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Select Board Meeting

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This is always going to be a pleasure for me to have an appointment of this size and also welcome.
He's actually for 20 years of service, but I'm going to read this proclamation.
I hope you're going to get you in the agenda here front.
Okay, proclamation of the Jaffrey Board of Selectmen to Joseph Galinsky, whereas the Jaffrey Board of Selectmen recognizes Joseph in his service as a member of the Jaffrey Department,
Police Department for 20 years, whereas Joseph has, with honor and distinction, served as citizens of Jaffrey.
Now, therefore, it resolved and proclaimed that the town of Jaffrey wishes to express our thanks and sincere gratitude for his hard work and dedication to the town of Jaffrey.
On this 10th day of June, 26, Jaffrey Board of Selectmen.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Well.
Like I said in there, in 2006, I had no idea what Jaffrey was, never heard of him,
and I just happened to apply, and I got the job.
But slowly over the years, Jaffrey has become my family, and I am glad that I stayed here,
and I'm going to be here for a few more.
So, you're my family.
All right.
A lot of times in our job, we don't get to praise our officers for the hard work,
so I just want to kind of give us an obfussis of why I'm up here for everyone.
now. So in the morning of May 1st, 2026, officers from the Jaffrey Police Department interacted
with an 18-year-owned woman at the plaza. She told officers that they were originally, she was originally
from Indiana and took multiple bus routes to travel to Texas and finally to New Hampshire. She was
being financially supported by people she had met online and her ultimate goal was to meet up
with one of those friends named Rose. Prior to meeting Rose, however, she was required to be interviewed
by Rose's brother. She was currently waiting at the plaza for him to pick her up. Jaffrey officers
recognized that the young woman was a victim of human trafficking and was at the risk of being
taken at any time. Officers contacted her family or were told that she had left their home with little
explanation. Jaffrey officers contacted a multitude of agencies, later transported her to the
Menadnach Center for Violence Prevention and Keen. There, she received shelter in their services. On May 3,
2026, the woman voluntarily left MCVP and received a ride back to Jaffrey. Jaffrey officers
located her at the plaza while out on patrol and found that she had returned.
in order to meet Rose's brother. Officers were persistent and once again tried to explain the
danger she was placing herself in. Officers showed a great deal of resilience and empathy and went
as far as sharing their food with her. During their conversation, other mental health issues were
observed, so the woman agreed to be transported to the Manatina Community Hospital for an
evaluation. On May 5, 2016, EMS coordinator and Emergency Preparedness Specialist Michael Grino
informed this agency that the staff members of Manatna Community Hospital wanted to express
their sincere appreciation and admiration for the actions of the Jaffrey Police officers.
The officer's observations were confirmed as an involuntary emergency admission evaluation
was upheld due to her lacking the capacity to care for oneself. The woman was currently waiting
for a bed at the New Hampshire State Hospital. On May 15, 26, Adult Protective Services
informed the Jaffrey Police that the young woman was unfortunately released and dropped
off at the plaza. An officer immediately responded and found the woman had once again
returned to meet Rose's brother. She was brought back to the police department where
the officer was successful with contacting the woman's family, arranging a bus fare to return
her home to Indiana. The officer also found an opening at a shelter in Keen where she was transported
to wait for the bus the following day. Human trafficking is a problem that Rex lies far beyond
the borders of Jaffrey. Unfortunately, the story also is also an example of the lack of understanding
and resources that allow it to continue. However, our officers responded with professionalism,
persistence and empathy that is required to combat such a problem. So I'm rewarding
these officers with the chief's commendation for their actions. Officer Alex Tchaikoski can't come on up.
For exemplary, he performs the duties as described. On May 1, 2026, while on patrol,
Officer Jukoski, located an 18-year-old woman sitting on a bench in the plaza at 1240 a.m.
He approached the woman to enforce a potential loitering issue. However, through his conversation,
he suspected that she was a victim of human trafficking. Officer Jukoski contacted a family member,
ensured that safety measures were in place.
Further, he communicated with his fellow officers, which ultimately resulted with the woman being brought
to a facility for treatment and later returned to her family.
Officer Jukasi's observation and communication skills resulted with the victim being removed
from a dangerous situation and prohibited the continuation of human trafficking in our area.
