Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard working through hangups in new short-term rental program

The April 13 Meredith Selectboard meeting included discussions on infrastructure goals, cemetery fee changes, town manager versus town administrator form of government, short-term rental program challenges, and the announcement of Meredith’s first recipient of its Citizen of the Year award.

The selectboard continues to work on prioritizing infrastructure goals identified during their goal setting workshop last year. Those goals include deficiencies in water and sewer infrastructure, the Pleasant Street wall, waterfront infrastructure, Main Street rehabilitation, sidewalk repairs, and town facilities.

The board received an update on the Route 25 water main replacement project which has a high priority due to frequent failures. The project is expected to cost up to $2.5 million and state aid will be requested to mitigate these expenses. Highlights of the project include replacing existing water and sanitary sewer mains, installing nine new sanitary sewer manholes, relining the PVC sanitary sewer main, adding three new fire hydrants, and installation of temporary water mains and services.

There was also a brief discussion on the condition of the Pleasant Street wall with an estimate for repair or replacement due in June 2026. Department heads will present their recommendations for infrastructure priorities at the next selectboard meeting.

The Department of Public Works director asked the selectboard to reconsider the original proposal for fee increases for cemetery services. Upon further review, staff identified some of the new pricing structures do not align well with comparable cemetery pricing within the region or broader industry standards. To address this concern, a revised pricing structure was developed. The proposed pricing is intended to be more consistent with the industry while still supporting the town’s responsibility to maintain and operate its cemeteries in a sustainable manner. The selectboard will review the proposal and decide at their next meeting.

The selectboard discussed the advisory opinion received at Town Meeting to change to a town administrator form of government versus the current town manager structure. The board agreed to host at least two public forums to educate residents about the differences between the two positions. While the exact format of the forum has not been decided, it will include a presentation on the differences between the two and possibly a moderated panel on the pros and cons. The first forum will be held at the Community Center on Monday, May 18. Details of the forum will follow.

During the manager’s report there were questions about the implementation of the Short-Term Rental program. Selectboard members learned there are some technical issues with the ordinance slowing compliance and problems with the software system used to manage the rental properties. The town planner will attend the April 27 Selectboard meeting to discuss program implementation challenges and provide suggested solutions for the board to consider.

We are blessed with so many community members who are committed to the betterment of Meredith. This year the selectboard began a tradition of recognizing outstanding individuals who give back to our community with a Citizen of the Year Award. The first recipient of this year’s award was presented to Dave Thorpe for his exceptional service and unwavering dedication to our community. Dave has a combined service of nearly 50 years, when accounting for all the boards and committees he has served on. He has served almost 20 years on the zoning board of adjustment, and more than a decade on the Capital Improvements Program Committee, the Water System Committee, and more recently the Short-Term Rental Committee. The Citizen of the Year wall plaque bearing his name will hang in Town Hall and recognize all honorees in the years to come.

The next meeting of the selectboard is on Monday, April 27, at the Meredith Public Library.

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Jeanie Forrester serves on the Meredith Selectboard.