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County of Merrimack Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes 
Monday, August 10, 2026 
 
Meeting conducted in person and electronically (via Zoom) at 
333 Daniel Webster Highway, Ste. 2 Boscawen, NH 03303 
 
Meeting ID: 868 4421 4713 
Passcode: 543266 
 
Start Time 10:00 a.m. 
Present: Commissioner Trachy, Commissioner Lovlien, Commissioner Shurtleff 
Staff: County Administrator Ross Cunningham, Finance Director Aaron Turner, Corrections 
Superintendent Garrett Jewell, Nursing Home Administrator Heather Moquin, Human Resources Director 
Wendy Heath, Assistant Human Resources Director Kelly Johnson, Network Administrator Tom 
Trumble, Facilities Director Dustin Muzzey, Purchasing Manager Jon Gardner, Development Coordinator 
Kara Coffey, Human Services Director Candice Coulter, IT Don Smith, Treasurer Mary Heath, Sheriff 
Dave Croft,  Office Manager Deanna Fortier  
Guests: Auditor Jim Roberge 
Zoom Attendees: County Attorney Paul Halvorsen 
 
1. Call to Order 
Chair Trachy called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 
a. Consent Agenda 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.  
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Vote: Motion carried, 3–0  
 
2. Public Comment 
a. None. 
 
3. Finance Director Aaron Turner 

 
 
a. County Finances with Auditor 
Auditor Jim Roberge presented the results of the County’s 2025 audit. He reported that there 
were no concerns or matters requiring attention. He noted that there were no incorrect or material 
misstatements and no issues or disagreements with County staff or management regarding the 
audit materials. Mr. Roberge also discussed inmate account reconciliations, fund balance, and 
asked the Commissioners if they had any questions or concerns. The Commissioners had none. 
He further confirmed that there was no compliance issues reported as part of the audit. 
b. 2nd Quarter Financials  
Finance Director Turner presented an overview of the quarterly financials that will be shared 
with the Executive Committee at the August 14 meeting. He highlighted year-to-date, noting that 
revenues are tracking approximately $1.6 million over projections and expenditures are 
approximately $1.2 million under projections. A summary sheet, along with expenditure, 
revenue, grant, and other fund reports, was provided for review. 
c. COLA Percentage, 2026 Budget 
Director Turner presented the County’s COLA recommendation and requested approval of a 4.00% 
COLA for the upcoming year. He noted that the County’s policy, last updated on July 12, 2022, uses the 
past three-year average of the Northeast CPI-W to determine the COLA. The three-year July-to-July 
average is 3.79%, which, per County policy, rounds to 4.00%. The approved COLA will be incorporated 
into each department’s budget, consistent with prior years. 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to approve the COLA at a 4% rate for appropriate positions as 
presented.   
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Vote: All in favor, 3–0  
 
4. County Administrator Ross Cunningham & SMP Anthony Mento 
a. Storage Building Design Plans 
County Administrator Cunningham and SMP Architect Anthony Mento presented two storage 
building design options for consideration. Option F is a two-story, wood-framed gambrel-style 
building with removal and reconstruction of the concrete foundation, totaling approximately 
3,267 square feet. Option J is a single-story, wood-framed slab-on-grade design utilizing the 
existing foundation with modifications, totaling approximately 2,000 square feet. Estimated costs 
and assumptions for each option were also presented. 
Commissioner Shurtleff expressed support for the gambrel-style design, noting that the 
additional storage space would be highly beneficial during the McLeod renovation and would 
provide greater capacity for future growth. He also noted that the larger structure would be more 
aesthetically pleasing for the County and campus residents. Commissioner Lovlien agreed with 

 
 
Commissioner Shurtleff and expressed his preference for the gambrel-style design due to the 
additional storage capacity. 
Heating, plumbing, and fire suppression were briefly discussed. It was noted that a fire 
suppression system is not required for either design. Following discussion, the Commissioners 
agreed that the gambrel-style structure was the preferred option to move forward with. 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to approve design F the two-story structure as presented.   
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Vote: All in favor, 3–0  
 
