Your area Not set — showing everywhere
Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
Creating this report cost real money. Help fund coverage →

Board of Selectmen — July 2, 2026

Votes were unanimous, public input was limited to one recurring speaker whose points received direct responses, and discussion remained constructive on routine operational and safety items.

Date Thursday, July 2, 2026 Duration 1.3h Speakers 1 Public comments 1 Decisions 3 Routine
Presentation slide showing road site photo Video still
Presentation slide showing road site photo Frame from meeting video ▶ 02:54
Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At the July 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, members approved hiring ADCOM Engineering LLC for the first phase of the dispatch study at approximately $29,600 plus limited expenses. Public commenters and some board members had raised questions about the proposal's cost analysis, comparisons to other New Hampshire centers, KPI data, and possible bias. The motion passed with instructions to negotiate an in-person presentation, cap expenses, and obtain those clarifications. Ashley will follow up at the next meeting.

Separately, resident Christine Arseno raised visibility issues with the Pleasant Street crosswalk near Birch Acres. The board agreed the request for better signage or flashing beacons was reasonable and directed Public Works Director Sam Clark to evaluate options, with possible budget discussion later.

All recorded votes were unanimous. Official minutes are not yet published.

Jul 2, 2026 1.3h long 1 speakers 1 public comments 3 decisions Routine
Notable statements Drag to browse

“I would like to have a situation in which we're dramatically improving the safety whenever the kids are crossing in that area.”

— Richard Anderson · Pleasant Street crosswalk discussion ▶ 08:06

“I was more impressed with the subject matter experts and their backgrounds for ADCOM for our needs.”

— Chief Cobb · Dispatch study consultant comparison ▶ 20:18

“the security of our officers is pretty critical”

— Unidentified speaker · Request for ballistic glass cost estimate ▶ 58:08

“we do care about roaming dogs”

— Speaker A (Chief) · Response to public concern about enforcement ▶ 1:05:37
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Local visibility and crossing safety upgrade under review

What happened

Board agreed the request is reasonable and directed review of signage options and flashing beacons on higher posts.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Christine Arseno, Sam Clark
What was discussed

Resident Christine Arseno raised safety concerns for children crossing Pleasant Street near Birch Acres due to poor visibility of the crosswalk.

What happened

Board agreed the request is reasonable and directed review of Sam's memo and options for flashing beacons on higher posts.

Presentation slide showing road site photo Video still
Presentation slide showing road site photo ▶ 10:52
Speakers: Ashley, Chief, Bebe Hammond Casey, Richard Anderson, Colin
What was discussed

Board discussed recommendation to hire ADCOM Engineering for phase one of the dispatch study at approximately $29,600 plus limited expenses.

What happened

Motion passed to hire ADCOM Engineering LLC, with instructions to negotiate in-person presentation, cap expenses, and obtain clarifications on cost assessment and RFI details.

Speakers: Lynn
What was discussed

Board approved use of highway equipment capital reserve funds for equipment installation on new trucks.

What happened

Motion approved unanimously.

Speakers: Ashley
What was discussed

St. Andrews Church offered to plant a chestnut tree seedling on town property between the church and town offices.

What happened

Board agreed to accept the tree without formal motion.

Speakers: Ashley, Chief Cobb, Putnham
What was discussed

Board discussed frequency of sticker checks at beaches and whether to hire seasonal enforcement staff.

What happened

Board agreed PD can manage enforcement without new hire for this season.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Update on seasonal speed feedback signs, data retrieval, storage constraints, and ongoing traffic counts by the planning commission.

What happened

Item reported as in motion with a matrix expected from the planning commission in early August.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Status check on previously requested security cameras, ballistic glass, and protective pylons for the dispatch office.

What happened

Cameras are in use; no action taken on glass or pylons. Request for cost estimates recorded.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Public observation of increased roaming dogs and call for renewed education and enforcement of state rules.

What happened

Chief affirmed enforcement occurs and department responds to complaints.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Police chief reported recent home-renovation and Bitcoin-kiosk scams targeting residents.

What happened

Information provided for public awareness; no formal board action.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Report on hosting Governor Ayotte's press conference announcing the new bail-condition notification system.

What happened

Successful event completed; neighboring departments attended.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Approval of June meeting minutes and review of upcoming events and closures.

What happened

Minutes approved by voice vote.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Dispatch study consultant selection

Public commenters and board members raised questions about cost analysis, benchmarking against other NH centers, KPI data, and potential bias in the ADCOM proposal before the $29,600+ hire was approved.
Board position: Approved hiring ADCOM with instructions to negotiate an in-person presentation, cap expenses, and obtain clarifications on cost assessment and RFI details.
medium concern

