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Select Board — May 18, 2026

The meeting featured significant public pushback regarding local parking regulations and debate over the efficacy of proposed safety infrastructure.

Date Monday, May 18, 2026 Duration 3.6h Speakers 1 Decisions 14 Contentious
▶ Video

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Cast Street Parking Expansion

Significant reduction in available street parking for neighbors. Affected: Residents living on or near Cast Street
zoning change
02

Clemson Pond CSO Project Overruns

Utilization of $123,734 in sewer reserve funds due to contamination. Affected: All taxpayers/sewer rate payers
other high impact
03

School Street Area Improvement Project

Infrastructure project with bids ranging from $4.8M to $5.8M. Affected: Town residents/taxpayers
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Motion to defer the four bids for the School Street area improvement project to the Public Works Department for recommendation.
The board moved to allow Public Works to review and provide a formal recommendation.
Motion carries
Approval of April 27, 2026, Select Board regular meeting minutes as amended.
Amendment made to correct the spelling of 'Becky Moore' with two 'o's.
Motion carries
Approval of May 4, 2026, Select Board regular meeting minutes.
Minutes were approved without amendment.
Motion carries
Appointment of Sarah Dit as an alternate to the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Term to expire in April 2027.
Motion carries
Acceptance of Nick Campion's resignation from the Conservation Commission.
The board acknowledged his work, particularly regarding the Rain's Barn refurbishment.
Motion carries
Opening of the public hearing for the Cast Street parking regulation change.
This marks the first of three required readings.
Motion carries
Motion to close the public hearing regarding Cast Street parking regulations.
The board moved to close the hearing after public testimony.
Carried 4-0
Motion to open the public hearing regarding Wadley Street traffic signage.
Pursuant to RSA 31:95B-3A.
Carried 4-0
Approve the use of sewer reserve funds in the amount of $123,734 for the Clemson Pond cleaning and inspection project.
Funds are for work completed to date.
Motion carries 4-0
Provide a letter of support for the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant and authorize the Select Board Chair to sign it.
The letter will be sent as a collective statement from the Select Board.
Motion carries 4-0
Appoint Jennifer Shupe as Town Clerk effective May 22, 2026, to serve until the March 2027 election pursuant to RSA 41:18.
The motion was initially withdrawn due to phrasing errors regarding the term length before being successfully passed.
Motion carries 4-0
Approval of various tax abatements for Map 110 and Map 111 (multiple units and years).
Multiple individual votes were taken for specific lots and units.
Motion carries 4-0 for each individual item
Accept $5,250 in donations for Pairpoint Park to be held by the trustees of trust funds.
Funds are for design and construction, with disbursements authorized by the Town Manager.
Motion carries 4-0
Enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A.
The board moved into a non-public session at the end of the meeting.
Motion carries 4-0

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 08:29 Police Station and Fire Substation Progress

A report on the construction progress of the new $17.5 million police station and fire substation on Continental Drive, including its projected completion in early spring 2027.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 13:01 America 250 Commemorative Project

An overview of the town's America 250th birthday celebrations and the creation of a limited edition commemorative poster by artist Sarah Kauf.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 19:00 Exeter Handbell Choir

A feature on the local handbell choir that meets weekly at the Congregational Church.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 22:01 Public Comment: Recycling and Rain's Barn

A resident provided updates on the successful use of a densifier for recycling and announced an upcoming art show at Rain's Barn on September 26th.

