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Selectboard — May 4, 2026

While the board was largely functional, multiple public hearings and direct challenges from citizens regarding transparency and fees created a palpable level of community scrutiny.

Date Monday, May 4, 2026 Duration 2.1h Speakers 17 Public comments 9 Decisions 10 Lively
▶ Video

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Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.

Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

What is happening with transparency and local fees in the Town of Sunapee?

At the May 4 Selectboard meeting, several decisions were made that directly impact how residents interact with their government. Most notably, the Board decided to stop enforcing the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance, citing potential First Amendment violations. This decision means the ordinance remains on the books but will not be enforced until it is formally rescinded at a future Town Meeting.

Residents also raised significant concerns regarding the Town's proposed updates to policies governing public comments and electronic record access. There is a growing fear that these administrative changes could make it harder for citizens to exercise their right to free speech and access public information.

On the fiscal side, the Board approved an amended fee schedule for various services, including police, the transfer station, and facility use. During the discussion, community members pointed out that current proposals for facility fees seem subjective, raising questions about whether costs will be applied fairly or if favoritism could play a role. As these policies evolve, residents should stay engaged to ensure Sunapee remains transparent and accountable.

May 4, 2026 2.1h long 17 speakers 9 public comments 10 decisions Lively
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“The goal is to reduce the amount of road salt that reaches our surface water and groundwater in watershed towns.”

— Unidentified speaker · Presenting the LSPA salt management plan. ▶ 04:14

“The resident fee for town hall meetings is $3 to $50. I mean, that seems subjective. Maybe it should just be $50 because then, you know, one person agrees and another doesn't.”

— Unidentified speaker · Commenting on potential favoritism in proposed facility fees. ▶ 37:04

“If you're going to have public comments, you allow public comments... freedom of speech is freedom of speech.”

— Unidentified speaker · Challenging proposed restrictions on the content of public comments. ▶ 46:33

“I would encourage you guys to look at what the invoices are... It's closer to $75,000 [in legal fees for short-term rentals]. That's an exorbitant amount of money.”

— Unidentified speaker · Expressing concern over taxpayer spending on legal fees related to short-term rentals. ▶ 58:40

“I think we're probably going to leave [the 10 year requirement] in the dust very, very quickly with the candidates that are looking at coming this way.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the qualifications for the Fire Chief position and the high caliber of experienced candidates interested in the role. ▶ 1:21:47

“As soon as we have a problem, as soon as we have one of our firefighters get injured on the job, I tell you that the state may not recognize OSHA, but a judge will.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the necessity of following OSHA safety standards despite local state-level nuances. ▶ 1:23:43

“Growth follows [infrastructure]... We can either decide to control it and steer it and make it look the way we want... or we could just let it happen to us.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the need for proactive zoning and planning to manage community growth patterns. ▶ 2:05:35
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

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

Various fee adjustments across multiple departments.

What was discussed

Recruitment of a new Fire Chief and restructuring of Fire Wards amidst recent resignations.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board reviewed and approved the meeting minutes from April 20th.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Review of various items including solar exemptions, veterans tax credits, land use permits, and facility use requests.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

A public hearing regarding a $17,835 grant from the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) to support a salt management plan using new technology to reduce road salt usage.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

A public hearing to discuss proposed changes to various town fees, including police, transfer station, alcohol permits, and facility use.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion and review of updates to town policies, including public comment procedures and electronic communication usage.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion regarding the appointment of two new fire wards amidst reported concerns within the fire department, addressing recruitment processes and recent resignations.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board reviewed the proposed job description for the new Fire Chief, discussing candidate expectations, educational requirements, and the impact of evolving OSHA safety standards.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board considered signing waivers for three properties to allow for payment plans instead of proceeding with tax deeds.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Updates were provided on a plastics roads report, FEMA fund reallocation for a culvert, upcoming ordinance drafts (recreation, grilling, hawkers/peddlers, alcohol), and waste disposal planning for 2027.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board discussed public comments regarding the ease of accessing electronic records and the administrative burden of fulfilling requests versus standardizing policy.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

A discussion on how to structure community conversations regarding housing challenges and the need to proactively manage town growth through zoning and infrastructure.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Town Fee Schedule Amendments

Proposed changes to fees for police, transfer station, and facility use impact residents' costs. Public commenters raised concerns about subjectivity and potential favoritism in facility pricing.
Board position: The board moved to approve the amended schedule but acknowledged the need for refinement in terminology and specific fee structures.
medium concern
02

