Meeting report · Selectboard
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Selectboard — February 9, 2026
The meeting carried underlying tension from an urgent environmental crisis, a stark and unanswered public grievance about taxation, a state law stripping local development oversight, recurring audit failures, and multiple significant off-agenda discussions — all against a backdrop of unanimous votes that masked real policy disagreements.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Class 6 Road Development — Loss of Local Review Authority
State law (SB281) has removed planning board and selectboard review for building permits on Class 6 roads; up to 30 new lots potentially developable without prior local oversight Affected: All residents in or near the approximately 30 potential building lots on eight Class 6 roads; downstream watershed communities including Perkins Pond
zoning change
02
Perkins Pond Watershed Degradation and Development Risk
Pond has lost 35% of its depth since 1939; first cyanobacteria blooms in 2025; potential 100 additional homes could double bloom days to 70/year with no viable remediation option at $175M dredging cost Affected: Perkins Pond property owners, watershed residents, recreational users, and the broader community dependent on water quality
safety change
03
Municipal Audit Internal Control Weaknesses — Ongoing
Recurring audit findings of internal control weaknesses; single-person finance department managing $25M budget; same auditing firm re-engaged without rotation Affected: All Sunapee taxpayers funding a $25 million municipal operation with documented financial control deficiencies
other high impact
04
Property Tax Rate Burden on Seniors and Low-Income Residents
Tax increases cited as running 4–6 times the rate of inflation over recent years; resident cited $535 in taxes against a $650 Social Security cost-of-living increase Affected: Senior citizens (30% of population) and residents below the poverty line (16.1% of population)
tax increase
05
Health Trust Elimination Risk Under SB661
Potential forced transition to alternative health insurance provider if state legislation eliminates the Health Trust; cost impact not yet quantified Affected: Town employees covered by NH Health Trust and taxpayers who fund municipal health benefits
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved January 5, 2025 meeting minutes
Motion made and seconded with no discussion or changes
Approved unanimously
Approved budget public hearing minutes
Motion made and seconded with no comments or changes
Approved unanimously
Approved veterans credits, blind exemptions, and solar exemptions
Motion to approve all credits and exemptions
Approved unanimously
Approved general fund manifests totaling $7,183,262.40 plus additional department expenditures
Included hydro fund ($6,184.85), water department ($676.28), special rec fund ($707.75), grants ($9,205), and general fund expenditures ($175,210.71)
Approved unanimously
Accepted cardiac monitor donation of $44,802.02
Donation from Sunapee Fire Association for Zoll X cardiac monitor with $3,000 trade-in credit for existing equipment
Approved unanimously
Accepted dock extension donation of $6,715
Donation from Fire Department Association for 15-foot safety services dock extension
Approved unanimously
Approved Springfield Transfer Station Agreement
Motion to approve agreement for Springfield's continued use of Sunapee transfer station at 25% cost share
Unanimous approval
Approved acceptance of food pantry donations
Motion to accept and expend $195 in gift card donations to Centipede Food Pantry
Unanimous approval
Approved Eversource stone wall agreement
Motion to approve temporary stone wall removal agreement with restoration requirements
Unanimous approval
Approved auditing firm engagement
Motion to engage Plodzik and Sanderson for annual municipal audit
Unanimous approval
Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, 2C
Motion made by Aaron (a speaker), seconded by Anthony (a speaker), all voted yes
Approved
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 05:15 Class 6 Roads Development Policy
Town planner Michael Marquise and land use administrator Allison presented changes to state law (SB281) that removed planning board and selectboard review requirements for building permits on Class 6 roads. The town has approximately 30 potential building lots on eight Class 6 roads, with only liability waiver and insurability statement requirements remaining.
Speakers: Michael Marquise, Allison, Board members
▶ 32:05 Cardiac Monitor Donation
Fire Association Captain Steve Marshall requested acceptance of a $44,802 donation to purchase a Zoll X cardiac monitor to replace a 15-year-old unit that is no longer supported. The new monitor is compatible with New London Ambulance equipment and can handle both adult and pediatric patients.
Speakers: Steve Marshall
▶ 49:28 Safety Services Dock Extension
Fire Department Lieutenant Tim White and Safety Officer John Gosselm updated the board on a $6,715 dock extension project fully funded by the Fire Department Association. The extension adds 15 feet to address drought-related grounding issues that prevented emergency boat responses.