Speakers: Keith Whitehouse, Unidentified speaker
▶ 24:50 Bid Opening: School Street Area Improvement Project

The board reviewed four bids for the School Street improvement project, ranging from approximately $4.8 million to over $5.8 million.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Molly Cowan, Madeline Clerk
▶ 39:00 Public Hearing: Cast Street Parking Regulation Change

A first reading regarding a proposed change to expand the 'no parking' zone on Cast Street from 30 feet to 170 feet from the intersection of Park Street. Residents expressed strong opposition, citing potential hardships for neighbors, lack of safety evidence, and allegations of a resident obstructing the roadway with dirt and rocks.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Steve Cronin, Abigail Matthysse Patu, Sally Ward, Kelly Richards
▶ 96:18 Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage

The first of three readings concerning a proposal to change traffic control signage (potentially a three-way stop) at the Wadley Street and Forest Street intersection due to driver behavior concerns following the Rose Farm development.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Mr. Cronin, Resident, Select Board Member
▶ 120:54 Clemson Pond Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Update

An update on the cleaning and inspection of CSO barrels. The project encountered unanticipated contamination, likely from a former manufactured gas plant, leading to cost overruns and a request for additional sewer reserve funds. Discussion also covered proactive maintenance and relining of large sewer siphons.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Steve Cronin, Steve Dalton, Select Board Member
▶ 138:00 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity

Presentation of a multi-million dollar federal grant proposal focused on improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity along the Route 27 corridor.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Dave, Mr. Sharples, Sus Richards, Barbara Richards, Michelle Albian
▶ 187:47 Town Clerk Appointment

Discussion and appointment of Jennifer Shupe (currently Deputy Town Clerk) to serve as Town Clerk to fulfill the remainder of the term until the March 2027 election.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 192:22 Tax Abatements

The Board reviewed and voted on multiple tax abatement requests for various units in Map 110 and Map 111 across different tax years.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 195:01 Pairpoint Park Donations

Acceptance of $5,250 in donations for the design and construction of Pairpoint Park.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 196:16 Town Manager Transition

The Town Manager provided updates regarding the upcoming arrival of Paul Cohen as the new Town Manager and thanked staff for support during the interim period.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 205:00 Committee and Board Reports

Reports from the Housing Advisory Committee, Wreck Advisory, and Planning Board, including upcoming fundraisers and case updates.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 209:00 Pairpoint Park Accuracy Concern

A board member addressed inaccuracies regarding the history of Pairpoint Park raised during a recent ConCom meeting.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

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'.
Board position: The board proceeded with the first reading but signaled caution, with one member noting a preference for not enacting requests that conflict with the majority of neighbors.
high concern
02

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).
Board position: The board opened the hearing and assigned follow-up actions to the Police Chief and DPW to investigate safety and signage alignment.
medium concern
03

Clemson Pond CSO Project Cost Overruns

Unanticipated contamination from a former gas plant led to cost overruns, requiring the use of sewer reserve funds.
Board position: The board approved the use of $123,734 in reserve funds to cover the costs.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Review School Street improvement project bids and provide a recommendation to the Select Board.
Assigned: Public Works Department
Update the April 27, 2026, minutes to correct the spelling of Becky Moore.
Assigned: Joanna Bartell (Recording Secretary)
Include documents and photographs submitted by Abigail Matthysse Patu regarding property lines into the packet for the next public hearing.
Assigned: Staff · Due: Next public hearing
Include Cast Street parking opposition exhibits and petition in the packet for the next hearing.
Assigned: Select Board/Staff · Due: Next hearing
Follow up with Police Chief McCain regarding resident concerns about speeding and enforcement at Wadley Street.
Assigned: Select Board Member · Due: Before June 1st
Review the request from Sheila Lavoy regarding one-way street proposals and inspect the current stop sign alignment at Wadley Street.
Assigned: DPW/Staff · Due: Before June 1st
Continue discussions with Unitel regarding potential reimbursement for contamination mitigation costs and explore broadening the search for quotes for unfinished work.
Assigned: DPW/Staff · Due: Ongoing
Sign the letter of support for the SS4A grant on behalf of the Select Board.
Assigned: Select Board Chair · Due: Before Friday, May 23, 2026
Sign a 90th birthday card for Peter A. Smith
Assigned: Town Manager/Clerk · Due: May 29, 2026
Sign up for the Wreck Advisory yard sale fundraiser ($20 fee)
Assigned: Residents/Participants · Due: May 27, 2026

