Selectmen accept donated dive gear for Wolfeboro public-safety dive team

The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen voted July 15 to accept donated dive equipment for the Fire Department's public-safety dive team.

Deputy Fire Chief Nate Nichols told the board that the department's existing gear was recreational and not suited to rescue conditions on the region's unguarded waters. "There are no dive rescue teams on Lake Winnipesaukee," Nichols said, describing specialized gear and training the team needs. The Mark O'Connell Foundation for Lake Winnipesaukee Safety will purchase four sets of dive equipment and donate them to the town; the equipment is valued at $24,418.82.

The board opened the public hearing, heard from Deputy Chief Nichols about training and equipment needs, and approved a motion to accept the unanticipated funds consistent with RSA 31:95-b. The vote was recorded as 4-0 in favor. The board noted that members who train off-duty would be paid overtime when training on new equipment and that the donation is intended to improve rescue capacity across local waters.

Next steps include coordinating acquisition with the Fire Department and confirming any training schedules and operational readiness once the gear is delivered.