All towns · freedom

8.17.2026

Document

Town of Freedom 
Selectmen’s Meeting  
Monday, August 17, 2026 
Present: Selectmen Leslie R. Babb, Alan G. Fall, and Gary R. Williams; Stacy Bolduc, 
Recording Secretary. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office, 33 Old 
Portland Road. 
Public: Alan Libby, Scott Brooks, Chief Laferriere, Greg Broaderick, Megan Broaderick, Jen 
Ulrich, and Don Johnson. 
Absent:  
Minutes: 
Gary moved to approve August 3, 2026, minutes as written. Alan F. seconded. Motion 
carried. 
 
Gary moved to approve August 10, 2026, minutes as written. Alan F. seconded. Motion 
carried. 
 
Fire Equipment Fund and Grant Reimbursement: Les discussed reimbursement to the 
Fire Equipment Fund through the Trustees of the Trust Funds and clarified that the 
requested grant match amount was incorrect. Stacy will confirm the correct amount with 
Rob. 
Meeting Notes 
Department Head Updates 
Transfer Station  
Alan L. informed the Board that Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held on 
September 26 in Conway. Advertising and logistics will direct questions to Conway. The 
sharps box will remain locked, and residents will need to request assistance to ensure 
medications or other prohibited materials are not disposed of in the box. 
 
Police-  
Chief Laferriere, discussed adopting a new police patch design to better mirror the canine 
patch and requested the Spike Policy be reviewed in the near future for cruiser use.  
 
Highway-  
Road Maintenance and Gravel Procurement: Scott, discussed recent roadwork, the crew 
has spent the last six days on Durgin Hill cleaning up from the June storm. 1500 yards of 
material have been trucked in 28 hours using two trucks. Watson Hill and Scarboro Rd will 

be next. FEMA denied money requested as a result of the June storm. Scott explained there 
will be little mowing done this year. The lack of rain has made grading difficult.  
 
Les questioned if we should stalk pile gravel using money from the Infrastructure CRF. Les 
proposed that Scott buys $75,000 (half of the Infrastructure Fund) worth of gravel to have 
for future events.  
 
Discussion ensued around gravel usage, infrastructure funding, and the need to plan for 
future gravel purchases due to unpredictable weather and supply issues.  
 
Office- Stacy updated the board that the Regional Ambulance meeting will be August 31st 
at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. Also, Nicole, Linda and Stacy will be attending Department of 
Labor training at the Manchester Community College Friday August 21st.  Health Trust 
Insurance rates will be available after October 7th. 
Nextiva Phone System Proposal: The board reviewed a proposal to switch the Town Office 
phone system to Nextiva, which would reduce costs and align with the system used at the 
Public Safety Building, with installation and contract details discussed. The board agreed 
to switch the phones at the Town Office to Nextiva.  
Kearsarge Energy Solar Project Feedback: Stacy asked the board to review the FCC's 
response to the proposed Kearsarge energy solar project and provide feedback to Andrew 
regarding the town's position. 
 
Les asked for an update on vehicle listings (highway truck and police car). Scott confirmed 
he will complete it. The police vehicle will serve as backup for Brian while his current 
vehicle is experiencing mechanical issues. 
 
Election Preparation and Ballot Clerk Appointments: Don Johnson reviewed 
preparations for the upcoming election, including ballot clerk appointments, statutory 
requirements, voting booth logistics, and worker schedules. He explained that two ballot 
clerks, also referred to as inspectors of election, must be appointed by July 15. The 
Democratic State Committee notified Town Clerk Libby Priebe that Diane Talkington and 
Janet Johnson had been appointed; however, neither had been consulted beforehand. 
Janet Johnson declined to serve, and Diane Talkington agreed to serve. Don recommended 
that the Selectmen appoint Sarah Butterfield, Rick Davidson, Jane Davidson, and Diane 
Talkington for the September primary. The Board also discussed party affiliation and the 
need for balanced Democratic and Republican representation for the November general 
election. The Board agreed to proceed with the recommended appointments for the State 
Primary, and Don will work to identify balanced representation for the general election. 
 
Les made a motion to appoint Rick Davidson, Jane Davidson and Sarah Butterfield as 
inspector of elections for the State Primary in September, Alan F. seconded the 
motion; Motion carried.  
 

Don questioned if he could ask Chief Cunio to shuttle election workers from the school to 
the town hall on election day. Discussion ensued around voting booths and setting up. The 
cost to get a new voting booth is $1,353.00. It was decided to make do with the booths we 
have for this year and put it in the budget for next year. Stacy will provide lunch for the 
election workers for the September primary.  
 
FCC Camera Installation and Security Measures: Chief Laferriere met with the FCC to 
discuss installing cameras in the Town Forest. The Selectboard approved installing 
cameras at the police department and other town buildings. Putting signs up for public 
awareness was also discussed.  
 
Public Comment 
 
Lake Road Project and Grant Encumbrance: Megan and Greg Broaderick questioned the 
status of the Lake Road Project and what the path forward looked like. Les proposed 
encumbering the funds and making the project a warrant article next year due to not being 
able to meet a grant deadline because Highway department is still doing road repairs. The 
time constraints of the grant will not work for the Highway department this year. It was 
discussed encumbering the $5,000 for next year. Scott questioned the need of a contract 
to encumber. Alan F. & Les agreed it is a town project. Scott also noted that the town will 
be spending town money on private property. Les said it would be no different than  this 
year in that the selectboard can direct the road agent to do the work because it benefits the 
town. The full amount of the project would have to be raised with $5,000 coming from 
encumbered funds.  
 
