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Council accepts donation to finish DARE car restoration and support police comfort dog program
Summary
The Town Council accepted a $9,732.51 donation from Merrimack Crime Line to complete restoration of a 1957 Chevy used for DARE outreach and to fund the MAC comfort dog program; vote was unanimous.
MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Town Council unanimously approved acceptance and expenditure of a $9,732.51 donation from Merrimack Crime Line to the Police Department. The donation was allocated to complete restoration work on the department’s 1957 Chevy sedan used for DARE programming and to support the department’s comfort dog program, known as MAC.
Town staff said $5,000 of the donation will be used to cover the remaining restoration invoice for the DARE car. The police presentation described the vehicle as painted and emblemmed, with lettering and badging work pending; staff hoped to display the vehicle in the town’s Fourth of July parade if final detailing was completed in time.
The remaining $4,732.51 was earmarked for MAC, the department’s comfort dog program. Staff explained the comfort dog program is funded by donations and fundraising — not by tax dollars — and that those funds cover insurance, veterinary care, and ongoing training. Police staff described fundraising items such as plush toys and patches as sources of the donation account.
Motion and vote: Councilor (Tom) made the motion to accept and expend the full $9,732.51 pursuant to RSA 31:95‑b and Charter Article 8, Section 15; the motion was seconded and passed 6-0.
Councilors thanked the police for outreach efforts and for raising private funding to support community programs.
No conditions or amendments were attached to the motion; the town manager was authorized to sign all necessary documents to accept the donation.
