The meeting had genuine underlying tension — particularly around Sunapee Forward's unauthorized project advancement, the precarious ambulance service situation, and unresolved debates about the town's growth vision — but proceedings remained collegial and no votes were contested.
Date Tuesday, March 24, 2026Duration 3.6hSpeakers 7Decisions 6Lively
Lively discussion: The meeting had genuine underlying tension — particularly around Sunapee Forward's unauthorized project advancement, the precarious ambulance service situation, and unresolved debates about the town's growth vision — but proceedings remained collegial and no votes were contested.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Ambulance Service Continuity Risk
Town has no backup ambulance service if New London exits the agreement; developing a town service could require significant new budget appropriations for staffing and equipment Affected: All Sunapee residents requiring emergency medical transport
safety change
02
Fire Department Restructuring with Full-Time Chief and Ambulance Integration
New full-time fire chief salary plus potential ambulance service startup represents a major recurring budget increase; scope and cost not yet determined Affected: All Sunapee residents dependent on fire and emergency services
safety change
03
Capital Improvement Plan Development
First-ever comprehensive CIP will surface deferred infrastructure obligations across roads, bridges, buildings, and equipment — likely informing future tax rate increases and possible bond requests Affected: All Sunapee taxpayers
other high impact
04
Multiple Critical Staff Vacancies Affecting Municipal Services
Land use administrator covering multiple roles; code compliance position unfilled after failed recruitment — delays and reduced capacity across key town functions Affected: Residents seeking permitting, code compliance, and planning services; also developers and contractors
service reduction
05
Harbor Parking Land Acquisition
Potential property acquisition requiring public hearings and board approval; cost and parcel not yet specified but would be a capital expenditure requiring public process Affected: Harbor-area residents, visitors, businesses, and all taxpayers who would fund the purchase
other high impact
06
Lake Avenue Paving Project — Potential Bonding
Major road paving and drainage project; board is considering phased approach and possible bond financing, which would require a warrant article and voter approval Affected: Lake Avenue residents and all taxpayers if bonding is pursued
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved facility use permits for Easter sunrise service and EMT training
Motion and second to approve Ben Meer bandstand use April 5, 6-7am and safety service building use for EMT training on multiple dates
Authorization for Fred and Anthony to attend fire wards meeting to discuss fire department direction
Motion made by a speaker, seconded by a speaker to have Fred and Anthony attend Thursday's fire wards meeting to communicate board's intentions regarding fire chief position and department expansion
Proceed with RFP for Capital Improvement Plan consultant
Board agreed to issue RFP for consultant to develop comprehensive capital improvement plan covering infrastructure, roads, bridges, buildings, and equipment
▶ 00:26
Facility Use Permits and Municipal Assessment Certificate
Board approved use of Ben Meer bandstand for Easter sunrise service and safety service building for EMT training. Also signed 2025 Municipal Assessment Date certificate to authorize DRA data release.
Board reviewed notice of intent to excavate on Route 11 for Pine Hill Lemieux quarry operation, noting 0.75 acre excavation area and 12,000 remaining cubic yards.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 05:16
Priority Setting and Work Planning Session
Town Manager outlined competing demands and priorities for the year, including organizational health, staffing vacancies, and various ongoing projects requiring board attention.
Discussion of breakdown in communication between Sunapee Forward groups and town government, with multiple projects proceeding without proper town consultation including Route 11 traffic calming.
Town Manager reported difficulty filling vacant positions and discussed need for HR support, noting outsourced HR services are ineffective for day-to-day operations.
Discussion of required cybersecurity measures for Primex insurance compliance, including multi-factor authentication, policies, and staff training to prevent coverage loss.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 44:26
Fire Department and Ambulance Service Planning
Extensive discussion about hiring full-time fire chief, potential ambulance service development, and concerns about New London ambulance service reliability and future availability.
Discussion of maintaining current fire truck with estimated $250,000 investment for 15 more years versus purchasing a new $3 million ladder truck. Board supports refurbishment approach.
Proposal to expand fire chief role to include health officer duties and emergency management responsibilities, plus discussion of full-time fire chief position requirements.
