Richford Selectboard approves respiratory protection policy, names East River Street and approves prior minutes

At its Feb. 16, 2026 meeting the Town of Richford Selectboard approved a Respiratory Protection Policy & Procedures document for the fire department’s self-contained breathing apparatus and formally named a new road East River Street across from Davis Park.

The action matters because the respiratory policy establishes internal procedures for firefighters’ SCBAs, equipment the department received a little over a year ago, and the street-naming vote sets an official address that will affect mapping and town records. The board also completed routine approvals of prior meeting minutes, heard reports on roads, buildings and water infrastructure, and updated Development Review Board membership.

The meeting opened at 5:00 p.m. with Chair Steinhour and four board members present. The board first approved minutes from three prior meetings. Selectwoman Kristin Murphy moved to approve the Feb. 2, 2026 special minutes; Selectman Andy Pond seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The Feb. 2 regular minutes were amended per the Town Administrator’s correction (the motion language regarding Tier 1B was to be restated in the positive), then Selectman Pond moved to amend and approve the Feb. 2 regular minutes, Chair Steinhour seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. For the Feb. 12 special minutes Selectman Pond moved for approval, Selectwoman Sherry Paquette seconded, the motion passed and Selectwoman Murphy recorded an abstention.

On the Respiratory Protection Policy & Procedures, the meeting record states the document sets internal procedures tied to the department’s new SCBAs. Chair Steinhour moved to approve the policy; Selectwoman Paquette seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Under the Town Administrator update, Marissa Tessier introduced a proposed new road name for a short street across from Davis Park on River Street. Selectman Alan Fletcher moved to name the road East River Street; Selectwoman Paquette seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Tessier also reported that job postings are live for Zoning Administrator, Assistant ZA, Planning Commission and DRB members, and a Lister position.

Board members heard reports from highway, buildings, and water and sewer staff. Highway discussion centered on winter maintenance on South Richford Road; the buildings report noted pending bids for pillars and a need to repair Post Office stairs; water and sewer staff raised an issue with a main line freezing on Golf Course Road. In Parks, Playgrounds & Cemeteries business the board received an update on playground construction and Tessier said she will speak with Kiley about next steps.

Under other business Rowena Brown updated the board on Development Review Board membership: Craig Susco is now a full-time DRB member and Cameron Coltharp has stepped down. The board also discussed barking-dog complaints.

Chair Steinhour moved the board into executive session for personnel at 5:36 p.m.; Selectwoman Paquette seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board exited executive session at 6:00 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Fletcher, seconded by Selectwoman Murphy; the minutes state there were no votes resulting from the executive session. The meeting then adjourned; minutes were submitted and attested by Town Administrator Marissa Tessier.

The board did not record any formal ordinances, bond approvals, or intergovernmental contracts at this meeting. Follow-up items recorded in the minutes include staff to pursue bids for building pillars, repair of Post Office stairs, review of water-main freeze on Golf Course Road, and posting hires for several planning and zoning positions.