Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — March 23, 2026
The meeting was professional and collaborative, characterized by constructive engagement with student presenters rather than conflict.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Ambulance Agreement with Plymouth
Renewal of essential emergency medical services contract. Affected: All Holderness residents relying on emergency medical services.
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of payroll and accounts payable manifests.
Motion by Mr. Lovett, second by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
00:00
Approval of March 9, 2026, public meeting minutes.
Motion by Ms. Schwaner, second by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
00:00
Approval of March 9, 2026, nonpublic meeting minutes.
Motion by Mr. Francesco, second by Ms. Schwaner.
5-0
00:00
Approval of Consent Agenda.
Motion by Mr. Brickley, second by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
00:00
Approval of -1 Ambulance agreement with Plymouth.
The Board elected to sign the agreement which contains the same conditions as the previous year.
Approved
00:00
Adjournment of meeting.
Motion by Mr. Francesco, second by Mr. Lovett.
5-0
67:30
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
00:00 Administrative Approvals
The Board reviewed and approved payroll, accounts payable manifests, and previous meeting minutes.
Speakers: Campbell Lovett, Peter Francesco, Kelly Schwaner
00:00 Consent Agenda
Review of various items including land cutting intent, tax credits, raffle permits, and committee appointments.
Speakers: Sam Brickley, Peter Francesco
00:00 Town Meeting Debrief
Update regarding follow-up with counsel concerning petitioners on Lane Road.
Speakers: Jill White, Michael Capone
00:00 2026 Polling Locations
Discussion regarding the location for the September and November 2026 elections to avoid impacting Holderness Central School schedules.
Speakers: Michael Capone
00:00 Food Composting Pilot Project Proposal
High school students and a project facilitator presented a proposal to use the Transfer Station as a collection point for a food waste composting pilot program.
Speakers: Haven Eaton, Woody Emmons, Ellie Gaw, Sebastian Ibarguen, Heidi Emmons, Jill White, Peter Francesco, Michael Salmon
00:00 Town Administrator's Report
Updates on staff shadowing, PSU police MOU, health insurance payouts, ambulance agreements, and legislative support.
Speakers: Michael Capone
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Food Composting Pilot Project
While the proposal was presented by students, it involves the use of a public facility (Transfer Station) for waste management, which requires regulatory permitting (NHDES) and equipment procurement. Such projects can sometimes face opposition regarding odor, pests, or increased municipal costs.
Board position: The Board signaled support by complimenting the presentation and committing to investigate the logistics (permitting and equipment) necessary to move the project forward.
low concern
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Notify Holderness Central School that the September and November elections will be held at Town Hall.
Assigned: Michael Capone (Town Administrator)
Check with New Hampshire the Beautiful regarding available signage for the composting pilot.
Assigned: Michael Capone (Town Administrator)
Follow up with NHDES regarding permitting for the food composting pilot.
Assigned: Michael Capone (Town Administrator)
Follow up on equipment requests (collection barrels and dollies) for the composting pilot.
Assigned: Select Board
Consider Committee and Board assignments and election of Chair/Vice Chair.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: 2026-04-06
Notable statements
The Board would follow up on [the students'] requests to see if they could move the project forward. — Jill White · Concluding remarks after the composting pilot presentation. 00:00
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 signing a formal support letter for net metering legislation. 00:00
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
1
Addressed
1
Partial
0
Not addressed
Haven Eaton, Woody Emmons, Ellie Gaw, and Sebastian Ibarguen
Partial
The students proposed a three-month pilot project to use the Transfer Station as a food waste collection point. They outlined a plan involving educational signage and collection tubs to transport waste to Willoughby Ridge Farm for composting.
Key concern
To establish a trial period for food waste collection at the Transfer Station from May through July.
Board responseThe Board complimented the students on their presentation and indicated they would follow up on the equipment requests and permitting questions to see if the project could move forward.
The Board did not immediately approve the pilot, but they engaged with the proposal by asking clarifying questions and committed to investigating the logistics (equipment and NHDES permitting) required to make it happen.
Michael Salmon
Addressed
Mr. Salmon participated during the presentation portion by asking a question regarding signage for the proposed composting project.
Key concern
Inquiry regarding how signage would be handled for the project.
Board responseThe Town Administrator responded by stating he would check with 'New Hampshire the Beautiful' to see if they have existing signage that could be supplied.
The Town Administrator provided a direct answer and a path forward regarding his specific question.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-28.