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Select Board — March 17, 2026

Routine procedural items passed smoothly, but nine public speakers created sustained tension over the unresolved Town Administrator matter with minimal board engagement.

Date Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Public comments 9 Decisions 8 Spirited

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

At the March 17, 2026 Select Board meeting in Warner, nine residents spoke during public comment and presented a resolution signed by roughly 30 people. It called for reinstatement of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette, completion of outstanding RSA 91-A requests, and concrete steps on the 2024 audit findings such as welfare list leaks and duplicate payments.

The board declined to engage on the resolution or any reinstatement vote, citing advice from legal counsel tied to the ongoing Merrimack County Sheriff's investigation. Mike Smith stated that nothing legally bars the board from acting and that the new board is entitled to information on the matter. No other members responded.

The same meeting approved a manifest exceeding $1.2 million by a 2-1 vote, with Smith dissenting, and set a regular schedule of second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:00 PM. No timeline was given for addressing the audit or personnel issues raised by residents.

Mar 17, 2026 9 public comments 8 decisions Spirited
Notable statements Drag to browse

“Presented resolution signed by ~30 people urging transparency, fulfillment of RTK requests, and reinstatement of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette.”

— James Gaffney · Public comment on audit and personnel issues 00:00

“Legal counsel advised the Board to refrain from commenting on the Town Administrator situation as the investigation is ongoing.”

— Alfred Hanson · Response during public comment 00:00

“Nothing prohibits the Board from taking a vote to reinstate the Town Administrator; new Board has right to be informed.”

— Mike Smith · Discussion on personnel matter 00:00

“Requested list of individuals with deposit authority over $1,500 and expressed concern about timely deposits per audit report.”

— Ginger Marsh · Public comment as Town Treasurer 00:00
This meeting — choose a section

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Mike Smith, Rick Bixby, Alfred Hanson
What was discussed

Nominations and votes for Chair and Vice Chair positions.

Speakers: Michele Courser, Alfred Hanson
What was discussed

Clerk reported on capital reserve fund transfers required within 10 days of Town Meeting vote.

Speakers: Alfred Hanson
What was discussed

Board members assigned to various town committees including Parks & Rec, Conservation, Planning Board, and others.

Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby, Mike Smith
What was discussed

Board agreed to meet on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:00 PM with optional work sessions at 4:00 PM.

Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Judy Newman-Rogers
What was discussed

Discussion on scheduling regular meetings with department heads and volunteer boards.

Speakers: Herm Blanchette, Alfred Hanson, Mike Smith
What was discussed

Board directed posting of weight limits on Class V roads until end of April.

Speakers: James Gaffney, Steve Hall, Steve Bridgewater, Bill Hanson, Sara McNeil, Ken Milender, Trish Mitchell, Ginger Marsh
What was discussed

Multiple residents spoke on Town Administrator reinstatement, audit findings, transparency, and personnel issues.

Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby, Mike Smith, Ginger Marsh
What was discussed

Approval of accounts payable and payroll manifests with discussion on invoice signing procedures.

Speakers: Mike Smith, Rick Bixby, Alfred Hanson
What was discussed

March 3 minutes tabled; meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Town Administrator reinstatement, audit accountability, and transparency

Nine residents spoke, presenting a 30-signature resolution demanding reinstatement of Kathy Frenette, fulfillment of RSA 91-A requests, and action on 2024 audit findings (e.g., welfare list leaks, duplicate payments). Stakes involve personnel liability, public trust, and ongoing investigation.
Board position: Refused substantive comment citing legal counsel and ongoing Merrimack County Sheriff's investigation; no action taken on resolution or audit agenda item
Internal dissent
Mike Smith publicly stated nothing prohibits the Board from voting to reinstate the Town Administrator and that the new Board has a right to be informed
high concern

