Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — May 4, 2026
The meeting was largely administrative and cooperative, focusing on policy adoption, departmental updates, and routine proclamations.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Complete Streets Policy Adoption
Adoption of Policy No. 2026-02 which will guide future town infrastructure and transportation planning. Affected: All residents, particularly pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
other high impact
02
Water Restrictions
Maintenance of Level 4 water restrictions due to ongoing drought conditions. Affected: All residents and businesses utilizing municipal water.
other high impact
03
Municipal Energy Costs and Solar Credits
Rising electricity costs due to rate changes and building usage, partially offset by a pending $1 million solar return credit. Affected: Taxpayers
tax increase
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Motion to enter non-public session under 91A:32(l).
Motion by Villandra, second by Cowan.
5-0
Appointment of Jeffrey Bell to the Budget Recommendations Committee.
No term specified.
Passed
Reappointment of Langdon Plummer to the Rockingham Planning Commission.
Term expires April 30, 2030.
Passed
Reappointment of Gwen English to the Rockingham Planning Commission.
Term expires April 30, 2030.
Passed
Reappointment of Marty Kennedy to the Rockingham Planning Commission.
Term expires April 30, 2029.
Passed
Adoption of Town of Exeter Policy number 2026-02 (Complete Streets Policy).
Policy effective May 11, 2026.
Unanimous
Authorization to submit a letter to the NH Department of Environmental Services opposing the Epping solid waste transfer facility permit.
Letter to be signed by the Select Board Chair.
Passed
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 05:28 Non-Public Session
The Select Board entered a non-public session under RSA 91-A:32(l).
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 05:53 Exeter Bi-Weekly Report
A community news segment covering amphibian migration/vernal pools, America 250 celebrations, the Exeter Run for Hope 5K, SAU 16 PTO updates, and Fire Department vehicle extrication training.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 59:00 Public Comment: RecReady New Hampshire
A resident introduced the RecReady New Hampshire toolkit as a framework for coordinated recreation and connectivity planning.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 60:48 Affordable Housing Week Proclamation
The Board read a proclamation recognizing May 11th–17th, 2026, as Affordable Housing Week in Exeter, following a presentation by the Home for All Coalition.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 75:00 Complete Streets Policy Approval
The Board discussed and voted on the adoption of the Town of Exeter Complete Streets Policy (Policy No. 2026-02).
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 76:00 Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
The Conservation and Sustainability Planner requested support for a letter opposing a proposed solid waste transfer facility in Epping due to potential impacts on the Great Bay watershed.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 81:08 Drought and Water Restrictions Update
Public Works reported on ongoing drought conditions and recommended maintaining Level 4 water restrictions.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 86:05 Energy Cost Comparison Report
An update on municipal energy consumption showing increased electricity costs due to rising rates and changes in building usage.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 90:36 Solar Array Fund and Tax Credits
Discussion regarding the solar array fund, debt service coverage by the general fund, and a pending one-time tax return filing for a solar return credit of approximately $1 million.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 93:00 Tax Abatements
The Board reviewed and voted on two property tax abatements for the 2025 tax year.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 92:32 10 Hampton Road Facility Update
Review of the transition from 32 Court Street to 10 Hampton Road, noting the success of the Park and Rec department and the impact of electrification/heat pumps on electricity usage.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 94:08 Town Manager's Report
Updates on a resident furnace issue on Westside Drive, resident inquiries regarding 11 Chestnut Street, and a report on a structure fire on Robin Hood Drive requiring mutual aid.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 96:03 Select Board Committee Reports
Selectwoman Gilman provided updates on upcoming legislative session days and potential amendments to Senate and House bills.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 98:03 Community Events and Correspondence
Announcements for the ALY Festival on May 9th and the birch tree celebration at Swayze Parkway on May 16th.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
The proposal for a solid waste transfer facility in Epping poses potential environmental risks to the Great Bay watershed, necessitating a formal political stance from the town.
Board position: Opposed; authorized a formal letter of opposition to the NH Department of Environmental Services.
medium concern
02
Affordable Housing Proclamation
Housing availability and affordability is a significant driver of community debate regarding town growth, density, and economic stability.
Board position: Supportive; officially recognized Affordable Housing Week and engaged in discussion regarding the necessity of increasing housing stock.
medium concern
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Sign the letter of opposition regarding the Epping solid waste transfer facility.
Assigned: Select Board Chair
Utilize electronic signboards and Facebook to remind residents that Level 4 water restrictions remain in effect.
Assigned: Public Works / Interim Town Manager
Provide Select Board with fuel contract expiration dates.
Assigned: Finance Department / Staff
File tax return for solar return credit by May 15th.
Assigned: Town Staff/Stevens · Due: 2026-05-15
Fix or replace the resident's furnace affected by the project.
