PHOTO: Bobbie Boudman addresses the County Commission regarding 287 (g) Federal immigration policy and enforcement.

Below, I’ve provided a syntax list of key names, roles, and terms from the Carroll County, NH Commission meeting transcript, followed by a detailed synopsis of the meeting’s proceedings, focusing on the major agenda items, discussions, and public comments, particularly the 287(g) ICE MOU debate. Syntax List Commissioners and County Staff: Chuck McGee: Commissioner, chaired the meeting.

Harold B. Parker: Commissioner, provided updates and participated in motions.

Hon. Ed Comeau: Camera operator, also spoke during public comment as a resident of Brookfield.

Mellisa Seamans: Executive Coordinator, assisted with procedural matters (e.g., Freedom of Information Act requests, non-public session requirements).

Bob Murray: Facilities Director, presented mattress bids for the nursing home and discussed Tuftonboro Fire Department training request.

Richard Leboeuf: Mountain View Community Nursing Home representative (mentioned in context of mattress bids).

Linda Matchett: Human Resource Director, provided HR department update.

Public Speakers: Fred Cain: Public commenter, praised registry staff and inquired about a former commissioner’s phone/email records and hoop house funds.

Dallas Emery: Public commenter.

Bobbie Boudman: Wolfeboro resident, led discussion on 287(g) ICE MOU, requested to delay until 9:00 AM for public attendance, and made a final appeal to freeze funding.

Anne Glavin: Sandwich resident, spoke against 287(g), citing due process concerns and a federal judge’s opinion.

Anita Burroughs: State Representative for Carroll 2, opposed 287(g), shared story of Fabian Schmidt to highlight due process issues.

Tom Randall: Moultonborough resident, former lawyer, opposed 287(g) due to constitutional concerns.

Maureen Diamond: Tamworth resident, opposed 287(g), emphasized fiscal concerns and existing law enforcement cooperation.

Jessica Waters: Madison resident, opposed 287(g), highlighted financial, legal, and moral costs.

Carol Bence: Tuftonboro resident, opposed 287(g), concerned about due process and misuse of county resources.

Goi Milner: Ossipee resident, opposed 287(g), valued local police but feared loss of trust.

Beverly Woods: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), cited cases of deported families and impact on law enforcement’s mental health.

Karen Bernetti: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), highlighted impact on international students and seasonal workers.

Jerry Kerr: Conway resident, opposed 287(g), shared fears for his green card-holding son-in-law and criticized ICE’s tactics.

Keith Lion: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), quoted Ronald Reagan on immigration’s value to America.

Brian Hennessy: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), referenced historical parallels to 1930s-40s.

Maxi: Tuftonboro resident, opposed 287(g), cited constitutional violations and recent ICE cases.

Mary Lou Hatcher: Tamworth resident, opposed 287(g), emphasized empathy for immigrants and opportunity costs.

Blair Moffett: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), suggested commissioners follow the law without ICE involvement.

Cheryl Lang: Ossipee resident, opposed 287(g), expressed concerns about overzealous law enforcement.

Karen Curran: Conway resident, opposed 287(g), questioned the need for ICE collaboration given low immigration issues.

Diane RD: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), raised concerns about immigrants’ reluctance to report crimes and potential lawsuit costs.

Sue Batnik: Madison resident, opposed 287(g), shared story of a Venezuelan arrested due to a tattoo.

Caroline Castillo: Tamworth resident, opposed 287(g), shocked at ICE’s disregard for the Constitution.

Jim Diamond: Tamworth resident, opposed 287(g), cited fiscal irresponsibility and minimal border incidents.

Ellen Farnum: Tamworth resident, opposed 287(g), highlighted fear among legal immigrants and budget concerns.

Janet Morris: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), emphasized training costs and minimal undocumented immigrant crime.

Nancy Gloaki: Wolfeboro resident, opposed 287(g), urged decisions with “heart” and criticized harsh ICE tactics.

Dallas Emery: (Pro-287(g)): Defended 287(g), criticized opponents as hypocritical, referenced January 6 defendants and COVID-era policies.

