WILTON – The Select Board met on Monday, Dec. 20, a meeting disrupted several times by heated argument.

A reclamation plan for the now-closed Quinn Brothers gravel operation off Greenville Road (Route 31 south) has been before the Planning Board for the past year. At the request of Matt Fish, the Select Board representative on the Planning Board, that plan came before the Board of Selectmen on Monday, Dec. 20.

Tom Quinn, a son and nephew of the original owners, and consultant Dawn Tuomala, were present to answer questions.

In 2004, Quinn Brothers obtained a 15-year lease from the town to operate the site. When that lease expired in 2019, they asked for an extension, but voters said no. Required reclamation work began at that time.

Fish said the plan presented to the Planning Board last week “was terrible,” and asked the Select Board to visit the site. “We have to assure the citizens that it be returned to acceptable condition,” He questioned the top soil being used, the drainage arrangements, and the plan in general.

Selectman Kermit Williams said the acceptance of the plan was up to the Planning Board, not the Selectmen.

Tuomala said the plan prepared in 2004 no longer fits because the operation was not completed as planned and said the consultant hired by the Planning Board was not required to do a drainage calculation. She said she could do one.

Fish said he wanted “an engineer who represents us to review the plan,” adding, “this isn’t the plan that was approved.”

Williams said the gravel removal wasn’t completed for several for reasons beyond anyone’s control, and that was the reason for the lease extension. “In 2019, it wasn’t in the condition planned in 2004.” He said it didn’t make sense to “to base a plan on something that has changed.”

Tuomala said the plan was changed in 2016, as conditions in the area changed. She said the performance bond is still in place.

Williams said, “What has to be reclaimed is where it was actually dug.”

Quinn said he was surprised by Fish’s contention. “I would like to discuss this with the Planning Board.”

Fish said, “All I want is to see a reclamation plan for what is there now and a third-party engineer to look at it.”

Chairman Kellie-Sue Boissonault asked Fish to calm down. “We need to work together and stop arguing.”

Quinn described work that was being done at the site.

The board voted to return the question to the Planning Board and continue the discussion at the next meeting of the select Board on Jan. 3. “If (the Planning Board) isn’t happy with the report,” Williams said, “it is up to them to make a determination.”

Fish disagreed, insisting the Select Board needed to review the report and the site.

In other business, William Goddard, Past Master of Clinton Lodge F and AM, asked to read a letter into the record. He wished to refute comments made at the last meeting by Matt Fish concerning the Masons. At that meeting, the board approved a tax abatement for the lodge, as they have for many years.

Fish did not approve of the abatement saying they had restricted membership, were not a charitable organization, and did little for the town.

Williams noted that under an agreement with the builder, David Gregg in 1907, the building is maintained by the Lodge but will revert to the town if the lodge closes.

Goddard said the lodge has been registered in N.H. for 70 years. They have provided scholarships for high school students, supported the Open Cupboard Pantry, the Wilton-Lyndeborough Woman’s Club, Boy and Girl Scouts, taken part in Summerfest, and worked with the Lions Club and Main Street Association. Membership, he said, is open to everyone, men and women. “but maybe we should be more public.”

Fish attempted to dispute his statements, but Boissonault closed the debate.

The board reviewed a preliminary budget for the Recycling Center. A joint budget meeting will be held on Jan. 11.

Lyndeborough has requested a “perambulation” of a town line to determine a boundary.

Williams said such walks should be done regularly – “but not in the middle of the winter” – and one had done been done since 2016.