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Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

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Approved Meeting Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
Board of Selectmen 
August 3, 2026 
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes 
 
Present: Selectmen Ed Haskell, Bob Berti, & Isaac DeWever 
Town Administrator: Joe Chivell 
 
6:00 PM Meeting called to order by Board Chair, Ed Haskell. 
Payroll and accounts payable checks reviewed and signed. 
 
Documents to review & sign: 
• Payroll worksheet 
• Septic Design 12-001 008 
• Intent to Cut 11-001 005 
• PAF Vacation – Chief Patten 
• PAF Vacation – Superintendent Ouellette 
• Pay adjustments – Fire Department Members 
Document reviewed & not signed: 
• Intent to Cut 13-008 001 – Acreage on Intent did not align with Property Card 
 
6:00 PM 
Fire Department – 
 
The Board of Selectmen met with Fire-EMS Chief, Evan Hacker, for a Department update. 
Chief Hacker provided the Board with the Monthly Report for the month of July.  
 
The Department responded to 25 EMS calls, four of which Rumney EMS provided the 
transport and handled two non-transports. The Department responded to 14 Fire calls and 
3 Motor Vehicle Accidents. The Chief conducted 5 Oil/Propane inspections. The 
Department’s monthly training covered their BLS CPR Refresher. Chief Hacker provided the 
Board with a printout of the monthly activity pie chart. 
 
Chief Hacker reported this past weekend, starting August 1st the Department responded to 
9 calls for service.  
 
Chief Hacker reported that he had developed a Hazardous Condition Report Form to track 
situations resulting from either calls for service or inspections. This form allows for tracking 
of conditions and documenting the notification being given to the property owner. Hacker is 

Approved Meeting Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
obtaining quotes to have this made into a duplicate form (one for the department and one 
for the property owner).    
 
 
Chief Hacker reported that the Department members have started using the on-line 
training program that was approved a few Board meetings ago. The system allows the Chief 
and Deputy-Chief to set up appropriate training sessions for the Department members. 
 
The Purchase of two sets of bunker gear boots at the cost of $573.00 per set was 
requested. Chief Hacker reported that these boots will be issued to two members that have 
completed Fire 1 training. Hacker reported that he has funds in the Fire Department 
Operating Budget to cover the purchase. Selectman, Ed Haskell, made a motion to 
authorize the purchase of two sets of bunker gear boots at the cost of $573.00 per set. The 
motion received a second from Selectman, Isaac DeWever. There was no discussion on the 
motion. The motion passed 3-0.  
 
Chief Hacker reported that he is looking into two additional purchases, 1) replacement 
pagers, 2) an AED for the SUV. He will try to have pricing available for the next Board of 
Selectmen’s meeting. 
 
The Department will be interviewing an applicant this evening who has applied to be a 
member of the Department.  
 
Selectman, Isaac DeWever, asked Chief Hacker for his input of the driveway/road set up for 
a pending sub-division off Groton Hollow Road. Hacker stated that he did have a chance to 
speak with Planning Board Secretary, Judi Hall, about this. The items that Chief Hacker 
spoke to were: 
• Need of a cul-de-sac – Chief Hacker reported that as the property is situated 
currently a cul-de-sac is not needed. If it were to be developed further a cul-de-sac 
may be needed to allow fire engines to turn around due to the turning radius. 
• The E-911 numbering system will need to be laid out better to identify the different 
buildings that are on site. 
• The Chief is willing to attend any future Planning Board meeting to discuss this 
matter.  
6:20 PM 
Police Department – 
The Board of Selectmen met with Police Chief, Greg Patten, for a Department update.  
Chief Patten acknowledged that he had been asked to develop a monthly report form, 
much like the Fire Department has been providing for the Board. Chief Patten stated that he 
did not have that available for this meeting.  

