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Select Board — March 17, 2026

The meeting was marked by high public turnout, a formal resolution from residents regarding transparency, and heated debate regarding personnel and legal restrictions.

Date Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Public comments 9 Decisions 8 Contentious
📄 Minutes

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Town Administrator Salary/Personnel Management

The town is currently paying a salary for an administrator who is not performing duties due to an ongoing investigation. Affected: All taxpayers
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Election of Alfred Hanson as Select Board Chair
Motion by Smith, seconded by Bixby.
Passed (Unanimous)
00:00
Election of Rick Bixby as Select Board Vice Chair
Motion by Hanson, seconded by Smith.
Passed (Unanimous)
00:00
Establishment of Monthly Meeting Schedule
Meetings to be held 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM.
Passed (Unanimous)
00:00
Establishment of Work Session Schedule
Work sessions to be held before normal meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 4:00 PM.
Passed (Unanimous)
00:00
Posting Weight Limits on Class V Roads
Directed the Director of Public Works to post weight limits on Class V roads to end no later than the end of April.
Passed
00:00
Adjustment of Agenda Order
Moved 'Select Board Other Business' to the end of the agenda.
Passed (Unanimous)
00:00
Approval of March 17, 2026 Manifest
Motion by Bixby, seconded by Smith; Mike Smith voted NO as he had not reviewed the manifest.
Failed
00:00
Tabling of March 3, 2026 Minutes
Motion by Smith, seconded by Hanson.
Passed (Unanimous)
00:00

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
00:00 Select Board Leadership Elections

The Board held roll call votes to elect the Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming term.

Speakers: Mike Smith, Rick Bixby, Alfred Hanson
00:00 Fund Transfers and Capital Reserve Funds

Town Clerk Michele Courser reported on the transfer of funds from the unassigned fund balance to the contingency fund and a new emergency management CRF.

Speakers: Michele Courser, Alfred Hanson
00:00 Board Committee and Meeting Schedule

The Board finalized committee assignments and established a regular meeting schedule for the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month.

Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby, Mike Smith, Judy Newman-Rogers
00:00 Class V Road Weight Limits

The Board discussed the process for posting weight limits on Class V roads following a request from a resident.

Speakers: Herm Blanchette, Alfred Hanson, Mike Smith, Rick Bixby
00:00 Public Comment: Town Administration and Audit Findings

Residents raised concerns regarding the ongoing investigation into the Town Administrator, transparency in document access, and findings from the 2024 audit.

Speakers: James Gaffney, Steve Hall, Rick Bixby, Mike Smith, Alfred Hanson, Steve Bridgewater, Bill Hanson, Sara McNeil, Ken Milender, Trish Mitchell, Ginger Marsh
00:00 Manifest Approval

The Board reviewed and voted on the approval of various accounts payable manifests and payroll deposits.

Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby, Mike Smith, Ginger Marsh

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

Town Administrator Investigation and Personnel Status

The community is demanding transparency regarding the ongoing investigation by the Merrimack County Sheriff's Department and the status of the Town Administrator, who is currently being paid a salary without providing services. Residents are divided on whether she should be reinstated.
Board position: The board signaled an inability to discuss specifics due to legal advice, though members expressed differing views on the board's authority to resolve the matter.
Internal dissent
Mike Smith argued for the right to discuss the matter and suggested the Board could vote to reinstate the administrator, while Alfred Hanson emphasized legal restrictions on discussion.
high concern
02

Transparency and Right to Know Requests

A resident presented a resolution signed by 30 people citing concerns over document access, unfulfilled Right to Know requests, and alleged employee misconduct (unauthorized release of welfare recipient names).
Board position: The board did not provide a substantive response to the resolution or agree to the requested standing agenda items.
high concern
03

Financial Oversight and Audit Findings

The Town Treasurer and residents raised concerns regarding 2024 audit findings, including untimely/undocumented deposits, duplicate invoice payments, and a lack of Select Board signatures on invoices.
Board position: The board engaged in procedural discussions regarding manifest approvals, but did not immediately commit to specific new oversight protocols requested by the Treasurer.
medium concern

