Loudon police seek $2,500 highway-safety boost; fire/EMS report equipment delays and hiring progress

Police and fire leaders updated the Loudon Board of Selectmen on vehicle repairs, grant requests and staffing at the board’s March 4 meeting.

Police Chief Flanders told the board he plans to ask state highway-safety officials on March 18 to amend an existing grant to add $2,500 for speed enforcement on state routes, including Route 106. “I would like to request an additional $2,500 for speed enforcement,” Flanders said, adding the money would cover overtime and demonstration motorcycle patrols used last year.

Flanders said he also raised a statewide practice with highway-safety staff of paying part-time officers their overtime rate for grant patrols so the town covers a portion of the premium pay. “Highway safety pays their original hourly rate…