Speakers: Tim White, John Gosselm
▶ 55:50 Perkins Pond Watershed Management Plan
Perkins Pond Protective Association President Suzanne Graves presented their watershed management plan, showing the pond has deteriorated from mesotrophic to eutrophic status with 51% of pollution coming from stormwater runoff. The pond depth has decreased from 15 feet (1939) to 9.8 feet currently, with first cyanobacteria blooms in 2025.
Speakers: Suzanne Graves
▶ 1:10:00 Stormwater Management Solutions
Detailed plan for 14 watershed survey sites requiring improvement, with 51% of pollution coming from stormwater runoff, focusing on partnerships between association and town for implementation.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:23:00 Future Development Impact
Discussion of potential 100 additional homes in watershed that could increase phosphorus by 20kg annually and double cyanobacteria bloom days to 70 per year.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:38:54 Public Comment on Tax Increases
Citizen complaint about tax increases outpacing inflation by 4-6 times over recent years, citing impact on senior citizens and poverty rates in town.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:42:53 Springfield Transfer Station Agreement
Approval of continuing agreement for Springfield's use of Sunapee transfer station at 25% cost share, same rate as previous years.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:45:36 Food Pantry Donation Acceptance
Motion to accept $195 in gift card donations for Centipede Food Pantry, with note that future warrant article would streamline this process.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:47:32 Eversource Stone Wall Agreement
Approval of agreement allowing Eversource to temporarily remove stone wall for transmission line work with restoration requirements and photo documentation.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:49:15 Municipal Audit Discussion
Review of 2024 audit results showing ongoing internal control weaknesses and approval of same auditing firm for 2025, with discussion of staffing challenges in finance department.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:02:04 Virtual Meeting Participation and Security Issues
Board discussed challenges with Zoom/Teams meetings due to security breaches and disruptions, exploring limited distribution of meeting links versus public access.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:04:05 Communication and Public Outreach Strategies
Extended discussion on improving town communication through various methods including email lists, text messaging, QR codes, and potentially outsourcing communication work overseas.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:13:05 Equipment Updates and Technical Issues
New microphones have been installed, but the meeting camera is currently not working and needs repair.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:13:54 Accounting Software Transition
Town is implementing new accounting software with initial manifest distributed, though reporting format is still being refined and processing is temporarily slower.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:15:15 Health Insurance and Health Trust Status
Town stayed with Health Trust this year, but Senate Bill 661 could potentially eliminate Health Trust, requiring potential pivot to previously identified alternative provider (CGI).
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:17:24 Sue's Retirement and Community Celebration
Sue will retire after 15+ years of service, with her last meeting in early March and a community celebration planned.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:17:58 250th Anniversary Planning
Town seeking community volunteers for 250th anniversary planning committee, with limited budget requiring focus on manageable activities.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Class 6 Road Development Policy — State Law Removes Local Oversight
SB281 eliminated planning board and selectboard review for building permits on Class 6 roads, stripping the town of meaningful control over development on roughly 30 potential lots across eight roads. This intersects directly with stormwater runoff, emergency access, and environmental concerns raised at the same meeting about Perkins Pond. Board members expressed divergent philosophies — one dismissing concerns entirely, another wanting environmental standards — without reaching a coherent policy position.
Board position: Directed town manager to draft a policy with input from highway, police, and fire departments, and referred the matter to the planning board — no protective measures adopted yet.
Internal dissent
Board Member C expressed a permissive view ('I don't see why they can't build on Class 6 road... what's the difference between that and a driveway?'), while Board Member B stated a preference for development standards focused on stormwater management rather than outright restriction. No unified policy position was reached.
high concern
02
Perkins Pond Environmental Crisis and Development Threat
The pond has degraded from mesotrophic to eutrophic in under 100 years, lost 35% of its depth, and recorded its first cyanobacteria blooms in 2025. Potential development of 100 additional homes in the watershed could add 20kg of phosphorus annually and double bloom days to 70 per year. With dredging costing a prohibitive $175 million, the window for intervention is closing. The issue directly links to the Class 6 road development question and raises stakes for the entire watershed community.