Public Comment and Records Policies

Citizens expressed concern that new policies regarding public comment and electronic record access might infringe on freedom of speech or act as an administrative barrier to transparency.
Board position: The Town Manager defended the policies as standard practice while noting the high cost of full electronic record implementation.
medium concern
03

Fire Department Staffing and Management

The department is facing recent resignations and recruitment challenges. There is tension regarding the requirements for a new Fire Chief and the need to adhere to OSHA standards.
Board position: The board is taking a cautious approach, pausing some appointments to consult with department personnel and refining job descriptions.
medium concern
04

Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance

The board decided not to enforce a specific ordinance due to First Amendment (freedom of speech) concerns, requiring a formal rescission at a town meeting.
Board position: Non-enforcement pending formal rescission.
low concern

Split votes

Appointment of Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards
Passed with one abstention

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
9
Total speakers
5
Addressed
2
Partial
2
Not addressed
Stu Greer
▶ 03:52
Addressed
Stu Greer, co-chair of the LSBA Watershed Committee, introduced a salt management plan aimed at reducing road salt usage to protect surface and groundwater. He detailed a multi-step approach involving research, stakeholder engagement, and the use of innovative technology like a salt-application monitoring module. Key concern
Reducing road salt footprint to protect water quality while maintaining public safety and cost-efficiency.
Board response
The board engaged in an extensive discussion regarding the technology's cost, potential salt savings, and implementation. They ultimately moved to accept the $17,835 grant to fund the program.
The board not only listened to the presentation but formally moved to accept the grant specifically for the purpose of the salt reduction program described.
Speaker SPEAKER_15
▶ 10:05
Addressed
The speaker expressed full support for the salt reduction initiative, noting that the technology appears to pay for itself. They suggested returning to sand-salt mixtures and emphasized the importance of protecting the lake. Key concern
Support for the salt reduction program and suggestion of using sand-salt mixtures.
Board response
The board (specifically the Highway/Selectboard members) participated in the technical discussion regarding the effectiveness of salt vs. sand and the cost-benefit of the equipment.
The board members discussed the technical merits of his suggestion (sand/salt mixtures and technology effectiveness) as part of the overall debate.
Lisa
▶ 11:41
Addressed
Lisa asked clarifying questions regarding the salt reduction equipment, specifically whether it regulates salt application based on weather data and how it functions within the truck cab. Key concern
Clarification on the technical functionality of the salt management module.
Board response
The speaker (Mike, likely Highway/Public Works) provided a detailed explanation of the sensor-based technology, including GPS and weather data integration.
The technical questions were answered directly by the relevant department official.
Speaker SPEAKER_11
▶ 19:14
Addressed
The speaker requested more quantitative data regarding the projected percentage of salt savings to justify the investment. They also noted that if savings are significant, it could fund more equipment without impacting taxes. Key concern
Quantifying the actual savings percentage of the salt reduction program.
Board response
The board discussed the math, comparing potential savings in other towns (like Claremont) to Sunapee's current spending.
The board discussed the numbers and acknowledged the need for proof of concept and quantification.
Speaker SPEAKER_01
▶ 2:01:50
Partial
The speaker suggested that the town could create a new revenue stream by allowing businesses to rent space for advertising signs at the transfer station/dump. Key concern
Generating revenue through small-scale advertising opportunities at the town dump.
Board response
The board discussed the idea, noting potential benefits for the revolving fund but highlighting the need for a formal process to ensure equity and manage sign sizes/duration.
The board acknowledged the idea and discussed it seriously, but did not take immediate action to implement it.
Norm Dalton
▶ 2:08:01
Not addressed
Norm expressed frustration over a three-year ongoing issue regarding parking access at the Brookhaven area. He noted that signs have been vandalized and stolen, and that private club usage prevents community access to the ramp. Key concern
Lack of reliable public parking access and enforcement at the Brookhaven ramp.
Board response
The board did not provide a direct response to Norm during his specific comment, though the topic of harbor parking was discussed later in the meeting.
While the board discussed parking generally later, they did not directly address his specific complaint about the Brookhaven site or the stolen signs during his turn.
Speaker SPEAKER_00
▶ 2:08:01
Addressed
The speaker expressed concern that the new town policies and procedures might restrict freedom of speech and that the rules regarding information requests could be seen as obstructive. They also argued for electronic access to public records. Key concern
Concerns regarding freedom of speech in public comments and the lack of electronic public record accessibility.
Board response
The Town Manager (Shannon) defended the current policies, stating they are standard for many municipalities and that transitioning to full electronic records would be a significant cost to the town.
The Town Manager provided a detailed rebuttal/explanation for the current policies and the difficulties with electronic requests.
Speaker SPEAKER_11
▶ 2:08:01
Addressed
The speaker critiqued the proposed town policies, specifically suggesting that the fee range for town hall meeting rooms ($3 to $50) is too subjective and could lead to claims of favoritism. They also suggested using 'non-taxpayer' instead of 'non-resident'. Key concern
Subjectivity and potential unfairness in the proposed fee schedule.
Board response
The Town Manager acknowledged the points and agreed that terminology and specific fee structures could be refined during the ordinance drafting process.
The board/manager accepted the feedback as valid points for future refinement of the policy.
Mike Chosen
▶ 43:00
Partial
Mike suggested that instead of security deposits for facility rentals, the town should adopt the 'Marriott/Hilton model,' where a credit card is kept on file to cover any damages or cleaning fees. Key concern
Improving the process for recovering costs for damages during facility rentals.
Board response
The board discussed the suggestion, noting it could be reviewed as they move forward with facility usage policies.
The suggestion was received and discussed as a potential future improvement but not adopted immediately.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of April 20th meeting minutes.
Motion made and seconded by a speaker and an unnamed member.
Approved
Approval of items for signature, facility uses, and land use permits.
Includes 17 land use permits, check manifests totaling $266,108.74, and various facility use requests.
Approved
Acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $17,835 from LSPA grant.
$12,675 from LSPA and $5,160 from the Highway Department for the salt reduction program.
Approved
Approval of the amended town fee schedule.
Motion to approve the fee schedule as presented and amended.
Approved
Approval and signing of updated Select Board policies and procedures.
Acknowledged as a living document that will be reviewed over time.
Approved
Appointment of Brenda Bellinger to the Recreation Committee.
Term expires May 4th, 2027.
Approved
Appoint Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards.
Motion made by a speaker and seconded. One abstention recorded.
Passed
Accept the Fire Chief job description as presented.
Motion made by a speaker and seconded.
Passed
Waive tax deeding for properties 535, 326 Nutting Road, and 22 Stage Cushion, conditional upon continued agreed payments.
Motion made by a speaker and seconded.
Passed
Decision not to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance due to First Amendment concerns.
The board directed that the ordinance shall not be enforced pending a formal rescission at town meeting.
Passed

