Waterville Valley, NH – The Waterville Valley Select Board convened on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, for a regular meeting covering a wide range of town operations, including ongoing budget finalization, infrastructure challenges, and updates on public services. The Board also addressed several administrative matters and future planning initiatives.
Operating Budget Finalization
The Board continued its intensive review of the operating budget, working toward a $7 million target required for submission to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). Discussions focused on identifying further reductions to close a remaining gap of approximately $24,000–$25,000, with department heads tasked to propose additional cuts and report back to the Interim Town Manager.
A member of the public expressed concern about the proposed elimination of the library budget line, emphasizing its volunteer-run nature, its modest cost to the town, and the need for basic building maintenance. The Board clarified that building maintenance is funded through a separate account and is not part of the line item under discussion (link).
A member of the public also questioned the transparency of the Rey Center’s budget, requesting a more detailed breakdown of how town funds are utilized — particularly given that other town-wide services face cuts. The Board acknowledged this as a recurring concern and confirmed that the Rey Center had been approved for $30,000 in annual town funding, a commitment made over three years ago when the organization had drawn down most of its reserves. The Board noted that the Rey Center operates in a town-owned building and that approximately $50,000 sits in a separate capital reserve account to fund maintenance of that building. Despite these funding relationships, the Board acknowledged it had not received sufficiently detailed operating budgets or forward-looking financial projections from the Rey Center, and agreed that a comprehensive budget breakdown must be a condition of future funding (link).
Another member of the public suggested that the Rey Center’s funding line could be set at a reduced level now, with the possibility of augmenting it later in the year using unexpected revenues — without exceeding the $7 million budget ceiling. The Board acknowledged this concept but cautioned that any additional spending later in the year would require offsetting reductions elsewhere, as the town’s auditors require strict adherence to the approved budget total.
Concerns were also raised about the limitations of relying on unconfirmed future revenues to balance the budget. The Board emphasized the need for a legitimate budget that aligns with current financial realities and satisfies both auditor requirements and the DRA submission deadline of March 30th (link).
A representative of the Waterville Valley Athletic and Improvement Association (WVAIA) addressed the Board, requesting that its annual funding be reduced to assist with the budget. The Board confirmed that the WVAIA allocation had already been reduced to zero as part of the effort to reach the $7 million target (link).
The Board expressed appreciation for the extensive volunteer effort that has gone into the budget process and reiterated its intent to establish a Financial Advisory Committee — envisioned as approximately three residents working alongside the incoming Town Manager and a Select Board member on ongoing financial oversight throughout the year (link).
A special Select Board meeting was scheduled for Monday, March 23rd at 6 p.m. to finalize the budget and conduct a vote, ensuring the submission meets the March 30th DRA deadline. The Board indicated it expects the remaining $24,000–$25,000 gap to be closed before that meeting, with department heads submitting suggested reductions to the Interim Town Manager in advance (link).
Trash Collection and Transfer Station
A member of the public raised concerns about the efficiency of trash collection, noting that emptying a single dumpster can take up to 45 minutes during peak season compared to approximately 20–30 minutes during off-peak periods. The resident asked whether the Board had explored front-loader, single-operator trash trucks as a potential cost-saving alternative. A new front-loader truck would cost approximately $250,000–$300,000, though used options were noted to be available for around $60,000. The Board confirmed that such options had not been recently evaluated, as the current roll-off dumpster system was adopted 15 to 18 years ago, and noted that switching systems would require replacing all existing dumpsters (link).
The Municipal Solid Waste Working Group has been investigating larger-scale changes to the town’s waste management system, particularly in light of the Bethlehem landfill’s anticipated closure in April 2027. The Board discussed potential infrastructure upgrades at the transfer station — including a pole barn, electrical service for a compactor, and a ramp to facilitate easier disposal — acknowledging that these improvements would involve significant expense, could affect staffing levels, and would likely require a special Town Meeting to authorize. A public hearing process would also be needed. The topic is scheduled for further discussion at the Board’s next regular meeting in April (link).
Dam Maintenance and Water Levels
The Director of Public Works reported that flashboards on the left side of the dam activated on Monday due to high water volume and pressure, causing damage. Efforts to pull blocks in preparation for the elevated water levels were unsuccessful due to a combination of water pressure and frozen conditions. Prior to the storm, the pond was sitting approximately one block above summer level — higher than the level recommended by the town’s dam bureau consultant. A communication breakdown was identified as a contributing factor: the town had not been informed that snowmaking operations had ended, and the water level had not been drawn down to the recommended winter setting (link).
Repair costs will be covered by an existing dam repair budget line. A member of the public argued that if the resort requests water levels higher than those recommended by the town’s dam consultant, the resort should bear liability for any resulting damages. The Board acknowledged the absence of a legal agreement defining maintenance and repair responsibilities — a gap traced to an easement dating back to when Waterville Valley operated as a company town, under which the resort is permitted to draw unlimited water from the pond. Negotiations with the resort regarding the easement and water usage are ongoing, and the Board committed to reviewing the dam incident as a separate agenda item to address liability, communication protocols, and the town’s obligation to follow its consultant’s recommendations (link).
Road Posting and Shuttle Bus Operations
The Director of Public Works informed the Board that official six-ton weight limit signs had been posted on various town roads. A concern was raised regarding the resort’s shuttle bus — known as the Schuss Bus — operating on posted roads where it is likely overweight for the restriction. The Board noted that this issue has not historically been enforced, often because road postings coincide with the end of the ski season. However, in early-thaw years when the resort remains operational, the overlap becomes a real compliance question. Roads not currently under posting include the stretch from Route 49 to Boulder Path Road, Packard’s Road, and Boulder Path Road to West Branch Road; Snow’s Mountain Road and a number of subsidiary roads are posted. The Board acknowledged that the Schuss Bus makes stops along multiple posted routes and agreed that a meeting with the resort must be scheduled to address shuttle operations on restricted roads, the number and location of stops, and the broader implications of the town’s reduced financial contribution to the shuttle service (link).
