Braffton selectboard accepts forester's timber assessment, approves humane society contract and pickup lettering

At its May 4, 2026 meeting the Braffton Selectboard accepted a written assessment from state forester Tim Norton recommending consideration of timber harvests on two town parcels (near the highway garage and along Route 35 by the cemetery). The report noted potential revenue opportunities but staff and board members said revenue estimates were not yet available and that harvesting likely would not begin until August or later.

A board member moved to accept the state forester's report and the board approved the motion. Board members asked staff to follow up on timing and to return any estimates when available.

The board also discussed highway department operations and a planned pickup truck purchase. Board members approved a motion to add lettering to a new pickup so it can be ready before the town parade; members discussed whether to charge the cost to the current budget year or defer it to next year depending on invoice timing.

The selectboard approved the Wyndham County Humane Society's 2026–27 contract for animal sheltering and services after staff reported the contract had a modest increase from the prior year. The motion passed in meeting; no roll‑call tally appears in the transcript.

Other items included cemetery committee follow‑up (staff to contact contractor Tyson and Jeff about start dates and parking/flags at Houghtonville Cemetery), parks volunteers' requests to use remaining Village Park funds for tree work and invasive species control, and resident reports of speeding on Hudson Road (staff to contact the sheriff's office). The board moved into executive session to discuss a personnel matter and set its next meeting for May 18, 2026.

Votes reported in the publicly available transcript were recorded as passed for the timber report acceptance, pickup lettering, and the humane society contract, but the transcript did not include detailed roll‑call tallies for those motions.