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08/25/2026

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2026.08.25 Warner Select Board Meeting Minutes 
 
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Select Board Public Meeting Minutes 
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  August 25, 2026 6:00 PM 
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I.   
Open meeting Roll Call/Attendance and Pledge of Allegiance  
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Chairman Alfred Hanson called the public meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was 
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recited. 
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Select Board present: Chairman Alfred Hanson, Vice Chair Rick Bixby and Michael Smith  
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Public present: Judy Newman-Rogers, Herm Blanchette, Clyde Carson, Ed Mical, Sara McNeil, Kathy 
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Carson, Varick Proper 
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The Select Board considered the following tax deed waivers.  
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby that a tax deed waiver be granted to Map 01-03 
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Lot 024-44PLE. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith YES  
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Mike Smith that a tax deed waiver be granted to Map 03 
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Lot 014. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith NO 
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Mike Smith that a tax deed waiver be granted to Map 34 
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Lot 026. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith YES 
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby that a tax deed waiver be granted to Map 16 
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Lot 041. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith NO 
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby that a tax deed waiver be granted to Map 26 
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Lot 003. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith NO 
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Mike Smith that a tax deed waiver be granted to Map ON -
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03 Lot 024-54PLE. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith YES 
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II.  
Select Board Business:  Departments 
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a. 
Highway 
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1. Update on the Highway Garage 
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Herm Blanchette advised the Select Board that the insulation will be delivered on Monday.  He stated that 
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the exterior panels and existing insulation will be removed starting on Tuesday.  He explained that the 
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electrical and plumbing has been roughed in.  
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TOWN OF WARNER 
     PO Box 265  
        Warner, New Hampshire 03278-0265                     
 Telephone: (603) 456-2298   Fax: (603) 456-2297 
 
Warnernh.gov    administrator@warnernh.gov     
selectboard@warnernh.gov           
Select Board: Alfred Hanson, Chairman 
Rick Bixby, Vice Chair 
Michael J. Smith 
   
 

 
2026.08.25 Warner Select Board Meeting Minutes 
 
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2.  Street Sweeper – Replacement 
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Alfred Hanson explained that a public hearing will be scheduled for September 15, 2026 to discuss 
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purchasing a street sweeper.  
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3.  Sealed Bid Opening for Highway Equipment 
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Alfred Hanson asked if any bids were received.  Judy Newman-Rogers stated that one bid was received.  
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Rick Bixby unsealed and read the bid received in the amount of $5,150.55 for the fire truck. 
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Mike Smith made a motion seconded by Alfred Hanson to accept the bid for the fire truck in the 
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amount of $5,150.55.  Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith YES 
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Herm Blanchette stated that he will contact the auctioneer for the dump truck.  
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The Select Board discussed when each member would be present at the upcoming election.  Mike Smith will 
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be present in the morning, Alfred Hanson will be present for the next shift and Rick Bixby will be present in 
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the third shift.  
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b. 
Transfer Station 
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1. Out of Town Users 
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Alfred Hanson explained that recently a property owner on the town line of Sutton came to Select Board for 
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clarification on an agreement that was in place between the town and the previous owner of his property to 
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use the transfer station. Varick Proper explained the usage was granted back in the 1990’s.  He is unaware of 
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the reasoning of the town in granting the previous owner usage of the Warner Transfer Station.  Varick 
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Proper advised the Select Board that granting this property permission to utilize the transfer station is a 
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contravention of the State permit and the solid waste ordinance.  Varick Proper referenced the permit noting 
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that it specifies that only waste generated within the town of Warner is allowed. Alfred Hanson stated that he 
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has not seen and has been unable to locate the agreement. Varick Proper explained that he has only seen a 
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letter from the Town of Sutton asking about an agreement. 
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Alfred Hanson stated that he views this matter as cut and dry. Varick Proper agreed.  Varick Proper requested 
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the Select Board reconsider the agreement with four other parties who in the past to use the facility.   
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby that the Warner transfer station does not 
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accept trash/waste that was generated out of town. Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith YES 
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c. 
Finance Director 
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1. Presentation on Outsourcing Payroll 
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Clyde Carson presented the information on outsourcing payroll.  He explained that he approached four 
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companies: MRI, Check Mate, Paychex and ADP. Clyde Carson informed the Select Board that MRI is the 
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financial vendor currently used for finance software Municipal Technology Systems (MTS), CheckMate is 
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located in Concord and services other municipalities. He stated that Paychex was unable to provide names of 
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other municipalities and ADP did not respond to the request.  Clyde Carson explained that if the payroll 
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functions are outsourced there will still need to be an administrator to handle new hires, wage changes, 
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insurance enrollments, insurance changes, special deductions, retirement system interface and unemployment 
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insurance.  He advised the Select Board that those functions do not go away.   
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Clyde Carson explained that electronic time collection (time and attendance) was only included in the 
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Paychex proposal. He stated that CheckMate does not do that and MTS did not want to bid on that. Clyde 
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Carson advised the Select Board that Paychex will charge an additional $4,116 per year.  Clyde Carson 
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2026.08.25 Warner Select Board Meeting Minutes 
 
