[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6247660,"mediaKeyId","3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05","parentId",3212703,"title","Select Board adopts several governance policies and tables paving bids until May 20","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2275000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05&start=2275&end=2275","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05/thumbnail_2275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247660/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-adopts-several-governance-policies-and-tables-paving-bids-until-May-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247660-ba6253401fdff0102662070043ca98ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671038&Signature=fne-5Httf2sR7IFMsMekDX~U54zvhrl9suBTllPIKOZEX1RK01Tq2YG9o~DyAQxdbF8kpe7-r3KYz8SE5hRdbSmtQ1pCIjuxTJ5eIJU7ID7wBDOMjWjBNQ0VHHgtXEKqUiWXa6I7ak80m6-qCS6bZZcXVKWaVJy3XWL87Drl-I-aM8~~n0B8DA11idaQ133BVPPfx1xhiYG4-XmzftytaOOWCatwASCc8Qq2-SmWd~nMJ3iJ0iqSPV1RQugwhvMzSphv8K4GkveUlGcTCJv5gkVx~MAsCHEUBWGKZJ6T-BK2qN0o2Y3-8gLVi3EBvzWXXyKhbhVCJwaWQmZGAX2NuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Loudon NH","date","2025-05-07T11:12:25Z","article","The Select Board voted to adopt a package of governance documents intended to update appointment procedures, records retention and other internal rules. Motions to accept and adopt the board commission and committee appointment protocol, the record retention policy, the acceptance of donations of money and personal property policy, a non-public meeting minutes policy, and the Board of Selectmen bylaws were made and approved during the meeting.

Selectman McGriffin moved to adopt the board commission and committee appointment protocol; Selectman McMillan seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote. The record retention policy was adopted on a motion by Selectman Miller, seconded by Selectman Griffin. The board also approved a formal policy for acceptance of donations, a non-public minutes policy and updated bylaws; each motion passed with unanimous voice votes.

On paving procurement, town staff opened five bids and read total prices from each bidder. Members discussed that some bids included optional line items (described as line items 6 and 7 or shoulder/gravel additions) and expressed concern about ensuring like-for-like comparisons. Because the bids varied in whether those optional items were included in the totals, the board voted to table awarding or selecting a low bid until the next Select Board meeting. Selectman Miller moved to table the paving bids until the Select Board meeting on May 20, 2025; Selectman Griffin seconded and the motion carried.

No contract award was made at the meeting; staff were directed to review bid documents for comparability and bring a recommendation back to the board at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Selectmen - May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board unanimously adopted several administrative policies (appointments protocol, record retention, acceptance of donations, non-public minutes policy and Selectmen bylaws) and voted to table opened paving bids to the next meeting on May 20, 2025, for further review.","taxTitle","Loudon, Merrimack County , New Hampshire","taxId",61624,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6247666,"Fire chief reports full staffing, cistern thefts and progress on lightning detection grant",122,678000,800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05&start=678&end=800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05/thumbnail_678000.jpg","/articles/6247666/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Fire-chief-reports-full-staffing-cistern-thefts-and-progress-on-lightning-detection-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247666-c5584fd0f6a8ab1cb2f65b55774ad0ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671038&Signature=gU2k7hP10PkmsnguUfnkge-siUkUgSZg0EKRB5Br02xxLnnx8-B4TiMwEckdwJx4AY~1YeaG5hpgHGgwX5~Nh9FlzHDB6XISEl7HPeiFFiVC4QIuPWYIIfj2tvi0Xbcb6yDZr2RU9QqEc-yvtd6zEfUUguDGNl0rDe9KzH3i0k7AVRCXW2WQX4Eaaz-v8PnC4WMbm1y4MAknq22Bx2XfLGMV0ypCmgiFR~sKdOB-VGPVzCye1pBaz-CF61kxvXFQ0ParQpzeQwmUKxQDDPN87tbUZKURz2s3~32H0~YEKbxN51Qyci3tn8bTHz6lhTzYpSsUVeqnij1xeVFKdXWrJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The fire chief reported the department is fully staffed for the first time in 10 months and has been conducting driver, pumping and dry-hydrant familiarization training to acclimate crews to equipment and the community.

