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Select Board — January 12, 2026

The meeting was largely procedural and collegial, but was elevated above routine by a serious EPA shutdown warning on the wastewater system, two residents testifying about being denied service, multiple substantive off-agenda decisions made without public notice, and significantly incomplete minutes approved without apparent scrutiny.

Date Monday, January 12, 2026 Public comments 2 Decisions 7 Lively
📄 Agenda 📄 Minutes

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Wastewater Facility Potential Shutdown and Cost Exposure

Board member warned of potential EPA shutdown resulting in an estimated $20 million remediation cost — roughly $90,000 per sewer user if borne locally Affected: All 222 users of the town sewer system; broader tax base if public funds are required
other high impact
02

Hazardous Waste Day Service Capacity Shortfall

Residents were turned away in 2025 due to a filled quota; no expansion committed for 2026, leaving the shortfall unresolved Affected: All residents seeking proper disposal of hazardous household materials
service reduction
03

Transfer Station Fence Replacement and PFAS/DES Compliance

Recycling materials blowing into protected brook; PFAS contamination risk and potential state inspection consequences if unaddressed Affected: Residents near Deer Meadow Brook; town facing potential DES regulatory action
safety change

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved remote participation of Jeffrey Donohoe
Motion by Chair Dunlap, seconded by Ms. McKeon
Passed unanimously
Approved public meeting minutes of November 24, 2025
Motion by Mr. Whitley, seconded by Ms. Bram
Passed unanimously by roll-call vote
03:52
Adopted consent agenda
Motion by Ms. McKeon, seconded by Ms. Bram
Passed 4-1 (1 abstention)
Green-lighted Eagle Scout project concept
Conditional approval pending detailed plan submission
Unanimous support
05:41
Supported Conservation Commission recommendation for subdivision open space ownership
Select Board endorsed accepting open space lots from proposed development
Unanimous support
Added $2,000 to Payroll Liability Trust Fund
Motion by Ms. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Whitley
Passed unanimously by roll-call vote
Multiple non-public sessions under various RSA provisions
Sessions for Personnel, Reputation, and Legal matters with some minutes sealed
All passed 5-0
2:53:22

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
05:41 Eagle Scout Project - Picnic Table Area Restoration

Leif Rosenholm requested permission to restore picnic table area near dam in Contoocook for his Eagle Scout project, with estimated cost of $2,500-$10,000 and timeline of less than one month starting in spring.

Speakers: Leif Rosenholm, Andy Rosenholm, Chair Dunlap, Mr. Whitley, Ms. Hambleton, Ron Klemarczyk
11:49 Transfer Station Fence Replacement

Discussion of fence replacement needed to prevent recycling materials from blowing into Deer Meadow Brook, with concerns about PFAS contamination and DES inspection compliance.

Speakers: Ron Klemarczyk, Ms. McKeon, Bonnie Christie, Ms. Bram
Subdivision Open Space Land Recommendation

Conservation Commission recommended Select Board accept open space land from proposed subdivision at Farrington Corner Road and Stumpfield Road for wildlife refuge and flood control areas.

Speakers: Ron Klemarczyk, Ms. Robertson, Chair Dunlap, Mr. Whitley
Wilder Trust Land Donation Current Use Penalty

Discussion of waiving current use penalty on 2 acres of land retained by Wilder Trust after donating 22 acres to the town, with penalty estimated at 10% of fair market value.

Speakers: Ron Klemarczyk, Chair Dunlap, Mr. Donohoe, Ms. McKeon, Ms. Bram
39:42 Two Villages Art Society Bates Building Lease Expansion

Larry Morgan presented proposal to use basement space in Bates Building for art classes and demonstrations, with capacity for 30 people but expecting 8-10 students per class.

Speakers: Larry Morgan, Ms. Bram, Mr. Whitley, Chair Dunlap, Ms. Hambleton
Recording of Committee Meetings

Request from Chris Haridopolos to record Housing Committee and Planning Board meetings, with discussion of technical challenges and staff time implications.

Speakers: Ms. Hambleton, Mr. Whitley, Ms. Robertson, Ms. McKeon, Ron Klemarczyk
1:11:23 2026 Goal Setting and Strategic Planning

Board discussed setting goals for 2026-2029 period with quarterly tracking, identifying priorities including wastewater facility, George Park renovation, transfer station improvements, and economic development position.

Speakers: Chair Dunlap, Ms. McKeon, Ms. Bram, Ms. Hambleton
2025 Financial Report - Expenses and Revenue

Town Administrator reported 92% of general fund expended with $746K remaining, 84% of revenues collected, and various budget items including missed reimbursements and outstanding PILOT agreements.

Speakers: Ms. Hambleton, Ms. Bram, Mr. Donohoe, Mr. Whitley
Capital Improvement Program Approval

CIP Committee recommended their plan to the Board, with discussion of adding $2,000 to Payroll Liability Trust Fund which was not included in CIP scope.

Speakers: Ms. Hambleton, Ms. McKeon, Mr. Donohue, Mr. Whitley

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Wastewater Facility Crisis and Long-Term Fiscal Risk

Board member Donohoe warned that EPA could shut down the sewer system, resulting in a $20 million tab for only 222 users — a potentially catastrophic per-household cost. This was flagged as a top 2026 goal, suggesting urgency, but no concrete plan or timeline was committed to publicly.
Board position: Acknowledged as a priority goal for 2026-2029 strategic planning; Ms. Hambleton noted the need for healthy fund balance to cover upfront lagoon closure costs before reimbursement.
high concern
02

Hazardous Waste Day Capacity — Residents Turned Away

At least two residents appeared in person to report being denied access to the 2025 Hazardous Waste Day due to a filled quota. Turning residents away from proper disposal creates environmental risk (improper disposal down drains or on land) and signals a service gap. Lauren Clement's suggestion for an alternative location received no board response at all.
Board position: Chair Dunlap suggested exploring costs of expansion; no commitment made. Lauren Clement's alternative-location proposal was ignored entirely.
medium concern
03

Wilder Trust Current Use Penalty Waiver — Significant Off-Agenda Decision

The board discussed waiving a current use penalty estimated at 10% of fair market value on land retained by the Wilder Trust — a financial concession to a private party that was not listed on the public agenda. Residents had no notice or opportunity to attend and weigh in. This is an aggravated transparency concern given its fiscal implications and off-agenda status.
Board position: Board directed the assessor to calculate the penalty amount before any final decision; outcome deferred but the discussion and apparent openness to waiving occurred without public notice.
medium concern
04

Transfer Station Fence Replacement and PFAS Contamination Risk

Recycling materials are blowing into Deer Meadow Brook, raising potential PFAS contamination concerns and DES compliance issues. This was not on the public agenda but was substantively discussed. Environmental contamination and regulatory risk are high-stakes matters for residents near the brook.
Board position: Directed Ms. McKeon to facilitate a meeting among relevant parties; no vote or firm timeline established.
medium concern
05

Recording of Committee and Planning Board Meetings

A resident (Chris Haridopolos) requested recordings of Housing Committee and Planning Board meetings for transparency and public access. The board cited technical challenges and staff time burdens — framing public accountability as a resource cost rather than a baseline expectation.
Board position: Board acknowledged the request and assigned staff to continue working on it, but did not commit to a timeline or mandate.
medium concern
06

Consent Agenda — Split Vote with Abstention

The consent agenda passed 4-1 with one abstention, which is unusual for what is typically the most routine vote of any board meeting. The reason for the abstention is not documented, leaving the public without an explanation of why a board member declined to support routine business.
Board position: Passed 4-1 with one abstention.
Internal dissent
One member abstained on the consent agenda; reason not documented in available materials.
low concern
07

