[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6642130,"mediaKeyId","2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8","parentId",2958740,"title","Select Board tables Traffic Safety Committee charter after NHDOT announces corridor study","audioSeconds",269,"startMs",1641000,"endMs",1910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8&start=1641&end=1910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8/thumbnail_1641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642130/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-tables-Traffic-Safety-Committee-charter-after-NHDOT-announces-corridor-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642130-26e5e98779f8b7c56c100b80c77ed3bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058481&Signature=ggyrOKaG1WY0chilqMmeSqAXSMnTkf7l2D5-aiS9~fOMdP4rYqX1rAfSHenM32Ap5rJympKPb6zWOaqSWXksr~YURMlYm58D2Q~ZVNSB-RXLHrwhjWtqBO9FlK8ifZNvM4JNNaWB6RuYpBy9DtQufKdIZHWD8hcHojht4yM3A3hG0iewaoeZ1dUgYxkoqcAPD6WkyTs5fkeI2sHAjGMG3CGD4a-~MMUKrzWkIrql1zMQWN0HkQPUtlzFVTMvWZd6soclCL6MITezny5Ydh6tjhEBhFx-wbx2fFhRUnAQZi8PcjtX0v3lKdiVjZ3ciur-iYcRliuYEmJr29Iu8W8Uhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Tamworth NH","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Select Board voted to table indefinitely and effectively disband the Traffic Safety Committee charter after the board learned that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation plans an engineering safety study in fiscal year 2025 covering the corridor from Wakefield to Conway.

At the Feb. 3 meeting the board said DOT’s upcoming study would perform the sort of engineering assessment and mitigation planning the committee had been preparing to request, and committee members recommended pausing the chartered effort so volunteers would not duplicate DOT’s work. The committee recommended an indefinite table — rather than cancellation — so the town can reconstitute the committee if DOT’s findings later omit concerns specific to the Chikoura/Chikoro village area.

A Select Board member moved to table the charter indefinitely; another member seconded the motion. The board took a roll call vote resulting in 4 yes, 0 no. Board members thanked committee volunteers for their work and discussed forming a smaller brainstorming group to study village parking, pedestrian safety and the long-standing problems at the Four Corners.

The board said the town’s next steps will include soliciting interested residents for a village-focused brainstorming group, collecting traffic data and coordinating with public safety, the road agent and DOT when results from the state’s study are available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tamworth NH Selectmen 2/03/25 ","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board voted to table indefinitely and disband the Traffic Safety Committee charter on Feb. 3 after learning that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation will conduct an engineering safety study covering the Wakefield-to-Conway corridor.","taxTitle","Tamworth Town, Carroll County, New Hampshire","taxId",74140,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642145,"Tamworth moves ahead with plan for four EV chargers despite federal funding uncertainty",95,333000,428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8&start=333&end=428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8/thumbnail_333000.jpg","/articles/6642145/New-Hampshire/Tamworth-moves-ahead-with-plan-for-four-EV-chargers-despite-federal-funding-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642145-453735100646750ea75b0d943a3c5833/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058481&Signature=JPIH65e4g~F9nvhP7c-vTwOz2OCybdhw5QLmQ5kHq7zDoZEHDsWhIPU8FCvNK19kaE4-dlkI-MtR6c~7BwaX67RLLrMzLKvlzkFbhYNsnOhOvTx7KDioy2yRK~aVMLpyci1QQCZeTqPo8pJRzDVIS8347fsYB3vebWDgRGKgNwzo-xyqfTyY73gegxNRPDX0fFtkygAODzEz~3i1pX75GR~GH8sLJgdQqdzDIx-FzgQgne-PmchVboBng9mMMxPsIQCajVNNgpXwPEzX8bwMjnFAq67y56~nt6QFlDhGbOXXIX-DJtumMFauik~rz78xPdP4Fe6IvKiLRbJNqhoONQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gabrielle, an Energy Committee member, told the Tamworth Select Board on Feb. 3 that the town has a USDOT grant to install four electric-vehicle charging stations in the village and that the Tamworth Foundation has pledged the remaining 20% of the project cost, contingent on USDOT releasing reimbursement funds.