5. County Administrator Ross Cunningham 
 
a. County Dashboard 
 
Staff provided an update on the County dashboard; no significant concerns were reported. 
 
b. Novogradac & Company Contract 
County Administrator Cunningham presented a request for approval of an engagement agreement with 
Novogradac and Company to perform agreed-upon procedures related to prevailing wage and 
apprenticeship requirements for the County’s solar project. The agreement was reviewed and discussed. 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to approve the agreement with Novogradac & Company as 
presented.  
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Vote: All in favor, 3–0  
 
6. Development Coordinator Kara Coffey  
a. Social Services Grant Program  
 
Coordinator Coffey presented a request for approval to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 
Merrimack County Social Services Grant Program. The RFP is scheduled to be issued August 18, with 
proposals due September 15, at noon. The program provides competitive grant funding to social service 
agencies that provide critical services to Merrimack County residents, reduce or offset County 
expenditures, and enhance the quality of life in the community. Agencies must demonstrate financial 
need, with awards capped at $25,000 per organization. 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to approve the Social Services Grant Program RFP as presented.  
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Vote: All in favor, 3–0  
 
b. Cold Weather Shelter Program  

 
 
Coordinator Coffee presented an overview of the Cold Weather Shelter Program and requested approval 
to issue an RFP. The RFP is scheduled to be issued August 14, 2026, with proposals due September 11, 
2026, at noon. The County will serve as a pass-through for $165,000 in DHHS funding to approved 
agencies providing winter-specific shelter solutions for Merrimack County residents experiencing 
homelessness. Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis and is intended for cold weather 
shelters, hotels, or other approved solutions from approximately November 1 through April 30. 
Motion: Commissioner Shurtleff moved to approve the Cold Weather Shelter Program RFP as presented.  
Second: Commissioner Lovlien 
Vote: All in favor, 3–0  
 
7. Purchasing Manager Jon Gardner  
a. MCNH Steam Oven  
 
Three proposals were received for the replacement of a Vulcan C24GA10-PS steamer oven, 
ranging from $26,894.88 from Chef’s Deal to $31,021.60 from Sam Tell. Chef’s Deal is a 
certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and has 
served various government agencies throughout the United States. Chef’s Deal has also been 
awarded multiple kitchen equipment solicitations by Merrimack County over the past several 
years and has successfully completed those purchases without incident. Approval was requested 
to proceed with Chef’s Deal at the quoted cost of $26,894.88. 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to approve the MCNH steam oven as presented.  
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Vote: All in favor, 3–0  
b. Fuel Rates 
Fuel rates for the County were briefly discussed. It was noted that fuel costs are currently high, 
and the County continues to review options to identify the most cost-effective solutions. 
Board of Commissioner Comments 
 
a. None 
 
8. Unfinished Business  
a. August & September meeting calendars were reviewed. 
 
9. New Business 
 

 
 
Human Resources Assistant Director Kelly Johnson 
a. Health Insurance  
County health insurance was put out to bid last week. An update will be provided once available.  
 
10. Staff Comments 
 
11. Non-Public Session  
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to enter non-public session at 10:47 a.m. pursuant to RSA 91-
A:3, II(a) – personnel. 
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
 
Roll Call Vote:  
 Trachy – Yes  
 Shurtleff – Yes  
 Lovlien – Yes  
Vote: Motion carried, 3–0 
Chairman Trachy reconvened the public session at 11:06a.m. 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to seal the non-public minutes for five years, as divulgence could 
adversely affect the reputation of a person other that a Board member or render the proposed action 
ineffective. 
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff 
Roll Call Vote:  
 Trachy – Yes  
 Shurtleff – Yes  
 Lovlien – Yes  
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 3-0. The minutes were sealed.  
 
12. Adjournment 
Motion: Commissioner Lovlien moved to adjourn at 11:08 a.m.  
Second: Commissioner Shurtleff  
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 3–0  

 
 
 
Approved by:  
 
Stephen Shurtleff, Clerk