Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — August 25, 2025
Routine procedural tone overall, but elevated by multiple high-significance items discussed off-agenda and several public presentations on infrastructure and parks issues.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Ambulance capital equipment purchase
Lucas Chest Compression system and defibrillator funded from capital reserve Affected: Town-wide emergency medical service users
other high impact
02
Contoocook Village Precinct sustainability
Risk of rate increases or service gaps due to staffing and infrastructure shortfalls Affected: Contoocook Village water customers
service reduction
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved remote participation for Ms. McKeon
Motion by Dunlap, seconded by Whitley
Unanimous roll-call
00:00
Approved Consent Agenda including AP manifests, payroll, fund transfers, and personnel items
Motion by Whitley, seconded by Donohoe; McKeon absent
Unanimous
03:31
Approved July 28, August 8, and August 11 public meeting minutes
Separate motions by Bram and Whitley
Unanimous with abstentions
Approved August 4 and August 11 nonpublic meeting minutes
Motions by Bram and Whitley
Unanimous with one abstention
Authorized purchase of Lucas Chest Compression system and advanced monitor defibrillator from ambulance capital reserve
Motion by Whitley, seconded by Dunlap
Unanimous
2:28:05
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
00:00 Call to Order and Remote Participation
Chair Dunlap called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.; motion approved for remote participation by Ms. McKeon.
Speakers: Chair Dunlap, Steven Whitley
01:25 Points of Pride
Recognitions included commendation for Police Department, library inclusion on NHPR list, and thanks for Anna's Run event organizers.
Speakers: Karen Hambleton, Victoria Bram
03:31 Consent Agenda and Minutes Approvals
Consent agenda (AP manifests, payroll, transfers, forms) approved; multiple prior meeting minutes approved with noted abstentions.
Speakers: Steven Whitley, Victoria Bram, Jeffrey Donohoe
08:05 Riverway Park and EDC Recommendations
Ian Hart presented 16 recommendations from studies and proposed a Parks Improvement Subcommittee; board to discuss charge further.
Speakers: Ian Hart, Victoria Bram, Chair Dunlap
Pine Street Intersection Project
Chuck Gregory presented UNH Capstone roundabout design for Pine/Kearsarge/103 intersection, noting potential NHDOT funding eligibility.
Speakers: Chuck Gregory, Steven Whitley
J&M Towing Local Provider Request
J&M Towing requested policy prioritizing local towing services; board to review and respond.
Speakers: Michael Plante, Matthew Plante, Chair Dunlap
Contoocook Village Precinct Operations
Precinct commissioners outlined staffing, metering, infrastructure, and budget challenges; board requested site tour.
Speakers: Chris Boudette, Victoria Bram, Steven Whitley
1:29:25 Horseshoe Pile at Kimball Lake
No current plans for the site; discussion of signage, fencing, and future community process; update requested for next meeting.
Speakers: Chair Dunlap, Jeff Dearborn, Alyssa McKeon
Hopkinton Fair 2025 Logistics
Board reviewed Townie Night entrance protocols, bracelets, and flyer distribution.
Speakers: Victoria Bram, Karen Hambleton
Revenue and Expense Review
Year-to-date financial report reviewed; requests made for follow-up on computers, printing, overtime, and well maintenance costs.
Speakers: Jeffrey Donohoe, Victoria Bram, Alyssa McKeon
CNHRPC Transportation Advisory Committee
Board discussed replacement for Neal Cass on the committee; Ms. Hambleton to contact prospective candidate.
Speakers: Karen Hambleton, Steven Whitley
2:28:05 Town Administrator Updates and Ambulance Equipment
Updates on flooding costs, trust fund, cemetery, and fire department request; motion approved for Lucas system and defibrillator purchase from capital reserve.