The Director of Public Works also reported the unauthorized movement of bus stop signs, despite previous Board directives requiring Select Board approval through code enforcement before any changes are made. The Board instructed that signs be returned to their previously agreed-upon locations and that a formal meeting with the resort establish a clear process for any future changes (link).
Recreation Department Updates
The Director of Recreation reported a significant increase in summer camp registrations compared to the same point the prior year. The department is also managing large facility rentals for upcoming conferences, which will utilize the field, gymnasium, and beach areas (link).
Updated program fees were presented, including standard increases across most programs. A notable structural change is the discontinuation of general memberships — which had been available to non-residents since 2015 — in favor of a simplified guest fee and taxpayer fee model. Pickleball memberships will be retained given their revenue success, having generated approximately $7,000–$8,000 in the prior year. A new fee structure for pickleball will also apply to town residents and taxpayers for the first time, offering either a $100 annual membership or a $5 drop-in fee. Previously, residents participated at no charge. The Director anticipates this change will generate community feedback (link).
Compared to the same point last year, recreation revenues are approximately $25,000 higher. A fuller analysis of the new fee structure’s impact is expected in the fall during the annual revenue estimation process. The Board voted unanimously to accept the updated Recreation Department program fees for 2026 (link).
Public Safety Updates
The Director of Public Safety presented administrative updates, including the signing of recently adopted town ordinances and the ongoing revision of the town ordinance manual for posting on the town website (link).
Revised short-term rental regulations were also presented, reflecting changes made following Town Meeting. The Board voted to increase the short-term rental registration fee from $50 to $150 per tax parcel, bringing it in line with comparable communities. The prior fee had been $20, raised to $50 only recently; the Board determined that $150 better reflects the fees charged by other municipalities.
On the training front, staff will be completing annual firearms qualifications at the Campton range, EMS recertifications, and SCBA mask fit testing required under NFPA standards. The Director highlighted a recent incident in which staff simultaneously managed a domestic violence arrest and a cardiac arrest call at the ski area — successfully saving a life — underscoring the critical importance of adequate staffing levels (link). The Board discussed ways to better communicate the scope of public safety operations to the broader community, with the Wig Wag newsletter and social media identified as potential channels.
The department also participated in a statewide DWI enforcement initiative coordinated by the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police on St. Patrick’s Day. Waterville Valley was one of 63 departments to participate. The department’s officer made nine stops with no DWI arrests (link).
Wastewater Treatment Facility Project
The Director of Municipal Utilities provided an update on the new wastewater treatment facility. Legal work remains ongoing to ensure that no decisions are made that could jeopardize the town’s ability to reach an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the EPA. A meeting with the EPA is scheduled for March 25th to work through the final outstanding items needed to finalize the AOC (link).
Engineering firm Black & Veatch is proceeding with value engineering to evaluate a reduced-capacity design based on lower flow and load figures, with a preliminary report expected within approximately one month and a fuller basis-of-design revision expected within three to four months. Concurrently, the firm is advancing final design work on components not dependent on revised flow and load figures in order to avoid schedule slippage. The Director noted that the existing facility’s two sludge pumps — the only ones in the plant — are likely to require full replacement rather than repair, due to wear sustained during an extended parts fabrication delay. The cost of replacement will be drawn from the existing $5 million bond authorization for interim facility repairs, and the Interim Town Manager and Director of Municipal Utilities will need to assess how much of that authorization remains available for additional planned work, including potential lagoon work this year.
On the funding front, the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) representative contacted the town the day after Town Meeting to confirm the $75.2 million bond authorization had passed, and indicated the state would advocate on the town’s behalf in Washington, D.C. in early April — the first time the town has received such a commitment from the state. A media outlet also reached out for a recorded interview, which the town intends to pursue once the AOC is finalized. The Board is also seeking a definitive legal opinion on the town’s responsibility for the sewer line leading to the ski resort — a question the legal team has been asked to prioritize once the AOC process concludes (link).
Town Manager Recruitment
The final round of Town Manager interviews is scheduled for March 19th, with three candidates meeting individually with the Select Board over the course of the day. The Board expressed appreciation for the work of the search committee and its partner, Rethink Local, in identifying strong candidates. The goal is to extend an offer by the end of the week, with discussions ongoing regarding a potential signing bonus or relocation assistance (link).
Planning Board Appointments
The Board unanimously approved the reappointments of Kathy Brennan and John Recine as full members of the Planning Board, each for three-year terms. A new alternate member, Anna Sandler, was also appointed to fill the open slot previously held by Nancy Knight, also for a three-year term (link).
Sign Permit Application
The Board reviewed a sign permit application for a temporary construction sign at 16 Lost Pass Road. The sign, measuring 48 by 30 inches, is one square foot over the nine-square-foot limit for temporary signs under the town ordinance. Because the application was filed after a recent zoning change that allows permanent signs for single-family homes, the Board treated the permit as a permanent sign — which removes the standard two-week time limit — with the sign to remain through the completion of construction. The Board approved the application, noting the sign’s aesthetic quality and its location in a low-traffic area. The construction company was noted to have been apologetic for posting the sign without first obtaining a permit (link).
Calendar Review
Upcoming meetings include a non-public special Select Board meeting on March 19th for Town Manager interviews, a special Select Board meeting on March 23rd at 6 p.m. to finalize and vote on the operating budget, the next regular Select Board meeting on April 1st at 3 p.m., and a Planning Board meeting on April 9th at 8:30 a.m. (link).