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New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions 
Meeting Minutes 
June 24, 2026 
1:00-3:00PM 
John Andrews Room 
NH Municipal Association Building 
25 Triangle Park Drive 
Concord, NH 
Meeting Minutes 
 
1. Welcome and Introductions 
 
At 1:00PM, Chair Peter Griffin called the meeting to order and asked for 
introductions. 
 
Present: Peter Griffin, SNHPC; Jen Czysz, SRPC; Shanna Saunders, LRPC; Sandy 
Crystall, CNPC; Paul Rasmussen, SRPC; Dave Kerr, LRPC; Sarah Wrightsman, 
SRPC; Noah Hodgetts, Principal Planner, NHOPD; James Steel, NCCRPC; Katrin 
Kasper, SRPC; Mike Tardiff, CNHRPC; Tim Moore, Jerry Coogan, UVLSRPC; Sandy 
Crystall, CNHRPC; Ray Clement, SNHPC; Nate Miller, SNHRPC; Shanna Saunders, 
LRPC; Christine Robidoux, SWRPC 
 
Zoom: Meghan Butts, UVLSRPC 
 
2. Action items 
Approval of the March 25, 2026 Minutes 
T. Moore moved to approve the March 25, 2026 minutes. S. Wrightsman 
seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting in favor. 
J. Coogan and Nate Millar abstained from the vote. The motion passed. 
 
3. Legislative Updates with Noah Hodgetts, NHOPD, Tim Moore, NHARPC 
Legislative Liaison 
 
Noah Hodgetts reviewed his top bills that affecting regional planning 
commissions:  
1. HB 244 - moves all references to building codes and adoption of local building 
code enforcement authority from the planning and zoning statutes into RSA 
155-A. Doesn’t make any substantive change to any planning or zoning 
statutes, but local building officials/inspectors and building code board of 
appeals will no longer be considered local land use boards. If signed by the 
governor, it would take effect July 1st. 
2. HB1010 – amends RSA 674:80 to clarify how planning boards should assess 
where adequate road infrastructure, water infrastructure, or sewage 
infrastructure is present when evaluating applications for multi-family 
dwelling units on commercially zoned land. Adds language for when a 
planning board many deny an application for multi-family dwelling units on 
commercially zoned land. If signed by the governor, it would take effect July 
1st at 12:01 AM. 
3. HB1103 - amends RSA 79-E to give municipalities the option of using RSA 79-
E Community Revitalization Tax Relief for conversion of industrial and 
commercial structures to residential use, and to allow 79-E tax relief in 
Housing Opportunity Zones, without any prescribed affordability 
requirements. In municipalities which already have adopted 79-E, it would 

have to adopt these other provisions separately and designate new 
boundaries for these 79-E districts. If signed by the governor, it would take 
effect 60 days after the signing date. 
4. HB1588 - clarifies that under RSA 674:16, VII municipalities can’t require that 
residential parking spaces be garaged. It also amends RSA 674:80, IV to only 
allow municipalities to regulate frontage, setback, and height of multi-family 
dwelling units on commercially zoned land, where adequate infrastructure is 
present. Municipalities would be liable for legal fees if an applicant is denied 
an application for multi-family housing on commercially zoned land based on 
regulations other than frontage, setback or height. If signed by the governor, 
it would take effect 60 days after the signing date (there would be a two-
month window from July 1st when 674:80 takes effect to when the stricter 
requirements in HB1588 take effect). 
5. HB1195 - amends RSA 674:16, VI to require that home-based childcare for 
up to 12 children be allowed in primary residential or existing accessory 
structures on lots where residential uses are permitted and not be subject to 
site plan review, if the family or group family childcare meets DHHS childcare 
licensing requirements (He-C 4002). This is an expansion of 2024 HB1567 
which gave municipalities the option of subjecting family or group family 
childcare to a conditional use permit. It also establishes a new requirement 
that childcare centers be allowed by right on commercially zoned land if the 
center meets all DHHS childcare licensing requirements, and exempts centers 
with licensed capacity up to 30 children from site plan review. If signed by the 
governor, it would take effect July 1st. 
6. HB1468 - amends RSA 674:2, III to allow planning boards to adopt a 
separate flood resilience section in their master plan (in addition to the 
existing natural hazards, and coastal management sections). Signed June 19, 
Effective August 18th. 