Approved Meeting Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
Chief Patten reported that there were 177 Calls for Service, 5 new Criminal Cases, 9 motor 
vehicles stops, and one Court case during the month of July. 
The Board has requested a copy and status of the required Internal Review Policy. Chief 
Patten reported that he was mistaken in that he thought this had been completed and that 
it has not been completed to date. Chief Patten provided a copy of Rule 1.01 Organization 
that states that the purpose of organization of the manual the Departments directives, 
policies, rules, and procedures.  
An update of the MDT grant was requested by the Board. This update was requested to 
assist with any financial related planning that may be required for the grant. Chief Patten 
reported that since the last Board meeting he had contacted the Department of Safety, who 
is the grantor. Patten stated that there was an error on an excel format, also they need to 
have a copy of the Town’s Financial Audit. Town Administrator, Joe Chivell, stated that he 
can help with the audit request.  
Chief Patten reported that there are only about two unlicensed dogs on the Unlicensed Dog 
Warrant and it was all set.  
Chief Patten reported that he will set up the “No Parking” signs for Old Home Day the Friday 
Night prior to Old Home Day. Patten stated that he contacted the Grafton County Sheriff’s 
Office to request two Deputy Sheriffs to assist with parade traffic. 
The Police Secretary position is still vacant. Chief Patten reported that he renewed the 
posting of the vacancy on Indeed over the weekend. The renewal generated 17 new 
applicants.  
The Radar sign was placed near the Plymouth/Rumney Townline to collect traffic data of 
eastbound vehicles. During the first week of July, it identified 8,000 vehicles. The average 
speed was 47MPH with a peak speed of 97MPH. 
During the time frame of July 8th and 15th the Radar sign was placed on the west end of 
Route 25. During that period the sign identified 15,600 vehicles. 9% were travelling over 
15MPH of the posted speed limit, with a peak speed of 72MPH.   
Chief Patten reported that he had updated the Tow and Impound Inventory form used by 
the Police Department. A copy of the form was provided for the Board’s review.  
The Board of Selectmen and the Rumney Police Department had received a citizen 
complaint regarding the alleged violation of the Quiet Hours part of the Disorderly Actions 
Ordinance. The complainant stated that situation has been going on for the past 9 years.  
Selectman, Bob Berti, stated that this does not fall completely on the Police Department, 
Fire Department, or NH-DES. But no one should have to put up with an ongoing situation 
like this. Berti asked what the Police Department is doing to address this issue.  Chief 

Approved Meeting Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
Patten stated that he is aware of 911 calls being made about the noise and activities going 
on at the location being complained about. Patten stated that years ago he called NH-DES 
about his concern of water contamination from the property. Selectman, Bob Berti, asked 
about the noise issues. Chief Patten stated that it is a terrible place, but they have scanners 
and they know when the police are responding and stop the noise. Patten stated that 
Rumney Police are not out at that time of night and stated that State Police will not go to 
noise complaints. Chief Patten stated that they have arrested several people at the 
property, but most of the time they are just released by the Court system. Chief Patten 
asked if the Board expected the police department to flip the schedule and work those 
hours. Chief Patten stated that he feels bad for the complainant and talks with him on a 
regular basis. Selectman, Isaac DeWever asked if there were any other legal avenues? Civil 
actions? Junk Yard actions? Chief Patten stated that he could look into the charge of a 
disorderly house, but that would be a charge against the property owner, not the person 
that is causing the issues. Patten was asked if he’d spoken with the County Attorney about 
taking that approach. Patten stated that he had not but will try.  
7:00 AM 
Public Forum – 
There was no input during Public Form. 
 
7:05 AM 
Town Administrator Report – 
A copy of the meeting minutes from the July 20, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting were 
provided for review. Selectman, Isaac DeWever, made a motion to accept the July 20, 2026, 
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes. The motion received a second from Selectman, Bob 
Berti. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion passed 3-0. 
Coverage of the Polls during September 8, 2026, Primary Election was discussed. Both 
Selectmen, Bob Berti and Isaac DeWever, reported they would not be available that day. 
Alternative coverage measures were discussed. A definite plan will be approved during the 
August 17, 2026, Board Meeting.  
A Town owned roadside worksite sign was taken from the crack seal worksite along Old 
Route 25. The sign, sign stand, and base were valued at about $300.00.  
A draft of the Department and Committee Head Budget Letter was reviewed by the Board of 
Selectmen. The letter outlined what is needed to complete the FY 2027 Budget along with 
the due dates. The Board approved the letter, which will be disseminated August 4th.   
The Town inspected 79 School Street as it relates to an alleged illegal junk yard. The person 
that lives on the property walked the area with Code person Audrey Cline and Town 
Administrator Joe Chivell. The property lines were verified and actions that need to be taken 
identified and explained.  

