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Select Board Agenda (minutes)

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BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
TOWN OF EPPING, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Monday, July 20, 2026

ATTENDANCE:

Chairman Pamela Tibbetts; Vice-Chairman Caitlin McCormack, Selectman Tom
Gauthier; Selectman Joe Trombley; Town Administrator Jake T. Roger; Selectman
Cliff Cray (absent).

Also present:

Ken Berkenbush, Fire Chief

Michael Wallace, Police Chief

Crystal Grover & Scott Rubestein, Kristi’s Cravings
Cindy Mulcahy, Recording Secretary

, CALL TO ORDER at 6:00 PM.

Motion by Chairman Tibbetts to enter a non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-
A:3 II (A) and (C). Seconded by Selectman Gauthier. Motion carried 4-0. Roll Call Vote;
Pamela Tibbetts, Tom Gauthier, Joe Trombley, and Caitlin McCormack, all voting aye.

RECONVENE

Chairman Tibbetts reconvened the public session at 7:02 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CONSENT CALENDAR

The minutes from the June 22, 2026 and July 6, 2026 Board of Selectmen meetings were
submitted for approval.


The Payroll manifest for the pay period ending July 16, 2026, in the amount of
$222,867.38 was submitted for approval. The Accounts Payable manifest for the period
ending July 16, 2026, in the amount of $1,507,926.72 ($1,000,000 is for the school and
$507,926.72 is for the Town) was submitted for approval.

Two Veteran’s Tax Credit Applications (Map 23 Lot 39-31-D and Map 028 Lot 038-193)
were submitted for approval.

Six LUCT (Land Use Change Tax) forms were submitted for approval (Map 28, Lot 13-7,
Map 28, Lot 13-9, Map 28, Lot 13-10 and Map 11, Lots 9-1, 9-2 & 9-3).

The appointment of Brendan Mulhall as an Alternate Member to the Conservation
Commission for a term expiring 7/22/2029 was submitted for approval.

Motion by Selectman Gauthier to approve the consent calendar as submitted. Second
by Selectman Trombley. Motion carries 4-0.

BUSINESS

Fire - Ambulance PO Chief Berkenbush came before the Board to request the
replacement of a 2017 ambulance that is rusting out. He obtained three bids and
recommends going with the one from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles for $428,968.
The vehicle is a F-550 gas model that will last about 10 years. The equipment from the
2017 ambulance will all be transferable to the new ambulance except for the stretcher,
which needs to be replaced. J. Trombley asked if Greenwood was the vendor used
previously and Chief Berkenbush said that they were not but that the usual vendor is
under new ownership and not the same to deal with as they were previously.

The Town currently has two other ambulances, a 2022 and a 2023, which were
purchased closer together than normal because there was a good deal available. The
Budget Committee had voiced a concern about the Town having three ambulances,
which has been the norm for many years. Selectman Trombley said that from a budget
standpoint it was a fair question but not from an operational standpoint. Chief
Berkenbush said that due to the number of calls (including mutual aid), lack of back-up
vehicles in the area and the sometimes protracted drive times that having a third
ambulance is imperative. Chief Berkenbush said that this purchase would be an easy
transition and keep consistency across the fleet. This purchase will come out of the
Ambulance Fund and the ambulance will be ready for service in 12-18 months.



Motion by Selectman Trombley to approve PO #695 from Greenwood Emergency
Vehicles for $428,968 to come out of the Ambulance Fund. Second by Chairman
Tibbetts. Motion carries 4-0.

Police - PO Cruiser Upfit Chief Wallace came before the Board to request authorization
to have two cruisers equipped by Adamson Industries, who came in with the lowest bid
of $42,760. Selectman Trombley said that the future goal would be to pay for cruisers
out of the Police Detail account if it accrues enough funds. Selectman Trombley clarified
that although the PO says “Complete Cruiser Upfit” that certain items are not included,
such as radios and laptops. $82,000 total has been budgeted to cover both upfits.
Selectman Trombley asked in future if POs could list the name of the account as well as
the account number.

Motion by Selectman Trombley to approve PO #695 (or the future amended PO
number) of $42,760 from the Cruiser Upfit line from the Police Budget for a partial up-
fit of two cruisers. Second by Selectman Gauthier. Motion carries 4-0.

Vendor's License Ms. Grover & Mr. Rubenstein came before the Board to request
approval of their Application for a Peddlers/ Vendors License. Their business (Kristi’s
Cravings) does mostly events but they plan to operate a food truck out of the Lowe’s
parking lot on Mondays-Wednesdays (days may differ slightly occasionally). They have
obtained permission from Lowe’s and their location will likely be by the sheds area.

Motion by Selectman Trombley to approve the permit as presented. Second by
Selectman Gauthier. Motion carries 4-0.

Highway - Paving, Salt Shed POs Administrator Roger presented a paving bid of
$269,464.20 from Peckham Road Corp. (previously GMI) of Hudson Falls, NY to pave
the Delaney /Cote/Lois neighborhood. Limited bids were received due to the scope of
the project. The discussion was tabled until a Public Works member could be present.

