All towns · grantham

Selectmen Meeting Minutes 12/22/2025

Document

APPROVED 
2025 December 22 Page 1 of 5 
 
Town of Grantham 
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 
December 22, 2025 
 
 
 
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 5:00 PM on Monday,       
December 22, 2025, by Chair Warren Kimball. The Board met in the Grantham Town Building, Jerry 
Whitney Memorial Conference Room, 300 Route 10 South, Grantham, NH.  
 
Present: Chair Warren Kimball; Selectman Peter Garland; Selectman Jeremy Walla (Remotely); 
Town Administrator Emily Owens; Police Chief John Parsons; Fire Chief Justing Hastings; 
Tom Shemanske; and Steve Bookless 
 
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
 
Selectman Garland made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of 12/10/2025; seconded by Chair 
Kimball. Roll Call vote for motion:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland - Yes; 
Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes.  Unanimously approved.  
 
 
CONSENT CALENDAR (public comment not accepted) 
 
1. Payroll  
2. Accounts Payable 
3. Appointment for Alternate for ZBA 
4. Building Permits: 
 
a: M/L 220-020-000; 201 Walker Road – Renovation 
 
   b: M/L 232-016-000; 857 Dunbar Hill Road – Add Garage Apartment   
5. Correspondence: 
a. Letter from Ted and Heddy Fantl 
b. UVLSRPC December 2025 E-Bulletin 
c.  Ausbon Sargent Monitor Report 
 
 
Town Administrator Emily Owens requested the removal of 4.a. for a separate vote. 
 
Selectman Walla made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended; seconded by 
Selectman Garland.  Roll Call vote for motion:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland 
- Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes.  Unanimously approved.  
 
Item 4.a.  The Owners of 201 Walker Road are relatives of Selectman Walla. Selectman Walla recused 
himself. A motion to approve the Building Permit in 4.a. was made by Selectman Garland; seconded 
by Chair Kimball. Roll Call vote for motion:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland 
- Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – (Abstain/Recused himself).  Approved by Majority Vote. 

APPROVED 
2025 December 22 Page 2 of 5 
Town Administrator Owens added the following Appointment to Office:  
 
 
Jacqueline A. Stout – Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment 
 
A motion to appoint Jacqueline A. Stout as an Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, 
was made by Selectman Walla; seconded by Selectman Garland. Roll Call vote for motion:  Chair 
Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland - Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes.  Unanimously 
approved.  
 
Owens explained that, at the last meeting, the Board appointed David Bruno to replace C. Peter James 
as a full member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Stout is replacing Bruno as an alternate member. 
She suggested they find one more alternate member.  
 
 
Owens informed the Board that Dr. Steven Bookless has agreed to be the Emergency Management 
Director for the Town. She stated that we are grateful and excited to have him on board.  
 
A motion to appoint Steven J. Bookless as Emergency Management Director for the Town, pending 
successful completion of the application process, was made by Selectman Walla; seconded by 
Selectman Garland. Roll Call vote for motion:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland 
- Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes.  Unanimously approved.  
 
 
OLD BUSINESS 
 
Class VI Highway Ordinance(s): No new information 
a. Rescind the 1997 and 2000 Ordinances to close Class VI Highways: 
b. Adopt Ordinance regulating weights on Town Highways 
 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
 
Fire-EMS Activity Report 11/23/2025 – 12/06/2025:  The report was reviewed.  
 
Police Department Report – November 2025: The report was reviewed. 
 