Split votes

Approval of March 17, 2026 manifest (>$1.2M accounts payable and payroll)
2-1

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
9
Total speakers
2
Addressed
1
Partial
6
Not addressed
James Gaffney
Not addressed
James Gaffney expressed hope that the meeting would maintain a civil tone and presented a resolution signed by approximately 30 residents. He raised two main issues: the need for transparency in providing all Select Board members with the same materials in a timely manner, including fulfilling outstanding right-to-know requests, and the lack of accountability for past employee transgressions, urging reinstatement of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette. He also requested that the Board honor the Town Meeting vote to add a standing agenda item addressing the 2024 audit report findings. Key concern
Transparency, fulfillment of RSA 91-A requests, accountability for past misconduct, and reinstatement of the Town Administrator plus honoring the audit agenda vote
No direct response or action taken on the resolution or specific requests during the meeting
Steve Hall
Partial
Steve Hall requested a status update on the Town Administrator situation, noting the town is paying a salary without receiving services. He asked whether the Board has options to fill the position. Key concern
Status and resolution of the Town Administrator employment situation
Board response
Alfred Hanson stated the Board cannot comment due to legal counsel advice and an ongoing investigation; Mike Smith and Rick Bixby discussed the topic belonging in non-public session and the need for further briefing
Board explained the reason for non-comment and legal constraints but provided no substantive update or timeline
Steve Bridgewater
Addressed
Steve Bridgewater asked whether Alfred Hanson and Rick Bixby had discussed the Town Administrator issue prior to Bixby's election, seeking transparency on the matter. Key concern
Pre-election discussions between board members regarding the Town Administrator
Board response
Alfred Hanson and Rick Bixby both confirmed they had not discussed the issue
Direct answer provided confirming no prior discussion occurred
Bill Hanson
Not addressed
Bill Hanson stated that the Select Board runs the town and legal counsel works for them, asserting the Board has the prerogative to reprimand and reinstate the Town Administrator if desired. Key concern
Board authority to reinstate the Town Administrator
No response recorded to this statement
James Gaffney
Not addressed
James Gaffney elaborated on the resolution by citing specific past employee transgressions, including release of welfare recipient names and duplicate invoice payments, and noted that one involved employee remains unpunished. He reiterated the call to reinstate Kathy Frenette to reduce town liability. Key concern
Accountability for past misconduct and reinstatement of Town Administrator
Board response
Alfred Hanson called for order after audience interruptions; no substantive response to the claims
No engagement with the specific allegations or reinstatement request
Sara McNeil
Not addressed
Sara McNeil emphasized that the new Board should discuss the Town Administrator matter given the large public turnout. Key concern
Need for the new Board to address the Town Administrator situation publicly
No response recorded
Ken Milender
Addressed
Ken Milender asked for clarification on who is conducting the investigation into the Town Administrator matter. Key concern
Identity of the investigator
Board response
Alfred Hanson stated the Merrimack County Sheriff's Department is investigating and has been asked to expedite the process
Direct answer provided naming the investigating agency
Trish Mitchell
Not addressed
Trish Mitchell stated that a small vocal minority supports reinstating the Town Administrator and believes a larger majority opposes it. Key concern
Public opinion on reinstatement of the Town Administrator
No response recorded
Ginger Marsh
Not addressed
Ginger Marsh, as Town Treasurer, discussed delegation of authority for deposits and raised concerns from the audit report about untimely deposits and missing documentation. She requested a current list of individuals authorized to make deposits over $1,500 and accountability measures, noting her own bonding concerns. Key concern
Deposit authority, timely processing, documentation, and bonding compliance per the audit
No response recorded during public comment

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
00:00
Elect Alfred Hanson as Select Board Chair
Roll call vote after nomination by Mike Smith.
Passed (Smith YES, Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
00:00
Elect Rick Bixby as Select Board Vice Chair
Roll call vote after nomination by Alfred Hanson.
Passed (Smith YES, Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
00:00
Adopt meeting schedule of 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:00 PM
Motion by Alfred Hanson, seconded by Mike Smith.
Passed unanimously
00:00
Hold work sessions before regular meetings at 4:00 PM
Motion by Mike Smith, seconded by Rick Bixby.
Passed unanimously
00:00
Direct Director of Public Works to post weight limits on Class V roads
Motion by Mike Smith, seconded by Rick Bixby; limits to end no later than April.
Passed (Smith YES, Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
00:00
Approve March 17, 2026 manifest
Includes multiple accounts payable and payroll checks totaling over $1.2M.
Passed (Bixby YES, Smith NO, Hanson YES)
00:00
Table March 3, 2026 meeting minutes
Motion by Mike Smith, seconded by Alfred Hanson.
Passed (Smith YES, Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
00:00
Adjourn meeting
Motion by Rick Bixby, seconded by Alfred Hanson; adjourned at 7:03 PM.
Passed (Smith YES, Bixby YES, Hanson YES)