Discussion of potential town ambulance service to reduce costs from New London program, with concerns about staffing requirements and budget implications.
Board decision to meet with fire wards to discuss qualifications and expectations for new full-time fire chief position, including salary expectations and integration with town management.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:19:54
Recreational Ordinance and Commercial Use Issues
Discussion of conflicts between recreation ordinance prohibiting commercial activity on town property and popular events like farmers market and arts in harbor programs.
Chief's concerns about enforcement challenges with establishments wanting to expand licensed areas across town property, including liability and easement issues.
Extended discussion about town hall staffing needs, including whether to hire additional support for Shannon (town manager) and restructuring job descriptions to better handle growth management and ongoing projects.
Board members debated whether the town should be growth-minded or status quo, emphasizing the need for clearer articulation of the town's vision to guide staffing and policy decisions.
Discussion about changing the code compliance officer position to a broader role like 'Development Services Manager' or 'Building Official Project Manager' to attract better candidates and handle multiple responsibilities.
Board explored using AI tools and new technology to improve efficiency and reduce staffing needs, with examples of how other businesses are leveraging these tools.
Discussion about defending town employees from public criticism and improving civic discourse, with board members acknowledging the difficulty of hiring and retaining staff due to negative public perception.
Board clarified they will proceed with an RFP for a consultant to develop a comprehensive capital improvement plan covering infrastructure, buildings, and equipment.
Town manager reported they are developing the town's first-ever fixed asset policy, expected to be ready for board review by May 4th, to address ongoing audit findings.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:58:12
Social Media Policy and Right-to-Know Law Compliance
Town has suspended social media use due to Right-to-Know law requirements that make all posts government records accessible to public, including requiring passwords be provided upon request.
Discussion of reducing salt usage to protect Lake Sunapee through technology upgrades like metering systems on trucks, with debate over maintaining black roads versus using sand/salt mix.
Discussion of major paving project for Lake Avenue, including potential phased approach, drainage improvements, and funding options including possible bonding.
Consideration of changing town hall hours, currently closed Wednesday afternoons, with discussion of full-day closure or extended hours to better serve residents.
Discussion of potentially purchasing property near harbor for additional parking, including legal process requirements for public hearings and review by Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
•
Board unity: All formal votes were unanimous, but an unresolved philosophical disagreement emerged between board members over whether the town should pursue growth or maintain the status quo, preventing consensus on strategic direction.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Sunapee Forward Operating Outside Town Government Oversight
Community planning groups (Sunapee Forward) and Upper Valley Regional Planning Commission have been advancing projects — including Route 11 traffic calming — without proper consultation with or authorization from the Select Board. This raises concerns about accountability, who controls town planning decisions, and whether volunteer groups are committing the town without democratic oversight.
Board position: Board voted unanimously to send a formal letter requiring Sunapee Forward to present their plans to the Select Board, signaling a reassertion of oversight authority. Board member Kurt was tasked with also providing direct feedback to the steering committee.
high concern
02
Ambulance Service Continuity Risk — New London Dependency
The town relies entirely on New London's ambulance service with no backup plan. Board members explicitly flagged that New London could exit the arrangement at any time, leaving Sunapee without emergency medical transport. Developing a town ambulance service would involve significant staffing and budget implications that residents have not yet been asked to fund.
Board position: Board acknowledged the risk and is exploring a town-operated ambulance service, but no decision was made. Representatives were authorized to attend a fire wards meeting to begin scoping the issue.
high concern
03
Fire Department Restructuring with Full-Time Chief and Ambulance Integration
Hiring a full-time fire chief — a significant new recurring budget line — and potentially integrating ambulance service and health officer duties represents a major structural and fiscal change to public safety. Salary expectations and qualification requirements are unresolved. Residents who pay taxes have a direct stake in these costs.
Board position: Board supports moving forward with a full-time fire chief and expanding the role to include health officer and emergency management duties. Directed two members to attend Thursday's fire wards meeting to communicate this direction.
medium concern
04
Recreational Ordinance Conflict with Farmers Market and Harbor Events
The town's recreational ordinance prohibits commercial activity on town property, yet popular community events like the farmers market and Arts in Harbor program are commercially oriented and held on town land. Enforcement could cancel beloved community events; non-enforcement creates legal liability and inconsistency. Business owners, event organizers, and residents who enjoy these events are all affected.