Officer Jukosi's actions are a testament to his worth ethic and attention to detail, which
bring credit to this agency. Congratulations.
Officer Joseph Hileman.
On May 1st, 26, Officer Hyman signed on for duty and was made aware that a potential human trafficking victim was waiting to be picked up at the plaza.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he immediately sought out the young woman and brought her to the Jaffrey Police Station.
There, he contacted multiple agencies to include the Jaffrey Fire Department, Town of Jaffrey Welfare Office, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Menadonaut Center for Violence Prevention.
The woman was ultimately brought to a facility for treatment and later returned to her family.
Officer Hileman's quick actions and resourcefulness resulted with the victim being removed from a dangerous situation
and prohibited the continuation of human trafficking in our area.
Officer Hohman's actions are a testament to his worth ethic and dedication to public safety, which brings credit to the agency.
Congratulations.
Officer Leanne Wanchak
For exemplary performance of duties as described on May 3rd,
2026, Officer Wanchak was on duty as a trainee under Officer Hileman.
At 1.15 a.m., they assisted with a young woman who could not be convinced that,
she was a victim of human trafficking. Though she was still in her field training program,
Officer Wanchak recognized the mental health crisis the woman was experiencing. It was instrumental
in coordinating her treatment at Menadena Community Hospital. Further, staff members from
Menadena Community Hospital expressed their sincere appreciation and admiration of the actions of all
officers involved. Ultimately, the young woman was treated and later returned to her family.
Officer Wontak's communication skills were crucial in removing the victim from a dangerous situation
and prohibiting the continuation of human trafficking in our area.
Your actions are a testament to your dedication of public safety and empathy towards the citizens,
which bring credit to this agency. Congratulations.
The last one, last one. Officer Stephanie Kaven, for exemplary performance of duties as described,
May 3rd, 2026 at 1.15 a.m. Officer Kaven located an 18-year-old woman at the plaza
who was a victim of human trafficking. Officer Kaven recognized the mental health crisis the woman was
experiencing. It was instrumental in coordinating her.
her treatment at Manana Community Hospital. Staff members from Manabot Community Hospital
expressed their sincere appreciation and admiration of the actions of all officers involved.
On May 15th, Officer Kaven was made aware that the young woman had returned to the
positive way for potential captors, recognizing the seriousness of the situation she immediately
sought out the young woman and brought her to the Jafford Police Station. Officer Kaven
contacted the young woman's family and was successful in arranging a bus fare to return her home
in Indiana. Officer Kaven's quick action, resourcefulness, and communication skills
resulted with the victim being removed from a dangerous situation and prohibited the continuation
of human trafficking in our area. Officer Kavans' action is a testament to her dedication to public safety,
empathy towards our citizens, which we credit to this agency. Congratulations.
Congratulations. I was still meeting, but I was just to get you.
Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. Well, it came for the fun part.
As you just like it was not expecting
Yeah.
Thank you all.
Good night.
Good night.
I'm starting the pizza.
Yeah. A few more years up.
Yeah.
A few more years.
It was very nice to meet you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I have a great night.
Nice chatting with you.
Thank you for my good.
You got me hungry or started talking about food.
I'm sorry. Who are you representing tonight? I'm representing my family. One of the
abatements. Okay. Okay. Thank you. All right. So we're going to continue with our meeting.
We have to have the approval of the meeting minutes from May 27th, 26 meeting. Frank, Andy,
who had the opportunity to read through? I think they were pretty lengthy. You good with the minutes?
Yes. Second. Okay. Andy? Yep. Mr. Chairman.
I'd like to make a motion. We approve the public minutes of May 27th, 2026.
Do we have a second? Second.
All in favor, say aye.
Aye. Aye. All right. So we also had that same night. We had a non-public meeting for May 27th.
Again, you have an opportunity to read, make sure they're correct. Any errors or emissions?
Certainly, good to meet. Okay. Okay. Okay. Motion.
Yeah. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we accept a non-public minutes of May 26th.
27th, 2026, vote to seal.
Second.
Okay. I have a motion in a second for the minutes of May 27th, non-public. All in favor?
