Select Board
Friday, August 28, 2026
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Kathy Scott, Andrea Hodson
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer

The meeting opened at 9:00 am.

Agenda, Minutes of 7/31
With the addition of an update from Harry Wolhandler on the Conservation Commission’s knotweed removal program, and updates from Andrea Hodson on the South Road Bridge project and the Energy Committee, the agenda was approved as amended.

For the July 31 minutes, the board approved with the following amendments: Kathy Scott’s request to have the DOT inspect the stone wall along Main Street was in relation to the Transportation Committee’s work; and Andrea Hodson’s confirmation of Select Board approval of the Energy Committee’s recommendation to join Clean Energy NH.

Conservation Commission
HCC Chair Harry Wolhandler shared feedback from the commission’s discussion of recommendations for the knotweed removal program put forth at the public meeting on 7/23.

  • The blue dye used in the herbicide dries after 5 minutes, when the solution dries.
  • Estimated regrowth following last year’s treatment is 10%, with 2-3’ plants appearing
  • There is no risk to adjacent plants or animals once the herbicide dries. There is no evidence of toxicity to pets.
  • The solution is only absorbed through the leaf system and is no longer active once it dries.
  • Given how quickly the herbicide dries, and how brief its active time, posting signs at the treatment areas doesn’t make much sense; however, there will be advanced notice via the town website, town FB page, the post office and digital sign board, as well as letters to property owners abutting the treated roadside right of way.
  • Glyphosate is an aquatic herbicide approved for use on invasives in water. Andy Powers is only one of 4 licensed water herbicide treatment applicators.
  • Because Mr. Powers is the licensed professional, HCC members don’t believe it’s useful for them to accompany him during application.

Separately, on the HCC’s Saving Hemlocks initiative, Mr. Wolhandler confirmed that the non-profit White Mountain Horticultural Research foundation holds the permit for the acquisition and release of beetles, and that management of donations and all financial activity is done through the 501(c)3.

Affordable Housing
Ned Hulbert updated the SB that the housing team is drafting a proposed pocket neighborhood ordinance and met on 7/24  with the Ordinance Review Committee. The ORC will edit the submitted draft with the continued assistance of Carol Ogilvie. The team is researching ballpark costs for 6-unit housing, with units estimated at 1000 to 1500 square feet. Mr. Hulbert has invited the head of the Contoocook Housing Trust to attend the SB meeting on Thurs 10/8 at 7 pm. The Trust, which oversees multifamily housing developments of 2-3 units per house, will share their strategy for long-term rentals.

Nonpublic session
At 9:20 am, per RSA 91-A:3II, the SB moved to enter nonpublic session to discuss assistance for a resident due to severe illness. Following discussion, the SB moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve the recommendation of the Welfare Officer to offer assistance for rent in the amount of $1,290.  At 9:25 am, the board moved and voted in favor to exit nonpublic session.

Inquiry re Skatutakee Road culvert
John and Anne Cucchi asked the board to consider taking ownership of the land underneath the culvert within the right of way on their property fronting Skatutakee Road. SB members will visit the site, denoted in a survey by Ed Goodrich, and discuss the matter at its next meeting. The board also noted it will review the Talon Report, cited by the Cucchis as a comprehensive analysis of the railroad right of way, with respect to whether or not a warrant article should be drafted to clarify the road layout.

County Sheriff Eli Rivera
Sheriff Rivera shared that a new public safety police radio antenna, on leased Aldworth Manor property, is anticipated to be turned on mid-September. As the installation is currently designed, it can accommodate additional equipment for the Fire Dept, but not for Highway radio communications.

Transportation Committee (TC)
The Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) approved the TC’s submission for a preliminary engineering grant, though it ruled out an engineering design of Historic Harrisville’s parking lot as this doesn’t fit the Complete Streets requirement.  The engineering firm is aware that historic district considerations are paramount. The TC hopes to hold a community conversation in September, prior to submitting a MAST grant for a crosswalk and ledge-shearing. The application deadline is Oct 15. The maximum amount the Town could receive is $11,500 and a 20% match is required. SB has already agreed to $1K, but the TC may need more pending HHI’s decision on contributing ½ of the match amount.

Mary Day Mordecai noted she spoke to Frank Linnenbringer, the chief DOT engineer for the region, about the integrity of the stone wall along Main Street. It was determined to be in fair condition.  Kathy Scott requested that the TC convey to the DOT the request to add formal inspection to the DOT queue.

South Road Bridge Replacement
The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the construction engineer will be issued next week. As put for in the 2024 Warrant Article for the project, the Town will receive 80% reimbursement for the cost of DuBois & King’s engineering design updates. The SB will draft a Warrant Article for 2027 to cover construction costs before reimbursement occurs.

Energy Committee
Clean Energy NH has connected the committee to the group that handles municipal energy audits. The SB discussed the prospect for audits for the PD, library, fire station, recycling center, and town hall and moved and voted unanimously in favor to seek no-cost audits. The SB also moved and voted unanimously in favor to authorize the Energy Committee to analyze the town’s streetlight contract, also at no cost to the town. The committee will also revisit the solar array at town hall and the matter of an EV charging station on municipal property.

Nonpublic session
At 11:43 am the board moved and voted in favor to enter nonpublic session to discuss personnel matters, including reporting structure in the SB office, moving and voting in favor for the Finance Specialist to report to the SB Administrator. The board moved and voted in favor to exit nonpublic session at 11:48 am.  At the next SB meeting, the board will review the SB Administrator job description, as well as the Treasurer and Emergency Management Director job descriptions.

Correspondence and other business
-Inquiry re signage. The SB will look at the noted home-based business sign relative to the town’s sign ordinance.
-Old Home Days. On the committee’s request for better WiFi access near the library during that weekend’s activities, the board will explore options, including temporary rental of a booster.
-Historic District Commission. Following the recommendation of the HDC Chair and committee, Kathy Scott moved to appoint Michael Amato to the HDC.  Andrea Hodson seconded. All voted in favor.
-Pay and payroll warrants. The board approved August pay warrants for $276,543.91 and for $20,419.69 and approved the payroll warrants for August 6 and August 20.
-Old Fire Station, Harrisville Pond Boat Ramp. The board discussed a request to rent space. Mr. Maneval will speak to police and highway department heads on their storage needs, and to Mr. Sorenson of the underutilized buildings committee.  Renting would be a public process.
-Safety Committee. Police Chief Matt Perry and Andrea Hodson discussed cybersecurity training for employees. Separately the chief noted he is working with the Trails Group on signage/markings along the rail trail to assist with response to safety/medical calls.
-PD radio equipment grant. Chief Perry noted a grant opportunity for equipment for the police cruisers is in place until Sept 2027. He will budget for this, as equipment must be purchased before reimbursement.
Town Clerk – The NH Primary is Tues 9/8. Voting at Town Hall is from 8 am – 7 pm and will include the first use of a voting tabulator.  Testing of the tabulator will occur at a public hearing on Tues 9/1 @ 7 pm at Town Hall.

SB Meeting Calendar. Tues 9/8 during the Primary, Thur 9/17 at 7pm, Fri 9/25 @ 9 am; Thur 10/8 at 7pm The preliminary agenda for the next meeting includes follow up on town interest in the Skatutakee Road culvert, the RFQ cycle for the South Road Bridge, the MAST grant match, and employee job descriptions.

The meeting adjourned at 11:55 am.