[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6348723,"mediaKeyId","2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8","parentId",2240528,"title","Loudon selectmen send $1.7 million ladder-truck bond to town meeting after tower goes out of service","audioSeconds",2707,"startMs",7200000,"endMs",9907000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8&start=7200&end=9907","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348723/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Loudon-selectmen-send-17-million-ladder-truck-bond-to-town-meeting-after-tower-goes-out-of-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348723-d4034eba82a75670375c9051fb44ff93/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671013&Signature=LRjbHXzgZRDFKwC~fRW9-JnwMzhleGLOaElfQ-L0NTJ0a28mpWQvLjPrGn2Rfht1nmI-ye7rNzNCkwrmGNevyECrWaNqKNfNuZxrWAJy4s70umVqLrXRdG-U0Vrbe6jcKNs6PnU7XNdHLDGoKsddAPByrr4wZKUHRqB82rdAmhkjwyPcmWYqAwWQbfqJyHfOgxywcnFFd9hOrOuy~cbbEyYLoZOUTsbAO4we69bYp6BNjyScFZ~vRCNyB5nMGECwzRYPH7WY8GBtKqwqEO0OteN5XOWzIzcdgeKD7grya6QbLFgdVZqYEVBiDkzbCYnXDUtzxxYfYuj1bXUiJ3VNCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Loudon NH","date","2025-02-06T13:08:07Z","article","LOUDON, N.H. — The Loudon Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 5 to place a $1.7 million warrant article on the March 15 town meeting ballot to buy an aerial ladder truck after officials described the department’s current tower truck as unreliable and out of service.

The article authorizes $1,700,000 for an aerial ladder truck: $1,300,000 to be financed by bonds and $400,000 to be withdrawn from the fire department equipment capital reserve fund. The warrant language also authorizes the selectmen to apply for federal, state or other aid and sets the first-year debt service payment at about $32,500. The article requires a three-fifths majority on the ballot.

Why it mattered: Fire and public-safety officials told selectmen the department’s only tower truck has recently failed — at one point refusing to start — leaving Loudon dependent on mutual-aid coverage from neighboring towns for elevated-rescue capability. Fire leaders told the board that long lead times and limited grant availability make purchasing a replacement now the most reliable option to maintain local service levels.

What selectmen will ask voters to approve: If approved at town meeting, the town would bond roughly $1.3 million and use $400,000 already held in a fire-equipment capital reserve fund. Officials presented an amortization estimate showing annual payments falling from roughly $169,000 in year two down to about $134,000 in the final year of a 10-year schedule; the board estimated the bond’s first-year tax impact at a few cents per $1,000 of assessed value and provided a year-by-year schedule to the public during the hearing.

What officials said: Fire Chief Blanchett told the board the department has tried in recent weeks to diagnose the tower’s mechanical problems; a vendor and outside mechanics worked multiple hours but the truck remained non-operational. Chief Blanchett said the town has pursued federal grant programs in past years but that criteria and scoring for the principal federal vehicle grant make funding uncertain for a rural, combination department.

Selectmen also noted that the New Hampshire Motor Speedway rejected a town request to share in the purchase; the speedway’s management responded they were not interested in contributing. Selectmen said outreach to other municipalities for shared purchasing was explored but would be time-consuming and unlikely to produce a timely cost-sharing agreement.

Next steps: The board voted unanimously to move the warrant article to the March 15 town meeting ballot. Voters will decide whether to approve the bond; selectmen said they will present the details again at town meeting and encouraged residents to attend and ask questions.