Split votes

Approval of March 17, 2026 Manifest
Failed

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Contact Clyde Carson (Finance Director) regarding the naming of the Emergency Management fund.
Assigned: Ed Mical
Develop an agenda template with the Board.
Assigned: Alfred Hanson · Due: Within two weeks
Contact committee chairs to advise Select Board members of their respective meeting schedules.
Assigned: Judy Newman-Rogers
Post weight limits on Class V roads.
Assigned: Director of Public Works · Due: End of April 2026

Notable ⁠statements

Funds from the unassigned fund balance need to be transferred to the contingency fund and new emergency management CRF within 10 days of the vote. — Michele Courser · Reporting on Town Meeting vote results regarding fund transfers. 00:00
Urged the Select Board to reinstate Kathy Frenette to active service and addressed concerns over transparency and unfulfilled Right to Know requests. — James Gaffney · Public comment regarding town administration and accountability. 00:00
The Merrimack County Sheriff's Department is investigating [the matter], and they have been asked to speed things up. — Alfred Hanson · Responding to a resident's question about the identity of the investigator. 00:00
Invoices are not signed by the Select Board 90% of the time. She will not sign checks that do not have a signed invoice. — Ginger Marsh · Discussion regarding the manifest and internal financial controls. 00:00

Member ⁠positions

13 issues · 2 explicit · 8 inferred
Present
Election of Alfred Hanson as Select Board Chair YES ✓
Supported his own election to Chair.
Election of Rick Bixby as Select Board Vice Chair YES ✓
Supported Bixby for Vice Chair.
Establishment of Monthly Meeting Schedule YES ~
Supported the new monthly meeting schedule.
Establishment of Work Session Schedule YES ~
Supported the new work session schedule.
Posting Weight Limits on Class V Roads YES ~
Supported posting weight limits by end of April.
Adjustment of Agenda Order YES ~
Supported moving 'Select Board Other Business' to the end.
Approval of March 17, 2026 Manifest YES ~
Voted in favor of the manifest approval.
Tabling of March 3, 2026 Minutes YES ✓
Supported tabling the March 3rd minutes.
Town Administrator Investigation and Personnel Status ✓
Emphasized legal restrictions preventing discussion of the matter.
Present
Election of Alfred Hanson as Select Board Chair YES ✓
Supported Hanson's election to Chair.
Election of Rick Bixby as Select Board Vice Chair YES ✓
Supported his own election to Vice Chair.
Establishment of Monthly Meeting Schedule YES ~
Supported the new monthly meeting schedule.
Establishment of Work Session Schedule YES ~
Supported the new work session schedule.
Posting Weight Limits on Class V Roads YES ~
Supported posting weight limits by end of April.
Adjustment of Agenda Order YES ~
Supported moving 'Select Board Other Business' to the end.
Approval of March 17, 2026 Manifest YES ✓
Motioned for the approval of the manifest.
Tabling of March 3, 2026 Minutes YES ~
Supported tabling the March 3rd minutes.
Michael Smith
Member
Present
Election of Alfred Hanson as Select Board Chair YES ✓
Supported Hanson's election to Chair.
Election of Rick Bixby as Select Board Vice Chair YES ✓
Supported Bixby's election to Vice Chair.
Establishment of Monthly Meeting Schedule YES ~
Supported the new monthly meeting schedule.
Establishment of Work Session Schedule YES ~
Supported the new work session schedule.
Posting Weight Limits on Class V Roads YES ~
Supported posting weight limits by end of April.
Adjustment of Agenda Order YES ~
Supported moving 'Select Board Other Business' to the end.
Approval of March 17, 2026 Manifest NO ✓
Voted against approval because he had not reviewed it.
Tabling of March 3, 2026 Minutes YES ✓
Supported tabling the March 3rd minutes.
Town Administrator Investigation and Personnel Status ✓
Argued the board has the right to discuss and reinstate the administrator.

