Accountability posts
Drafts ready to share. Click to copy, then post. Selectboard · Sunapee, NH · March 23, 2026.
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Sunapee Forward groups advancing projects without Selectboard authorization or public process
Sunapee 3/23: The board learned that civic groups are redesigning Route 11 and planning a Ben Meer land exchange — WITHOUT town approval. The board voted to demand a meeting. One member: they're 'out of control.' Residents deserve to know who's driving these projects.
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Ambulance service continuity risk with no independent EMS capacity or contingency plan
Sunapee 3/23: The town's ambulance service depends entirely on New London — and New London could walk away tomorrow. The board has no backup plan. A board member said plainly: 'We don't want to get caught with our pants down.' No formal plan exists yet.
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Recreation ordinance legal conflict threatening established community events
Sunapee 3/23: The farmers market and Arts in Harbor may conflict with a town ordinance banning commercial use of town property. The board kicked it to lawyers — decision due April 6. No resolution before summer season planning is underway.
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Fire department reorganization with significant unquantified budget implications
Sunapee 3/23: The board is moving toward a major fire dept restructuring — full-time chief, absorb ambulance service, add health officer & emergency mgmt roles. Budget impact? Not yet quantified. Residents should be asking what this will cost.
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THREAD: Sunapee Selectboard met 3/23 for a wide-ranging work session. Several issues every resident should know about — from civic groups bypassing town government to a quiet EMS vulnerability. Here's what happened. 🧵
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1/ GOVERNANCE: The board learned that groups operating under 'Sunapee Forward' are actively planning a Route 11 traffic calming redesign and a Ben Meer land exchange — both involving town property — without ever coming to the Selectboard. The board voted unanimously to demand a meeting.
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2/ One board member put it bluntly: 'None of this stuff that we are hearing about has been over our desk yet, and we are the ones that are in control of it.' Another questioned whether the Route 11 project has any practical benefit at all and said other priorities should come first.
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3/ EMS RISK: Sunapee's ambulance coverage depends on New London's program. The board acknowledged New London could exit that arrangement at any time. A board member said: 'If we don't plan going forward, we're going to be in trouble.' No formal contingency plan exists.
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4/ FIRE DEPT OVERHAUL: The board is moving toward hiring a full-time fire chief with expanded duties — absorbing ambulance service, health officer, and emergency management roles. Two members were authorized to attend a fire wards meeting 3/26 to set expectations. No budget figure attached yet.
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5/ EVENTS AT RISK: The town's recreation ordinance bans commercial use of town property — but the farmers market and Arts in Harbor involve vendor sales under nonprofit umbrellas. Legal gray area. Referred to town attorney; answer expected by April 6. Summer planning is already underway.
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6/ ALCOHOL POLICY: A proposal to allow alcohol to move between licensed establishments across town property raised enforcement concerns from the police chief. Also referred to legal counsel. No policy change approved.
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7/ BIGGER PICTURE: The board spent significant time debating whether Sunapee should pursue active growth or hold its current character. No resolution reached. Meanwhile, multiple staff vacancies, a first-ever capital improvement plan, and a new fixed asset policy are all in motion. A lot is in flux.
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Longer-form draft.
SUNAPEE SELECTBOARD — MARCH 23, 2026: What residents should know from Monday's work session. The most immediate governance concern: the board learned that civic groups operating under the 'Sunapee Forward' name are advancing concrete projects — including a Route 11 traffic calming and tree-planting redesign and a Ben Meer land exchange — without ever consulting the Selectboard, which holds legal authority over town property and public right-of-way decisions. The board voted unanimously to send a letter demanding a meeting with Sunapee Forward leadership. One member described the situation plainly: 'None of this stuff that we are hearing about has been over our desk yet, and we are the ones that are in control of it.' Another questioned whether the Route 11 project delivers any measurable benefit and said competing budget priorities should come first. Residents on all sides of these projects — those who support them and those who don't — deserve a transparent public process, not decisions driven by groups operating outside official channels. On public safety: the board openly acknowledged that Sunapee's ambulance service relies entirely on an arrangement with New London that could end without warning. 'We don't want to get caught with our pants down,' one member said. The board also began moving toward a significant fire department reorganization — hiring a full-time chief with expanded duties covering ambulance services, health officer functions, and emergency management. Two board members were authorized to attend a fire wards meeting on March 26th to communicate the board's direction. The budget impact of these changes has not yet been quantified publicly. Two other issues could affect summer in Sunapee directly. First, the town's recreation ordinance prohibits commercial use of town property — but the farmers market and Arts in Harbor involve vendor sales operating under nonprofit umbrellas. The board acknowledged this is a legal conflict and referred it to town counsel, with an answer expected by April 6th. Second, a proposal to allow alcohol to be moved between licensed establishments across town property raised enforcement concerns from the police chief and was also sent to legal review. Neither issue has been resolved, and the summer season is approaching. The board is also in the middle of building its first-ever Capital Improvement Plan, addressing a longstanding audit finding on fixed assets, managing multiple staff vacancies, and debating the town's long-term vision. A lot is in motion. The next meeting is April 2nd. The public is encouraged to attend or follow along.