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Epping selectmen approve home‑occupancy permit, decline fire EV and flag possible trash‑contract price jump
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Epping Board of Selectmen approved a home‑occupancy permit for a Fremont Road hair salon, voted 3‑0 not to pursue an electric Ford F‑150 for the Fire Department, approved $1.54 million in accounts payable and discussed potential increases to the town's trash contract.
The Epping Board of Selectmen on May 26 approved a home‑occupancy permit for a hair salon at 27 Fremont Road, approved its consent calendar including $1.54 million in accounts payable and voted 3‑0 against pursuing an electric pickup for the Fire Department.
Town Administrator Jake T. Roger told the board the Budget Committee asked staff to explore an electric vehicle option for the fire fleet. Roger said a 2026 Ford F‑150 Lightning EV would cost about $52,559 — roughly $10,000 more than a comparable 2026 Ford F‑150 crew cab at $42,489 — largely because of charger costs, and that the town could save an estimated $3,000 a year in fuel and maintenance. Selectman Cliff Cray raised safety concerns about storing an EV inside the fire station, where personnel sometimes sleep, and moved that the board not pursue the option; Selectman Tom Gauthier seconded and the motion passed 3‑0.
The board approved the consent calendar, which included a payroll manifest for $207,809.18 and an accounts‑payable manifest totaling $1,541,390.00. The accounts‑payable total included $1,000,000 for the school, $282,368.17 for a sewer bond payment, $42,775.95 for wastewater‑treatment‑facility (WWTF) upgrade design and $216,245.88 for town expenses. The consent calendar also contained a raffle permit, summer camp scholarships and a fire personnel pay‑status change; the motion to approve was made by Selectman Gauthier and carried 3‑0.
Roger also warned the board that the current Waste Management contract, which runs through the end of 2026 at about $78 per ton (roughly $160,000 annually), may be repriced. He said WM’s proposed new rate could reach $100 per ton, which he estimated would raise the town budget by about $45,000. The Lamprey Regional Cooperative, Roger said, can guarantee $90 per ton but joining Lamprey would lock the town into a contract through 2033 and could limit the town’s ability to switch to a proposed ReSource Transfer Station if it receives NHDES approval.
During appointments, State Representative Michael Vose announced he plans to retire in December and thanked residents for the opportunity to represent them; the board and attendees applauded. Later, Vice‑Chairman Caitlin McCormack opened a public hearing on a home‑occupancy application by Kimberly Jean for a hair salon limited to hair services only at 27 Fremont Road. With no public comment, the board closed the hearing and approved the application 3‑0. Selectman Gauthier advised Ms. Jean that the permit follows the property and that any future sign would require Planning Board approval.
The meeting began with a roll‑call vote to enter non‑public session under RSA 91‑A:3 II(d) and reconvened in public at 7:04 PM. The board took a brief recess from 7:19 PM to 7:30 PM and adjourned at 7:32 PM.
The board did not set a final decision on trash‑contract selection; Roger said staff will continue to evaluate options and the board will address the contract before the current agreement expires.
