Investigative journalism covering Littleton, New Hampshire.
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TRUTH OVER TRADITION.
BEYOND THE BALLOT: YOUR VOICE MATTERS YEAR-ROUND
June 7, 2025 2:22 PM EDT / Source: Littleton Reporter
By Staff Writer, Littleton Reporter
LITTLETON, New Hampshire — Where decisions are often made not by the loudest voices, but by the most consistent presences—democracy lives and breathes far beyond election day. Every month, appointed and elected boards meet to determine how public funds are spent, what developments are approved, how natural resources are protected, and what kind of future the town will face.
Attending these meetings is not a formality—it is a powerful act of civic participation. Here is your guide to the public meetings scheduled for June 2025, and why each one matters to the lives of those who call Littleton home.
LITTLETON WATER & LIGHT COMMISSION MEETING
June 16, 2025, 1:00 PM
Location: Littleton Water & Light Department – 65 Lafayette Avenue, Littleton
The Water & Light Commissioners oversee Littleton’s publicly owned electric and water utility. Their responsibilities include rate structures, system upgrades, energy contracts, and long-term infrastructure planning. They also play a vital role in environmental compliance and service reliability.
With energy costs rising and water systems aging statewide, local oversight of utility policy matters deeply. These meetings give residents a voice in decisions that affect household bills, sustainability, and access to essential services.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/water-light-commission for more information regarding the Conservation Commission.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
June 16, 2025, 7:00 PM
Location: Littleton Community Center, Heald Room - 120 Main Street, Littleton
The Conservation Commission is responsible for safeguarding Littleton's natural ecosystems. It manages wetland protection efforts, advises on environmental impact, and works to preserve open space for public use. This board often reviews how development affects land, water, and wildlife—before projects break ground.
Whether you care about drinking water quality, sustainable development, or protected land access, the work of this Commission affects the environment on which we depend.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/conservation-commission for more information regarding the Conservation Commission.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
June 17, 2025, 5:30 PM
Location: Littleton Community Center, Heald Room - 120 Main Street, Littleton
The Planning Board reviews proposals for land use, subdivision development, and long-term infrastructure planning. It has the authority to approve or deny housing developments, commercial site plans, and zoning changes. In a town facing a housing crisis and rising property costs, every Planning Board decision ripples outward—impacting renters, homeowners, and business owners alike.
Public input helps ensure that growth is balanced, transparent, and centered on the community’s needs, not just developers’ profits.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/planning-zoning for more information regarding the Planning Board.
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST FUNDS MEETING
June 18, 2025, 11:00 AM
Location: Littleton Community Center, Conference Room - 120 Main Street, Littleton
This lesser-known but essential body manages the town’s financial trust accounts. These accounts often contain donations, endowments, and capital designated for public benefit—such as scholarships, cemetery upkeep, or infrastructure improvements. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that funds are invested ethically, distributed appropriately, and aligned with donor intent.
In a time of economic uncertainty, public oversight of how long-term funds are handled is more important than ever.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/trustees-trust-funds for more information regarding the Trustees of the Trust Funds.
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
June 19, 2025, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Littleton Community Center, Dining Room - 120 Main Street, Littleton
This Commission shapes the public spaces where Littleton residents gather, play, and connect. It oversees town parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities, and community programming. The group also advises on maintenance issues, facility use policies, and recreational opportunities for all ages.
Attending these meetings ensures that recreational planning reflects the needs of working families, youth, elders, and those without private access to nature or exercise.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/parks-recreation for more information regarding the Parks & Recreation Commission.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
June 23, 2025, 5:00 PM
Location: Littleton Community Center, Heald Room - 120 Main Street, Littleton
The Board of Selectmen serves as the executive branch of Littleton's municipal government. Its members approve town budgets, award contracts, oversee the Town Manager, and authorize legal actions. The Board decides whether community requests—such as public bathrooms, emergency shelters, zoning changes, or citizen petitions—are adopted or ignored.
