Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
The Grafton Selectmen passed several motions. Minutes from July 7, 15, and 8 were accepted. A letter will be sent to an individual verbally abusive at the Recycle Center. A building notification for Sargent Hill Rd was approved, and a public hearing for a new fire truck purchase ($399,000) is set for August 4. The Junkyard Ordinance public hearing ended with the Board agreeing to send the draft back to the lawyer for edits and hold another hearing. The Cemetery Commission appointed Jeff Cogswell as sexton. Sara Hogue will post letters of interest for the Crystal Lake watershed committee. A site visit regarding the Parsonage boundary will be scheduled with the surveyor. Ambulance contract negotiations with Canaan will continue. A tax agreement was announced during non-public session. Source: https://www.townofgraftonnh.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7476/f/minutes/7_21_26_minutes.pdf
Town of Grafton Board of Selectmen Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Members Present: Ed Grinley, Chair, Leif Hogue, Steve Darrow, Sara Hogue (Recorder) Others Present: Sam Faulkner, Daniel Lees, Linda Lees, John Ribeiro, Dave Rutkowski, Blake Wilder, Jake Abuhav, LeeWhay Pasek, Ryan Huff The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm Acceptance of Minutes Steve motioned to accept the July 7, 2026, and July 15, 2026 public minutes, and July 8, 2026 non- public minutes. Leif seconded the public minutes and abstained from the non-public due to his absence. Ed agreed. Motion passed. Ex-Officio Reports Steve reported that the Ambulance did not meet. The Cemetery met and appointed Jeff Cogswell as sexton. They also discussed organization. Ed reported the following: The Recreation Department met and has two new members. He thanked all who came to the Independence Day celebrations. Received a complaint from the Recycle Center about an individual who entered the dump on Sunday after closing and was verbally abusive to the staff. He brought in a lot of dog waste mixed with shavings. They have had a problem with this individual in the past. Steve motioned to send a letter. Leif seconded. Ed agreed. Motion passed. Road Agent Report Sam reported that the Highway has replaced culverts on Razor Hill and Wild Meadow. They will be working on Grafton Pond, then on Riddle Hill Rd. They are also chipping. Sam offered chips to anyone who wants them. He would like to create a spot at the dump to put the pile of chips for the public to use. Leif suggested near the burn pile. The 6-wheeler is back. They need to fix the calcium truck. Ed asked about the logs put in the burn pile. He let Sam know that they are too big. They can't be more than 6 inches round. Public Hearing - Junkyard Ordinance The Board reviewed the draft ordinance and didn’t see any issues. They moved to public comment. Daniel Lees commented that he liked that the RSAs were sited. He stated that the enforcement section was missing the final outcome, actual enforcement, and accountability. Leif stated that they can lien the property. Ed added that if they can’t afford the cleanup, there are resources to help. Daniel added that a fence could be another option. Linda Lees inquired if the lien was tied to the real estate taxes. Ed clarified that it is to the property. Steve added that the lien stays on the property until they sell. Steve also stated that they can charge a $50/day fine. John Ribeiro inquired if the lawyer has reviewed. Steve stated that the Lawyer wrote it. Dave Rutkowski stated that on page 4 it states visible from Town or State road and questioned if it could include private roads. Blake Wilder commented that the definition of junk is being changed from RSA and is broader. He stated section “c” should be scratched, and to stick with the State’s definition. Steve agreed it needs to go back to Matt. Blake stated that with the intent of the RSA, if it isn’t visible from the road, then someone shouldn’t be entering property to look for it. It is also limited to fines because you can’t go onto someone's property and remove the junk. Dave inquired if a remedy could be suggested as an alternative. Daniel inquired about the timeline. Ed stated they are given 30 days, but up to the board if extensions are granted. Blake stated that the lien is resolved at sale, and does not pass onto the future owner. Jake Abuhav inquired what the draft accomplishes that the current ordinance does not. Ed stated that the older one was harder to enforce. John Ribeiro inquired about a licensed junkyard. Ed stated that they come before the board. Steve added that they have to pay a state fee yearly and are inspected regularly LeeWhay Pasek inquired why the town needs an ordinance if the