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Grantham selectmen approve police services contract, highway truck purchase and trust fund change; deputy treasurer to step down
Summary
At their Oct. 8 meeting the Town of Grantham Board of Selectmen approved a police services contract with the New Hampshire State Police, authorized purchase of a highway truck and sander not to exceed $60,000, approved a $72,000 roof reimbursement funding source, and signed an agreement to change terms of a 1915 library trust; the deputy treasurer position will transition following an oath for the appointee.
The Town of Grantham Board of Selectmen met Oct. 8, 2025, and approved several administrative and financial items, including a police services contract with the New Hampshire State Police and a highway vehicle purchase.
Selectman Jeremy Walla moved to approve a contract for police services between the New Hampshire State Police and the Grantham Police Department; Selectman Peter Garland seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The board also approved accepting a $500 donation from Ron and Carol Shepherd to benefit the Grantham Fire Department after a motion from Selectman Garland and a second from Selectman Walla.
On capital spending, Selectman Garland moved to purchase a 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 Classic with a plow, controls and warranty from Key Chevrolet GMC of Newport and to acquire a sander from Dyer’s Welding and Upper Valley Line-x, with total expenditures not to exceed $60,000 drawn from the Town’s TTF #601 Highway Department Vehicles and Equipment CRF; Selectman Walla seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator Emily Owens told the board she had not specified which capital reserve fund would cover a previously approved roof replacement and requested direction. Selectman Peter Garland moved that the town seek reimbursement for the roof cost, not to exceed $72,000, from TTF #599 Town Facilities Maintenance and Repair CRF; Selectman Walla seconded and the board approved the motion unanimously.
Personnel and trust matters were also on the agenda. Owens announced she will resign as Deputy Treasurer effective when the recently appointed Deputy Treasurer, John Hock, takes his oath; Selectman Walla moved to accept the resignation, Selectman Garland seconded and the board approved unanimously. Trustee of the Trust Funds Tom Shemanske reported that the Trustees had sought Department of Justice approval to change the terms of the Hiram Buswell Trust Fund (established in 1915 with an original $300 principal) so the Library Trustees could expend both interest and principal; the Selectmen signed the Nonjudicial Settlement Agreement to implement that change.
Other business included a planned training for Town Administrator Owens and Road Agent Jeff Hastings on Class VI roads and new state legislation, a brief update that Cub Scouts will paint two dugouts at the Recreation Park, and a review of the Fire–EMS activity report (Police Chief John Parsons clarified the report includes EMS responses but not police incident responses). Owens also reported HealthTrust advised the town that a recent law added a 5% premium to insurance plans; specific new rates were not yet available.
The board entered two non-public sessions under RSA 91-A:3—first at 5:30 p.m. under section II(c) and again at 5:50 p.m. under section II(l). Motions to enter and to seal both non-public sessions were made by Selectman Walla and seconded by Selectman Garland. Roll-call votes on entering each non-public session recorded Chair Warren Kimball, Selectman Peter Garland and Selectman Jeremy Walla voting 'Yes.' Both sessions were sealed. The board returned to public session and adjourned at 7:09 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
