Waterville Valley Town Meeting Addresses Road Repairs, Non-Discrimination Policy, and More

WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH — The 2025 Town Meeting, held on March 11, 2025, brought residents together to discuss and vote on a range of issues impacting the community, from multi-million-dollar road repair projects to a proposed non-discrimination policy. The meeting, moderated by Patty Furgal, featured detailed presentations, spirited debates, and several secret ballot votes, reflecting the town’s commitment to addressing both infrastructure needs and social values. Below is a summary of the key topics addressed during the nearly four-hour session, held at the Waterville Valley Recreation Center and streamed live on YouTube (link).

Podcast Review

Opening Remarks and Recognitions

The meeting began at 6 p.m. with Moderator Patty Furgal calling for attendees to silence their devices and check in as registered voters (link). Following the Pledge of Allegiance led by veteran Pat Kucharski, Select Board Chair Rich Rita paid tribute to Bill Larson, a longtime community member who recently passed away after serving 12 years on the Select Board and multiple years on the Planning Board. A moment of silence was observed in his honor (link).

Furgal introduced key town officials present, including Town Manager Mark Decoteau, Finance and HR Coordinator Katie Crawford, and various department heads, setting the stage for a comprehensive review of the town’s 2025 warrant articles.

Election Results and Zoning Amendments

Furgal announced the results of the day’s elections, noting that all candidates running for office won their races, including Cliff Lubitz, who secured the Trustee of the Trust Funds position via write-in votes. All proposed zoning amendments also passed, with detailed vote counts to be shared later (link).

Major Financial Decisions: Road and Infrastructure Projects

Article 7: $2.3 Million for Road Repairs

A significant portion of the meeting focused on Article 7, which proposed raising and appropriating $2.3 million through bonds for engineering, repairs, and repaving of town-maintained roads and sidewalks (link). Town Manager Mark Decoteau outlined the plan, with $1.8 million allocated to reconstruct Boulder Path Road, including a new drainage system and an eight-foot pedestrian and bike path. The remaining $500,000 would fund repaving and drainage improvements on West Branch Road, River Road, Packard’s Road, and FEMA-assisted repairs on Valley Road and Tripoli Road.

Residents raised concerns during the discussion. Mike Furgal questioned the need for granite curbing on Boulder Path Road, citing minimal drainage issues and inconsistency with other town roads (link). Tom, from Snow’s Mountain Road, supported the curbing for safety but suggested widening the multi-use path to 10-12 feet (link). The Select Board unanimously recommended approval, and the article passed via secret ballot, though exact vote counts were not announced during the meeting.

Article 8: $100,000 for Snow’s Mountain Road and Related Repairs

Article 8 sought $100,000 in bond funding for engineering and repairs to Snow’s Mountain Road, Greeley Hill Road, and Jazinske Road, building on $100,000 appropriated in 2024 for conceptual engineering (link). Decoteau highlighted the need to replace a frequently patched water line along Snow’s Mountain Road. Resident Dan Bancroft questioned the redundancy of additional funding, referencing prior approvals, while Lisa from Snow’s Mountain Road expressed satisfaction with her septic system, hinting at the sewer discussion in Article 9 (link). The article passed by secret ballot with Select Board support.

Article 9: Sewer Line Engineering Consideration

Article 9 asked whether the town should pursue engineering for a sewer line extension along Snow’s Mountain Road, prompted by the area’s lack of sewer access (link). Decoteau explained that conceptual plans exist, but final design costs necessitated voter input. The discussion tied into Article 8, with residents like Bancroft questioning overlapping approvals. The article’s outcome was not detailed in the transcript but was voted on concurrently with Articles 7 and 8 via secret ballot.

Osceola Road Acceptance (Article 28)

Article 28 proposed accepting an extension of Osceola Road from the High Country Condominium Association as a town road, with no financial appropriation required (link). Alan Slobodnik, representing the association, emphasized fairness, noting that 35 taxpayers, including six full-time residents, have funded $250,000-$300,000 in upgrades to meet town specs over five years. John Fisher added a lighthearted note about free lemonade offered to the community (link). Jen Smith inquired about criteria distinguishing this from other condo-owned roads, to which Decoteau cited the road’s width and continuity with existing town standards. The article passed overwhelmingly by secret ballot, 89-10.

Non-Discrimination Policy Debate (Article 30)

Article 30, a petitioned warrant article, proposed adopting a non-discrimination policy prohibiting harassment based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and other protected traits (link). Kimberly Rosson, the petitioner, framed it as a celebration of Waterville Valley’s welcoming nature, citing events like Special Olympics and veteran honors. Morgan Dean reinforced this, citing Pew Research and Deloitte data showing that 60% of Millennials and Gen Z decline jobs or vacations in places lacking such policies, emphasizing future economic benefits (link).

Opposition was robust, with one resident labeling the policy “superfluous, divisive, and impractical,” arguing that existing town personnel policies and state/federal laws (e.g., Title VII) already cover these protections, rendering it redundant (link). They suggested it forces public stances on personal beliefs, risking division, and proposed an amendment to affirm compliance with existing laws instead. The board clarified that the town lacks authority to enforce civil rights beyond its employees, with complaints escalating to the state Attorney General (link). The amendment failed by hand vote, and the original article passed 58-37 by secret ballot.

Dumpster Enclosure Ordinance (Article 29)

Article 29 proposed amending Ordinance 21 to remove the requirement for doors on dumpster enclosures, reducing them from four to three sides (link). Decoteau cited operational challenges in winter and requests from condo associations. Charles Hastings opposed it for aesthetic reasons, lamenting visible trash piles, while Pat Kacharski questioned bear access (link). Kayleigh Cannon echoed concerns about short-term rental misuse, and Chris Barron confirmed associations could still opt for doors. The article failed by hand vote, maintaining the current four-sided requirement.

Emergency Notification System Update

Decoteau updated residents on the transition to the Genesis emergency notification system, urging sign-ups by April 1 via a QR code, despite minor ad-related glitches (link). The free system will provide geo-located alerts for weather, road closures, and other emergencies.

Closing

With no further business under Article 32, the meeting adjourned after confirming the passage of Articles 28 and 30 (link). The session highlighted Waterville Valley’s balancing act between infrastructure investment and community values, with significant voter engagement shaping the town’s direction for 2025.

For the full discussion, watch the embedded video below: