Selectboard — March 12, 2026

The meeting was largely ceremonial and procedural, but a substantive community challenge over CIP-first fiscal discipline, deferred accountability on a failed dock repair, and exploratory discussions on housing and parking introduced low-to-medium undercurrents of tension that kept this above a purely routine session.

Date Thursday, March 12, 2026 Duration 1.1h Speakers 8 Public comments 3 Decisions 5 Lively

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📋 SUNAPEE SELECTBOARD — MARCH 12, 2026: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Selectboard met on March 12th for what was partly a ceremonial session — including a moving recognition of outgoing Chair Suzanne Gotling for over 15 years of service. But several substantive issues came up that deserve public attention, especially as a new board prepares to take over.

🔧 HARBOR DOCK: A $30,000 repair has already failed. The Town Manager distributed documentation on more comprehensive — and more expensive — options, but the board made no decision and deferred the matter to the incoming board. That's not unreasonable for a transition moment, but residents should know the clock is ticking on aging waterfront infrastructure, and the initial fix didn't hold. Questions about how that $30,000 decision was made have not been answered publicly.

💰 SPENDING WITHOUT A PLAN: A community member spoke during public comment and made a pointed argument: the town should not be spending from capital reserves until it has completed its Capital Improvement Plan. A CIP exists precisely to ensure spending decisions are made strategically, not piecemeal. The board chair acknowledged the comment but offered no substantive response and no commitment to change course. If the town is spending capital reserves without a completed CIP, residents have a right to ask why.

🏘️ HOUSING AND HARBOR PARKING: The board had extended discussions on forming a housing development committee (covering affordable housing and 55+ communities) and on inventorying harbor parking before drawing conclusions about whether a shortage exists. Both are consequential conversations. The same resident who raised the CIP concern also asked the board to allow audience members to participate in these discussions — not just during the formal public comment period. It's unclear that request was fully honored. If you care about housing or harbor access in Sunapee, these are the discussions you need to be part of — and soon.

The new board inherits a to-do list that includes a failed dock repair, an unfinished Capital Improvement Plan, and early-stage housing and parking policy conversations. Show up. Pay attention. Ask questions.

Mar 12, 2026 1.1h long 8 speakers 3 public comments 5 decisions Lively

❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“We shouldn't be spending money on capital reserves until we have the capital improvement plan work done”

— Speaker H (Public Comment) · Public comment advocating against capital reserve spending until CIP is completed

“Sunapee harbor is a finite space. We are not going to create any more Sunapee Harbor. It's all there now.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussion about harbor parking limitations and realistic expectations

“Our town could use a 55 plus development. Just the question is kind of where.”

— Unidentified speaker · Housing development discussion about meeting needs of aging population

“When asked to run for the house, my response was why not? And three years later, when asked to run for the Select Board, my response was the same. Why not? So I hope many of you here tonight will consider the same response.”

— Speaker A (Suzanne Gotling) · Farewell remarks encouraging civic participation

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