As the Vermont Supreme Court mulls over whether to require the Town of Newbury to host a State of Vermont juvenile detention facility, a youth psychiatric facility in New Hampshire has become a drain on local police services.

When Hampstead Police Officers have to respond to a call for service at the state’s new Hampstead Hospital for children with behavioral problems, officers are unavailable to patrol the community, today’s Journal-Opinion reports. 

The topic came up at yesterday’s New Hampshire Executive Council meeting, according to coverage by InDepthNH. Hampstead is located near the state’s Atlantic Ocean coastline. 

Since June 1, 2022, there have been 61 calls to local police and 73 calls to New Hampshire State Police since Jan. 1, 2022. Hampstead has five officers.

“Most of the calls to state police were in reference to assaults, sexual assaults, unruly children and riots, [Republican Executive Councilor Janet] Stevens said. Troopers have been asked to restrain children so they could be medicated, Stevens said.”

Stevens wants the Executive Council to address the issue in the state’s contract with Wellpath, which operates the hospital.

Citing state data, InDepthNH reported that 34 children are currently in the hospital with another 14 waiting admission.

Across the river, the Vermont Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision this fall in the dispute over the state’s plans to develop a juvenile detention center in Newbury.

Drawbridge closes – The recently rebuilt drawbridge in North Hero has been closed to boating traffic for the season. 

The drawbridge provides access for large sailboats to the eastern and western sections of Lake Champlain. The bridge opened twice each hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The last day of active operations for the year was Sunday, October 15. 

Rail trail section reopens – Five miles of the Lamoille County Rail Trail, the stretch from Wolcott to Hardwick, has re-opened following the July floods.

Wheels for Warmth – The 18th Annual Wheels for Warmth used tire collection/sale event will be held Saturday, October 28.

Tires will be collected Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Vermont Granite Museum, Barre; and Casella Waste Systems, Williston; Casella Construction, Mendon; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Stowe Events Field, Stowe.

The tire sale will take place on Saturday, October 28 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. in two locations: Vermont Granite Museum in Barre and Casella Construction in Mendon.

If tires cannot be re-sold those tires are recycled at $5 fee per tire, $10 fee per truck tire. To learn more about the event visit wheelsforwarmth.org or find the event on Facebook: facebook.com/wheelsforwarmth and Instagram: @WheelsForWarmth.