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7. HB1681 - creates new definition of innovative housing structures, which include 
tiny houses, tiny houses on wheels, and yurts in RSA 674:81, and gives 
municipalities the option of allowing them on a single-family lot or as an ADU 
but doesn’t require them to be allowed. It also standardizes the requirements in 
the state building code and fire code for permitting innovative housing 
structures. If signed by the governor, it would take effect 60 days after signing. 
8. HB2026 - adopts the 10-year 2026 – 2027 transportation plan, with additional 
projects added back in Albany, Manchester (293 Exit 6/7), Bow-Concord (93 
widening), Randolph, Enfield, Plymouth, Marlborough, Hillsborough, Madbury, 
Hooksett, Plaistow, Nashua, Dover-Somersworth-Rochester, and Dunbarton. 
Also creates two differ toll schedules for NH EZ-Pass holders and non-NH EZ-
Pass holders, which the governor has said she doesn’t support. There is a 
separate bill, SB627 which creates the same two-tiered toll schedule effective 
1/1/27, but doesn’t adopt the 10-year plan or add back projects. If signed by 
the governor, most of the bill would take effect upon signing with the toll 
increases taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. 
9. SB502 - changes all references to the office of planning and development to the 
division of planning and community development at BEA for the purpose of 
delineation of RPC boundaries (RSA 36:45, 36:46,I-II), soliciting comments on 
consistency of each regional plan with the state development plan, and other 
references to OPD in RSA 36:47. Signed June 19, Effective August 18th. 
10. SB564 - Creates 674:21-b, which would (1) prohibit municipalities from limiting 
road length if the road complies with the state fire code, (2) removes the ability 
for municipalities to cap the number of housing units on dead streets unless the 
cap is in compliance with the state fire code and NFPA standard 1141, and (3) 
allows for the placement of utilities within permitter buffers and “open space 
areas” of subdivisions. There is also conflicting language which says that 
utilities in “conservation areas” of subdivisions shall be subject to a conditional 
use permit or special exception. It also adds a retroactive requirement that 
municipalities shall not impose additional restrictions or requirements regarding 
building or lot size for affected properties before the effective date of the bill. If 
signed by the governor, it would take effect April 1, 2027. 
11. SB592 - adds responsibilities for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors to 
RPC responsibilities in RSA 36:45 and RSA 36:47, I. It also would amend RSA 
36-A:2 requiring municipal conservation commissions to include an inventory of 
habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their Natural Resource Inventories 
for information purposes for RPCs and gives the Fish & Game Executive Director 
authority to consult with the RPCs about wildlife corridors. It also creates a 
commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin 
Program (DES owned sewer system through several Lakes Region 
communities) program to an alternative authority which supports municipalities 
served by the WRBP. If signed by the governor, it would take effect 60 days 
after signing. 
 
Tim Moore reviewed his list of top ten bills: 
 
HB1010: This bill repeals the statewide mandate for municipalities to permit multi-
family residential development on commercially zoned land. 
 

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HB1079: This bill expands the definition of accessory dwelling units to allow them 
to be built within nonconforming structures.  
 
HB1089: This bill extends the authorization of the department of environmental 
services for the evaluation and mitigation of new community water system 
contamination risks. 
 
 
HB1369: This bill allows the warrant for a special town meeting to be posted on the 
town's website in lieu of in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
HB1425: This bill simplifies wetland permitting for small projects and gives the 
department of environmental services the authority to create an alternative 
adaptive permitting process for emergency or natural disaster response. 
 
 
HB1588: This bill establishes special assessment districts and expands the housing 
infrastructure grant program to allow for municipal upgrades linked to new housing.  
 
HB1594: This bill changes the annual registration fees for electric vehicles from a 
flat fee to one based on type and weight. 
 
 
HB1681: This bill establishes standards for innovative housing structures such as 
tiny houses, tiny houses on wheels, and yurts, allowing their use as single-family or 
accessory dwellings, setting inspection and permitting requirements, authorizing 
municipal property tax assessments, regulating transport, and permitting grey 
water disposal systems.  
 
