Waterville Valley Select Board Approves Meeting Minutes, Schedules Ordinance Reviews, and Advances Town Manager Recruitment

The Waterville Valley Select Board held a special meeting on September 24, 2025, addressing several administrative and operational matters. Key discussions included the approval of prior meeting minutes with amendments, planning for ordinance and regulation reviews, preparations for a joint meeting with the school board, updates on the town manager recruitment process, and various department reports. The board also reviewed correspondence related to infrastructure and landscaping issues.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

The board reviewed and approved minutes from multiple prior meetings, including those dated July 23, August 6, August 19, August 20, September 3, September 9, and September 11, 2025, with various amendments for accuracy, such as correcting identifications, grammatical errors, and clarifying discussions. These changes ensured the records properly reflected the proceedings, including non-public sessions and specific topics like public hearings and department reports. (link)

Ordinance and Regulation Review Scheduling

The board discussed scheduling reviews of town ordinances and regulations, aiming to complete them by the end of the year. Department heads, particularly from public safety and public works, were tasked with preparing proposed changes. A focus was placed on updates to the road use event ordinance and water restrictions, with potential warrant articles requiring public hearings. Meetings were tentatively set for October 8 and October 22, starting early if needed, to accommodate detailed discussions. (link)

Joint Select Board and School Board Agenda Review

Preparations were made for a joint meeting with the school board scheduled for September 25, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. The agenda included routine items and a new discussion on meeting technology. The board confirmed they were comfortable with the proposed topics. (link)

Town Manager Recruitment Process Update

The board reviewed the latest draft of the town manager job vacancy notice and approved it for posting on platforms such as the New Hampshire Municipal Association website, Indeed, and the town’s website. The process was moved to old business for ongoing updates, emphasizing broad outreach to attract qualified candidates. (link)

Department Updates

Various department heads provided updates:

• Police Department: Reported on community events, including a successful National Night Out and upcoming drug take-back day. Staffing adjustments and a new part-time officer were noted.
• Fire Department: Highlighted emergency responses, training, and equipment maintenance. Discussions included a new ambulance purchase and federal grant applications for gear.
• Recreation Department: Covered ongoing programs, facility improvements, and upcoming events like a Halloween party. Financial matters included a $3,000 donation for playground equipment and budget adjustments.
• Department of Public Works: Updated on road projects, including paving on Tripoli Road and West Branch Road, and preparations for winter operations. Infrastructure repairs, such as sidewalks and irrigation, were addressed. (link)

Planning Board Update

The planning board met with consultants to review zoning amendments required by state law changes and recommendations to strengthen local zoning. A board member resigned due to relocation, prompting the need to appoint a replacement from alternates. (link)

Correspondence and Infrastructure Concerns

The board addressed several pieces of correspondence:

• A request for cleanup in an area was acknowledged, with public works tasked to follow up.
• Concerns about a stone wall damaged during road work on Boulder Path Road were discussed. The board sought clarification on the extent of repairs needed, noting prior agreements with the contractor and emphasizing the town’s limited liability.
• A request from a condominium association to remove 12 dead shrubs affected by road salt on Green Peak Road was reviewed. The board agreed to cut them at ground level to avoid damaging underground irrigation, while clarifying that future landscaping in the right-of-way is not the town’s responsibility. A quote of $650 from a contractor was considered but not pursued.
• An offer of HR expertise for the town manager search process was noted and referred to the search committee for consideration. (link)

The meeting concluded with a non-public session on personnel and reputational matters. No major financial decisions beyond routine budget references were made, though grant pursuits and equipment purchases were highlighted as impacting future budgets.