Select Board — June 23, 2026
While there were spirited public comments regarding board procedure and the rail trail, the meeting proceeded with standard administrative approvals and constructive responses to inquiries.
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During the June 23 Select Board meeting, two significant issues surfaced regarding how our town is governed and how major projects are managed.
First, a question of legality: Residents challenged the board's use of Zoom attendance, citing RSA 91-A:2:III. The law requires members to provide a specific rationale for not attending in person. While Chairman Hanson acknowledged the need to follow the law and promised an investigation, the issue of remote attendance—and whether it complies with state transparency requirements—remains unresolved.
Second, the Concord Lake Sunapee Rail Trail projects brought tension to the floor. As the group discusses purchasing state-owned property and seeks $600,000 to unlock a $2.3 million state grant, local residents raised concerns about the lack of notification for property owners and the potential for increased noise and trash. While the Board noted the progress, they did not commit to any increased oversight or more robust community notification processes for these land-use changes.
Residents deserve to know that our officials are following state law and that major community developments are handled with full transparency and respect for neighbors.
Public impact
Potential changes to land use, noise levels, and property access near Exits 7, 8, and 9.
The board noted the progress and management of funds via sub-agreements.
Alfred Hanson will contact Tim Blagden regarding community outreach for the rail trail.
Topics discussed
Herm Blanchette provided updates on the highway garage contract status and vehicle repairs.
The board received the update for informational purposes.
A public hearing to consider extras for the Highway Department will be scheduled for a July meeting.
Updates were provided regarding a Primex unemployment surplus, a Legion Post 39 raffle permit, and Emergency Management operations.
The board was briefed on various departmental administrative and operational matters.
Ed Mical expects to complete the Emergency Operations Plan update by late July or early August.
Tim Blagden presented updates on several rail trail projects, including Exit 9, Exit 8, and Exit 7.
The board noted the progress of various trail projects and the management of funds via sub-agreements with the town.
Alfred Hanson will contact Tim Blagden regarding community outreach for the rail trail.
Arlon Chaffee presented the plan for the annual August bicycle ride.
The Select Board approved the letter regarding the event.
David Carle raised concerns regarding the legality of Select Board members attending meetings via Zoom.
Chairman Hanson acknowledged the need to follow the law and promised the board would look into the matter.
The board reviewed a revised draft of the town's employee evaluation form.
The board deferred discussion of the form.
The Select Board will discuss the revised form on July 14th.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Select Board Zoom Attendance and Procedures
Concord Lake Sunapee Rail Trail Projects
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
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.”
Accountability flags
Transcript vs. official minutes
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-07-10.
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