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Off-agenda/unexpected policy enforcement decision
At the May 4 Selectboard meeting, officials decided to stop enforcing the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance due to First Amendment concerns. The ordinance now requires a formal rescission at a future Town Meeting to be officially removed.
242/280 chars
Community concerns regarding transparency and free speech
Sunapee residents are raising alarms about new town policies. During the 5/4 meeting, concerns were voiced that proposed updates to public comment procedures and electronic record access could restrict free speech and transparency.
231/280 chars
Fiscal impact and potential for arbitrary fee application
Town of Sunapee update: The Selectboard approved amended fee schedules for police, the transfer station, and facility use on 5/4. Residents warned that current facility fee structures appear subjective and open to favoritism.
225/280 chars

X thread

1
Transparency and local control are on the line in Sunapee. Here is what happened at the May 4 Selectboard meeting and why residents should be paying attention. 🧵
161/280
2
First, a major policy shift: The Board decided NOT to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance, citing First Amendment concerns. Instead of an immediate repeal, they’ve punted the final decision to a formal Town Meeting rescission.
240/280
3
Second, transparency concerns: New proposed policies regarding public comment and electronic record access met resistance from the community. Residents fear these rules may act as barriers to free speech and public oversight.
225/280
4
Finally, the bottom line: The Board approved an amended fee schedule affecting police, transfer station, and facility use. Public input highlighted a risk of subjectivity—where fees for town halls could vary wildly and inconsistently. #Sunapee #LocalGov
253/280

Facebook — long form

What is happening with transparency and local fees in the Town of Sunapee? 

At the May 4 Selectboard meeting, several decisions were made that directly impact how residents interact with their government. Most notably, the Board decided to stop enforcing the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance, citing potential First Amendment violations. This decision means the ordinance remains on the books but will not be enforced until it is formally rescinded at a future Town Meeting.

Residents also raised significant concerns regarding the Town's proposed updates to policies governing public comments and electronic record access. There is a growing fear that these administrative changes could make it harder for citizens to exercise their right to free speech and access public information. 