state already has one. Ed stated that the Town needs it to enforce. Ryan Huff inquired what gap a town ordinance would fill. He gave an example of the Kinsman issue that dragged on. He also questioned about having 2 unregistered cars, what the enforcement plan for the current issues was. He was worried that people would be targeted. Ed stated that the Town ordinance is what will help the town enforce. Jake inquired if the State is not going to come in and enforce the state ordinance, then would the town. Linda Lees inquired if the one putting in the complaint would be kept private or known to the offender. Ed stated that they will handle the complaint and work with the people to clean up. Blake Wilder stated that the complainant should be kept anonymous. LeeWhay inquired if the complaint would be subject to 91A. Ryan asked for clarification on how older complaints would be handled. Steve stated that they will take each complaint on its merits and address them as they come. Leif made a motion to adjourn. Steve wanted to give others a chance to talk. Lind Lees inquired how long it would take the edits to come back from the Lawyer. Steve did not know. He also stated that the Town does not want to target people. They want to work with them to resolve issues and do what is best for the town. He has heard some great suggestions that he would like to follow up on. Dave suggested that once the ordinance is in place, a notice to the public should go out. Ryan Huff inquired about his question about 2 vehicles. Steve stated that nothing would be done. Ed stated that the RSA allows for 2 unregistered vehicles. Andrew Cushing inquired about junkyard consultants for the town. Lee Whay inquired if another public hearing will be held for the revised draft. Steve agreed that there should be. Leif made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Steve seconded. Ed agreed. Motion passed. New Business Building notification – Sargent Hill Rd- Map 17 Lot 983 - Amendment- Steve motion to approve. Leif seconded. Ed agreed. Motion passed. Other Business Action items Junkyard Ordinance – Held public hearing, will bring back to lawyer for edits and hold another hearing. Parsonage/East Grafton Church continued discussion - Historical Society placed stakes where they would like the boundary to be. Andrew sent schematics of where he would like the boundary to be. Steve would like to set up a site visit to include Andrew, the Historical Society, and the surveyor. Andrew will reach out to the surveyor and get back to Sara to schedule. Chris inquired if the Selectmen can waive the 2-acre minimum. Steve needs to verify. Ambulance contract – The Lawyer had drafted a proposal that was approved by the Attorney General. Canaan responded with a shorter one, but that one has not been approved by the AG. Steve will contact Canaan to review the issues. Fire Chief Alan Gove and Assistant Chief Chris Thurston came to talk about a new Mini Pumper truck they would like to purchase. It is $399,000 (rounded). This would replace the one that was sold around 9years ago. They currently only have one engine that is 25 years old. It's still in good shape, but will need to be replaced down the road. Steve pointed out that when the engine goes in for repairs, there isn’t a backup in town. Alan stated it has 4-wheel drive and a winch. It is brand new. The board discussed what was in the capital reserve, which is $$379,676.00 plus the $15,000 from this year’s warrant Article. The Board will hold a public Hearing at the next meeting, August 4th, so the public can weigh in. Ed reminded all department managers that the budget is going to be tight next year. Correspondence Ed Morris' email inviting The Town of Grafton to participate in the watershed committee for Crystal Lake. Sara will post for letters of interest on the Website. HHS - Huff Beach and Kilton Pond sampling – passed. Public Comment Ryan Huff commented that the 2-acre lot minimum was voted on by the people in the 70s and does not believe that the selectmen can overrule that. Jake commented regarding the watershed committee and did not think the results would be any different at the end of the day. Non-Public Ed motioned to go into non-public per RSA 91-A:3, II(c); roll call vote was unanimous. The board entered non-public at 7:24 pm. Ed motioned to seal the minutes as it could affect the reputation of any person other than a member of the board. Leif seconded. Roll call vote was unanimous. Motion passed. Steve motioned to leave non-public. Leif seconded. Motion passed. Public session reconvened at 7:30 pm Ed announced that a tax agreement was made. Leif motioned to adjourn. Steve seconded. Ed agreed. Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Hogue, Administrative Assistant