Here it is.  A terrific summary of the Hooper Golf Course situaion straight from the chairman of the study committee.  Thank you, Peggy Pschirrer, for the great post but, especially thank you for agreeing to this daunting task called “Save Hooper”.

Scene:   a Birthday party in Hanover

First Guest:  Peggy, What is happening in Walpole to the Golf Club? Ever solve your problem?

First Guest to Second Guest:  Ever play the Hooper Golf Club?  Terrific nine hole golf course.

Peggy to First Guest: Roger, we have a Win, Win, Win situation.  In May the Monadnock Conservancy voted to begin the process of granting us a Conservation Easement.

First Guest: Terrific.  Let me know how it goes.

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That was a real exchange in late June and one month later we are one month closer to that win, win, win situation.

The recommendations and solutions proposed by the Hooper Study Committee are, we believe, the best way to “Save Hooper”.   Those signs about town mean something different to almost everyone.  The Study Committee interpreted them in the broadest sense by recommending that the Trustees encumber the property (Golf Club and Timberland) with a Conservation Easement and sell the land in a private sale at fair market value – thereby enlarging the Trust and more closely meeting the intentions of the Hooper Trust.

The Town of Walpole wins because the property returns to the tax roles, with a conservation easement, which we believe is compatible with the purpose of the Hooper Trust.

The Hooper land is saved in perpetuity for year round recreation use – in season a golf course, in winter an ideal spot for cross country skiing, sledding, walking, and/or snowmobiling in the woods.

The Hooper Trust is enriched by approximately $1,200,000.00 which will generate more income for education that promotes agriculture, botany, forestry and environmental studies.

The Department of Charitable Trusts will support the Trustees of the Hooper Trust as they petition the Probate Court to apply the Cy Pres Doctrine to the Trust that will enable us to secure the Easement and eventually sell the property.   The Court Decree in 1995 recommended a sale of the property. The Department of Charitable Trusts approves the Easement because the value of the Easement will be returned to the Trust.

Before we petition the Court we must have a Town Hearing.  The Trustees (Select Board) have set the Hearing for August 17, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Middle School.   The Hooper Study Committee will make a presentation before all present.  The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and comment.  The Trustees will vote at their next Select Board meeting following the hearing.

We also expect to announce our plans to fund raise for the Conservation Easement August 17, 2013.   Our goal is to raise approximately $600,000 to purchase the easement and cover all administrative costs.  All contributions will be tax deductible.   We want to turn every “ Save Hooper “ sign into  “I Helped Save Hooper.”