All in favor? All right. Okay. Now we're going to move on to the consent agenda.
Okay. Well, a payroll manifest is in circulation, and that's going on along. Now we have the abatements.
26-30 for Paul Dionne, a 45 River Street for $271.776 for sewer. Seems that he had a water link at the house and the water never went to the sewer system, so that's a little bit of a rebate for him.
Abatement number 202631 for 598 Pine Point LLC, 598 at Dublin Road for $1,0708, Dublin Road, for $1,070.68 for taxes.
You also have 202632 for Gerald René Fenant for a 753 Gilmoupon Road for 15539, also for taxes.
Agenda number 202633 for Patrice Epstein, 558, Dublin Road for $2,910.72, also for taxes.
and item number 202634 for DB Family Properties LLC, 580 Mountain Road for $7,769.78, also for taxes.
And items B through E are all reassessments following the 2025 revaluation.
Any comments on any of those? They're all at perfect to me.
The reassessing is not an easy business. Right, I see that the, uh, all the paperwork for
these different, uh, uh, abatements have been filed. So Andy, do you have anything?
Well, I'm not sure. Is she here for one of those? Yeah.
I am. Okay. Okay.
Okay. The assessors recommending approval on all four.
Right. So you one. We still have a couple of exemptions and the
tax collectors that cycle to go. Okay. Andy, you want a motion on that? You want to finish
the consent before we approve it all? You want to do them all? Okay. Yep. That's, yep. Okay. So now we have
the exemptions for the New England Forestry, map and lock 2027-25, 204-16, and 2027-18.
Unfortunately, the request for information from the assessor was not submitted, so the
assessor recommends denial on that one. We have exempt properties list.
John, would you touch on that a little bit?
Sure. This is, the assessor goes through every year, reviews all listed properties that
filed for exemptions and verifies the validity of the same, and he's recommending that this list be approved
as presented. Okay, and the last item on the, um, is the tax collector six cycle for
2026. The college commitment warrant for $12,294 and 64 cents. That pretty much takes care
of the consent agenda items. Andy, Frank, anything they had a change? No, it's fine.
Uh, the name of forest, we've been going through this several times with them.
And they still don't bother to return the proper information.
So, no, they did not get an exemption.
Okay.
Well, I'm the new guy here, so I'm not sure if she speaks before or after we vote.
Well, you both, yeah, it did.
So, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we accept Consent Agenda items 1 through 4,
with the exception of number three, item A,
Linguine Forestry will be denied. The remainder will be accepted.
Okay, second. Absolutely. Okay, so I have a motion in a second to approve
the consent of the gender items except for item 3A.
Fall in favor? Aye.
Aye. You don't have to say much. You're all set.
Okay.
I'm hoping you could explain what needs.
means? The abatement. No, I file the application for the abatement. I guess what I'm
wondering since you've now approved it, which we appreciate. Thank you. Is the total amount of the
abatement that the town is approving that 1,070 and 68? Yes. And is that effective for just
starting last year and going, I mean, I'm sorry, it's my first
time.
Right. So, no, this would apply to
this year.
And it was over-assessed based on appraisal done as of December 31st.
The assessed value was reduced by $56,500.
And, you know, it applied to the tax rate that was set in October.
Then that, so then that would be abated.
So the total reduction of the property value from the $1.2 million that we got is $56,000.
Right, so it went from 1.14 to 1.084.
Which represents the tax rate, that's $1,007.
Correct.
I think on most cases when there's abatement like that, there's also interest involved.
So you might get some interest back too.
I'm sorry, just like that.
I think I will probably be the problem with the first generation.
Then you'll be contacted.
Smart word.
White is tomorrow.
What's going to happen going forward?
Okay.
So now we have old business.
I don't think we have anything under old business unless someone wants to bring something up that we have
something up that we have a new business.
We have a resolution.
We have a resolution.
for 2026-23 from New Hampshire DHSS
2026 Maximum for Welfare Department.
So it's quite a list.
And John, if you would help to fill me out on this one?
Sure.
This is an annual thing that the welfare director submits
to select work for approval based on information
provided by the state of New Hampshire.
the state of New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services.
It affects food stamps, rents, heat and electricity.
