Selectmen close South Village Road for Halloween; chiefs warn of drought, wildfire risk

The Loudon Board of Selectmen voted to close South Village Road from Wales Bridge to Recreation Drive from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 for Halloween trick-or-treat safety and heard department head reports on emergency preparedness, a worsening drought, and ongoing public-works projects.

Police Chief Keith Landers proposed the closure to reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians during trick-or-treating, saying the village becomes crowded and it can be hazardous even with emergency vehicles present. "I would like to close South Village Road for trick or treating from Wales Bridge to Recreation Drive and make [it] restricted to local traffic only," Landers said. He asked the board to consider the plan so staff could publicize detours and parking options; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

At the same meeting, Landers reported one department cruiser (a 2024 Ford Explorer) suffered a blown engine at about 8,000 miles; he said repairs were covered under warranty and the vehicle should be returned the next day. He also said the department awaits final approval from the Governor and Council on an MDT grant at the Oct. 15 meeting before purchasing related equipment. Landers described recent community outreach including a scam-and-fraud presentation with Merrimack County Savings Bank and ongoing coordination with the school on ALICE lockdown/emergency-action planning.

Fire Chief Blanchett summarized emergency-management activity and warned residents about the statewide drought and a standing burn ban issued under the governor's proclamation. He said tabletop exercises and in-person meetings with regional emergency managers and FEMA gave officials a clearer view of grant processes and mutual-aid resources.

Blanchett said the state is experiencing an unusually dry summer: "This is the driest summer on record since 1895 in New Hampshire." He also said federal partners have positioned a Type 1 helicopter in Lebanon that can drop about 2,500 gallons per run, but local governments would be responsible for roughly 50% of the helicopter's hourly cost, which he put at "just shy of $11,000 an hour." He advised residents to conserve well water, warned that many town fire-pond dry-hydrant pipes are exposed and at risk of freezing or breaking, and urged people not to remove cistern lids — an act he said can be prosecuted as tampering with a fire-suppression system.

The fire chief cited statewide wildfire figures to underscore the risk: he said in August–September 2024 there were seven wildfires that burned a half-acre in total, while year-to-date in 2025 there had been 75 wildfires totaling 53.86 acres.

Road Agent Ross Perle told the board the Cluff Hill Reclamation paving project began the previous day, reclamation and grading were complete and the contractor planned to pave the top coat the following days, hoping to finish by Thursday. He also said the town is awaiting word from the Granite State Clean Diesel grant and that winter maintenance preparations will begin in mid-October to mid-November.

The fire department said the new ambulance delivery is slated for November; the tower vehicle will go out for service for steering-box and shock repairs; and the department posted an internal career position through Oct. 20 as required by town policy. The department also received a tick-dragging kit from DHHS and expects to perform tick-dragging at specified trails around Oct. 20 if conditions permit.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: approved by voice vote. - Motion to close South Village Road between Wales Bridge and Recreation Drive for Halloween from 5–8 p.m. on Oct. 31: motion made, seconded and approved by voice vote. - Motion to enter nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3 II(c): motion made, seconded and approved by roll call; the board entered nonpublic session following the vote.

No ordinance changes or new regulations were adopted; most department items were informational and will be followed up administratively.