BOS meeting draft minutes
Chair Murray called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. The Board approved minutes for Aug 10 (2-0-1), Aug 10 non-public (2-0-1), Aug 14 work session (3-0), and Aug 17 work session (3-0). Selectman Dancy abstained from voting while absent. Treasurer Widmer reported a potential $16,000 police station expense overage. Mr. Sanderson will consult legal counsel for resolution options. On the Consent Calendar, the Board approved a welfare lien release for Roberta Blumit (3-0); approved Parks & Rec appointments for Mitchell Tufts and Sarah Warner (3-0); and accepted a supplemental warrant for Willand Rd Betterment totaling $5,500.36 (2-0-1). Selectman Brinser moved to adopt a floating holiday rather than Juneteenth for the 2027 Town Office calendar, which passed (3-0). The Board authorized the sale of a 2005 airboat and trailer for $31,110 (3-0). Chair Murray signed an authorization for the Sodom Road FEMA grant (3-0). The Board agreed to explore Zoom for meeting recordings. Source: https://www.tuftonboronh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif5096/f/minutes/8.24.2026_bos_minutes_draft_rev_9.2.2026.pdf
Tuftonboro Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2026.
Page 1
TOWN OF TUFTONBORO
Board of Selectmen
240 Middle Road
Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816
Telephone: (603) 569-4539
www.tuftonboronh.gov
Selectmen’s Meeting
Monday, August 24, 2026
4:30 p.m. Town Office
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
At approximately 4:32 p.m., Chair Murray called the meeting to order followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance. Chair Murray then offered his welcome to Interim Town Administrator Paul Sanderson.
Chari Murray reports that Mr. Sanderson has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from.
Mr. Sanderson then thanked staff and residents for being welcoming and he encouraged people
out there to contact him with any questions.
PUBLIC INPUT none.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Murray made a motion to accept the Aug 10, 2026, meeting minutes as presented,
Selectman Brinser seconded, vote 2-0-1, Selectman Dancy abstained due to absence.
Chair Murray made a motion to accept Aug 10, 2026, 5:54 p.m. non-public and the Aug 10, 2026,
6:37 p.m. non-public minutes as presented and remain sealed, Selectman Brinser seconded, vote
2-0-1, Selectman Dancy abstained due to absence.
Selectman Brinser made a motion to accept the Aug 14, 2026, work session minutes, Selectman
Dancy seconded, vote 3-0. Motion passed.
Selectman Dancy made a motion to accept the Aug 17, 2026, work session minutes, Selectman
Brinser seconded, vote 3-0. Motion passed.
APPOINTMENTS
Jack Parsons, Code Officer, provided his update. Mr. Parsons reports that 2026 is a little ahead
of the 2025 statistics Mr. Parsons reports that he has ten building permits, two new houses, two
Certificates of Occupancy, and fifty-two inspections.
Chief James Hathcock provided the Police Department update, covering training and calls for
service. He discussed traffic concerns on Mountain and Durgin Roads and will ask State Police
about increased enforcement. Four unregistered dog license cases proceeded by summons, with
fifteen days to resolve. One application for Police Officer was received from the recent Granite
State advertisement: the Chief plans to broaden recruitment. Chief Hathcock confirmed that the
police budget can cover salary, uniforms, and academy costs, and that the 16-week academy
commitment could benefit the department for the right candidate.
Jack Widmer, Treasurer, presented updated police-station expenses, estimating a $16,000
overage after comparing contracts and costs. Hayman Builders offered to supply and spread
loam at their expense. The Board discussed delaying final grading and paving, using a warrant
article, or applying police-budget savings. However, Chair Murray would not support approval of
Tuftonboro Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2026.
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costs without confirmed funds. Mr. Widmer recommended asking NR Howard to complete the
approximately $185,000 in contracted and paid asphalt work; he considered a roughly $12,000
overage reasonable after the propane journal entry correction. Mr. Sanderson will consult legal
counsel about options for resolutions. Mr. Widmer said recovering money from the previous
contractor is unlikely to be cost-effective. The Board thanked him for his work.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Release of Welfare Lien, Roberta Blumit, per Tax Collector
Jackie Rollins, Tax Collector, raised a Registry of Deeds issue involving an auctioned
property on Butternut Lane. A lien was recorded in 1977, but records do not show the
amount owed or whether it was paid. Although the property has changed ownership four
times and the lien was likely resolved, it must be cleared for the title.
Selectman Brinser made a motion to sign the lien release as recommended by the Tax
Collector, Selectman Dancy seconded, vote 3-0, motion passed.
2. GWRSD August 2026 payment, sign check-
3. Notice of Appointment, Mitchell Tufts, Parks & Rec Commission
4. Notice of Appointment, Sarah Warner, Parks & Rec Commission
Selectman Dancy made a motion to sign both appointments for the Parks & Recreation
Commission, Chair Murray seconded, vote 3-0, motion passed.
5. Supplemental Warrant, Willand Rd Betterment, April 1,2026- March 31, 2027, $5,500.36
Chair Murray made a motion to accept and sign the supplemental warrant as presented,
Selectman Brinser seconded, vote 2-0-1, motion passed. Selectman Dancy abstained.
CORRESPONDENCE
• SOLitude Lake Management letter, Aug 6, 2026, treatment area
Chair Murray read aloud a letter and stipulated that it is yearly treatment.
• NH DES Letter of Deficiency LRM 25-036, Map 26-1-15/16, 26-1-17/18,26-1-19
• NH DES Letter of Deficiency LRM 25-036. Map Windswept Island -37-1
• Union Wharf Parking Concern
Chair Murray summarized a letter about parking concern at Union Wharf. Discussion occurred
about what is the intent behind the handicap parking concerns. Chair Murray delegates to Mr.
