Gilford selectmen set spring auction for tax-deeded properties, approve budget recommendations and several routine municipal actions

Chair J. Kevin Hayes presided over the Gilford Board of Selectmen meeting on Jan. 14, 2026, where the board voted to move forward with a plan to auction tax-deeded properties this spring, approved several warrant article recommendations, and signed off on routine municipal items.

The Board began in a non-public session and approved an extra day’s pay ($277.04) for DPW employee Kevin Carlisle for meritorious conduct. The board also directed staff to obtain legal advice on the sale of 15 Camp Island (tax deeded in 2025) and agreed to include four Cherry Valley Road lots (tax deeded in 2016) in an auction planned for after Memorial Day. The Board set, by unanimous consensus, a minimum sale price equal to the back taxes and penalties owed on each parcel.

The meeting included a series of votes on the town warrant and budget. Selectman J. Kevin Hayes moved to recommend Article 19 to add $50,000 to the Lakes Business Park Capital Trust Fund; the motion passed 3-0. The Board also voted to recommend Article 23 ($2,740) for New Beginnings Without Violence & Abuse and Article 25 ($24,000) to support Granite VNA. The Board took no position on Article 29, voted to recommend Article 30 calling on the New Hampshire Legislature to avoid shifting costs onto local property taxpayers, and voted not to recommend Article 31, which would have authorized the Planning Board to release the town’s interest in a restrictive covenant on 20 Mitchell Road. The Board approved the 2026 default budget, $21,945,954, by unanimous vote.

Infrastructure and capital projects were discussed. Public Works Director Meghan Theriault reported that the DPW building steel structure is up, roofing is being installed in segments and waterproofing work is underway. Town Administrator Scott Dunn updated the Board on the ice rink project: new rink boards have been installed but drought-related low well levels are hampering ice-making. Dunn said a donated Zamboni would require new building access and utilities to be practical; he invited New Hampshire Parks & Recreation grant officials to review the project and the pending $150,000 grant.

The Board handled several routine personnel and procurement matters. On motions by Selectman Dale Channing Eddy, seconded by Selectman Gus Benavides and passed 3-0, the board appointed Glenn Fuller to the Conservation Commission to complete a term ending April 30, 2028; approved a one-time sewer abatement of 62,000 gallons totaling $953.56 for 9 Dow Road (3rd quarter 2025); approved revised job descriptions for Solid Waste Center Attendant I and II; authorized out-of-state travel for the Police Department Technical Assistant to attend a software conference in Washington, D.C., March 15–18 (estimated $1,669); and awarded the Annual Report printing bid to RC Brayshaw & Company of Warner, N.H., for $2,240.

During public input, resident Dale Dormody asked the Board to consider sponsoring public information sessions or providing online resources to explain citizens’ rights regarding ICE arrests and detainments. In his administrator’s report, Scott Dunn said Eversource plans to relocate/repair a nonworking streetlight on Alvah Wilson Road, that he will meet with Belknap Landscape about Lincoln Park stairway and ADA improvements, confirmed the town switched its internet service from Breezeline to Comcast and described ongoing franchise negotiations with Breezeline, and noted he will use the DRA-recognized fund balance figure of $3,490,991 for the Town Meeting information packet while reconciling audit discrepancies.

The Board scheduled follow-up on Lincoln Park encroachments for the Feb. 11, 2026 meeting and adjourned at 7:02 p.m.