Board position: Receptive to the presentation and supportive of partnership, but no binding commitments or protective measures were adopted. The board did not connect the Perkins Pond crisis explicitly to its Class 6 road policy deliberations.
high concern
03
Tax Burden on Seniors and Low-Income Residents
Resident Chris Whitehouse presented a pointed critique that tax increases have run 4–6 times the rate of inflation over recent years, arguing that with 30% of residents being seniors and 16.1% living below the poverty line, the board is effectively taxing vulnerable residents out of town. His specific figure — $535 in taxes out of a $650 Social Security increase — was stark and unrefuted. The board made no response, and the comment was omitted entirely from the official meeting minutes.
Board position: No response given. The board moved directly to the next agenda item after the public comment. The criticism was also excluded from the official minutes, representing a transparency gap.
high concern
04
Recurring Audit Internal Control Weaknesses — Off-Agenda
The 2024 audit revealed ongoing internal control weaknesses in the finance department, and the town manager acknowledged the town is 'not running our business well' for a $25 million organization with only one person handling finances. This is a structural governance risk with direct implications for taxpayer funds. The discussion and re-engagement of the same auditing firm occurred without this item appearing on the public agenda, constituting an aggravated transparency concern — residents had no opportunity to prepare or attend with this issue in mind.
Board position: Approved re-engagement of the same auditing firm (Plodzik and Sanderson) unanimously and directed the town manager to research best practices for auditor rotation. Acknowledged the structural staffing problem but took no immediate corrective action.
medium concern
05
Virtual Meeting Security Breaches and Restricted Public Access — Off-Agenda
The board discussed security disruptions to Zoom/Teams public meetings and explored limiting distribution of meeting links — a move that could reduce public access to government proceedings. This discussion occurred off-agenda, denying residents the ability to weigh in on a policy that directly affects their access to public meetings.
Board position: No formal decision reached; the board explored options including restricted link distribution. The tension between security and open government access was noted but unresolved.
medium concern
06
Health Trust Elimination Risk Under SB661 — Off-Agenda
Senate Bill 661 could eliminate the NH Health Trust, which covers town employee health insurance. This would force the town to pivot to an alternative provider (CGI), with potential cost implications for the municipal budget and employee benefits. The discussion occurred off-agenda, limiting public awareness of a potentially significant fiscal and employee relations issue.
Board position: Acknowledged the risk and identified CGI as a contingency. No formal action taken.
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Develop draft policy language for Class 6 road development with input from highway, police, and fire departments
Assigned: Town Manager Shannon · Due: Not specified
Present Class 6 road policy discussion to planning board for their input
Assigned: Michael Marquise · Due: Not specified
Order cardiac monitor equipment after board approval
Assigned: Steve Marshall · Due: End of February 2026
Research best practices for auditing firm rotation cycles and report back
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Next meeting
Develop RFP for communications support to improve resident outreach materials
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Not specified
Close out watershed management plan and ensure ADA accessibility at state level
Assigned: Perkins Pond Association · Due: Not specified
Return interest payment owed to town once plan is finalized
Assigned: Perkins Pond Association · Due: After plan completion
Talk to Sean about engaging school students in 250th anniversary planning
Assigned: a speaker (Town Manager) · Due: Not specified
Send out communications for Sue's retirement celebration at first March meeting
Assigned: Town staff · Due: Before first March meeting
Fix the meeting camera that is currently not working
Assigned: Town staff · Due: Not specified
Notable statements
I don't see why they can't build on Class 6 road. They just need to make it passable... what's the difference between that and a driveway? — Board Member C · Discussion about allowing development on Class 6 roads without restrictive policies ▶ 14:04
I'm all for developing something, but I don't... I'm not a fan of restricting the development, but more to, you know, manage stormwater and have some sort of a standard — Board Member B · Position on balancing development rights with environmental protection for Class 6 roads ▶ 28:15
I have this feeling that the state of New Hampshire should be paying the town of Sunapee for basically supplementing their marine patrol... it's really wrong — Board Member F · Criticism of state reducing marine patrol while towns fill the gap with local resources ▶ 52:31