Key Terms and Concepts: 287(g) ICE MOU: A federal program under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing local law enforcement to act as immigration agents in cooperation with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Two models mentioned: Jail Enforcement Model (screening inmates’ immigration status) and Warrant Service Officer Model (expanded responsibilities).

Due Process: A recurring concern among speakers, referencing constitutional protections (e.g., 4th, 5th, 14th Amendments) allegedly violated by ICE’s actions.

Racial Profiling: Cited as a reason the 287(g) program was paused in 2012, with fears of its recurrence.

Fiscal Concerns: Public worries about training costs (40 hours for sheriff’s deputies), transportation costs (e.g., to Rockingham County), and lack of federal reimbursement.

"Homegrowns": Term used by speakers to describe American citizens potentially targeted by ICE or similar policies, referencing Trump’s rhetoric.

Non-Public Session: Conducted under NH RSA 91-A:3 II (a) and (c) for employee dismissal, promotion, compensation, investigation, or reputation matters; minutes sealed to protect proposed actions.

Detailed Synopsis The Carroll County Commissioners’ meeting on April 28, 2025, convened at 8:29 AM, chaired by Commissioner Chuck McGee, with Commissioner Harold B. Parker present. The meeting covered routine county business but was dominated by a lengthy public comment period focused on opposition to the 287(g) ICE Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which would deputize local sheriff’s deputies to assist ICE with immigration enforcement. Opening and Routine Business Pledge of Allegiance: The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by McGee.

Public Comment (Initial): Fred Cain praised the registry staff’s efficiency and inquired about updates on a former commissioner’s phone records (only numbers retrieved, no texts/emails)

Dallas Emery: Hoop house funds ($71,000 unencumbered, likely used to reduce taxes). He offered to buy the hoop house or continue the project.

Hale’s Location Recess (8:34 AM): A brief recess to approve the concise April 21, 2025, minutes for Hale’s Location, motioned by McGee, seconded by Parker, and unanimously approved.

Regular Session Resumed (8:34 AM): Minutes Approval: The April 21, 2025, regular session minutes were approved unanimously.

Non-Public Session Minutes: A long list of 2014 non-public session minutes (January 8 to December 17) was approved for public release after review to ensure no employee IDs were exposed, continuing the county’s effort to make historical records public.

Manifest Approval: Accounts payable for April 24, 2025 ($386,423.45) and payroll for April 25, 2025 ($244,202.98) were approved unanimously.

Mattress Bids for Nursing Home: Facilities Director Bob Murray presented three bids for nursing home mattresses: McKesson Medical ($17,725.79), Geriatric Medical ($15,687), and Direct Supply ($17,000 for 103 mattresses plus four at $1,128). Geriatric Medical was the lowest bid, but the bids were to be reviewed by Murray and the nursing home administrator, with a recommendation due the following week.

Tuftonboro Fire Department Request: Murray reported no objections from department heads to the Tuftonboro Fire Department using county property for weekend driver training. The commissioners approved the request unanimously.

HR Update by Linda Matchett: Matchett reported on open enrollment for a new Anthem Blue Cross benefits plan (replacing Harvard Pilgrim), with 110 of 189 eligible employees enrolled. Seven information sessions were held, and employees were pleased. Hiring was strong at the nursing home (five new hires), with ongoing recruitment for corrections and finance director positions. April 1 salary increases were processed without retroactivity, and retention was positive.

287(g) ICE MOU Discussion (9:00 AM) The meeting’s focal point was a 9:00 AM agenda item on the 287(g) ICE MOU, prompted by Bobbie Boudman, who requested a delay until 9:00 AM to allow more citizens to attend due to the county’s size and travel times. The discussion drew an unprecedented crowd (approximately 50 attendees), reflecting significant public interest. Overview by Boudman: Boudman introduced the 287(g) program, noting its 1996 origin under President Clinton to address undocumented immigration, its 2012 suspension due to racial profiling and due process violations, and its recent revival. She expressed fiscal concerns (training and operational costs borne by taxpayers) and argued the program was unnecessary in Carroll County, where undocumented immigrants are minimal (estimated 52 people, 1% of the state’s population). She also shared a personal experience of being targeted by police during a 2023 Trump rally protest, framing herself as a “homegrown” citizen at risk under expanded enforcement.