Ending: If voters approve the bond, officials said the town would proceed with ordering the replacement and continue to pursue any eligible outside funding.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Selectmen - February 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Loudon Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 5 to place a $1.7 million warrant article on the March 15 town meeting ballot to buy an aerial ladder truck after officials said the town's existing tower truck is out of service and unreliable.","taxTitle","Loudon, Merrimack County , New Hampshire","taxId",61624,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348703,"Selectmen discuss Lower Ridge sand-and-gravel hauling, possible enforcement; cemetery repairs to move forward",231,1763000,1994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8&start=1763&end=1994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8/thumbnail_1763000.jpg","/articles/6348703/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Selectmen-discuss-Lower-Ridge-sand-and-gravel-hauling-possible-enforcement-cemetery-repairs-to-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348703-667e50eb932ad77f85d65c2075a1a435/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671013&Signature=N15obMwa8H4~wIiH5kTjIbuIx8iegUfz8du-xnlBk54OrzhX~XAHfehWxBWQSv~dnZRX~GzRgSL5Gl~GgFcooICvfHwfmZbFK9PHt6q9kLsCk69fCz--O8ePFIFn9DO74BNPVwLFlanVE1LC6O59xSSzlPzS5giHhECFP-kkdG11Q~NJbZ7HPxQ-ZKD0UNZTPTS4Mg9Rb3K6Cqr9pV~KMilJsDxALFqwBTnPQbz41s09hbYgjLBl5IoBBvuWZMmLhYIhXnYvBd9rHK4JCqpJ8oXU~5bubiezTUzBoOAZvgPve9XSiC61s7i-pqC5Tls4NLODQJ6X0cVJR5MFq~lVcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LOUDON, N.H. — The Board of Selectmen on Feb. 5 discussed complaints that Mountain Sand & Gravel (site referred to as Lower Ridge) had been hauling material from a site without clear permitting and that the operation might be exporting substantial material from the property.

Permitting and enforcement: Selectmen and staff said the operator delivered an excavation-permit application and payment to the town offices the afternoon of Feb. 5. Town staff reported repeated conversations with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES); DES told staff that the disturbance likely fell near the agency’s investigation threshold and that DES had not opened enforcement because, in the agency’s view, it did not clearly meet the statutory threshold for action.

Selectmen’s direction: The board agreed to forward existing compiled information to town counsel for legal advice, to check planning-board records for any grandfathering or historical permits, and to revisit the matter at the next meeting. If the applicant has not completed permitting steps, selectmen said they may pursue cease-and-desist authority or require that hauling stop pending review.

Cemetery repairs and fencing: Selectmen also reviewed plans to repair village cemetery stonework, re-lay a portion of fence, and restore gate hardware. Contractors provided quotes; a local blacksmith proposed time-and-materials work to rehabilitate historic gate elements. The board authorized staff to lock in contractors’ schedules and proceed with work in spring, unless revised bids change the cost materially.

Ending: Selectmen said they would keep the public informed about the Lower Ridge permit status and cemetery work schedule and would consult the town attorney to determine any immediate enforcement steps.

","Selectmen on Feb. 5 discussed complaints that a sand-and-gravel operation on Lower Ridge was hauling material without clear permitting; the operator dropped off an excavation permit application the same day and DES said the site likely did not meet its disturbance threshold. The board agreed to consult the town attorney and the planning board if",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348708,"Loudon fire chief reports tower truck out of service, ambulance/EMT staffing gains amid heavy call volume",425,535000,960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8&start=535&end=960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8/thumbnail_535000.jpg","/articles/6348708/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Loudon-fire-chief-reports-tower-truck-out-of-service-ambulanceEMT-staffing-gains-amid-heavy-call-volume","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348708-8c622d7e916d7a35725dd11f5cd0f7e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671013&Signature=fiGh8rQHvZ0RpNUVVUnAoBJilmQxnQ~qhChO27fwdF7fIwaS2PcADKQtAMBoPpjCYmM~aLuRYN-UDOvBFMKioAuJrOWCpTnoNoHpgHYh1yx4xPMS-~D7Zcuah~yo3JDyfwr94rwH7jPCPRtiFJwGJJzVPaiExnbvROwbbER9W9aYDCzotHjefc0Xkb0h8G~6VME0aYHOEfMF6sCKx-GJDiMdsI8oE8dydShlMvTXR6g9AH8bdI6KOFE6ffbpBwJ-2AthTYWDneH7kIgfPc2FcrNmil4VF-b-TUgazb~~No1yLLFaNYirMH~qFjnUX~1Ojyp1SkHN6J11DFjE9Dmw9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LOUDON, N.H. — Fire Chief Blanchett told the selectmen Feb. 5 that the department is dealing with multiple equipment and staffing challenges as call volumes have increased.

Apparatus problems: Blanchett said tower 1 returned from mutual-aid service but would not start after a cleaning cycle; local mechanics and contractors worked on the vehicle for several hours without solving the problem. He said the department had also experienced exhaust-code issues with ambulance 1 and that diagnostics were ongoing. Station 2’s septic pump failed but was repaired by a vendor and the station returned to service.

