Selectmen approve assistant/deputy fire chief role; board funds safety upgrades for fire station doors
July 17, 2026 | New London, Merrimack County , New Hampshire
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The New London Board of Selectmen voted July 16 to create an assistant/deputy chief role in the fire department and to fund safety upgrades at the fire station after staff reported equipment failures and safety concerns.
Town administrator Ashley said the proposal would not add a new funded position but would reclassify existing personnel and place the deputy chief at a grade 15 salary band, mirroring the police lieutenant’s role. "The model that has been in place for quite some time is not sustainable for the department as we have a new chief," Ashley said, explaining the rationale for a second‑in‑command who can serve as shift officer and attend meetings when the chief is not available.
Fire Chief Mike described operational details: the town will not create a new full‑time position but will utilize existing shift captains and backfill where needed. "So it would still be the three shift positions and myself... Then we'd be up to five," Mike said, summarizing coverage changes.
The board approved the deputy/assistant chief role by voice vote.
Separately, the board approved $8,250 to replace garage door openers and install safety‑eyes after technicians traced intermittent opener failures to interference that occurred after solar panels were installed on the bay. Fire Department staff said the existing openers lack reversing safety sensors and ‘‘could potentially crush somebody’’ if the doors closed without an automatic stop. "The only way to stop them ... is to push the buttons in," the chief said, urging prompt replacement and addition of safety features.
The board also heard updates from the fire ward: a new tanker truck is expected by the end of August (pending painting) and a ladder truck option under discussion would arrive in one to two years with dimensions that eliminate the need for a building addition. Several department members recently completed EMT certification or started classes; the chief said he will seek association funds and state reimbursement to offset course costs.
The selectmen approved the garage door funding by voice vote.
Town administrator Ashley said the proposal would not add a new funded position but would reclassify existing personnel and place the deputy chief at a grade 15 salary band, mirroring the police lieutenant’s role. "The model that has been in place for quite some time is not sustainable for the department as we have a new chief," Ashley said, explaining the rationale for a second‑in‑command who can serve as shift officer and attend meetings when the chief is not available.
Fire Chief Mike described operational details: the town will not create a new full‑time position but will utilize existing shift captains and backfill where needed. "So it would still be the three shift positions and myself... Then we'd be up to five," Mike said, summarizing coverage changes.
The board approved the deputy/assistant chief role by voice vote.
Separately, the board approved $8,250 to replace garage door openers and install safety‑eyes after technicians traced intermittent opener failures to interference that occurred after solar panels were installed on the bay. Fire Department staff said the existing openers lack reversing safety sensors and ‘‘could potentially crush somebody’’ if the doors closed without an automatic stop. "The only way to stop them ... is to push the buttons in," the chief said, urging prompt replacement and addition of safety features.
The board also heard updates from the fire ward: a new tanker truck is expected by the end of August (pending painting) and a ladder truck option under discussion would arrive in one to two years with dimensions that eliminate the need for a building addition. Several department members recently completed EMT certification or started classes; the chief said he will seek association funds and state reimbursement to offset course costs.
The selectmen approved the garage door funding by voice vote.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