Chief Blanchett told the Select Board that fire cisterns are intended for department use and described recent apparent tampering at one cistern: security screws had been replaced and a cover left misaligned, and the cistern was down about 4,500 gallons. The chief said a similar incident occurred in prior years, and urged residents to report vehicles that are not fire apparatus seen accessing cisterns. “If they see somebody accessing them and it's not a fire truck, they probably shouldn't be there accessing them,” he said, and he noted the department has considered, but not yet installed, game cameras.

The chief also reported work underway on cemetery spring cleanup and that staff are evaluating cemetery-records software to move from paper and spreadsheets to a customer-facing electronic format; the aim is to better manage perpetual-care funds and mowing costs.

Separately, the town has received hardware for a lightning detection and warning system; signs are awaited and installation at the recreation fields is a priority so grant closeout can proceed. The chief said the federal grant program that funded the equipment was about to stop, and the town’s paperwork and equipment arrived in time to secure the funds.

On public-health monitoring, the chief said the Department of Environmental Services will do three samplings at the beach in May, June and July, and the town will use judgment about additional sampling based on weather and water conditions.","The fire department said it is fully staffed for the first time in 10 months, reported suspected unauthorized access and water loss from a fire cistern, and said hardware for a lightning detection and warning system has arrived pending sign installation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6247671,"Loudon police report: drug take-back, new officer, school traffic plan and pending safety grant",103,63000,166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05&start=63&end=166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6247671/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Loudon-police-report-drug-take-back-new-officer-school-traffic-plan-and-pending-safety-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247671-009910bee77a106911a3d935ca9f3876/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671038&Signature=OCgvqdHZyIlhzCNg9N9T~nH3TsFw2ZE3zXaYkK1XJ2tRrrDTd~MpfE4zaarqB6yaD9Ri5WcIh9kQl6wP0QEC0B-2jzsZyGXCVKoJzru0wE65~smopgqkDDWFbbu52cdXzkDutHtrd1SC695qgKKMiHn5jts871em23WjhKiUA9mzjak0yeS9tuQO48BeVsNQSs8~kCgSKUhYQoF8U1kkzfLaDpT~HVoVwVYGg8oUMnPcRtGaYpFdwVBGs-u9HMjGAUfjFrAYu2Js3KrGa0jTBgtOYim97gtU4iNSahObdp5hIomxd9zW5Ph9Mm44oBIZgcMN5xATfD3lT3oXnOamKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The town police reported several community-safety and staffing updates to the Select Board, including the results of a drug take-back, staffing changes and a school drop-off and pick-up traffic plan set to start May 19.

The police chief told the board the department’s recent drug take-back day collected 46 pounds of medication and that a cruiser was filled with food for the local pantry. The department also ran a Battle of the Badges blood drive, which resulted in a tie for the trophy.

The department confirmed Officer Hart returned from the academy and “we are happy to have him back,” noting he finished sixth in his class of 51. The chief said the department is still waiting to hear from Jeff Leon at the state about a grant application for new mobile data terminals (MDTs); the grant decision remains “pending status.”

On school traffic, the police described an operational change for May 19: the school will reverse the flow of traffic inside the school property so cars queue differently for drop-off and pickup. The police said they will staff at least two officers during morning and afternoon operations to assist and that the principal provided maps and email notices to families. The chief said, “I personally think that the plan that we have in place will get enough vehicles off of School Street that'll be much less of a hindrance in the afternoon.”

The chief also reminded residents about the Memorial Day parade scheduled to step off from the town office parking lot on May 26; the department plans social media notices and message-board alerts to warn the public of road impacts. The police said they applied for a highway safety grant that supports speed and highway details; officers reported the grant mobilization produced visible enforcement activity on Route 106 and other roads during morning commuting hours and that officers met expected stop targets for those grant shifts.

