April 18, 2026
The Epsom Board of Selectmen will be meeting this Monday, April 20th. On their agenda will be discussion of the Village Water District. There will also be a discussion of the Village Water District at their April 27th meeting, where NH DES representatives will be present. The BOS discussion will present the current situation that exists, and the legal (BOS/EVWD) guidance that the town has received in terms of addressing the immediate governance crisis.
Please see my communication to BOS to be read at their meeting, since I cannot be present. Of course, I strongly urge District customers to engage with this process sooner rather than later.
TO: Town of Epsom, Board of Selectmen
FROM: Donna Dudley, Commissioner, Epsom Village Water District
DATE: April 17, 2026
Due to the unexpected resignation of Commissioner Dan Smith on April 7th, and the open Commissioner position which we have been unable to fill since Commissioner Denis Lavigne decided not to continue when his term ended, the Epsom Village Water District now finds itself with only one Commissioner. I contacted NH DES on April 9th for guidance on how to proceed. After I received their response on April 14th, indicating it had been elevated to DES leadership, I contacted the Selectmen. I understand that the Board of Selectmen was contacted by Renee Pelletier of DES at around this same time.
As you know, when only one person remains on a NH municipal board, that member cannot act alone because they cannot form a quorum to conduct legally binding business. I am committed to working with the BOS to try and work towards a solution, while continuing to move the district forward with the initiatives currently in process and keep the District functioning.
Regrettably, I cannot be at your April 20th meeting because I am having shoulder surgery that day. However, I will be at your April 27th meeting, along with NH DES representatives.
