Town of Warner Select Board approves police cruiser purchase, appoints public works director and okays emergency grant

The Town of Warner Select Board on Feb. 3 approved several administrative and operational items, including a police cruiser purchase, a personnel appointment, and emergency‑management funding.

Police Chief Bill Chandler asked the board to authorize buying a 2025 leftover Chevy Tahoe to replace the 2017 cruiser, saying the dealer would provide a $6,000 trade‑in on the current Ford Explorer and a roughly $2,300 savings compared with a 2026 model. Chandler estimated outfitting the vehicle would add about $20,000 and said the town’s capital improvement program (CIP) has funds earmarked for replacement. "I'd like to secure that vehicle now," Chandler told the board.

Select board members debated timing. One member said the town should wait until after the town meeting to see whether voters cut the budget; another said the cruiser is nearly 10 years old and replacing it now prevented higher costs later. The board moved to allow Chief Chandler to purchase the 2025 Chevy Tahoe and trade in the 2017 Ford Explorer using CIP funds; the motion passed on a roll call vote, 2–1.

The board also appointed Harold Blanchett as the town’s public works director/road agent, effective Feb. 9. The motion to appoint Blanchett was seconded and carried unanimously.

On emergency management matters, Emergency Management Director Ed Michael presented a proposed warrant article to establish a revolving fund to support emergency operations beyond the regular operating budget (for example, extended emergency operations‑center shifts or a warming center). Board members reviewed edits suggested by the town attorney and agreed to place the attorney‑revised language on the 2026 warrant.

Michael also presented a separate grant opportunity to update the town’s continuity‑of‑operations plan. The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) would provide $3,000 toward a $6,000 project; the town is responsible for a 50% match (partly in‑kind). The board voted unanimously to accept the grant terms and to authorize signatures to submit the agreement.

On finance and administration, the board authorized tax collector Kimberly to accept electronic payments (credit/debit card and other electronic transactions) as allowed under RSA 80:52‑c. The tax collector said the town would not receive the convenience fee charged by the processor (currently 2.99%); property owners choosing card payment pay that fee directly. The select board voted to approve the electronic‑payments authorization.

Other actions at the meeting included approval of a raffle permit for the Warner Fish and Game Club for calendar year 2026 and routine consent items, manifests and minutes. Public comment included a request from a resident asking the board to formalize a written policy for selling town land; the board agreed to review related materials and discuss the matter again in two weeks.

Votes at a glance - Motion to allow Chief Bill Chandler to purchase a 2025 Chevy Tahoe police cruiser and trade in the 2017 Ford Explorer (use CIP funds): passed, roll call 2–1. - Appointment of Harold Blanchett as public works director/road agent (effective Feb. 9): passed, unanimous. - Motion to accept EMPG continuity‑of‑operations grant terms ($3,000, town match $3,000): passed, unanimous. - Authorization under RSA 80:52‑c for electronic tax payments (credit/debit): passed, unanimous. - Raffle permit for Warner Fish and Game Club (2026 calendar year): passed, unanimous. - Consent agenda, manifests and payroll: approved; minutes from Jan. 20 accepted (one dissent recorded).

The board adjourned after final public comment. The Select Board will reconvene for its next scheduled meeting and follow up on items the board agreed to revisit.