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Temple Select Board approves Liberty Elm planting, committee appointments and several exemptions
Summary
At its April 28 meeting the Temple Select Board approved planting a Liberty Elm on the village green, appointed and reappointed multiple Village Green and HDC members, signed a junkyard permit, approved several tax exemptions and waived a town-hall fee for a retirement party.
The Temple Select Board on April 28, 2026, approved planting a Liberty Elm on the village green, made several committee appointments and reappointments, approved religious and charitable tax exemptions, signed a junkyard permit and waived a town-hall fee for a retirement celebration.
The actions came during a 6:30 p.m. meeting at Town Hall attended by Select Board members George Willard, Ken Caisse and Clayton Lennartz and several residents and committee members. Meeting minutes were later submitted by Carole Singelais.
Why it matters: The board's votes affect town property, advisory committees and local exemptions that can influence tax assessments and community events. Several routine administrative items were handled by unanimous consent, signaling little formal opposition among the three-member board.
Votes at a glance - Liberty Elm planting: George Willard moved to plant the Liberty Elm at a location selected with the 250th anniversary committee; Clayton Lennartz seconded. Outcome: passed (all in favor). - Appointments/reappointments: Carol Mamczak appointed to the Village Green Committee (three-year term); Gail Cromwell and Felicia Sartell reappointed to Village Green (three-year terms); Lori Sherburne reappointed to the Historic District Commission (three-year term). All motions passed unanimously. - Town-hall fee waiver and spending: Ken Caisse moved to waive the town-hall fee for Chief McTague’s retirement and approve up to $200 for refreshments and supplies (fund to be determined later); Willard seconded. Outcome: passed (all in favor). - Junkyard permit: Clayton Lennartz moved to sign the junkyard permit for Russell Wilson; Ken Caisse seconded. Outcome: passed (all in favor). - Tax exemptions: The board retained a 75% charitable exemption for the Lukas Foundation; denied a charitable exemption request from NE Forestry per Avitar's recommendation; approved religious exemptions for the Temple Congregational Church and the Jeta Grove Foundation. All motions passed unanimously. - Minutes: The board approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes as written.
Committee updates and other business George Willard reported recycling-committee recommendations to repair concrete and replace rotting boards. Willard also said the ConVal district voted down open enrollment; Pam Kingston noted that decision means no outgoing transfers but 38 possible entries into the German program. Ken Caisse reported the police chief is retiring and that an open house is set for May 8; the town is working on an offer for Officer Needham to serve in an interim role.
The board acknowledged receipt of a tax-collector lien execution report and discussed a townwide flyer that was mailed with no clear sender designation. Caisse noted the mailing lacked the legally required sender identification and said the board would consider a policy to require committees to include origin information on mailings.
The public-record minutes show the board handled routine administrative matters by unanimous votes. The Select Board announced a non-public session and adjourned at 7:26 p.m.; its next meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall main room.