Assigned: Contractor (Westside Drive project)
Review 'rec ready' information provided by Mr. Richards.
Assigned: Department Heads
Meet to sign off on documents from Mr. Stevens.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: 2026-05-14
Notable statements
The inaugural Seacoast Affordable Housing Week... will be filled with programming... to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. — SPEAKER_17 (Maeve Nolan) · Explaining the purpose of the proclamation and the upcoming regional events. ▶ 63:35
Increasing the housing stock as a whole is critical... because if there are fewer units and more people are chasing them, the price is just going to spiral up. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the benefits of the previously passed mixed-use neighborhood development ordinance. ▶ 70:36
We will file for the solar return credit of right around a million dollars if we are lucky. — SPEAKER_22 (Mr. Stevens) · Discussing municipal solar revenue and tax credits. ▶ 91:00
We do expect their electricity to be more [due to heat pumps]. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the electrification of 10 Hampton Road via the CDFA grant. ▶ 92:12
I'm so glad... that this [structure fire] tends to come up mostly only during budget... so that people understand who are listening to this that that gets discussed when we talk about the budget line items. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the importance of funding for police, fire, and DPW following a fire requiring mutual aid. ▶ 96:00
Anything can happen between now and the beginning of June. — Unidentified speaker · Warning about the 'silly season' of legislative amendments in Concord. ▶ 97:24
Member positions
10 issues · 0 explicit · 9 inferred
Niko Papakonstantis
Present
Chair
Non-Public Session
YES
~
Appointment of Jeffrey Bell to the Budget Recommendations Committee
YES
~
Reappointment of Langdon Plummer to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Gwen English to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Marty Kennedy to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Adoption of Town of Exeter Policy number 2026-02 (Complete Streets Policy)
YES
~
Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
YES
~
Opposed to the proposed facility.
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 119
YES
~
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 117
YES
~
Molly Cowan
Present
Vice Chair
Non-Public Session
YES
✓
Appointment of Jeffrey Bell to the Budget Recommendations Committee
YES
~
Reappointment of Langdon Plummer to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Gwen English to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Marty Kennedy to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Adoption of Town of Exeter Policy number 2026-02 (Complete Streets Policy)
YES
~
Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
YES
~
Opposed to the proposed facility.
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 119
YES
~
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 117
YES
~
Nancy Belanger
Present
Clerk
Non-Public Session
YES
~
Appointment of Jeffrey Bell to the Budget Recommendations Committee
YES
~
Reappointment of Langdon Plummer to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Gwen English to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Marty Kennedy to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Adoption of Town of Exeter Policy number 2026-02 (Complete Streets Policy)
YES
~
Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
YES
~
Opposed to the proposed facility.
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 119
YES
~
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 117
YES
~
Julie D. Gilman
Present
Member
Non-Public Session
YES
~
Appointment of Jeffrey Bell to the Budget Recommendations Committee
YES
~
Reappointment of Langdon Plummer to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Gwen English to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Marty Kennedy to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Adoption of Town of Exeter Policy number 2026-02 (Complete Streets Policy)
YES
~
Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
YES
~
Opposed to the proposed facility.
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 119
YES
~
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 117
YES
~
Daniel Chartrand
Present
Member
Non-Public Session
YES
~
Appointment of Jeffrey Bell to the Budget Recommendations Committee
YES
~
Reappointment of Langdon Plummer to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Gwen English to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Reappointment of Marty Kennedy to the Rockingham Planning Commission
YES
~
Adoption of Town of Exeter Policy number 2026-02 (Complete Streets Policy)
YES
~
Epping Waste Transfer Facility Opposition
YES
~
Opposed to the proposed facility.
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 119
YES
~
Abatement for Map 110, Lot 2, Unit 117
YES
~
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
2
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Silas
Addressed
He introduced the 'RecReady New Hampshire' toolkit, which is a framework for assessing and implementing recreation and connectivity improvements. He suggested that Exeter use this to unify existing, siloed projects like wayfinding and trail maintenance into a cohesive plan.
Key concern
Requesting the Select Board consider the RecReady New Hampshire framework to align town recreation and connectivity efforts.
Board responseThe Chair acknowledged receipt of his email/materials and noted they have been forwarded to respective department heads for review before future discussion.
The board acknowledged the request and confirmed the information is being reviewed by the relevant departments.
Maeve Nolan
Addressed
She spoke in support of the Affordable Housing Week proclamation, explaining the role of the Home for All Coalition. She detailed upcoming regional programming and encouraged community participation in housing-related events.
Key concern
Promoting Seacoast Affordable Housing Week and encouraging the town to commit to actions that unlock housing opportunities.
Board responseThe board members expressed support for the work, discussed the definition of affordability, and the Chair officially read and signed the proclamation.
The board formally accepted the proclamation and engaged in a discussion supporting the initiative.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-05-31.