HB1738: This bill changes the carbon dioxide emissions budget allowances for 2027 
through 2030 and thereafter, and creates 2 cost containment allowance levels and 
the trigger price at which the department releases allowances for years 2027 
through 2030 and thereafter. 
 
 
HB1742: This bill requires electric utilities to restore customer-generators who are 
inadvertently enrolled in a third-party electricity supply program to default service 
and apply net metering credits retroactively for up to 6 months.  
 
HB2026: This bill adopts the state 10-year transportation plan for 2027-2036. 
 
 
SB440: This bill modifies the requirements for adoption of energy efficient and 
clean energy districts by municipalities. 
 
 
SB538: This bill establishes long-term eligibility for certain customer-generators to 
receive net energy metering compensation under alternative tariffs approved by the 
public utilities commission.  This bill also outlines conditions for transitioning to 
future tariffs. 
 
SB541: This bill makes an appropriation to the department of environmental 
services to fund regional drinking water infrastructure. ($16,500,000).  
 

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SB590: This bill authorizes municipalities to use revolving funds to support energy 
services under approved electric aggregation plans.  
 
SB592: This bill enables regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for 
habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There was discussion on house Bill 244, which rewrites building code enforcement 
references, and House Bill 1010, which makes changes to multifamily and 
commercial zone regulations, both taking effect July 1st. Tim explained House Bill 
1195, which allows home-based childcare for up to 12 children in residential 
structures and exempts licensed childcare centers from site plan review, also taking 
effect July 1st. 
 
The group discussed House Bill 2026 regarding the 10-year transportation plan, 
which includes a bifurcated toll rate for in-state and out-of-state drivers, though the 
governor has said she doesn’t support the toll increase portion and said she would 
veto it.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Discussion: Data Centers—How to Support Municipalities, Planning & 
Legal Framework  
Brodie Deshaies join the group to provide some clarification on New Hampshire's 
approach to regulating data centers, following Senate Bill 439. Participants noted 
municipalities already have the power to regulate or prohibit data centers through 
their zoning ordinances. 
 
Brodie explained that the bill was originally intended to address concerns about 
data center development but was amended in a way that may have expanded 
where data centers could be permitted. They noted that New Hampshire currently 
has very few data centers, with only one significant large-scale proposal, in 
Nottingham, which was ultimately withdrawn after strong public opposition. The 
group talked about how data centers represent a relatively new land use for many 
communities. 
 
The group discussed the RPC’s role and to provide guidance on issues such as 
environmental impacts, water use, energy consumption, and infrastructure 
demands, while preserving local control over land-use decisions; draft a white 
paper to help municipalities evaluate data center proposals, including 
considerations such as water demand, electrical capacity, noise, and vibration 
impacts.  
 
Overall, they emphasized that data centers represent a relatively new land use for 
many communities and that local officials would benefit from clear, balanced 
technical guidance and asked what threshold do you call it a data center; how many 
computers does it take to make a data center? 
 
Nate Miller offered to head the project with help from NHMA(Brodie), BEA, (Noah), 
Matt Monahan,  regional planning commissions, planners, the New Hampshire 
Planners Association and other interested groups to coordinate on a resource.  

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J. Czysz volunteered to reach out to the New Hampshire Department of 
Environmental Services (DES).  
 
 
5. Annual Business Meeting Items 
a. FY2026 Financial Report 
M. Taylor-Fetter provided a brief review of the FY2026 financials and stated there is 
nothing unusual and the transactions remain minimal to include dues payments and 
the website/social media and administrative services agreement payments. 
 
b. Annual Dues Assessment ($1,000/RPC?) 
S. Saunders motioned to approve the FY dues as proposed at $1000.00 per RPC. N. 
Miller stated that there is a $500.00 shortfall. S. Saunders amended the motion to 
say the dues will be increased at $1,050.00 per RPC, which includes an additional 
$50.00 per RPC to cover the anticipated expenditures and to approve the FY27 
Budget with the additional dues added. N. Miller seconded the motion. A roll call 
vote was taken with all members voting in favor. The motion passed. 
 
c. Contracts for Services 
S. Saunders motioned to approve the contracts as presented: 
x 
Administrative Support Services Agreement with SRPC at $8,000.00 for 
FY2027 
x 
Website and Social Media Support Services Agreement with CNHRPC for 
$1,500.00 for FY2027 
J. Coogan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted with all members 
voting in favor. The motion passed. 
 
