Chichester meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Chichester Selectmen Tackle Budget, IT, and Roadwork in Recent Agendas

The Chichester Board of Selectmen met three times in the past two weeks, addressing routine business and discussing upcoming projects including the town budget, IT services, and road paving. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings, so the items below reflect agenda topics rather than confirmed decisions.

Budget and IT Services

At the August 11 meeting, the board discussed the Budget Committee kickoff scheduled for September 1st. The agenda also included the selection of Reboot IT as the new managed service provider for IT support, and an update on payroll software onboarding. A non-public session was scheduled for personnel matters under RSA 91-A:3, II(a).

Old Home Day and Cemetery Work

The same August 11 agenda included updates on Old Home Day, which was set for August 15 at Carpenter Park, and scheduled cemetery tree work for September 15–17.

No Agenda on August 15

The August 15 meeting had no published agenda. The only listed item was "No Agenda," directing residents to review minutes for any prior actions. No decisions or discussions are available from that session.

Bids for Paving, Sand, and Equipment

On August 18, the board reviewed bids for a hot water heater, road paving, and road sand. The agenda also included officially closing the road paving bidding process, a discussion on moving the Heritage Commission, and updates on payroll software and IT support services. A non-public session was again scheduled for personnel matters.

Upcoming Meetings

No meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the town's official channels for future agendas and minutes.

Chichester Planning Board approves home occupation at 38 Hilliard Rd

The Chichester Planning Board voted 6-0 on August 6 to approve a home occupation application for 38 Hilliard Rd, submitted by Larysa and Chris Eisener. The board also approved the application as complete and found it to have no regional impact, each by the same 6-0 vote. This was the only substantive land-use decision recorded in the past two weeks.

Planning Board

The Planning Board met August 6 and, in addition to the home occupation approval, approved the July 9, 2026 meeting minutes (6-0) and approved Seth O'Donnell as a voting member for the meeting (5-0). The board also discussed two conceptual subdivision inquiries but took no action on them. The meeting adjourned with a 6-0 vote.

Cemetery Trustees

The Chichester Cemetery Trustees met August 3 and reviewed the previously awarded tree removal contract with Accurate Tree Service, confirming work dates of September 15-17, 2026. They sold two lots in Leavitt Cemetery and ordered cornerstones from NH Monuments. The trustees agreed to draft a "Guidelines for Green Burial" policy for future discussion, with Brenda Boswak tasked to create the draft. They also tasked Brenda to contact the Select Board about Wreaths Across America Day 2026 and to contact Ararat Forge about Kaime Cemetery gates. No formal votes were recorded at this meeting.

Selectmen's Office

The Board of Selectmen held two meetings in the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published for either. The August 4 agenda included scheduling a Budget Committee kickoff, Old Home Day updates, payroll software status, IT support transition management, and tree work at the town cemetery. The August 11 agenda repeated several of these items, including the Budget Committee kickoff scheduled for September 1, Old Home Day preparations (event on August 15 at Carpenter Park), payroll software onboarding, and the selection of Reboot IT as the new managed service provider. Both agendas included a non-public session for personnel matters under RSA 91-A:3, II(a).

A third Selectmen's meeting was listed for August 15, but no agenda was published. The only item listed was "No Agenda," directing residents to review minutes for any prior actions.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should check the town website or contact the Selectmen's Office for future meeting schedules.

Select Board approves $798,714.96 in payroll and payables

The Chichester Select Board approved a payroll and payables manifest totaling $798,714.96 at its July 28 meeting, along with several equipment and training purchases. The board also established new protocols for escrow account management and vendor account access controls.

Select Board actions

The board voted 3-0 to approve the payroll and payables manifest of $798,714.96. It also approved, by the same unanimous vote, $599.95 for QuickBooks training and $69.99 for a 100-inch projector screen. A $325 purchase of a credit card terminal was approved without a recorded vote tally.

Other business

The board decided to open escrow accounts for all applications to maintain procedure. It also restricted access to the Car Parts of Epsom account to Chief Robertson, Chief Wright, and Joe McDaniels. Additionally, the board agreed to close road work bidding within 30 days if a third bid is not received.

