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Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — April 20, 2026

While significant issues like tax equity and policing were discussed with strong language from board members, the meeting remained orderly and focused on administrative problem-solving.

Date Monday, April 20, 2026 Public comments 1 Decisions 5 Routine
📄 Agenda 📄 Minutes

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Property Assessment and Tax Equity

Potential shifts in tax burden across different property types based on reassessment outcomes. Affected: All property owners, specifically off-lake vs. lakefront residents.
tax increase
02

Policing Agreement with PSU

Changes to law enforcement jurisdiction and response capabilities regarding campus activity. Affected: Holderness residents and university students/staff.
safety change

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of Pilot Composting project at the Transfer Station.
The Town will purchase four composting containers.
Approved
Approval of expense for Master Plan postcards.
Motion by Mr. Brickley, seconded by Mr. Lovett; estimated cost $946.54.
Passed unanimously
Approval of payroll and accounts payable manifests and issuance of checks.
Motion by Ms. Schwaner, seconded by Mr. Lovett.
4-0
Approval of April 6, 2026, public meeting minutes.
Motion by Ms. Schwaner, seconded by Mr. Lovett.
4-0
Approval of Consent Agenda.
Motion by Ms. Schwaner, seconded by Mr. Brickley.
4-0

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
Road Maintenance and DPW Report

Road Agent Kevin Coburn reported on mud season progress, upcoming 10-hour workdays starting April 27th, and general DPW management practices.

Speakers: Kevin Coburn
Cemetery and Grounds Maintenance

Discussion regarding formalizing a written agreement for cemetery and grounds maintenance, including sidewalks and winter tasks.

Speakers: Kevin Coburn
White Oak Pond Watershed Management

Update on watershed surveys, identification of non-point source pollution near Center Harbor, and management of water levels via the beaver dam.

Speakers: Nancy Isikoff, Kevin Coburn
Pilot Composting Project

The Board discussed and approved a pilot composting project at the Transfer Station involving the purchase of four containers.

Speakers: Scott Weden
Master Plan Postcard Expenses

A request to approve funding for resending Master Plan survey postcards to residents to improve response rates.

Speakers: Mike Salmon, Sam Brickley, Campbell Lovett
Plymouth State University Relations

Discussion regarding the relationship between the town and the university, specifically regarding policing agreements and campus activity.

Speakers: Sam Brickley, Scott Weden
Property Assessment Concerns

Discussion on declining assessment ratios, the need for frequent reassessments, and potential inequities between lake and off-lake properties.

Speakers: Sam Brickley, Scott Weden

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Property Assessment Inequities

There is a potential imbalance in tax burdens, specifically the concern that off-lake residents may be subsidizing lakefront properties due to declining assessment ratios.
Board position: The board acknowledged the issue and assigned an action item to meet with Whitney Consultants to discuss the assessing schedule.
medium concern
02

Plymouth State University Policing Agreement

The relationship between the town and the university involves complex policing agreements and campus activity that impacts local law enforcement and community safety.
Board position: The board signaled a desire for more robust local control/agreements, with Scott Weden stating he will 'fight' for an agreement similar to Plymouth's.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Contact individual/small company to schedule a meeting with Scott Weden to create a written cemetery/grounds maintenance agreement.
Assigned: Kevin Coburn
Follow up with the donor of funds for the cemetery fence repair.
Assigned: Scott Weden
Send the watershed survey identifying specific problem spots to Kevin Coburn.
Assigned: Nancy Isikoff
Bring the request for Planning Board postcard approval to the Planning Board meeting.
Assigned: Mike Salmon · Due: 2026-04-21
Meet with Rich Grossman and President Birx regarding the policing agreement.
Assigned: Scott Weden and Chief Difilippe · Due: Next week
Meet with Whitney Consultants regarding the assessing schedule.
Assigned: Scott Weden and Amy Sharpe · Due: 2026-04-21

Notable ⁠statements

Plymouth State administration often forgets that half of the university is in Holderness, treating it as just Plymouth. — Sam Brickley · Discussing the town's relationship with the university.
I don't believe residents not on the lake should subsidize those on the lake. — Sam Brickley · Expressing concern over assessment ratios between lake and off-lake properties.
I'll fight for a policing agreement in Holderness, similar to what was achieved in Plymouth. — Scott Weden · Addressing concerns about university campus activity and law enforcement.

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
1
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Mike Salmon
Addressed
Mike Salmon requested approval for the Planning Board to resend postcards to residents regarding the Master Plan survey. He noted that previous mailings were lost by the USPS and that the current response rate shows a disparity between resident and non-resident participation. Key concern
Request for $946.54 to fund new postcards, mailing, and printing to ensure residents are properly surveyed for the Master Plan.
Board response
The Board approved the expense via a motion by Mr. Brickley, seconded by Mr. Lovett, which passed unanimously.
The board voted unanimously to approve the requested funding for the postcards.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-28.