Board position: Board acknowledged the conflict and directed the town manager to obtain a legal opinion before the April 6th meeting. No resolution yet — the ordinance may need amendment.
medium concern
05
Alcohol Ordinance Enforcement and Liability at Harbor
Businesses are seeking to expand licensed alcohol service areas onto town-owned property, creating enforcement challenges, liability exposure, and easement complications. The police chief raised concerns about the legal complexity. This directly affects waterfront businesses and the character of the harbor area.
Board position: Board recognized the problem and directed legal counsel to attend the April 6th meeting. No policy position taken yet.
medium concern
06
Critical Staff Vacancies Affecting Municipal Services
The town is operating with significant vacancies, including a land use administrator handling multiple roles and a failed recruitment for code compliance officer. This degrades service delivery across permitting, compliance, and planning functions — directly affecting residents and developers seeking town services.
Board position: Board is actively working to address vacancies, including reconsidering the job description for the code compliance role to attract better candidates. Discussion of potentially hiring additional administrative support for the town manager.
medium concern
07
Strategic Vision: Growth-Minded vs. Status Quo
Board members openly debated whether Sunapee should pursue growth or maintain the status quo — a fundamental question about the town's future character, housing, development, and spending priorities. This is a values-based divide with implications for zoning, staffing, and capital spending that affects all residents.
Board position: No consensus reached. Board acknowledged the need to articulate a clearer vision to guide staffing and policy but deferred resolution to a future strategy work session.
Internal dissent
Speakers A, B, and C expressed differing orientations toward growth, with the discussion revealing unresolved philosophical disagreement among board members about the town's direction.
medium concern
08
Capital Improvement Plan Development
The town lacks a comprehensive CIP covering infrastructure, roads, bridges, buildings, and equipment — an absence that has contributed to deferred maintenance and unplanned large expenditures (e.g., the $3M ladder truck question). Commissioning a consultant to build this plan will cost money and could surface expensive future obligations for taxpayers.
Board position: Board reached consensus to issue an RFP for a CIP consultant. This is a proactive fiscal governance step but will ultimately inform future tax and spending decisions.
medium concern
09
Harbor Parking Land Acquisition
The town is considering purchasing private property near the harbor for parking. Land acquisition requires public hearings, Planning Board and Conservation Commission review, and likely a significant capital expenditure. Residents have not yet been formally asked to weigh in, and the process requirements suggest this will be a multi-step, high-visibility decision.
Board position: Board directed the town manager to research the legal process and map out a timeline. No purchase decision made.
medium concern
10
Social Media Suspension Due to Right-to-Know Law Compliance
The town has suspended all social media use because posts constitute government records subject to public access — including passwords. This eliminates a key public communications channel and may reduce the town's ability to reach residents, particularly for emergency notifications and community engagement.
Board position: Administrative decision already implemented. No board vote taken.
low concern
11
Cybersecurity Compliance Risk to Insurance Coverage
Failure to implement required cybersecurity measures — multi-factor authentication, policies, staff training — could result in loss of Primex insurance coverage. A cyber incident without coverage could impose severe unbudgeted costs on the town.
Board position: Board acknowledged the urgency and is moving forward with compliance steps. No dissent.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
⚖
Sunapee Forward vs. Select Board Authority Community wants: Community planning advocates (Sunapee Forward) have been advancing projects — including Route 11 traffic calming — independently, apparently believing they are doing beneficial work aligned with community wishes. Board response: The board expressed frustration at being bypassed and voted to require a formal presentation, with one member pointedly asking 'where is the real benefit to the town?' This signals a potential confrontation with a visible community stakeholder group.
⚖
Public Criticism of Town Employees Community wants: Board members noted that negative public perception and criticism of town staff is making it difficult to hire and retain qualified employees, suggesting a segment of the public is actively critical of municipal operations. Board response: Board members expressed solidarity with staff and discussed the need to defend employees from unfair public criticism, acknowledging this is an ongoing challenge to organizational health.
