Meredith gets its sleds

SIKSUKR · 01-22-2009, 02:37 PM

Here's an article from The Citizen on the Meredith Police getting donated snowmobiles and also the link.FLL,this is for you.
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll...ss1&source=RSS

Meredith police, fire depts. say donated snow machines will be big help

By ERIN PLUMMER
eplummer@citizen.com

Thursday, January 22, 2009

DARYL CARLSON/CITIZEN PHOTO LACONIA HARLEY-DAVIDSON General Manager Kyle Jones, second left, presents the keys to two new snow machines to Meredith Police Chief Kevin Morrow, left, and Meredith Fire Chief Ken Jones, while Winnipesaukee Motor Sports owner Denis Finnerty donated helmets to the departments, Wednesday.

* Order a print of this photo

A potential resource for rescue and law enforcement was dropped off with a forklift and placed on a trailer as Meredith's police and fire chiefs picked up two snowmobiles donated to the departments.

On Wednesday, Police Chief Kevin Morrow and Fire Chief Ken Jones were at Laconia Harley-Davidson Wednesday to pick up two snowmobiles that the dealership donated to the departments. The delivery occurred a week after the Meredith board of selectmen approved receipt of the donation.

Morrow and Jones approached the selectmen about the donation last month, saying the snowmobiles could be a valuable tool for law enforcement and rescue on lakes, islands and snowmobile trails, especially after an increase in break-ins at island homes last winter.

There are 194 homes on Bear Island alone and over 100 islands in Meredith. Morrow said the amount of break-ins reported by Bear Island residents has increased, with 20 reported this year and 12 reported last year. Break-ins were also reported by residents of Rock Island, where 87 residents signed a petition for the Police Department to have snowmobiles.

The Fire Department currently has an Argo utility vehicle for response to the lakes and islands, though the vehicle goes 6 mph. Police and fire have relied on state Fish and Game or the island caretaker to get out on the islands.

Police and fire officials have said snowmobiles might also mean faster ice rescues and response time for medical calls on the ice and on trails. Morrow said having a snowmobile and a better means to get around on ice and snow might be a deterrent to crime and might also be a good public relations measure, especially during the Rotary Fishing Derby.

After hearing from the chiefs, Laconia Harley-Davidson donated two black 2007 Polaris Trail Touring Deluxe snowmobiles valued at $5,018.80 each. The company also added tunnel protectors and studs to each snowmobile, valued at $470.80, that helps keep the studs on the track and from coming through the tunnel. The total donation is valued at $12,398.

The town has paid $4,000 for a trailer that will be used between the two departments. Estimated standard maintenance costs for the snowmobiles is approximately $200 per sled per year.

Winnipesaukee Motorsports on Waukewan Street donated four helmets, two for each of the snowmobiles, at a value of $400 or $100 each.

"We live and work in Meredith, proud to be part of the town," said Chris Finnerty of Winnipesaukee Motorsports. "We want to do our part to help them out with the equipment." After learning of the donation from Laconia Harley-Davidson "anything we can do to help the community of Meredith but (also) the snowmobiling community."

Fire Chief Ken Jones said the snowmobiles will be housed at the Fire Station for use by any of the departments.

"This is a shared venture between two departments," Jones said.

After receiving the snowmobiles, Police Chief Kevin Morrow said there will be training for both departments with anticipated assistance from Fish and Game. Training will include four- to eight-hour classes as well as riding the machines by the islands to look for safe areas.

Morrow said the aim is for the machines to be in use within the next few weeks.

Kyle Jones, co-general manager of Laconia Harley-Davidson, said the chiefs came to the store and asked for a possible snowmobile donation. Jones said there is already close cooperation with the Fire and Police Departments. The store works closely with the police during Bike Week and there is a substation office in the building for the Fire Department.

"They're not just chiefs of the town, they're friends," Kyle Jones said. "I'm just glad they came to me."

"Certainly right now we're in the prime season, this certainly enhances our resources for emergency rescue out on the lake of on the snowmobile trails," Ken Jones said. "In the end there's another resource for us."

