Peterborough Select Board approves radio upgrade, fleet orders and a string of routine appointments and budgets

The Peterborough Select Board on June 2 approved a package of capital and budget moves, appointed members to two advisory bodies and encumbered funds for summer projects in actions that passed unanimously.

Front and center were equipment and dispatch upgrades: the board authorized up to $375,000 from the Facilities and Grounds Capital Reserve Fund and up to $50,000 from the Fire Equipment Capital Reserve Fund to proceed with Police and Fire dispatch radio and console upgrades. The board also approved a combined fleet purchase and order: up to $208,401 to buy and outfit a Volvo L60H loader and an obligation of $253,357 to reserve a Western Star 47X 6‑wheeler with a $25,000 deposit this fiscal year, reflecting long lead times for heavy equipment.

Finance Director Lilli Gilligan asked the board to encumber FY2026 paving and sidewalk contract funds so work scheduled for July and August can be paid from this year’s budget; members approved encumbrances of up to $253,763.61 for paving and up to $35,000 for sidewalks. The board also approved expenditure of up to $92,000 from the Police Department Fleet Management Capital Reserve Fund to purchase and outfit a replacement cruiser.

Recreation Director Craig Fraley summarized options to replace a 2011 passenger van used for trips and senior transport, recommending a StarCraft Mercedes Sprinter for its lower entry height and accessibility. "[The Sprinter has] the lowest entrance to vehicle which is essential for seniors and individuals with disabilities," Fraley said. The board approved spending up to $86,436 from the Recreation Capital Reserve Fund to purchase the vehicle and accepted the department’s plan to repurpose the old van as a maintenance vehicle.

The board approved a $2,688 expenditure from the Public Gardens and Planters Fund to install anti‑theft signage in Depot Park and Putnam Park after repeated plant thefts were reported, per a Parks Department memo.

Elected officials also handled routine governance matters: Chair Tyler Ward moved and the board confirmed appointments to the Affordable Housing Committee (five full members and two alternates) and to the Utility Rate Task Force. The Select Board approved amended minutes from May 19 clarifying liaison roles and a prior court filing decision.

On revolving funds, Finance staff presented FY2027 budgets for the PEG Station (Expenditures $38,809; Revenues $27,316) and Recreation (Expenditures $254,779; Revenues $260,900); the board approved both and authorized overspending of FY2026 PEG Station funds by $69,905 for approved upgrades. For the Ambulance Revolving Fund the board approved the FY2027 budget (Expenditures $483,187; Revenues $381,000) and authorized overspending of FY2026 by $477,056.15 for an ambulance purchase previously approved in FY2023.

The board also accepted a federal BRIC hazard‑mitigation grant of $9,112.50 to update the town’s local hazard mitigation plan and acknowledged the required 25% town match of $3,037.50; Fire Chief Ed Walker was authorized to sign grant documents. Select Board members voted to approve a temporary policing contract with the Town of Hancock based on an agreement modeled on Peterborough’s arrangement with Sharon. Chair Ward noted a resident asked about the timeline for the contract vote; staff confirmed the process was lawful.

The meeting ended after the board authorized Chief Scott Guinard to execute a contract with the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for Miller State Park patrols. The board adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

What’s next: most of the purchases will move to procurement and ordering; long‑lead pieces such as the 6‑wheeler will require multi‑year delivery planning and deposits.