Note: The audio quality of the source recording was poor. Some portions of the meeting may be missing or inaccurate as a result.
WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH – The Waterville Valley Select Board convened on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for a regular meeting, addressing a range of town matters including infrastructure projects, property tax abatements, and significant staffing changes.
Privilege of the Floor
A resident raised concerns about a previously reported rock wall issue, stating that a contractor had replaced the rocks but the wall had since fallen again. The Board indicated that town staff would follow up on the matter (link).
Later in the meeting, a member of the WVAIA requested permission to clear fallen trees blocking [inaudible] trails on town-owned land. The Board granted permission, noting that the WVAIA carries liability insurance covering trail maintenance work in the valley (link).
Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from the March 4 and March 18 meetings with several amendments. For the March 4 minutes, corrections included clarifying that a Community Power Committee (CPC) member had been incorrectly listed as a resident, specifying an underground conduit project by name in a sentence about road work on Snow’s Mountain Road and Boulder Path Road, and adding language to the “Theater Under the Stars” discussion to clarify that the organizer expressed interest in returning both this year and in future years and committed to working with DPW to minimize field damage at Packard’s Field. For the March 18 minutes, changes were made to correctly identify a Rey Center representative rather than listing him as a resident, to break up a run-on sentence about dam recommendations, to clarify that there is no legal agreement in place regarding maintenance and repair of the pond, and to make a minor grammatical correction to a statement about the sludge pump (link).
Department Head Updates
Public Safety
The Director of Public Safety reported on the post-season transition, including the start of hose testing and ongoing arrangements for delivery of a new fire engine expected after July 1. The Veterans Memorial Committee is meeting in hybrid format and has drawn significant community interest, with a goal of having a memorial in place by next spring. Initial planning meetings for National Night Out have taken place; the event is funded entirely through sponsorships, which have been strong. On the Adventure Zone permitting, the second revision has been reviewed and the town’s attorney has requested one additional change related to a timeline provision. Once that change is received in writing, the contractor will be authorized to begin site work. Erosion control measures are being put in place ahead of anticipated rainfall (link).
Department of Public Works
The DPW Director provided updates on several operational items:
- Trash Truck: The truck experienced an airbrake failure early Monday morning but was repaired and back in service by mid-afternoon.
- Street Sweeping and Brush Pickup: Street sweeping is scheduled for the week of May 18 in coordination with the community cleanup. Brush pickup will begin Friday, May 8 at 11 a.m., starting at Tripoli Road and Valley Road and working through town. The Board directed staff to post brush pickup requirements — including the four-foot length and four-inch diameter limits — on the town’s official website and at the post office, which were identified as the two primary public communication channels. Concerns were raised about residents placing landscaping debris rather than natural brush, and staff was asked to review whether the program’s rules address this distinction.
- Dam Repairs: Repairs to the dam were set to begin Thursday, with the goal of having the pond refilled by May 14. Plastic sheeting will be used to keep the concrete sealant dry during its five-to-seven-day curing period.
- Pond Survey: With the pond currently drained, the Board discussed the possibility of an engineering survey of the pond bed. Town staff is first working to obtain previously paid-for survey and lidar data before considering new expenditures. The Board also suggested capturing drone footage and photographs of the exposed pond bottom to document silt accumulation for future dredging planning. The property line of the pond is defined by an elevation contour at 1,476 feet.
- Conservation Commission Silt Mitigation Project: The Conservation Commission’s upstream silt mitigation project, which missed its spring application window, is now targeted for a fall submission. Town staff reached out to the project lead to schedule a meeting and ensure the project remains on track, given that funds have already been approved.
- Roads and Signs: Patching is underway. New road signs for West Branch Road and Greeley Hill Road have been retrieved from storage and are ready for installation. Catch basin work will be coordinated with the street sweeping schedule. The golf club has been confirmed as responsible for a specific catch basin on the Two Stone area, with DPW monitoring.
Municipal Services
The Director of Municipal Services flagged aging sewer infrastructure as a growing concern. Most sewer manholes in town are approximately 50 years old, and staff is conducting a spring inventory to identify those in poor condition. An incident in which a paving contractor dumped excess asphalt material into manholes on a private condominium road — causing brickwork collapse — has been resolved. Staff noted that the current capital expenditure budget of $25,000 for manhole repairs is insufficient given the scope of need.
Regarding wastewater operations, the facility is now operating under the interim ammonia limits established by the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the EPA, and is currently meeting those limits. Information on inflow and infiltration (I&I) into the sewer system has been shared with the engineering firm, which has mapped the system into quadrants and identified high-infiltration areas based on geographical features — particularly proximity to water bodies. Reducing I&I is a key factor in the town’s ability to right-size the proposed new wastewater treatment facility (link).
