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Gilmanton NH News
January 21, 2009
The
Suncook Valley
Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.
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Gilmanton
Selectmen’s Corner
Submitted By Carolyn Baldwin
The following summary, compiled by Carolyn Baldwin, is drawn from the
minutes of Gilmanton Selectmen’s meetings of November 10 through December
15, 2008. Complete copies of all approved minutes are available at the
Selectmen’s Office during their business hours and can be viewed on line at
the Town’s website:
www.gilmantonnh.org.
Town Meeting Warrant: The selectmen spent considerable time working on the
Town Meeting warrant and the budget for 2009 to be presented to the budget
committee. Among issues considered were: budgets for the fire, police and
highway departments, recycling facility, land use boards, town clerk/tax
collector and selectmen’s office; maintenance of Town buildings; various
capital reserve funds; funding for Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid; health
insurance costs; tax exemption for the cost of installation of solar energy
facilities as proposed by the energy committee.
The selectmen met with representatives of the Gilmanton Year-Round Library
Association relative to operating costs. They advised the Association
that they should submit a warrant article by petition for that purpose.
Christmas tree at the Academy. Israel Willard volunteered to put up a
Christmas tree at the Academy, and the selectmen approved the offer with
thanks.
Recycling Facility: Justin Leavitt was promoted to the position of
Recycling Facility Manager with a probationary period of three months. As
of early November the Town sent 1300 tons of trash to the Penacook
incinerator at a cost currently of $42.55 per ton (not including hauling).
The Recycling committee appointed by the selectmen in the fall, continues to
examine ways to increase the recycling rate in town.
Police Department: Stacie Fiske was sworn in as a full-time police
officer. Patrick Dawson was sworn in as a part-time police officer for the
Town of Gilmanton on December 15.
Tax rate: The Town’s tax rate for 2008 was set at $20.98, an increase
of 45 cents per thousand. Town, $4.56 (includes all town services: police,
fire, highway, trash and recycling, town clerk and town offices); school,
$12.52; State school $2.49; county $1.41.
Class VI Road policy: The selectmen reviewed the work of the Class VI
Road committee, including inventory of all Class VI (non-maintained) roads in
Town, and a draft policy to guide the selectmen when they are asked to approve
building on a Class VI road. They also reviewed the water and wildlife
maps with the conservation commission. The selectmen made some
changes to the standards and procedures sections and will hold a public hearing
before adopting the policy.
Town Hall Feasibility Study: The feasibility committee, appointed in
accordance with the vote of the Town in March 2008, has consulted with an
architect and an engineer to determine whether Old Town Hall can be
renovated to accommodate the police department. The committee reported to
the selectmen that they concluded that the cost of the most feasible option
(an addition on the back of the building) was excessive. It was decided not
to go forward with further design efforts, and the remainder of the funds
appropriated for the study was returned to the general fund. Chairman Guarino, Chief O’Brien and building inspector Bob Flanders will look at a
parcel for sale to see if it would be suitable and attempt to prepare an
option to voters at Town Meeting. No suggestions or decisions were made as
to future uses for Old Town Hall.
Beech Grove Cemetery: The Beech Grove Cemetery Association voted to disband
and petition the Town to accept the cemetery property and assets. An
article asking the Town to accept the cemetery, including its perpetual care
funds, will appear on the Town warrant in March.
Road Names: Some changes in road names were considered to comply with 911
requirements. There is a Leavitt Road off Middle Route and a Levitt Road
on the Alton line. Name changes are being considered for Joe Jones Road and
a portion of the Bean Road.
Perambulation of Town Boundaries: The statutes require that the Selectmen
(or designee) perambulate the Town boundaries every seven years. Dave Nagel
undertook the task of perambulating the Town line between Gilmanton and
Loudon. Remaining to be done are boundaries with Barnstead, Canterbury and
Belmont. Dave plans to do the remaining towns within the next year. The
report is available in the Town office.
Your Friends At
The Gilmanton Fire
Department Present
Chimney Fire Safety And Awareness
Did you know that chimney fires are one of the most common types of
residential structure fires in this area? Luckily they are also one of the
most preventable. Following these easy steps will help prevent the
occurrence of a chimney related incident at your home.
• Keeping up on the maintenance of your chimney is perhaps the most
important step in keeping your home safe! Try the following:
• Have your chimney checked at the start of each burning season by a
qualified chimney professional.
• Burn only well seasoned and dry hardwood. Burning green and moist wood can
lead to accelerated creosote build up.
