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Town of Auburn
Board of Selectmen
Stritch Meeting Room
Town Hall
August 31, 2026
7 PM
Approved Minutes
Selectmen Present:  Keith Leclair, Tom Carroll and Todd Bedard
Others Present: Finance Director Mimi Friolet, Mike DiPietro, Gary Domourad, Nick Shostak 
and Howard Plante of Freedom Power, Town Administrator Chris Sterndale, and Nancy Hoijer, 
Recording Secretary
I. Call to Order
Mr. Leclair called the meeting to order at 7 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. Public Comments
III. Appointments with the Board
A. Freedom Power – Community Choice Aggregation
Nick Shostak and Howard Plante of Freedom Power provided a PowerPoint presentation 
concerning the Community Choice Aggregation Program. Mr. Shostak explained that they are 
brokers for third party supply and how the Town could choose to opt into the program and how 
residents could opt out.  They recommended a warrant article for the voters to decide. Town 
Administrator Sterndale will look into how that vote would need to be done.  They would help 
with getting materials out to the public to review, getting information on the webpage, having a 
public information session prior to launch and keep track of PUC submission deadlines.  He 
explained how electric bills are billed for supply and delivery rates and noted that those already 
in a third-party supply or solar and net metering might be exempt or able to opt in at a later date.
The first thing is to put out an RFP for third party suppliers and get prices from different 
suppliers and noted the bill would look the same except for the supply rate.  Assistance 
programs would be unaffected.  There is no guarantee the rate would always be better because 
Eversource changes their rate every six months.  He explained the dedicated phone line and 
email for opting out. Mr. Shostak explained how to form an energy committee with a minimum of
three people, such as the Select Board, member of the public, Town Administrator or Finance 
Director or Planner.  One person would serve as liaison to be able to sign off on rates and 
contracts. The Town would manage and decide what to do.
Mr. Leclair asked for them to compare it with individual plans like Direct Energy and Mr. Shostak
noted the benefit is the buying power and paying attention to the market rates.  Mr. Sterndale 
indicated they would need to solicit the interest of the residents.  Mr. Leclair recommended the 
Board take time to consider it and discuss it at the next meeting.

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IV. Consent Agenda
Mr. Leclair read out loud and offered for inspection the Consent Agenda dated August 31, 2026
which consisted of step increases for employees.
Mr. Carroll motioned to approve the Consent Agenda dated August 31, 2026.  Mr. Bedard 
seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion passed 
unanimously.
V. New Business
A. Snow Plowing
The Board reviewed the draft Highway Department Snow Plowing contracts for 2026-27 and 
Appendix A – Rates.  Mr. Rolfe recommended the same pricing as last year and added 
insurance details as recommended by Primex.
Mr. Carroll motioned to authorize the Highway Director to enter into plowing contracts for
2026-27.  Mr. Bedard seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion
passed unanimously.
B. Electioneering Policy
The Board reviewed the draft Electioneering Policy.  Mr. Sterndale noted that Kathy Sylvia 
made small revisions.
Mr. Carroll motioned to amend and adopt the revised Electioneering Policy.  Mr. Bedard 
seconded the motion.  A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion passed 
unanimously.
C. Purchasing Policy – Tabled
The Board reviewed the draft Purchasing Policy and.Appendix for Credit Card Users.  Mr. 
Sterndale reviewed the changes.  Mr. Leclair recommended some revisions in formatting and 
questioned Section 8 which was intentionally vague.  Mr. Carroll reviewed Section 10 which 
states the Select Board may waiver or modify.
Mr. Leclair recommended bringing it back once the revisions were made.
D. Fire Fleet Maintenance Request
The Board reviewed invoices from Lakes Region Fire Apparatus, and Rockingham Truck Repair
for services to Ladder 1 following inspection.
Mr. Carroll motioned to approve the expenditure from the Fleet Maintenance EFT of 
$9,427.  Mr. Bedard seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion 
passed unanimously.

