Select Board approves donor-funded exterior lettering honoring former Chief Dan McDonald

The New Boston Select Board voted to approve donor-funded exterior lettering recognizing former Fire Chief Dan McDonald and authorized installation on the new fire station after a public hearing on the proposal.

The chair opened the hearing by explaining that the naming of the station was approved by voters in March 2025 but that exterior lettering had not been included in the original building plans. He said the board considered three options — approve immediately, apply for a sign variance, or proceed under RSA 674:54, which allows select boards to authorize additional signage on municipal buildings. The chair said legal counsel had not been consulted and that the hearing was intended to give residents a chance to weigh in on exterior lettering only, not on the earlier vote naming the station.

At the hearing, a resident who had reviewed meeting minutes and town ordinances said local officials had provided inconsistent explanations of why the public hearing was required and asked the board to clarify the statute being applied. "Because those explanations have changed over time, and they are very confusing," the speaker said, and requested written follow-up from town staff.

Board members responded that their reading of RSA 674:54 supported a municipal exemption for identification signage and that the hearing was scheduled after the board reviewed a conceptual design. Several residents expressed support for honoring Chief McDonald; one donor letter read into the record said the lettering was privately funded and intended "to honor Chief McDonald's extraordinary dedication and service to the New Boston Fire Department." The letter was signed by Brandon Marron, captain, New Boston Fire Department, and others were named in the reading as contributors.

The board moved the signage item to the top of the agenda and then voted to approve the proposed 6-inch-by-87-inch brushed-aluminum letters to be installed above a wooden fascia area on the building. The chair read a donation letter that listed donors including Bracecom Industries LLC, Friendly Beaver Campground, Byron Truck and Auto and the New Boston Fire Association; board members voted to accept the donation and authorize installation, and the chair said the letters would become town property and maintenance responsibility.

The board closed the hearing and said staff would respond in writing to the procedural questions raised and ensure the public record contained the clarifications residents requested.