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Town Council Meeting 3rd Wednesday - June 17, 2026

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Town Council Regular Session 
June 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM 
Town Council Chambers 
 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
6/17/2026 
 
MINUTES 
1. 
6:00 PM Non-Public Session Pursuant to RSA 91-A:3,II (a),(c) - Personnel  
 
  
Motion: 
Councilor Conley made a motion to seal the Non-public Meeting 
Minutes indefinitely because it is determined that divulgence of 
this information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any 
person other than a member of this board.   
Second: 
Councilor Dornblut 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
2. 
Pledge of Allegiance 
 
  
Chair Ward convened the meeting at 7:00 PM. 
 
Councilor LaMattina led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
3. 
Roll Call 
 
  
Present: Council Chair Brian Ward, Council Vice-chair Joe LaMattina, Councilor Scott 
Blackstone, Councilor Katanna Conley, Councilor Justin Glazebrook. 
Excused: Councilor Stella McShera. 
Staff Present: Town Manager Stephen Fournier, Police Chief Greg Jordan, Fire Chief 
Rick Malasky, Recording Secretary Wendy Chase. 
4. 
Public Forum 
 
  
Chair Ward opened the public forum at 7:02 PM. 
 
Chair Ward closed the public forum at 7:02 PM without public comment. 
  
5. 
Town Council to Consider Acceptance of Minutes 
 
  
 
  
a. 
June 3, 2026 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Couniclor LaMattina made a motion to approve the June 
3, 2026, meeting minutes as written.  
Second: 
Councilor Dornblut 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
6. 
Town Council to Consider Nominations, Appointments, Elections, and 
Resignations 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Heather Pederson - Appointment as an Alternate Member to the Arts, Culture & 
Tourism Commission - Term Expiration April 2027. 
 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
6/17/2026 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor Dornblut made a motion to appoint Heather 
Pederson as an Alternate Member to the Arts, Culture & 
Tourism Commission with a term expiration of April 2027.  
Second: 
Councilor LaMattina 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
7. 
Report of the Town Manager 
 
  
 
  
a. 
June 17, 2026 
 
   
Town Manager Report – June 17, 2026 
1. Upcoming Meetings and Sessions  
• Goal Setting Session: Scheduled for June 23, 2026, at 6PM in the auditorium. 
• Joint School Board–Town Council Meeting: Tentatively set for August 12, 2026, 
with preliminary budget discussions and other agenda items. 
2. Creighton Street Property Update 
• Survey completed for 11 Creighton Street; boundary line adjustment plan in progress 
to maximize land for Schanda Park improvements. 
• The new lot will likely be undersized, requiring Zoning Board relief before Planning 
Board approval. 
• Property details: 0.30 acres, last sale at $685,000, 2024 assessment at $586,400. 
3. Financial Status (May 2026) 
• Revenue: $43.5M collected (98.6% of $44.2M budget); revenue is ahead of 
schedule. 
o General Fund: 99.2% collected. 
o Recreation Fund: 118.9% of budget collected, driven by strong program 
enrollment. 
• Expenditures: $16.7M spent (83.8% of $19.9M budget); below the 91.7% year-to-
date benchmark. 
o Fire & Rescue (110.8%), PW Vehicle (106.9%), and Direct Assistance are 
over budget. 
o Council should consider supplemental appropriations for overages. 
4. Notable Revenue and Expenditure Items 
• Revenue: 
o Property & Yield Taxes and State Revenue fully collected. 
o Building Permits and Recreation Fund revenue significantly exceed budget. 
o Ambulance receipts are below budget due to a negative May adjustment. 
• Expenditures: 
o Fire & Rescue and Public Works Vehicle Maintenance are over budget, mainly
 due to staffing and extended winter operations. 
o Direct Assistance and Senior Center Maintenance are also over budget. 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
6/17/2026 
 
o Capital Reserve and Debt Service fully funded as planned. 
5. Year-Over-Year Comparison (May 2026 vs. May 2025) 
• Revenue up 10.5% ($4.1M increase), mainly from higher real estate tax levy. 
• Expenditures up 11.2% ($1.7M increase), reflecting wage/benefit adjustments and 
property acquisition. 
• May 2026 revenue nearly triple that of May 2025 due to timing of state aid and tax 
entries. 
• Official notification sent for renaming Beech Street Ext. to Cheswill Street (effective 
July 1, 2026). 
Summary:The Town is in a strong financial position with revenues ahead of schedule and 
most expenditures under control, though some departments require supplemental 
appropriations. Key property and infrastructure projects are progressing, and several 
administrative actions have been completed to support ongoing operations. 
  
b. 
Department Reports - May 2026 
 
  
  
Councilor Dornblut commented on the Police report regarding Officers 
participating in Community Policing Patrols. He thought it was a great idea. The 
patrols have focused on downtown, the recreation fields, and the ball fields. The 
effort is for officers to get out of their vehicles, walk around, and interact with the 
community. 
 