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explained that currently time sheet entry is done.  He explained that if outsourcing is pursued time sheets 
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would need to be scanned and sent to the vendor to enter.  Mike Smith noted that last year CheckMate 
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offered the service and a manager would be required to approve the time sheet. 
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Clyde Caron explained that the bi-weekly and quarterly payroll processing and federal reporting are services 
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that each vendor can provide. He advised the Select Board that each vendor charges for check printing, 
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envelopes and delivery unless printed locally.   
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Clyde Carson spoke about the importance of reporting the NH Retirement. He stated that MTS and 
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CheckMate are familiar with NH Retirement reporting. He stated that Paychex indicated that they could do 
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but did not provide a reference.  Clyde Carson stressed the importance of interfacing with the Town’s current 
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financial system (MTS).  CheckMate has indicated they could interface with MTS.  Paychex indicated that as 
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of today they do not have that but they could provide that service. 
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Clyde Carson spoke about the importance of retaining payroll history.  He stated that if MTS is selected the 
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Town would not lose the history. He explained that the town would lose the payroll history if CheckMate or 
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Paychex is selected. Clyde Carson explained that MTS would not charge a one time fee because the Town 
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currently uses MTS and if selected the annual cost would be reduced by $500. Clyde Carson stated that the 
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one time fee for CheckMate is $750 and Paychex is $241. He stated that the annual cost for MTS (not 
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including time and attendance) would be $13,750. CheckMate $8,062 and Paychex $5,570 
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Alfred Hanson stated that he is currently not prepared to make a decision tonight.  He would like to see the 
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impact on the operating budget for outsourcing payroll.  Rick Bixby is comfortable holding off on a decision, 
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his preference would be to move forward with CheckMate.  Mike Smith explained that he went on the 
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CheckMate website and they do offer time clocks.  Mike Smith stated that in the past he contacted APD but 
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they fees were much higher.  He appreciates that CheckMate is local and they seemed to be the best choice.  
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Clyde Carson stated that CheckMate is at $8,800 and they are basically doing what town staff is currently 
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doing. He questioned the value to the Town of going with any of the three. Mike Smith explained that this 
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was a decision made at town meeting he stressed that they do not have a choice.  Alfred Hanson explained 
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that the Select Board is the body that makes the final decision.  Alfred Hanson questioned if they switched to 
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CheckMate or Paychex what would the Town lose. Clyde Carson explained the Town would lose the payroll 
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history. He spoke about the importance of interfacing smoothly.   
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Alfred Hanson stated that he will provide copies of the budget to the Select Board in the next few weeks and 
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they can revisit this discussion.  The Select Board agreed. 
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Alfred Hanson called a two minute recess at 7:09 PM 
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d. 
Tax Collector (Not present) 
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1. Refund Request 
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby to approve the Tax Collector’s request to 
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refund an over payment of 2026 taxes for Map 7 Lot 23 and Map 10 Lot 78 in the amount of $6,694.18. 
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Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Smith YES Bixby YES 
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III.  
Select Board Other Business  
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a. 
Beautification Group, Town Hall Lighting 
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Sara McNeil advised the Select Board that one panel is missing from the Town Hall Kiosk. She was told that 
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it would cost $700-800 to make the repairs.  She found a replacement at Home Depot for $200. Mike Smith 
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stated that there is enough in the building maintenance fund.  
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Mike Smith made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby to ask building maintenance to order and install 
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what is needed to repair the broken kiosk.  Roll Call Vote Smith YES Bixby YES Hanson YES 
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Sara McNeil explained that the location of proposed new lighting fixtures. She presented a sample lighting 
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fixture.  She stated that the LED bulbs are inexpensive. She explained that the archway on the right needs 
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electrical work to install electricity, the middle archway and the archway on the left have lamps that will be 
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replaced. She informed the Select Board that lights would be controlled by a timer and light switch. 
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Mike Smith asked for clarification on the photo provided of the flag pole light.  Sara McNeil explained that 
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two quotes were submitted 1) $2,250 and 2) $7,686. She stated that the first quote is for the three archway 
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lights.  Sara McNeil explained that currently there is a flood light that shines on the building and it is too 
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strong. She requested a separate quote to remove the floodlight and install a new fixture (spotlight).   
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Sara McNeil informed the Select Board that they are proposing to install a new fixture in the Town Hall front 
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hallway. She noted that the area is very dim.  Sara McNeil explained that the electrician would install the 
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same style fixture in that area.  She stated that when the hall light is turned on it also turns on the light in the 
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Town Administrator’s office.   
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Kathy Carson explained that there are two quotes for the Select Board to consider. 1) for the Beautification 
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Committee to install three archway lights and 2) for the town of Warner to address the additional lighting 
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repairs (two nonfunctioning lights on the front the Town Hall building).  Kathy Carson explained that they 
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requested the seconded quote to take advantage that the electrician would be on site.  Kathy Carson pointed 
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to the exposed wires that should be addressed. Sara McNeil stated that she would like to have this done by 
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the fall festival. Ed Mical asked about motion detection.  Kathy Carson stated that the lights can be motion 
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detection.  She stated that should be included in the quote.  
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Rick Bixby made a motion seconded by Alfred Hanson to authorize the expenditure of $2,250 from the 
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Beautification Fund   to replace and install light fixtures (three archway and one hallway) in the Town 
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Hall entry way. Roll Call Vote Bixby YES Hanson YES Smith YES 
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Alfred Hanson addressed the second quote for the Town to remove the existing exterior fixtures and dangling 
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wires. He requested a price quote to cap off the three lights.  Kathy and Sara McNeil stated that they will 
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speak to Irish Electric. Alfred Hanson explained that the second quote can be considered with that 
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information at the next Select Board meeting.   
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b. 
Adoption of New FEMA Flood Insurance Study Report and Flood Insurance Rate 
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Maps, 
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Ed Mical Emergency Management Director 
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Ed Mical presented the proposed language for the motion to adopt the New FEMA Flood Insurance Study 
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Report and Flood Insurance Rate Maps.  
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Alfred Hanson made the following motion seconded by Mike Smith. 
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By resolution of the Town of Warner Select Board all land designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas 
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by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its flood insurance study for the county of 
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Merrimack New Hampshire dated November 13, 2026 or as amended together with the Association 
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Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated November 13, 2026 or as amended which is declared to be part of 
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the Town of Warner’s New Hampshire flood plain ordinance and are hereby incorporated by 
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reference.   Roll Call Vote Hanson YES Bixby YES Smith YES 
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2026.08.25 Warner Select Board Meeting Minutes 
 