Motion by Selectman Gauthier to table the discussion until the next meeting. Second by
Selectman Trombley. Motion carries 4-0.

A structure to shelter the salt will be needed at some point and Administrator Roger
presented a bid by Greystone Construction for a fabric construction salt shed. Selectman
Trombley was not in favor of a fabric structure for durability and wanted to see other
options. Vice Chair McCormack wanted to know the numbers (i.e. salt loss amounts)
behind the decision. The discussion was tabled until a Public Works member could be
present.


Motion by Selectman Trombley to table the discussion until the next meeting and work
on options, alternatives and specific parameters in the meantime. Second by Selectman
Gauthier. Motion carries 4-0.

Admin Trash Disposal Cost Administrator Roger said that the Town had previously
made a smart decision to elect to not join Lamprey Co-op and stay with Waste
Management (WM) as there had been significant savings over Lamprey’s pricing.
However as of 2027, the Town needs to pick whether to go with Lamprey Co-op or WM
and there is now less of a rate differential. There would be a $20,000 savings going with
Lamprey but the Town would be locked into a contract until 2033 (the final portion of a
ten-year contract) with no way to get out of it if there were potential savings to be had
with ReSource. J. Trombley felt that staying in an annual contract even with a slightly
higher expenditure ($18,900/ year) was best for now.

Motion by Selectman Trombley to stay in the contract with Waste Management for the
time being. Second by Selectman Gauthier. Motion carries 4-0.

Counter Top PO A stand-up counter unit has been proposed for across from the Town
Clerk window to improve efficiency. Currently residents fill out forms at the window or
at the election table, and there are two upcoming elections. The job went out to bid and
there was only one quote of $2,300 received. The cost would come from the
Government Buildings Repairs and Maintenance operating budget line item. J.
Trombley said he hoped that Department Heads will work on managing their wish lists
and document needs in a prioritized way to assist with Budget Committee discussions.

Motion by Selectman Trombley to approve PO #694 to North River Construction in the
amount of $2,300 to come from the Government Buildings Repairs and Maintenance
line. Second by Selectman Gauthier. Motion carries 4-0.

Vendor Ordinance Review Administrator Roger has been working on editing the
Hawkers and Peddlers ordinance and sent it to Town Counsel, who had some edits.
There are now more conditions to obtain a license and the only zones where licensees
can operate door-to-door are located within commercial districts. Blanket licenses can
be allowed for large assemblies for events such as National Night Out. There is also a
fillable PDF application available. The Board wanted time to review the language and
the item was tabled.

Motion by Selectman Trombley to table the discussion until the next meeting. Second
by Selectman Gauthier. Motion carries 4-0.


Truck Lessees This resolution was read and signed at the June 8, 2026 meeting but the
vote was inadvertently omitted.

Motion by Selectman Gauthier to approve the lessee resolution authorizing the lease
with TD Equipment Finance, Inc. for Highway truck equipment which was read at the
June 8, 2026 Board of Selectman’s meeting. Second by Vice Chairman McCormack.
Motion carries 3-0-1 (Selectman Trombley abstaining).

TC/TX - Dog Warrant J. Trombley noted that the Clerk’s Office reminds people of
outstanding dog licenses when car registrations are obtained but some are missed
because this can only be done as of January 1 or after.

Motion by Selectman Gauthier to approve the dog warrant. Second by Chairman
Tibbetts. Motion carries 4-0.

Deeds One lot will be assumed by the Town- Tax map and lot 031-003.

Motion by Chairman Tibbetts to accept the deed for Map/Lot 031-003 on Exeter Road
(Book 1803, Page 0400). Second by Vice Chairman McCormack. Motion carries 4-0.

Deed Waivers Deed waivers were submitted for 353 Calef Highway, 290 Calef Highway
(Unit B-20), and 85 Coffin Road.

Motion by Chairman Tibbetts to approve three deed waivers as written. Second by
Selectman Trombley. Motion carries 4-0.

Large Assembly Permit A permit for the HighNote Festival was reviewed.

Motion by Selectman Gauthier to approve the large assembly permit. Second by
Selectman Trombley. Motion carries 4-0.

CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

Administrator’s Report - Administrator Roger said that the Master Plan is being
updated and there will be a comprehensive survey going out to residents in September.
National Night Out is on 8/4 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Epping High School.
Hazardous Waste Day will be on 10/3 from 8:00 AM ~ 1:00 PM at the Exeter Public
Works Garage and registration via the Epping website is required.

Individual Selectmen’s Report - Selectman Trombley said that HighNote will be
happening on 9/12 and that fireworks typically happen there.

No one else had a report.

PUBLIC COMMENT


None heard.
ADJOURN

Motion by Selectman Trombley to adjourn the meeting. Second by Chairman Tibbetts.
Motion carries 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Mulcahy

Pamela in PD Chairman

Ca

‘aitlin McCormack, Vice Chairman

Jn

Tom Gauthier, Selectman

Cliff Cray, Selectman