Board of Firewards — August 28, 2025
The meeting was largely operational and collaborative, with no significant conflict or public opposition, though underlying concerns about service gaps and public misconceptions add modest civic significance beyond a purely administrative session.
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📋 SUNAPEE BOARD OF FIREWARDS — August 28, 2025
The board held its regular meeting last Thursday, and while the tone was routine, several items have direct implications for public safety and what residents are actually getting for their tax dollars.
The most significant: Sunapee has no municipal ambulance service. The town relies on New London's ambulance for emergency medical transport. The board openly acknowledged that many residents and visitors don't know this — they assume Sunapee has a full-time fire department with local ambulance coverage. The board discussed this misconception at length, then took no specific action to communicate the reality to the public. One board member stated plainly that a town-owned ambulance service is not feasible for at least 20 years, citing insufficient call volume, staffing requirements, and cost. That assessment may be financially sound — but Sunapee residents deserve to hear it as a clear, public statement, not as a passing comment in a meeting most people don't attend.
On equipment: the fire department is operating with a mix of radios, some dating to 2001 and not compliant with the P25 interoperability standard used by modern emergency systems. Radio dead spots have been identified in the Perkins Pond and George's Mills areas. The new Harbor Hill repeater — which should help — is not yet installed. Grant research is underway to fund new radios, but no money is secured. Separately, the board discussed a new $25 fee for state-required oil burner permits (affecting any Sunapee property heated by oil) and new detail rates for private events, with proceeds going to a department revolving fund.
Also discussed but left unresolved on the record: evacuation planning for a second-floor hospice patient at Sunapee Cove nursing home, prompted by a recent deadly nursing home fire in Massachusetts. The Chief is engaged with facility staff, but no finalized plan was documented. Residents with family members at Sunapee Cove may want to follow up directly. The board also moved to a non-public session at the end of the meeting for a personnel matter, approved unanimously. Official minutes have been published — links in comments.
Public impact
New $25 fee per permit; number of affected properties not specified but applies broadly to oil-heated homes and businesses
Board signaled ambulance service is not feasible for at least 20 years; existing service gap in areas like Perkins Pond and George's Mills compounded by radio dead spots
Dead spots identified during radio system transition; Harbor Hill repeater not yet installed; timeline for resolution unspecified
Topics discussed
Chief conducted inspection at school with new head janitor, principal, and maintenance staff. Shop area significantly improved due to Gaz's work. Department received fire drill schedule for entire school year and plans to attend some drills.
Fire department transitioned to municipal frequency dispatching system on Monday at noon, using voting system between Mount Sunapee and Mount Kearsarge sites. Some dead spots identified in Perkins Pond and George's Mills areas, but overall coverage improved.
All parts for Harbor Hill repeater system are in, waiting for installation scheduling. Current Sunapee repeater will remain until Harbor Hill is operational.
Steve researching grants to purchase new portable and mobile radios to replace 25-year-old equipment. Current radio inventory is an incompatible mix, with some 9/11-era radios not P25 compliant.
Chief met with residents and staff at nursing home to address fire safety concerns following Massachusetts nursing home fire. Building is in good shape with sprinklers, but evacuation planning needed for residents, especially second-floor hospice patient.
Town manager requested fee schedule for fire department services. Proposed $25 fee for oil burner permits (required by state) and detail rates for private events, with funds going to department revolving fund.
State fire code requires inspection of tents over 400 square feet on commercial/town property. Tents over 50-person capacity need place of assembly permits. Harbor tents are 800 square feet and require inspection.
Chief working on departmental goals and revised mission/vision statement with core values to present to department as framework for next year.
Chief proposing to replace current medical car (2013 Ford Explorer, former police hand-me-down) with utility body truck similar to New London's setup. Would provide more functionality for per-diem staff and allow gear storage outside cab per cancer prevention requirements.
Extended discussion about the challenges and costs of establishing a town-owned ambulance service, including staffing requirements, infrastructure needs, and financial considerations. Board members expressed skepticism about feasibility in the near term.
Discussion about misconceptions among visitors and taxpayers who assume Sunapee has a full-time fire department with ambulance service, when it is actually a volunteer department served by New London ambulance.
Review of current budget status showing some line items over and under spent, with discussion of needed adjustments for next year including increased EMS supplies budget and potential grant applications.
Discussion about continuing vehicle inspections for fire department trucks despite changes to state inspection requirements, with emphasis on maintaining safety and liability protection.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Municipal Ambulance Service Feasibility
Public Misconceptions About Fire Department Capabilities
New Fee Structure for Oil Burner Permits and Private Event Details
Hospice Patient Evacuation Planning at Sunapee Cove Nursing Home
Aging and Incompatible Radio Equipment
Vehicle Replacement Proposal (Medical Car to Utility Truck)
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Accountability flags
Transcript vs. official minutes
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