⚖
Recreational Ordinance vs. Community Events Community wants: Residents and event organizers benefit from and expect continued access to the farmers market and Arts in Harbor events on town property, which may technically violate the commercial activity prohibition. Board response: Board is seeking legal guidance before acting, but if the ordinance is enforced as written, popular community events could be disrupted or cancelled — a potential flashpoint with residents.
Ready to share? AI-written accountability posts about this meeting's controversies.
Provide feedback to Sunapee Forward steering committee about need for Select Board presentation
Assigned: Kurt (Board member) · Due: Not specified
Coordinate with facilitators Courtney and Suzanne for strategy work session
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Not specified
Contact Josh to confirm fire wards meeting schedule and coordinate board member attendance
Assigned: a speaker (Shannon) · Due: Before Thursday meeting
Attend fire wards meeting to discuss fire chief qualifications, ambulance service, and health officer integration
Assigned: Fred and Anthony · Due: Thursday evening meeting
Schedule legal counsel to attend April 6th meeting to discuss ordinance questions
Assigned: a speaker (Shannon) · Due: April 6th meeting
Get legal opinion on use of facilities ordinance and recreational ordinance enforcement authority
Assigned: a speaker (Shannon) · Due: Before April 6th meeting
Issue RFP for Capital Improvement Plan consultant
Assigned: Shannon (Town Manager) · Due: Not specified
Present draft fixed asset policy to board for review
Assigned: Shannon (Town Manager) · Due: May 4th
Meet with department heads (Allison, Michael, Sam) to conduct organizational management assessment
Assigned: Board members · Due: Not specified
Revise code compliance officer job description to include project management duties
Assigned: Board · Due: Not specified
Coordinate interview scheduling with board members for hiring
Assigned: Shannon · Due: Before next candidate interviews
Schedule Mike (Highway) for April 20th meeting to discuss paving priorities
Assigned: Shannon · Due: April 20th meeting
Schedule Craig (Buildings & Grounds) for April 6th meeting introduction
Assigned: Shannon · Due: April 6th meeting
Schedule lawyer for April 6th meeting
Assigned: Shannon · Due: April 6th meeting
Research land acquisition process requirements and map out timeline for harbor parking lot purchase
Assigned: Shannon · Due: Next meeting
Notable statements
We are the ones that are in control of it. All this stuff is great, feels good, looks good, everything goes along with that. But where is the real benefit to the town?
— Unidentified speaker · Expressing frustration about Sunapee Forward projects proceeding without town oversight ▶ 12:44
I think the biggest concern is we don't want to get caught with our pants down, because New London could decide tomorrow that they want to get out of the ambulance service.
— Unidentified speaker · Emphasizing urgency of ambulance service planning ▶ 56:36
If we were to have a cyber incident and we couldn't demonstrate that we did all these things that we wouldn't be covered and that could be super costly to the town.
— Unidentified speaker · Explaining importance of cybersecurity compliance for insurance coverage ▶ 37:12
One of the biggest, big things we got to work on is to get our staff back up to speed here... there's a reason that we're asking for this staff.
— Unidentified speaker · Emphasizing need to fill vacant positions despite budget constraints ▶ 29:31
There's 15 more years that we can prepare ourselves for the 3 million dollar ladder truck that it'll be by then
— Unidentified speaker · Supporting refurbishment of current fire truck rather than immediate replacement to buy time for budget planning ▶ 59:31
Participated in review of Route 11 excavation notice.
Ambulance Service Considerations✓
Urgently flagged risk of New London exiting ambulance service without warning.
Fire Chief Hiring ProcessYES✓
Made the motion; designated as one of two board members to attend fire wards meeting.
Recreational Ordinance and Commercial Use Issues~
Participated in discussion of ordinance conflicts with community events.
Public Relations and Employee Support✓
Raised concern about negative public perception harming staff recruitment and retention.
Town Staffing Challenges~
Acknowledged critical understaffing issues affecting service capacity.
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.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-04-03.
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