[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6465974,"mediaKeyId","5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244","parentId",5826132,"title","Select Board sets process for town administrator recruitment; plans initial subcommittee interviews","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",3779000,"endMs",4219000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244&start=3779&end=4219","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244/thumbnail_3779000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6465974/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-sets-process-for-town-administrator-recruitment-plans-initial-subcommittee-interviews","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465974-063eedea17291aa7542c6c2a49f27138/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592974&Signature=FWH48ZzqjNbeDaLvAXdd6RJcjDct-GBMdhZcQfuCY7Z~vI~l8gcmygHF0e3jbUSH4O3iFBGsGyEGtYjbZpRjqd45WwTUMsT~GOdpF5bCT18cbiWUAyaFwBTT3WISB2tPGIm8oCtImnRKj~MICqDuoeS0pEhV73zN0ofuvOJglgFwI5-~CdUyGdSiyrH8lSn-jKUX0YLf8fWNj0lsd5c0l49FbfZlk4XQeQxEVNlW9PUiy5i1WlXY8Ph9EF2l1OfV5vFq~EwFOCevlOtu2PSEDWPyc2v9ftfk18bcDDGh2jXqKRINMCBIJRRp9YIybcbVJYrSD29l5SMI24WQmZUqMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Brentwood, NH","date","2025-09-24T17:19:12.99Z","article","The Brentwood Select Board moved Aug. 7 to begin the town administrator hiring process and to form a small interview subcommittee to screen applicants.

Members agreed that the town administrator position’s duties have evolved—some financial responsibilities rest with the finance director—and that the job description should be updated before final hires. The board reviewed a model job description (sourced from another municipality’s template) and discussed adding HR responsibilities and a clause allowing duties to change over time.

Select Board members agreed that Chair Paul and Selectman Bob would serve as the initial screening subcommittee to review applications and conduct first-round interviews, with the wider board returning to review finalists. The board chose to hold the personnel interviews and any candidate evaluations in nonpublic session consistent with personnel laws; the meeting record shows a motion to enter nonpublic for personnel matters passed by voice vote at the meeting.

Why it matters: The vacancy for town administrator affects how municipal operations are coordinated across departments, including overlap with the finance director and HR functions. The board emphasized a need for clarity about what duties will remain with the finance director and what will fall to a new town administrator.

Next steps: The job description will be refined, incorporating HR and supervisory items where appropriate. The board will acknowledge applicants, schedule initial interviews and review recorded interview material as needed; candidates will be considered in nonpublic session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Selectboard Meeting 09/23/2025 Brentwood, NH","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board discussed job descriptions and agreed that Chair Paul and Selectman Bob will start initial interviews for the town administrator opening; board also agreed to move personnel interview discussions into nonpublic session.","taxTitle","Brentwood Town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire","taxId",74075,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6465978,"Brentwood board backs police chief after Epping mutual-aid dispute; chair says resignation is voluntary",567,98000,665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244&start=98&end=665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6465978/New-Hampshire/Brentwood-board-backs-police-chief-after-Epping-mutual-aid-dispute-chair-says-resignation-is-voluntary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465978-688a99e3efc2eb1602bb7c4f4b125d5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592974&Signature=AJ5IJEsrGOlU6~C3Tar9z~JPSROEQxsJUkgboRz9CWE54D176xWcPhH31f-prPebBt1bxAFOcdsX5O8sza8oP~APRQkfHHe1mArd~FVzfks3w8qoy5LKxYjrM~3J-EsX6wqnIEdinFnwpcSIMw3Tam-y2kCADzBEQ62bFQbKutJttLHY6574SAie0kKdcDZ8SR01Gl7Qd8f0wCOcYi86KwJPUqi-1eAM4a2bS13d-Vu4NN-BS1nUsRS~JhknfMaTTgqxXteEg37G3qcJYhhNr0pQjeMqIuZzh-uXN8CXb7PPIIjhWtpSS-HycE3vkwKuOhwvkTaDz8UgiK2gvN49rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board on Aug. 7 announced the resignation of Police Chief Doty and publicly disputed allegations in a letter from the Epping Police Department that had prompted Epping to terminate mutual aid to Brentwood.

