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Select Board — April 20, 2026

The meeting focused on administrative updates, departmental reports, and proactive planning without significant public confrontation or heated debate.

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

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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

Holderness Select Board Meeting Accountability Update: April 20, 2026

During the April 20th Select Board meeting, two significant issues were discussed that directly impact Holderness residents: property tax equity and local policing.

First, the Board addressed concerns regarding property assessment ratios. There is a growing concern among residents that the current assessment system creates an imbalance, potentially forcing off-lake property owners to subsidize lakefront property owners. Board members acknowledged the need for timely reassessments to ensure that the tax burden is distributed equitably across the town.

Second, the Board is moving forward with efforts to establish a formal policing agreement with Plymouth State University. Select Board member Scott Weden expressed a commitment to securing an agreement similar to the one currently in place in Plymouth. Because this involves inter-municipal relations and the allocation of town resources for public safety, residents should pay close attention to how these negotiations progress.

While the Board also approved routine items—including a composting pilot program at the Transfer Station and funding for Master Plan survey postcards—the discussions on taxation and policing are the key takeaways for community members watching how our town is managed.

Apr 20, 2026 1 public comments 5 decisions Routine
Notable statements Drag to browse

“Concerned about ratios getting off between lake and off-lake properties, as he doesn't believe residents not on the lake should subsidize those on the lake.”

— Sam Brickley · Discussion on property assessment and equalized valuation.

“Pledges to fight for a policing agreement in Holderness, similar to what was achieved in Plymouth.”

— Scott Weden · Discussing the relationship between the town and Plymouth State University.
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

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

Potential inequity in tax burden distribution based on assessment ratios.

What was discussed

Changes in local law enforcement presence and inter-agency cooperation.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Kevin Coburn
What was discussed

Road Agent Kevin Coburn provided updates on mud season progress, road maintenance, and the transition to a 10-hour workday schedule starting April 27th.

Speakers: Kevin Coburn
What was discussed

Discussion regarding formalizing a written agreement with a contractor for cemetery, grounds, and sidewalk maintenance.

Speakers: Nancy Isikoff, Kevin Coburn
What was discussed

Nancy Isikoff presented updates on watershed surveys and identified non-point source pollution concerns requiring collaboration with Center Harbor.

Speakers: Kevin Coburn
What was discussed

Discussion on rising water levels, the impact of the beaver dam below Coxboro Road, and the daily monitoring required for dam management.

Speakers: Scott Weden
What was discussed

The board discussed and approved a composting pilot program at the Holderness Transfer Station involving the purchase of four containers.

Speakers: Mike Salmon, Sam Brickley, Campbell Lovett
What was discussed

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

Speakers: Sam Brickley, Scott Weden
What was discussed

Discussion regarding the need for better engagement from PSU administration and the pursuit of a policing agreement.

Speakers: Sam Brickley, Scott Weden
What was discussed

Concerns regarding assessment ratios between lake and off-lake properties and the need for timely reassessments.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Property Assessment Equity

There is a perceived imbalance in assessment ratios between lakefront and off-lake properties. Residents not on the lake may feel they are disproportionately subsidizing lakefront property owners.
Board position: The board acknowledged the concern; members expressed a need for timely reassessments to maintain equity.
medium concern
02

PSU Policing Agreement

Negotiating a policing agreement with Plymouth State University involves complex inter-municipal relations and potential implications for public safety and town resources.
Board position: The board is actively pursuing a formal agreement, with Scott Weden pledging to fight for one similar to the Plymouth model.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

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 the previous mailing was lost by USPS and that current response rates show a disparity between resident and non-resident participation. Key concern
Approval of $946.54 for printing and mailing postcards to ensure residents are included in the Master Plan survey.
Board response
The board considered the request and passed a motion to approve the expense unanimously after a motion by Mr. Brickley and a second by Mr. Lovett.
The board took immediate action by voting unanimously to approve the requested funds for the postcards.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of Pilot Composting project at the Transfer Station.
Town will purchase four composting containers.
Approved
Approval of expense for Master Plan survey postcards.
Estimated cost of $946.54 for postcards, mailing, and printing.
Passed unanimously
Approval of payroll and accounts payable manifests.
Motion by Kelly Schwaner, seconded by Campbell Lovett.
4-0 in favor
Approval of April 6, 2026, public meeting minutes.
Motion by Kelly Schwaner, seconded by Campbell Lovett.
4-0 in favor
Approval of Consent Agenda.
Motion by Kelly Schwaner, seconded by Sam Brickley.
4-0 in favor

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Community concern regarding property tax equity
At the 4/20 Select Board meeting, members discussed growing concerns over property assessment ratios. Residents are worried that off-lake homeowners are disproportionately subsidizing lakefront property owners. Equity in tax burdens must... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-04-20/ #MeetingWatch
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Significant policy shift regarding policing and PSU
The Holderness Select Board is moving to secure a policing agreement with Plymouth State University. Scott Weden pledged to 'fight' for a model similar to Plymouth's. This will impact local public safety and town resources. #HoldernessNH... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-04-20/ #MeetingWatch
318/280 chars
Routine administrative decisions
Holderness Select Board update (4/20): The board approved a composting pilot program at the Transfer Station and funding for Master Plan survey postcards to boost resident participation. #HoldernessNH https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-04-20/ #MeetingWatch
278/280 chars

X thread

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Holderness Select Board meeting recap (April 20, 2026): Two major issues emerged that will impact your wallet and your community's safety. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH
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1/ Property Tax Equity: The Board addressed concerns regarding assessment ratios between lake and off-lake properties. There is a growing fear that residents not on the lake are subsidizing those on the lake. The Board is looking into timely reassessments to fix this.
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2/ PSU Policing: The Board is actively pursuing a formal policing agreement with Plymouth State University. Scott Weden stated he will 'fight' for an agreement similar to the one in Plymouth. This could change how public safety is managed in our town.
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3/ Summary: While many items were routine (composting pilots, Master Plan funding), the issues of tax equity and law enforcement agreements require close resident monitoring. Stay engaged. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-04-20/
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Facebook — long form

Holderness Select Board Meeting Accountability Update: April 20, 2026

During the April 20th Select Board meeting, two significant issues were discussed that directly impact Holderness residents: property tax equity and local policing.

First, the Board addressed concerns regarding property assessment ratios. There is a growing concern among residents that the current assessment system creates an imbalance, potentially forcing off-lake property owners to subsidize lakefront property owners. Board members acknowledged the need for timely reassessments to ensure that the tax burden is distributed equitably across the town.

Second, the Board is moving forward with efforts to establish a formal policing agreement with Plymouth State University. Select Board member Scott Weden expressed a commitment to securing an agreement similar to the one currently in place in Plymouth. Because this involves inter-municipal relations and the allocation of town resources for public safety, residents should pay close attention to how these negotiations progress.

While the Board also approved routine items—including a composting pilot program at the Transfer Station and funding for Master Plan survey postcards—the discussions on taxation and policing are the key takeaways for community members watching how our town is managed. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/holderness/select-board/2026-04-20/ #MeetingWatch #HoldernessNH

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 the cemetery fence repair funds.
Assigned: Scott Weden
Send Kevin Coburn the watershed survey with specific problem spots identified.
Assigned: Nancy Isikoff
Bring the request for Master Plan postcards 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: Amy Sharpe and Scott Weden · Due: 2026-04-21
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.