On the agenda

The Select Board met again on Aug. 4, but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included scheduling a Budget Committee kickoff, updates on Old Home Day, payroll software status, and IT support services transition management. Tree work at the town cemetery was scheduled for Sept. 15-17.

The Planning Board met on Aug. 6, also without published minutes. The agenda included a public hearing on a home occupation application for 38 Hilliard Road (Map 9 Lot 3-1). Phyllis Brown sought guidance on the subdivision process for 42 Cross Road (Map 4 Lot 155), and Jason and Courtney Peacock asked about subdividing or building a second dwelling at 107 Short Falls Road (Map 1 Lot 5A). The board also reviewed its bylaws and subdivision regulations for updates and discussed member appointment expiration dates.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Chichester Select Board approves $73,980.97 in payroll and bills, confirms elimination of Town Administrator position

The Chichester Select Board approved $73,980.97 in accounts payable and payroll and confirmed the elimination of the Town Administrator position at its July 7 meeting, according to official minutes.

Select Board — July 7

The board approved the Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest totaling $73,980.97 by a 2-0 vote.

Two property tax abatements were also approved, both on 2-0 votes:

• MAP 4, Lot 156, Sub 120 — $382
• MAP 4, Lot 156, Sub 16 — $145

The board approved an interest abatement caused by a tax bill misdelivery, also on a 2-0 vote.

Members set the Old Home Day sign messaging to read "Chichester Old Home Day – August 15."

The board confirmed the elimination of the Town Administrator position.

Cemetery Trustees — July 6

The Cemetery Trustees scheduled a July 14 meeting with the selectmen to review remaining bids and select a contractor for the cemetery tree-removal project.

Fred Shaw will process a trust amendment submitted by Martha Dodge-Wilkerson with the Trust Funds and the state of New Hampshire.

The trustees revised the Payment Request to the Trustees of the Trust Funds for clarity.

They agreed to hold a display on Old Home Day on August 15, 2026.

Planning Board — July 9 (agenda only; minutes not yet published)

The Planning Board agenda included a public hearing for a site review application by Jon Rokeh on behalf of Luke Stevens for property at 3 King Rd (Map 3, Lot 24).

Conceptual discussions were listed for:

• A subdivision and building sale at 146 Dover Rd by Kearsarge Telephone Company
• Potential affordable housing on inherited lots Map 3, Lot 37 and Map 3, Lot 40A by Alan W. LaFleur Jr.
• A home occupation daycare at 38 Hilliard (Map 9, Lot 3-1) by Chris Eisner

The board was also scheduled to review its bylaws and updates to subdivision and site review regulations.

Selectmen's Office — July 14 (agenda only; minutes not yet published)

The selectmen's agenda for July 14 listed the closure of cemetery tree bidding and contractor selection, the item the Cemetery Trustees had referred to this meeting.

Additional agenda items included IT support services, an energy supply review, a pest mitigation plan for town buildings, a neighborhood energy contract, department updates, budget line consolidations, and payroll software integration.

Because minutes for the July 9 Planning Board and July 14 Selectmen's meetings have not yet been published, outcomes for those items are not yet available.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Chichester Select Board lifts spending freeze, approves $580,680 in accounts payable

Select Board lifts spending freeze, approves CD strategy

The Chichester Select Board approved $580,680.11 in accounts payable by unanimous vote at its June 30 meeting, the largest single spending item of the past two weeks. The board also reached consensus to lift the town spending freeze, citing an improved cash position, though no formal vote was taken on that decision.

The board agreed to proceed with a certificate of deposit (CD) investment strategy known as Scenario 4, intended to secure upcoming school payments while earning interest. That decision was reached by consensus rather than a formal vote.

Boiler, propane, and equipment purchases approved

Several smaller purchases were approved unanimously:

• A boiler purchase of $14,586.28, funded from the Office Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.
• A propane contract with Dead River at $1.79 per gallon for 2 to 3 years.
• A Verifone T650C card reader at approximately $300.
• A $125 porta-potty rental from Best Septic for Old Home Day.

