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Select Board — March 23, 2026

The meeting was characterized by administrative approvals, collaborative student presentations, and standard operational updates without evidence of conflict.

Date Monday, March 23, 2026 Public comments 1 Decisions 7 Routine

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Holderness Select Board Meeting Summary: March 23, 2026

Several key decisions were made during last night's Select Board meeting that affect residents. Most notably, the Board decided that the polling locations for the September and November 2026 elections will be moved from Holderness Central School to Town Hall. The Board cited the need to avoid interfering with the school schedule as the primary reason for this change. Residents should plan accordingly when the 2026 election cycle begins.

In other news, the Board reviewed a proposal from high school students regarding a food composting pilot project intended for the Transfer Station. While the Board expressed support for the student initiative, no formal approval was granted. The Town Administrator has been tasked with investigating NHDES permitting requirements and the costs for necessary equipment, such as collection barrels and dollies, before a final decision is made.

Additionally, the Board approved the renewal of the 1999 Ambulance Agreement with Plymouth, which will continue under the same conditions as previous years. This ensures the continuity of essential emergency medical services for our community.

Mar 23, 2026 1 public comments 7 decisions Routine
Notable statements Drag to browse

“The Board will follow up on [the students'] requests to see if they could move the project forward.”

— Jill White · Responding to the food composting pilot project presentation.

“They [Board members] could go to the State Senate website and submit individual comments in support of the [net metering] legislation prior to the hearing on Wednesday.”

— Michael Capone · Suggesting an alternative to a formal board motion on a support letter for net metering legislation.
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Renewal of essential emergency medical services through a multi-town agreement.

What was discussed

Change in voting location from the Central School to Town Hall for 2026 elections.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Jill White, Kelly Schwaner, Sam Brickley, Peter Francesco, Campbell Lovett
What was discussed

The Board reviewed and approved payroll, accounts payable manifests, and previous meeting minutes.

Speakers: Sam Brickley, Peter Francesco
What was discussed

Review of various items including land cutting intent, tax credits, raffle permits, and committee appointments.

Speakers: Jill White
What was discussed

Update regarding the path forward for petitioners on Lane Road following consultation with counsel.

Speakers: Michael Capone
What was discussed

Discussion regarding the use of Holderness Central School for voting; the Board decided to use Town Hall to avoid impacting the school schedule.

Speakers: Haven Eaton, Woody Emmons, Ellie Gaw, Sebastian Ibarguen, Heidi Emmons, Jill White, Peter Francesco, Michael Salmon
What was discussed

High school students presented a proposal to use the Transfer Station as a collection point for a food waste composting pilot program.

Speakers: Michael Capone
What was discussed

Updates on staff shadowing, PSU police MOU, ambulance agreements, and health insurance buyout changes.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Food Composting Pilot Project Proposal

While presented by students, the proposal involves the use of municipal infrastructure (the Transfer Station) and requires navigating environmental permitting and logistical resource allocation.
Board position: The board expressed support for the initiative but deferred formal approval pending investigation into permitting and equipment needs.
low concern

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
0
Addressed
1
Partial
0
Not addressed
Haven Eaton, Woody Emmons, Ellie Gaw, Sebastian Ibarguen, and Heidi Emmons
Partial
The students presented a proposal for a three-month food composting pilot project at the Transfer Station. They outlined a plan to collect food waste using collection tubs and signage, which would then be transported to Willoughby Ridge Farm for processing. Key concern
Approval and logistical support (equipment and permitting) for a food composting pilot project at the Transfer Station.
Board response
The Board complimented the presentation and indicated they would follow up on the requests regarding equipment and project advancement. The Town Administrator also committed to checking with NHDES regarding permits and 'New Hampshire the Beautiful' regarding signage.
The Board provided immediate positive feedback and tasked the Town Administrator with investigating the specific logistical hurdles (permitting and signage), but they did not grant formal approval for the project during this meeting.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
00:00
Approval of payroll and accounts payable manifests
Motion by Mr. Lovett, seconded by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
00:00
Approval of March 9, 2026, public meeting minutes
Motion by Ms. Schwaner, seconded by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
00:00
Approval of March 9, 2026, nonpublic meeting minutes
Motion by Mr. Francesco, seconded by Ms. Schwaner.
5-0
Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Mr. Brickley, seconded by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
Polling location for September and November 2026 elections
Elections will be held at Town Hall rather than Holderness Central School.
Approved
1999 Ambulance Agreement
The Board elected to sign the agreement with Plymouth, noting it contains the same conditions as the previous year.
Approved
00:00
Adjournment
Motion by Mr. Francesco, seconded by Mr. Lovett.
5-0

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Informing residents of a decision impacting voting access/location
Holderness Select Board update (3/23/26): The Board decided to move 2026 election polling from Holderness Central School to Town Hall to avoid school schedule impacts. Voters should note the change in location for upcoming... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-03-23/ #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH
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Reporting on student-led initiatives and pending municipal resource allocation
During the 3/23/26 Select Board meeting, high school students proposed a food composting pilot at the Transfer Station. The Board is now investigating permitting and equipment costs before making a formal decision. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-03-23/ #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH
306/280 chars
Reporting on essential service continuity
Holderness Select Board (3/23/26): The Board approved the renewal of the 1999 Ambulance Agreement with Plymouth, maintaining the same conditions as previous years for essential emergency services. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-03-23/ #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH
288/280 chars

X thread

1
Important updates from the Holderness Select Board meeting on March 23, 2026. Here is what was decided regarding elections and municipal services. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH
176/280
2
First: The Board decided that the polling location for the September and November 2026 elections will be Town Hall, rather than Holderness Central School. This move was made to prevent election activities from impacting the school schedule.
240/280
3
Second: High school students presented a proposal for a food composting pilot project using the Transfer Station. The Board expressed support but is deferring a formal vote until the Town Administrator checks on NHDES permitting and equipment needs.
249/280
4
Finally: The Board approved the renewal of the ambulance agreement with Plymouth. The terms remain consistent with previous years, ensuring continuity of emergency medical services for the town. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-03-23/
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Facebook — long form

Holderness Select Board Meeting Summary: March 23, 2026

Several key decisions were made during last night's Select Board meeting that affect residents. Most notably, the Board decided that the polling locations for the September and November 2026 elections will be moved from Holderness Central School to Town Hall. The Board cited the need to avoid interfering with the school schedule as the primary reason for this change. Residents should plan accordingly when the 2026 election cycle begins.

In other news, the Board reviewed a proposal from high school students regarding a food composting pilot project intended for the Transfer Station. While the Board expressed support for the student initiative, no formal approval was granted. The Town Administrator has been tasked with investigating NHDES permitting requirements and the costs for necessary equipment, such as collection barrels and dollies, before a final decision is made.

Additionally, the Board approved the renewal of the 1999 Ambulance Agreement with Plymouth, which will continue under the same conditions as previous years. This ensures the continuity of essential emergency medical services for our community. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-03-23/ #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Notify Holderness Central School of the decision to hold elections at Town Hall.
Assigned: Michael Capone
Check with 'New Hampshire the Beautiful' regarding available signage for the composting project.
Assigned: Michael Capone
Follow up with NHDES regarding permitting for the composting pilot.
Assigned: Michael Capone
Follow up on equipment requests (four collection barrels and dollies) for the composting project.
Assigned: Select Board
Meet to review the Chief assuming the Health Officer position.
Assigned: Michael Capone and Chief Bonan · Due: Within the next week
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.