The project would add four parking spaces with chargers — including one that must be handicap-accessible — and use conduit already run by the Tamworth Center for the New Arts (TCNA) to lower installation costs, Gabrielle said. She said the USDOT award would cover 80% of the installation costs and the town’s private donor would cover the rest, but a recently announced federal funding freeze has made the timing of reimbursement unclear.

The board discussed how to site the chargers and how to handle enforcement in village parking during busy summer events. Gabrielle proposed placing one charger in a van-sized handicap-accessible space near the TCNA entrance; anyone using that charger would need a handicap decal and an EV. Two other chargers would be at the far end of the TCNA lot. Chief Littlefield said he supported a flexible enforcement approach and recommended adding explicit language to the town’s road regulations (a regulatory authority under RSA) to guide police discretion during peak demand events such as the farmers market and Barnstormers.

Board members asked whether the grant required four spaces; Gabrielle said the grant funding requires four. She also noted that TCNA’s prior conduit work reduced trenching costs and that, if USDOT funds are not released this year, the town may revisit financing at the next town meeting with a warrant article proposing a different configuration.

Gabrielle said the Energy Committee would research how other small towns handle signage, enforcement and ordinance language for EV charging spots, and would bring sample language back to the board. The Select Board did not take a formal vote on the project at the Feb. 3 meeting; Gabrielle said contractors have provided a quote and that the library and town staff will not proceed with physical installation until reimbursement and payment details are clear.

The board and presenters also discussed signing (e.g., “EV charging only” vs. “EV charging”), whether non-EV vehicles could park temporarily when the village is full, and the town’s preference for a written regulation to guide police enforcement rather than ad-hoc decisions.

Gabrielle said the project remains contingent on USDOT releasing funds; if reimbursement is delayed or denied, the town would not proceed without re-evaluating finances.","Gabrielle, an Energy Committee member, told the Tamworth Select Board on Feb. 3 that the town has a USDOT grant to install four electric-vehicle charging stations in the village and that the Tamworth Foundation has pledged the remaining 20% of the project cost, contingent on USDOT releasing reimbursement funds.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642135,"Select Board and library clarify warrant language for Cook Memorial Library solar project",594,2138000,2732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8&start=2138&end=2732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8/thumbnail_2138000.jpg","/articles/6642135/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-and-library-clarify-warrant-language-for-Cook-Memorial-Library-solar-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642135-6904300e46beba0e2c1b69734cebcf66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058481&Signature=l9k5RYeDdW5GxNvKRrybjSpjadZBM2ar8OP5Y9W-nnJt29lBoMvkKQVdrxhA65n41iSv-kkJaJ2FNC44sJH~4EfjREmK06eUkPyu4HRp5KuCYz3adu3-PP7TsYv~2NExeT1Eyr~EHFZ~LKAGNOuyXsqh9sugvOcb5qrPW25OjL4LuaMPcQhGH~CyEDvVjzW8o07RpHsozcKG8m-LrniQ9fg92~4F0udP6fnSvi41pYj1UhEwitsoMzLJBfVESGIVcpQspMXeceAp2mWuT-sK-9azymDfe7LmP8FQ2~bR-Ld~hE6SdRqHHLxncGzRwd0GWLmHUfRVwz1aXDOfLtlKNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Library representatives told the Select Board that the Cook Memorial Library has been awarded a municipal solar grant from the New Hampshire Department of Energy that would reimburse the town $43,782 for a rooftop solar installation.

Library representatives and board members clarified that the grant is a reimbursement award and that the Department of Energy has not yet released final funds. Because the grant will be paid after project completion, the library said it would not begin construction until it is reasonably certain reimbursement will be released. Library staff asked the board to consider waiving the town’s normal bidding process so the contractor who provided the awarded quote can be under contract; the contractor has indicated willingness to hold the quoted price but timing and guarantee terms are subject to further negotiation.