Speakers: Karen Hambleton, Steven Whitley
Nonpublic Session and Adjournment
Board entered nonpublic session under multiple RSA sections; public meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Speakers: Chair Dunlap
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Riverway Park / EDC recommendations and Parks Improvement Subcommittee
Public presentation of 16 study-derived action items with call for new subcommittee and dedicated staff; board deferred without commitment despite high community interest in downtown/walkability improvements
Board position: Took under advisement; no appointments or charge drafted
medium concern
02
Contoocook Village Precinct operations and staffing
Village water district facing aging infrastructure, metering failures, and certified-staff shortages; residents risk rate spikes or service disruption
Board position: Requested site tour and asked questions; no funding or management commitment
medium concern
03
Off-agenda discussion of multiple significant topics
Riverway Park, Pine Street roundabout, J&M Towing policy, and Precinct operations were presented and discussed without prior public agenda notice, denying residents opportunity to prepare or attend
Board position: Proceeded with presentations and follow-up commitments
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Report back on computer replacement status and printing expenditures
Assigned: Karen Hambleton · Due: Next meeting
Contact prospective candidate for CNHRPC Transportation Advisory Committee
Assigned: Karen Hambleton · Due: As soon as possible
Arrange signage at horseshoe pile site indicating no trespassing and community process underway
Assigned: Karen Hambleton · Due: Prior to winter
Arrange tour of Contoocook Village Precinct operations for Select Board
Assigned: Chris Boudette · Due: TBD
Add horseshoe pile solution to next agenda and discuss Parks Improvement Subcommittee charge
Assigned: Select Board · Due: Next meeting
Notable statements
EDC recommends creating a Parks Improvement Subcommittee to implement 16 recommendations from studies and Master Plan. — Ian Hart · Riverway presentation 08:05
Board will take under advisement public suggestion to expedite subcommittee charge drafting. — Chair Dunlap · Riverway discussion
No plans at this time to do anything with the horseshoe pile; broader community conversation to occur later. — Chair Dunlap · Old business 1:29:25
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
7
Total speakers
2
Addressed
4
Partial
1
Not addressed
Ian Hart
08:05
Partial
Presented EDC recommendations distilled from multiple studies (AARP, UNH, Master Plan) into 16 action items focused on Riverway Park and downtown improvements. Proposed creating a Parks Improvement Subcommittee with town leaders to prioritize implementation and urged hiring dedicated economic development staff.
Key concern
Need for structured follow-up on downtown/walkability studies and Riverway Park improvements via new subcommittee and staff support.
Board responseBoard asked clarifying questions about subcommittee membership (e.g., DOT connections) and took under advisement a public suggestion to expedite drafting the subcommittee charge.
Questions asked and comment noted, but no immediate decisions or appointments made.
Chuck Gregory
Partial
Summarized UNH Capstone student design for Pine/Kearsarge/103 intersection featuring a roundabout to improve safety; noted it was reviewed and believed fundable by NHDOT.
Key concern
Pursue NHDOT funding and implementation for intersection safety improvements.
Board responseBoard asked questions about budget details, right-of-way costs, and alternative alignments considered.
Questions asked for information but no commitment or next steps decided.
Michael Plante
Addressed
Requested the town adopt a policy prioritizing local towing providers for in-town calls, citing J&M Towing's local investment, quicker response, lower mileage costs, and support under RSA 106-B.
Key concern
Formal local-preference towing policy to support town businesses and improve service for residents.
Board responseChair Dunlap stated the Board would review the request further and get back to Mr. Plante.
Explicit commitment to review and respond.
Chris Boudette
Partial
Described operational and financial challenges facing Contoocook Village Precinct (aging infrastructure, metering issues, lack of certified staff) and requested support for professional staffing or management options short of expensive Pennichuck takeover.
Key concern
Sustainable staffing and management solutions for the water precinct without excessive rate increases.
Board responseBoard asked multiple questions about operations, budgets, leak detection, and past staffing; expressed interest in a site tour and thanked presenters.
Engaged in extended discussion and requested tour, but no specific assistance or funding decisions made.
Jeff Dearborn
Addressed
Expressed concern that the horseshoe pile at Kimball Lake is vulnerable to theft and requested protective measures such as signage and fencing.
Key concern
Security and protection of the horseshoe pile pending future community planning.
Board responseBoard agreed to install no-trespassing and safety signage plus website notice; added topic to next agenda.
Immediate action on signage and scheduling for further discussion.
Historical Society representative
Partial
Inquired about the status and future plans for the septic system serving the horseshoe pile site and the encumbering system across the street.
Key concern
Resolution of septic system issues and encumbrances related to the Kimball Lake site.
Board responseTown Administrator summarized possible options; Board requested update at next meeting.
Information provided and follow-up scheduled.
Loren Clement
2:20:37
Not addressed
Suggested that the town retain the sewer system at the horseshoe pile site to support future amenities such as bathrooms, water access for trails, or a town information center, and retain some horseshoes for display.
Key concern
Preserve infrastructure at Kimball Lake site to enable public amenities rather than abandoning it.
Board responseNone during the meeting (comment made in Public Forum).
No response recorded in transcript.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Transcript vs. official minutes
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-27.