Lyme Select Board: Picks mowing and gravel bids; hears revaluation concerns

Lyme Select Board · Meeting recap · meeting of Tuesday, October 13, 2026

The Lyme Select Board met Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Town Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Board members Benjamin Kilham, Michael Hinsley and David Kahn took part, along with Administrator Dina Cutting, Assessing Clerk Jordan Gray and Road Agent Scott Bailey. The meeting adjourned at 12:05PM.

Decisions

• Mowing: The board accepted the Lyme Lawn Care bid for 2027 mowing. The vote was unanimous.
• Sand and gravel: The board accepted the bid from Chief Crushing & Excavation Inc. The vote was unanimous.
• Minutes: The minutes of September 29th, 2026 were approved, with Mr. Kahn abstaining.
• Manifest: The board approved the manifest. The vote was unanimous.
• Employee wage: After a non-public session, the board voted unanimously to increase an employee's hourly wage.
• Vehicle advice: The board voted unanimously to approve up to $3,500 for Brian F. Chase of the Vehicle Autopsy Company to advise on the condition and road-worthy status of certain vehicles.

Also discussed

• Revaluation: Residents raised concerns about the 2026 revaluation preliminary numbers, the methodology used by Avatar Associates, and the 20-minute hearing limit. Ms. Cutting said the values are preliminary and will not be final until after the hearings. Residents can sign up for more than one 20-minute hearing. Tax bills will go out only after Avatar finalizes its data, the town submits its MS-1 to the NH Department of Revenue, and the state sets the tax rate.
• Roadside mowing: Bids for 2027 roadside mowing were opened. Mr. Bailey will research them and return with a recommendation.
• Highbridge: Mr. Bailey said the Highway Department is focusing on failing culverts for now.
• Other items: The board reviewed Boston Post Cane requirements and asked for more information. It received an invitation to the Grafton Regional Development Corporation annual meeting and reviewed information on a proposed gazebo (bandstand) donation for the Common. Ms. Cutting said the 2026 MS-434 draft has been submitted to the NH Department of Revenue.
• 2027 budget: The board is working to keep the municipal budget increase modest, ideally between 3.7 and 4.1%.
• Non-public sessions: The board met in non-public session three times, under RSA 91A:3 II (c) reputation, (a) compensation, and (l) legal.

Money

• 2027 roadside mowing bids: Mike's Mowing, $21,200.00; JA Mitchel Contracting Services, $28,620.00.
• 2027 mowing: Lyme Lawn Care, $71,500.00.
• Manifest approved: $171,743.98.

This is an automated summary of the town's posted minutes. The official record is the original document. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.