Public Comments (Opposition): Over 20 speakers opposed the 287(g) program, citing constitutional, moral, fiscal, and community impacts. Key points included: Due Process Violations: Anne Glavin quoted Judge Harvey Wilkinson’s opinion in the Abrego Garcia case, warning of deportations without due process, even for citizens. Anita Burroughs shared the case of Fabian Schmidt, a legal resident detained without explanation. Maxi cited cases like the Gregorio brothers and a Turkish student arrested without warrants.

Constitutional Concerns: Tom Randall, a former lawyer, argued 287(g) contravenes the U.S. Constitution, supported by Supreme Court rulings. Cheryl Lang and Caroline Castillo emphasized the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of due process for all.

Impact on Immigrants: Beverly Woods highlighted deportations of families with U.S. citizen children, including a toddler with cancer. Karen Bernetti noted fears among international students at Brewster Academy and seasonal workers. Jerry Kerr expressed concern for his green card-holding son-in-law, fearing “disappearance” to El Salvador.

Fiscal and Resource Concerns: Maureen Diamond, Ellen Farnum, and Jim Diamond argued the program’s costs (40 hours of training for 13 deputies, transportation to Rockingham County) outweighed benefits, given low undocumented immigrant numbers (1% of the state, 7% of the workforce). Diane RD warned of lawsuit costs.

Community Trust: Jessica Waters and Goi Milner feared 287(g) would erode trust in local police, discouraging immigrants from reporting crimes. Blair Moffett urged commissioners to “follow the law” without ICE entanglement, citing Wolfeboro Police Chief Warren’s stance.

Moral and Historical Arguments: Keith Lion quoted Ronald Reagan on immigration’s value to America. Brian Hennessy referenced 1930s-40s authoritarianism. Nancy Gloaki urged decisions with “heart,” criticizing ICE’s cruelty. Mary Lou Hatcher called for empathy, noting immigrants’ desperation and local poverty needs (e.g., 50% of Tamworth students on free/reduced lunch).

Law Enforcement Burden: Sue Batnik cited a Venezuelan arrested for a tattoo, warning of wrongful deportations. Janet Morris noted training inadequacies (40 hours vs. ICE’s four months) and minimal undocumented immigrant crime (1.7% of NH workforce).

Public Comment (Support): Ed Comeau (camera operator, speaking as a Brookfield resident) provided context, noting 287(g)’s Jail Enforcement Model applies primarily in jails, screening inmates’ immigration status using federal databases. He mentioned a Warrant Service Officer Model with expanded responsibilities but urged education on both.

Dallas Emery criticized opponents as hypocritical, citing COVID-era mask mandates and January 6 defendants’ alleged lack of due process, and claimed the Constitution is selectively invoked. This sparked a brief rebuttal from another speaker, who clarified January 6 defendants received trials.

Commissioners’ Response: McGee clarified that the 287(g) decision lies with the elected sheriff, not the commissioners, as the sheriff’s department is independent. The jail, under the commissioners’ purview via the superintendent, might be involved, but no direct decision was before the board.

Boudman countered that commissioners control the budget (set by them, approved by the county delegation), and freezing 287(g) funding could halt the program. She noted no federal funding exists, and local taxpayers would bear training and operational costs.

Comments from the meeting were to be forwarded to the sheriff for consideration.

Closing Non-Public Session (8:51 AM): The commissioners entered a non-public session under NH RSA 91-A:3 II (a) and (c) to discuss employee matters and reputation, with minutes sealed to protect proposed actions.

Final Public Comment: No additional comments were recorded after the 287(g) discussion, and the meeting adjourned without commissioners’ reports or further business.