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Town Announces Bridge Work, Lightning‑warning Systems and Emergency Workshop Invitations
Summary
Town administration and department heads updated selectmen on a three‑week Ricker Road bridge closure, installation of lightning‑warning systems at rec fields, an emergency management workshop related to Seabrook, NASCAR coordination, and payroll software limitations for earned‑time reporting.
Town Administrator Brenda Pearl told the Board of Selectmen that Ricker Road bridge work will begin on July 14 and the bridge is expected to be closed for approximately three weeks for replacement.
Pearl also said a representative from Community Power will attend the next selectmen meeting on July 15 to discuss recent articles and questions about rate increases.
On payroll administration, staff reported the town’s current software (Tyler Tech / Munis/Profound — as described at the meeting) cannot accurately post earned‑time accruals in real time. “We could put it on there, but it would be inaccurate just as soon as we posted the payroll that day,” a staff member said; the town is working with software vendors but expressed uncertainty about a near‑term fix.
Fire Chief Tom Blanchett briefed the board on a new lightning‑warning system installed at Daniels Road Recreation Field and Recreation Drive rec field. The system is set to trigger a red strobe and a 30‑second siren when lightning is detected within a 10‑mile radius; the system remains active from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. by default and can be adjusted. Coaches can be added to receive text or email alerts, and staff can monitor approaching lightning out to 20 miles.
Blanchett said New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management invited the town to a two‑day workshop about emergency planning related to its inclusion in the 50‑mile ingestion area for the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. The Sept. 24–25 workshop requires two community decision makers to attend; the chief recommended that at least one person beyond the emergency management director attend so decisionmakers from the community are represented.
The town is also coordinating with state DOT and event organizers on NASCAR traffic‑control planning; town staff requested a meeting time change because the scheduled DOT meeting conflicted with an existing town meeting.
No formal votes on these items were taken at the meeting; selectmen asked for follow‑up details, such as confirmation of bridge schedule, payroll vendor options, and names of the town representatives to attend the Seabrook workshop.
