Town report highlights active year for municipal services in Salisbury

SALISBURY — The annual town report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, has been published and was formally received at the annual town meeting Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The report is dedicated to former town historian Jean McMillen and includes department updates, municipal data and summaries of the town’s operations over the past year. Among the report’s highlights:

Animal Control Officer Lee Sohl reported investigating 84 calls and complaints involving missing pets, roaming dogs, four dog bites and various domestic and wild animal concerns. No tickets were issued. Two dogs were impounded — one stray and one for biting. In total, Sohl noted “five fewer calls, fewer dogs picked up, double the bites from last year.”

The report lists the town’s 14 parks and forest areas.

Don Mayland, chair of the Water Pollution Control Authority, wrote the town is anticipating growth through new housing and the potential redevelopment of the Wake Robin Inn.

“The current collection and treatment facilities are adequate to handle this potential expansion. However, because of water getting into the current collection pipes, due to influx and infiltration, our ability to accommodate new housing units is somewhat compromised.”

He wrote the town has relined pipes for years but more work remains. Influx and infiltration occur through leaking main pipes and laterals serving existing housing units.

Social Services Director Patrice McGrath reported 23 households received fuel deliveries and/or furnace tuneups through the Salisbury Family Services fuel bank.

At Scoville Memorial Library, Director Karin Goodell wrote that program attendance increased 25% and use of the library for work and meetings rose 30%. The library circulated approximately 45,000 physical and digital items and added 185 new cardholders, bringing the total number of active users to 1,900 — “almost half the town,” Goodell noted.