Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — May 4, 2026
While the board was procedurally unified, the discussion regarding noise complaints and the legal limitations of municipal authority introduced a level of external community tension.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Village Parking Solutions
Potential implementation of a placard-based parking system in the field behind the Science Center to alleviate business employee parking shortages. Affected: Business employees and local commerce in the village area.
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of payroll and accounts payable manifests and issuance of checks.
Motion by Mr. Lovett, second by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
00:00
Approval of April 20 minutes as amended.
Corrections made regarding 'Taksar' (noted as Tasker in transcript), years (2015/2016 instead of 2010/2011), 'Isikoff', and 'FB Environmental Associates'. Motion by Mr. Francesco, second by Ms. Schwaner.
5-0
00:00
Approval of Consent Agenda items.
Includes yield tax certifications and a current use application. Motion by Mr. Lovett, second by Ms. Schwaner.
5-0
00:00
Adjournment of the meeting.
Motion by Ms. Schwaner, second by Mr. Francesco.
5-0
06:07
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 the consent agenda.
Speakers: Jill White, Kelly Schwaner, Sam Brickley, Campbell Lovett, Peter Francesco, Scott Weden
Village Parking Solutions
Discussion regarding lack of parking for business employees; a potential plan involves using the field behind the Science Center boat launch for -5 spaces with a placard system.
Speakers: Scott Weden
Public Restroom Maintenance and Sanitation
The Board discussed the placement of porta potties for summer business and the maintenance responsibilities for the public restroom at the library.
Speakers: Peter Francesco, Scott Weden
Land Use and Health Compliance
The Board addressed the status of the Compliance Officer and the intersection of Land Use and Health Officer roles regarding septic system oversight.
Speakers: Scott Weden
Pemigewasset Valley Fish and Game Club Noise Concerns
Discussion regarding resident concerns about noise from the gun range and the legal exemptions held by the club.
Speakers: Bill Bolton, Sally Fellows, Scott Weden, Jill White, Erik Deflippe
Town Administrator's Report
Updates on department head meetings, municipal budgets, property assessing, and a successful grant application for the Holderness Free Library.
Speakers: Scott Weden
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Pemigewasset Valley Fish and Game Club Noise
Residents living on Beede Road are experiencing noise disturbances from the gun range, leading to a conflict between recreational/club rights and residential quiet enjoyment. The residents are seeking state-level legislative intervention because local ordinances are currently ineffective.
Board position: The Board signaled that they lack the legal authority to intervene locally due to state RSA 159B exemptions and the club's incorporation status, but they are facilitating a meeting with state representatives.
medium concern
02
Compliance Officer Oversight and Land Use/Health Intersection
There is a lack of formal protocols regarding the Compliance Officer's role, specifically concerning the legal authority to sign letters of compliance and the intersection of land use and septic oversight. This involves regulatory authority and public health compliance.
Board position: The Board emphasized the need for official appointments and formal oversight to ensure legal validity in compliance activities.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Conduct follow-up meeting with Science Center regarding parking access.
Assigned: Unspecified (Board/Staff) · Due: Not specified
Check servicing schedule for Fish and Game porta potties.
Assigned: Scott Weden · Due: Not specified
Meet with Library and Market Place to find a solution for public restroom maintenance.
Assigned: Scott Weden · Due: Not specified
Continue working with Land Use, Chief Bonan, and Don Jutton regarding compliance officer protocols.
Assigned: Scott Weden · Due: Not specified
Attend meeting with Representatives and Concerned Citizens regarding the gun range.
Assigned: Scott Weden, Jill White, and Erik Deflippe · Due: 2026-05-12 at 4:00 PM
Meet with NHDOT Project Manager Corey Spetelunas regarding intersection conversion.
Assigned: Scott Weden · Due: 2026-05-07
Notable statements
The Town Administrator should not be responsible for changing toilet paper. — Scott Weden · Discussing maintenance of the library public restroom.
Whoever is providing guidance and oversight needs to be officially appointed and signing letters of compliance. — Scott Weden · Discussing the lack of formal swearing-in for the Compliance Officer.
The town cannot stop the noise from the firing range [due to RSA 159B and incorporation date]. — Scott Weden · Addressing resident concerns regarding the Pemigewasset Fish & Game Club.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
1
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Bill Bolton and Sally Fellows
Addressed
The representatives approached the Town Administrator regarding noise concerns raised by residents living on Beede Road regarding the gun range. They noted that residents are seeking state-level legislative solutions to address the noise.
Key concern
Resident noise concerns related to the Pemigewasset Fish & Game gun range.
Board responseThe Board scheduled a meeting for May 12th with Representatives and concerned citizens, and the Town Administrator will provide documentation explaining that the town lacks the legal authority to stop the noise due to the club's incorporation status and RSA 159B exemption.
The Board provided a specific path forward by scheduling a meeting with state representatives and clarifying the legal limitations regarding the noise ordinance.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-28.