Freedom – March 16, 2011 – On a vote of 118 to 26, Freedom voters last week approved a $1.2 million bond article to expand the Village Road fire station and incorporate the police department, which is now housed in the Town Office building. [Editor’s Note: This amount was amended at Town Meeting to $900,000 and town officials hope the actual cost will be lower that that once the bid process commences].

Freedom voters also approved a ground water protection ordinance, as did voters in Madison and Effingham. Neighboring Tamworth voted down a similar ordinance, and Ossipee rejected proposed adjustments to its existing ordinance. Also in Tamworth, voters rejected an attempt to disband the town’s Planning Board.

In the contests for selectman, Ossipee’s Harry Merrow prevailed over challenger Kevin Houle, while Les Babb won an uncontested race in Freedom.