This body functions as the gatekeeper for policy, development, and accountability. If you have ever wondered why a streetlight was installed, why a developer received a tax break, or why a bathroom still has not been built, this is where those decisions originated.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/board-selectmen for more information regarding the Board of Selectmen.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING
June 24, 2025, 6:00 PM
Location: Littleton Community Center, Heald Room – 120 Main Street, Littleton
The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hears appeals from landowners or developers who seek exceptions or variances from existing zoning regulations. Whether a homeowner needs relief from setback requirements or a business seeks to operate in a restricted district, the ZBA determines whether those deviations are justified.
Its decisions impact neighborhood integrity, commercial balance, and the fairness of code enforcement. Attending these meetings helps ensure that zoning flexibility does not undermine community standards or disproportionately benefit insiders.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/planning-zoning for more information regarding the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
YOUR ROLE, YOUR RIGHT
Participating in these meetings—by showing up, asking questions, and holding officials to account—builds a stronger and more responsive town. Littleton is not governed solely by votes cast once a year. It is shaped by what residents choose to engage with week after week.
Your voice matters. Your presence matters. And your questions deserve answers.
⇨ Visit https://www.townoflittleton.org/calendar/month to stay current with all public meetings, agendas, and opportunities to participate.
ENGAGE. PARTICIPATE. SHAPE THE FUTURE OF LITTLETON.
Not just at the ballot box, but in the rooms where decisions are made.
© 2025 Littleton Reporter. All rights reserved.
UNLICENSED DOGS COULD COST YOU: LITTLETON CRACKS DOWN ON NONCOMPLIANCE
June 7, 2025 7:49 PM EDT / Source: Littleton Reporter
By Staff Writer, Littleton Reporter
LITTLETON, New Hampshire—As of June 1, more than 160 dogs in town remain unregistered, prompting the Town of Littleton to initiate enforcement measures that could cost dog owners significantly more than the standard annual registration fee.
According to Littleton Ordinance Chapter 3, all dogs must be licensed each year under NH RSA 466:1. Dog owners who fail to comply face civil forfeitures, late fees, and certified mailing charges—penalties now being actively enforced.
View the ordinance:
https://www.townoflittleton.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif5401/f/pages/chapter_3_-_dog_regulation.pdf
DEADLINE HAS PASSED — FEES BEGIN TO ACCRUE
Effective June 1:
🔹 $1.00 per month late fee (or part thereof) is charged for unpaid registrations
🔹 $25.00 civil forfeiture fee applies to each unlicensed dog
🔹 $5.00 certified mail fee will be charged for each forfeiture notice sent
What could have cost just a modest licensing fee now risks escalating into a $30+ obligation per dog—with potential for additional court action.
WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES
Section 3 of the ordinance mandates that anyone owning, keeping, or harboring a dog within Littleton must license and register that dog annually. This legal requirement supports:
⇨ Public health and rabies tracking
⇨ Animal control accountability
⇨ Owner identification and pet recovery
Proper registration also simplifies emergency responses involving lost dogs or animal bites—events where accurate records matter most.
PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE
Outlined in Section 5 of the ordinance:
🟥 $25.00 forfeiture for failing to license a dog
🟥 $1.00/month late fee starting June 1
🟥 $5.00 for each certified letter sent
🟥 Additional enforcement action may occur if payment is not received within three business days of notice
These penalties are not discretionary and will be applied as required by ordinance and state law.
WHAT DOG OWNERS SHOULD DO
To avoid further penalties, dog owners are urged to:
✔️ Visit the Littleton Town Clerk’s Office immediately
✔️ Bring proof of rabies vaccination
✔️ Register all dogs currently kept, harbored, or owned in town
The process is straightforward—and far less costly than ignoring the requirement.
FINAL NOTICE: COMPLIANCE IS NOT OPTIONAL
The town has made it clear: this is not a new policy. Dog registration is an annual legal obligation, one long established by both local ordinance and state statute. Failure to register will result in mailed penalties, mounting fees, and possible court action.
