Selectmen approve multiple event permits, vessel landing and Brookfield beach passes; weekly manifests approved

The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen on Jan. 8 approved several temporary-event permits for Cape Park concerts, pickleball tournaments, boat shows and regattas, accepted a commercial-vessel landing permit for the Milley B and granted Brookfield 10 beach passes, while also approving the weekly payment manifests.

The board opened and closed public hearings on six temporary-event permits. The board issued a permit to the Cape Park (community) band to hold Wednesday evening concerts June 25–Aug. 27, 2025 (including July 4 and rain date July 5), from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The application was described by town staff as complete; the board voted in favor of issuing the permit.

The board approved a one-day permit for the New Hampshire Lakes Region Pickleball Club’s Sadie Hawkins tournament on June 21, 2025 (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) at Foss Field tennis and pickleball courts, contingent on establishment and acceptance of a town fee by March 1, 2025, and contingent upon proof of insurance already submitted electronically to the town office. John DeForno, vice president of the Lakes Region Pickleball Club, described the event as “mostly local” and said it is in its fifth year. Christine Collins, Wolfeboro parks and recreation director, told the board the department is working with town staff on a court-use fee and asked that the fee process be completed by March 1 so organizers know whether to accept the permit.

The board opened a second, multi-day pickleball request — the club’s 10th annual tournament, Sept. 4–8, 2025 — and after public comment tabled action. The board asked the club to return with a detailed event map showing vendor/food-truck locations, porta-potty placement, tent layout and on- and off-site parking, and to work with parks and recreation and public works on minimizing impacts to nearby businesses. The board voted to table the September tournament application to a later date so the necessary map and fee information can be supplied.

The board granted a permit to the New England Chapter Antique and Classic Boat Society to hold the 51st Annual Winnipesaukee Boat Show on July 26, 2025 (6 a.m.–3 p.m.) at the town docks parking lot and Cape Park bandstand, subject to receipt of a certificate of insurance within 30 days of the event. Donnie McLean, a chapter board member, said the event typically leaves public access to the boat ramp and about 475 feet of dock.

The board approved the Wolfeboro Vintage Boat Race Regatta’s request for Sept. 11–13, 2025, including a requirement that the organizers post signs that the ramp and dock will be closed beginning Sept. 5. The permit is contingent on receipt of a certificate of insurance on or after July 1. McLean said staging typically begins Thursday at noon and that the event has been run successfully in past years.

Parks and Recreation requested permission to allow a food truck at morning Abenaki ski-race events on Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 15 and March 29, 2025. Beau Batts of parks and recreation said a truck would be placed near the maintenance building, fenced for safety, and would sell coffee and breakfast items. The board approved the permit contingent on submission of a map showing the truck location.

In separate votes the board: - Approved issuance of the commercial-vessel landing permit for the Milley B for the 2025 season (certificate of insurance to be provided by June 1), - Approved granting 10 beach passes to the town of Brookfield after a trial program in which Brookfield checked out passes at the town hall; parks staff said they recorded no complaints during the pilot; and - Approved bulk payment manifests for the periods cited by finance staff (December and early-January manifests totaling multiple items noted at the meeting).

Board members instructed department staff to include permit follow-up items in each permit letter (maps, signage requirements, tent permitting and fire-safety review, and trash plans) and to ensure insurance documentation is on file before the events proceed where the board required it.

The board recorded motions and votes on each permit on the record; most permits were approved unanimously where the record shows an affirmative roll call or a vocal “Aye.”