Staffing and certifications: Blanchett reported that live-in student Aaron Silley and firefighter Patrick Starkey both passed National Registry Emergency Medical Technician exams and that the department is processing state licensing. The chief said the department is interviewing a lateral-transfer candidate and will submit a conditional offer to the selectmen if the candidate is acceptable; hiring both the lateral candidate and another conditional hire would return the department to full staffing.

Operational strain: Blanchett described repeated mutual-aid responses in the region, multiple building fires in neighboring towns and the logistical strain caused by turnout-gear cleaning and drying (wash/dry cycles and limited spare gear). He said staffing shortages have caused significant overtime and that station scheduling is strained during a season of colds and flu.

Procurement and maintenance: The chief praised quick vendor response to station door repairs and noted continuing preventive maintenance efforts to keep apparatus operational.

Ending: Blanchett said the department will keep the board updated and will provide paperwork and conditional-offer documentation for any proposed hires.

","Fire Chief Blanchett told selectmen Feb. 5 that a tower truck will not start despite multiple mechanic efforts, one ambulance has exhaust problems, and station septic pump was replaced. The department reported two new EMTs completing national registry testing and two potential lateral hires under consideration to restore full staffing amid high",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348713,"Loudon police report new hire, cruiser crash ruled other driver’s fault; state grant sought for mobile terminals",279,141000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8&start=141&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6348713/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Loudon-police-report-new-hire-cruiser-crash-ruled-other-drivers-fault-state-grant-sought-for-mobile-terminals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348713-cc9274b1766b2b6c2d57e7d1679f7b82/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671013&Signature=gr5EQzkHe6bBer9IBPBrI2sOmFpxJh-7mjiotQNOs~4AoQ9c6Ey6dKGfCo50ulclBANRIitvyLR8e47Re62teufgdXFjNQioXn~ALcfrMc5fc4QgGcCZII3yU~EFsE81d2u1eloFLu-9RkBb3n4GUbn2Mptmt72PKA8h1qO7q3xQ8ANnMUzpXj-h0lvpzfW6BjqROOqjrf2I-5QhwwUZx~D2zPwYI0bWzj9RMSK1dm54xR1vWObXUb5DW8sAvC2schM56qHN0iKOm9jtFGQE0w4aQTubhxCcxd7vpsbUuALT2xyNlmKKtYM06MVFgUttvekv5MrR~bkaXLYmUDZ0hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LOUDON, N.H. — Police Chief Landers used department head reports at the Feb. 5 selectmen’s meeting to introduce a newly hired officer, update the board on recent incidents, and describe planned technology and school-program investments.

New hire and training: Chief Landers introduced Trevor Merchant as a new officer now in field training with Sergeant Nye. Merchant will complete field training before being assigned to road duty.

Crash report and insurance: The chief said the department’s cruiser was involved in a collision in Epsom; he said the other driver was at fault and that the town submitted required paperwork to its insurer/administrator (Primex/Primex-like program referenced) and that the cruiser remained drivable.

State grant for mobile data terminals: Landers said the department will apply for a state Highway Safety grant to replace in-car mobile data terminals, indicating the program would operate on a buy-first reimbursement model that would result in no net expense to the town if fully eligible. He said he will bring specific cost figures to the board after meeting with a vendor/liaison.

School program and traffic enforcement: The chief said Corporal Gamble is enrolled in LEADS (law enforcement education addressing bullying and violence) and will work with Weilen Elementary School. Landers also told the board that School Street remains one of the department’s highest locations for vehicle stops and that officers continue to enforce speed complaints.

Personnel and hiring: Landers said he received five resumes for a part-time secretary position and plans to hold interviews; he expects a pool of qualified, mostly-retired candidates.

Ending: The chief asked the board not to disturb him with further questions and said he would return with figures and formal requests when appropriate.

