Select Board
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott
Attendees: Dave Thompson, Ned Hulbert
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer

Agenda, Minutes of 3/19 – With the addition of an update on the Southwest Region Planning Commission, the SB approved the agenda.  The board voted in favor to approve the minutes of March 19.

South Road Bridge – The Town still awaits the Dam Bureau’s Inspection Report, as well as confirmation on the hazard classification of the Russell Reservoir Dam, which may affect the logistics of the South Road Bridge Replacement.  The next step in the bridge replacement process is the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify the lead engineer. This will be followed by the RFP for construction. Andrea Hodson is meeting with the DOT on April 17 to confirm the timetable for funding. Next year’s Town Meeting will include a warrant article for payment. The board will share the project timetable with Dave Thompson of the Friends of Russell Reservoir.

Select Board, Board assignments and election of SB chair – Mr. Maneval will remain the representative to the Planning Board and board liaison to SWRPC.  Andrea Hodson will remain as chair of the Energy Committee. Kathy Scott will continue as liaison to Historic Harrisville and deferred a decision on other boards. Subsequently, Andrea Hodson moved to re-appoint Andrew Maneval as Select Board Chair. Kathy Scott seconded.  All voted in favor.

Canal Fence Committee – A committee of the SB is forming to conduct research, identify potential funding sources, and make recommendations regarding fencing around the village canal. Mr. Maneval will speak to John Knight of Historic Harrisville about the first meeting and parties who have expressed interest in serving. The priority is safety in terms of where fencing should be installed or repaired, but the committee should consider any additional issues of interest, including historical context/aesthetics.

Memorial Day Ceremony – The SB confirmed attendance for the annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, May 24, @ 11 am at Veteran’s Park.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) – Over the next few months, the SB will review the CIP in its most recent form and get input from Steve LaMears on what may need updating or what should be added. The Planning Board may also have suggestions. The SB will discuss further at a June meeting.

Personnel Policies – Andrea Hodson will review the most recent draft and present recommended updates.

Use of public property for non-town gatherings – The SB agreed to continue discussion at a future meeting.

Housing Team – Ned Hulbert shared updates from the volunteer committee, noting that Carol Ogilvie has been working on a description of pocket neighborhoods, including examples from around the state. A proposed pocket neighborhood ordinance was drafted last fall but not put forward at the 2026 Town Meeting.  A working group is looking to identify one or two properties in town to develop a mock-up of 6 or 7 units on a particular parcel that could be used for discussion by Carol Ogilvie and the Ordinance Review Committee to ascertain if a proposal makes sense for 2027 Town Meeting. In addition, Mr. Hulbert noted the example of the Contoocook Housing Trust, which developed multi-family properties of 1-4 bedroom units between 1993 and 2010 in Antrim, Bennington, Peterborough and Hillsborough, and which would like to become active west of Peterborough.

Correspondence and other business
-The SB signed the pay warrant in the amount of $11,945.28.
-The SB signed the building permit for the Building Inspector’s replacement sugar house, burned by fire.
-The SB signed the 2026 pay letters for distribution to and signature by employees, elected officials, election staff and Fire Department members as required for the annual audit.
-The board signed the oaths of office for Scott Oliver to the Agricultural Commission, Harry Wolhandler and John Sandri to the Conservation Commission, Andrea Hodson to the Energy & Electric Aggregation Commission, and Jeff Trudelle to the ZBA.
-Regarding the correspondence from the Eastern Monadnock Security Coalition about support for a 24 hour warming center during extreme weather events and power outages, the board will forward to the Health Officer and Emergency Management Director for their input.
-Signed Notice of Intent to excavate for Map 10 – Lot 6.
-On the SWRPC Select Board Roundtable meeting at the Village Community Center on 4/23 from 6-8pm, Andrew Maneval will attend and report back

SB calendar – The SB will meet Thur 4/16 at 7 pm, and Fri 4/24 at 9 am, Thur 5/7 at 7pm, Thur 5/21 at 7pm. The board will schedule a department head meeting in the 2nd Quarter.  The draft agenda for 4/16 includes HealthTrust, an update from the Dam Bureau and South Road Bridge project, and the draft form for use of public property requests.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.