 
Driveway Permit Policy Review: The Board, with input from Scott, reviewed the proposed 
driveway permit policy. 
Key discussion items included: 
• Temporary access requirements include whether a fee should apply. 
• Permit duration options of 30, 60, or 90 days. 
• Subdivision-related requirements. 
• Contractor coordination. Gary contacted contractors for input, and the feedback 
regarding Scott and the proposed process was positive. 
• Stacy will contact Minuteman to obtain a copy of the previous driveway permit and 
compare its language with the proposed permit. 
• Driveway staking and culvert placement. The landowner will stake the preferred 
driveway location, and Scott will determine the appropriate culvert placement. If 
concerns arise, Scott will discuss them with the landowner or general contractor. 
• Road-edge and right-of-way determinations. Scott noted that existing ditch lines 
help define road edges and guide culvert placement. The Board also discussed 

whether any roads are narrower than two rods and how that may affect the review 
process.  
• No permits will be issued until the driveway is installed. No building permits will be 
issued on a temporary driveway permit.  
 
Town Policy Meeting and Paternity Leave Discussion: The board discussed scheduling a 
future meeting to review town policies, including the potential addition of paternity leave 
and clarifications to the employee handbook, with all department heads to be involved. 
Follow-up tasks 
Trust Fund Reimbursement: Request reimbursement from the trustee of the trust funds for the fire 
equipment purchase. (Stacy) 
 
Election Ballot Clerk Appointment: Pursue a recommendation for a Republican to fill the ballot 
clerk slot for the general election. (Don) 
 
Police Patch Update: Order the new official police patch if the board is in favor. (Rich) 
 
Spike Strip Policy Review: Review and finalize the spike strip policy to ensure everything is in order 
for cruiser use. (Board) 
 
Infrastructure Fund Planning: Decide whether to allocate additional funds from the infrastructure 
capital reserve for gravel purchases. (Scott and Board) 
 
FCC Kearsarge Energy Project Feedback: Review the FCC's response to the Kearsarge energy solar 
project in the red folder and provide feedback to enable a response to Andrew. (Board) 
 
Voting Booth Requirement: Determine if additional voting booths need to be ordered to meet the 
1:125 ratio and, if so, place the order in time for the election. (Don) 
 
Election Worker Food Arrangements: Arrange for a sandwich platter and fruit salad for election 
workers and ballot clerks for the upcoming election. (stacy) 
  
Town Building Camera Installation: Work out the details and logistics for installing cameras in 
town buildings, with Rich and Clayton determining placement. (Rich, Clayton) 
 
 
 
 

Susan Harris came before the board to discuss 3 Ossipee Lake Rd. She presented the deed 
to the property showing the property had been sold to James Harris 3.2.2006 and recorded 
at the registry. Les explained the Town had not done anything wrong because at some point 
3 Ossipee Lake Rd became its own entity within the Town of Freedom and it received its own 
tax bill. 
Motion: Gary moved to enter nonpublic session at 8:40 p.m., pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, 
II(c) (Reputation). Alan seconded. Roll-call vote: 
Babb: Yes 
Fall: Yes 
Williams: Yes 
Motion: Les moved to return to public session. Alan seconded. Motion carried. 
The Board reconvened in public session at 8:50p.m. 
Nonpublic minutes to be publicly disclosed: No 
Roll-Call Vote: 
Les: Yes 
Alan: Yes 
Gary: Yes 
It was decided to deed the property back to Ms. Harris with the conditions of merging the lot 
into her lot and no driveway will be allowed. Stacy will contact the Town Attorney to have 
them draw up the deed with the stimulations discussed.  
Motion: Les moved to enter nonpublic session at 8:50 p.m., pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II(a) 
(). Alan seconded. Roll-call vote: 
Babb: Yes 
Fall: Yes 
Williams: Yes 
Motion: Les moved to return to public session. Alan seconded. Motion carried. 
The Board reconvened in public session at 9:05 p.m. 
Nonpublic minutes to be publicly disclosed: No. 
Roll-Call Vote: 
Les: Yes 
Alan: Yes 
Gary: Yes 
Payroll Manifest (week ending 8/12/2026): Approved 
Accounts Payable Manifest (week ending 8/14/2026): Approved 
Meeting Minutes (8/3/026): Approved 

Correspondence Reviewed or Signed 
 
Status 
Matt Serge email dated 8.17.26 
Reviewed 
Michael J Malaguti email dated 8.6.26 
Reviewed 
DOT Highway Block Grant 
Reviewed 
LRPC Letter Re: Commissioner Meeting Attendance 
Reviewed 
Transfer Station Cash Report 
Reviewed 
FCC  Letter to the BOS Re: Kearsarge Project 
Reviewed 
Primex Response to SAU School Bus Request 
Reviewed 
Sue Hoople Email Wabanaki and Cody Questions 
Reviewed 
Nextiva Phone Quote 
Reviewed 
Ambulance Concerns  
Reviewed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no further business before the Board, Babb moved to adjourn. Fall seconded. Motion 
carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stacy Bolduc, Town Administrator 
Approved by the Board of Selectmen on ________________________: 
__________________________   _______________________   __________________________ 
Leslie R. Babb 
 
 
        Alan G. Fall                      
 
Gary R. Williams