Select Board — May 18, 2026
The meeting had a spirited tone due to debates over tax exemptions and the introduction of high-impact topics via the Administrator's report rather than the formal agenda.
Questions about this meeting? Just ask.
Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.
At the May 18th Holderness Select Board meeting, several significant issues were addressed that residents may not have realized were on the table.
Of particular concern is the way high-impact topics were introduced. Rather than being listed as formal agenda items—which would have allowed residents to prepare questions or attend specifically to speak—major subjects such as a proposed property revaluation and noise/range expansion concerns regarding the Fish & Game Club were handled under the Town Administrator’s Report.
By treating these substantive policy and fiscal matters as mere 'updates' within a report, the Board bypassed the transparency that a formal agenda provides. This includes directions for legal updates to the Employee Handbook and discussions on parking enforcement at Cottage Place.
Additionally, the Board remains divided on the Squam Valley Masonic Association's tax abatement. While the assessor recommended denying the charitable exemption, Board Member Sam Brickley expressed strong disagreement, citing the organization's community history. The matter has been postponed to the next meeting for further discussion.
Public impact
Potential changes to property assessments and future tax burdens
The Administrator and a representative will meet with the consultants to discuss the proposal.
Meeting with Whitney Consultants on May 28th.
Topics discussed
The Board reviewed and approved payroll, accounts payable, meeting minutes, and various consent agenda items.
The payroll, minutes, and consent agenda items were approved unanimously.
The Board opened and reviewed bids from three contractors for paving projects on Perch Pond, Beede Road, Christian Lane, and Piper Lane.
The Board moved to accept Peckham Road Corp's bid, subject to a final review by the town agent, road agent, and town administrator.
Review of the bid by the town agent, road agent, and town administrator.
Recreation Director Wendy Werner provided updates on programming, scholarship funds, and a new background check policy.
The Board voted 4-0 to approve the new Recreation background check policy as written.
Carl Knowlton introduced himself as a candidate for the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative Board of Directors.
The topic was presented as public participation; board members noted they receive information through personal contacts.
Town Administrator Scott Weden reported on various municipal matters including highway department recognition, library maintenance, and community initiatives.
Various updates were provided; several items require further investigation or meeting attendance.
Corey Spetelunas (NHDOT) to present an intersection plan on June 1st; Chief Difilippe to research noise ordinance/case law regarding the Fish & Game Club; Whitney Consultants meeting on May 28th.
The Board discussed pending abatements, specifically focusing on the Squam Valley Masonic Association.
The Board decided to postpone the discussion to the next meeting to allow excused member Campbell Lovett to participate.
Discussion of the Masonic Association abatement at the next meeting.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Squam Valley Masonic Association Tax Abatement
Fish and Game Club Noise and Range Expansion
Off-Agenda Administrative Directives
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Accountability flags
Agenda items not discussed
Topics discussed — not on agenda
Transcript vs. official minutes
Creating this report cost real money.
MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering Holderness.
Follow Holderness
One email when a new report is published from the Select Board — or one weekly digest.
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.
Members feature
Ask questions. Get answers with receipts.
Ask about anything covered on this page and get a plain-English answer that links to the report, the official records, and the exact moment in the meeting video.
Create a free accountFree with a MeetingWatch account — no card, no spam.
Already a member? Sign in
Ask questions about any meeting
Open a community, board, issue, or meeting and I can answer from its records — with links to the report, official documents, and the exact moment in the video.
Then reopen this button to start asking.
AI-generated from meeting records — verify against the linked sources. Conversations are stored (privacy).