Recreation
The Recreation Director reported that building renovations are complete. The annual community cleanup is scheduled for Friday, May 8, with participants gathering at the Recreation Department at 11 a.m. to receive supplies and group assignments; refreshments afterward will be sponsored by local businesses, including the Valley Inn and a local real estate firm. Facility rentals are strong, with 17 bookings for the month. School programming includes a bike maintenance speaker series on May 15 featuring a local bike shop from Campton, and a wilderness first aid class on May 16–17. Playground wood chips are expected to be delivered and spread in May or early June. Summer camps are currently 87% full, with the increase attributed in part to a neighboring town no longer offering its own camps. The Director also welcomed the new Town Manager to the team (link).
Administrative Services
The Administrative Services Director announced that first-period tax bills will be mailed in the coming days, with the newly appointed Tax Collector working diligently on the effort. The new Town Manager, who officially started on May 1, was welcomed to the team. The Director highlighted the Town Manager’s background in building and code enforcement and planning board support, and expressed enthusiasm about working alongside him. The Town Manager expressed appreciation for the competence and dedication of town staff, singling out the interim Town Manager’s contribution during the transition period. A public meet-and-greet with the new Town Manager is being planned and is expected to be announced at or before the next board meeting. A brief profile of the new Town Manager has been published in the current issue of the Wig Wag, with a more in-depth interview planned for the June issue (link).
New Business
2025 Property Tax Abatements
The Board addressed three property tax matters:
A request to waive $21.78 in interest charges arising from a check that was lost in the mail was approved (link).
An abatement request from [inaudible] was denied for the 2025 tax year because it was not filed within the required deadline. The property owner may file a new abatement for the 2026 tax year. The assessed value in dispute was approximately $941,000, with the applicant contending a value closer to $791,000 based on comparable sales (link).
An abatement for a property at 19 Snow’s Mountain Road was approved. The town’s assessing firm concurred with the owner that the lot is unbuildable due to a stream and pond running through the property, and reduced its assessed value accordingly. The Board acknowledged that this issue had been discussed informally with previous town officials for some time. Staff will work with the owner on unresolved questions regarding past-due taxes and the possibility of merging the lot with an adjoining parcel (link).
Tax Collector Appointment
The Board formally approved on the record the appointment of Kristyn Fischev as the Town of Waterville Valley’s Tax Collector, effective April 1, 2026. The Board also approved the appointment of a town hall staff member who also handles duties at the post office as Deputy Tax Collector, effective May 6, 2026. The Deputy Tax Collector appointment provides internal backup capacity and will allow for training on tax collection procedures. Compensation for the deputy role will be determined separately (link).
ZBA Reorganization
The Board discussed the reorganization of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The current chair, Jean Mullen, has requested to step down from the chairship and has suggested another individual as her replacement. The Board clarified that while the ZBA elects its own chair, the Select Board must formally appoint members. The Board noted that the proposed replacement must submit a written request, and his residency must be verified before the Board can act. The appointment is expected to be made at the next meeting, with the appointee serving the remainder of Jean Mullen’s term through 2027. The Board also discussed whether there is capacity for Jean Mullen to serve as an alternate, depending on how many members and alternates the town originally authorized for the ZBA (link).
Conservation Commission Membership Review
The Board raised concerns about the composition of the Conservation Commission, which currently appears to list six full members — one more than the allowable five or seven (which must be an odd number). The Board emphasized the importance of proper membership counts and staggered terms for all boards, particularly for land-use and quasi-judicial bodies, to ensure that any decisions they make are not legally vulnerable. Staff was asked to verify the current roster and correct any discrepancies (link).
Municipal Clerk Week Proclamation
The Board recognized Municipal Clerk Week, May 3–7, and acknowledged the efforts of both the elected Town Clerk, Terry Waite, and the Associate Town Clerk, Kristyn Fischev. The Administrative Services Director highlighted the breadth of responsibilities carried by the Associate Town Clerk, including election and voter services, vital and municipal records, warrants and legal notices, oaths for elected and appointed officials, motor vehicle agent duties, front counter support, board administration, website administration, assessor support, and — most recently — Tax Collector. The Board noted that Waterville Valley’s arrangement is unusual because the Town Clerk must be a resident, and employing a professional associate clerk is necessary to meet the demands of the position (link).
