Select Board Addresses Zoning, Capital, and Infrastructure Projects

calendar Feb 4, 2026 · 7 min read · Zoning Capital Projects Town Ordinances Public Safety Infrastructure

Waterville Valley, NH – The Waterville Valley Select Board convened on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, for its regular meeting, addressing a range of topics including the approval of a local event, a comprehensive review of proposed zoning and town ordinance amendments, updates on town manager recruitment, and discussions on capital account balances and departmental operations.

SkiJoring Event Approved with Recommendations

The Board approved the upcoming SkiJoring event, scheduled for February 15, noting it would follow the same format as the previous year. Key details included parking arrangements on Boulder Path Road, a single food vendor, and a beer garden. A Board Member raised concerns about insufficient restroom facilities at last year’s event, suggesting the organizers consider adding porta-potties to improve the guest experience (link). The Board voted to waive fees for the event, recognizing its non-profit nature and support for local racing (link).

Extensive Review of Zoning Ordinance Amendments

The Select Board reviewed 14 proposed zoning ordinance amendments, which will be presented to the town for a vote. The Board’s role is to decide whether to recommend, not recommend, or state no position on each article. Many amendments were described as “housekeeping” or clarifications to align with state law.

Key discussions included:

  • Amendment 2 (Conflict between Standards): Clarifies that the more stringent requirement will apply in cases of conflict. The Board recommended approval (link).
  • Amendment 3 (Revising Definitions): Focuses on removing outdated definitions and updating existing ones. A Board Member raised questions regarding the definition of “dwelling unit” and its potential impact on short-term rentals, leading to this amendment being tabled for further clarification from Town Counsel and the Planning Board’s contract planner (link).
  • Amendment 4 (Food Service Establishment): Redefines “restaurant” to “food service establishment” to align with state RSA, covering a broader range of food-serving operations. The Board recommended approval, with clarification that it refers to licensed establishments and does not preclude home-based food businesses (link).
  • Amendment 5 (Short-Term Rental Regulation): Introduces new language regarding short-term rentals, including a definition and clarifying operational standards. A Board Member expressed concern that the language, as written, could prohibit short-term rentals in attached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which was not the Planning Board’s intent. The Board voted 2-1 to recommend this amendment, emphasizing the need for clear explanations for voters (link).
  • Amendment 6 (Accessory Dwelling Units - ADUs): Incorporates new state law regarding ADUs. A Board Member questioned the definition of an “attached ADU” to include units within pre-existing detached structures, finding the language potentially confusing. This amendment was also tabled for clarification (link).
  • Amendment 8 (Parking Requirements): Reduces the required parking spaces for residential units to one, aligning with state law. The Board recommended approval (link).
  • Amendment 9 (Off-Site Parking Measurement): Clarifies that the 1,000-foot distance for off-site parking should be measured from a specific point of activity (e.g., ticketing booth) rather than the property edge. The Board recommended approval (link).
  • Amendment 11 (Temporary Signs): Extends the right to display temporary signs (e.g., for sale, under contract) to single-family homes, ensuring fairness across property types. The Board recommended approval (link).
  • Amendment 12 (Maintenance of Structures): Amends the landscaping and property maintenance section to include all structures, not just buildings, ensuring comprehensive maintenance standards. The Board recommended approval (link).
  • Amendment 13 (Zoning Map Change): Changes two lots from Special Civic to Village Commercial at the request of the White Mountain Athletic Club. The Board recommended approval (link).

Select Board Ordinance Amendments

The Board also reviewed several town ordinance amendments:

  • Bicycles: The ordinance regarding bicycles will be removed as state RSA adequately covers regulations, including potential future changes for e-bikes (link).
  • Animal Waste: A separate animal waste ordinance will be repealed, as its provisions are now included in a broader dog ordinance amendment, avoiding redundancy (link).
  • Road Use Events: Ordinance 18 will be amended to establish a “Special Event Permit” process, encompassing a wider range of large events impacting public ways, traffic, parking, and public safety, replacing the more specific “Road Use Event” language (link).
  • Fireworks: The fireworks ordinance will be amended to align with state statutes regarding enforcement, without changing current prohibitions or allowances (link).

