Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — April 14, 2026
The meeting was marked by high-stakes personnel decisions, public accusations of lack of integrity/conflict of interest against the Chair, and significant gaps between public testimony and the official minutes.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Ambulance Service Costs
Potential for rising service costs necessitating regional coordination with Hopkinton and Webster. Affected: All Warner residents
other high impact
02
Town Administrator Vacancy
High-level leadership vacancy affecting town operations and professional management. Affected: Town staff and residents
other high impact
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Employment Status of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette
The board voted not to reinstate the Town Administrator amidst significant public outcry. Residents expressed a lack of confidence in her ability to perform duties professionally, and there were public allegations regarding a conflict of interest involving the Board Chair.
Board position: The board voted against her reinstatement.
Internal dissent
The decision was reached via a majority vote rather than a unanimous one, though specific dissenting members were not explicitly named in the summary beyond the 'Majority voted NO' result for non-reinstatement.
high concern
02
Alleged Conflict of Interest and Procedural Fairness
A member of the public challenged the impartiality of Board Chair Alfred Hanson, alleging he should have recused himself from votes involving Kathy Frenette due to a personal legal matter (a restraining order).
Board position: The board did not address the accusation or the request for recusal during the meeting.
high concern
Split votes
Non-reinstatement of Kathy Frenette as Town Administrator
Majority voted NO (to reinstate)
Community vs. board tension
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Member positions
6 issues · 0 explicit · 3 inferred
Alfred Hanson
Present
Chair
Approval of Non-Public Session (RSA 91-A:3 II (a))
YES
✓
Approval of March 3, 2026, Meeting Minutes
YES
✓
Approval of March 31, 2026, Meeting Minutes
YES
✓
Adoption of Meeting Attendance Amendment to Rules of Procedure
YES
✓
Non-reinstatement of Kathy Frenette
NO
~
Voted against reinstating the Town Administrator.
Richard Bixby Jr.
Present
Member
Approval of Non-Public Session (RSA 91-A:3 II (a))
YES
✓
Approval of March 31, 2026, Meeting Minutes
YES
✓
Adoption of Meeting Attendance Amendment to Rules of Procedure
YES
✓
Non-reinstatement of Kathy Frenette
NO
~
Voted against reinstating the Town Administrator.
Michael Smith
Present
Member
Approval of March 3, 2026, Meeting Minutes
YES
✓
Approval of March 31, 2026, Meeting Minutes
ABSTAIN
✓
Approval of Manifests
ABSTAIN
✓
Non-reinstatement of Kathy Frenette
NO
~
Voted against reinstating the Town 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.
8
Total speakers
4
Addressed
1
Partial
3
Not addressed
Martha Mical
Not addressed
Ms. Mical suggested a specific addition to the Ambulance Committee. She proposed that the Fire Chief be included as a member.
Key concern
Request for the Fire Chief to be on the Ambulance Committee.
The board did not provide a response to this suggestion in the transcript.
Barb Marty
Addressed
Ms. Marty inquired about the insurance coverage regarding fire damage at the Highway garage. She wanted to know how much Primex would cover.
Key concern
Financial coverage for fire damage at the Highway garage.
Board responseClyde Carson stated that the Town is covered 100%.
The Finance Director provided a direct answer to her question regarding the insurance coverage.
Joanne Hinnendael
Addressed
Ms. Hinnendael asked about a potentially collapsing house on Laing Bridge Lane and inquired about the historical value of a home near Melvin Mills slated for demolition. She also requested information regarding the town's efforts to hire a welfare officer.
Key concern
Property maintenance/safety, historical preservation, and the status of hiring a welfare officer.
Board responseThe board explained the tax deeded status of the first house and that the Candy House would be demolished. Alfred Hanson stated they are working on hiring a welfare officer.
The board and staff provided explanations for the property inquiries and an update on the welfare officer position.
Sarah McNeil
Not addressed
Ms. McNeil read a letter representing many residents expressing a lack of confidence in Kathy Frenette. She argued that Frenette's actions demonstrate she cannot perform her duties fairly or professionally.
Key concern
Opposition to the continued employment of Town Administrator Kathy Frenette.
While the board had already voted on this matter earlier in the meeting, they did not offer a specific response to her reading of the letter during the public comment section.
Ginger Marsh
Addressed
The Town Treasurer inquired about the status of quotes for outsourcing the town's payroll. She sought an update on the process approved at the Town Meeting.
Key concern
Status of quotes for outsourcing town payroll.
Board responseAlfred Hanson stated that they are working on it.
The Chair provided a status update regarding the ongoing work on quotes.
John Leavitt
Not addressed
Mr. Leavitt criticized the board for allowing disparaging remarks about Kathy Frenette and argued that the accusations were inaccurate. He further claimed that Alfred Hanson should have recused himself from the vote due to a personal legal matter.
Key concern
Procedural fairness and the alleged conflict of interest regarding Alfred Hanson.
The board did not respond to the accusations or the request for recusal during the meeting.
Amelia Gardner
Addressed
Ms. Gardner requested an update on the homeless encampment on North Road, noting that the situation is worsening. She also asked for an update on the hiring of a welfare officer.
Key concern
The homeless encampment on North Road and the status of the welfare officer position.
Board responseElizabeth Labbe explained the situation is being addressed but cannot be discussed publicly. Alfred Hanson stated they are working on hiring a welfare officer.
The board provided an update on the welfare officer and explained the limitations regarding the encampment discussion.
Christine Frost
Partial
Ms. Frost expressed concern regarding the budget increase for taking minutes. She suggested that using AI options could reduce these costs.
Key concern
Reducing the cost of minute-taking via technology.
Board responseAlfred Hanson stated that a change to the status of the minute taker had been requested.
The board addressed the topic by noting a requested status change, but did not directly engage with the specific suggestion of using AI to lower costs.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Transcript vs. official minutes
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.