NEWSROOM INQUIRY & RIGHT-TO-KNOW TRACKER

Topic: Inquiry regarding ongoing use of Littleton Area Senior Center as operating location by outside organization

Organization Contacted: Grafton County Senior Citizens Council (GCSCC)

Recipient: Kathleen Vasconcelos, Executive Director

CC: Carole Zangla, CEO

Method: Email inquiry

Response Received: NO

Status: OPEN

Time Lapsed Since Sending Original Inquiry: 1 DAY

Purpose: To understand how publicly supported Senior Center space is allocated to outside organizations, and whether recurring use aligns with established policy, consistency of access, and public expectations.

Summary: Littleton Reporter submitted a request for clarification regarding the use of the Littleton Area Senior Center by the Littleton NH Church of Christ, which publicly lists the facility as its address and advertises recurring weekly programming at that location. 

The inquiry seeks clarification on whether this arrangement constitutes ongoing operational use rather than incidental or occasional use, and how such use aligns with GCSCC policy governing access to a publicly supported facility. Specific questions include whether a formal policy exists for recurring or long-term use by outside organizations, whether the organization is permitted to operate from the site or list it as its address, and whether any formal agreement, lease, or approved usage arrangement is in place.

Additional questions address whether fees are assessed for this level of use, the policy rationale if no cost is charged, whether similar access is available to other organizations under comparable terms, and who authorized the arrangement and when it was approved.

Topic: Inquiry regarding Littleton Area Senior Center data reported in Town of Littleton Annual Reports (2022–2025)

Organization Contacted: Grafton County Senior Citizens Council (GCSCC)

Recipient: Kathleen Vasconcelos, Executive Director

CC: Carole Moore, CEO

Method: Email inquiry

Response Received: NO

Status: OPEN

Time Lapsed Since Sending Original Inquiry: 7 DAYS

Purpose: To ensure that publicly reported data accurately reflects the services being delivered to residents and that any methodological changes are clearly understood by the public.

Summary: Littleton Reporter submitted a request for clarification regarding statistical data reported by the Littleton Area Senior Center in Town of Littleton Annual Reports covering the years 2022 through 2025. The inquiry seeks clarification regarding reported figures for residents served, outreach contacts, transportation services, activity participation totals, and reported program costs. The request also asks for an explanation of reported discrepancies and changes in methodology that have affected prior reports. 

The inquiry follows a review of publicly reported data indicating substantial changes in several categories across the four-year period, including a reported decline in outreach contacts and a reduction in the number of residents served in 2025. The request also seeks clarification regarding internal review procedures used when preparing statistical submissions for the Town of Littleton Annual Report.

Topic: Inquiry regarding legal notice publication practices and associated costs in Town of Littleton

Organization Contacted: Town of Littleton
Recipient: Troy Brown, Town Manager
Method: Email inquiry

Response Received: YES. Email received on March 16, 2026 which included a 5 Year Expenditure Report, responding to a portion of our inquiry. The matter is being escalated and a formal RTK Request is being drafted.
Follow-Up Inquiry Sent: YES (March 16, 2026)
Status: OPEN
Time Lapsed Since Sending Original Inquiry: 96 DAYS for initial response.

Purpose: To understand how the Town of Littleton fulfills its statutory legal notice obligations, the associated costs to taxpayers, and whether current practices reflect both legal compliance and fiscal responsibility.

Summary: Littleton Reporter submitted a request for clarification regarding the Town of Littleton’s legal notice publication practices, including how notices are distributed, the cost of publication, and the policies guiding those decisions.

The inquiry requested information on total annual expenditures over the past five fiscal years for publishing legal and public notices, including payments made to newspapers of general circulation. It also sought clarification on how those costs are categorized within the Town’s budget.

Additional questions focused on the scope of notices published in print, including which types of notices are required by statute versus those published as a matter of policy or tradition. The inquiry also requested information regarding whether the Town maintains a written policy governing notice publication and whether alternative methods permitted under New Hampshire law have been evaluated to reduce costs.

The request further examined digital posting practices, including whether notices published in print are also posted on the Town’s website, whether such practices are formalized, and whether accessibility or engagement with online notices is tracked.

Finally, the inquiry sought clarification regarding any existing contractual or vendor relationship with the Caledonian-Record for legal notice publication, including whether such agreements are available for public review.

The inquiry is part of a broader public-interest review aimed at helping residents understand how statutory notice requirements are met, what those practices cost, and how they impact transparency and taxpayer expenditures.