Gilford Selectboard approves grant for police shields, receiving mutual aid trailer for command center

GILFORD — The selectboard unanimously approved the acceptance of $2,500 in unanticipated revenue through the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership at its Sept. 9 meeting. The funds will be used toward the purchase of shields for officers to use in dangerous situations.

Chief Dustin Parent said the department will be reimbursed, and while the money can’t be used for vests bought in 2026, it can be put toward other equipment for officers. He also said the funds can be used toward shields, which is the plan for the allocation this year.

“We’re looking to get some shields to go into the cruisers, so that the officers have that at their disposal, if they get themselves into an incident where they feel like they need a little extra protection,” Parent said.

The grant program was created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, and is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, according to the BJA website. It reimburses states, local governments, and federally recognized Indian tribes for up to 50% of the cost of body armor for police.

The selectboard also gave unanimous consensus for receiving a communications trailer from Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid, at no cost. Fire Chief Stephen Carrier said there are ideas to make it a mobile command center.

Future command post

Carrier told the selectboard LRMFA no longer has a use for the trailer, and he and Deputy Brad Ober thought there could be a benefit to having the trailer.

He said Gilford Fire Department used the same type trailer as a command post, as it is outfitted now, when the Timberman competitions took place at Ellacoya State Beach. He said a long-term goal could be to outfit it with radios to create a mobile command.

“So, we definitely know the value of it,” Carrier said. “With some of the venues in our community, and some of the events that continue to occur, we feel that in the future, it could be a benefit to us to use as that mobile command post and communication trailer.”

Chair Chan Eddy said he was part of the communications service for the Office of Emergency Management for 25 years, and he found that some type of mobile command is normally a good idea.

“You never know where you’re going to be operating from,” Eddy said. “Sometimes, just operating from a vehicle itself is not enough. So, when I saw this, I thought this was a very good idea, and that we could make it quite good.”

Clerk Richard Grenier was not so sure, saying he had “misgivings.”

“It’s not the trailer itself,” Grenier said. “It’s the future cost to the taxpayer. You mention grants and donations as much as possible. This thing’s 25 years old, and just looking at that radio gear, it’s going to need replacement.”

Grenier said this includes two air conditioners on top, and if they are 25 years old, they probably don’t get used much. He said it looks rough in the picture he saw.

Carrier said it was offered to any LRMFA member community. He said Ober looked at it as an “opportunity,” and something they had been speaking about with the police department.

“There was an attempt by the police department to secure a grant for a command post, and that didn’t happen. So, we felt that maybe we should jump at this opportunity,” Carrier said. “And even if we don’t put any money into it this year, next year at least we have it, and we can apply for some grants. If they come through, we can build it out the way that we need it.”

Grenier asked what would be needed to tow the trailer. Carrier said it is large, and it was towed with the department’s utility pickup truck in the past. He said they have the ability to tow it, and they would probably gut the interior and start fresh.

Carrier said this was offered in late spring. Grenier said he’d like to see a better financial plan of how the department plans to make this happen. Carrier said they have a place to store it.

Carrier said the trailer was never practical for LRMFA, but he remembers it being used for an incident on Rattlesnake Mountain, as well as special events.

Vice Chair Gus Benavides said he thought it was a good idea, and a good use of money.

“I think it’s a worthy project,” Benavides said.

Parent said he supported taking on this trailer when it was brought to his department for input. He said the sheriff’s office recently got a grant to gut and renovate their entire SWAT Team command post.

“As you know, we tried to get a grant for a command post to use down at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion,” Parent said. “Not to say that this is what it would be for — it was discussed, if it was able to be outfitted in a manner that the police and fire departments could utilize it and have a better working area, and have the tools at our disposal.”

Parent said it isn’t something they will have the answers to until it is obtained. He echoed the fire chief’s comments, saying they have a place to store it, and it won’t cost anyone anything.

“It does give us the opportunity to try to apply for the grant to fix it up,” Parent said.

After hearing from the two chiefs, and the input of his fellow selectboard members, Grenier said he was in favor of acquiring it, but wanted to see a financial plan.

Dangerous intersection

Town Administrator Kristian Kelley updated the board about the intersection of Weirs and Lake Shore roads, which has been the subject of controversy due to accidents there, including a fatal crash last month.

Kelley said he was in contact with NH Department of Transportation staff since their last meeting, and they had a good conversation. They talked at length, he said, and Traffic Engineer Lee Baronas was receptive.

“They discussed the safety issues, and the fact that these have been going on,” Kelley said.

He said Baronas got back to him quickly, and since the previous meeting, there was already another accident, with no major injuries. It involved a similar line-of-sight issue, which adds to the data NH DOT staff need.

Kelley said blinking left-turn lights are all over the state, and others have had issues. In Gilford, it appears to be in a problematic location. Now, it is all about compiling data, and studying it.

Kelley told the board when he spoke to Baronas, he said after Labor Day, with fewer concerts, tends to be the least busy time. He asked if they would be willing to shut off the blinking yellow light in the lanes heading east and west until they get the needed data. He thinks the east/west turns are the biggest area of concern.

Kelley said Baronas was receptive to that, and would relay it to his superiors.

“I stressed the point that it’s under the circumstances that you, as a board of selectmen, are very concerned about it,” Kelley said. “I know the police are. I, myself, am, in my role. It would be best served to definitely take an action rather than waiting, and having been told there’s a problem, and then not asking. So, I think he heard the point.”