IT contract renewal rejected

The board rejected the renewal timeline for the Block 5 IT contract, finding the notice inadequate. Members instead directed staff to seek a month-to-month extension and pursue competitive bids.

Board of Adjustment schedules King Road variance hearing

The Board of Adjustment has scheduled a public hearing on a setback variance application filed by Jon Rokeh on behalf of Luke Stevens for property at 3 King Road (Map 3 Lot 28). The board may vote on the request after the hearing. Minutes from the July 1 meeting have not yet been published.

Select Board discusses payroll software and budget consolidation

On July 7, the Select Board was scheduled to review ongoing business including final numbers for payroll software adoption and potential budget line consolidations. Items listed for discussion included consolidating budget lines for Unitil, Casella, Residential Remedies, and TDS. The board had previously passed a motion to adopt new payroll software. The agenda also included closure of the Cemetery Tree Bidding. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published.

Planning Board sets hearing for 3 King Road site review

The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for a site review application by Jon Rokeh on behalf of Luke Stevens for property at 3 King Road (Map 3 Lot 24). The board also planned conceptual discussions on several proposals:

• A subdivision and building sale at 146 Dover Road by Kearsarge Telephone Company.
• Potential affordable housing on inherited lots Map 3 Lot 37 and Map 3 Lot 40A by Alan W. LaFleur Jr.
• A home occupation daycare at 38 Hilliard (Map 9 Lot 3-1) by Chris Eisner.

The board also planned to review its bylaws and updates to subdivision and site review regulations. Minutes from the July 9 meeting have not yet been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the town website for scheduling updates.

Chichester selectmen lift spending freeze, approve over $580,000 in payments

Chichester’s Select Board lifted a town-wide spending freeze and agreed to a new certificate of deposit investment strategy last week, moves that officials said were enabled by an improved cash position. The board also approved a slate of expenditures, including more than $580,000 in accounts payable, a boiler purchase, a propane contract and items for Old Home Day.

Financial management

At their June 30 meeting, board members reached consensus on a CD strategy—Scenario 4—that aims to safeguard payments owed to the school district while earning interest. The exact terms of the investment were not detailed in the minutes. The board also agreed to end the spending freeze that had been in place because of earlier cash-flow concerns. Both actions were taken without formal votes.

The same evening, members unanimously approved accounts payable manifest of $580,680.11. They also unanimously authorized $14,586.28 from the Office Equipment Capital Reserve Fund to replace a boiler, and signed a two-to-three-year propane supply contract with Dead River at $1.79 per gallon.

Two weeks earlier, on June 23, the board approved a corrected accounts payable manifest of $171,818.77 by a 3-0 vote. The correction was needed because a school payment had been included in error.

Purchasing rules

A new debit card purchasing policy, SOP 003, was adopted 3-0 on June 23. The policy sets daily spending caps of $1,000 for department heads and $5,000 for board office transactions. The board also approved the purchase of one Verifone T650C card reader for about $300 on June 30.

Old Home Day planning

Preparations for Old Home Day continued. The board on June 30 approved $125 for a portable toilet rental from Best Septic and briefly discussed an alcohol policy, which was deferred to a committee meeting. Earlier, on June 23, members had discussed a pig roast and tent rental. No final alcohol rules were adopted. The board also said it would consult the police chief on staffing needs for the event.

Roads and infrastructure

Selectmen on June 23 agreed to review quotes for roadwork on Carpenter and Swiggey Brook roads, with some members noting ongoing cash-flow considerations. Additionally, the town received an eminent domain notice from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and will notify affected property owners.

IT contract rejection

On June 30, the board rejected the timeline for a contract renewal with Block 5 IT, saying the notice provided was insufficient. Officials plan to negotiate a month-to-month extension and solicit competitive bids for the service.

Zoning matter

The Board of Adjustment held a public hearing July 1 on a setback variance request for 3 King Road (Map 3 Lot 28). The application was submitted by Jon Rokeh on behalf of owner Luke Stevens. No minutes from that meeting were available as of July 5, so the outcome was unknown.

Coming up

No town government meetings were posted for the next two weeks as of July 5.