Selectboard Tackles Skijor, Parking Woes, and Budget Updates

Selectboard Tackles Ski Jousting, Parking Woes, and Budget Updates

The Waterville Valley Selectboard convened a regular meeting on January 23, 2025, chaired by Rich Rita, with Vice Chair Bob Fries and member Wendy Rathburn present (link). The session addressed a charitable Skijor event, parking and crowd control concerns from a local business owner, the 2024 financial wrap-up, the 2025 budget draft, and legislative updates impacting town operations.

Privilege of the Floor: Skijor and Parking Challenges

Leah and Steve presented plans for the fourth annual Skijor event on February 16, a President’s Day weekend charity event expecting 15-18 horses and 11-12 trailers (link). Public access begins at 11:30 a.m., with the event running from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Boulder Path Road. Parking coordination with Chief Noyes aims to keep one side clear for emergency access, with trailers arriving by 9:30 a.m. (link). Two food trucks from Campton and a proposed beer garden under Craig’s license were additions, with the board waiving permit fees (link). Spectator parking signs at Town Square and potential overflow at BTS were approved (link).

Craig voiced frustration over parking and crowd management issues from a recent weekend with 23 hockey teams, overwhelming his business near the ice rink (link). With 2,000 visitors and limited police presence, he criticized the rink’s lack of cooperation and the town’s landlord role, urging action on the $1 lease. The board acknowledged his concerns, noting prior talks with rink liaison Michael, but lacked immediate solutions.

Financial and Budget Updates

Town Manager Mark Decoteau reported a 2024 operating budget underspend of $130,000 and $9,000 above-budget revenue, bolstered by a strong holiday week and water/sewer billing (link). Funds will bolster the fund balance, not tax rate relief, given the 2025 CIP’s 75-cent tax rate inclusion (link). The final FY 2025 budget and capital program drafts were distributed, with detailed department breakdowns (link). A special meeting was set for January 28 at 9:00 a.m. to review budget slides ahead of the February 5 public hearing (link).

Calendar and Board Concerns

The board set March 11 voting hours from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the gymnasium, with the deliberative session at 6:00 p.m., pending moderator confirmation (link). The 2024 town report dedications was confirmed, with Bob drafting text (link). Decoteau highlighted 25 education funding bills, including one raising per-student aid and another banning public fund lobbying, both opposed by the coalition (link). An adaptive sports shed request was deferred for more details (link).

Non-Public Session

The meeting adjourned to a non-public session at 7:02 p.m. to discuss reputation and personnel matters (link).