Ron DeFrancesco

The Special Meeting included a continued Public Hearing concerning an application for amendments to the Zoning Map/Farm Overlay District for several properties on Hog House Hill Road. Following procedural motions to relocate the hearing, the Council heard an overview from the Town Planner regarding the Comp 2044 Plan and the Planning Board's review of the farm overlay ordinance criteria. The applicant's attorney presented details on the farming operations, clarifying that a potential future slaughterhouse application was separate. Several residents expressed concerns during public comment regarding potential water pollution, property values, and neighborhood atmosphere associated with a future slaughterhouse. The Solicitor clarified that the current application only addresses the farm overlay. The Public Hearing was closed, and the Council unanimously approved the application for amendments to the Zoning Map, Farm Overlay District, as the applicant met all ordinance criteria and the Planning Board recommended approval. The meeting also included an Executive Session to discuss litigation involving Asa Davis v. Town of Exeter.

The meeting included adjustments to the agenda order to prioritize a Public Hearing regarding a Farm Overlay District Application. Key actions involved the repeal, in its entirety, of the Code of Ordinances Chapter 42, Article IX, which concerned the exemption for owners of low- or moderate-income housing, due to changes in state law that resulted in lower assessments. The Council addressed multiple vacancies, including those on the Personnel Board and the Exeter Rural Land Preservation Trust Committee, and made an appointment for the Social Services Director interviews. The Council appointed the Public Works Director as the 2026 Tree Warden. Bids for Public Works projects were awarded, including Street Paving to T. Miozzi, LLC, and Modified Asphalt Chip Seal to All States Construction. The purchase of two 2027 Western Star plow/sanding/dump trucks was approved, contingent on future funding. A resolution was adopted calling for the restoration of General Revenue Sharing. Unfinished business included follow-up on a property tax exemption request for disabled veterans and continued discussion regarding building and zoning violation enforcement. For the New Town Hall project, a corrected score sheet for architect selection was approved, and Councilman Joseph Turner was appointed as Council Liaison and Project Manager alongside the Town Clerk's Assistant. The Council also entered into Executive Session to discuss litigation.

The agenda for the special meeting included a continued public hearing regarding an application for amendments to the Zoning Map and Farm Overlay District for specified properties on Hog House Hill Road (a/k/a Sherman Road). A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an Executive Session to discuss ongoing litigation involving Asa Davis versus the Town of Exeter across various court levels (Superior Court, Supreme Court) and numerous complaints filed with the Office of the Attorney General, in addition to various unfiled or threatened matters.

The agenda for the meeting included ongoing Old Business concerning the third Pre-Application Conference for the "Solicity Project," a major land development proposal for 155 residential housing units, maintaining the requirement that at least 25% are affordable. New Business centered on a Pre-application for an Adaptive Reuse and Comprehensive Permit project for the former "Shady Acres Nursing Home," exploring two development scenarios with varying unit counts (21 or 20 units) and affordability commitments. Administrative items involved discussing and voting on modifications to Planning Board Rules and Procedures, including policies on attendance, financial filing, and mandatory training. Correspondence updates and scheduling for future meetings were also noted.

The Exeter Zoning Board of Review convened a meeting to discuss several applications and administrative matters. A special use permit was approved for Sol Power, LLC for a medium-scale roof-mounted solar array. Two petitions from Trade Wind Investments, LLC regarding dimensional relief for proposed single-family dwellings were rescheduled due to a notice error. The board also handled administrative tasks, including invoice approval and reports from the Zoning Inspector and Solicitor.