As the town stated in a recent public alert:
“Dog registration is an annual fee that everyone should be well aware of—and it’s the law.”
Avoid the fines. Protect your pet. Stay compliant.
Read the ordinance: https://www.townoflittleton.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif5401/f/pages/chapter_3_-_dog_regulation.pdf
© 2025 Littleton Reporter All rights reserved.
SAFE WATER STARTS AT HOME: LITTLETON HOSTS FREE WELL TESTING EVENT
June 7, 2025 7:27 PM EDT / Source: Littleton Reporter
By Staff Writer, Littleton Reporter
LITTLETON, New Hampshire—In a state where more than 40% of residents rely on private wells for drinking water, the risks posed by untested water sources often remain invisible—until consequences emerge. To confront those risks proactively, the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the Town of Littleton will host a free Private Well Workshop and Water Testing Event on:
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
6:00 PM
Littleton Opera House – 2 Union Street, Littleton
The event is open to all residents who depend on private wells. It offers an opportunity to learn, test, and take action—at no cost. Pre-registration is encouraged to reserve a test kit and ensure availability.
WHY WELL TESTING MATTERS
Unlike public water systems—which are regulated, treated, and monitored—private wells are unregulated. Responsibility for water quality falls solely on the homeowner. Without regular testing, families may unknowingly consume water contaminated by harmful, and sometimes dangerous, substances such as:
⇨ Arsenic, naturally present in New Hampshire bedrock and linked to cancer, developmental delays, and cardiovascular issues
⇨ Radon, a radioactive gas that dissolves into groundwater and poses long-term health risks
⇨ PFAS, “forever chemicals” associated with immune disruption and hormonal interference
⇨ Lead, particularly hazardous for children and pregnant individuals
⇨ Bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants that pose immediate threats to health
Many of these contaminants are invisible, odorless, and tasteless—meaning they often go undetected until serious harm has occurred. Routine testing is the first and most effective line of defense.
WHAT THE WORKSHOP OFFERS
The June 10 workshop is designed to empower residents with both information and tools. Participants will:
✔️ Receive a free water testing kit (a $400 value)
✔️ Learn what contaminants to test for and why
✔️ Get step-by-step instructions for collecting samples and returning them for analysis
✔️ Receive guidance on treatment options if contaminants are found
✔️ Ask questions directly to NHDES water specialists
The program will also explore the science of groundwater in New Hampshire, how local geology and outdated infrastructure affect water quality, and what residents can do to address those risks.
SELF-ADVOCACY THROUGH KNOWLDGE
Public health begins at the tap.
For those who rely on private wells, testing is not optional—it is a form of protection. Understanding what flows into the home is as essential as locking the doors or replacing the batteries in a smoke detector. By participating in this event, residents take meaningful steps to:
⇨ Protect their families from long-term exposure to hazardous substances
⇨ Avoid preventable medical conditions and associated health care costs
⇨ Safeguard vulnerable household members, including children, elders, and individuals with weakened immune systems
⇨ Build the knowledge to act when conditions demand a response
State officials continue to study PFAS and other contaminants whose long-term effects remain under review. Testing now may prevent costly mitigation—or irreversible harm—later.
HOW TO REGISTER
To participate, residents should contact:
welltest@des.nh.gov
(603) 271-5986 (Ask for Amy Hudnor, NHDES Private Well Coordinator)
Walk-ins may be permitted, but supplies are limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged to guarantee a test kit.
A PRACTICAL STEP TOWARD PREVENTION
Clean water is often assumed—until it fails. For many in Littleton, this workshop offers a rare and vital opportunity: to protect what matters most before harm is done.
Funded in part by the New Hampshire Drinking Water & Groundwater Trust Fund, this event reflects a broader state effort to equip homeowners with the knowledge and tools to ensure safe drinking water, without cost becoming a barrier.
Those who attend will walk away with more than a test kit. They will leave with the power to protect their homes, ask informed questions, and make confident decisions about the water they rely on every day.
© 2025 Littleton Reporter. All rights reserved.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 LITTLETON REPORTER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.