• Install a chimney cap and ensure your chimney’s liner is intact and clean.
Also remember that with rising fuel costs many people are installing wood
stoves as an alternative source of heat in the winter. Always have these
types of home improvements inspected by a professional. Plan to have your
wood stove installed at least 36" from any wall and placed on an approved
stove board while venting into an approved flue. Not doing so can have
disastrous consequences, including carbon monoxide poison and fire. Also
install smoke and CO detectors on every floor of your home, and know what to
do in case of an emergency. Dial 9-1-1 immediately and evacuate your home if
you suspect trouble.
For further information or to schedule a free home safety inspection, please
contact us at 364-2500.
MVSB Gives $2,500
To Area Organizations Through Mitten Tree Program
Through the generous support of community members throughout the Lakes
Region, Meredith Village Savings Bank’s 2008 Mitten Tree Program gave more
than $2,500 to local organizations as well as hundreds of hats, mittens,
gloves, scarves and other warm winter clothing to people in need.
Each year the bank’s 11 offices throughout the Lakes Region collect
handmade and store-bought mittens, gloves, hats and scarves from the
community and coordinate with local organizations such as the Visiting
Nurses Association and local school nurses to distribute the items to those
who need them. In addition, MVSB makes monetary donations to the local
community groups or nonprofit organizations named by those who donate the
items.
This year, the program resulted in a donation of $486 to the New Hampshire
Humane Society, $330 for the Laconia Elders Friendship Club, a combined
total of more than $300 to various food pantries throughout the Lakes
Region, and dozens of smaller donations to a wide array of groups including
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lakes Region, Community Caregivers,
Moultonborough Meals on Wheels, Mrs. Santa Fund of Alton, Newfound Area
Nursing Association, New Hampshire Association for the Blind, Ozanam Place,
Plymouth Area Community Closet, and the Salvation Army of Laconia.
“We’re excited to be able to support so many local organizations that are
close to the hearts of our customers and so important to the communities we
serve,” noted Cindy Hemeon-Plessner, marketing officer at MVSB. “It’s a
potent reminder of the impact we can make when we all come together to
contribute, no matter how small our individual efforts may seem.”
In addition, the program donated many items to area organizations who
distributed them to people struggling to keep their families warm this
winter:
• More than 600 pairs of mittens
• More than 550 hats
• More than 85 scarves
• 4 sweatshirts
• 2 sweaters
• 3 blankets
• 1 pair of baby booties
Meredith Village Savings Bank is an independent mutual savings bank with 11
offices serving individuals, families, businesses, organizations and towns
around Lake Winnipesaukee and the Plymouth area. MVSB has offices in Alton,
Ashland, Center Harbor, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough,
Plymouth, and Wolfeboro. More information about the bank can be found at
www.mvsb.com
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Obituaries
Celon E. Kelley
Gilmanton -
Celon E. Kelley, 79, of 126 Gale Road, died at his home on
Thursday, January 15, 2009. Mr. Kelley was the widower of Anita (Twombly)
Kelley who died in 1993.
Mr. Kelley was born February 26, 1929 in North Troy, Vermont, the son of
Ernest and Amy (Andrews) Kelley.
Mr. Kelley lived in Gilmanton for over sixty years. He worked at the Laconia
Shoe Co. for over thirty years. After the Laconia Shoe closed in 1986, he
worked at the Barnstead Elementary School until he retired in 2007, after 21
years of service.
Mr. Kelley was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. He was a lifelong
member of the Laconia Lodge of Elks #876.
Mr. Kelley is survived by a son, Melvin E. Kelley, of Flagstaff, Arizona;
six daughters, Nancy Carrier of Tifton, Georgia, Sandra Wentworth of Loudon,
NH, Anne Mattice of Chichester, NH, Susan Hogg of Big Lake, Alaska, Cindy
Parrington of Belmont, NH, and Linda Kelley of Freedom, NH; ten
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Eloise Burt and
Phyllis Drury; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and his parents, Mr. Kelley was predeceased by five
brothers and nine sisters.
A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 17, 2009, in the Carriage
House of the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, Laconia, N. H.
Spring burial will be in the family lot in St. John Cemetery, Tilton, N.H.
Family has requested no flowers. Memorial donations may be made to Community
Health & Hospice, Inc., 780 North Main Street, Laconia, N. H. 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street,
Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the arrangements.
For more information and to view an online memorial go to
www.wilkinsonbeane.com
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