Sanderson to work with Chief Hathcock.
• Vertical Bridge contract update
Chair Murray reviewed the concern given the contract offered Vertical Bridge for
compensation related to cell towers within town. Selectman Brinser stated that Mr. Sanderson
has a great handle on this. Mr. Sanderson explained that given the state of the market and the
need for more market locations he is confident the town is in an advantageous position.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Meeting Room Technology & Recordings
Selectman Dancy raised concerns about meeting-room technology and recording limitations,
which slow the process. Options included Zoom, a TV, or a projector with a drop-down screen.
Mark Mulert noted that Zoom creates one recording, while Teams may require combining two.
The Board agreed to explore improvements and test recording with Zoom.
Tuftonboro Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2026.
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2. August–October Meetings
The Board discussed daytime and evening meetings. Chair Murray preferred 4:30 p.m., though
daytime meetings may better accommodate vendors. Members shared their scheduling
preferences and agreed dates could be adjusted as needed.
3. Holiday Calendar 2027- Town Office
Discussion moved on to the draft calendar. Selectman Brinser raised the question of
celebrating Juneteenth. Chair Murray asked for the basis of this decision. I offered clarification
on where the decision for Juneteenth was from the previous board let by Selectman Albee.
Discussion moved on to how to address the thirteen dates. Ms. Rollins offered that in the past
it was well received to have a floating holiday.
Selectman Brinser made a motion to move to a floating not Juneteenth for 2027 Holiday
calendar for the Town Office, Selectman Dancy seconded, vote 3-0, motion passed.
4. Holiday Calendar 2027- Transfer Station - tabled.
Appointments (Cont.)
Chief Adam Thompson supported a floating holiday and reviewed department calls. He
discussed the Dive Bar fire in Alton, including response and personnel safety; outstanding
balances and progress on the central-station cascade system; and Northwoods Camp incident
involving seven injured patients that did not require an official mass-casualty declaration because
adequate resources were available. AC Morgan explained clean-air refill safeguards and air-pack
limitations. Chief Thompson also reviewed the airboat sale and authorization the sale. AC Morgan
favored returning equipment-sale proceeds to the related capital reserve fund; Chief Thompson
noted an existing revolving fund but was unsure how it could be used.
Selectman Brinser made a motion to authorize the sale of the 2005 Yankee Badge air boat and
trailer as requested for $31,110, Selectman Dancy seconded, vote 3-0, motion passed.
Chief Thompson reported successful Fire Department support for Old Home Day, including traffic
control and water for the foam party. He credited Scott Thompson with the electrical aspects of
the cascade-system installation and noted that recent mass-casualty and driver-operator training
proved useful. He also updated the Board on camp inspections, operations, long-term projects,
and potential members of the virtual Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee, supported by Lakes
Region Planning.
ACTION ITEMS (Cont.)
5. Sodom Road & HEB agreement re FEMA grant
I offered clarification that contact information needs to be revised due to staffing changes.
Chair Murray made a motion to have the Chair sign a corrected authorization for Sodom Road
FEMA, Selectman Brinser seconded, vote 3-0, motion passed.
Appointments (Cont.)
Chris Ruel, Transfer Station, updated the Board on waste and revenue. A previously denied
reimbursement is under revision, and he will work with Mr. Sanderson to provide missing
information. Before proceeding with the scale, they will coordinate with the state and vendor to
meet groundwater permit and environmental requirements. Mr. Sanderson will provide weekly
updates. The assistant transfer-station applicant withdrew.
Tuftonboro Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2026.
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OTHER BUSINESS
At approximately 6:17 p.m., Chair Murray made a motion to enter non-public under RSA 91-A:3, II
(b) Employee hiring and compensation, Vote 3-0. Roll Call Vote- Murray- Yes, Dancy- Yes, Brisner-
Yes, motion passed.
At Approximately 6:43 p.m., Chair Murray made a motion to exit non-public session and seal the
minutes, Selectman Dancy seconded, Vote 3-0, motion passed. Roll Call Vote- Murray- Yes,
Dancy- Yes, Brisner- Yes, motion passed.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR AND SELECTMEN’S UPDATE
Mr. Paul Sanderson, Interim Town Administrator, thanked officials and staff for their welcome.
He is exploring a finance position, strengthening internal controls and transparency, and
prioritizing the MRI migration and staff training. The MS-1 and audit remain on schedule, though
school-district timing is outside the Town’s control. He also discussed the police-station audit’s
implications for the 2026 audit. By consensus, the Budget Committee may interview the
recording-secretary candidate and submit a recommendation.
Selectman Brinser requested timely MRI rollout updates and propane and oil information. Mr.
Sanderson said he is following Town policy and Board direction, receiving support from Lakes
Region Computer, reducing the paperwork backlog, and supporting staff. Staff are reconciling
available records with open matters. The Board also discussed facilities management and policy
gaps Mr. Sanderson may identify.
Selectman Dancy asked whether vendor contracts, expiration dates, and renewal options are
centrally tracked.
Mr. Sanderson outlined the distinct administrative and finance responsibilities, including human
resources, benefits, tax reporting, and deadlines, and supported cross-training for backup
coverage. The Board also discussed the upcoming three-week Middle Road closure for the State’s
failing box-culvert replacement at North Country Village. State communications will lead, with
concise Town updates shared online. Website improvements may also be needed for
accessibility and easier document access.
ADJOURNMENT
At approximately 7:19 p.m., Selectman Brinser made a motion to adjourn, Selectman Dancy
seconded, vote 3-0, motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Ashley N. Esposito
Clerical Secretary
Attached
Code officer (no report submitted), PD, FD, Transfer station update