d. Election of Officers 
T. Moore motioned to approve the slate of officers for FY 27: 
 
Peter Griffin, Chairperson 
 
Christine Robidoux, Vice Chairperson 
Sarah Wrightsman, Treasurer 
 
J. Coogan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted with all members 
voting in favor. The motion passed. 
 
6. Priorities for FY 2027 
a. Spring 2027 Convening 
The group discussed when to hold the convening and agreed that April would be a 
good time. By then, each region will have completed its regional plan updates and 
will have an opportunity to discuss implementation and next steps. April is also a 
good fit because it is not too close to the annual meetings. 
 At the April NHARPC meeting Peter Griffin, Jay Minkarah, and Paul Rasmussen, 
volunteered to form a subcommittee.   
 
The group discussed potential themes and ideas for the convening: 
 
 

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x 
Highlight the value of regional planning and make the case for restoring RPC 
funding in the state budget.  
x 
Invite Patricia Quinn, Executive Director of NNEPRA, to provide a regional 
transportation perspective, including the Downeaster service in New 
Hampshire.  
x 
Showcase each RPC's success stories.  
x 
Invite the press to attend.  
x 
Focus on implementation and project results. 
 
b. Marketing 
J. Coogan stated that Jay Minkarah was recently on WMUR’s New Hampshire 
Business to talk about the planning commissions. It was agreed that someone from 
a different commission should offer to appear on the show. Peter and Jerry 
volunteered to make contact with their connections with the press. 
 
7.  NHARPC-NHMA Partnership, Town and City Articles and Webinars 
J. Czysz provided a quick update on upcoming articles.  
 
x 
Jul/Aug: Transportation Safety – SS4A, RSAs, HSIP and more? RPC – 
Dave Walker, SRPC – Colin Lentz, SNHPC – Adam/Dave 
x 
Sep/Oct: HOP Grants Results and Impacts – Funding Yields Results. 
NRPC – Cassie Cashin, SRPC – Mark Davie/Blair Haney, SNHPC – Cam 
Prolman 
x 
Nov/Dec 
9/25/2026 Household Hazardous Waste- UVLSRPC – Tim, 
NRPC – Mary Brundage, RPC – Jill Longval, LRPC - Shanna 
 
Potential 2027 Articles: 
x 
Jan/Feb: C-PACER –LRPC, CleanEnergyNH 
 
 
8. RPC Updates 
x 
SRPC: J. Czysz reported that SRPC's annual meeting was scheduled for the 
following evening, featuring the three state agency commissioners as guest 
speakers and Steve Pesci as emcee.  
x 
CNHRPC: M. Tardiff reported continued work on multiple master plans, 
circuit-rider assistance, and other local planning projects. 
x 
N. Miller highlighted Manchester's $400 million CSO project, a major 
infrastructure investment that will use an underground tunnel to separate 
stormwater and sewage systems and improve Merrimack River water quality. 
x 
North Country: Demand for local planning services, including master plans, 
circuit riding, and zoning audits, continues to grow. Local service revenue 
exceeded federal and state funding for the first time. 
x 
SWRPC: The annual meeting honored retiring board chair Tom Mullins for 29 
years of service and included updates on transit projects, hazard mitigation 
efforts, and community support initiatives. 
x 
Lakes Region: The annual meeting featured a presentation on charrettes and 
a review of the commission's accomplishments over the past year. 

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x 
UVLSRPC: Reported a successful annual meeting and discussion of the 
Croydon Game Park as a topic of regional interest. 
x 
Windham: A proposed private school sports complex remains controversial, 
with the applicant seeking 18 variances. The project has generated strong 
public interest, and additional hearings are pending. 
x 
K. Kasper shared that New Hampshire Energy is currently conducting an 
Environmental Justice Assessment and would greatly value partnering with 
the RPCs. Your organizations have a unique understanding of the region and 
can help us connect important pieces of the puzzle better than anyone else. 
 
9. Public Comment 
There was no public comment 
10. 
Adjourn 
Following a motion and a second, a roll call followed with all members voting in 
favor. The meeting adjourned at 2:50PM. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Megan Taylor-Fetter