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Grantham selectmen approve minutes and consent calendar, table winter parking ordinance, discuss community wood bank
Summary
At their Nov. 24 meeting, the Grantham Board of Selectmen unanimously approved prior minutes and a consent calendar, tabled a proposed winter parking ordinance to Dec. 10, considered an abatement tied to a corrected acreage survey, reviewed Fire‑EMS activity and a landfill monitoring contract update, and discussed forming a community wood bank; the board entered five sealed nonpublic sessions under RSA 91‑A:3.
The Grantham Board of Selectmen on Nov. 24 unanimously approved the Nov. 12 meeting minutes and the consent calendar, tabled a proposed Winter Parking Ordinance until the Dec. 10 meeting, and reviewed several administrative and community items including an abatement request tied to a corrected acreage survey and plans for a volunteer‑run wood bank.
The board’s routine business included a consent calendar listing multiple building permits, a shoreline cutting application and correspondence from local organizations; Selectman Peter Garland moved to approve the consent calendar and Selectman Jeremy Walla seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Earlier, Walla moved to approve the Nov. 12 minutes, a motion Garland seconded and the board approved without opposition.
Town Administrator Emily Owens reported that the contract with CMS Engineering for landfill monitoring and reporting was updated with no change in cost. Owens also told the board that the Assessors recommended granting an abatement requested by the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust for a Byron Barton parcel after a survey corrected one parcel’s acreage from 182 to 150 acres, reducing the assessment by $1,691; the Trust requested an abatement of $33.65 for the current year.
The board reviewed a Fire‑EMS activity report covering Oct. 26–Nov. 8, 2025; selectmen expressed concern about responder staffing and said they wished more people were available to respond to calls. The board was also told that two dugouts at the Recreation Park are complete.
Selectman Jeremy Walla raised the idea of publicizing an interest list for a community‑run wood bank to help residents who need emergency heat. Walla said the Town would not run the program but could provide guidance and possibly help locate a site. Chair Warren Kimball said the board can look into community interest but noted that collecting and seasoning firewood is labor intensive. Building Needs Committee member Maria Dahlman asked whether the need could be quantified and noted that the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church in New London operates a wood bank.
During the meeting the board entered five nonpublic sessions under RSA 91‑A:3 (various subsections), each of which the board later voted to seal. The motions to seal stated that disclosure would likely adversely affect the reputation of a person other than a board member; those seal motions were moved and seconded by board members and approved unanimously.
There were no citizen comments. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