Select Board chair Paul read a letter the board sent to Epping Town Administrator Roger (first name not specified in meeting documents) responding to a July 17 letter from Chief Wallace of Epping. The Select Board letter, prepared and presented by the chair on behalf of the board, characterized the allegations that Brentwood officers display “a pattern of unprofessional and dangerously incompetent behavior” as “baseless and devoid of any factual basis” and said that the board “fully supports the action, integrity, and professionalism of its police chief and the members of the Brentwood Police Department.” The letter also described a written communication Brentwood had received from Epping and said Brentwood officials remain willing to meet with Epping counterparts to resolve issues professionally.

The chair said Chief Doty’s resignation was his decision and that the Select Board had not asked him to resign. “This was a decision on his part to move into the private sector,” the chair said, and offered personal thanks for Doty’s service. The letter the chair read was dated Aug. 7, 2025; the transcript shows the chair said there had been no response from Epping at the time of the meeting.

Why it matters: The mutual-aid arrangements between neighboring towns affect emergency response and public safety coordination. The board’s public letter and its support for Chief Doty seek to preserve inter-town working relationships while disputing Epping’s stated reasons for withdrawing mutual aid.

What the record shows:
- Chair read letter dated 08/07/2025 responding to Chief Wallace’s 07/17/2025 letter to Epping officials.
- The board stated publicly that the chief’s departure was voluntary and that the board continues to support its police department.
- The chair invited meetings with Epping officials to “move our restoring neighboring towns forward in a respectful, professional, and productive manner.”

Ending: The Select Board said it had received applications from at least two candidates to fill the department head vacancy and plans to consider candidates in nonpublic session.","Select Board chair announced Chief Doty’s resignation and read a letter to the neighboring town of Epping defending the Brentwood Police Department and offering to meet. The board said the resignation was the chief’s decision and not requested by the board.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6465985,"Brentwood board pauses benefit changes after staff survey of insurance costs; agrees to keep current coverage through open enrollment",1544,616000,2160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244&start=616&end=2160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6465985/New-Hampshire/Brentwood-board-pauses-benefit-changes-after-staff-survey-of-insurance-costs-agrees-to-keep-current-coverage-through-open-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465985-da58d24bdf2fcc9001079870ed239722/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592974&Signature=BEK9pyYRNqTAIlB0M1FiKbrBATa2wJpwQmRXCex4VKutZZ1cb-j~9q8LHtwyza5JfJOcjdCJktw-6J-rsVHuh0l95kvdbuqIC4ht4xKwwzpT6Sx~yi4ojPWlJRn7G2XFfEbKXJoRcEw~x48XkaxHjXBBhdLahbcL9ufuhSEVVRXmYu5zY4KHPDy4DiReYMKosCzUDtwMRczBbmjuqwSb28r5gklVMCvlSYW5QCh-lzcdwJYmJU4XM296Ly~rhYc5X12kCS0oE8z2Z5Wy4OEsatJBKqJZHRR4BL563zN1SExqFCymVJlvT9RopdfxEBfK1cDwG0wxh1MaobgQCEgMcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board voted Aug. 7 to keep employee health and dental coverage “as currently applied” through open enrollment after Finance Director Julie Stevens told the board she had discovered discrepancies between the town handbook and what has been billed and paid for employee plans.

Stevens told the board she updated a spreadsheet of current enrollments and found errors in how premiums and employee contributions were calculated, especially for family coverage. She said the town has been covering a larger share of premiums than the handbook specifies for several employees and described a range of options the board could consider, including moving all employees onto a single plan with a deductible combined with a town-funded health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to offset some deductible cost.

The board’s immediate decision avoids any mid-year changes to employee premiums or retroactive collection. “We will keep things the way they are right now through Jan. 1, at which point employees will be able to go through open enrollment and decide based on what plans we offer,” a select board member said before making the motion to hold coverage steady. The motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote.

Why it matters: Stevens’ analysis included concrete examples of how different plan choices would affect employees and the town. For example, she showed that juniors currently on the town’s “Plan A” (zero deductible) versus “Plan B” (a deductible plan) result in materially different out-of-pocket impacts for family plans, and that a town HRA could reduce the employee burden if the board chose a higher-deductible plan as the standard. She also said the town does not yet have official rates for 2026, and that HealthTrust (the broker) will supply those rates next month.