Old Business
Wastewater Treatment Facility Project
The Board received an engineering update on the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) project. The ongoing process redesign — which incorporates revised flow and load data — is expected to produce a quality-control draft by May 29. Separately, the engineering firm has internally evaluated the option of conducting a receiving water study, but concluded that such a study would likely not result in less stringent permit limits from the EPA; at best, it would protect the town from limits becoming more strict. The firm noted that the study should have been initiated years ago. A potential cost saving of approximately $500,000 is associated with not pursuing that study at full cost. The final design remains on track for submission to the EPA by the June 30 deadline outlined in the AOC.
The Board discussed how and when to communicate the project’s progress — and potential cost reductions — to the broader community. A public informational hearing sometime in the fall was suggested as an appropriate venue, once the quality-control redesign has been reviewed by town staff and the Select Board and value engineering recommendations (expected around the 60% design milestone in fall 2026) are incorporated. The Board expressed that many millions of dollars in cost reductions compared to earlier estimates are anticipated, and that keeping residents informed is a priority given the significant community concern about the project’s cost (link).
The Board also acknowledged the resignation of the Director of Municipal Services, who has served the town for approximately eight years and whose last day will be the following week. The Board expressed deep gratitude for his work, crediting him in particular with identifying problems with the original engineering team and helping to put the WWTF project on a more positive trajectory. Staff is working to finalize a part-time consultative arrangement so that his expertise remains available during the transition. A recruitment firm will be contracted to find a replacement. A separate project manager has already been hired to oversee the WWTF project going forward.
A meeting has been scheduled with the NH DES Clean Water State Revolving Fund (Clean Water SRF) division to receive a funding update and to make clerical updates recognizing the new Town Manager’s authority within the program (link).
Municipal Solid Waste
The Board noted a recent article in the Wig Wag regarding municipal solid waste options. The Municipal Solid Waste Committee is expected to bring forward recommendations, but state-level uncertainty around landfill policy continues to complicate local planning. The Board noted that the town’s situation is a small piece of a much larger statewide solid waste problem, and that the goal is to avoid being caught by the worst outcomes of that uncertainty (link).
Boulder Path Road Reconstruction
The DPW Director updated the Board on the Boulder Path Road reconstruction project. The contractor has been meeting with affected businesses and leaving informational packets for those not available. Equipment mobilization into town is expected by the end of the week. The Board stressed the importance of proactive communication — directing that the project notice letter be posted prominently on the town website and at the post office, and that affected residential properties on the western side of Boulder Path Road (approximately four properties) receive direct written notice. The Board emphasized that even when a lane is open, businesses and facilities such as the Adventure Center, the tennis center, and the Waterville Valley Academy should be encouraged to use the alternate route to minimize congestion and contractor safety concerns. Emergency access plans are in place in coordination with the contractor (link).
Regarding Snow’s Mountain Road, discussions with the engineering firm are ongoing. The DPW Director has requested detailed specifications on a proposed “jellyfish” sediment retention system before signing off on the design. A preliminary cost figure has been received but not yet reviewed in the context of the available project budget. The Board noted that delays in the engineering design are largely attributable to the engineering firm and that any additional costs resulting from those delays should be scrutinized accordingly. Work on Snow’s Mountain Road is tentatively expected to begin in August.
Other road projects, including Cascade Ridge and Lost Pass, are still being coordinated with engineers. A utility-related issue on West Branch Road has been identified and is on the town’s action plan.
Finances
The 2025 audit is well underway following a one-day auditor site visit the previous Thursday. Three auditors attended, enabling them to work through the required material efficiently. Staff expects to finalize the town’s portion of the audit documentation by the end of the month, with the auditors’ financial statements to follow within two to four weeks.
The bond bank application for approximately $4.5 million in additional debt issuance is under legal review by bond counsel. Road projects will be bonded at a 15-year term; the fire truck and existing wastewater treatment facility borrowing will be spread over 20 years. The town currently has approximately $10 million in remaining bond capacity, excluding sewer-related debt (link).
Calendar Review
A Community Power information meeting is scheduled for the following evening, May 6, at 5 p.m. at Town Hall. The meeting will be live-streamed but not recorded. The Planning Board’s next meeting is May 14 at 8:30 a.m. (link).
Correspondence
Nine residents have submitted their names for consideration for the new Financial Advisory Committee. The new Town Manager will determine the committee’s composition, charge, and number of resident members, with a first meeting tentatively planned for June (link).
Regarding the Fourth of July fireworks, the Board confirmed that a commitment from the Waterville Valley Foundation to fund its $17,000 share of the cost must be in hand by the May 20 Select Board meeting. The cancellation fee escalates from $2,000 to approximately $5,000 within 30 days of the event, and the Board indicated it needs a firm commitment — not simply a promise to cut a check later — before that deadline.
The meeting concluded with the Board moving into non-public session to discuss personnel and legal matters.