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Town Council Meeting 3rd Wednesday - July 15, 2026

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Town Council Regular Session 
July 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM 
Town Council Chambers 
 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
7/15/2026 
 
MINUTES 
1. 
6:00 PM Non-Public Session Pursuant to RSA 91-A:3,II (a),(c) - Personnel  
 
  
The Councilors came out of non-public session at 6:40 PM. 
2. 
Pledge of Allegiance 
 
  
Chair Ward convened the meeting at 7:00 PM. 
 
Councilor LaMattina led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
3. 
Roll Call 
 
  
Newmarket Town Song written and sung by David Ripley. Mr. Ripley sang the 
Newmarket song he had written while playing his guitar. 
 
Present: Council Chair Brian Ward, Council Vice-chair Joe LaMattina, Councilor Scott 
Blackstone, Councilor Katanna Conley, Councilor Sonke Dornblut, Councilor Justin 
Glazebrook. 
Excused: Councilor Stella McShera 
Staff Present: Town Manager Stephen Fournier, Environmental Services Director 
Sean Greig, Director of Planning & Community Development, Bart McDonough, 
Recording Secretary Wendy Chase. 
4. 
Public Forum 
 
  
Chair Ward opened the Public Forum at 7:08 PM. 
 
Chair Ward closed the Public Forum at 7:09 PM without public comment. 
5. 
Town Council to Consider Acceptance of Minutes 
 
  
 
  
a. 
June 17, 2026 Non-public Meeting Minutes 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve the June 
17, 2026 Non-public Meeting Minutes.  
Second: 
Councilor Dornblut 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0) 
  
b. 
June 17, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve the June 
17, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes as written.  
Second: 
Councilor Dornblut 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
6. 
Report of the Town Manager 
 
  
 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
7/15/2026 
 
  
a. 
TM Report July 15, 2026 
 
  
  
• Creighton Street Boundary Adjustment: 
o The town is adjusting the boundary at 11 Creighton Street to 
expand Schanda Park, retaining a small lot for sale to help recover 
acquisition costs. The remaining lot will be nonconforming and 
requires ZBA relief and Planning Board review. 
• Coastal Resiliency Grant Award: 
o The town received a Coastal Resilience Grant for the Schanda 
Park Redevelopment Strategy: $41,657 in federal funds and 
$10,000 from the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. The 
project will run for about 18 months starting January 2027, pending 
contract finalization and compliance with federal and state 
requirements. 
2. Community Events 
• Annual Backyard Bash: 
o Scheduled for August 7, 2026, at the Rec fields (rain date: August 
10). Expected attendance: 3,000–5,000. Activities include music, 
beer garden, touch-a-truck, water balloon toss, and fireworks at 
9:15 p.m. 
 
Town Manager Fournier presented a preliminary unaudited expense and 
revenues report.  
 
Town Manager Fourmier reminded the Councilors that there is a joint Town 
Council/School Board meeting scheduled on August 12, 2026, in the Auditorium. 
 
Councilor LaMattina commended Environmental Services Director Sean Greig, 
Town Engineer Lyndsay Butler and Director of Planning & Community 
Development Director Bart McDonough for their efforts in receiving the Coastal 
Resiliency Grant Award. $41,657 in federal funds and $10,000 in non-federal 
funds.  
  
  
b. 
June 2026 Department Reports 
 
  
  
 
7. 
Committee Reports 
 
  
Councilor Glazebrook reported on the July 14th Planning Board Meeting: 
 
The Board reviewed the 14 Elm Street design review. The meeting was well attended 
by residents and neighbors of 14 Elm. They voiced concerns with parking, width 
density, traffic and visibility. The Applicant received non-binding feedback from the 
Board.  
 
The Master Plan finalization was continued to the next meeting on August 11th. If there 
are no major changes by then; the Board will finalize the Master Plan.  
 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
7/15/2026 
 
Councilor Blackstone reported on the July 9th Conservation Commission Meeting: 
 
The Commission discussed restoring Lubberland Creek Marsh on Bay Road. The sea 
level keeps rising, and high tide brings in a lot of water which doesn't drain out during 
low tide. The Commission is considering getting rid of trenches to help draw the water 
out. 
 
Councilor LaMattina reported on Community Power:  
 
The new rates will come out August 1st and good until January 2027. Anyone who has 
Community power can opt out at any time for free by calling 1-800-603-7697 and 
providing their account number. The Energy & Environment Committee will have 
representatives from another vendor at their July 22nd meeting to make a 
presentation.  
 