We are reaching the point of no return. This is not the natural way that ponds go - yes, that's true in a millennium, not in less than 100 years, and not in less than 15 years. — Speaker E (Perkins Pond Association) · Describing urgency of Perkins Pond water quality crisis ▶ 1:06:00
It's a million dollars an acre to dredge, and we have 175 acres. So not going to happen. — Speaker E (Perkins Pond Association) · Explaining why dredging is not a viable solution for the pond ▶ 1:18:59
Out of the $650 a senior citizen is going to get in their Social Security, the town of Sunapee wants $535 of it for taxation. — Speaker G (Public Comment) · Criticizing tax increases that outpace inflation and impact on seniors ▶ 1:40:00
We should have never been in a place where we're approximately a 25 million dollar company where we only have one person running our finances because it's not good financial management. — Speaker A (Town Manager) · Explaining structural issues contributing to audit findings ▶ 1:52:36
We're not running our business well. We're not following best practices in terms of communication. But my point is we should at least aspire to do a little bit of a better job. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing town communication challenges and need for improvement ▶ 2:05:12
All of these things require sustained effort, and we tend to be like a one and done... because we don't have the staffing capacity and we don't in large part have the budgets to do the things that we need to do. — Unidentified speaker · Explaining limitations in town communication and outreach efforts ▶ 2:04:53
You're putting pressure on me for maintaining my perfect attendance record. It's a lot of pressure. — Unidentified speaker · Commenting on Sue's upcoming retirement celebration ▶ 2:17:32
Member positions
18 issues · 1 explicit · 30 inferred
Suzanne Gottling
Present
Chair
Approved January 5, 2025 meeting minutes
YES
~
Approved budget public hearing minutes
YES
~
Approved veterans credits, blind exemptions, and solar exemptions
YES
~
Approved general fund manifests
YES
~
Accepted cardiac monitor donation of $44,802.02
YES
~
Accepted dock extension donation of $6,715
YES
~
Approved Springfield Transfer Station Agreement
YES
~
Approved acceptance of food pantry donations
YES
~
Approved Eversource stone wall agreement
YES
~
Approved auditing firm engagement
YES
~
Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, 2C
YES
~
Anthony Dolan
Present
Board Member
Class 6 Roads Development Policy
✓
Prefers development standards for stormwater management over outright restriction.
Approved January 5, 2025 meeting minutes
YES
~
Accepted cardiac monitor donation of $44,802.02
YES
~
Accepted dock extension donation of $6,715
YES
~
Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, 2C
YES
✓
Frederick Gallup
Present
Board Member
Safety Services Dock Extension
✓
Criticized state for reducing marine patrol while towns bear the cost gap.
Approved Springfield Transfer Station Agreement
YES
✓
Approved acceptance of food pantry donations
YES
✓
Approved Eversource stone wall agreement
YES
✓
Approved auditing firm engagement
YES
✓
Virtual Meeting Participation and Security Issues
✓
Participated in discussion exploring restricted link distribution to address security breaches.
Sue's Retirement and Community Celebration
✓
Humorously noted pressure of maintaining perfect attendance for retirement celebration.
Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, 2C
YES
~
Aaron Whipple
Present
Board Member
Class 6 Roads Development Policy
✓
Permissive view — questioned why building on Class 6 roads should be restricted at all.
Approved Springfield Transfer Station Agreement
YES
✓
Approved Eversource stone wall agreement
YES
✓
Virtual Meeting Participation and Security Issues
✓
Participated in discussion on security breaches and restricted public meeting link access.
Communication and Public Outreach Strategies
✓
Engaged in discussion on improving town outreach through email, text, QR codes, and outsourcing.
250th Anniversary Planning
✓
Supported seeking community volunteers with realistic budget constraints.
Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, 2C
YES
✓
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
0
Addressed
0
Partial
1
Not addressed
Chris Whitehouse
Not addressed
Criticized the board for tax increases that significantly outpace inflation over multiple years (5-6 times inflation rates). Argued that with 30% of town being senior citizens and 16.1% living below poverty line, the board is taxing poor people out of town.
Key concern
Tax increases are excessive compared to inflation and are disproportionately burdening seniors and low-income residents
The board did not respond to his specific concerns about tax rates vs. inflation or the impact on seniors/low-income residents. They moved directly to the next agenda item.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Transcript vs. official minutes
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Report composed by
claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-05-19.