NH Muni WatchStatewide meeting record

All towns · littleton

Document

The Board approved minutes from the 8/24/2026 meeting 3-0, deferring 8/26/2026 minutes. They adopted a proclamation declaring September 13-19, 2026, as Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week via a 4-0 vote. Discussions on establishing a Municipal Infrastructure and Asset Commission and a building code enforcement officer were deferred to future work sessions. Town Manager Brown reported the C-PACER petition was invalid and lacking an identified petitioner; legal counsel will review. Upcoming budget meetings involve police, highway, recreation, and fire. Public Works indicated Broomstick Hill Road paving is likely for next year due to liquid asphalt price increases ($717 per gallon). The Palmer Brook Bridge project is in permitting, with construction anticipated for 2027–2028. The meeting adjourned 4-0. Source: https://www.townoflittleton.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09142026-196

Document

9/
9/14/2026 BOS MEETING 
1 
 
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN 
MEETING MINUTES 
Monday, September 14, 2026 
5:00 PM at Littleton Community Center 
Attendees Present: 
Paul Lehmann, Vice Chair; Dave Harkless, Member; Ed Cherian, Member; Taylor Caswell, 
Member (arrived late); Chief Paul Smith; Troy Brown, Town Manager; Eric Oliver, Public 
Works Director; Chief Chad Miller (arrived late); Vicki Potter, Administrative Secretary; Zack 
Dickenson, Zack D. Video; Dan Edgar, Resident; BG Frasier, Resident; Mike Knocky, Resident; 
December Rust, Resident 
1. Call to Order and Opening 
Lehmann opened the Select Board meeting at 5:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and a 
moment of silence. 
2. Approval of Minutes 
The Board addressed approval of prior meeting minutes. For Select Board meeting held on 
8/24/2026, Cherian made a motion to approve them as presented. Harkless seconded the motion. 
All agreed. Motion passed 3-0. For Joint Quarterly Budget Meeting held on 8/26/2026, they 
deferred approval of minutes until their next regular meeting pending full board. (Cherian 
was not present at this meeting and Harrington and Caswell were not present for this 
motion) 
3. Municipal Infrastructure and Asset Commission Proposal 
Rust presented a proposal to explore establishing a Municipal Infrastructure and Asset 
Commission. The presenter stated the purpose would be to promote long-term inspection, 
maintenance, safety, documentation, and sustainability of the town's municipal infrastructure and 
physical assets, including the town office building, the current suspension bridge, the volunteer 
bridge, and the community pool. He noted the pool is facing an approximately $2 million repair 
bill and that its water depth is currently too shallow for safe use of the diving board, which the 
presenter described as a liability. Rust further stated that the suspension bridge's original steel 
structure is approximately 87 years old, that visible rust exists on the suspension cables (though 
not described as deep pitted rust), and that the railing height appears low for the bicycle traffic it 
receives, despite being designated a foot bridge. He stated that no readily identifiable inspection 
records for the suspension bridge could be located, which they characterized as a liability for the 
town. Rust clarified, the proposed commission would not replace the Select Board or existing 
departments and would not perform inspections or assume operational authority. He asked the 
Board only to support further exploration and to direct the Town Manager, in consultation with a 
designated Select Board member and municipal officers, to identify potential gaps. Harkless 
indicated the matter should be discussed at a future work session rather than decided 
without a full board present. 
 

