Epping selectmen approve hires, OK $122,000 landfill engineering engagement and reschedule Candidates Night

The Town of Epping Board of Selectmen on Feb. 17 approved hiring two part-time fire department members and one recreation junior staffer, accepted a $122,000 proposal from CMA Engineers for landfill work contingent on a clearer service contract, and approved consent items that included payroll and large accounts-payable disbursements.

Chairman Tom Gauthier moved the board into a nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3 II (A) to discuss compensation before reconvening the public meeting at 7:00 p.m. "Motion by Chairman Gauthier to enter a non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (A) Compensation" was recorded in the minutes and the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous in favor. The board then took up routine business on the consent calendar.

The consent calendar presented by Executive Secretary Joyce Blanchard included minutes from Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, a payroll manifest of $213,136.03 for the pay period ending Feb. 12, 2026, and accounts-payable manifests totaling $1,200,750.67 and $8,870.87. The larger accounts-payable entry contains a $1,000,000 school payment and $209,621.54 for town expenditures. Selectman Joe Trombley moved to approve the consent calendar; Selectman Cliff Cray seconded and the motion passed 5-0.

On personnel, the board approved hiring Josef Tocci as a part-time Firefighter II/EMT at $24.81 per hour and Devon Wilde as a part-time Firefighter II/Paramedic at $32.18 per hour (the listing notes Inspector and Instructor I & II and Haz Mat tech certifications). The board also approved a pay increase for Sean Lecuyer from $26.47 to $29.72 per hour after earning an AEMT certification. "These hires and the certification-based increase were approved pending any required background checks," Selectman Joe Trombley said during the vote; Vice-Chair Pamela Tibbetts seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.

The board approved hiring Aiden Wanat as after-school/summer-camp junior staff at $13.00 per hour on a motion by Trombley, seconded by Vice-Chair Tibbetts; the vote was unanimous.

CMA Engineers Inc. submitted a general contract of engineering services for $122,000 related to the Epping Bulky Waste Disposal Area landfill. Town Administrator Jake T. Roger told the board the work "is for this year's work on Coffin Road." Selectman Trombley asked the firm to provide a service contract that specifies project deliverables—construction estimates, action items and time allowances—rather than a general agreement. The board approved the proposal contingent on CMA preparing that service contract and authorized Mr. Roger to sign on the board's behalf; the motion passed 5-0.

During his report, Mr. Roger said "Center of the Universe" bumper stickers will sell for $2.00 each and noted that Tri-State Cycle will pass through Epping on June 27–28. He also said the town needs ballot clerks for the March 10 voting and that he will solicit volunteers, particularly Republicans. On a separate motion, the board agreed to schedule Candidates Night the week before school vacation rather than Feb. 24 as originally planned.

Selectman Cliff Cray used his reports time to note the 116th birthday of Scouting in America (Feb. 8) and invited residents to contact him about local Cub Scout and Scout Troop participation.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Selectman Trombley, seconded by Vice-Chair Tibbetts; the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

What the board approved: staff hires and a certification-based pay increase for the fire department; a recreation hire; consent calendar items including payroll and large accounts-payable transactions; and contingent approval of a $122,000 engineering engagement for landfill work. What remains: CMA must provide a service contract with explicit deliverables before the engagement is final.