Police Chief John Parsons informed the Board that the lifter in the Tahoe blew up last week. It was 
towed to Key Chevrolet in Newport. He had already made arrangements for Car 4, which is the 
Charger, to go to Adamsons to start the process of removing the equipment. He said he checked on 
the Tahoe on Friday and was told that it will be ready by Monday. So, he took the Charger to 
Massachusetts on Monday and called Key Chevrolet when he got back. He was told that, when the 
lifter blew up, it also blew up the cam shaft, which someone neglected to tell him. Now, they think it 
will be ready on Wednesday. The Police Department is now down to two cruisers. Selectman Garland 
asked him the status of the new Tahoe. Chief Parsons said that, as soon as the charger is stripped out, 
MacMulkin Chevrolet will drive that Tahoe over to Adamsons and take possession of the Charger 
and it will be good to go. All of the parts are there or should be there within a week or two, so 
hopefully, by mid-January or end of January, he will have the new Tahoe.  

APPROVED 
2025 December 22 Page 3 of 5 
Chief Parsons also informed that his other Charger will not heat. The coolant tank was cracked and 
split. Mike Willis ordered a new one and when it arrived, it was cracked. He was able to find another 
one, so that car is back up and running. He stated that they have replaced the coolant tanks in both 
Chargers. It’s been a continuation of what happens in one, happens in the other and there may come 
a point where that Charger won’t last until 2027.  
 
Town Administrator: Town Administrator Owens explained that a new bill was adopted by the State 
in July regarding veteran’s tax credits. It amends RSA 72:35 I-a. Prior to this bill, a veteran could 
apply for and be approved for both the regular veteran’s credit of $750 and the service connected 
permanent and total disability credit of $4,000. This bill changes that so the service connected 
permanent and total disability shall replace all veteran’s credits in its entirety and not be in addition 
to. Effective April 1, 2026, veterans will no longer be able to receive both credits. We do have some 
residents who are receiving both credits, and Owens thought the Town should send them a letter 
explaining that they will no longer receive both. The State did, however, raise the maximum amount 
of the service connected total disability credit from $4,000 to $5,000, if the Board would like to amend 
the amount at town meeting through a warrant article. Selectman Walla suggested raising it to $4,750. 
After discussion, the Board decided to raise it to $5,000. Owens said, if they do not raise the amount, 
they should send the letter. Selectman Garland thought they should send the letter anyway in case the 
warrant article does not pass. Selectman Walla asked how many residents receive both credits. Owens 
said not that many, but she is starting to receive applications. She also explained the different 
categories of the $750.00 credit. A motion to send a letter to veterans who are receiving both benefits 
that includes an explanation of the upcoming change in the law and notice of the warrant article 
proposing to change the amount of the service connected permanent and total disability credit from 
$4,000 to $5,000, was made by Selectman Garland; seconded by Selectman Walla. Roll Call vote for 
motion:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland - Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – 
Yes.  Unanimously approved. 
 
Owens reported that she has received several inquiries about advertising on the Town’s electric sign. 
After discussion, the Selectmen did not recommend deviating from our standard practice of using the 
sign for town business only, with a few specific exceptions.  
 
Owens told the Board she would like to start interviewing for the Administrative Assistant I position.  
 
Owens asked the Board about the two revaluation RFPs discussed at the previous meeting. She said, 
technically, they have ninety days from the date submitted, which was December 2, 2026, but it is a 
very aggressive field, and we want to make sure we are in line. The quote from Vision Government 
Solutions was $63,000.00 and the quote from MRI was just under $75,000. Owens said she reached 
out to them to ask if they would still be interested if the Town switched software and they said yes. 
A motion to accept the Proposal for Complete Statistical Revaluation of the Town of Grantham in the 
amount of $63,000 from Vision Government Solutions was made by Selectman Walla; seconded by 
Selectman Garland. Roll Call vote for motion:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland 
- Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes.  Unanimously approved. 
 
