Waterville Valley Selectboard Meeting Summary - April 2, 2025
The Waterville Valley Selectboard convened for a regular meeting on April 2, 2025, to address various town matters. The meeting covered infrastructure repairs, budget approvals, a non-discrimination advisory vote, and concerns about AI-generated news reports.
Road Repaving Projects Approved
A significant portion of the meeting focused on road repaving projects for West Branch Road, Packard’s Road, and River Road. The Selectboard reviewed bids from three companies, ultimately approving GMI’s low bid of $213,714.70 (link).
The board noted that GMI’s price per ton was significantly lower than competitors, though concerns were raised about discrepancies in flagger hours and the exclusion of expansion joint and guardrail repairs in the bid. These issues will be clarified with GMI before work begins, with a schedule expected within a week to inform residents of road closures (link).
Tripoli Road repairs were deferred pending FEMA decisions, ensuring no immediate action until federal funding is confirmed.
Non-Discrimination Advisory Vote Discussion
The board addressed a town meeting-approved advisory vote on non-discrimination, prompted by three pieces of correspondence urging its prominent placement on the town website (link). Proponents argued it reflects community values and could attract younger workers, citing studies on Millennial and Gen Z preferences. However, a pending state budget amendment, which passed the House and may prohibit towns from implementing such policies, introduced uncertainty. The board debated tabling the issue but opted to act, noting the town’s existing personnel policy and website disclaimer already align with the vote. They agreed to enhance visibility by adding “non-discrimination” to the disclaimer link, avoiding legal risks as no current state law prohibits it (link).
Infrastructure Updates
The meeting touched on smaller infrastructure concerns. A malfunctioning solar streetlight, costing $8,000 with an irreplaceable battery, prompted discussion on replacement options (link). Additionally, a wooden guardrail requires replacement, with plans to coordinate with scheduled guardrail work on West Branch Road (link).
AI-Generated News Concerns
The Selectboard expressed unease about an AI-generated news article in the WigWag and a related podcast covering town meetings (link). While acknowledging free speech, they noted inaccuracies—such as misattributing Selectboard actions to the Planning Board and conflating unrelated projects—could mislead residents. The article’s official appearance without a disclaimer raised concerns about public confusion. The board plans to request the WigWag include a statement clarifying that such content is not an official town report, urging residents to verify information with Town Hall (link).
Other Business
The board approved the March 25, 2025, minutes and deferred three others for further review, citing excessive detail in AI-generated drafts (link). They also discussed practical challenges with an irrigation water fee policy, opting to explore options like separate meters for future consideration (link). A veterans memorial plan, initially targeted for Memorial Day, was added to the strategic work plan, aiming for completion by November 11, 2025 (link).
The meeting concluded with a financial update confirming budget adoption processes and a calendar review, scheduling the next meeting for April 16, 2025.