PHOTO: LR: Selectmen: Karl Behr; Lianne Prentice; Emery Roberts; Administrator: Emily Nolan.

Summary of Selectmen Meeting Transcript (April 8, 2025) Meeting Details: Date & Time: April 8, 2025, 16:30–18:20

Location: Town Office meeting room

Present: Selectmen Karl Behr, Lianne Prentice, Emery Roberts; Administrator Emily Nolan

Absent: Steven Schaeffer, Richard Doucette

Camera Operator: Hon. Ed Comeau

Key Agenda Items and Actions: Non-Public Sessions (16:30–17:01): Motion by Behr to enter four non-public sessions under RSA 91-A:3 II, with Session #1 (hiring-related) not sealed. Seconded by Prentice, approved (Behr, Prentice, Roberts: Yes; Schaeffer, Doucette: Absent). Exited at 17:01.

Public/Member Comments: Resident Maureen Diamond (via Zoom) thanked the board for addressing a federal grant freeze resolution and opposed raising the Paige Hill Road speed limit from 25 to 35 mph, citing safety and a prior road study.

Department Reports: Recreation (Jeremy Phillips): New director reported on program continuation (basketball, pickleball), new initiatives (Lego Legends, summer events), and challenges accessing school facilities. Board approved $5,000 from Tamworth Foundation for swim program (Motion: Behr, Second: Prentice, Approved).

Transfer Station: Waived bid policy for plumbing quotes ($2,000–$3,000) (Motion: Prentice, Second: Behr, Approved).

Selectmen Office (Emily Nolan): Town account balance at $3,277,544; maintenance projects over budget by ~$7,000, with potential use of expendable trust fund discussed.

Board Actions: Federal Grant Freeze Resolution: Nancy Sheridan proposed opposing federal grant freeze/cuts (e.g., solar grants, EV chargers). Passed 2-1 (Behr, Prentice: Yes; Roberts: No, citing support for federal cuts). Sheridan to handle outreach.

Minutes Review: Approved amendments and public/non-public minutes for March 18, March 25, and April 1, 2025, noting Prentice’s recusal on Bearcamp PILOT agreement (Motions: Behr, Second: Prentice, Approved).

Tax Levies and Permits: Approved gravel tax ($238.40) and timber tax ($1,127.25).

Approved intents to excavate (Map 413) and cut wood/timber (Map 408).

Approved raffle permit for Bearcamp Valley Sportsman’s Club.

Approved financial manifest ($378,494.06 accounts payable, $51,633.45 payroll).

Approved land use change tax ($1,000) and property tax abatements ($671, $871.57, $156).

Denied one property tax abatement due to late filing (Map 407).

Traffic Safety: Community proposed four-way stop at Route 113/113A and bike lanes; board planned DOT presentation.

Committee/Board Reports: Prentice highlighted recycling talk, sought planning commission alternate, reinstated sick bank policy, and supported shifting meetings to 6:00 PM from April 22.

Roberts supported meeting time change.

Behr focused on traffic safety committee.

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 18:20.

Key Themes: Community engagement on traffic safety (Paige Hill Road, Route 113/113A) and federal funding issues.

Recreation program expansion and facility access challenges.

Fiscal management, including tax approvals, budget overruns, and grant funding concerns.

Tension over federal grant freeze resolution, reflecting local vs. broader fiscal policy divides.