01-22-2009, 02:37 PM	#1
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Meredith gets its sleds Here's an article from The Citizen on the Meredith Police getting donated snowmobiles and also the link.FLL,this is for you. http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll...ss1&source=RSS Meredith police, fire depts. say donated snow machines will be big help By ERIN PLUMMER eplummer@citizen.com Thursday, January 22, 2009 DARYL CARLSON/CITIZEN PHOTO LACONIA HARLEY-DAVIDSON General Manager Kyle Jones, second left, presents the keys to two new snow machines to Meredith Police Chief Kevin Morrow, left, and Meredith Fire Chief Ken Jones, while Winnipesaukee Motor Sports owner Denis Finnerty donated helmets to the departments, Wednesday. * Order a print of this photo A potential resource for rescue and law enforcement was dropped off with a forklift and placed on a trailer as Meredith's police and fire chiefs picked up two snowmobiles donated to the departments. On Wednesday, Police Chief Kevin Morrow and Fire Chief Ken Jones were at Laconia Harley-Davidson Wednesday to pick up two snowmobiles that the dealership donated to the departments. The delivery occurred a week after the Meredith board of selectmen approved receipt of the donation. Morrow and Jones approached the selectmen about the donation last month, saying the snowmobiles could be a valuable tool for law enforcement and rescue on lakes, islands and snowmobile trails, especially after an increase in break-ins at island homes last winter. There are 194 homes on Bear Island alone and over 100 islands in Meredith. Morrow said the amount of break-ins reported by Bear Island residents has increased, with 20 reported this year and 12 reported last year. Break-ins were also reported by residents of Rock Island, where 87 residents signed a petition for the Police Department to have snowmobiles. The Fire Department currently has an Argo utility vehicle for response to the lakes and islands, though the vehicle goes 6 mph. Police and fire have relied on state Fish and Game or the island caretaker to get out on the islands. Police and fire officials have said snowmobiles might also mean faster ice rescues and response time for medical calls on the ice and on trails. Morrow said having a snowmobile and a better means to get around on ice and snow might be a deterrent to crime and might also be a good public relations measure, especially during the Rotary Fishing Derby. After hearing from the chiefs, Laconia Harley-Davidson donated two black 2007 Polaris Trail Touring Deluxe snowmobiles valued at $5,018.80 each. The company also added tunnel protectors and studs to each snowmobile, valued at $470.80, that helps keep the studs on the track and from coming through the tunnel. The total donation is valued at $12,398. The town has paid $4,000 for a trailer that will be used between the two departments. Estimated standard maintenance costs for the snowmobiles is approximately $200 per sled per year. Winnipesaukee Motorsports on Waukewan Street donated four helmets, two for each of the snowmobiles, at a value of $400 or $100 each. "We live and work in Meredith, proud to be part of the town," said Chris Finnerty of Winnipesaukee Motorsports. "We want to do our part to help them out with the equipment." After learning of the donation from Laconia Harley-Davidson "anything we can do to help the community of Meredith but (also) the snowmobiling community." Fire Chief Ken Jones said the snowmobiles will be housed at the Fire Station for use by any of the departments. "This is a shared venture between two departments," Jones said. After receiving the snowmobiles, Police Chief Kevin Morrow said there will be training for both departments with anticipated assistance from Fish and Game. Training will include four- to eight-hour classes as well as riding the machines by the islands to look for safe areas. Morrow said the aim is for the machines to be in use within the next few weeks. Kyle Jones, co-general manager of Laconia Harley-Davidson, said the chiefs came to the store and asked for a possible snowmobile donation. Jones said there is already close cooperation with the Fire and Police Departments. The store works closely with the police during Bike Week and there is a substation office in the building for the Fire Department. "They're not just chiefs of the town, they're friends," Kyle Jones said. "I'm just glad they came to me." "Certainly right now we're in the prime season, this certainly enhances our resources for emergency rescue out on the lake of on the snowmobile trails," Ken Jones said. "In the end there's another resource for us." __________________ SIKSUKR