It runs on down the line of the maximums that get published.
We put in here last year's rates as well as for comparison.
And then in addition to that, she's requesting that we approve
the general assistance guidelines for the town with
those corrections in there. So this is an annual thing.
We do this every year right around this time.
And the numbers are there.
And that's what she uses as the basis for granting of assistance.
Okay. Do we need to vote on that?
Yes.
Yeah.
Well, you know, these are the maximums.
Right.
Does it mean that the minimum?
Does it mean she has to give this amount to the...
This is the maximum allowed.
She has other information during her intake.
She can decide how much to give them.
But the max is what this is published here.
She doesn't have to give them this much.
How many one-bedroom apartments in Japan and Jaffrey go
for $14,500 a week a month.
So she could...
She'll get accurate information from...
from the applicant and make her assessment.
She also can take into account any income that they have
come from whatever allowance she may decide to...
So these are not, you know, somebody shouldn't show up thinking that they're going to get
a three-person household $658 worth of food credit
at any one of the supermarkets that she still uses.
I don't know who she uses anymore.
I used to use Hannaford.
Just to let you know that these are the maximum numbers, not the minimums.
So is that clear in the guidelines that those are the maximums and you know, I guarantee.
So if you understand that.
It says right here is 2026 and the Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services maximum allowed.
So the town wants to be extra generous?
That's the guideline.
Yeah, if, you know, I mean, if the person qualified, that's the most, that's the most, that's the most, that's the
the most she can give them if they're qualified for that amount.
Any more discussion on this?
I feel that our welfare director is doing a great job and she will be fair.
She does. She does. She does a great job.
Any of, make a motion, please? Yes, sir.
Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion. We accept resolution number 2026-23
for the Department, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
2026 maximums for the Welfare Department.
Okay, if you have a second?
Say ya.
All in favor?
Aye.
All in favor?
Aye.
Okay, thank you.
And we have one more resolution.
2026-24 for the Park Theater, Lakeer License, Expansion, to 6 River Street.
Now, what I've seen is that it's, and here, and here, it's a park theater, liquor license expansion to Six River Street.
it's a one-day event, a one-day extension of the license. I also like to hear from John a little bit, because I'm not too familiar with, I see the application and the layout of the planned setup and so forth, but maybe John could give us a little more information.
Yeah, so what they're using is the parking lot area next to the park theater.
River Street, you know, to serve as, you know, an alcohol garden, if you will, that would be blocked off.
You know, staff has stipulated all of their concerns, a lengthy letter from Chief Chamberlain regarding the same.
But yeah, they're just doing this for the third as, you know, part of their, you know, Independence Day events.
You know, basically this thing will run from 3 p.m. until 7.30 p.m., that's when they've
They've got their scheduled cleanup, but, you know, it all has to be contained within this area, and, you know, it's just part of their events for that day.
So, and, you know, when they do something like this, they put in a special event permit, they, you know, just to cover their basis, but, you know, it'll allow us the opportunity to see what they're looking to do.
But, you know, we have to respond with a letter to the state Liquor Commission stating that we don't have an objection.
to them doing this. It's not an approval. The Liquor Commission ultimately approves it,
but what the Liquor Commission looks for from the town is that we're not standing up and saying,
no way, we don't want them to do this. So, you know, there's a very, you know, basic letter for me
that says the Select Board have reviewed this and have no objections to their plan.
Okay, so I'll follow up with this, some of the different department's comments on
issue. One of them is from the fire department. Chief Chamberlain's letter containing
his requirements was submitted to the Proct Theater. It will be included as part of this permit,
which is also a packet. So that'll be in the request for the permit. Please, the department says
to keep people off the sidewalk and street with open containers. Duty officers will make frequent
grounds to ensure compliance. The building inspector says refer it to the fire chief's
comments. Town manager has made his recommendation. You have more comments, gentlemen?
No more? No one. No. Okay, I would entertain a motion.
Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we accept resolution number 2026-24 for the
Park Theater of Liquor License expansion to Six River Street.
Okay, have to have a second. I'd second that, but it's 2023.
No, that's, that's my error. It is 24. I did screw it up. I did screw it up.
