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Items requested to be added to the agenda (requires motion):

1. Revote of  Two warrant articles :

ARTICLE - 13 SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE COVERAGE

Shall the Town vote to supplement the Fire department’s budget $218,400 to allow for increased coverage overnight as necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the residents of Litchfield and further vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $168,000 for the period of April 1, 2026  to December 31, 2026. ( ⅗ ballot vote required) Estimated 2026 tax rate impact $0.08

Recommended by Board of Selectmen (4-1-0)

Not Recommended by Budget Committee (4-4-1) same 2/7

ARTICLE 14 - ADDITIONAL PAVING

Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000 to supplement the Highway Department's budget and  fund additional Paving costs within the Town of Litchfield. Expenditure of said funds to be the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen in their discretion, if determined to be necessary and in the best interest of the Town. ( ⅗ ballot vote required) Estimated 2026 tax rate impact: $0.10

Recommended by Board of Selectmen (5-0-0)

Not Recommended by Budget Committee (4-4-1) same 2/7

2. Discussion on the progress of the IT position job search 

3.  Approval of Mosquito 2026 Contract & Special Permit  -   Budgeted  $29,455

4. Approval of the CBIZ engagement letter for the 2025 Audit 

Non-Public 

RSA 91-A:3, II (a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the  disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the  employee affected (1) has a right to a public meeting, and (2) requests that the meeting be open,  in which case the request shall be granted. 

RSA 91-A:3, II(d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which,  if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of  the general community. 

Next Meeting Monday, February 23, 2026

Town Administrator's Report

1.   Update from NHDES on St. Gobain - See Below

2.   2026  State Legislation  - Updates

Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), new report published says New Hampshire’s cities and towns issued building permits for 5,822 housing units in calendar year 2024, which was the highest annual number since 2006. The report states that if all the units permitted in 2024 were built in 2025, the state will have added 25,688 housing units since 2020. 

Bills held 2/3:

• HB 1008, relative to modifying innovative land use controls, requirements, and appeals.  This bill amends the definition of "inclusionary zoning" in RSA 674:21, IV(a) to clarify that it can include both voluntary incentives and local requirements for property owners to produce affordable housing units. The new language specifies that inclusionary zoning may involve various strategies such as density bonuses, preservation of existing affordable housing, and ensuring habitability for current tenants during construction

•  HB 1010, relative to residential development on commercially zoned land.  -  proposes the repeal of the statewide mandate that requires municipalities to allow multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land. Specifically, it seeks to eliminate RSA 674:79 and RSA 674:80, which pertain to the definitions and regulations surrounding multi-family residential development in commercial zones. The removal of these statutes signifies a shift in local governance, granting municipalities the authority to determine their own zoning regulations without the obligation to accommodate multi-family housing in commercial areas.

•  HB 1017, relative to accessory dwelling units and workforce housing.    Bill amends current law to allow municipalities to count qualifying accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as workforce housing, thereby helping them meet their regional fair share housing obligations. Specifically, it repeals and reenacts RSA 674:72, X, which now states that an ADU can be considered a unit of workforce housing if it meets certain rental criteria outlined in RSA 674:58, IV. Additionally, municipalities are granted the authority to require that any accessory dwelling units on a property adhere to the definitions of workforce housing or affordability as specified in RSA 674:58.

•  HB 1065, relative to multi-family and mixed-use development in commercially zoned areas.   Amends existing zoning regulations to enhance the treatment of multi-family housing and mixed-use development on commercially zoned land by municipalities. Key changes include the removal of the phrase "Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary," and the insertion of definitions and clarifications regarding "multi-family dwelling units" and "infrastructure." The bill specifies that municipalities must allow multi-family dwelling units on commercially zoned land, provided that adequate infrastructure, defined as capital facilities owned or operated by the municipality, is available. The determination of adequate infrastructure will be made by local planning boards or governing bodies.

•  HB 1120, allowing subdivision regulations concerning water supply.  Bill amends existing subdivision regulations to enhance water supply management for new developments of four or more units. It introduces new subparagraphs to RSA 674:36, allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies to ensure adequate water availability for existing and future uses. The bill specifies that these studies are discretionary and do not apply to community water systems or large groundwater withdrawals regulated under RSA 485 and RSA 485-C. Additionally, it mandates the establishment of provisions to protect water-dependent natural resources and prescribes minimum testing requirements for on-lot private wells

•  HB 1136, relative to accessory dwelling units.   Amends existing laws regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to enhance municipal flexibility in their regulation and approval. Key provisions include allowing municipalities to authorize ADUs as a matter of right, through conditional use permits, or by special exception, and permitting more than one ADU per single-family dwelling. If a zoning ordinance does not address ADUs, one unit will be automatically permitted, subject only to necessary building permits. The bill expands ingress and egress standards for all ADUs, prohibits municipalities from limiting access methods, and allows local septic pumping ordinances while maintaining the prohibition on requiring separate systems for principal and accessory units. Additionally, it affirms municipal authority to require owner occupancy of one unit without specifying which, and distinguishes between attached and detached ADUs for aesthetic regulations and size limits.

PUBLIC RISK POOLS

         Three proposals related to regulation of risk pools became public Thursday and is scheduled for a public hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, February 10, at 2:30 p.m. in State House (SH) Room 103. 

SB 661 -- Creates additional costs for members - will subject political subdivision members to potential mid-year assessments if risk pool losses fall below certain minimum reserve amounts specified in the statute or if the pool is deemed insolvent.   Establishes a new mandate for municipalities - Municipalities would be required to create a non-lapsing reserve fund (a health care stabilization fund) to participate in a health pool.  The bill requires the municipal member to fund the reserve fund in an amount equal to at least 1% of the municipality’s health contribution until the fund is equal to 4% of contributions. If the reserve fund is used to pay a special assessment, then the municipality must again rebuild at the rate of at least 1% per year until the fund is at 4%.  Changes to pool members’ responsibilities: Under the bill, a municipality must agree in writing that they are ultimately the responsible party for any potential losses incurred while participating in a risk pool.  

The only substantive difference between SB 297 and SB 661 was the removal of a section in SB 297 that allows the Secretary of State to step in if a risk pool fails to provide an annual audit or an annual actuarial valuation.  

SB 605, a bill that allows risk pools to levy special assessments if the pool’s agreement, contractual provisions, or bylaws indicate the right to levy special assessments; the bill also establishes a 36-month payment period for future assessments. 

HB 1491, which is essentially the House position that the Senate rejected last year. This bill also allows both models of risk pools to exist in New Hampshire. Under the bill, assessable pools will remain under the authority of the Secretary of State, while non-assessable pools will shift oversight to the Department of Insurance. 

HB 1064 goes too far and creates serious financial risks for municipalities. Significantly raising liability caps will increase insurance and risk pool costs, which will be borne by property taxpayers. Additionally, this bill will limit a municipality’s ability to claim immunity as a defense in negligence claims, meaning municipalities will have greater financial exposure. Small communities will be disproportionately impacted, as a single large claim could force cuts to public safety, roads, or education. 

3.  2026 Town Academy -  Low Signups - will cancel and offer individual tour to the two people who signed up.

4.   February Town Newsletter - below

5. MOU's with the Library

 Adjournment