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Speaker
3
Comments
1
Addressed
2
Partial
0
Not addressed
Mag Francis
Partial
Mag Francis asked whether parking sticker rules apply to all satellite lots around Elkins Beach and suggested installing signage to direct non-residents without stickers to off-site parking options such as near the dam, Wilmot, or Springfield. Key concern
Clarify parking rules for satellite lots and improve signage to reduce beach parking conflicts.
Board response
Recreation Director Putnham clarified that rules apply only to the two lots immediately by the beaches; other lots are not restricted. No further board action on signage was taken during the meeting.
Question on rules was answered directly; signage suggestion received no commitment or further discussion.
Mag Francis
Partial
Mag Francis inquired about the status of previously requested security upgrades at the police department building, including new security cameras, bulletproof glass, and concrete security pylons to protect the dispatch center. Key concern
Obtain cost estimates and status updates for officer safety improvements (cameras, ballistic glass, and bollards/pylons).
Board response
Chief Cobb confirmed cameras are installed and in use. The board and administrator stated ballistic glass has not been added and would require budget consideration or further research; pylons have not been researched. No estimates were provided at the meeting.
Camera status was answered; glass and pylon requests prompted discussion but no cost estimates or decisions were made.
Mag Francis
Addressed
Mag Francis praised recent town improvements (disability parking, brush clearing, Elkins Beach playground) and raised ongoing concerns about roaming dogs, suggesting renewed enforcement and public education similar to a prior three-phase plan. Key concern
Acknowledge positive maintenance work and request renewed enforcement/communication on leash laws to address roaming dogs.
Board response
Chief Cobb acknowledged the dog issue, confirmed enforcement actions (summonses) occur when warranted, and stated the department responds to complaints. Board members thanked her for observations.
Positive observations were acknowledged and the dog concern received a direct response on current enforcement practices.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approve public works capital reserve withdrawal
$2,340.75 from highway equipment capital reserve for truck equipment installation.
Approved
Hire ADCOM Engineering LLC for dispatch study phase one
Motion to hire ADCOM; second; all in favor. Expense cap and clarifications required.
Approved
Approve minutes of June meeting
Voice vote after noting one spelling correction
Approved

Share ⁠this report

Drafts ready to post — click any block to copy.

X / Twitter — by angle

Dispatch study consultant selection despite raised concerns
New London Board of Selectmen voted July 2 to hire ADCOM Engineering for phase one of the dispatch study at ~$29,600+. Public commenters questioned cost analysis, NH benchmarks, and potential bias before approval. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/new-london/select-board/2026-07-02/ #MeetingWatch #NewLondonNH
304/280 chars
Resident safety concern addressed with follow-up review
July 2: Resident flagged poor visibility at Pleasant Street crosswalk near Birch Acres for kids. Board called request reasonable and directed Public Works to review flashing beacons and signage options. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/new-london/select-board/2026-07-02/ #MeetingWatch #NewLondonNH
293/280 chars
Capital reserve use for previously discussed but unwarrant item
Board approved $2,340.75 from highway equipment capital reserve July 2 for truck installations. Item was discussed in budget but not placed on warrant. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/new-london/select-board/2026-07-02/ #MeetingWatch #NewLondonNH
242/280 chars
Security spending decisions and relocation considerations
Police security upgrades July 2 update: cameras installed, but no ballistic glass or pylons added. Board requested cost estimates while noting possible future PD relocation. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/new-london/select-board/2026-07-02/ #MeetingWatch #NewLondonNH
264/280 chars

X thread

1
New London Selectmen approved hiring ADCOM Engineering for dispatch study phase one July 2 at roughly $29,600 plus expenses. Concerns from public and board members on cost benchmarking, KPIs, and bias were noted before the motion passed. #MeetingWatch #NewLondonNH
264/280
2
The board added conditions: negotiate an in-person presentation, cap expenses, and seek clarifications on the cost assessment and RFI details. Ashley will report back next meeting; Fitch phases remain an alternative under review.
229/280
3
This decision moves forward a keep-vs-outsource analysis for dispatch services. Residents should watch for the clarifications and any budget impacts in the next cycle. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/new-london/select-board/2026-07-02/
191/280

Facebook — long form

At the July 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, members approved hiring ADCOM Engineering LLC for the first phase of the dispatch study at approximately $29,600 plus limited expenses. Public commenters and some board members had raised questions about the proposal's cost analysis, comparisons to other New Hampshire centers, KPI data, and possible bias. The motion passed with instructions to negotiate an in-person presentation, cap expenses, and obtain those clarifications. Ashley will follow up at the next meeting.

Separately, resident Christine Arseno raised visibility issues with the Pleasant Street crosswalk near Birch Acres. The board agreed the request for better signage or flashing beacons was reasonable and directed Public Works Director Sam Clark to evaluate options, with possible budget discussion later.

All recorded votes were unanimous. Official minutes are not yet published. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/new-london/select-board/2026-07-02/ #MeetingWatch #NewLondonNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Obtain clarifications from ADCOM on cost analysis, RFI, benchmarking, and negotiate in-person presentation plus expense cap
Assigned: Ashley · Due: Next meeting
Review and recommend specific signage options for Pleasant Street crosswalk
Assigned: Sam Clark
Obtain cost estimate for protective pylons at dispatch office
Assigned: Police Chief / Town staff · Due: Approximately two weeks
Provide decision matrix for speed feedback sign placement
Assigned: Planning Commission · Due: Early August

Member ⁠positions

4 issues · 0 explicit · 4 inferred
Present
Hire ADCOM Engineering LLC for dispatch study phase one YES ~
Approve public works capital reserve withdrawal YES ~
Approve minutes of June meeting YES ~
Present
Hire ADCOM Engineering LLC for dispatch study phase one YES ~
Pleasant Street crosswalk safety
Supported safety improvements for children crossing
Present
Hire ADCOM Engineering LLC for dispatch study phase one 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.”

Support coverage

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 New London.

Report composed by grok-4.3, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-07-04.