Greenland selectmen adopt personnel-policy updates, accept $75,000 Winnicut River grant and approve consent agenda

The Greenland Board of Selectmen on March 9, 2026, voted unanimously to adopt housekeeping amendments to the town’s Personnel Policy, accept a $75,000 grant for the Winnicut River Project and approve a consent agenda that included property tax exemptions and the town’s payroll and accounts payable.

Town Administrator Tara Tucker presented the proposed Personnel Policy clarifications, saying they were intended to resolve questions raised in 2025. The package clarified holiday and "half-day" definitions (leaving the half-day as four hours), established that department heads may set their own shift periods with changes effective at the calendar year start after 30 days’ notice, set the vacation sell‑back request deadline as the first pay period in December, confirmed proration of personal time for new hires, and restated overtime and compensatory-time rules (compensatory time may be earned beyond 80 hours in a pay period, maximum compensatory balance is 40 hours, and unused compensatory time will be paid in the first pay period in December and may not be earned after that date through December 31). Selectman Paul Stanley moved to adopt the amendments; Selectman Heather Droesch seconded and the motion carried with all members in favor.

Tucker also briefed the board on several grant efforts under the Congressionally Directed Spending process, noting applications are routed through U.S. senators and that review can take up to 18 months. She described three projects discussed at the meeting: a police equipment request (body-worn cameras and tasers to improve operations), an archival-digitization grant seeking $230,000 to digitize roughly 30 archival books including historic vital statistics and town reports, and a fire-station construction request for $8.495 million that would require a 25% local match (approximately $2.3 million). Local letters of support for grant work were noted.

On a separate item, the board accepted and agreed to expend a $75,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for the Winnicut River Project. The application had been prepared by Bob Dion and submitted to Great Bay 2030; the project team advertised for a project manager and the town will administer the funds. Selectman Laura Malloy opened discussion; with no public comment, Selectman Stephan Toth moved to accept the grant, Selectman Paul Stanley seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

The Board approved the consent agenda, which included veterans and solar property-tax exemptions (specific addresses and exemption amounts were listed in the agenda), accounts payable totaling $147,693.03 (which included an IRS late fee of $2,690.50) and payroll figures (gross payroll $93,029.42; net payroll $67,297.09). Selectman Stephan Toth moved to approve the consent agenda, Selectman Paul Stanley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

There were no public comments during the public-comment portion of the meeting. The board closed with reminders that Annual Town Meeting and voting on the town and school budgets and warrant articles would take place March 10 at Greenland School (polls open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and that the town will host a community corned beef dinner on March 13. The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt Personnel Policy amendments: Motion by Selectman Paul Stanley; second by Selectman Heather Droesch; outcome: unanimous approval. - Accept and expend $75,000 New Hampshire Charitable Foundation grant for the Winnicut River Project: Motion by Selectman Stephan Toth; second by Selectman Paul Stanley; outcome: unanimous approval. - Approve Consent Agenda (exemptions, accounts payable, payroll): Motion by Selectman Stephan Toth; second by Selectman Paul Stanley; outcome: unanimous approval.

Next steps: the town will administer the Winnicut River Project funds and continue pursuing the described congressional grant opportunities; the Annual Town Meeting will convene March 10 at Greenland School.