Granite Basic Rate Sheet:  Owens reported that in regard to Community Power, she has closely been 
following electric rates. Community Power sent the Town proposed rates for the period of 02/01/26 
– 07/31/2026 for different options. Owens said they will automatically enroll most of Grantham 

APPROVED 
2025 December 22 Page 4 of 5 
customers and you have to opt out if you don’t want it. Right now, Eversource rates are lower. 
Selectman Garland explained that the Town voted at Town meeting to accept Community Power and 
part of that initial agreement was that all customers, with some exceptions, would be enrolled and 
you would have to opt out if you didn’t want Community Power. You could opt in and opt out as the 
rates fluctuate and there might be a one or two month catch up depending on where you fall in the 
cycle, but you can already do that now. There was discussion about the town buildings and 
Community Power. Selectman Walla thought the Town received a discount. Selectman Garland said 
we will when they finish working on their installation project in Warner, but right now that is still a 
work in progress. Rates were discussed and Owens said she will review the contract.  
 
 
Trust Fund Consolidation Discussion:  Paul Peter Nicolai emailed suggestions regarding the closure 
of several trust funds to the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, and Tom Shemanske, Trustee 
of the Trust Funds. These are trust funds that have either gone unused for many years or that have 
such a specific purpose they will likely go unused for the foreseeable future. Tom Shemanske 
subsequently emailed the Selectmen with suggestions from the Trustees after it was discussed at their 
most recent meeting. He said the decision rests with the Selectboard, but he wanted to give them the 
Trustees take on the matter. There are five trust funds in question. The Board reviewed Shemanske’s 
email which summarized their suggestions in detail and the suggestions were reviewed with 
Shemanske. Selectman Garland asked to discuss TTF 598 with Police Chief Parsons since he is here. 
There was a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of closing that account and moving it to a 
budget line. The Trustees pushed the timeline for the changes to the 27-28 FY since we are rather far 
along with the 26-27 FY budget, but Shemanske thought they should make a decision and announce 
it. The Board will discuss this at their next budget work session on January 7, 2026. Owens asked the 
Board if they would like to tentatively schedule another work session prior to the regular meeting on 
January 14, 2026, in case they don’t get everything done. They agreed and scheduled the next work 
session on January 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM.  
 
 
CITIZEN COMMENTS 
 
There were no citizen comments.  
 
 
NON-PUBLIC 
 
Session 1:  In accordance with RSA 91-A:3 section II-d, a motion was made by Selectman Walla and 
seconded by Selectman Garland to enter into a Non-Public session at 6:14 PM.  Present: Chair Warren 
Kimball; Selectman Peter Garland; Selectman Jeremy Walla (remote); and Town Administrator 
Emily Owens 
 
Roll Call vote to enter non-public session:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland - 
Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes 
 
A motion was made by Selectman Garland to leave the Non-Public session and return to Public 
Session at 6:26 PM, seconded by Selectman Walla. Unanimously approved. 

APPROVED 
2025 December 22 Page 5 of 5 
A motion was made by Selectman Walla and seconded by Selectman Garland to seal this Non-Public 
session because it was determined that divulgence of this information likely would adversely affect 
the reputation of any person other than a member of this board. Unanimously approved. 
 
 
Session 2:  In accordance with RSA 91-A:3 section II-b, a motion was made by Selectman Garland 
and seconded by Selectman Walla to enter into a Non-Public session at 6:26 PM.  Present: Chair 
Warren Kimball; Selectman Peter Garland; Selectman Jeremy Walla (remote); and Town 
Administrator Emily Owens 
 
Roll Call vote to enter non-public session:  Chair Warren Kimball - Yes; Selectman Peter Garland - 
Yes; Selectman Jeremy Walla – Yes 
 
A motion was made by Selectman Garland to leave the Non-Public session and return to Public 
Session at 6:32 PM, seconded by Selectman Walla. Unanimously approved. 
 
A motion was made by Selectman Garland and seconded by Selectman Walla to seal this Non-Public 
session because it was determined that divulgence of this information likely would adversely affect 
the reputation of any person other than a member of this board. Unanimously approved. 
 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
There being no further business, Selectman Garland moved to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Walla; 
by unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 6:27 PM.  
 
The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 
2025, at 5:00 PM.  
  
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Ann Jasper 
Administrative Assistant III