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X / Twitter — by angle

Board dismissal of community resolution on personnel and transparency
Warner Select Board, 3/17/26: Nine residents presented a 30-signature resolution demanding reinstatement of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette, fulfillment of RSA 91-A requests, and action on 2024 audit findings. Board refused... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/warner/select-board/2026-03-17/ #MeetingWatch #WarnerNH
312/280 chars
Internal board division on addressing the Town Administrator matter
At the 3/17/26 Warner Select Board meeting, Mike Smith stated nothing prohibits the board from voting to reinstate the Town Administrator and that the new board has a right to be informed. The other members stayed silent on the... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/warner/select-board/2026-03-17/ #MeetingWatch #WarnerNH
314/280 chars
Split vote and limited response to resident concerns
Warner Select Board approved a $1.2M+ manifest 3/17/26 by 2-1 vote (Smith dissenting). Meeting also set new schedule of 2nd/4th Tuesdays at 6 PM. Public comment on audit accountability received no board engagement. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/warner/select-board/2026-03-17/ #MeetingWatch #WarnerNH
298/280 chars

X thread

1
Warner Select Board meeting 3/17/26 drew nine public speakers with a 30-signature resolution calling for immediate reinstatement of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette, full responses to RSA 91-A requests, and action on 2024 audit findings including... #MeetingWatch #WarnerNH
274/280
2
Board members declined to discuss the resolution or reinstatement, stating legal counsel advised against comment due to the ongoing Merrimack County Sheriff's investigation. No agenda item addressed the audit or personnel matter.
229/280
3
Mike Smith noted that nothing prohibits the board from taking a reinstatement vote and that the new board has the right to be informed. The other members offered no response. The meeting ended without action on the residents' demands. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/warner/select-board/2026-03-17/
258/280

Facebook — long form

At the March 17, 2026 Select Board meeting in Warner, nine residents spoke during public comment and presented a resolution signed by roughly 30 people. It called for reinstatement of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette, completion of outstanding RSA 91-A requests, and concrete steps on the 2024 audit findings such as welfare list leaks and duplicate payments.

The board declined to engage on the resolution or any reinstatement vote, citing advice from legal counsel tied to the ongoing Merrimack County Sheriff's investigation. Mike Smith stated that nothing legally bars the board from acting and that the new board is entitled to information on the matter. No other members responded.

The same meeting approved a manifest exceeding $1.2 million by a 2-1 vote, with Smith dissenting, and set a regular schedule of second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:00 PM. No timeline was given for addressing the audit or personnel issues raised by residents. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/warner/select-board/2026-03-17/ #MeetingWatch #WarnerNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Contact Finance Director Clyde Carson regarding naming of Emergency Management CRF
Assigned: Ed Mical
Contact committee chairs to advise Select Board members of meeting schedules
Assigned: Judy Newman-Rogers
Develop agenda template over next two weeks
Assigned: Select Board · Due: 2026-03-31
Post weight limits on Class V roads
Assigned: Director of Public Works · Due: end of April 2026

Member ⁠positions

6 issues · 7 explicit · 0 inferred
Present
Select Board Leadership Election YES
Meeting Schedule YES
Class V Road Weight Limits YES
Manifest Approval YES
Minutes and Adjournment YES
Town Administrator reinstatement, audit accountability, and transparency
Refused substantive comment citing legal counsel and ongoing investigation
Present
Richard Bixby
Vice Chair
Present
Select Board Leadership Election YES
Meeting Schedule YES
Class V Road Weight Limits YES
Manifest Approval YES
Minutes and Adjournment YES
Mike Smith
Member
Present
Select Board Leadership Election YES
Meeting Schedule YES
Class V Road Weight Limits YES
Manifest Approval NO
Minutes and Adjournment YES
Town Administrator reinstatement, audit accountability, and transparency
Nothing prohibits Board from voting to reinstate Town Administrator
Rick Bixby
Vice Chair
Present
Select Board Leadership Election YES
Meeting Schedule YES
Class V Road Weight Limits YES
Manifest Approval YES
Minutes and Adjournment 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 grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.