Minutes of Town Meeting and Elections
Town of Harrisville
County of Cheshire
State of New Hampshire
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Harrisville Annual Town Meeting for 2026 opened at 7:00 pm at Wells Memorial School, 235 Chesham Road. At 7:01 pm, Moderator Bryan Kingsbury announced the closing of town and school election ballot voting.
The Moderator then welcomed attendees, extended thanks and recognition to school administration and staff, the Town’s Police, Fire and Municipal Services departments, town officials, board and committee members and election officials. He then introduced the Select Board, who subsequently announced two special awards.
First, Select Board Chair and Fire Department Treasurer Andrew Maneval honored retiring Fire Chief Wayne Derosia for his 23 years of service as Chief, for his leadership, dedication and professionalism and his care for the community. Mr. Maneval and members of the Fire Department awarded a plaque to the retiring Chief, who received a standing ovation from the townspeople for going above and beyond, for his extraordinary dedication and accomplishments.
Second, Select Board member Andrea Hodson named the 2025 Citizens of the Year, awarded to longtime board and committee members and citizen volunteers Mary Day Mordecai and Ned Hulbert. Ms. Hodson recognized the two resident recipients for their contributions to a wide range of endeavors, including to the town’s Master Plan, traffic calming and safety measures, participation in and introduction of Complete Streets policies and planning, adoption and implementation of a Community Power aggregation plan, bringing broadband/fiber to town, and organizing community conversations to raise awareness and solicit feedback on these and other projects. The recipients also were recognized for their leadership, collaboration and team-building and for successfully obtaining grant funding to offset town costs, most recently for Transportation Committee and Housing initiatives.
Prior to outlining the rules of Town Meeting, the Moderator issued his strong encouragement to all to attend the annual School Board Meeting, as school operations affect every resident and property owner. Mr. Kingsbury then outlined meeting protocol and proceeded with addressing the Town Warrant
Article 01 – Election of Officers. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing. Elections from the floor occurred as follows: Chesham Beach Committee – Judy Gagne and Patrick Gagne. Elected by VOICE vote; Harrisville Beach Committee – Ranae O’Neil, Scott Oliver, Katrina Farmer, Scott Stone, Eric Swope. Elected by Voice vote; Recreation Committee –Ranae O’Neil and David O’Neil; Elected by VOICE vote; Old Home Days Committee – Susan Weller, Kristy Drake, Emily Drury, Victoria Finlayson, Ranae O’Neil, Tara Perry, Cindra Zingaro. Elected by VOICE vote; Fence Viewers – Select Board. Elected by VOICE vote. Fire Wards – Joe Breidt, Sharon Breidt, David O’Neil and Jonathan St. Peter. Elected by VOICE vote.
Article 02 – Zoning Ordinance Amendments. To see how the Town will vote by Official Ballot on the proposed amendments to portions of the Harrisville Zoning Ordinances. These were addressed by official ballot.
Article 03 – Operating Budget. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,842,587 for general municipal operations with $120,000 to come from the unassigned fund balance, the remaining balance to come from taxation. This article does not include appropriations contained in special or individual articles addressed separately. The article was moved and seconded. Select Board member Maneval addressed the article and highly encouraged attendance at the town’s annual budget hearings prior to Town Meeting. He noted a roughly 4.5% increase over the 2025 operating budget, largely due to increased costs imposed on the town. The board’s goal continues to be to maintain the tax rate as low as possible, while running a town that meets residents’ needs. No further discussion. Article 03 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 04 – Capital Reserve Fund Allocations. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $184,000 to be added to the Capital Reserve Funds previously established and to allocate the sum as follows: Dams-$2,000; Bridges-$5,000; Roads-$10,000; Fire Equipment-$25,000; Police Equipment-$10,000; Road Equipment-$75,000; Property ReValuation-$5,000; Gravel Pit Reclamation-$2,000; Town Buildings-$50,000. [Recommended by the Select Board. Majority vote required.] The article was moved and seconded. Select Board Member Kathy Scott addressed the article. No further discussion. Article 04 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 05 – Change the Office of the Treasurer to an Appointed Position. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board, pursuant to RSA 41:26-e, to annually appoint the Town Treasurer, a position currently elected by ballot. If adopted, the authority of the Select Board to appoint a Treasurer will remain in effect until changed by majority vote at a future Town Meeting. The current elected Treasurer shall continue to hold office until 2027 Town Meeting. The article was moved and seconded. Select Board member Hodson noted that this gives the town the opportunity for a larger candidate pool as it allows non-residents to apply and fill the position. No further discussion. Article 05 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 06 – Lease/Purchase Pick-up Truck. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to enter into a five (5) year lease-purchase agreement in the principal amount of $70,091, to be payable in five equal annual payments plus a final payment of $1 in the fifth year, to finance the purchase of a new Ford F-350 pick-up truck with plow equipment for public works projects, and to raise and appropriate the sum of up to $17,000 for the first year’s (2026) payment of principal and interest under the lease-purchase agreement, such amount to come from the Road Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. And further to authorize the Select Board to negotiate the terms of such lease-purchase agreement and to determine the rate of interest thereon. This lease-purchase agreement shall contain an escape clause. [Recommended by the Select Board. Majority vote required.] The article was moved and seconded. Mr. Maneval addressed the article, noting one of the reasons for leasing versus purchasing outright is to be able to better predict and level out the financial impact of purchases year to year. A question was raised as to the use of the vehicle being only for town business and the board confirmed it would be, and is to replace the practice of using personal vehicles for town business. The interest rate quoted to the town on the tax-free agreement was 7%. With no further discussion, Article 06 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 07 – Lease/Purchase Wheel Loader. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to enter into a five (5) year lease-purchase agreement in the principal amount of $249,500 to be payable in five equal annual payments plus a final payment of $1 in the fifth year, to finance the purchase of a new Caterpillar Wheel Loader to replace the 2002 John Deere loader, and to raise and appropriate the sum of up to $56,000 for the first year’s (2026) payment of principal and interest under the lease-purchase agreement, such amount to come from the Road Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. And further to authorize the Select Board to negotiate the terms of such lease-purchase agreement and to determine the rate of interest thereon. This lease-purchase agreement shall contain an escape clause. [Recommended by the Select Board. Majority vote required.] The article was moved and seconded. Mr. Maneval addressed the article. There was no further discussion. Article 07 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 08 – Town Building Improvements. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $78,500 for building repairs and maintenance at the Fire Department and Old Highway Garage. And further to authorize the expenditure of $78,500 from the Town Buildings Capital Reserve Fund for this purpose. No amount to be raised by taxation. Improvements will include flooring, ceiling, general building upgrades at the Fire Department, and relocating the fuel tanks and generator from the Old Highway Garage to the Town Barn on Willard Hill Road. This special warrant article will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or December 31, 2027, whichever is sooner. [Recommended by the Select Board. Majority vote required.] The article was moved and seconded. Ms. Hodson noted the need for the improvements to the structure, which will be followed up with another warrant next year for a second phase of upgrades. No further discussion. Article 08 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 09 – Improve Roxbury, Meadow and Hancock Roads. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $90,725 to improve Roxbury Road, Meadow Road and a portion of Hancock Road with 2” hot top asphalt mix a total distance of 5300 linear feet with widths not to exceed existing widths. And further to authorize the expenditure of up to $65,725 from the Roads Capital Reserve Fund for this purpose, the balance to come from Highway Block Grant funds. No amount to be raised by taxation. This special warrant article will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or December 31, 2027, whichever is sooner. [Recommended by the Select Board. Majority vote required.] The article was moved and seconded. Kathy Scott noted that some of this work is uncompleted work from 2025 due to increased costs. The Municipal Services Director Steve LaMears confirmed that only the paved section of Meadow Road would be improved, and the section of Hancock Road is from the intersection of Main Street to the boat ramp. Article 09 PASSED by voice vote.
Article 10 – Purchase Culverts. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to purchase road culverts for the purpose of drainage improvements and maintenance of town roads. And further to authorize the expenditure of $20,000 to come from the Roads Capital Reserve Fund for this purpose. No amount to be raised by taxation. This special warrant article will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or December 31, 2027, whichever is sooner. [Recommended by the Select Board. Majority vote required.] Kathy Scott emphasized the importance of maintaining culverts for stormwater, erosion and pollution control. A resident asked the Select Board to please keep culvert purchases in the operating budget, as is typically done, and not to put them on the Warrant. He also asked for greater specificity in budget expenditures for transparency. With no further discussion, Article 10 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 11 – Reduce Term of Office for Supervisors of the Checklist. To see if the Town is in favor of adopting 3-year terms for the Supervisors of the Checklist, electing one each year over a 3-year cycle. The change in term duration from the current 6 years to 3 years will take effect following the 2027 Town Meeting and shall not affect the terms of supervisors currently in office. The supervisors elected in 2022, 2024 and 2026 shall still serve 6-year terms ending in 2028, 2030 and 2032, respectively. One supervisor shall be elected in 2030 to a 3-year term ending in 2033. Beginning in 2032 and continuing each year thereafter, one Supervisor of the Checklist shall be elected to a 3-year term at the annual Town Election each year. The article was moved and seconded. Andrea Hodson explained that this comes recommended by the Town Clerk and Supervisors of the Checklist so new candidates running for office would commit to shorter terms. Article 11 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 12 – Receive Report of Agents. To hear reports of agents, committees, and offices chosen and pass any vote related thereto. The article was moved and seconded. No discussion. Article 12 PASSED by VOICE vote.
Article 13 – Business Transactions. To transact any business that may legally come before this meeting. The article was moved and seconded. The request raised in 2025 for repairs to the Island Street fencing across from the library along the canal was again raised and discussed. The board and Steve LaMears noted this will be addressed this year and that funds were put in the highway budget for at least a temporary fix. The issue involves more than just the town, but the town will work to find a solution that works for all. Article 13 PASSED by VOICE vote.
With no further business, the motion was made and seconded to officially close the deliberative session of the 2026 Town Meeting. At 8:08 pm, Town Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann Noyer, Recording Secretary, for Catherine Lovas, Town Clerk
March 25, 2026
Attest: A true copy of the Minutes of the Harrisville Town Meeting held March 10, 2026
Mary Ann Noyer, Recording Secretary
March 25, 2026
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Lovas, Town Clerk
March 25, 2026
Attest: A true copy of the Minutes of the Harrisville Town Meeting held March 10, 2026
Catherine Lovas
March 25, 2026