Town staff and board members discussed different wording options for the warrant article presented at town meeting. The library preferred language that did not obligate the town to move ahead if the grant reimbursement is not released. After discussion the Select Board agreed to present a straightforward warrant article that asks voters to appropriate $43,782 from the unassigned fund balance for installing rooftop solar at Cook Memorial Library, and to have library representatives and the Select Board explain at Town Meeting that the project will not be started until the Department of Energy has confirmed release of funds and that the town will not expend the money unless reimbursement is assured.

Board members also recommended using an expendable trust or holding the funds in fund balance until the DOE releases payment, so funds are not spent until reimbursement is received. The board directed staff to provide the final contract and any procurement documents for review before any contract is signed.

No board vote to start the project was taken at the Feb. 3 meeting; the board instructed staff to finalize the warrant language and present the contract for review before Town Meeting.","Library representatives told the Select Board that the Cook Memorial Library has been awarded a municipal solar grant from the New Hampshire Department of Energy that would reimburse the town $43,782 for a rooftop solar installation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642140,"Tamworth energy committee warns residents of Community Power rate increase; board asked to support bill to block cost-shifting",326,746000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8&start=746&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8/thumbnail_746000.jpg","/articles/6642140/New-Hampshire/Tamworth-energy-committee-warns-residents-of-Community-Power-rate-increase-board-asked-to-support-bill-to-block-cost-shifting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642140-fcd8f09afeecf54c7cf46734314b684c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058481&Signature=mct2L~CEYn9GhkNNWNZgdGQenbE3WBWX2oib6Uh6FLQfaX4ggLH9gPtZr3hr2yKEt2DQWwNaFvQ5VI6tyKp01dSTRwlBMqcJi4t-5P262z~X93ObrahffE4J4-dZqPdsSdNyid~4mnZH~0QS37Vb-Bk2nuKOnOzBsIIGjM4X5BSkQ2DWk3uTnvArT8v8LpO6~O6hZMnEsFOdWeLL-y9FRmvSPMF-OmKJ2rwakocElldJSId901SsKwGWDB67xXMi-SNsKNFFcPm5fSuDJI3ns0z~FVqwy36fVSrtQ1jQ6~AJfhjky5h6Mn0zNnv-OZqBwxEYgoAGr57CM~jXl-8WCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gabrielle told the Select Board that the Community Power Coalition — the municipal aggregation that supplies electricity for participating towns — has voted to raise its rates slightly after an anticipated power purchase from a generation project fell through. She said the change could put Community Power rates above Eversource’s in the next rate period, ending an era where Community Power typically charged less than the utility.

Gabrielle said the coalition originally planned to source about 30% of its power from a purchase-power agreement tied to a generating plant in Berlin. When that contract fell through, the coalition was forced to hedge on the spot market at a time of higher prices, causing upward pressure on its rates. She said Community Power historically saved the average household about $11 per month compared with Eversource, but that may no longer be the case for the coming rate period.

The committee described concerns with a Public Utilities Commission decision requiring utilities to buy a portion of power on the spot market, which exposes them to price swings, and allowing utilities to recover losses from customers across service territories — including customers served by community power providers. Gabrielle characterized that as a cost shift that would expose community power customers to costs the utilities incurred after taking market risk.

Gabrielle asked the Select Board to send a letter to state legislators in support of House Bill 760, which she described as legislation to stop utility cost-shifting to community power programs. She said the bill has bipartisan support.

Board members and community members asked about the opt-out process and how customers would learn the new rate; several board members asked the Energy Committee to prepare clear opt-in/opt-out instructions for distribution at town offices and the library. Gabrielle said member communities on a Community Power Coalition call had expressed the same concerns and that the coalition would work with legislators on possible remedies.

