Belknap reps select Angelo Farrugia for Gunstock commission

LACONIA — After narrowing a field of four down to two, the Belknap County Delegation appointed Gilford Budget Committee member Angelo Farrugia to a full, five-year term aboard the Gunstock Area Commission at a Nov. 14 meeting. 

As with other appointments to the commission since Gunstock Mountain Resort's 2022 turmoil, the refrain of the meeting was to emphasize that all of the applicants appeared well-qualified for the position.

Of the final two candidates, former Gunstock employee and telecommunications specialist Rick Zach appeared to impress county representatives with his knowledge of the mountain’s ins and outs and his ideas for exploring new summer offerings. They also praised Zach’s persistence: he unsuccessfully applied for an open commission seat a year ago.

The Belknap representatives who supported Farrugia said they liked his measured mindset when it came to growth. He said he’d like to keep the mountain on its current trajectory. Farrugia also noted that he no longer skis but still frequents the mountain to take advantage of its year-round offerings, a topic much of the delegation probed candidates about during interviews. 

While party politics stayed out of deliberations, familiar voting patterns played a role, with the more conservative representatives largely leaning toward Farrugia and the more moderate Republicans and Democrats favoring Zach. Farrugia was the delegation’s choice in an 11– 6 vote.

Commission Chair Doug Lambert, in an interview after the meeting, said he is acquainted with Farrugia through the town of Gilford, and described him as “quiet and detail-oriented.” He echoed the refrain that all four applicants seemed well-qualified and suited to the job.

“We will wholeheartedly welcome our new commissioner after this evening,” Jade Wood, commission vice chair, said at the outset of the delegation’s meeting. “We look forward to onboarding them.”

The Gunstock Area Commission will resume meetings in the new year, when Lambert said they will discuss a timetable and process for revisiting Gunstock’s long-paused master plan. 

In an interview after his appointment, Farrugia said he planned to approach the master plan, and other responsibilities before the commission, “as a team.” 

“These boards and commissions are a great opportunity to talk things out, hear all sides of the story and come together to make a decision as a whole,” Farrugia told The Daily Sun. “One person's opinion, one person's thought shouldn't dictate the board.”