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Town of Woodstock 
Planning Board 
Meeting Minutes 
August 10, 2026 
 
 
Board Attendance: Lee Freeman, Kathryn Cordeiro, Bonnie Ham, Jerry Miserandino, 
Margaret LaBarge, Cathy Riley-Secretary 
Board Zoom: Igor Bily, Scott Rice 
Public Attendees: Ken Chapman, Colin Manning-NHEC, John Geronaitis-NHEC, Cory 
Keeffe, Rick Fabrizio-NHEC 
 
 
Call to Order 
Margaret called the Planning Board meeting to order at 5:00 pm 
 
Colin Manning- NHEC Vegetation Management in Woodstock 
Colin Manning introduced himself as the Director of Communications and Government Relations 
for the New Hampshire Electric Co-op. Colin then introduced John Geronaitis who is the 
Vegetation Management Supervisor, Cory Keeffe who is a Senior Arborist, and Rick Fabrizio 
who is also on the Communications and Government Relations team. 
 
The group attended the meeting to address the Planning Board’s concerns with the 
Vegetation Management herbicide to be used in Woodstock. The NHEC attendees explained 
the different methods and stated that vegetation management is extremely important to all 
utilities and the first line of defense. 
 
The NHEC Arborists explained the different methods for vegetation control along the 
powerlines, with the first one being manual where they use climbers, pruners, and chainsaws. 
They added that the second method would be mechanical control with excavators and skid 
steers, mulchers and mowers, and the third method would be the chemical application using a 
selective, low volume herbicide. They added that they don’t usually use the cut stump 
application because that treatment is slower.  The last method was the biological control 
where they promote were low-growing vegetation that can be planted in the right-of way.  
 
The history of the IVM (Integrated Vegetation Management) program was explained that in 
the past, they had to clear out everything, which increased the costs, so they had to shorten 
the maintenance cycles over time with less manual and mechanical control by promoting the 
low-growing species instead. It was explained that the type of chemicals that they typically use is 
Krenite-S which is a bud suppressant that is a soluble liquid. 
 
The Board members described their personal concerns with the chemicals being used and asked 
about the setbacks. The NHEC representatives stated that the process is heavily regulated and 
permitted by the State and EPA with the State mandated setbacks. For public wells, the setback is 
between 250 and 400 feet depending on the type, for public water supply and surface waters being 
250 feet within 5 miles of the intake. For non-public waters, the setback is 25 feet, and NHEC 
self-mandated setbacks are 75 feet from private wells, 25 feet from vegetable gardens, and 75 feet 
from bee hives. 
 
Approved 9.14.26 

 
 
NHEC representatives went over the permit application process and the notification process to the 
Towns and the homeowners. 
 
The representatives addressed the concerns of chemical drift, and explained that it is not 
broadcasted and are that they are very targeted with the application.  It was noted that they also do 
not apply in windy weather, and that it is done on foot and in person, with the only time they 
might use a broadcast application would be in ledge areas that are too dangerous to access. 
 
There was a discussion on the concern for the heavily forested area which is made up of over 90% 
National Forest, and numerous amounts of protected wetlands and waterways. The representatives 
noted that the requirements for the National Forest have their own requirements, and NHDES has 
maps on the protected waterways and that they add more of a buffer to be further than the 
requirements. 
 
The NHEC representatives informed the Board that RSA430:39 states that the State’s pesticide 
statute prevents municipalities from passing conflicting pesticide regulations and that it gives them 
permission to maintain the rights of way and that it gives them an obligation. 
 
Different types of plants that are treated and not treated because of the type of herbicide used was 
discussed. 
 
When questioned on whether the Town could do anything, the NHEC reps noted that because of 
the RSA law, they would not be able to opt out as a town, but property owner can opt-out from 
spraying.  The Board discussed putting out a PSA to the residents that they have an opportunity to 
opt-out, and that it is on record that the Planning Board is opposing.   
 
The Board asked if there could be more timely notifications instead of a broad time-frame, and 
NHEC replied that it is hard to do, since weather and distance can make it only an estimate. 
 
The Board thanked NHEC for coming before them to address the Board’s concerns and provide a 
lot of information. 
 
Public Participation  
Public Participation was moved up to accommodate Ken Chapman who wanted to make the 
Board aware of his concern that there may be unpermitted Excavation happening at a property 
north of his property on Eastside Road.   
 
Ken explained that he had notice that numerous truckloads have been heading to a location in 
Lincoln, and that the noise from the trucks sometimes start very early in the morning and 
disturbs his family. The Board acknowledged that the first step will be to send a letter of 
concern of an unpermitted excavation site and invite to the next meeting, as well as to cease 
and desist until resolved. 
 
Lee made the motion to send the letter to the property owners from the Board. Jerry seconded 
the motion and all votes were affirmative. The letter will be sent certified to get a proof of 
delivery. 
 
The Board thanked Ken for coming forward to the Board with his concern. 

 
 
 
Approval of June 8, 2026 Minutes 
Lee made a motion to approve the minutes. Kathryn seconded the minutes and the vote was 
affirmative with Jerry abstaining because of absence.  
 
Approval of July 13, 2026 Minutes 
Jerry made a motion to approve the minutes. Bonnie seconded the minutes and the vote was 
affirmative with Lee and Kathryn abstaining because of absence. 
 
 
Lot Merger: Jules & Paula Menard, 8 Resnick Circle and 6 Resnick Circle, map/lot 
107-020 & 107-021 
A completed application was received from Jules and Paula Menard for merging lots at 8 and 
6 Resnick Circle.  With no questions, the Board proceeded to vote on the approval of the 
merger. 
 
Jerry made the motion to approve the merger. Lee seconded the motion and the vote was 
affirmative. 
 
Reports of Officers & Committees 
Selectmen’s Representative Report – Scott did not have any updates at this time, will have 
some for the next meeting. 
Earth Excavation Sub-committee – In the first few months of the year, Lee and 
Jerry went through the Excavation Regulations to make corrections and updates. 
The red-lined version previously went out to each of the Board members to review, 
and went through each of the items to be changed. 
The Board voted to send the corrected version of the regulations to legal to review 
in order for the Board to vote to approve and certify.  Lee made that motion, Jerry 
seconded the motion and the vote was affirmative. 
 
Floodplain Sub-committee – No current updates at this time. 
 
Masterplan Sub-committee – No current updates at this time. 
 
Subdivision Ordinance Sub-committee – Margaret stated that the Subdivision 
ordinance subcommittee held a short meeting before the board meeting to work on one 
remaining piece of the ordinance that needed review before they send to legal to review. Lee 
went over a couple of items to revise again before sending off to legal.  
Lee made a motion to send the revised Subdivision Ordinance to legal to review in 
order for the Board to vote to approve and certify.   
Lee made a motion to approve the minutes. Kathryn seconded the minutes and the 
vote was affirmative. 
 

 Other Business 
Margaret informed the Board that the Minor Subdivision that the Board approved at the last 
meeting has been completed 
 
Margaret announced that the excavation pit inspections were scheduled for September 14th at 
3:30 pm at the southernmost pit. 
 
 
Correspondence Received by the Board  
Margaret reminded the Board that there was an upcoming online seminar through BEA if any of 
the Board members were interested in attending. 
Adjournment 
Scott motioned to adjourn at 6:29 pm. Kathryn seconded the motion and the vote was 
affirmative. 
 
 
 
 
Respectively Submitted, 
Cathy Riley, Planning Board Secretary