No formal action was taken on Feb. 3; the Select Board asked for the bill language to be provided so the board could consider sending a letter of support.","Energy Committee rep reported Community Power will raise rates after losing a planned power-purchase agreement; the change may make Community Power rates slightly higher than Eversource and the committee asked the board to support House Bill 760 to prevent utilities from shifting losses to community power customers.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642126,"Select Board reviews budget highlights; discusses police chief wage adjustment and accounting of retirement payouts",1488,3465000,4953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8&start=3465&end=4953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958740-99cf85931892e8ac01ee503d987ad1c8/thumbnail_3465000.jpg","/articles/6642126/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-reviews-budget-highlights-discusses-police-chief-wage-adjustment-and-accounting-of-retirement-payouts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642126-19290483c815123fb4f02a75bb29126e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058481&Signature=Jg1Ho3q-2Qux2oT9Jc~mOWMcU8kR-NUVjYyZHjosdzSlmD7BaiTD-lh4BbaNjYrLmk6YGB7JPNi-tp6TaOAhYGj6yW6rbJctYy7Ps6JhdE69qbGSUPuXNXoQjfEkAb5w-HT-JJ-nav9~LCcVwXAsjC3msTm8eTIEmU1vN8S24bTqTZQbmJptuK2M5k3cutFT9pPK5TyZGYBvPDeaJH21ZRJ3a8QiPsR5VWpwXbxy9GqgSVSzqzwiOiVP~fhM~NOhgdI7pmW2-KwzeLNxbQNR7GSiUG3p5A7-WBtjKSRR1EhCw7VSrA1zKP8jTY9XD4v-p9KeTsLatgXRvkaLV554kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members and staff spent considerable time reviewing departmental budgets, encumbrances and grant revenues at the Feb. 3 meeting, raising questions about accounting practices and staffing costs.

Becky asked for clarification of how retirement payouts had been posted; finance staff explained retirement obligations had been expended from departmental payroll lines and then rebooked from capital-reserve revenues into salary lines by journal entry, which changed how year-end reports appeared. Board members asked staff to work with auditors to develop clearer reporting and a standard protocol for when to replenish fund balances rather than raise new appropriations.

The board discussed using the unassigned fund balance to hold funds for the Cook Memorial Library solar project until the Department of Energy releases reimbursement. Board members suggested establishing an expendable trust or keeping the appropriation in fund balance to avoid spending taxpayer funds before reimbursement arrives.

On police staffing and pay, the board and staff reviewed a proposed wage adjustment for Police Chief Littlefield. Staff described the change as a wage adjustment intended to bring the chief’s compensation closer to comparable towns in the region (presenter cited a local peer-group average near $96,000). The board agreed to present the wage adjustment in the budget but to defer expanding or removing the overtime cap until after additional recruitment efforts and review of staffing needs. The board emphasized recruiting additional certified officers and exploring non-law-enforcement social-service support to reduce calls that currently fall to police.

Staff also identified several grants affecting revenue lines. The police department received a state Office of Highway Safety grant covering equipment and patrols; the speeding-equipment purchase has been completed and a residual patrolling revenue of about $1,015 remains to be used for enforcement through next October, staff said. The board instructed staff to show accepted grants and related reimbursements clearly in the revenue section of budget documents.

Other budget items discussed included encumbered hazardous-mitigation work (a $7,500 grant with $3,500 paid and the remainder encumbered awaiting invoices), fire-training variability and part-time firefighter usage whose actual spending changed year-to-year with fuel, repairs and emergency response demands. Board members asked departments to consolidate variable training and tech lines where feasible to reduce tracking complexity.

No formal appropriations were made at the Feb. 3 meeting; the board directed staff to adjust budget-language clarity and return with revised budget documents for the next hearing.","Board reviewed multiple budget items including retirement payout accounting, use of unassigned fund balance for appropriations, grants for police equipment and patrols, and a proposed wage adjustment for Police Chief Littlefield; board favored a wage adjustment while leaving overtime-cap changes for later.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board tables Traffic Safety Committee charter after NHDOT announces corridor study

Tamworth moves ahead with plan for four EV chargers despite federal funding uncertainty

Select Board and library clarify warrant language for Cook Memorial Library solar project

Tamworth energy committee warns residents of Community Power rate increase; board asked to support bill to block cost-shifting

Select Board reviews budget highlights; discusses police chief wage adjustment and accounting of retirement payouts