Chesterfield selectboard approves $166,294 HVAC contract, releases multiple reserve funds and denies abatement

The Chesterfield Board of Selectmen on June 10 voted to contract with Fitzpatrick Heating Cooling LLC for $166,294.42 to address HVAC needs at municipal facilities and approved a series of withdrawals from trust and capital reserve funds to cover equipment and maintenance costs.

Fran Shippee, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, opened the meeting and the board moved quickly to several votes. Brad Roscoe moved to award the HVAC contract to Fitzpatrick; Gary Winn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The board also approved a series of fund releases to cover municipal needs. Shippee moved, and Winn seconded, distributions that included $7,300 and $9,625 from the Transfer Station Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve Fund; $3,500 from the Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund; two releases totaling $3,817.50 from the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund; two releases totaling $4,260 from the IT Expendable Trust Fund; and $3,973.69 from the Town Buildings Capital Reserve Fund. The board separately approved releasing $546.25 from the Library HVAC Expendable Trust Fund and directed that the library HVAC project be sent out for bid.

Gary Winn moved to deny a tax abatement request for Map 6 Lot A29; Mary Ewell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The board also agreed to authorize Attorney Chris Hawkins to accept service on the town’s behalf after a formal request was received.

Board members discussed several non-vote items that could affect operations and budgeting: Thompson reported the Code Enforcement vehicle likely needs an engine rebuild estimated at about $5,000; Mary Ewell said the town tennis court surface will need future resurfacing to accommodate two regulation pickleball courts; and Brad Roscoe summarized a new private financing option called C-PACER for energy and resilience projects, which would require a town meeting vote to adopt.

The board reviewed a scheduled appointment from Robin and Allen Robert about a septic replacement at 36 Canal Street. Shippee said the house had been demolished as a brownfield site and that a road-agent effort to fix drainage damaged a holding tank and created a five-foot trench through the property; selectboard members agreed to visit the site individually and asked Thompson to consult Primex for guidance.

The board entered non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(c) at 8:27 PM to discuss an employee complaint and returned to public session at 8:54 PM. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM. The next selectboard meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Town Offices and via Zoom.

Votes at a glance

- Award HVAC contract to Fitzpatrick Heating Cooling LLC for $166,294.42 — motion: Brad Roscoe; second: Gary Winn; outcome: approved unanimously. - Authorize Attorney Chris Hawkins to accept service on behalf of the Town — motion: Gary Winn; second: Fran Shippee; outcome: approved unanimously. - Accept payment arrangement and authorize Alissa Thompson to act to recover building ownership costs ($8,000 now; $5,004.76 in 90 days) — motion: Fran Shippee; second: Mary Ewell; outcome: approved unanimously. - Deny abatement for Map 6 Lot A29 — motion: Gary Winn; second: Mary Ewell; outcome: approved unanimously. - Release $546.25 from Library HVAC Expendable Trust Fund — motion: Fran Shippee; second: Gary Winn; outcome: approved unanimously. - Multiple capital/expendable fund releases (Transfer Station, Revaluation, Police Cruiser, IT, Town Buildings) — motions by Fran Shippee; seconds by Gary Winn; outcomes: approved unanimously. - Accept minutes of May 27, 2026 (public and non-public) — motion: Fran Shippee; second: Mary Ewell; roll-call: Shippee-yes, Ewell-yes, Roscoe-yes, Winn-yes, Hilger-abstain.

The meeting record shows the board discussing staffing needs at the Transfer Station while shifting recycling operations, and planning follow-up site visits and bidding steps for the library HVAC project. Non-public personnel matters were handled in a closed session under RSA 91-A:3, II(c).