Meeting report · Select Board
Creating this report cost real money.
Help fund coverage →
Select Board — March 31, 2026
The meeting was marked by heated public testimony regarding the rights of elected officials and accusations of personal vendettas among board members.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Proposed 205-foot Cell Tower
Significant visual and infrastructural change to the local landscape. Affected: All residents, particularly those near the Transfer Station.
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Restriction on the Use of Town Buildings by Select Board Member Michael Smith
Initially passed to restrict Smith's access to town buildings except for meetings and legal counsel sessions, but was subsequently rescinded.
Passed (Bixby YES, Smith NO, Hanson YES)
Reappointment of Barb Marty to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Unanimous vote for reappointment.
Passed (Bixby YES, Smith YES, Hanson YES)
Reappointment of Barak Greene to the Planning Board
Unanimous vote for reappointment.
Passed (Bixby YES, Smith YES, Hanson YES)
Appointment of Ian Rogers to ZBA Alternate
Unanimous vote for appointment.
Passed (Bixby YES, Smith YES, Hanson YES)
Appointment of Bob Holmes to Planning Board
Unanimous vote for appointment as a full member.
Passed (Bixby YES, Smith YES, Hanson YES)
Appointment of Sherry Colfer as Library Trustee Alternate
Unanimous vote for appointment.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Motion to send Education Freedom Accounts petition results to the Governor's office
Relates to Warrant Article 5.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Reimbursement for Herm Blanchette's personal cell phone
Motion to reimburse the Director of Public Works.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Granting of raffle permit for Kearsarge Indian Museum
Permit valid through the calendar year for Fun Day and other activities.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Approval of March 31, 2026 Consent Agenda
Includes police vehicle fund request and museum raffle permit.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Approval of March 31, 2026 Manifest
Includes various accounts payable and payroll items.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Rescission of the motion restricting Michael Smith's building access
The motion was rescinded following discussion of legal implications and committee access.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Tabling discussion on Michael Smith building access
Discussion tabled until the April 14, 2026 meeting.
Passed (Bixby YES, Hanson YES)
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
Highway Building Fire Update
Director of Public Works and Finance Director provided updates on the March 18 fire caused by a dump truck. The building has heavy smoke damage, and the town is coordinating repairs and insurance claims with Primex.
Speakers: Herm Blanchette, Clyde Carson, Alfred Hanson
Amendment to Rules of Procedure Regarding Electronic Attendance
David Carle proposed an amendment to the town's Rules of Procedure to incorporate state legislation regarding meeting attendance via electronic means.
Speakers: David Carle, Alfred Hanson
Restriction on Use of Town Buildings by Michael Smith
The Board initially voted to restrict Select Board member Michael Smith from accessing town buildings except for meetings. Following public debate and legal counsel advice, the motion was rescinded and tabled.
Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby, Michael Smith, James Gaffney, Attorney Michael Courtney, Barb Marty, Sara McNeil
Board and Committee Appointments
The Select Board conducted several reappointments and new appointments for the ZBA, Planning Board, and Library Trustee.
Speakers: Barb Marty, Barak Greene, Ian Rogers, Bob Holmes, Sherry Colfer
Cell Tower Update
The Board discussed a proposed 205-foot cell tower at the Transfer Station and the potential for Verizon to pay for signal repeaters.
Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Ed Mical, Barb Marty
2024 Audit Review
The Board reviewed the 2024 audit report, specifically addressing responses to estimated town revenue and credit card usage.
Speakers: Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby, Elizabeth Labbe, Clyde Carson
Education Freedom Accounts
Discussion regarding the next steps for the citizen's petition regarding Warrant Article 5.
Speakers: Charlie Albano, Alfred Hanson, Rick Bixby
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Restriction on Select Board Member Michael Smith's Access
The board attempted to bar an elected official from accessing town buildings. This sparked debate over the legality of such a move, potential violations of RSA 643:1, and the risk of municipal lawsuits.
Board position: The board initially moved to restrict his access to protect town documents, but rescinded the motion following legal advice and public backlash.
Internal dissent
Michael Smith voted 'NO' on the initial restriction motion; Bixby and Hanson voted 'YES'.
high concern
02
Proposed Cell Tower at Transfer Station
Residents expressed concern regarding the specific placement and impact of a 205-foot cell tower.
