Gilford Selectboard to hold public hearings for dump fees, cable contract

GILFORD — A pair of public hearings will be held at Wednesday's selectboard meeting regarding solid waste center fees, and the Breezeline cable television franchise renewal.

The proposed fee schedule is designed to better align with disposal fees paid by the town budget, and the last time the fee schedule was revised was in April 2024. If approved, the schedule will go into effect Aug. 1. Some parts are unchanged, and others show both minor and significant increases.

Demolition debris, shingles, carpets, and furniture are proposed to increase from $0.10 to $0.11 per pound. Small tires are proposed to be increased from $4 to $5, large tires are increasing from $5.50 to $25, and the cost for extra-large tires is to be determined.

Large monitors and screens of 50 inches or greater will cost $20, and miscellaneous electronics will cost $5 for disposal.

Propane tanks would increase from $1 to $3 for 1-2 pounds, and 50-100 pound tanks would cost $20. Fire extinguishers cost $10, and solar panels are $1 per pound.

The Breezeline contract public hearing will immediately follow, and is for a proposed franchise renewal agreement for a 10-year term as of Jan. 1, 2026. Information provided by the town states that under New Hampshire and federal law, the new agreement would not regulate fees charged for cable services, channel offerings, and anything pertaining to internet services.

The agreement would govern the terms and conditions related to delivering cable video and audio signals. The notice, and the contract of more than 50 pages, can be found at gilfordnh.gov/entity/Board-of-Selectmen-1.

After appointments with Finance Director Katherine Davis and Welfare Director Tom Carr, the selectboard will take up old business, including an update on the public works building, which is nearing completion. Purchases of a wide-format plotter and walk-behind floor scrubber will also be voted on.

The selectboard will also discuss a request to the state Department of Transportation for highway markings on Route 11-C; various Town Hall computer upgrades, and project status on the newly painted pickleball courts.

The board will cover 10 items under new business, starting with a request for a crosswalk at the end of Casey Road. Public Works awarded three bids which are expected to be awarded, and requests for road closures for Old Home Day at Belknap Mountain and Alvah Wilson roads will be voted on.

The board will also vote to approve out-of-state travel for an employee, accept two gift cards, adopt an investment policy, and discuss a request for “no thru trucks” on Country Club Road. There are also two appointments to the Gilford Recreation Commission, and a resignation of one member.

The selectboard meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, in the first floor meeting room of Town Hall.