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Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
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Board of Selectmen — June 4, 2026

The meeting was characterized by productive administrative updates and collaborative problem-solving regarding upcoming projects and ordinances.

Date Thursday, June 4, 2026 Duration 1.1h Speakers 1 Public comments 8 Decisions 1 Routine
▶ Video

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Beach and Parking Ordinance Fee Increases

Increase in fines from $25 to $100. Affected: Residents and visitors using municipal beach parking.
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What was discussed

Staff proposed increasing fines for parking without a permit or using temporary permits to discourage non-residents from occupying limited spaces. The discussion focused on maintaining consistency and compliance with town ordinances.

What happened

The board received the proposed edits and will review them for further discussion at the next meeting.

What's next

Board members will review the documents for further discussion at the next meeting on June 15th.

fee change
02

Municipal Solar Arrays

Expected $500,000 revenue over 30 years and progress toward 2030 renewable goals. Affected: All taxpayers (via revenue generation) and utility customers.
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What was discussed

The Energy Committee detailed plans for two solar arrays at the Stump Dump and Mountain Road landfill. Key points included safety concerns regarding monitoring wells at the landfill and the financial benefits of rising electric rates.

What happened

The Board expressed comfort moving forward with the agreements now that insurance language has been resolved.

What's next

Bington Solar will file the interconnection application with Eversource.

other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of meeting minutes for April 23rd, May 7th, and May 19th.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the written minutes from the specified dates.
Approved

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:18 Proposed Municipal Solar Arrays

The Energy Committee presented plans for two new solar arrays at the Stump Dump and the Mountain Road landfill to meet renewable energy goals and generate revenue.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Jamie Hess, Ted Vans, Janet, Richard Anderson, Tom Hamlin, Colin
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What was discussed

Jamie Hess and Ted Vans detailed two solar projects (250 panels each, ~100kW AC) intended to hit the 2030 renewable goal and generate approximately $500,000 in revenue over 30 years. Concerns were raised regarding monitoring wells at the Mountain Road site, potential interconnection costs with Eversource, and the impact on Community Power demand.

What happened

The Board expressed comfort moving forward with the agreements now that insurance language concerns have been resolved by Bington Solar.

What's next

Bington Solar will file the interconnection application with Eversource; committee will post detailed spreadsheets to the town website.

▶ 29:00 Beach Parking and Use Ordinances

Staff proposed revisions to beach use and parking ordinances, including significant fine increases to improve resident access.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Putnham KDR, Richard Anderson, Bebe Hammond Casey
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What was discussed

Putnham KDR presented proposed changes to three ordinances to ensure consistency and compliance. A major proposal involves increasing fines for parking without a permit or using temporary permits from $25 to $100 to discourage non-residents from occupying limited spaces.

What happened

The Board was presented with the edits, which include a provision allowing for fine waivers under special circumstances.

What's next

Board members will review the documents for further discussion at the next meeting.

▶ 34:08 Dispatch Center RFP and Study

The Board discussed the status of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the dispatch center study and potential ways to involve Dartmouth students.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Richard Anderson, Colin
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What was discussed

The discussion centered on how to proceed after the initial RFP closed, with several bids exceeding the $30,000 budget. Options included rescoping the study, reopening the process to allow for a Dartmouth internship/externship proposal, or proceeding with current bidders like MRI and ADCOM.

What happened

The Board decided not to rescope the project but will look into a brief window to allow for additional proposals, including potential student-led options.

What's next

A decision on whether to allow new proposals is expected by the next meeting on June 15th.

▶ 00:47 Community Updates and Administrative Matters

Various updates regarding summer gatherings, water sampling guidelines, staff changes, and emergency management.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Ashley, Janet, Richard Anderson
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What was discussed

Updates included the potential for a fall community gathering instead of summer, new water sampling guidelines for protective associations, and the upcoming retirement of Matt Grimes. Emergency management is also updating the Elkins Dam notification flowchart.

What happened

The Board noted the updates; no formal votes were taken on these administrative items.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Beach Parking and Use Ordinance Revisions

The proposal to increase parking and permit fines from $25 to $100 is a significant change that impacts how residents and visitors access municipal beaches.
Board position: The board is reviewing the proposal, which includes a mechanism for fine waivers under special circumstances.
medium concern
02

Dispatch Center RFP Process

The current bids exceed the $30,000 budget, forcing a decision on whether to rescoping, reopen the process, or accept existing high-cost bids.
Board position: The board decided not to rescope the project but will look into a brief window to allow for additional proposals, including potential student-led options.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Upload solar project spreadsheets and 30-year financial models to the town website.
Assigned: Energy Committee · Due: 2026-06-05
Contact Dartmouth alumni/employees regarding the potential student internship/externship proposal for the dispatch study.
Assigned: Jamie Hess · Due: 2026-06-15
Review proposed beach ordinance changes.
Assigned: Board of Selectmen · Due: 2026-06-15

Notable ⁠statements

With 99% certainty, [rising electric rates] are going to make the numbers look even better than they do now. — Jamie Hess · Discussing the impact of rising utility rates on the financial viability of the municipal solar arrays. ▶ 32:27
We've decided to site the array outside the perimeter not just outside the perimeter of the capped landfill but outside the perimeter of the monitoring wells also. — Unidentified speaker · Addressing concerns regarding the safety and integrity of the Mountain Road landfill site. ▶ 11:00