Notable ⁠statements

This fire substation... allows us to hit 95% of the Exeter population in 4 minutes or less [compared to the current 76%]. — Justin Pyison (Fire Chief) · Discussing the impact of the new substation on emergency response times. ▶ 11:04
The town has time and time again shown that it supports its law enforcement and its first responders. — Josh McCain (Police Chief) · Expressing gratitude for community support regarding the new police station project. ▶ 11:58
It's a blind corner... people turn onto Cast Street into oncoming traffic. — Abigail Matthysse Patu · Testifying in support of expanding the no-parking zone on Cast Street for safety reasons. ▶ 52:00
The proposed parking restriction would create a hardship for these families... [and] set a dangerous precedent. — Kelly Richards · Testifying against the Cast Street parking amendment. ▶ 72:54
I tend to be very conservative about enacting individual citizens requests, especially when they're at odds with the preponderance of their neighbors. — Select Board Member · Responding to concerns about arbitrary neighborhood changes. ▶ 93:00
The contamination encountered was likely associated with the former manufactured gas plant site located at 280 Water Street. — Steve Cronin · Explaining the cause of the CSO project cost overruns. ▶ 122:20
I [acknowledge] that... paint doesn't get it done. It's got to be separate. — Speaker A (Board Member) · Responding to public comment regarding the safety of painted bicycle lanes versus physical separation. ▶ 183:00
There is a substantial difference between creating infrastructure that technically accommodates bicycles and infrastructure that people of varying ages and comfort levels will actually feel safe using. — Sus Richards · Public comment regarding the proposed grant projects and the need for protected paths rather than painted lanes. ▶ 172:00
Paul [Cohen] is incredibly excited for this new opportunity and it is invigorating to get to be with him. — Speaker A (Town Manager) · Discussing the arrival of the new Town Manager. ▶ 202:04
I would ask that our minutes of this meeting reflect the fact that... the planning board, the conservation commission and the HDC when this was first presented all voted to recommend that the select board [accept] this offer of land. — Speaker A (Board Member) · Correcting the record regarding how the Select Board has handled the Pairpoint Park land offer. ▶ 209:12

Member ⁠positions

13 issues · 0 explicit · 12 inferred
Present
School Street Area Improvement Project Bid Review YES ~
Approval of April 27, 2026, Meeting Minutes YES ~
Approval of May 4, 2026, Meeting Minutes YES ~
Appointment of Sarah Dit YES ~
Acceptance of Nick Campion's Resignation YES ~
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change Hearing YES ~
Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage Hearing YES ~
Clemson Pond Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Update YES ~
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity YES ~
Town Clerk Appointment YES ~
Tax Abatements YES ~
Pairpoint Park Donations YES ~
Non-public Session YES ~
Molly Cowan
Vice Chair
Present
School Street Area Improvement Project Bid Review YES ~
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change Hearing YES ~
Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage Hearing YES ~
Clemson Pond Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Update YES ~
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity YES ~
Town Clerk Appointment YES ~
Tax Abatements YES ~
Pairpoint Park Donations YES ~
Non-public Session YES ~
Present
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change Hearing YES ~
Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage Hearing YES ~
Clemson Pond Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Update YES ~
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity YES ~
Town Clerk Appointment YES ~
Tax Abatements YES ~
Pairpoint Park Donations YES ~
Non-public Session YES ~
Present
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change Hearing YES ~
Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage Hearing YES ~
Clemson Pond Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Update YES ~
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity YES ~
Town Clerk Appointment YES ~
Tax Abatements YES ~
Pairpoint Park Donations YES ~
Non-public Session YES ~
Present
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change Hearing YES ✓
Prefers not enacting requests conflicting with neighbors' majority.
Cast Street Parking Regulation Change Hearing YES ~
Wadley Street Traffic Control Signage Hearing YES ~
Clemson Pond Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Update YES ~
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Opportunity YES ~
Town Clerk Appointment YES ~
Tax Abatements YES ~
Pairpoint Park Donations YES ~
Non-public Session 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.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-31.