NH
Covering Exeter costs real money.
Help fund coverage →
Exeter, NH
Tracking 8 boards and committees in Exeter. Every meeting transcribed, every vote logged.
At a glance
This town in numbers.
21
Worth watching
164
Decisions logged
56
Public comments
25
Meetings analyzed
25
Meetings analyzed
8
Boards tracked
56
Comments tracked
21
Worth watching
Worth watching here
Recent meetings flagged as heated, off-agenda, or otherwise consequential.
Jali Associates Site Plan Review (Hotel Development)
The proposal for a four-story hotel faces multi-faceted opposition from local business owners and residents regarding traffic flow, legal easement impacts, noise, security, and neighborhood aesthetics.
Contentious
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change
A proposal to expand the 'no parking' zone from 30 to 170 feet from an intersection. Residents expressed strong opposition, citing personal hardships and a lack of safety evidence, while proponents argued it is a safety necessity for a 'blind corner'.
Contentious
Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage
Residents are concerned about driver behavior following new developments, leading to a proposal for new traffic signage (potentially a three-way stop).
Contentious
Clemson Pond CSO Project Cost Overruns
Unanticipated contamination from a former gas plant led to cost overruns, requiring the use of sewer reserve funds.
Contentious
J. Calley Associates Micro Hotel Proposal (Case 26-3)
The proposal involves high-density development on a small lot, raising significant concerns regarding traffic safety (specifically routing delivery trucks through a bank drive-thru), pedestrian conflicts, ADA compliance, and easement rights. Neighbors argue it is a recycled version of a previously denied application.
Contentious
Phillips Exeter Academy Special Exception (-2 River Street)
The proposal for three duplexes (six units) on a dead-end street pits the Academy's need for faculty housing against resident concerns regarding traffic congestion, pedestrian safety (specifically for children), and potential property value depreciation.
Contentious
Phillips Exeter Academy Residential Variance Request
The proposal seeks to build high-density townhouse-style units in an R2 residential district. It pits institutional housing needs against neighborhood character, drainage concerns, and traffic safety.
Contentious
Variance Request for 29 Front Street
The request involved significant deviations from zoning requirements, including a height increase and a substantial reduction in required lot area per dwelling unit. A neighbor specifically opposed the height increase, citing potential loss of solar energy access and diminished property value.
Community responsiveness
How well does each board address what residents say in public comment? Higher is better.
1
Historic District Commission
100%
→
2
Select Board
92%
→
3
Exeter Region Cooperative School Board
79%
→
4
Heritage Commission
67%
→
5
Planning Board
61%
→
6
Zoning Board of Adjustment
57%
→
7
Exeter School Board
50%
→
8
Conservation Commission
50%
→
Based on 63 public comments across 8 boards. Trend compares recent vs. older meetings.
Boards & committees
Click any board to see meeting reports.
S
Select Board
9 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-05-18
92% responsive
8 heated
P
Planning Board
5 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-05-28
61% responsive
5 heated
E
Exeter School Board
3 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-05-12
50% responsive
2 heated
Z
Zoning Board of Adjustment
3 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-05-19
57% responsive
3 heated
E
Exeter Region Cooperative School Board
3 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-05-19
79% responsive
3 heated
C
Conservation Commission
2 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-05-12
50% responsive
2 heated
H
Heritage Commission
2 meetings tracked
Latest: 2026-04-15
67% responsive
H
Historic District Commission
1 meeting tracked
Latest: 2026-04-16
100% responsive
1 heated
Upcoming & in progress
Upcoming meetings first, then recent items still being processed. Briefs publish here as agendas are posted; full reports follow each meeting.
- 2026-06-01 Transcribing
Recent reports
Published reports across every board.
Planning Board — Thursday, May 28, 2026
The meeting featured significant pushback from professional legal representatives and multiple residents, creating a high-stakes atmosphere centered on legal and neighborhood impacts.
Contentious
Zoning Change
Zoning Board of Adjustment — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Zoning Variances for 29 Front Street — Allows for higher density and increased building height than currently permitted by the zoning ordinance.
Routine
Zoning Change
Select Board — Monday, May 18, 2026
The meeting featured significant public pushback regarding local parking regulations and debate over the efficacy of proposed safety infrastructure.
Contentious
Zoning Change
Planning Board — Thursday, May 14, 2026
NH 27 Corridor Infrastructure Improvements — Significant infrastructure upgrades (sidewalks, bike lanes, intersections) potentially requiring a 20% local tax match.
Routine
Other High Impact
Select Board — Thursday, May 14, 2026
Approval of Tax Collector's Warrant — Approval of the collection of municipal taxes for the first half of 2026.
Routine
Other High Impact
Exeter School Board — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Emergency Alert System Installation — Installation of new audio/visual emergency response technology to improve safety reaction times.
Routine
Safety Change
Conservation Commission — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Proposed Waste Transfer Facility in Epping — Potential for significant environmental contamination (PFAS) and high traffic volume (one truck every four minutes).
Routine
Safety Change
Select Board — Monday, May 4, 2026
Complete Streets Policy Adoption — Adoption of Policy No. 2026-02 which will guide future town infrastructure and transportation planning.
Routine
Other High Impact
Select Board — Monday, April 27, 2026
Surface Water Treatment Plant Design Funding — Approval of a $2.5 million loan amendment for the final design phase of the town's water treatment plant.
Routine
Other High Impact
Planning Board — Thursday, April 23, 2026
The meeting featured intense testimony from legal counsel for neighbors, significant technical disputes regarding zoning compliance, and a high volume of community concerns regarding safety and land use.
Contentious
Zoning Change
Zoning Board of Adjustment — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The meeting featured significant emotional testimony from residents, including a child, and intense debate over the validity of professional appraisals and neighborhood safety.
Contentious
Zoning Change
Historic District Commission — Thursday, April 16, 2026
Phillips Exeter Academy Property Conversion — Changes the use of a landmark church building and alters its architectural profile.
Routine
Zoning Change
Heritage Commission — Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The meeting was administrative and procedural in nature, with no significant conflict or heated debate recorded.
Routine
Conservation Commission — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Conservation Fund Reinstatement — $50,000 annual contribution to the conservation fund starting in the 2027 budget.
Routine
Other High Impact
Exeter School Board — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
School Meals Program Restructuring — Potential removal of parent contributions and formation of a new advisory committee to oversee the program's operations and costs.
Routine
Other High Impact
Follow Exeter
Get reports as they're published — or one weekly digest. Unsubscribe in one click.
See something off about Exeter? Send feedback.