Select Board — May 18, 2026
The meeting featured spirited debate over employee safety costs and a clear pushback against county-level tax increases.
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At the May 18 Select Board meeting, several issues surfaced that directly impact the wallets and safety of Goffstown residents.
Most notably, the Board is taking a stand against a proposed 11% tax increase from the county. Following a previous 22% increase, the Board expressed significant skepticism regarding the lack of transparency from county commissioners. They have authorized the Town Administrator to demand a formal explanation of the cost drivers and how this increase actually benefits our community.
There was also a notable internal debate regarding the $1,600 annual cost of providing bottled water to DPW crews. While some members looked for ways to cut costs using reusable containers, others argued that current practices are necessary to comply with federal labor laws regarding sanitation and heat stress. The Board ultimately decided to seek formal legal clarification to ensure the town is meeting its safety obligations without unnecessary spending.
Finally, the Board is beginning to discuss a potential shift in how Goffstown is governed—moving from a Town Administrator to a Town Manager. This is a significant structural change that would ultimately require a warrant article for residents to vote on. We will continue to monitor these developments closely.
Public impact
Proposed 11% increase
The Board authorized the Town Administrator to send a formal letter to the county commissioners requesting clarity on cost drivers.
The Town Administrator will send a final draft of the letter to the commissioners this week, copying state representatives.
Speed limit reduction to 25 mph and no-through trucking ordinance
The Board voted to adopt both the new speed limit and the no-through trucking ordinance.
The DPW will be directed to install the necessary signage.
Topics discussed
The Police Chief presented a draft charter for an ad hoc committee tasked with researching options for a new or renovated police facility.
The Board approved the charter with amendments to the committee membership and the scope of work.
The Select Board will advertise the committee positions for approximately one month to collect volunteer applications.
The Board held a public hearing regarding proposed changes to speed limits and trucking restrictions on Grady Hill Road.
The Board voted to adopt both the new speed limit and the no-through trucking ordinance.
The DPW will be directed to install the necessary signage.
The Fire Chief presented a proposal to decommission and sell an old, unserviceable hazmat trailer.
The Board voted to decommission the trailer and remove it from the town's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
The trailer will be entered into the town's sales process.
The DPW Director recommended awarding the -2 pavement markings contract to Pro Finish Lines.
The Board awarded the contract to Pro Finish Lines of Plymouth, MA.
The Board discussed the cost and method of providing potable drinking water to DPW crews in the field, including legal requirements for mobile job sites.
The discussion ended in a stalemate with no formal decision made initially. The board later reached a standoff and decided to seek a formal clarification on specific legal requirements.
The item remains an ongoing topic for observation/review. The Town Administrator will work with all departments to confirm specific potable water requirements for mobile job sites to ensure consistency.
The board discussed the potential transition from a Town Administrator to a Town Manager structure.
The board decided to keep the topic on the 'front burner' for further review and education.
The board will revisit the discussion in July to allow members more time to review historical documents and materials.
The board addressed a proposed 11% tax increase from the county commissioners.
The board authorized the Town Administrator to send a formal letter to the county commissioners requesting clarity on the budget increase.
The Town Administrator will send a final draft of the letter (including questions on benefits and cost drivers) to the commissioners this week, copying the town's state representatives.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
DPW Drinking Water Provision
Town Manager Position Proposal
County Commissioner Proposed Tax Increase
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
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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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.
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