Member ⁠positions

5 issues · 0 explicit · 4 inferred · 2 unclear
A split vote in this meeting was recorded without naming the dissenter (e.g. a voice vote). Members whose individual vote could not be confirmed are marked UNCLEAR below — this is not the same as a “yes.” Named votes will be filled in if official minutes record them.
Present
Proposed Municipal Solar Arrays YES ~
Expressed comfort moving forward with agreements after insurance concerns were resolved.
Approval of meeting minutes for April 23rd, May 7th, and May 19th YES ~
Richard Anderson
Selectman
Present
Proposed Municipal Solar Arrays YES ~
Expressed comfort moving forward with agreements after insurance concerns were resolved.
Beach Parking and Use Ordinances UNCLEAR
Participated in discussion regarding ordinance revisions.
Dispatch Center RFP and Study YES ~
Supported reopening the process briefly to allow for additional proposals, including student-led options.
Approval of meeting minutes for April 23rd, May 7th, and May 19th YES ~
Bebe Hammond Casey
Selectwoman
Present
Beach Parking and Use Ordinances UNCLEAR
Participated in discussion regarding ordinance revisions.
Approval of meeting minutes for April 23rd, May 7th, and May 19th YES ~

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.”

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
8
Total speakers
6
Addressed
2
Partial
0
Not addressed
Unidentified speaker
▶ 32:00
Addressed
The speaker discusses the progress of a public hearing process and requests feedback on it. They also inquire about data regarding guest pass requests and explain recent updates to a fine structure to allow for forgiveness in special circumstances. Key concern
Request for feedback on a process and inquiry regarding guest pass data/fine flexibility.
Board response
Board member Richard Anderson thanked the speaker for the updates and noted that the board would review the guest pass data.
The board acknowledged the updates provided and committed to reviewing the requested data.
Unidentified speaker
▶ 35:08
Addressed
The speaker outlines several options for proceeding with the dispatch RFP process, including rescoping or reopening the process to allow for student/intern proposals. They discuss the potential benefits of a Dartmouth student project in terms of cost and speed. Key concern
Determining the best path forward for the dispatch RFP (rescoping vs. reopening vs. proceeding with current vendors).
Board response
The board members (Richard Anderson and others) engaged in a detailed discussion, ultimately agreeing to reopen the process for a brief period (until June 15th) to allow for new proposals, including the possibility of student/intern involvement.
The board actively debated the options and reached a consensus on a specific course of action and timeline.
Colin
▶ 43:00
Addressed
The speaker provides a detailed analysis of the existing RFP responses, specifically suggesting that the board could 'tweak' or narrow down proposals by asking certain vendors to focus on specific phases. They express a lack of clarity regarding one specific proposal (ADCOM) and emphasize the need for financial intelligence. Key concern
Providing strategic advice on how to evaluate and negotiate with RFP vendors to get the best value and intelligence.
Board response
The board thanked him for his points and integrated his suggestions into the final decision to reopen the process.
The board acknowledged his expertise and used his input to guide their decision-making process.
Ashley
▶ 52:22
Partial
The speaker provides a broad administrative update covering various town topics: new lawn games in the common, water sampling guidelines, upcoming facility staff retirements, community welfare organization meetings, and an update on the Elkins Dam emergency notification flowchart. Key concern
Providing a multi-topic 'PSA' style update to the board and community.
Board response
The board members engaged with specific points, such as discussing the summer gathering and the DPW building.
As this was an administrative update/report rather than a request for action, the board's engagement with specific sub-topics constitutes a response, but most items were informational only.
Unidentified speaker
▶ 56:10
Addressed
The speaker asks for the current status of the new DPW building and if any options have been reviewed. Key concern
Request for update on the DPW building project.
Board response
The speaker (acting as staff/admin) informed the asker that a separate public meeting would be scheduled to review options from Weman Landfair.
A specific timeline and method for addressing the topic (a separate meeting) was provided.
Unidentified speaker
▶ 57:55
Addressed
The speaker asks if the issue of the Elkins bath house light staying on at all hours has been resolved. Key concern
Inquiry regarding electricity waste due to a faulty light timer.
Board response
The speaker explained that the issue is being worked on, noting that power outages might be resetting the timer, and reported that no recent issues have been observed.
The speaker provided a technical explanation and a status update on the resolution.
Unidentified speaker
▶ 58:50
Partial
The speaker asks for updates regarding the Dunkin' Donuts relocation and what might occupy the current space. Key concern
Inquiry regarding the Dunkin' Donuts move and future site usage.
Board response
The speaker stated they did not have an update and had been asked not to discuss certain details, but offered to follow up with Adam.
The speaker provided an immediate answer regarding why information wasn't available but promised to seek more information.
Evie
▶ 1:00:18
Addressed
The speaker provides reports from various groups, including the Municipal Budget Committee, the leadership group meeting with Colby/Hospital/Chamber of Commerce, and updates on the hospital's new operating rooms and the college's return to in-person orientations. Key concern
Providing community and organizational leadership updates.
Board response
The board members acknowledged the reports and commented on the benefits of in-person orientations for local businesses.
The board received the information and engaged in brief dialogue regarding the implications of the updates.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.