Meredith Selectboard approves new Road Closure and Special Event Policy

MEREDITH — The selectboard unanimously approved a new Road Closure and Special Event Policy on Monday, following ongoing discussion over the past several months.

The vote was unanimous, but after the motion to approve the policy was made, no member seconded the measure for nearly 2 minutes.

Selectboard member Jim Gregoire moved to approve the policy, but there was not an immediate second. For about 20 seconds, the room was silent, until Chair Steve Aiken acknowledged there was no second.

“I believe this is what we asked for,” Aiken said.

About 35 more seconds went by, and selectboard members continued to flip through the packet of information. Karen Sticht, a resident in the audience, broke the silence, asking, “Have none of you ever read it?”

“Yeah, but it’s a lot, because we’re setting policy that we haven’t had before,” selectboard member Lynn Leighton replied. “Although I’ve read it like three times already, and now again, for me, anyway.”

Member Mike Pelczar seconded the motion about 10 seconds after Leighton’s comment — about 90 seconds after the motion was made — and the vote was unanimous.

The four-page policy was discussed on April 27, and again on May 11, when the selectboard agreed by consensus to have Town Manager Judie Milner draft a document to be brought forward for consideration on June 22.

The need for the policy came after the Boho Bazaar was approved by the selectboard on March 30, by a 4-1 vote, with Pelczar against. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15. The fourth annual free event is expected to feature 40 vendors, live music, and food trucks. The event is hosted by Rise Boutique, and will require the closure of Main Street.

After the request was granted, selectboard members agreed other events shouldn’t be approved until a policy was in place.

The approved policy states its purpose is to ensure there is “safe, fair, and consistent management of events” which require closing roads or using public spaces, while supporting community activities and protecting public resources.

It outlines the definitions of special events, road closures, and for-profit, nonprofit, and municipal events.

The policy outlines permit requirements, which are that all events that impact public roads, sidewalks, parking lots, or parks need a Facility Event Permit. All events impacting private property need a special permit, unless approved by the planning board.

It includes a road closure policy, stating all closures need to be approved by the selectboard.

In the case of municipal and nonprofit events, closures are considered by the selectboard after completion of the town’s permitting process. They must meet all safety, traffic and operational requirements, and departmental approval is required. This includes police, fire, and public works.

It also outlines requirements around for-profit events. Selectboard review is required when the event is commercial, there is a significant traffic disruption anticipated, or the event requires use of public infrastructure.

The policy also outlines the use of parks and public spaces. It states parks are primarily reserved for nonprofit and municipal events. For-profit use of parks is not permitted as a matter of right, but can be considered by the selectboard, case by case.

There are also sections about a potential fee schedule, application timeline, conditions for approval, denial or revocation, and appeals.

Milner said there were some minor adjustments before the vote.

“I just wanted to point out that the adjustment that the board have asked for are in the policy,” she said. “In addition to that, we made one clarifying thing.”

The clarification was about the facility event permit for functions on public roads, sidewalks, and anything town-owned. The special event permit comes from the Planning and Development Department for commercial areas.

“It is clear now which one is which,” Milner said.

In addition, Milner learned there are a couple of special permits granted by the planning board. This includes events during Motorcycle Week at Laconia Harley-Davidson and Hart’s Turkey Farm. She said these are granted then, and an annual permit is not needed. Milner said this was noted in the policy as a permanent permit.

“Those are the only things we’ve corrected, because we noticed that as we came into it,” Milner said. “Otherwise, everything is in that the board asked for. All road closures require board approval.”

America250 celebration

Chris Kelly, chair of the America’s 250th Celebration Committee, discussed the preparations for the anniversary, on Saturday, July 4.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. LaValley Middleton Building Supply, and will proceed north on Main Street to Plymouth Street, where it will end. Kelly said there are 63 participants marching in the parade, which includes music from both brass and dixieland bands, as well as floats from area businesses and organizations. Now, they need people to come line the streets and enjoy what they've been putting together for more than a year.

“Very excited about this,” Kelly said. “We have a really great, dedicated group that has been getting together since May 12, 2025. We love meeting. We love talking about this parade. A lot of folks who have been working really hard, but I want to say, as well, we’ve gotten some great assistance from the town.”

Kelly said Milner made a great hire with administrative assistant Rachel Bethmann, who he noted has been a huge help. He also thanked Police Chief Mike Harper and Public Works Director Craig Hale.

“We are working with the chief of police to make sure we have safety,” Kelly said.