Story · Public Safety Building Committee
Public safety building grants
The committee will talk about grant funding. A grant is money given for a project that does not have to be paid back.
How it happened
Jan 13 · MinutesFirst mention
Article 4 asks voters to create a Public Safety Building Expendable Trust Fund and put $50,000 in it for early design, engineering, planning and other professional services for a public safety building. The money would come from the December 31, 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no money raised by taxes. The Select Board would be the agents who spend from the fund. The chair said a Primex audit of the Police and Fire departments found several safety issues, so a committee was formed to look at a new safety complex for both departments. A committee member said the group will look at land options and make a plan to build. The chair said a plan is required before any future federal funding. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 27 · MinutesDecided
The Board discussed using $50,000 in undesignated funds to plan a new public safety facility. The money would pay for planning, surveys and studies needed to qualify for federal grants. It was stated the allocation would have no tax impact. The chair reviewed earlier police and fire facility planning, the design-build process, and the need for a needs-based analysis. He said the town would not be eligible for federal grants without a plan. The building could also serve as a heating and cooling center in emergencies. The Board also discussed Primex safety assessment reports for the Police and Fire Departments and agreed they should be public so residents can see the listed facility problems. The guest moderator cautioned that the Board cannot distribute material for or against a warrant article and that members should not speak in favor of one in their official role. To avoid appearing to advocate, the Board agreed to post the reports on the town website rather than email them, while letting others share them through non-town channels.
The Board agreed to post the Primex reports on the town website. No formal vote was recorded.
Feb 12 · Video
A committee member said the town does not yet have a site, designs or a square footage figure. Most federal grant deadlines are March 1 or March 6, before the town's warrant article vote, so the town does not expect to qualify this year. He said Sanford, Maine got $5 million and North Berwick got about $3.4 or $3.6 million in congressional grants. He said the average recipient gets about $1 million to $1.2 million. A member said some grants take almost a year for a decision and can take years to pay out. Some grants depend on a town's wealth, which may be hard for Newfields to meet, though the town meets the rural test. The Infield chief won smaller grants for a generator, fire trucks and a ventilation system. The committee has a list of grants to apply for once it has a site and plans. The grants come out each year, so the next chance is next March.
Feb 12 · Agenda
The committee has "Grant updates" on its agenda as a heading for reports on grants.
Mar 26 · Video
A member said another town's fire station got $2.6 million in grants against a $2.4 million building. A member said a state emergency management contact advised not applying for grants until the town is ready to use them, because accepting a grant and not using it can hurt future chances. The contact suggested talking to the grant person at the Rockingham Planning Commission, which helped Derry and Salem. The state grants are not for construction. They could cover a generator, furnishings and computers for the emergency management part. The building is planned to combine police, fire and emergency management, and to serve as a shelter. Members said the aim is to be ready.
Mar 26 · Minutes
Two members discussed grants for the building. They noted St. Albans received $2.6 million for an 11,950 square foot fire station. The police chief relayed advice from New Hampshire Emergency Management not to apply too early, because being accepted too early could reduce chances of later funding. He said grants for the building itself are limited. Larger grants exist for emergency management items such as generators, furnishings and computers, especially if the building will serve as a shelter. He suggested asking the Rockingham Planning Commission for help with applications.
Apr 16 · Minutes
A committee member and the architect discussed seeking grants for the project. The architect said a grant writer would be needed, and that applications need first-draft designs and budgets. She said she has worked on a church project but has limited direct experience with municipal grants. A member raised concerns about federal rules such as 'Buy American' (use of U.S.-made materials) and Davis-Bacon (set wage rates for workers), which can raise costs. The architect agreed to ask other principals at her firm about their experience and report back to the committee.
May 4 · Minutes
Asset Management grant applications
May 19 · Minutes
A commissioner will fill out the asset management grant application, which is due June 1, 2026. The treasurer will also ask HTA whether they have copies of the district's tie cards and maps.
Jun 8 · Minutes
A commissioner said the District has a promising chance of receiving grant money for Asset Management Plans. The District should hear in August whether the grant is awarded. Work is expected to begin in September.
Jul 14 · Agenda
The board is scheduled to review and sign off on Office of Highway Safety grants.
Aug 12 · Minutes
Committee members and consultants talked about state and federal grants for emergency equipment and construction. They said some grants, such as emergency operations center (EOC) grants, have few limits. Others have large requirements, such as Buy America rules (use of U.S.-made materials) and Davis-Bacon rules (set minimum pay for workers). These can raise project costs and make the work more complicated. No grant was applied for or chosen at this meeting.
Nov 12 · Agenda
The committee will talk about grant funding. A grant is money given for a project that does not have to be paid back.