The Waterville Valley Select Board convened on July 1, 2026, for a regular meeting covering a range of town operations, infrastructure projects, and committee appointments. Key discussions included water quality reports, progress on major construction, and the composition of the new Budget Advisory Committee.
Water Quality Updates
The Board received positive results from recent water quality testing at Corcoran Pond. E. coli levels came in at 12.1 and 26.9 per 100 milliliters — well below the thresholds that would trigger a beach advisory. A single reading at or above 158 per 100 milliliters, or two consecutive readings at or above 88 per 100 milliliters, would prompt an advisory. (link)
The annual Consumer Confidence Report for drinking water quality was mailed to residents this week and is also posted on the town website. No indicators of concern were identified. Beginning next year, the town will no longer be required to mail the full report; instead, a notification with a link or brief summary will be included with water bills. (link)
PFAS sampling results from 2025, forwarded by the Director of Municipal Utilities, showed levels in both treated effluent and raw influent well below state thresholds. The sampling was conducted by the same laboratory used for routine monthly wastewater testing, and the Board noted that state standards are generally more restrictive than federal ones. (link)
Financial Matters and Grants
The town received its annual Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) from the federal government for National Forest Service land within town boundaries, totaling approximately $124,120 — an increase of roughly $4,000 over the prior year. (link) A state highway block grant of $7,342 was also recorded as a standard revenue line item. (link)
Recreation Department Activities
The Recreation Director reported that summer programs are off to a strong start, with camp enrollment up 15 days in week one and five days in week two compared to prior periods. The biggest operational adjustment has been the resort trolley’s discontinuation of Monday–Friday service; recreation staff have adapted camp schedules accordingly. (link)
July 4th festivities are planned for Saturday, July 4th, including a parade at 11:00 a.m., a carnival featuring a pizza truck, brass quintet, face painting, and other activities, and an evening reading of the Declaration of Independence. Separately, the resort will hold its own fireworks display at the arbor on the Fourth, using commercially available fireworks that do not require town road closures. The town’s fireworks show is scheduled for Sunday, July 5th, with DPW staff on hand for preliminary cleanup that evening and a full cleanup crew on Monday morning.
The Recreation Director also noted that marketing support for town programs has changed following shifts in resort-wide promotional efforts, and staff are working to find new ways to publicize activities. The Freedom Pass program continues; May reimbursement has been received and June numbers will be submitted shortly. Physical passes are being honored. (link)
Building and Code Enforcement
The Building Inspector reported a busy period with numerous construction and renovation applications, as well as site visits. The “Theater Under the Stars” tent was taken down after sustaining damage during a recent wind event. Its reinstallation will require structural certification and town approval before it can go back up. (link)
A sign permit application was also brought before the Board for a sign adjacent to the ice cream shop at the corner of Boulder Path Road and Valley Road. The Board found the sign itself acceptable — noting it is not unreasonable in size or appearance — but raised concerns about whether proper process was followed, specifically whether Dig Safe requirements were met prior to installation. The matter was deferred to the Town Manager to review the process and confirm compliance before final approval is granted. The sign may remain in place in the interim. (link)
Town Operations and Records Management
The Assistant Town Manager updated the Board on a two-day document review in town hall’s attic storage, which revealed a significant volume of historical records dating back to the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. While documents with expired retention periods were identified for removal, the effort highlighted the need for a longer-term digitization strategy. The attic is currently at capacity, with moisture and fire load concerns noted. (link)
The Board discussed several potential approaches to address the situation, including budgeting for digitization in the coming year, using staff or students for scanning work, and potentially storing physical records off-site at a climate-controlled facility in the interim. Board members emphasized the importance of preserving historical town documents — including annual town reports dating back decades — and suggested the historical society might be interested in some materials. The digitization effort was identified as a budget item for next year, with the understanding that it does not need to be completed all at once.
The Board also noted that the fire load in the attic, while reduced over the years, remains a concern, and that the town is currently in a non-conforming but accepted state. The long-term solution was agreed to be digitization and off-site storage.
A water leak on a private way was addressed quickly in partnership with a local contractor, and the town is working with the property manager to determine whether the homeowners association or the town is responsible for repair costs. The Town Manager will review applicable rules and regulations upon returning from vacation. Recruitment for wastewater treatment plant operator and leadership positions is ongoing, with phone screens and reference checks in progress; formal interviews are paused pending the Town Manager’s return. (link)
Wastewater Treatment Plant Project
The Board received an update on the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) project. The Assistant Town Manager summarized a June 16th meeting with project engineers Black & Veatch, noting that the town has fulfilled one of its action items by providing safety data sheets for sodium hydroxide used in the treatment process. A second item — providing toxicity characteristics of sludge samples taken several years ago — remains open and is due to the engineers by the end of the week. This data will help determine how sludge can be dredged and disposed of. (link)
The Board is tracking toward a public information session in September — approximately six months from Town Meeting — to present residents with updated cost estimates and projected tax rate impacts under the revised plan. The financial advisory firm PFM will be re-engaged to update the costing profiles once Black & Veatch completes their revised engineering work. The Board discussed the importance of presenting multiple funding scenarios, noting that an earlier recommendation to begin setting aside funds this year was not acted upon — a factor that will need to be addressed in upcoming budget discussions.