On the fiscal side, the Board approved an amended fee schedule for various services, including police, the transfer station, and facility use. During the discussion, community members pointed out that current proposals for facility fees seem subjective, raising questions about whether costs will be applied fairly or if favoritism could play a role. As these policies evolve, residents should stay engaged to ensure Sunapee remains transparent and accountable.

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Make edits to the fee schedule regarding 'town meeting rooms' terminology and 'resident vs non-resident' definitions.
Assigned: Select Board/Town Staff
Pause fire ward appointments to discuss with fire department personnel and review job descriptions.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: Next meeting
Serve as temporary chair of the Fire Wards and meet with members to review processes.
Assigned: Fred · Due: Next scheduled meeting (Thursday)
Share draft of the plastics roads report with the Selectboard.
Assigned: Town Manager/Staff · Due: 2026-05-06
Seek FEMA approval to divert funds to culvert rehabilitation.
Assigned: Town Manager
Complete review of draft ordinances (recreation, grilling, hawkers/peddlers, alcohol use) for the May 18th meeting.
Assigned: Town Staff/Legal · Due: 2026-05-18

Member ⁠positions

10 issues · 1 explicit · 49 inferred · 4 unclear
A split vote in this meeting was recorded without naming the dissenter (e.g. a voice vote). Members whose individual vote could not be confirmed are marked UNCLEAR below — this is not the same as a “yes.” Named votes will be filled in if official minutes record them.
Present
Approval of April 20th meeting minutes YES ~
Approval of items for signature, facility uses, and land use permits YES ~
Acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $17,835 from LSPA grant YES ~
Approval of the amended town fee schedule YES ~
Approval and signing of updated Select Board policies and procedures YES ~
Appointment of Brenda Bellinger to the Recreation Committee YES ~
Appoint Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards UNCLEAR
Accept the Fire Chief job description as presented YES ~
Waive tax deeding for properties 535, 326 Nutting Road, and 22 Stage Cushion YES ~
Decision not to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance YES ~
Jeremy Hathorn
Vice Chair
Present
Approval of April 20th meeting minutes YES ~
Approval of items for signature, facility uses, and land use permits YES ~
Acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $17,835 from LSPA grant YES ~
Approval of the amended town fee schedule YES ~
Approval and signing of updated Select Board policies and procedures YES ~
Appointment of Brenda Bellinger to the Recreation Committee YES ~
Appoint Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards UNCLEAR
Accept the Fire Chief job description as presented YES ~
Waive tax deeding for properties 535, 326 Nutting Road, and 22 Stage Cushion YES ~
Decision not to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance YES ~
Present
Approval of April 20th meeting minutes YES ~
Approval of items for signature, facility uses, and land use permits YES ~
Acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $17,835 from LSPA grant YES ~
Approval of the amended town fee schedule YES ~
Approval and signing of updated Select Board policies and procedures YES ~
Appointment of Brenda Bellinger to the Recreation Committee YES ~
Appoint Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards UNCLEAR
Accept the Fire Chief job description as presented YES ~
Waive tax deeding for properties 535, 326 Nutting Road, and 22 Stage Cushion YES ~
Decision not to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance YES ~
Appoint Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards YES ✓
Appointed as temporary chair
Approval of April 20th meeting minutes YES ~
Approval of items for signature, facility uses, and land use permits YES ~
Acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $17,835 from LSPA grant YES ~
Approval of the amended town fee schedule YES ~
Approval and signing of updated Select Board policies and procedures YES ~
Appointment of Brenda Bellinger to the Recreation Committee YES ~
Accept the Fire Chief job description as presented YES ~
Waive tax deeding for properties 535, 326 Nutting Road, and 22 Stage Cushion YES ~
Decision not to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance YES ~
Present
Approval of April 20th meeting minutes YES ~
Approval of items for signature, facility uses, and land use permits YES ~
Acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $17,835 from LSPA grant YES ~
Approval of the amended town fee schedule YES ~
Approval and signing of updated Select Board policies and procedures YES ~
Appointment of Brenda Bellinger to the Recreation Committee YES ~
Appoint Fred as the temporary chair of the Fire Wards UNCLEAR
Accept the Fire Chief job description as presented YES ~
Waive tax deeding for properties 535, 326 Nutting Road, and 22 Stage Cushion YES ~
Decision not to enforce the Centipede Dance and Concert Ordinance 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.”

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Report composed by gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-05-19.