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Ed Mical explained that the land use office will make the changes to the ordinance and then certified by the 
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Town Clerk.  He stated that once certified it will be sent to the State and to FEMA.  
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c.  
Michael Simon, Library Trustee Resignation 
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Mike Smith made a motion seconded by Alfred Hanson to accept the resignation of Michael Simon as 
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Library Trustee of the Pillsbury Free Library effective date August 15, 2026. Roll Call Vote Bixby YES 
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Smith YES Hanson YES 
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IV.   
Public Comment  
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Ed Mical asked for clarification on the tax deed waiver. The Select Board explained that they voted to waive 
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the tax deeding of those properties for a year. 
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V.  
Consent Agenda:  None 
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VI.  
Manifest: 
August 25, 2026 
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A motion for the Select Board to approve the following previously signed manifest; 
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Accounts payable checks 12856 through 12888 dated August 13, 2026 in the amount of $185,745.86 
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Accounts payable check numbers 12889 through 12891 dated August 18, 2026 in the amount of $62,584.55 
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for the August 20, 2026 bi-weekly payroll deposit. 
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Bi-weekly payroll check numbers 4296 through 4302 and direct deposit numbers EO3468 through EO3498 
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dated August 20, 2026 for a net payroll of $48,298.06 
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Accounts payable check number 12892 dated August 20, 2026in the amount of $271.00. 
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Alfred Hanson made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby to approve the August 25, 2026 manifest as 
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read.  Roll Call Vote Bixby YES Hanson YES Smith ABSTAIN 
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VII.  Minutes:    
August 11, 2026 - Tabled 
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Mike Smith clarified the Election day schedule for the Select Board; Smith 7:00AM to 11:00 AM, Hanson 
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11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Bixby 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Alfred Hanson will return at 7:00 PM for the signing.  
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The Select Board agreed. 
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VIII.  Non-Public Session if needed (RSA 91-A:3 II (a-m) ) 
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None 
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IX.  
Adjournment 
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Mike Smith made a motion seconded by Rick Bixby to adjourn the Select Board meeting. Roll Call 
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Vote Smith YES Hanson YES Bixby YES 
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The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM 
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Respectfully submitted on 8/31/26 by Tracy Doherty 
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