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Planning Board — April 28, 2026

While votes were unanimous, the formal motion regarding meeting decorum and the discussion of unpermitted construction suggest underlying friction or procedural irregularities.

Date Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Decisions 3 Lively

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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At the April 28 Planning Board meeting, two significant issues were raised that directly impact Andover residents: regulatory oversight and upcoming changes to town law.

First, the Board noted observed unpermitted construction on Flaghole Rd. This suggests that some development in our residential areas may be bypassing necessary town inspections and permits. In response, the Board has directed the Land Use Office to investigate two specific projects to determine if they are in violation of town ordinances.

Second, the Board discussed the urgent need to update Andover’s Ordinances and the Master Plan. These updates are required to bring our local laws in line with 2025 RSA changes. This is not just a clerical task; these updates will change land use, subdivision rules, and development standards for every property owner in Andover.

Residents should stay attentive to how these investigations and ordinance updates are handled, as they will shape the character and legality of development in our community for years to come.

Apr 28, 2026 3 decisions Lively
Notable statements Drag to browse

“An option could be a conservation subdivision.”

— Donna Crisp-Duclos · Discussing potential subdivision methods for 100 Putney Rd.

“Considering a Conservation Subdivision could help provide more housing for the town while maintaining rural character.”

— The Board · Responding to Amanda Shute's inquiry regarding what the town would like to see for her property.
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

The updates are required to align local law with 2025 RSA changes, which will impact land use, subdivision rules, and development standards town-wide.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Jessica Rand, Dan Higginson, Les Fenton, Roland Carter, Jacob Gilman
What was discussed

The board reviewed a minor subdivision application, discussing wetland integration, lot size criteria, and waiver requests.

Speakers: Christine Vigenault, Amanda Shute, Jon Mishcon, Donna Crisp-Duclos
What was discussed

Amanda Shute sought advice on subdividing a portion of her 158-acre property for a home while maintaining the rest for conservation.

Speakers: Jessica Rand, Christine Vigenault, Karen Brule, Les Fenton
What was discussed

The board reviewed recent permits, discussed unpermitted construction observed on Flaghole Rd, and addressed the need to update ordinances following 2025 RSA changes.

Speakers: Jon Mishcon, Jacob Gilman
What was discussed

The board reviewed and amended the minutes from the April 14, 2026, meeting regarding vote counts and application classifications.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Unpermitted Construction on Flaghole Rd

The board noted observed unpermitted construction, which suggests potential violations of town ordinances and lack of regulatory oversight in a specific residential area.
Board position: The board initiated an investigation via the Land Use Office to determine if active permits exist for two specific projects.
medium concern
02

Meeting Decorum Motion

The necessity of a formal motion to mandate that discussions be addressed to the Chair and limited to one speaker at a time often implies previous instances of chaotic or disruptive meeting behavior.
Board position: Passed a formal rule for decorum.
low concern

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
00:00
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver.
Motion by Carter, seconded by Gilman; all in favor.
Passed
Motion regarding meeting decorum: all discussions should have one individual speaking at a time and be addressed to the Chair.
Motion by Fenton, seconded by Carter; all in favor, none opposed.
Passed
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended.
Motion by Carter, seconded by Gilman; all in favor.
Passed

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Unpermitted construction and regulatory oversight
During the April 28 Planning Board meeting, members noted unpermitted construction occurring on Flaghole Rd. The Board has directed the Land Use Office to investigate two specific projects to see if they are violating town ordinances... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/planning-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch
313/280 chars
Broad impact of upcoming ordinance updates
Andover is facing upcoming changes to land use and development standards. The Planning Board is tasked with updating town ordinances and the Master Plan to align with 2025 RSA changes. This will affect every property owner in... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/planning-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
316/280 chars
Internal board decorum and procedural shifts
The Andover Planning Board passed a new formal motion on April 28 requiring all discussions to be addressed to the Chair and limited to one speaker at a time. The move suggests a need to address recent issues with meeting... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/planning-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
312/280 chars

X thread

1
What is happening with unpermitted construction in Andover? During the April 28 Planning Board meeting, officials raised concerns about observed construction on Flaghole Rd that may not have the required permits. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
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2
The Board has officially tasked the Land Use Office with investigating two specific projects on Flaghole Rd. This follows concerns that current construction might be bypassing town ordinances and regulatory oversight.
217/280
3
Beyond Flaghole Rd, the Board is also preparing for significant town-wide changes. They must now update Andover’s Ordinances and Master Plan to comply with 2025 RSA changes—updates that will fundamentally impact local land use and development. 1/3 https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/planning-board/2026-04-28/
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Facebook — long form

At the April 28 Planning Board meeting, two significant issues were raised that directly impact Andover residents: regulatory oversight and upcoming changes to town law.

First, the Board noted observed unpermitted construction on Flaghole Rd. This suggests that some development in our residential areas may be bypassing necessary town inspections and permits. In response, the Board has directed the Land Use Office to investigate two specific projects to determine if they are in violation of town ordinances.

Second, the Board discussed the urgent need to update Andover’s Ordinances and the Master Plan. These updates are required to bring our local laws in line with 2025 RSA changes. This is not just a clerical task; these updates will change land use, subdivision rules, and development standards for every property owner in Andover.

Residents should stay attentive to how these investigations and ordinance updates are handled, as they will shape the character and legality of development in our community for years to come. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/planning-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Update maps to indicate the adjusted leechfield boundary and bring a final plat to the public hearing.
Assigned: Dan Higginson · Due: Public Hearing
Investigate two projects on Flaghole Rd to determine if they have active permits.
Assigned: Land Use Office
Update Andover Ordinances and the Master Plan to reflect 2025 RSA changes.
Assigned: Town/Andover
Consult with a land developer to lay out options and review Conservation Subdivision guidelines.
Assigned: Amanda Shute

Member ⁠positions

6 issues · 0 explicit · 13 inferred
Jon Mishcon
Chair
Present
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver. YES ~
Motion regarding meeting decorum YES ~
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended. YES ~
Jacob Gilman
Vice Chair
Present
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver. YES
Motion regarding meeting decorum YES ~
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended. YES
Present
Non-binding Consultation: Subdivision for 100 Putney Rd
Suggested conservation subdivision as a potential option.
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver. YES ~
Motion regarding meeting decorum YES ~
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended. YES ~
Karen Brule
Member
Present
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver. YES ~
Motion regarding meeting decorum YES ~
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended. YES ~
Roland Carter
Member
Present
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver. YES
Motion regarding meeting decorum YES
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended. YES
Les Fenton
Ex-Officio
Present
Motion regarding meeting decorum YES
Accept application for 419 Flaghole Rd as complete with the requested waiver. YES ~
Approval of the April 14, 2026, minutes as amended. YES ~

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”

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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.