Approved Meeting Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
Correspondence between Town Council and the property owners of 51 & 118 School 
Street, sites of alleged illegal junk yards, were shared with the Board. 
Correspondence between NH-DES and the owners of 2625 Stinson Lake Road regarding a 
possible violation was provided to the Board for their review. 
7:25 PM 
Old Business – 
An update on projects that the Rumney Highway Department is working on was provided. 
• School Street Culvert – The footing for the culvert wall has been poured. The form for 
the culvert wall will be built this week, and the area will be made ready for pouring 
additional concrete.  
• Buffalo Road Ditching is continuing. The rented excavator will be returned on Aug 
6th, both sides of Buffalo Road, between the Wentworth/Rumney Town line and Sand 
Hill Road should be completed by that time.  
• The crack sealing of Old Route 25 and Swainsboro Road were completed today.  
• The 6-ton limit signs for Sand Hill Bridge have been placed along the eastbound and 
westbound sides of Rumney Route 25, as well as on both ends of Sand Hill Road. 
The one-lane bridge signs have been put into place on both ends of the bridge.  
The 2026 Highway Department Projects expenditures and pending expenditures were 
reviewed. Adding projects this Fall was discussed. Quotes for additional crack seal were 
obtained. Crack Sealing School Street, Cross Road, Sand Hill Road, the upper parking lot of 
the Rest Area, Fire Department parking lot, Town Office parking lot, and Police Department 
parking lot were discussed. Funds are available within this years Road Improvement 
Budget to complete the street and roads listed above. Funds to complete the Rest Area are 
available. Part of the funds needed to complete the parking lots is available. The Board 
discussed the need to keep up with Town roads infrastructure, the availability to the crack 
seal vendor, and the probable cost increases for this type of project next year. The Board 
agreed to move forward with these additional projects. Selectman, Bob Berti, made a 
motion to approve the expenditure to crack seal School Street, Cross Road, and Sand Hill 
Road at the cost of $17,215.00. The motion received a second from Selectman, Isaac 
DeWever. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion passed 3-0. 
Selectman, Bob Berti, made a motion to approve the expenditure of $3,300.00 to crack seal 
the parking lot of the Rest Area, with funds from the Rest Area budget to be used, and the 
expenditure of $3,300.00, using available funds from the operating budgets, supplemented 
with Building Improvement Capital Reserve funds, to crack seal the parking lots at the Fire 
Station, the Town Office, and the Police Department. The motion received a second from 
Selectman, Isaac DeWever. There was no additional discussion. The motion passed 3-0. 
7:50 PM 
New Business –  

Approved Meeting Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
Rumney Tax Collector, Dawn Coffey, provided a list of four properties that are possibilities 
of being deeded if the 2023 taxes are not made. Coffey will be at the August 17th Board 
meeting to present properties to be deeded.  
7:55 PM 
Nonpublic Session – 
Selectman, Isaac DeWever, made a motion to enter nonpublic session, as allowed by NH 
RSA 91-A:3, II (a) & (c). The motion received a second from Selectman, Bob Berti. There was 
no discussion on the motion. Following a roll call vote the motion passed 3-0.  
  8:30 PM 
Selectman, Isaac DeWever, made a motion to leave nonpublic session and 
return to public session. The motion received a second from Selectman, Bob Berti. There 
was no discussion on the motion. Following a roll call vote the motion passed 3-0.  
8:35 PM 
Adjournment – 
Selectman, Isaac DeWever, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion received a 
second from Selectman, Bob Berti. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion 
passed 3-0.  
 Sincerely submitted,   
 
  
Joe Chivell  
Town Administrator   
Rumney, NH   
 
Up-coming Meeting/Closure Dates  
 
  
 
 
Conservation Commission Meeting  
 
 
August 12, 2026 
Board of Selectmen Meeting 
 
 
 
August 17, 2026 
Planning Board Meeting  
 
 
 
 
August 25, 2026 
Town Office Close – Labor Day 
 
 
 
September 7, 2026 
State Primary Election  
 
 
 
 
September 8, 202