Chair Ward commented on the Public Works report thanking the crew for repairs 
made to the street crossing signs. 
8. 
Committee Reports 
 
  
Councilor Blackstone reported on the June 11th Conservation Commission Meeting: 
• High School students raised $400 to purchase a bike rack. 
• TurtleFest there were approximately 100 kids at the craft table; raffle expenses 
exceeded income. 
• T-shirts were popular; bandannas were not well received. 
• The event date will be moved next year due to scheduling conflicts; it will be held 
at the Word Barn in Exeter. 
• SELT is running out of property to acquire. 
• Attended 2nd grade presentation on estuaries.    
 
Councilor Glazebrook reported on the Planning Board's July 14th meeting.  
• The Planning Board expressed interest in a joint meeting with the Council. 
• Preliminary plan presented for a church on Wadleigh Falls Road. 
• The Long Range Planning Committee has 3 member-at-large positions 
available.                                                                                                                     
 
Councilor Dornblut reported that the public transportation committee passed the draft 

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
6/17/2026 
 
parking report; final recommendations will be available during the goal-setting session, 
emphasizing increased neighborhood engagement.         
 
Councilor Ward reported that the Newmarket300 Committee met to discuss anniversary 
initiatives, including a volunteer spreadsheet. 
• Voted on two designs for hats and two commemorative beers from Deciduous. 
• John Hermann designed logos for the beer, refusing compensation, so it was 
decided to provide him a token of appreciation instead. 
9. 
Old Business 
 
  
 
10. 
Resolutions/Ordinances in the 2nd Reading 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Resolution #2025/2026-42 - Purchase of Two Lucas Chest Compression 
Systems 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve 
Resolution #2025/2026-42 - Purchase of Two Lucas Chest 
Compression Systems  
Second: 
Councilor Glazebrook 
Discussion: 
Fire Chief Malasky explained that the chest compression 
system is a device that is strapped to an individual and 
performs chest compressions. 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
  
b. 
Resolution #2025/2026-43 - Cruiser Purchase 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve 
Resolution #2025/2026-43 - Cruiser Purchase  
Second: 
Councilor Conley 
Discussion: 
Chief Jordan explained that he is replacing the current 2024 
Explorer cruiser that has 112, 000 miles with a 2025 Chevy 
Tahoe. It is a leftover from last year, but brand new and a 
better price. The Explorer 2024 will go to another 
department to use.  He explained that they have been 
having issues with Ford vehicles, so they decided to go with 
a Chevy Tahoe. 
 
Discussion ensued regarding the purchase of a vehicle 
needing approval by the Town Council through a 
Resolution even though it is a budgeted item. Town 
Manager Fournier explained the cost of it went over the 
threshold of his allowed authorization.  
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
  
c. 
Resolution #2025/2026-50 - Town Manager 2026 Employment Contract 
Agreement 
 
  
  
Motion: 
Councilor LaMattina made a motion to approve 
Resolution #2025/2026-50 - Town Manager 2026 
Employment Contract Agreement  

 
Town of Newmarket, NH 
 
6/17/2026 
 
Second: 
Councior Dornblut 
Discussion: 
Town Manager Fournier thanked the Council for entrusting 
him over the past 14 years. He said he is thankful to have a 
great group of Councilors and staff to work with. 
Vote: 
Unanimously Approved (6-0-0). 
11. 
Resolutions/Ordinances in the 1st Reading 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Resolution #2025/2026-51 - Master Plan Contract Amendment 
 
  
  
Councilor LaMattina read Resolution #2025/2026-51 into the record. 
12. 
New Business/Correspondence 
 
  
 
  
a. 
Correspondence to the Town Council 
 
  
  
There was no correspondence to the Council. 
  
b. 
Closing Comments by Town Councilors 
 
  
  
Councilor Glazebrook said he had an opportunity to tour the Tiger Hose House 
on Main Street. There are a lot of artifacts in the building and it should be open 
to the public during the 250/300 celebrations. 
 
Councilor LaMattina commended the Newmarket baseball team winning the 
State Championship and remaining undefeated throughout the entire season; 19 
wins, 0 losses.  
He recognized Lt. O'Brien, Sergeant Schmidt, Officer Stevens and Canine 
Officer Gadget for their involvement with the Special Olympics. 
 
Councilor Blackstone said that if there was no objection, he would like to make 
an amendment to the purchasing policy to allow the Town Manager to authorize 
the purchase of town vehicles that are part of the approved budget. Town 
Fournier said he would look into that.  
 
Councilor Ward wished everyone a happy Juneteenth. 
 
  
c. 
Next Meeting 
 
  
  
 
  
i. 
July 15, 2026 
 
  
  
 
13. 
Adjournment 
 
  
Chair Ward adjourned the meeting at 7:37 PM without objection. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Wendy V. Chase 
Recording Secretary