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Town Administrator's Report

1.   2026 PRE‐APPLICATION INVITATION -NH CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN PROGRAM

NHDES is now accepting Pre‐applications for the 2026 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects. CWSRF funding is available for water pollution control, watershed protection and restoration, and estuary management projects that contribute to the protection of public health, water quality and the environment.  Deadline for CWSRF pre‐applications: Monday, June 1, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m.)

This would not be funds sent to the town, NH DES would contract with an engineer.  We would ask for our older infrastructure to be eveaulated per a scope so we may add data to our existing Asset Management system and budget appropriately.

2.  Request for Memorial Day Parade has been filed with State- May 25th

3.  State Legislation Update:

PASSED - going to Governor 

HB 1575 was passed. The bill transfers the determination of the default budget to the budget committees. Under current law, the governing body prepares the default budget unless the legislative body votes to delegate the preparation of the default budget to the budget committee. see text below

HB 1195 - Key changes include the insertion of provisions that allow family and group family child care to operate by right in residential areas without local site plan review, and the stipulation that existing buildings can be converted into child care centers without altering their exterior dimensions. The bill also maintains the authority of municipalities to enforce local site plan reviews for centers exceeding a capacity of 30 children and ensures compliance with state fire, building, and sewage disposal regulations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Hearings at the Senate Tuesday , April 28th:

HB 1300  establishing a biennial school district local tax cap question and related limitations on central office administrative expenses in school districts.

HB 1355 removes the requirement for a default budget in the operating budget warrant article by deleting the term "default budget" from various sections of RSA 40:13. Instead, if no operating budget article is adopted, the local political subdivision will automatically have an operating budget equal to the previous year’s approved budget. This change aims to streamline the budget approval process and reduce confusion surrounding default budgets. The bill also modifies procedures for situations where the operating budget warrant article fails, allowing the governing body to hold a special meeting to address a revised operating budget while ensuring that estimated revenues remain approved. Additionally, HB 1355 amends laws regarding water and sewer system funds, permitting political subdivisions to include a default amount in warrant articles for appropriations raised through user fees or charges. This default amount will be determined by the governing body and reflect the previous fiscal year's appropriation adjusted for obligations. The bill establishes stricter guidelines for special meetings, including new timelines and conditions, and removes previous provisions that allowed for more flexibility in scheduling. Overall, the bill aims to simplify the budget process and provide clearer guidelines for towns in managing their operating budgets, with the act taking effect 60 days after its passage.

Signed by the Governor:

HB 1246 bill amends existing law regarding the participation of planning board members who also serve on zoning boards. Specifically, it stipulates that when an application or development project is being considered by both the planning board and the zoning board, a member who serves on both boards may only participate and vote on one of them. The new legal language inserted into RSA 673:7, I clarifies that a member who also serves on a zoning board of adjustment must recuse themselves from voting on any matter that was previously decided by that board in a quasi-judicial capacity in which they participated as a voting member. Additionally, the bill maintains the provision that allows two appointed or elected members of the planning board to serve on other municipal boards or commissions, with the exception that no more than one member can serve on the conservation commission, local governing body, or a local land use board. The effective date of this act is set for 60 days after its passage.

HB 323   This bill mandates that voters must present a government-issued photographic identification in order to cast their votes. The proposed amendments to RSA 659:13, II specify that valid photo identification must display the voter's name, which should closely match the name on their voter registration record, and include a photograph of the individual. The identification must also have an expiration date that is not more than five years past, with an exception for voters aged 65 and older, who can use identification regardless of its expiration date. The bill outlines acceptable forms of identification, including state-issued driver's licenses, military IDs, and U.S. passports, while also detailing the requirements for student identification cards.  Additionally, the bill removes certain provisions related to student identification cards and introduces new language that requires the Secretary of State to provide training for election officials on using nonpublic data from the voter registration database to meet identification requirements. It also mandates the development of an informational pamphlet to guide voters on obtaining a picture identification card specifically for voting purposes. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approval date of April 3, 2026, and an effective date of June 2, 2026.

NHMA recorded webinar: As the New Hampshire legislature heads into the home stretch, hundreds of bills with municipal impact are still in play.   Legislative Half-Time Webinar is online here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAb0u5fACVc

4. Campbell Senior signs in front of town hall.  The weekends of May 23-24, and May 30-31st.

5. Kim Vacation  - May 14, 15 , 29 and June 1st

6. The following have been updated on the website:  Site Plan Regulations, Appendix I - Conditional Use Permit & the Zoning Regulations as amended at Town Meeting.

7. 2027 Budget  Schedule - draft.  Sent to department heads for review.  Will schedule on your May 11th meeting.

SELECTMEN REPORTS

1. Recreation Commission Representative - F. Robert Leary Sr.

2. School Facilities Improvement Committee - John Brunelle

3. Budget Committee Representative - John Brunelle

4. Planning Board Representative - Steven G. Gannon

5. Capital Improvement Committee Representative - Kimberly M. Queenan

6. Conservation Commission Representative - Dianne Plansky

7. Heritage Commission Representative -    

8. Emergency Management Team - John Brunelle

9. Energy Committee - Steven G. Gannon

10. Economic Development Committee - Kimberly M. Queenan

Non-Public Session

 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(b) The hiring of any person as a public employee. 

  RSA 91-A:3, II(c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation  of any person, other than a member of this board, unless such person requests an open meeting.  This exemption shall extend to include any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of  a fee, fine or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant. 

 Adjournment