9/
9/14/2026 BOS MEETING 
2 
 
4. Building Code Enforcement Officer Proposal 
Rust proposed exploring the establishment of a building code enforcement officer. He stated the 
town currently has a planning board and zoning ordinances but no enforcement mechanism to 
ensure compliance with the existing New Hampshire state building code or local ordinances. He 
also stated that, according to information from an official who oversees portions of the building 
process, some local contractors were not building to code because no oversight existed. Rust 
referenced anticipated town growth, including affordable housing efforts, a casino, and a 
possible high-end grocer, and cited properties such as the rail trail village and Great River Hydro 
as examples lacking oversight. Rust suggested exploring full-time, part-time, contracted, or 
regional hybrid models and noted possible office space at the fire station. 
Chief Miller spoke in support of addressing occupancy permits, stating the town does not issue 
occupancy permits and encounters issues when buildings change use without being designed for 
the new use. The Chief stated that a recently built large healthcare occupancy was found not to 
be built to code, prompting the state to serve as building inspector for two days per week to 
correct the issues. The Chief further cited a large box store where gas piping to the RTUs was 
not done to code, and another building where gas piping done by an official in another town was 
not to code and had to be replaced. Chief Miller also described a waterfront property septic 
system disagreement over the number of bedrooms (long recorded as three but determined to be 
four), which affects assessing and septic sizing. The Board indicated the matter would be taken 
up at a future work session. 
5. Proclamation 
Caswell read and adopted a proclamation declaring September 13 through 19, 2026, as Direct 
Support Professionals Appreciation Week. Lehmann made a motion to adopt the 
proclamation. Harkless seconded the motion. The Board voted in favor, and the motion 
passed 4-0. 
6. Town Manager Report 
Town Manager Brown reported correspondence received from Mike Dickerman, President of the 
Littleton Historical Society reiterating support for storing the 1931 American LaFrance Fire 
Truck referred to as "Bertha" at the Opera House. The Town Manager also reported that a binder 
containing C-PACER program material and petitions was hand-delivered anonymously, with no 
identified lead or contact person and no listed primary petitioner. Brown stated that current state 
law requires the petitioner to be identified, that the petition appears invalid as submitted, and that 
a legal opinion would be sought. The Board discussed the C-PACER program (a debt product to 
offset costs of energy efficiency or clean power projects repaid through property tax bills) and 
agreed to have state representatives present on the program before considering adoption. He also 
reported upcoming budget meetings with remaining departments (police, highway, recreation, 
fire) and noted the cable franchise agreement item, which was discussed regarding potential 
renewal. 
 
7. Board Comments 
Harkless reported plans for the "Gathering of the Jack-O'-Lanterns" event scheduled for 

9/
9/14/2026 BOS MEETING 
3 
 
Halloween, coordinated with Parks, & Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission and Friends of 
Remich Park, expecting approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people per day and roughly 750 lit Jack-
O'-Lanterns, funded through sponsorship dollars and subject to the event permit process. Town 
Manager Brown and Chief Miller also reported that Littleton will be entering talks to disc 
8. Public Comment — Roads 
A resident identifying himself as Dan Edgar, who stated he has lived on Broomstick Hill Road 
since 1981, inquired about the paving schedule for the paved portion of Broomstick Hill (from 
the corner to a residence). The Public Works Director, Oliver, responded that the road is on the 
department's radar, likely for next year, citing price escalations in diesel fuel and liquid asphalt 
(bid at $642 per gallon in April, currently $717 per gallon), and that the base needs repair before 
repaving. The discussion also addressed Manns Hill Road, the Palmer Brook crossing/Manns 
Hill Bridge project (grant-funded, with permitting and design pending, and construction 
anticipated approximately 2027–2028), and a road assessment being conducted with North 
Country Council. 
9. Public Comment — Riverwalk Public Safety Concerns 
Rust raised three public-safety concerns observed over the past couple of years along the River 
Walk and volunteer bridge: 
• 
Dogs off leash: Rust stated dogs are frequently off-leash and in violation of a town 
ordinance (referenced as Chapter 3 or 5), that the animals charge toward the water access 
area where children play and wildlife (a fox and weasels) reside, and that he has been 
repeatedly approached by loose dogs. 
• 
Public drinking: He stated that public drinking on the volunteer bridge has increased 
from one individual last year to at least four individua 
Adjournment: 
Cherian made a motion to close this meeting. Harkless seconded the motion. All agreed. 
Motion passed 4-0. Meeting ended at 6:17 PM.  
Minutes recorded by Vicki Potter