Board position: The board is moving forward with the proposal, noting potential signal repeater benefits from Verizon.
medium concern
Split votes
Restriction on the use of town buildings by Michael Smith
2-1
Community vs. board tension
Ready to share? AI-written accountability posts about this meeting's controversies.
View posts →
Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Provide a list of items Primex will cover versus suggested upgrades.
Assigned: Herm Blanchette
Contact the radio company to request pricing for a repeater installation.
Assigned: Ed Mical
Look into whether committee appointments need to include specific terms to be lawful.
Assigned: Alfred Hanson
Notable statements
The point is to restrict his access to town buildings. — Alfred Hanson · Defending the original motion to restrict Selectman Michael Smith from town buildings.
The actions taken by the Select Board are in an effort to protect the Town. — Sara McNeil · Arguing in favor of the restrictions on Michael Smith, citing allegations of document tampering.
The motion prevents Mike Smith, who is an elected official from conducting and executing his duties. That is not lawful. — James Gaffney · Opposing the motion to restrict Smith's access to Town Hall.
Member positions
18 issues · 13 explicit · 0 inferred
Alfred Hanson
Present
Chair
Restriction on the Use of Town Buildings by Michael Smith
YES
✓
Supported restricting access to town buildings.
Reappointment of Barb Marty to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
YES
✓
Supported reappointment.
Reappointment of Barak Greene to the Planning Board
YES
✓
Supported reappointment.
Appointment of Ian Rogers to ZBA Alternate
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Appointment of Bob Holmes to Planning Board
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Appointment of Sherry Colfer as Library Trustee Alternate
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Motion to send Education Freedom Accounts petition results to the Governor's office
YES
✓
Supported sending results to the Governor.
Reimbursement for Herm Blanchette's personal cell phone
YES
✓
Supported reimbursement.
Granting of raffle permit for Kearsarge Indian Museum
YES
✓
Supported permit.
Approval of March 31, 2026 Consent Agenda
YES
✓
Approved agenda.
Approval of March 31, 2026 Manifest
YES
✓
Approved manifest.
Rescission of the motion restricting Michael Smith's building access
YES
✓
Supported rescinding the restriction.
Tabling discussion on Michael Smith building access
YES
✓
Supported tabling the discussion.
Richard Bixby Jr.
Present
Member
Restriction on the Use of Town Buildings by Michael Smith
YES
✓
Supported restricting access to town buildings.
Reappointment of Barb Marty to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
YES
✓
Supported reappointment.
Reappointment of Barak Greene to the Planning Board
YES
✓
Supported reappointment.
Appointment of Ian Rogers to ZBA Alternate
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Appointment of Bob Holmes to Planning Board
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Appointment of Sherry Colfer as Library Trustee Alternate
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Motion to send Education Freedom Accounts petition results to the Governor's office
YES
✓
Supported sending results to the Governor.
Reimbursement for Herm Blanchette's personal cell phone
YES
✓
Supported reimbursement.
Granting of raffle permit for Kearsarge Indian Museum
YES
✓
Supported permit.
Approval of March 31, 2026 Consent Agenda
YES
✓
Approved agenda.
Approval of March 31, 2026 Manifest
YES
✓
Approved manifest.
Rescission of the motion restricting Michael Smith's building access
YES
✓
Supported rescinding the restriction.
Tabling discussion on Michael Smith building access
YES
✓
Supported tabling the discussion.
Michael Smith
Present
Member
Restriction on the Use of Town Buildings by Michael Smith
NO
✓
Opposed the restriction of his own access.
Reappointment of Barb Marty to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
YES
✓
Supported reappointment.
Reappointment of Barak Greene to the Planning Board
YES
✓
Supported reappointment.
Appointment of Ian Rogers to ZBA Alternate
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Appointment of Bob Holmes to Planning Board
YES
✓
Supported appointment.
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
12
Total speakers
7
Addressed
2
Partial
3
Not addressed
Joann Hinnendael
Addressed
She requested clarification regarding the specific location of the proposed cell tower. She wanted to know where exactly it would be placed.
Key concern
Location of the proposed cell tower.
Board responseAlfred Hanson explained that the tower would be located at the Transfer Station to improve service in that area.
The Chairman provided the specific location and the reasoning for it.
