Select Board Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Meeting Minutes
Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott
Attendees: Dave O’Neil, John Farwell, Tim Dane, Steve LaMears, Anne Havill, Don Scott, Cathy Lovas, Ryan Stone
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer
Mr. Maneval opened the meeting at 7:00 pm and immediately opened the 2nd Public Hearing on the Proposed 2026 Operating Budget and Warrant.
The SB highlighted the significant changes over the 2025 budget, accounting for the approximately 4.9% increase. Mr. Maneval noted the rise in the town’s insurance policy costs, ambulance service costs, fire/mutual aid cost and the town retirement plan contributions, as well as the proposed 3% COLA for eligible employees all contributed to this. Department heads did their best to manage or reduce their budgets to help offset these mostly uncontrollable expenses.
The board reviewed the budget, department by department, and fielded numerous questions about expenses in the public works, recycling and general government departments. The board also heard questions about the formatting of the budget relative to employee compensation and why wages and retirement and benefits are not separated out by employee and by compensation package details. The SB explained that all of this information is public and could be provided, but that Harrisville consolidates these lines to simplify the budgeting process and to align with the reporting process for the state. The board also offered to provide specific information it did not have on hand (for example on library programming and fire alarms and extinguisher budgets) to answer some of the attendees’ questions.
The SB also was asked about the proposed operating budget relative to actual expenditures in the prior year rather than the total budget for the prior year, as the increase over actual expenditures is a larger number. The SB noted that any unspent funds are returned to the general fund to offset the next year’s tax impact, and that departments and the board want to ensure as much as possible that adequate funds are on hand for known expenses and the occasional unknown expenditures.
On the request from Dave O’Neil to have the town look at taking down dead trees along the road, the SB noted it will discuss this. The Fire Dept is concerned given the hazard caused by trees that fall onto electrical lines.
The board reviewed the proposed warrant articles, explaining the proposal to lease for purchase of a pickup truck and loader rather than purchasing outright from the Capital Reserve Funds. The board also noted the proposed improvements for the fire station.
The board closed the public hearing on the budget at 8:30 pm.
Agenda, Minutes of 2/5 – The board noted it approved the agenda and the minutes of Feb 5.
South Road Bridge project – The SB authorized Andrea Hodson to ask D&K to file the shoreland permit. She also is working with Dubois & King on the Request for Qualifications, which precedes the RFP.
Transportation Committee budget request – On the request to the SB to set aside money for a grant for the committee’s walkability project, Andrew Maneval proposed to amend the proposed operating budget professional services line from $17K to $7K. Kathy Scott seconded. All voted in favor.
Pay warrant – The board signed the pay warrant for $41,734.33.
Health Officer request – In response to Dave Belknap’s request for a second annual wellness clinic sponsored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the SB suggested he talk to Jordan Long and Tara Perry about the Village Community Center’s program plans.
Light on flagpole at Memorial Park – The board will reach out to Scott Stone about repairing the light on the flag pole at Veteran’s Park.
Email correspondence from John Cucchi – The SB acknowledged receipt of the email from Mr. Cucchi declining the proposal to meet with the board after Town Meeting.
SB Calendar – The next SB meeting is Thur 2/19. The agenda will include a discussion with the auditor, Vachon Clukay, to review the draft financial statements, an update on the South Road Bridge project, and Town Meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm.