Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — May 19, 2026
The meeting was characterized by technical discussions, administrative updates, and constructive public engagement rather than heated conflict.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Dispatch RFP Proposals
Selection of a vendor for dispatch services affects town-wide emergency response capabilities and public safety infrastructure. Affected: All New London residents relying on emergency services.
safety change
02
Planned Eversource Outage
Widespread power outage scheduled for June 23rd for copper wiring replacement. Affected: All residents and businesses within the outage area.
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Appoint Don Oler as a full member to the Conservation Commission following Mike Gelchious's resignation.
Don Oler, previously an alternate, will be appointed as a full member. Motioned and passed to move forward with the appointment.
Approved
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:26 Pocket Park Proposal
Russ Moore and architectural representatives presented a design for a community pocket park, discussing its four main components, fundraising strategy, and long-term maintenance plans.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Russ Moore, Paul Larok, Adam Ricker
▶ 18:14 Stormwater Runoff and Drainage
Discussion regarding existing drainage issues at Main and Pleasant Streets and how the park design might impact water absorption via native plantings.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Adam Ricker
▶ 56:07 Dartmouth College Engineering Project
Exploration of a potential partnership with Dartmouth graduate students to conduct an industrial engineering project for the town.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Ashley
▶ 63:00 Committee Vacancy and Appointment
Addressing the resignation of Mike Gelchious (Vice Chairman) and the proposal to appoint Don Oler as a full member.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 65:27 Committee Membership Policy
Discussion regarding the policy of whether alternates should take over positions when committee members resign or fail to serve.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 66:11 Property Auction - Pingri Road
Update on the upcoming auction for the house on Pingri Road, including efforts to clean the property and resolve discrepancies with the registry of deeds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 67:28 Pocket Park Project and Community Feedback
Public comment regarding fundraising confidence for the pocket park, gardening maintenance (pollinator vs. display gardens), and parking solutions.
Speakers: Kathy Weber, Unidentified speaker
▶ 75:45 Planning Board and Fire Department Reports
Reports on site improvements at Bunker Road and Lakeshore Drive, Sawyer College cottage residential use, First Baptist Church lighting/parking, and Fire Department staffing/training.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 80:50 Solar Array Project Update
An update on the identification of a vendor for a solar array project at the Stump Dump property.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Ashley
▶ 83:41 Dispatch RFP Proposals
Review of five responses to the dispatch Request for Proposals (RFP) and planning for upcoming interviews.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Ashley
▶ 86:49 Planned Eversource Outage
Notification of a widespread planned power outage scheduled for June 23rd to facilitate copper wiring replacement.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Ashley
▶ 90:00 Municipal Parking Concerns
Discussion regarding parking pressures in town, including requests from local businesses and upcoming construction impacts.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Pocket Park Proposal
While generally supported, the project involves significant questions regarding long-term maintenance, fundraising accountability, and how it impacts local infrastructure like drainage and parking.
Board position: Supportive of the concept, but cautious regarding financial risk and administrative oversight.
medium concern
02
Committee Membership Policy
The board debated the procedural policy of whether alternates should automatically ascend to full positions when vacancies occur, which affects the governance and representation of town committees.
Board position: Discussing policy framework to ensure continuity in committee service.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Incorporate a professional on-site project manager (clerk of the works) into the fundraising and project planning goals.
Assigned: Russ Moore
Follow up with Dartmouth College regarding the feasibility of a graduate engineering project.
Assigned: Ashley
Schedule a meeting with Chief Cobb to discuss interviewing candidates for the dispatch RFP.
Assigned: Ashley · Due: 2026-05-20
Communicate the planned Eversource outage in the upcoming 'Municipal Matters' publication.
Assigned: a speaker · Due: Next week
Contact Don Oler regarding his appointment to the Conservation Commission.
Assigned: a speaker · Due: 2026-05-20
Contact Bob to inform him of the committee appointment decision.
Assigned: a speaker · Due: Tonight or tomorrow morning
Connect with board members regarding the June meeting.
Assigned: a speaker · Due: Before the June meeting
Provide data regarding the length of terms for various committee members.
Assigned: a speaker
Notable statements
We won't start the construction unless all the funds are raised for the project. — Russ Moore · Addressing board concerns regarding financial risk and town exposure. ▶ 07:05
If that project were able to fund raise to fund a clerk of the works position... that would be significantly helpful. — Adam Ricker · Suggesting a way to mitigate the administrative burden on town employees during construction. ▶ 40:26
The sustainability trust can be created at any time... but if there is a capital reserve request, that has to be approved at town meeting. — Unidentified speaker · Clarifying the legal and procedural distinctions between different types of municipal funds. ▶ 69:57
Proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the school district to allow public use of school parking lots during summer months to alleviate town parking issues. — Kathy Weber · Public comment regarding town parking and pedestrian issues. ▶ 72:00
The Citizens Advisory Committee will likely not meet during July, August, and September to allow members to enjoy the summer. — Unidentified speaker · Review of upcoming committee meeting schedules. ▶ 77:15
Member positions
3 issues · 0 explicit · 1 inferred
Janet R. Kidder
Present
Chair
Committee Vacancy and Appointment
YES
~
Supported the appointment of Don Oler to the Conservation Commission.
Pocket Park Proposal
~
Supportive of the concept but cautious regarding financial risk and oversight.
Committee Membership Policy
~
Engaged in discussing policy framework for committee continuity.
Richard Anderson
Present
Selectman
Committee Vacancy and Appointment
YES
~
Supported the appointment of Don Oler to the Conservation Commission.
Pocket Park Proposal
~
Supportive of the concept but cautious regarding financial risk and oversight.
Committee Membership Policy
~
Engaged in discussing policy framework for committee continuity.
Bebe Hammond Casey
Present
Selectwoman
Committee Vacancy and Appointment
YES
~
Supported the appointment of Don Oler to the Conservation Commission.
Pocket Park Proposal
~
Supportive of the concept but cautious regarding financial risk and oversight.
Committee Membership Policy
~
Engaged in discussing policy framework for committee continuity.
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
5
Total speakers
3
Addressed
1
Partial
1
Not addressed
Russ Moore
Addressed
Presented a proposal for a 'pocket park' project, detailing its design components, community support, and fundraising strategy. He emphasized that the project would be funded by non-profits and would not expose the town to financial risk.
Key concern
To present the park proposal and seek the Board's direction regarding public communication and the authorization of fundraising.
Board responseThe board asked several clarifying questions regarding fund management, contingency plans for underfunding, and maintenance, and ultimately expressed support for the project concept while requesting further logistical details.
The board engaged in an extensive Q&A session, addressing specific concerns about money handling, construction oversight, and maintenance, and gave the go-ahead to move forward with the project idea.
Paul Larok
Addressed
As an architect from Bonan Architects, he walked the board through the visual and structural elements of the park design. He explained the topographical considerations and the intended use of various park zones.
Key concern
To explain the technical design elements, such as paving, plant placement, and how the park works with existing elevation changes.
Board responseThe board asked specific questions about ADA compliance, elevation/drainage, and the removal of specific trees.
The board directly queried the architect on design details, and he provided technical explanations for each.
Adam Ricker (implied/not explicitly named but identified via context)
Addressed
Addressed technical aspects of the project including stormwater runoff, the potential for engineering grants, and the logistics of construction management. He suggested hiring a 'clerk of the works' to oversee the project.
Key concern
To address concerns regarding stormwater drainage, long-term maintenance logistics, and the necessity of professional construction oversight.
Board responseThe board discussed his suggestions, specifically agreeing that hiring a clerk of the works would be beneficial to avoid burdening town employees.
The board acknowledged his concerns about maintenance and construction management and expressed interest in his suggestions.
Kathy Weber
Partial
Expressed strong support for the pocket park, citing her professional fundraising experience and the project's community benefits. She also suggested a formal memorandum of understanding with the school district to use school parking during the summer.
Key concern
To endorse the project and propose a solution for the town's parking issues via school lot sharing.
Board responseThe board acknowledged her support; regarding the parking suggestion, they noted that school is in session during the summer, though they discussed the possibility of using the SAU lot instead.
The board heard her endorsement and engaged in a discussion about her parking proposal, though they provided a counter-point regarding summer school schedules.
Bob
Not addressed
Remained silent during the public comment portion of the meeting.
The speaker did not make a comment.
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Report composed by
grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, gemma-4-26b · analyzed 2026-06-01.