Chair Ward reported on Newmarket300 Committee Meeting: 
 
They are looking for volunteers for the 300th Celebration. They collected $4,700 from 
the Hometown Hero banners. There will be commemorative beer for the 300th birthday 
from Deciduous Brewery at the Backyard Bash at the beer tent this year. There will be 
an event on September 16th for the Elm Street Mural that is being repaired. The 
images will not be repainted on the concrete but rather, they will be put on metal plates 
and installed directly onto the concrete.  
 
Councilor Dornblut reported on the June 24th COAST meeting and the July 8th Public 
Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting:  
 
COAST: The rates for the Newmarket/Exeter Connector will increase from $3.00 per 
ride to $4.00. They secured a significant grant to contribute to the facility upgrades. 
 
PTAC: There was a presentation from contractors about the wayfinding signs. The 
Committee finalized their recommendations to the Council for Parking Management. 
He suggested the Council meet in a Work Session to discuss the Management report. 
8. 
Old Business 
 
  
 
9. 
Resolutions/Ordinances in the 2nd Reading 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Resolution #2025/2026-51 - Master Plan Contract Amendment 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve 
Resolution #2025/2026-51 - Master Plan Contract 
Amendment  
Second: 
Councilor Dornblut 
Discussion: 
Planning & Community Development Director McDonough 
explained that they needed additional funds from the 
Capital Reserve Fund to finish the Master Plan and finalize 
the new website. He encouraged everyone to visit the new 
website.  
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
7/15/2026 
 
10. 
Resolutions/Ordinances in the 1st Reading 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Resolution #2026/2027-01 - Investment Policy 
 
  
  
Councilor LaMattina read Resolution #2026/2027-01 in title only. 
  
b. 
Resolution # 2026/2027 - 02   Lead Water Service Line Replacement II 
 
Town Manager requests suspension of the Rules. 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor Dornblut made a motion to suspend the rules 
and take action on Resolution # 2026/2027 - 02   Lead 
Water Service Line Replacement II.  
Second: 
Councilor LaMattina 
Discussion: 
Town Manager Fournier explained that the crew is already 
working on the project, and it would be costly to remove 
them from the job and wait until August 19th for a second 
reading and approval of the resolution.   
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
 
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve 
Resolution # 2026/2027 - 02   Lead Water Service Line 
Replacement II 
Second: 
Councilor Conley 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
  
c. 
Resolution #2026/2027-03 - Legal review CPCNH Agreement 
 
  
  
 Councilor LaMattina read Resolution #2026/2027-03 into the record. 
Motion: 
Councilor Blackstone made a motion to suspend the rules 
and take action on  Resolution #2026/2027-03 - Legal 
review Community Power Coalition New Hampshire 
(CPCNH) Agreement. 
Second: 
Councilor LaMattina 
Discussion: 
Councilor Blackstone explained his reasoning for the 
motion to suspend the rules. CPCNH customers are paying 
2 cents more per kWh than Eversource customers. There 
are cheaper options available to save Newmarket residents 
money. They shouldn't wait any longer to begin the legal 
review and end the relationship with Community Power.   
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
 
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve 
Resolution #2026/2027-03 - Legal review CPCNH 
Agreement  
Second: 
Councilor Dornblut 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
 
 
  
  
d. 
Ordinance No. 01-2026/2027 - Amending Chapt 2 Art III Establish Heritage 
Comm 
 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
7/15/2026 
 
  
  
Councilor LaMattina read Ordinance No. 01-2026/2027 into the record in title 
only.  
 
There will be public hearing at the second reading of Ordinance No. 01-
2026/2027 at the August 19th Council Meeting. 
11. 
New Business/Correspondence 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Correspondence to the Town Council 
 
  
  
There was no correspondence to the Council. 
  
b. 
Closing Comments by Town Councilors 
 
  
  
Town Manager Fournier commented that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 
country and the Northeast region increased by 4%.  
Councilor Dornblut said the paving improvements on Grant Road make for great 
cycling conditions. 
Mr. Ripley received appreciation for his musical contribution. 
Next Meeting: 
• August 12th with the School Board 
• Next regular meeting on August 19th 
  
c. 
Next Meeting 
 
  
  
 
  
i. 
August 19, 2026 
 
  
  
 
12. 
Adjournment 
 
  
Chair Ward adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM without objection. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Wendy V. Chase  
Recording Secretary