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
9
Total speakers
3
Addressed
2
Partial
4
Not addressed
James Gaffney
Not addressed
He presented a resolution signed by approximately 30 people regarding transparency, timely access to documents, and the fulfillment of Right to Know requests. He also urged the Board to reinstate Kathy Frenette and requested a standing agenda item to discuss the 2024 audit findings. Key concern
Transparency in decision-making, document access, and the reinstatement of the Town Administrator.
Board response
The board did not provide a substantive response to the resolution itself, though members engaged in a heated debate regarding the Town Administrator situation and the investigation.
While the board engaged in a discussion triggered by his comments, they did not agree to his specific requests (reinstating the administrator or adding the audit item to the agenda) during this session.
Steve Hall
Partial
He requested a status update on the Town Administrator, noting that the town is paying a salary without receiving any benefit. He also inquired if the town has options to fill the position. Key concern
The status and financial impact of the Town Administrator's absence.
Board response
Alfred Hanson stated the Board cannot comment due to legal advice and that the investigation is ongoing. Mike Smith argued for the right to discuss the matter and suggested the Board could vote to reinstate the administrator.
The Board provided a procedural response (legal restrictions) and an update on the investigation status, but did not provide the specific 'status update' or solution requested.
Steve Bridgewater
Addressed
He asked for clarification on whether Chair Alfred Hanson and Vice Chair Rick Bixby had discussed the Town Administrator issue prior to Bixby's election. Key concern
Transparency regarding previous discussions of the personnel issue.
Board response
Alfred Hanson and Rick Bixby both confirmed that they had not discussed the matter before the election.
The board members directly answered the question asked.
Bill Hanson
Not addressed
He stated that the Select Board runs the town and that legal counsel works for them. He argued that the Board has the prerogative to reprimand the Town Administrator and bring her back to work. Key concern
The Board's authority and responsibility regarding the Town Administrator.
The Board did not respond to this specific comment.
James Gaffney
Not addressed
He elaborated on the resolution, mentioning alleged public transgressions by employees, including the unauthorized release of welfare recipient names. He also cited specific financial discrepancies like duplicate invoice payments and IRS issues. Key concern
Employee misconduct, lack of punishment for certain employees, and financial irregularities found in audits.
Board response
Alfred Hanson called for order after unrecognized audience members began speaking out of turn.
The Board did not address the specific allegations of misconduct or the financial discrepancies mentioned in this specific turn.
Sara McNeil
Not addressed
She expressed that because this is a new Board, it is important that they discuss the ongoing matters. She also noted the high public turnout. Key concern
The importance of the new Board engaging in discussion regarding town matters.
The Board did not respond to this remark.
Ken Milender
Addressed
He asked for clarification on which entity is conducting the investigation into the Town Administrator. Key concern
Identity of the investigator.
Board response
Alfred Hanson stated that the Merrimack County Sheriff Department is conducting the investigation.
The board provided the specific information requested.
Trish Mitchell
Not addressed
She stated that while a small vocal minority wants the Town Administrator reinstated, she believes a larger majority is against it. Key concern
The public sentiment regarding the Town Administrator.
The Board did not respond to this opinion.
Ginger Marsh
Partial
The Town Treasurer discussed the delegation of authority for deposits and expressed concern regarding the audit report's findings of untimely or undocumented deposits. She requested a list of individuals with deposit authority and expressed concern regarding bonding. Key concern
Financial accountability, timely deposits, and oversight of depository authority.
Board response
During the Consent Agenda section, the Board discussed the Manifest, where Ginger Marsh further requested that invoices be signed by the Select Board, noting she would not sign checks without signed invoices.
While the Board did not explicitly grant her request for the list of authorized personnel in the public comment section, the discussion shifted toward the required documentation (signed invoices) for financial transactions.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.