Nelson board hears report of email fraud; police chief researching Crimestar J‑ONE grant and recommends detail rates

Town staff told the Nelson Select Board on March 24 that several town email addresses have received fraudulent emails and bogus bill requests, including one that appeared to come from the pastor of the Nelson Congregational Church.

Edie Drinkwater, the town administrative assistant, reported the incidents and said Chief Filipi was notified. According to the board’s account, Chief Filipi confirmed with the pastor that his account had been compromised and that he did not send the requests. The board did not vote on any formal measures at the meeting to remediate the incidents; the report was recorded for the record and referred to the police chief.

Also on public safety matters, the board briefly reviewed the town’s beginning application for a New Hampshire State Police Crimestar J‑ONE grant. Drinkwater completed the town’s initial portion of the application; J. Filipi is researching equipment options and pricing to include in the application. No formal grant commitment or award was taken at the meeting.

The board reviewed Chief Filipi’s recommended rates for police details: $84.12 to cover an officer’s pay, taxes and benefits; $5.88 for administrative costs; and $20.00 for the cruiser. Filipi’s memo noted that fuel and maintenance were not considered in those figures. Edie Drinkwater asked whether any portion of the $20 cruiser fee should be designated to offset gas and maintenance in the budget; after discussion the board agreed to follow the common practice of neighboring towns and deposit the entire cruiser fee into the Revolving Fund.

No vote was taken to change the detail rates at this meeting; the memo and discussion were recorded for future action if needed.