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E. Revenue Recap and Rate Setting Preview
The Board reviewed the Draft 2026 MS-434 forms submitted to NH DRA and estimate of 
revenues.  Mr. Sterndale noted the increase in motor vehicle registrations of approximately 
2.5% annually.  He noted there was a meeting with the Town Treasurer tomorrow to discuss 
interest and investment.  He noted school district numbers were filed on time.
Town Administrator Sterndale detailed each of the larger unanticipated revenues expected for 
FY 2026-27.  He discussed the Griffin Mill Bridge Design Phase Grant some of which will be 
used for landscape design of the park.  He noted the $500,000 grant for the fire truck will likely 
be received in FY 27 after the new truck is received and the old truck engine is destroyed.  He 
discussed the 287g ICE Service Agreement revenues which he noted were double what was 
expected for each trained officer.  He indicated that funds could be used for IT and equipment 
related to immigration and the department does have IT costs.  The Board discussed where 
unanticipated revenues would go, such as the undesignated fund balance except for the funds 
designated for the police department.
F. Resignation – Mike DiPietro
Mr. DiPietro tendered his resignation from ZBA and Highway Safety.
Mr. Leclair motioned to accept the resignations, with regret.  Mr. Carroll seconded the 
motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion passed unanimously.
VI. Old Business
A. Electric Supply Contract
Town Administrator Sterndale provided an overview of the fixed price options for the 11/1/2026 
renewal term. He noted the school contract lapses in December 2028, and they are open to 
adding us.  The 36–48-month terms was recommended.
Mr. Carroll motioned to authorize the Town Administrator to enter into the 36 month 
contract with Priority Power @ $0.12573.  Mr. Leclair seconded the motion. A vote was 
taken, Mr. Bedard abstained, the motion passed 2-0-1.
B. Griffin Mill Bridge
Town Administrator Sterndale reported that he received one proposal with design and a couple 
of estimates without designs and expects another on Friday.  Mr. Leclair recommended paying 
for a design the town could use and tweak to discuss with Manchester Water Works and to be 
able to use that design plan to shop it.  Mr. Sterndale believes the cost for the design would be 
approximately $2,000.
VII. Committee Reports
Mr. Carroll reported that Parks & Recreation continues to discuss the proposed budget.

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VIII. Town Administrator Updates
Town Administrator Sterndale reported September 12th is Auburn Day and there will be 
fireworks before.
Mr. Domourad asked about the siding and if asbestos was found and Mr. Sterndale indicated 
not and there was not a lot of rot.
IX. Minutes
         
A. August 17, 2026 Public & Non-Public
Mr. Carroll motioned to approve the August 17, 2026 public and non-public meeting 
minutes. Mr. Bedard seconded the motion.  A vote was taken, all were in favor, the 
motion passed unanimously.
B. Consideration of unsealing non-public minutes: Oct 21, Nov 25, 2013
Mr. Carroll motioned to unsealed the non-public minutes of October 21, 2013, and 
November 25, 2013.  Mr. Bedard seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor,
the motion passed unanimously.
X. NON-PUBLIC SESSION 91-A:3(II)(d)
By Roll Call Mr. Leclair motioned to go into non-public session pursuant to 91A-3(II)(d). 
Mr. Carroll seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, Mr. Leclair voted aye, Mr. 
Carroll voted aye, and Mr. Bedard voted aye. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting room was closed to the public at 8:42 PM.
Mr. Leclair motioned to come out of non-public session.  Mr. Carroll seconded the 
motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting room was reopened to the public at 8:53 PM.
By Roll Call Mr. Leclair motioned to seal the minutes of the non-public session. Mr. 
Carroll seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion 
passed unanimously.
XI. Adjournment
Mr. Carroll motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM.  Mr. Bedard seconded the 
motion.  A vote was taken, all were in favor, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Hoijer, Recording Secretary