Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — May 18, 2026
The meeting featured substantive debates over fiscal responsibility (water costs) and tax increases, though it remained professional and focused on research and clarity.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
County Tax Increase
Proposed 11% tax increase from the county Affected: All Goffstown residents
tax increase
02
Grady Hill Road Traffic Regulations
Reduction of speed limit to 25 mph and implementation of 'no through trucking' ordinance Affected: Residents and drivers on Grady Hill Road
safety change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Acceptance of May 11, 2026, public and non-public minutes.
Motion by Mark, seconded by Richard.
Approved
01:04
Approval of the Police Building Ad Hoc Committee Charter.
Charter includes two community representatives, one planning board member, one budget committee member, and one economic development member. Scope of work modified to include physical planning/procurement processes.
Approved
12:03
Adopt Grady Hill Road Speed Limit Ordinance.
Reduces speed limit to 25 mph pursuant to NH RSA 41:11; DPW to install signage.
Approved
23:13
Adopt Grady Hill Road No Through Trucking Ordinance.
Adds Grady Hill Road to the town's no through trucking ordinance pursuant to NH RSA 41:11; DPW to install signage.
Approved
23:54
Decommission Fire Department Hazmat Trailer.
Motion to decommission the trailer, remove it from service, initiate the sales process, and remove it from the town's CIP matrix.
Approved
35:29
Award -2 Pavement Markings Contract.
Awarded to Pro Finish Lines of Plymouth, MA.
Approved
47:34
Motion to direct administration to research and confirm potable water requirements for all departments to ensure consistency and legal compliance.
Motion by Josh, second by Allison.
Passed (Unanimous)
1:03:06
Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented.
Motion by Alison, second by Mark.
Passed (Unanimous)
1:05:17
Approval of the Town Assessor's recommendations regarding timber tax warrants and tax abatements/credits.
Motion by Mark, second by Richard.
Passed (Unanimous)
1:06:52
Granting the Town Administrator authority to send a letter to the County Commissioners requesting clarity on the proposed budget increase and its impact/benefits to residents, including cost drivers.
Motion by Josh, second by Allison.
Passed (Unanimous)
1:21:08
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
00:54 Approval of Minutes
The board reviewed and approved the public and non-public minutes from the May 11, 2026, meeting.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
02:46 Police Building Ad Hoc Committee Charter
The Police Chief presented a draft charter for an ad hoc committee to investigate police building needs, including location and procurement planning.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
13:06 Grady Hill Road Traffic Regulations
A public hearing was held regarding two proposed ordinances for Grady Hill Road: reducing the speed limit to 25 mph and designating it as a 'no through trucking' road.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
26:08 Fire Department Hazmat Trailer Decommissioning
Discussion regarding the decommissioning and sale of an unserviceable 1995 steel hazmat trailer that was being used for cold storage.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
35:54 Pavement Markings Contract Award
The DPW Director recommended awarding the -2 pavement markings contract to Pro Finish Lines.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
46:00 DPW/Employee Potable Water Requirements
The board debated the cost-effectiveness and sanitation of providing bottled water versus alternative hydration methods for DPW crews and mobile construction job sites, weighing legal health and safety requirements against budget concerns.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:04:03 Consent Agenda
Review and approval of various routine items including event permits, cemetery rights, and business licenses.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:06:33 Assessor's Recommendations
Review of timber tax warrants and property tax abatement recommendations.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:07:47 Town Manager vs. Town Administrator Structure
A discussion regarding the potential transition from a Town Administrator to a Town Manager role to improve departmental consistency and budget management.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
1:16:04 County Commissioner Proposed Tax Increase
The board discussed a proposed 11% tax increase from the county commissioners and the need for clarity regarding its impact on Goffstown residents.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
DPW Potable Water Requirements
A debate emerged regarding the necessity of purchasing expensive bottled water versus the sanitation risks and labor costs associated with reusable water systems for mobile crews.
Board position: The board expressed concern over cost-effectiveness but prioritized legal compliance and employee safety, directing staff to research specific requirements.
low concern
02
County Commissioner Proposed Tax Increase
A proposed 11% tax increase from the county is causing concern regarding its direct impact on Goffstown residents and the lack of clarity on cost drivers.
Board position: The board is seeking transparency and clarity before the June delegation meeting to understand the benefit/burden to residents.
medium concern
03
Town Manager vs. Town Administrator Structure
The potential transition to a Town Manager role involves significant changes to municipal governance, departmental consistency, and budget management.
Board position: The board is considering the transition and there is intent to bring the matter to a town-wide vote.
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Advertise the Ad Hoc Committee position for volunteers and collect applications.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: Approximately one month after finalization
Develop a GIS map indicating 'no-through' streets to update the Town Clerk's records.
