Highway Dept. is working with Historic Harrisville to coordinate the store and post office parking area and water drainage into the town system, and with Harrisville Designs for drainage on the Kadakit Street paving project. Work on Church Alley, for final closure and improvements for walking trail conditions, is postponed due to community center construction.

On the 2025 Warrant Article for road paving, Ms. Hodson will consult with the DRA on the town’s authority with respect to the article language on the appropriation as it relates to Roxbury Road.

Recycling Center – The SB approved compensation to Kristy Drake for 16 hours per month for work at the Recycling Center. The facility’s balers are several decades old and will need replacing. Mr. LaMears will contact Beate Becker about grant writing assistance for funding for these.  Staff are tracking revenue and expenditures, including a breakout by material cost. Aluminum still needs to be shipped. All commended the staff on the cleanliness and organization at the facility.

Cemetery – Equipment was repaired. Appointment letters are needed for Bobby and Kristy Drake for their additional responsibilities as Cemetery groundskeepers. The rate of $20/hour was unanimously approved by the SB.

Dog nuisance laws/proposed ordinance language – Following a request from the Cemetery Trustees for the SB to consider a town-wide ordinance related to dog nuisances, the SB considered and discussed draft language for stricter rules than the state statute, which the town currently follows. Though the Cemetery’s own regulations include language about leashing and picking up after dogs, their regulations offer no enforcement mechanism. The draft proposes mandatory leashing and removal of waste with proposed fines of $50 per offense. Andrea Hodson offered to draft an additional “purpose” section.

The SB noted the importance of publicizing the proposal ahead of time to stimulate discussion and input. The Cemetery Trustees and the SB will write something for Common Threads. The SB will seek input from the Trails Group as well, though the SB noted any ordinance could only be enforceable on town property.  A public hearing will be held in August. The police department would be responsible for enforcement.

Correspondence and other business
-Community Power – The default rates were set at $13.419 by the Community Power Coalition of NH.  Andrea Hodson noted, in the future, CPCNH will set rates independently rather than trying to hedge against Eversource and other utilities.

-On the recommendation of the Assessor, the SB moved to deny the abatement for Map 31 – Lot 9.

-Meeting Minutes of 6/12 and May 15. The SB voted in favor to approve the minutes of 6/12. Mr. Maneval requested to note as follow up on the Recycling Consultancy contract that, in response to the SB’s counter proposal to Mr. Hoy, Mr. Hoy responded with his resignation.  On the May Meeting Minutes, Kathy Scott objected to the phrasing “hostile work environment” and maintains she had asked Mr. LaMears during the meeting whether he had consulted with RC staff.

-The SB approved the pay warrant in the amount of $197,978.68. The board will check with the auditor about the discrepancy on the MS-535, Report of the Budget, due to the DRA.

– Meeting schedule for July – The SB will meet Thur 7/3 at 7pm, Fri 7/25 at 9:00 am and Thur 7/31 at 7pm.

The meeting adjourned at 12:25 pm.