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Orford fire and police chiefs report steady call volumes; police chief asks Selectboard to review employee benefits
Summary
Fire Chief Sanborn reported 14 calls in September and said hose testing identified equipment needing replacement; Police Chief Bachus reported 98 calls in September and requested the Selectboard begin discussions about short- and long-term disability and increasing life insurance to 1x salary, asking the Town Administrator to research options.
Fire and police department leaders updated the Orford Selectboard on Septembers' activity at the Oct. 9 meeting and the police chief asked the board to consider changes to town employee benefits.
Fire Chief Steve Sanborn said the department responded to 14 calls in September (10 medical calls, two vehicle crashes and two mutual aid responses). All four fire trucks were inspected and scheduled for service before year end. Hose testing completed after the spring 2024 standard change found that hose manufactured before 1988 and couplings without locks cannot be used; Sanborn said some hose will need replacing. The department plans mutual aid training with Lyme Fire Department.
Police Chief Jason Bachus reported 98 calls in September: 91 handled by Orford PD and seven by the State Police. Calls included criminal mischief, a DUI, two motor vehicle crashes, five agency assists and various administrative calls. Officers conducted 45 traffic enforcement stops that produced 13 summonses. Bachus said the NH Chiefs of Police annual wage and benefits survey shows many towns offer long- and short-term disability and life insurance at 1x salary; he asked the Selectboard to start conversations about providing similar coverage. The Selectboard asked Town Administrator Esther Dobbins-Marsh to investigate options and employer cost-sharing levels (towns responding to the survey ranged from covering 100% of costs to employer shares between 3.5% and 20%).
The board placed the benefits discussion on its follow-up list and scheduled budget meetings to review options with department budgets ahead of the March 2025 warrant process.