Petitioned Article for Air Rights Negotiation

A petitioned article was submitted to allow the Select Board to negotiate air rights, specifically relevant to the proposed gondola project which crosses town roads. Town Counsel recommended using the petitioned article’s language to avoid confusion with a similar article the Board had considered sponsoring. This article will be presented to Town Meeting for a vote (link).

Tax Collector Position Change

The Board discussed a non-monetary article to separate the Tax Collector position from the Town Manager role. This change aims to improve efficiency and was prompted by recent experiences. The article will be moved forward to the warrant for Town Meeting discussion (link).

Snow’s Brook Remediation Project

The Conservation Commission presented a request for $41,000 to complete the Snow’s Brook remediation project, aimed at reducing siltation into Corcoran Pond. The project, which began several years ago, seeks to slow water velocity, prevent bank erosion, and reconnect the brook with its floodplain upstream from Valley Road. The consultant highlighted that the project, estimated at under $50,000, could significantly reduce the need for future dredging of Corcoran Pond, potentially saving the town substantial costs compared to the previously estimated $2 million for silt remediation within the pond itself (link).

The Board initially paused on supporting the warrant article due to ongoing discussions with engineers about the larger Corcoran Pond dredging project. However, after the presentation, the Board expressed support for moving forward with a warrant article, likely for an amount around $55,000 to cover potential cost increases and contingencies. The project is tentatively scheduled for work in 2027, allowing time for necessary permits and coordination with the U.S. Forest Service (link).

Town Manager Recruitment Update

The Town Manager recruiting special committee provided an update, noting that the job vacancy closed on January 23. Out of 11 potential candidates, five or six advanced through phone screenings. The recruiter is now determining which candidates to bring before the special committee for interviews. The position remains open for rolling applications (link).

Capital Account Balances Review

The Board reviewed prior year capital items and their existing balances. Following the auditor’s recommendation, the Board agreed to lapse balances from warrant articles approved more than one year ago into the town’s surplus, unless explicitly designated as non-lapsing. This approach aims to improve transparency and financial management. The remaining balance for the Snow’s Brook project, for example, will lapse, and a new warrant article will be proposed for the updated amount (link).

Town Municipal Positions

Several elected positions currently lack candidates for the upcoming election, including two Supervisor of the Checklist positions, one Trustee of the Trust Fund, and the School Secretary/Treasurer. The Board will reach out to incumbents and relevant committees to encourage write-in candidates and explore options for attracting more applicants, potentially by reducing the term length for the Supervisor of the Checklist position from six to three years, if approved by Town Meeting (link).

Department Head Updates

  • DPW: The Director of Public Works reported issues with the sidewalk sander, which is experiencing frequent hydraulic hose failures, impacting sidewalk clearing efforts. The department is exploring alternative solutions and options. Concerns were also raised about pedestrian safety on roads without sidewalks, particularly on Noon Peak Road, and the challenges of maintaining clear multi-use paths in winter conditions (link). The trash truck driver will have reduced availability due to a family medical issue, which may affect trash collection schedules, especially during vacation weeks. Residents are encouraged to use the transfer station if curbside pickup is delayed (link).
  • Fire/Rescue: The Chief reported that the new ambulance’s suspension issues have been resolved, improving ride comfort and handling. The department is preparing for upcoming events, including vacation weeks and the Special Olympics in early March, which will feature an open house and activities for athletes (link).
  • Wastewater Treatment: The Director of Wastewater Treatment noted ongoing operations and the upcoming installation of custom-made pump seals for two storage pumps, which have been on order for six months. This repair is expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce water waste (link).

Upcoming Meetings

The Board has several important meetings scheduled, including the annual budget and bond hearing on February 10, a public hearing on the wastewater treatment project on February 11, and its next regular meeting on February 18.