The Board also requested that a concise summary document of the WWTP project be assembled for use in outreach to potential funding partners. A Board member noted that the Merrimack Valley Watershed Council was contacted and expressed interest in the Mad River as an important tributary, though no specific assistance was offered. A summary sheet from an earlier public information session was identified as a starting point, to be updated once engineering revisions are complete. (link)
Boulder Path Road and Landfill Projects
The town’s project consultant provided an update on the Boulder Path Road reconstruction. Work has proceeded more slowly than expected due to unforeseen utility conflicts and the greater-than-anticipated depth of drainage structures. Nearly all catch basins on the east side of the road are now in place, and work on the west side has begun. The contractor expects to resume work the week of July 7th and remains confident they can catch up to the base course asphalt schedule. (link)
Two of the five planned sediment catch basins were eliminated where physical conditions — specifically the presence of a 12-inch water line — made installation unsafe or impractical. The project engineers concurred with this decision, which has been documented and will be reflected in the as-built plans. The Board was assured there is no regulatory risk associated with this change, given that the affected catch basins drain directly across the road to adjoining basins in a closed system. The savings from omitting those two deeper basins is estimated at approximately $25,000.
The consultant also flagged concerns about the northern terminus of the project, which does not account for a future extension of Boulder Path Road or for pedestrian accessibility where a curb currently crosses an existing walkway near the academy. Options including a roughly 65-foot extension are being developed, with cost estimates expected the following week. A meeting between the town, the contractor, and the engineering firm is scheduled for July 7th to discuss these issues. The Board expressed ongoing concern about the consistency of design decisions by the engineering firm.
Separately, test holes to determine the footprint of the town’s former landfill are scheduled to begin the week of July 7th, with monitoring wells to follow. The Board requested a comprehensive briefing from the project engineer on the state’s requirements and projected timelines, to inform future town meeting funding decisions. (link)
Budget Advisory Committee Appointment
The Board discussed a resident’s written request to reconsider the recent appointment of a non-resident to the newly formed Budget Advisory Committee. The Board unanimously affirmed its decision. Members noted that non-resident property owners represent a substantial portion of the town’s tax base — estimated at roughly 75–80% of taxable properties — while having limited formal avenues to participate in town governance. The appointed non-resident was recognized for a long record of community engagement and a current leadership role in a local property owners’ association, which the Board viewed as providing valuable perspective to the committee’s work.
The Board also noted that the resident who submitted the email had withdrawn her own application from consideration, and clarified that Budget Advisory Committee meetings are open to all, including residents who wish to attend and participate. The Board indicated it was satisfied with the composition of the committee and would not be reopening the selection process. (link)
Board Concerns and Directives
The Board discussed the prospect of establishing a formal written policy governing the composition and appointment process for Select Board-appointed committees, to ensure consistency for current and future boards. The Town Manager had previously provided relevant guidance from the New Hampshire Municipal Association on this topic. (link)
A Board member raised concern about the deteriorating condition of the town’s trash truck, noting visible rust damage. The Board directed staff to bring this to the Town Manager’s attention and assess what minor repairs are needed to keep the vehicle serviceable. The truck may remain in use for up to two years depending on the outcome of the ongoing transfer station Request for Information (RFI) process, and responses to that RFI are due July 20th. The Board noted that if the town transitions to front-load dumpsters through a private hauler, the truck may no longer be compatible with that system. (link)
The Board also requested a meeting with resort management to discuss summer shuttle and trolley operations — including current stops, routes, and winter plans — and to clarify whether the resort anticipates the town resuming a financial contribution to shuttle service in the upcoming budget cycle. Staff were asked to place this item on an upcoming agenda. (link)
Finally, a Board member noted that a pedestrian crossing sign on Tripoli Road appeared to have been moved from its correct position, likely by a construction vehicle. Staff were asked to confirm whether it was moved by town crews and to ensure that such signs are checked as part of regular patrols. (link)
Next Meeting
The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for July 15th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a joint discussion with the Municipal Solid Waste Committee on transfer station operations and funding, followed by the regular meeting at 3:00 p.m. Key agenda items will include how to best fund the transfer station going forward, including a discussion of quarterly assessments versus general taxation. (link)