","Police Chief Landers introduced a newly hired officer, reported a cruiser crash in which the other driver was at fault, and said the department will apply for a state grant to replace mobile data terminals at no net cost to the town. The chief also reported a continuing academy assignment for an officer and plans to certify a school-based LEADS",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348718,"Selectmen reduce proposed operating budget; send revised warrant, revenues to March town meeting",3744,3336000,7080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8&start=3336&end=7080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240528-29f6d70654ec8b5a0d676419014b1eb8/thumbnail_3336000.jpg","/articles/6348718/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Selectmen-reduce-proposed-operating-budget-send-revised-warrant-revenues-to-March-town-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348718-c0ab4605240079ddfa7275aff779991e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671013&Signature=n2fUuKiN-LbOTUvCTLAJoEjrxF2jnaM2ED~d4uCAB85vQIX8Uc1nt5qSqugQp-A~0yr4MKkY3XK6awjIJ5N8uMbJCjd8PBWZUPO6rdaNyYXNQBR2nngEqx5q-uB~64r~MvBPGV0-v8mhseyBaYhGEWA8yWTSvb1Xt30BgNynwrQfUeNuCSxPDuCFX~c0K2ZbBCqeC0aQktRPM2DuJSZ3MoTkwV1i-~-3ErZ9g3l7pUkfZHcPHmXdKNxcs~BkIO8tgF4aB50pgGBAlY1WaMIdCS5UEcleCf7B27oKknfGZD-ajDXJT-WbPZ0-um7Y2lDoG4rHbCl4vXAPBOpJCiHaYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LOUDON, N.H. — The Loudon Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 5 to present a revised municipal operating budget and updated warrant articles at town meeting after department heads identified line-item reductions and selectmen approved changes to capital reserve funding.

What the board did: Selectmen approved moving the operating budget and revised revenue estimates to the March 15 town meeting. They also approved a revised set of capital reserve and expendable-trust warrant articles that reduce some proposed capital contributions compared with earlier drafts.

Numbers and effect: Selectmen said they reduced the operating budget from $6,998,369 to $6,923,004, a net reduction of $75,365. The board’s estimate of the town’s operating tax impact fell from about $9.61 to about $9.51 per $1,000 of assessed value. On capital items, the aggregate proposed capital-reserve funding in the warrant was cut from roughly $1,240,000 to $915,000, reducing the estimated tax impact on those items from $1.70 to $1.26 per $1,000 (estimates provided by the town).

Major line changes: Selectmen listed specific savings achieved by department heads after a merit rollback and line-item scrutiny. Examples included modest reductions in police telephone and training lines, lowered gas and oil for the fire department, and cuts to planning and administrative wages. The board also reduced several proposed contributions to capital reserve funds (highway, road improvements, town garage, alternative energy, Arthur Colby Safety Complex upgrades, among others) and created or retained a smaller police equipment expendable trust (reduced from $10,000 to $5,000).

Public discussion: Several residents attended and urged the board to seek alternative revenue or reprioritize capital lines to boost employee retention. Speakers cited school-district spending as a major driver of the town tax load and urged selectmen to press the SAU and school board. Others suggested offsetting personnel retention bonuses by trimming “nice-to-have” funds such as some conservation and historical-society allocations.

Warrant items: Selectmen also accepted a citizen petition to raise the veteran’s tax credit from $500 to $750 as a petition warrant article; selectmen noted they do not take a recommendation on petitioned articles.

Vote: The board voted to present the revised warrant and revenue estimates and to send the operating budget to the March 15 town meeting for voter consideration.

Ending: Selectmen said the operating budget and capital warrant articles may be debated and amended by voters at the town meeting; the board encouraged residents to attend and weigh in on March 15.

","After reviewing department cuts and capital reserve adjustments, Loudon selectmen voted Feb. 5 to present a reduced 2025 operating budget and revised warrant articles at the March 15 town meeting. Officials said the changes trimmed roughly $75,000 from the operating budget estimate and lowered the estimated tax impact by about $0.10 per $1,000 of","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Loudon selectmen send $1.7 million ladder-truck bond to town meeting after tower goes out of service

Selectmen discuss Lower Ridge sand-and-gravel hauling, possible enforcement; cemetery repairs to move forward

Loudon fire chief reports tower truck out of service, ambulance/EMT staffing gains amid heavy call volume

Loudon police report new hire, cruiser crash ruled other driver’s fault; state grant sought for mobile terminals

Selectmen reduce proposed operating budget; send revised warrant, revenues to March town meeting