Barb Marty
Addressed
She expressed concern that restricting Michael Smith's access to town buildings seemed like a restraining order against a duly elected official. She noted that Town Hall is a public space and questioned if the restriction would apply to his committee work.
Key concern
The legality and fairness of restricting an elected official's access to public buildings and committees.
Board responseTown Attorney Courtney explained the legal authority (RSA 41:11-a) and suggested amending the motion to allow committee access; the Board ultimately rescinded the motion and tabled the discussion.
The Board addressed the concern by rescinding the original motion and tabling the matter for further discussion and amendment.
Rebecca Courser
Addressed
She noted that Selectmen have historically entered and used Town Hall for various reasons and expressed confusion regarding the situation. She specifically asked if Michael Smith would still be allowed to enter for basic tasks like picking up paperwork.
Key concern
Clarification on the practical limitations of the restriction on Michael Smith.
Board responseAlfred Hanson and Attorney Courtney clarified that he could enter for Select Board business and committee meetings, but not for non-meeting access.
The board and attorney provided specific clarifications on what activities would be permitted under the motion.
James Gaffney
Addressed
He argued that the motion was purely speculative and would prevent an elected official from executing his duties, potentially violating RSA 643:1. He warned that the town could face a massive lawsuit.
Key concern
The legality of the motion and the potential for legal liability/lawsuits for the town.
Board responseThe Board listened to the argument and subsequently rescinded the motion.
While they did not engage in a direct debate on the specific RSA cited, the Board acted on the sentiment of the concern by rescinding the motion.
Mark Allen
Not addressed
He criticized the focus on debating the rights of an official who was not present to defend himself. He also questioned Michael Smith's commitment to town business given his frequent absences and use of Zoom.
Key concern
The conduct and presence of Selectman Michael Smith.
Board responseThe board did not provide a direct response to his criticism of Smith's attendance.
The board did not address the specific comment regarding Smith's attendance or the ethics of debating an absent member.
John Leavitt
Partial
He stated that Selectmen duties require research and communication with department heads within Town Hall, making the restriction 'ridiculous.' He also accused the two remaining Selectmen of having a vendetta.
Key concern
The practical impossibility of performing duties under the restriction and the perceived personal bias/vendetta of the board.
Board responseAlfred Hanson denied having a vendetta, stating he was doing what is best for the town.
The Chairman addressed the accusation of a vendetta, but did not engage with the practical argument regarding research and department head access, though the motion was later rescinded.
Sara McNeil
Addressed
She noted that the town has spent significant money on legal fees regarding this issue and mentioned Michael Smith's recent arrest. She argued that the restriction is a necessary step to protect town documents from tampering.
Key concern
Protecting town documents and following through on legal matters.
Board responseAlfred Hanson confirmed the restriction was intended to be temporary and would be reconsidered after the upcoming legal proceedings.
The Chairman confirmed the temporary nature of the action and the timeline for reconsideration.
Barb Marty
Addressed
She followed up on her previous point to ask if the restriction on Michael Smith was intended to be a temporary measure.
Key concern
The duration of the restriction.
Board responseAlfred Hanson confirmed that it is a temporary step.
The Chairman gave a direct answer to her question.
Ian Rogers
Not addressed
He stated that based on his reading of the news, he does not believe the Selectmen are acting out of a vendetta.
Key concern
The perception of a vendetta among the board.
The board did not respond to this supportive comment.
John Leavitt
Not addressed
He expressed concern regarding the Chairman's practice of tabling agenda items without discussion.
Key concern
Procedural concerns regarding the Chairman's management of the agenda.
The board did not respond to this procedural criticism.
James Gaffney
Partial
He pointed out that the committee appointments made earlier in the meeting lacked specified term lengths. He argued that for the appointments to be lawful, they must include these terms.
Key concern
The legality of the recent board and committee appointments due to missing term information.
Board responseAlfred Hanson stated he would look into the matter.
The Chairman acknowledged the concern and promised to investigate, but did not resolve the issue during the meeting.
Charlie Albano
Not addressed
He offered thanks to the Chairman for running a good meeting.
Key concern
None (Compliment).
This was a polite closing remark and did not require a response.
Support coverage
Creating this report cost real money.
MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering Warner.
Follow Warner
One email when a new report is published from the Select Board — or one weekly digest.
Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.