Waterville Valley Select Board Addresses Infrastructure Maintenance, Ordinance Updates, and Community Concerns
The Waterville Valley Select Board held its regular meeting on October 8, 2025, covering a range of topics including public concerns, ordinance reviews, departmental updates, and financial decisions impacting town operations.
Public Input on Local Issues
During the privilege of the floor segment, residents raised several community matters. Discussions included the need for cleaning culverts on Lost Pass Road to prevent blockages from debris, silt, and weeds before potential rainstorms (link). A request was made to extend funding for the sediment mitigation plan on Snows Brook, with approximately $41,000 remaining from a 2022 authorization. The board considered reauthorization at the next town meeting due to auditor guidelines limiting fund extensions beyond two years (link).
Responsibility for refilling dog waste bag dispensers was officially transferred to the public works department, with suggestions to number the stations for easier reporting of empty ones (link). Cemetery regulations were queried, including eligibility for burials and potential expansions for green and natural burials, which are permitted under state law. The board agreed to review state statutes and consider environmentally friendly options (link).
Recruitment for a new member of the MSW group was discussed, with a potential candidate under consideration (link). Concerns about ongoing drought conditions, classified as extreme, prompted talks on water restrictions and fire safety preparations, including emergency evacuation plans and go-bag suggestions (link). An upcoming Indigenous Peoples’ Day chalk art project for children was announced for Columbus Day on October 13 (link).
Ordinance Reviews and Updates
The board reviewed several Department of Public Safety ordinances. The bicycle ordinance was deemed redundant with state laws and recommended for repeal as a housekeeping measure (link). A proposed consolidated dog ordinance would incorporate state statutes on issues like running at large, nuisances, vicious dogs, and waste, while repealing the separate dog waste ordinance. Concerns were raised about potential amendments during town meeting that could introduce unintended changes, such as leash laws (link).
Updates to the off-premise solicitation ordinance were suggested to align with the current permitting process, particularly for food trucks (link). The board agreed to further review these changes to avoid substantive alterations requiring town meeting approval.
Departmental and Infrastructure Updates
Public works updates included ongoing projects like culvert cleaning as part of fall maintenance. The website redesign was discussed, with plans to integrate it into the budget process for completion next year (link).
Fire department reports covered training, equipment maintenance, and facility improvements, including quotes for gutters to prevent ice buildup and parking lot deterioration (link). A proposal for a memorial park in honor of Mark Decoteau was mentioned, with plans to form a committee and seek town meeting funding (link).
Discussions on easements with the Golden Eagle Lodge focused on clarifying shared parking and paving responsibilities, with the town to initiate proposals through legal review (link). Transfer station hours were flagged for potential simplification to improve public accessibility (link).
A free traffic calming study offered by the North Country Council was considered to address speeding issues, with no cost to the town (link).
Financial and Budget Matters
Tree removal costs drew attention, with a $5,500 quote including $4,500 for one large tree on Boulder Path Road. The board expressed concerns over the expense and decided to hold off on the high-cost item, suggesting it be incorporated as a specific line item in future budgets (link). Broader landscaping needs were recommended for analysis during the upcoming budget season.
The board also discussed engaging an engineer for ongoing projects like Boulder Path Road and Snow’s Mountain Road, building on prior work (link). No repairs were budgeted for Packard’s Field this year due to seasonal constraints (link).
Correspondence and Future Plans
Correspondence included notifications about a cell tower in Madison, with no action recommended due to minimal visual impact (link). Concerns from residents about planning board actions and the wastewater treatment facility were acknowledged, with plans for a public hearing on the facility once engineering reports are complete (link).
The meeting adjourned into non-public session for legal matters (link).
The next regular Select Board meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2025.