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Selectmen cite staff safety concerns, eliminate Thursday evening hours and urge residents to call dispatch
Summary
Citing harassment of staff and volunteers and limited local police coverage, Springfield selectmen eliminated Thursday evening office hours and encouraged residents to call dispatch at 603-763-3100 to report late-night or concerning activity. The Board said they are pursuing building-security grants and ordinance updates.
At the July 13 meeting the Board of Selectmen explained the decision to discontinue Thursday evening town-office hours, citing staff safety, volunteer attrition and repeated incidents of harassment and confrontations targeting officials and employees.
Selectman Don Hill told attendees there is an "out-of-site process" demanding town resources and that recent contacts and confrontations have taxed staff, volunteers and Board members. Board Chair Jen Roberts said the town's immediate priority is staff safety and confirmed a policy that no one should work alone while the town explores grant options to secure the building rather than raising taxes for capital improvements.
Residents raised public-safety concerns about late-night activity at the town beach; the Board encouraged community members to call dispatch when they observe troubling behavior. Board members repeatedly gave the town dispatch number: 603-763-3100, and offered the maxim recorded in the minutes: "If you see something, say something."
Keith and Susan Cutting described equipment deliveries and hauling at the Sanborn Hill property of a Mr. Remillard and reported a recent response involving a Grantham police officer and state police. The Selectmen said they consider the immediate neighbor dispute a civil matter but will have the zoning coordinator follow up; they also noted the town provides mutual aid with neighboring departments and that round-the-clock local coverage is not feasible within current budgets.
The Board entered non-public session later in the meeting under RSA 91-A:3, II(l) and subsequently exited and voted to seal those non-public minutes. Selectmen asked residents to attend public meetings to remain informed about ongoing responses and next steps.
