Town of Swanzey

The meeting was called to order and subsequently involved the Board entering into a non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a) concerning the dismissal, promotion, compensation, or discipline of a public employee. The Board later exited the non-public session and passed a motion to seal the minutes of that session because divulgence of the information could adversely affect the reputation of a person other than a Board member. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion.

The meeting included reviews for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals regarding an Eversource line's special exception request in the floodplain district, a Dog Daycare/Kennel site plan review, a boundary line adjustment, and a minor subdivision application. The Commission also discussed a film screening schedule and reviewed expenditures made to Moosewood Ecological since 2023 from the Conservation Fund, covering ordinance review, wetland evaluation, and the Open Space Plan. Old business included commission membership terms ending for several members, the need to advertise for a new member, and discussion on advertising methods for upcoming wetland amendments vote. Further discussion focused on updating the Conservation Lands Map, college scholarship application deadlines, Mt. Cresson Trails access, and developing the 2026 Workplan, which will include focusing on a Wilson Pond watershed management plan and reviewing the floodplain ordinance. Other business involved discussing a warrant item to rezone land near Marcy Hill Road and clarifying public misconceptions regarding the percentage of Swanzey's land under permanent conservation.

The meeting addressed several key administrative and planning items. The Consent Agenda, which included items such as payroll manifests, accounts payable, and several tax exemptions and permit requests, was approved. Under appointments, the Board approved a motion to forgo an RFQ or RFP process for procuring professional services from the Southwest Region Planning Commission for a zoning audit, authorizing up to $15,000 for the project. The Energy Committee presented on supporting the extension of net metering to 2060 and discussed applying for Congressional Direct Spending funds to potentially finance solar panel installations or backup batteries, possibly in connection with the proposed DPW building or the new fire station, with the Board agreeing to allow the Committee to proceed with the application process. New Business included a review and scheduling of a public hearing for proposed changes to the Board of Selectmen Rules of Procedure, an update confirming the success of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar Array, and a suggestion for Select Board training sessions for incoming members. The meeting concluded with two non-public sessions.

The meeting addressed a regional impact assessment, which was determined to have no regional impact. The Board unanimously approved a boundary line adjustment application (PB 26-002) concerning a property boundary shared by private owners and the Town of Swanzey, ensuring graves on the property are appropriately located in the cemetery. The Board also unanimously approved a minor subdivision application (PB 26-003) for a property in the Village Business District I, granting several requested waivers related to plat checklist requirements. Additional discussions included reviewing suggested revisions to the Site Plan Review Regulations and reviewing a Municipal Planning Assistance Agreement.

The meeting involved several key discussions and actions. The Board reviewed and approved the Rules of Procedure as amended. A New Tenant Application for a dog kennel and daycare at 223 Monadnock Hwy was discussed, with the consensus being that it qualifies as a service establishment, requiring the applicant to submit a site plan. During the Site Plan Review Regulations Discussion, the Board voted 4-2 to maintain the one-year timeline requirement for site plan improvements instead of extending it to two years. Other topics included an upcoming public information session on warrant articles, the status of the Zoning Update contract, and a discussion regarding water storage solutions, favoring the construction of a water tower and purchasing the existing water company over sourcing water from Keene.