Assigned: DPW / IT
Incorporate better language into future bid documents to clarify pricing for double yellow lines to avoid inconsistent bidding.
Assigned: DPW Director · Due: Next bidding cycle
Work with all departments to confirm specific potable water requirements for mobile job sites and other departments.
Assigned: Town Administrator (Derek)
Draft and send a letter to the County Commissioners (including Goffstown state representatives) requesting clarification on the proposed tax increase and cost drivers.
Assigned: Town Administrator (Derek) · Due: As soon as possible (before the June delegation meeting; target for the May 29th executive committee meeting)
Revisit the discussion regarding the transition to a Town Manager structure.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: July
Notable statements
The community needs to hear more about what we need versus what we want. — Speaker G (Police Chief) · Discussing the purpose of the new police building committee and the need for public buy-in. 03:46
We are required to provide sanitary, readily accessible, cooled water for hydration for our employees... I do not see a way to get it done saving money without either losing the actual opportunity cost of dedicating employees to this effort [cleaning coolers] or the potential cost of passing illness around. — Speaker O (DPW Director) · Defending the continued purchase of bottled water pallets over reusable jugs/coolers due to sanitation and labor concerns. 59:00
I am not interested in being one of those places [breaking labor law]. And I'm telling you to meet the requirements of our employees as an employer... — Unidentified speaker · Arguing for the necessity of proper water dispensers to meet federal labor law and safety standards. 1:00:00
I would like to propose this [Town Manager position] and put it on, for this upcoming year for the town to vote on it. — Unidentified speaker · Expressing intent to bring the Town Manager transition to a town-wide vote. 1:13:13
We need clarity from them... why they're doing that tax increase and how it impacts Town of Goffstown, either in a benefit or what's going against us one way or another. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the potential 11% county tax increase. 1:17:14
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
5
Total speakers
4
Addressed
1
Partial
0
Not addressed
Police Chief
04:46
Addressed
The Police Chief presented a draft charter for an ad hoc building committee. He explained that the committee would use existing data to provide the board with findings on whether to renovate or rebuild a facility and to help establish community buy-in.
Key concern
Seeking feedback on the draft charter and composition of the building committee.
Board responseThe Board members discussed the committee's composition, suggested adding representatives from the budget committee, planning board, and economic development commission, and ultimately voted to accept the charter with these additions.
The board engaged in a detailed discussion, accepted the Chief's suggestions with modifications, and passed a motion to adopt the charter.
Unidentified speaker
13:00
Addressed
The speaker (likely the Town Administrator) provided background on proposed traffic regulations for Grady Hill Road. This included a recommendation to reduce the speed limit to 25 mph and to implement a 'no through trucking' ordinance.
Key concern
Providing information for a public hearing regarding speed limit and trucking changes on Grady Hill Road.
Board responseThe Board held a public hearing, answered questions from board members regarding resident notification and road damage, and then voted to adopt both ordinances.
The board facilitated the public hearing as requested and proceeded to vote on the regulations.
Fire Chief
26:08
Addressed
The Fire Chief presented the status of a decommissioned hazmat trailer, explaining that it is no longer roadworthy. He also addressed concerns regarding tow vehicles and the department's current inability to tow a fully loaded trailer due to vehicle modifications.
Key concern
Requesting to decommission the old hazmat trailer and explaining vehicle capacity issues.
Board responseThe Board discussed the necessity of the trailer and its repair costs, then passed a motion to decommission the trailer and remove it from the CIP matrix.
The board accepted the Chief's recommendation and voted to move forward with decommissioning.
Adam (DPW Director)
36:05
Addressed
The DPW Director presented a bid recommendation for pavement markings. He addressed questions regarding out-of-state bidders, the consistency of pricing for double yellow lines, and the durability of the paint.
Key concern
Recommending a contract award for pavement markings and explaining the bidding process.
Board responseThe Board discussed the bid details, budget impact, and potential quality issues, then moved to award the contract to Pro Finish Lines.
The board reviewed the details provided by the Director and voted to award the contract.
Adam (DPW Director)
49:00
Partial
The DPW Director addressed the practice of providing bottled drinking water to crews. He explained the legal requirements for providing potable water and the sanitation challenges of using reusable containers on mobile construction sites.
Key concern
Explaining the necessity and cost-effectiveness of providing bottled water for employee safety and sanitation.
Board responseThe Board entered a debate regarding the cost versus the safety/sanitation requirements, eventually making a motion to research the specific legal requirements for all departments to ensure consistency.
While the board did not decide whether to continue the current water practice, they addressed the concern by directing staff to research the actual legal requirements to inform a future decision.
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.