Incomplete and Inaccurate Meeting Minutes

The gap analysis reveals that the draft minutes cut off mid-sentence, omit multiple significant topics (financial report, goal setting, Bates Building lease, recording policy, Hazardous Waste Day public comments), and fail to name two public speakers who appeared on the record. This is a factual accuracy and public records integrity concern.
Board position: Minutes of November 24, 2025 were approved unanimously by roll-call vote despite these gaps, suggesting the board did not scrutinize them closely.
medium concern

Split votes

Adoption of the consent agenda
4-1 (1 abstention)

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Return with detailed plan for Eagle Scout picnic table project
Assigned: Leif Rosenholm · Due: When ready to meet again (contact Ms. Hambleton)
Facilitate meeting with Mr. Klemarczyk, Mr. Blanchette, and Ms. Christie regarding transfer station fence
Assigned: Ms. McKeon · Due: To be scheduled
Inform Board of current use penalty amount once assessed by assessor
Assigned: Ms. Hambleton · Due: When assessment completed
Discuss Bates Building lease terms with Two Villages Art Society
Assigned: Chair Dunlap · Due: Follow up after Board discussion
Continue work on recording Planning Board meetings
Assigned: Ms. Robertson · Due: Ongoing
Assist with Housing Committee meeting recording implementation
Assigned: Ms. McKeon · Due: Ongoing
Bring additional goals broken down by quarter to next meeting
Assigned: Board members · Due: Next meeting
Draft Board letter for Annual Town Report
Assigned: Chair Dunlap · Due: Before Town Report deadline
Provide same expense/revenue reports at next meeting with 2025 closed
Assigned: Ms. Hambleton · Due: Next meeting

Notable ⁠statements

Sooner or later the EPA will shut the place down and it will be a 20-million-dollar tab for 222 users — Mr. Donohoe · Discussing sewer system challenges and need for new wastewater facility
Cutting will end up cutting things people want or need — Chair Dunlap · Discussing budget considerations and resistance to further cuts
How important it is to encourage people to do the right thing and dispose of pesticides, etc. properly rather than down the drain — Scott Clay · Public forum discussion about expanding hazardous waste disposal services 2:20:17
The lagoon closure is a large project requiring upfront payments prior to reimbursement requiring a healthy fund balance — Ms. Hambleton · Explaining need to maintain financial reserves for upcoming major infrastructure project

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
0
Addressed
2
Partial
0
Not addressed
Scott Clay
2:20:17
Partial
Scott Clay of 1677 Bound Tree Road raised concerns about hazardous waste day. In 2025, he was turned away due to a filled quota and requested either raising the quota or increasing the event to twice a year. Key concern
Need for expanded hazardous waste disposal capacity to prevent improper disposal
Board response
Chair Dunlap suggested looking at what expanding the program might cost. Ms. Hambleton noted it is currently coordinated with the Town of Henniker.
The board acknowledged the concern and suggested exploring costs, but did not commit to specific action
Lauren Clement
Not addressed
Lauren Clement of 86 Maple Street also spoke about Hazardous Waste Day. She suggested offering an alternative location that might cost money, but would provide an option for those being turned away due to full quota. Key concern
Need for alternative hazardous waste disposal options for residents turned away
Board response
No specific board response recorded to this suggestion
The board did not respond to this specific suggestion about alternative locations
Lauren Clement
Partial
Lauren Clement continued with multiple topics including George Park steering committee support, road list updates, Transfer Station fence concerns, and questions about meeting recordings and committee procedures. He also raised questions about the Payroll Liability Trust Fund. Key concern
Multiple concerns about town operations, infrastructure, and procedural questions
Board response
Board members and staff responded to various points including clarification on the Payroll Liability Trust Fund, discussion of George Park plans, and explanations about meeting recording policies.
The board addressed some of his questions with explanations but did not commit to specific actions on all items raised

Accountability ⁠flags

Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.

Agenda items not discussed

Topics discussed — not on agenda

Transcript vs. official minutes

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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-04-03.