Details from the meeting:
- Stevens said a clerical or handbook-update error left some employees paying less than the handbook’s stated contribution levels; she asked the board to decide whether to create an addendum to the handbook or align the handbook with current practice.
- Stevens and board members discussed using an HRA to reimburse part of deductibles; Stevens said an HRA could reimburse, for example, $500 for single and larger amounts for two-person or family coverage.
- The board asked for competitive quotes from more brokers; Stevens said she had spoken with Andy at HealthTrust and would contact an additional broker used by another nearby town.
- Stevens estimated a potential town savings of about $51,304 under one illustrative scenario that would move some employees from Plan A to Plan B, but she stressed that the numbers use current-year rates and that 2026 rates are unknown.

Public comment at the meeting reflected strong employee concern. Several town employees and residents urged the board to avoid any retroactive “clawback” of benefits and to prioritize minimizing costs for workers with family coverage. Deputy Fire Chief Roy Olson, town employee Katarina Tennant and others described the financial impact on employees; several residents urged the board to weigh both employee and taxpayer perspectives.

What the board directed next: The board instructed Stevens to obtain 2026 plan rates as soon as they are available from HealthTrust (expected next month), to solicit at least one additional broker quote, and to return with options before open enrollment. In the meantime the board voted to maintain current coverage through Jan. 1 to allow time for a deliberate review.

Ending: Stevens, the select board and representatives from HealthTrust agreed to a follow-up presentation for employees once the 2026 rates and broker comparisons are available.","Select Board heard a detailed review from Finance Director Julie Stevens of errors in how employee health premiums have been applied versus the town handbook, discussed options including an HRA, and voted to keep current coverage levels through open enrollment while staff gets updated rates.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6465969,"Select Board approves payroll, taxes, accounts payable and consent agenda",126,0,126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244&start=0&end=126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826132-8242060c93dd217046afeb347126c244/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6465969/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-approves-payroll-taxes-accounts-payable-and-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465969-bb0ec1d6fed4730ba5d3964fed1af535/orig.mp4?Expires=1773592974&Signature=PyyDFEUqyNgI0qWKLn-hVDZa6cM3NLJ6pYHgUvplqcJSyorn3nqf6e0SX7aWM3u5aowb2eVqYLm~aZc92uxYyrf05X8fg8mHPfmJ4unaqFBU9AP2ewAOzgqsPbXvqU5naNZBvE3SdYXDQNzmrH8RACEj7uFwGMxXb8LvKH0x-q8OUdN7nyxrhSN5woOOQV65uIMOMnDWWqwvvT57-mJ9KFsT9lyMpW5lstxTmHKr8eAWcPAsBCiEFsLU6wgi3cMKnFxK7mqfIJpE0nzUN5BjwvUF0GgNCXhlHvo3hz1aVFvfIveg3S0r~1Ju~crU0fxCXnM7GkMg3oQudO~-U2ev-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board reviewed town financial disbursements and approved them by voice vote at the Aug. 7 meeting.

The finance director reported payroll of $40,144, payroll taxes of $9,989, accounts payable of $36,443 and a retirement-system payment of $63,273. A motion to accept the financials and the consent agenda (including the recreation manifest and building permits) was made, seconded and approved by the board on voice votes.

Why it matters: Approval of payroll, vendor payments and retirement contributions are recurring formal actions that authorize the town to meet its payroll and contractual obligations.

Ending: The board proceeded to substantive agenda items following the voice votes accepting the financials and consent agenda.","At the start of the meeting the board reviewed and approved payroll and other financial disbursements and accepted the consent agenda, including the recreation manifest and building permits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board sets process for town administrator recruitment; plans initial subcommittee interviews

Brentwood board backs police chief after Epping mutual-aid dispute; chair says resignation is voluntary

Brentwood board pauses benefit changes after staff survey of insurance costs; agrees to keep current coverage through open enrollment

Select Board approves payroll, taxes, accounts payable and consent agenda