BOE Draft Meeting Minutes 09.18.2026
The Board of Fire Engineers unanimously approved minutes from August 25, 2026. Engineer Skinner motioned to support the comfort dog program, seconded by Engineer Lyman; the motion passed unanimously. Regarding the 2027 budget, CIP requests are submitted and the operating budget is in progress. The 2026 budget report shows the department is under budget in full-time wages, retirement, insurance, and vehicle maintenance, though they are monitoring overtime, call wages, professional development, uniforms, and vehicle fuels. Chief Carrier noted the Marjorie’s Walk fire pond does not hold water and may require a redesign or new liner. The Selectmen approved acquiring the LRMFA Communication Trailer but expressed reservations about maintaining obsolete radio equipment. Personnel activity increased to 1,345 incidents from January to August 2026, 114 more than the same period in 2025. The next meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2026, at 8:30am. Source: https://www.gilfordnh.gov/assets/municipal/5/minutes/BOE_Draft_Meeting_Minutes_09.18.2026.pdf
Board of Fire Engineer’s Minutes September 18, 2026 R/S from September 15, 2026 08:30 hrs. Gilford Fire-Rescue Page 1 of 3 Meeting called to order by Chair Akerley at 08:29 am Present: Chairman Akerley, Engineer Lyman, Engineer Skinner, Chief Carrier, Deputy Ober, Captain Brown, Town Admin Kelley, FF Phillips, FF Simoneau, LT. Landry, FF McQuade, FF Goodwin and Exec. Secretary Boulanger Minutes of Previous Meetings: August 25, 2026 Motion to approve the minutes from August 25, 2026, by Engineer Skinner, seconded by Engineer Lyman. Unanimously approved. Report - Fire Chief Activities ▪ Met with residents from Marjorie’s Walk to discuss their fire pond/dry hydrant. ▪ Brief discussion regarding the pond/dry hydrant ▪ The fire pond does not hold water. ▪ There may need to be a redesign or a new liner ▪ Attended a Department Manager’s meeting. ▪ Attended Selectmen’s meetings. ▪ Participated in a virtual Public Health Network Emergency Planning Comm. Meeting. ▪ Conducted several inspections. ▪ Attended an NHAFC BOD meeting at Primex in Concord. ▪ Multiple virtual meetings and calls with NHAFC and NHFA regarding a joint project. ▪ Worked concerts. ▪ Attended the Town’s monthly Site Study meeting. ▪ My annual FD physical process began. Budget: ▪ 2027 Budget ▪ CIP requests have been submitted. Working on Operating Budget. ▪ 2026 Budget ▪ Reports provided and reviewed ▪ Overall – we are in very good shape heading into the last quarter of the year. ▪ Under Budget: Fulltime Wages, Retirement, Insurances, and Vehicle Maintenance. ▪ Watching Lines: ▪ OT, Call Wages, Professional Development, Uniforms, Vehicle Fuels Personnel ▪ FF Labrecque has met her probationary requirements. Activity Log: Report provided to Engineers with a brief discussion. ▪ January 2026 – August 2026: ▪ 1345 incidents. 114 more than the same period in 2025. ▪ Highest total through the end of August, ever. ▪ September to date: ▪ 94 as of yesterday 9.17.2026 at 1000 hrs. ▪ On pace to do 165 for the month. Same as last year; higher than the 10-year average Board of Fire Engineer’s Minutes September 18, 2026 R/S from September 15, 2026 08:30 hrs. Gilford Fire-Rescue Page 2 of 3 Operations ▪ Nothing significant to report Report - Deputy Chief Fire Prevention / Inspections ▪ Monthly Report provided to all engineers ▪ Fairly average month with 87 inspections ▪ Deputy Ober spent a few days in August at Laconia Airport, working with the administration to do the annual fire department and FAA inspections. ▪ Brief discussion regarding the two lots merging from 2 and 6 Lily Pond Rd to make way for a freestanding Emergency Room. ▪ New Construction: 9 Lily Pond Road ▪ 10 Bay Contractors Units to be built Vehicle Maintenance ▪ E4 – Scheduled for paint repairs October 12, 2026 EMS ▪ Several staff will be recertifying in March 2027. Preparations are underway IT ▪ No updates Report - Training Captain Call Company/Training ▪ Capt. Brown provided reports and charts for call company updates ▪ Members of the team have attended more than 85 hours of training in the month of August. ▪ Capt. Brown sent out a training questionnaire. From the results of the questionnaire, he was able to provide overview of the types of training he has put together. ▪ There is potential for a Scheduled/training burn on Scenic Dr. The preliminary review has both the fire department and the police department utilizing the structure for many training courses. ▪ Captain Brown provided the meeting with the Draft of the SOP/Policy for the Comfort Dog. ▪ Overall discussion outlining the specifics of obtaining, caring for and the long-term needs. ▪ Motion to support the comfort dog program with implementation by Engineer Skinner, seconded by Engineer Lyman. Unanimous approved Old Business ▪ Mobile Command Post Trailer ▪ Selectmen approved the acquisition of the Communication Trailer from LRMFA – with reservations regarding future costs associated with maintaining a 25-year-old trailer with obsolete radio equipment, that would require replacement. New Business: ▪ None Board of Fire Engineer’s Minutes September 18, 2026 R/S from September 15, 2026 08:30 hrs. Gilford Fire-Rescue Page 3 of 3 Adjournment • Motion to adjourn at 09:04am by Engineer Skinner, seconded by Engineer Lyman. Unanimously approved. • Next Meeting Date: *October 20, 2026 @ 8:30am. Gilford Fire-Rescue Respectfully Submitted Exec. Secretary Boulanger *There is a meeting with the Selectmen, to follow the engineers meeting