Yeah. Hey, have you to the back of us. It is 24. It is 24. Yes, the previous
question. I think I'd give you this information. Well, between the two of you. Okay. I have a motion and did I get a second? Yes, you did.
Okay. All in favor?
Yes. Thank you. All right. Well, let's see, we have other business. I don't believe we have any other
business I talk about. Next thing will be the reports of the selected. Again, my but com committee is on
hiatus until September. And I reported on the cemetery committee's meeting last month.
We meet again on the 21st at Oberyn Grove. I don't have any.
The one thing I have is the Conservation Commission did meet regarding the rails to trails and the wish amongst others to expand the length of the trail from Webster Street over to Old Charing Road or to come on that.
That's all I have.
That's a long lie, huh?
A lot extension.
The railroad is still there? The railroad bed still there?
Yeah. Is the bridge still there?
Well, there's three of, there's district there's two bridges and then one, there's a platform in the stream that comes from the ponds, where you drank all the water when you were a kid, coming out of WW Cross.
I still have a little bit of brown hair, but there's like a metal platform right in the, in the stream, you know, being propped up by cinderblocks, so you can walk across things.
So you can traverse it, but, you know, if they're going to expand the rail trail, they're going to need to come up with something a little bit a little more reliable on that particular one, but the other two bridges, they have to be inspected.
There's a lot to this, and, you know, we were in on that meeting.
It'll be interesting to see, you know, exactly what they, but, you know, naturally, as it always goes with that.
they have this great idea and ultimately it comes with, hey, we need DPW to do this for us and then maintain it.
And the answer to that is just, no, you know, we've got enough of our own things to worry about with others being added.
Did this go along with that request that somebody was wanting to do maintenance on the rail, channels, get a private dog?
It's the same people. It's the same people, yeah.
Okay.
I gave you the Reader's Digest version.
All right, I gave you the short version.
Well, remember we had that group come in several years ago, gave us a presentation, and then the select board said, and I can't remember.
I know it was you, and I think it might have been Jack and Kevin, maybe Charlie at the time.
I'm not sure I can't recall, but we said, knock yourselves out, basically.
Go ahead and do this, but you've got to do it as a community effort.
You know, this can't be a town-driven thing.
So, okay.
Yeah, that's Mike.
I think.
Kasseletschki.
Yes, yeah.
He's ahead of it.
Yeah.
Bob Meisner is the Jeffrey rep on it.
There's funding there.
There's state funding.
There's, again, there's a lot of things that need to get pulled together, and we're not ready to report on that.
Oh, I'm good.
Yeah.
Okay, Frank.
Okay.
Planning Board that last night, the, they had done the sitewalk on, on, um, the, they had done the sitewalk on
right aid being changed to at 7.30 in the morning, God bless them.
They came back and did and they approved the plan for, the site plan for it.
Last night, we heard from MJ and MJ on St. Pat's or Melville Place.
It was an error in transferring the dimensions of a duplex units.
It was on one scale, site plan was on another scale, and they were wrong.
so they came in and wished to have that fixed and presented detailed plans they showed what was approved and they had an overlay on top of it to show what should have been approved with the correct dimensions and sizes so we approved that it was a more contour plans that they had it was all set and done and we also started we have two subcommittees working on parts of the master plan and
And they'll be starting working on those in July to get those ready for probably fall or early winter for approval from the planning board.
John, you're up.
Okay.
The budget report was sent to you.
Right now on the expense side, we're 4% under-expended, so we're ticking up, which is good.
Is he still here doing the internship?
Judy's gone.
Thank you, Katie, for filling in for her.
I appreciate that.
You know, so Izzy's working on getting the code reformatted.
We had a bunch of issues with it.
Very large document.
And, you know, over time, a lot of different things got merged together.
And then I just made the whole thing the last update it went haywire on me.
So she's helping to update that and make that look good for public presentation.
But aside from that, she couldn't make it tonight because Ava's got her baccalaureate at the high school.
So she should be graduating on that.
Friday.
Excellent.
Anything else, shot?
Well, okay, that's great.
All right, so I'm going to move on.
We have no non-public tonight.
And if there is nothing further, we will discuss at this point meeting, we'll have a full of statured.
Have anything else?
Yahoo.