No formal motions or directives relating to policing were made at the meeting; department updates were received for the record.","Police told the Select Board they collected 46 pounds at a drug take-back, welcomed Officer Hart back from the academy, described a traffic pattern change at Loudon school effective May 19, and said a state grant for electronic MDTs remains pending.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6247676,"Loudon residents and selectmen scrutinize school board appointment process after single applicant fills seat",2780,1060000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05&start=1060&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212703-24df3299e8e0577cf07a1494d4738e05/thumbnail_1060000.jpg","/articles/6247676/Loudon/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Loudon-residents-and-selectmen-scrutinize-school-board-appointment-process-after-single-applicant-fills-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247676-2118640ab5d5c5af61a28fe859000492/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671038&Signature=cky-pOQB1pxUpVp9r45zO4qdGx0t4Ge4JE8yeXiu3shH6sEg3i9uyb8Viy2kWuVd~YtjyqG9V1hGitBrbtF24jhCcuOuGxJOjVKAzgVB5zAvGTOWuICvCFBHY8y2lEknB3J4jUFJE67W2R18S6MOhNfC3r3ljhq0QgyTbtTIuYmNREv2UOBK9r-k4wFA9Fc2G7ahKWpP48t1F2TpVN~FCMnCVR3dC~4Qz-pBifRyUFEyJXi3LRFEr7OrQzRjckFYSHCbwAajmwAsBWoCL0m86r4MFsAJROM5dB1hcpKxc5HR-ygJuR6GeB44WItEkWhIZKbkTQhIgkj4r7hDLjYhXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Selectmen and residents raised concerns about the process used by the regional school board to fill a vacant seat after that board voted to appoint a single applicant, Amanda York, following an application period that produced one candidate. Selectman Griffin proposed preparing a letter to the school board pointing out procedural shortcomings and said the Select Board should consider notifying the Department of Education or Secretary of State and consult town counsel before sending any formal communication.

The matter drew public comment at the Select Board meeting. Sean Kitson, a resident, urged the board to press the school administrative unit to reinstate regular Selectmen–SAU meetings so towns get advance notice about budget and policy decisions. Kitson said, “You owe this to us with everything with that's been going on this year, last year. We need to reinstate that so we can inform our town what's going on here.”

Resident Alicia Kingsbury criticized the conduct of the school board during the candidate review, saying the candidate “was treated like she was on trial and personally scrutinized for her personal beliefs, religious beliefs. It was disgusting.” Kingsbury urged the Select Board to note the treatment in any communication they send.

Selectmen discussed practical steps: drafting a letter to the school board, sharing a draft among themselves, and running the language by the town attorney to avoid misstatements. Griffin said a notice “letting them know we're watching” could prompt broader participation in future application periods. Board members acknowledged that challenging the appointment after only one applicant might lead to a re-opening of the application process, but they also noted the risk of procedural repetition if the school board did not change its outreach.

During audience remarks, multiple residents asked whether the school board had adequately publicized the vacancy and whether the board followed the language in statute that governs appointments; one Selectman referenced RSA (the state statutes) as the authority that would apply if the local appointment procedure were challenged. Board members agreed to draft a letter and consult counsel before deciding on next steps.

The Select Board did not take a formal vote directing staff to send a letter at the meeting; members described this as preliminary discussion and said any final decision would follow attorney review and an agreed draft.","Select Board members and residents questioned the process used to appoint a Loudon resident to a Mount Vernon–area school board seat after only one applicant was presented; Select Board members discussed sending a formal notice and consulting town counsel.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board adopts several governance policies and tables paving bids until May 20

Fire chief reports full staffing, cistern thefts and progress on lightning detection grant

Loudon police report: drug take-back, new officer, school traffic plan and pending safety grant

Loudon residents and selectmen scrutinize school board appointment process after single applicant fills seat