Atkinson Board of Selectmen approves routine motions and shifts ambulance billing to revolving fund

The Town of Atkinson Board of Selectmen met on March 9, 2026, and unanimously approved a slate of routine municipal actions and an interim change to ambulance billing. Chair Greg Spero presided; all five members voted in favor of the motions listed below.

Vice Chair Bob Worden moved to use the Ambulance Revolving Fund to pay an outstanding Plaistow ALS balance of $1,607.43 from 2025 and to continue paying Plaistow ALS and MBS billing invoices from the revolving fund on a monthly basis through 2026 until the board addresses the expense in the 2027 budget. Selectman Bill Friel seconded the motion; the board approved it 5-0-0. The motion instructs staff to present monthly updates to the board on those payments.

Other actions approved without debate included a $46.69 interest waiver for Map 7 Lot 142; a $2,750 tax abatement for Map 20 Lot 49-7; a $750 Veterans' Tax Credit for Map 17 Lot 53-52; acceptance of a $353 donation to the Elder Services Transportation Fund; and a $694 fuel assistance payment for an elderly resident. Vice Chair Bob Worden moved to accept nominations for ballot clerks for the March 9 ballot; that motion also passed unanimously. The board approved the minutes of March 2, 2026, as amended.

The board acted on a public right-of-way matter, voting pursuant to RSA 23151 to release the public dedication of a 42.9-foot strip of land shown on plan C-9493. The motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:II(a) and RSA 91-A:II(c) — citing personnel and reputation matters — was approved by roll call 5-0-0; after re-entering public session the board voted to seal the non-public minutes for 10 years by roll call, 5-0-0.

Votes at a glance: - Ballot clerk appointments — Moved by Vice Chair Bob Worden; seconded by Selectman Peter Torosian; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 007). - Tax interest waiver, Map 7 Lot 142 ($46.69) — Moved by Vice Chair Bob Worden; seconded by Selectman Bill Friel; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 008). - Ambulance Revolving Fund payment and interim billing policy (pay Plaistow ALS $1,607.43; continue paying Plaistow ALS and MBS invoices through 2026) — Moved by Vice Chair Bob Worden; seconded by Selectman Bill Friel; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 009). - Release public ROW dedication (plan C-9493) pursuant to RSA 23151 — Moved by Vice Chair Bob Worden; seconded by Selectman Peter Torosian; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 010). - Elderly assistance fuel request ($694) — Moved by Selectman Bill Friel; seconded by Chair Greg Spero; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 011). - Tax abatement, Map 20 Lot 49-7 ($2,750) — Moved by Selectman Wendy Barker; seconded by Selectman Peter Torosian; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 015). - Veterans' Tax Credit, Map 17 Lot 53-52 ($750) — Moved by Selectman Wendy Barker; seconded by Selectman Peter Torosian; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 016). - Donation to Elder Services Transportation Fund ($353) — Moved by Selectman Peter Torosian; seconded by Vice Chair Bob Worden; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 017). - Approval of minutes (3/2/2026, as amended) — Moved by Vice Chair Bob Worden; seconded by Selectman Peter Torosian; outcome: approved 5-0-0 (SEG 018). - Enter non-public session (RSA 91-A:II(a) and II(c)) — Moved by Selectman Wendy Barker; seconded by Selectman Peter Torosian; outcome: approved by roll call 5-0-0 (SEG 022). - Seal non-public minutes for 10 years — Moved by Selectman Wendy Barker; seconded by Vice Chair Bob Worden; outcome: approved by roll call 5-0-0 (SEG 025).

Board members used the meeting's year-end review to praise department work and staff, singling out Dave Williams and Town Administrator John Apple for special recognition as they noted planning for the 2027 budget. Chair Greg Spero presented Vice Chair Bob Worden with a framed board photo and a plaque in recognition of his service. The board scheduled its next meeting for March 23, 2026. Minutes were submitted by Lena M. Bistany-Nye.