Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves Mason ambulance contract and agrees to place fire-ward changes on warrant
Summary
The board authorized the 2026 mutual-aid ambulance agreement with Mason and agreed to place a petition from the fire wards to expand elected membership on the town warrant; the board also discussed antique fire truck ownership and fire-department encumbrance requests.
The Select Board moved and unanimously approved a 2026 mutual‑aid agreement with the town of Mason for ambulance services, a contract valued at $136,063.83. Board members and the ambulance chief discussed Mason’s intention to add advanced EMTs and the operational implications for medication restocking and federal tracking; the board authorized the Select Board chair and ambulance chief to sign the agreement.
Separately, the board received a petition request from the elected Fire Wards to increase their membership from three to five members and decided, for transparency and voter choice, to place that petition on the upcoming town warrant so residents can vote. A fire-ward representative argued the change will improve succession planning and align the ward structure with other local boards.
On facilities and equipment, the board discussed ownership and insurance for antique fire apparatus and fielded two encumbrance requests from the department: one for approximately $15,000 for interior flooring and another for roughly $5,100 for ground asphalt to maintain fire‑pond access. Staff advised that New Hampshire law requires a signed contract to encumber prior‑year funds; if a contract cannot be executed before year end the work must be budgeted in 2026.
