Serving Walpole, New Hampshire since 2005
and the Walpole Corn Maze is now listed on PUMPKIN PATCHES AND MORE along with our new website WALPOLECORNMAZE.COM
Make sure you visit
If you have any other ideas for publicity and promotion for the Walpole Corn Maze and Spooktacula, please send your ideas to Ray, Sarah, or Barbara. Thank you,
You may have wondered about the headline, but if you were alert, the word Sonoma might have alerted you to the fact that Chuck is still writing. This is a piece he wrote as an account of a talk given by Middlebury College scholar-in-residence and environmental writer, climate change expert and activist, Bill McKibben. As Chuck wrote, “Climate change and efforts to ameliorate it are the most important subject in the world because, as McKibben argues, if we ignore what we are doing to our atmosphere we may very likely make much of the earth uninhabitable for our children and their children. Because this is such an important topic and because McKibben is a New Englander, I thought that the story should be shared with readers of the Walpolean.”
McKibben Urges Sonoma Audience Toward Environmental Activism
by Chuck Bingaman, Freelance Journalist
Environmental writer, scholar, activist Bill McKibben drew a standing ovation from a Sonoma crowd of nearly 200 Sunday urging active steps to end the country’s–and the world’s–dependence on burning fossil fuels for energy beginning with a demonstration in Sonoma next Saturday.
Stumping the country on behalf of his most recent book, “Oil and Honey: The Education of an Unlikely Activist”, McKibben described the www.350.org program he started in 2008 at Middlebury College with seven undergraduates including May Boeve of Sonoma. 350.org has since coordinated 15,000 rallies against reliance on fossil fuel for energy in 189 countries. McKibben’s appearance Sunday was sponsored by Stone Edge Farm, Congregation Shir Shalom, the First Congregational Church of Sonoma, Readers’ Books and http://www.350.org.
Introduced by Readers’ Books co-owner Andy Weinberger as “a troublemaker in the best sense of the word”, McKibben has spent the last 28 years trying to get the attention of governments and large energy companies. 350 is the number of parts of CO2 (carbon dioxide) per billion at which the atmosphere begins to deteriorate, climate changes dramatically, and life as we know it on the planet is irretrievably harmed. Despite most measures now showing the atmosphere already containing more than 400 parts per billion and horrific climate changes are already happening, McKibben argues that there is still time to at least slow the growth of CO2 and to avoid the worst of possible future devastation.
Devastation McKibben cited included spreading droughts, worsening forest fires, “Biblical” floods such as those currently battering Colorado, melting icecaps and resulting rises in sea levels that promise to devastate large areas of human habitation worldwide in the not-distant future. He also described–and showed poignant pictures of–people throughout the earth demonstrating for the 350.org movement. Participants included many children in China, India, Pakistan, Africa, South America, Europe and the USA. “I’ve always been told,” McKibben said, “that environmentalists are limited to rich white people in already wealthy countries. But we’ve found that the majority of those expressing concern about the environment are actually poor, brown, tan or black, Asian and others likely to be hurt the most. And they are the least responsible for what is happening.”
Germany, McKibben said, has been a leader in switching to solar energy, and already in 2013 it produced–on one day–more than half of its energy from solar. The reason such transition has not happened in the US, McKibben says, is that large energy companies have had the financial and, hence, political clout to prevent it. What he said is needed to change priorities in the US is a movement, a massive standing up of people who say enough is enough. “All we want is a planet that works like the one we grew up in. You know, ice caps at the poles, flooding that is the exception rather than a frequent devastation. I consider that a very conservative position. Those from the energy companies that are willing to change the chemical composition of the earth, now THOSE are the radicals in this fight!”
Note: The Sonoma 350.org organizer, May Boeve, announced a demonstration called “Draw the Line” at Sonoma City Hall Saturday, September 21, at 9:00 a.m. to urge President Obama to deny approval of the Keystone Project for a new pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. McKibben said reliable estimates are that, if all of the shale oil to be extracted and piped through the US were to be burned, the CO2 it would release could raise the atmospheric level well over 500 parts per billion. That, as a NASA report said, would amount to “game over for the planet.”
SPECIAL EVENT SUNDAY
at ALYSON’S ORCHARD
Walk for the Greyhounds
& Chili Cook-off
Sunday, September 15; 11 am – 3 pm
Alyson’s Orchard, Route 12, Walpole, NH 03608
603-756-9800
The Walpole Players are pleased to announce that http://walpolecornmaze.com/ is up and running on the web to provide the world with full details on the Haunted Corn Maze in Walpole, New Hampshire.
What you see is just a start, but you are encouraged to sign up for an “email subscription” to be kept abreast of all news, events, pictures.
So, please follow us by signing up at http://walpolecornmaze.com/
TOWN OF WALPOLE
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
PO Box 729
Walpole, NH 03608
AGENDA
MEETING DATE AND LOCATION:
Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall Meeting Room.
Open Meeting:
Public Hearing:
New Business:
Old Business:
Other Business:
Planning Commission:
Adjourn Meeting:
Cc: PB, ZBA, WCC, Town Offices, BOS
Posted: Town Hall Lobby, Outside Bulletin Board, Burdick’s Market
After 62 years of marriage, Bob and Peggy Graves are still looking for new adventures and it looks to me like they found one! Thanks for permission to share, Cindy. – Lil
Chris Fecteau wrote to remind us all that tonight is the home opener against Springfield. 7:00 at FMRHS. Doesn’t this weather just put you int eh mood for a football game? – Lil
And then, if you are looking for more high school athletic events, try some of these:
Fri Sep 6
4:00pm BOYS JV SOCCER – HOME vs. Hopkinton
4:30pm VOLLEYBALL JV – AWAY vs Souhegan
5:30pm VOLLEYBALL VARSITY – AWAY vs Souhegan
6:00pm BOYS VARSITY SOCCER – HOME vs. Hopkinton (If you’ve not seen the new soccer field, you should take a ride over for that at the very least!)
Sat Sep 7
4:00pm GIRLS JV SOCCER – HOME vs. Kearsarge
6:00pm GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER – HOME vs. Kearsarge
Mon Sep 9
4:00pm CROSS COUNTRY – AWAY @ Sant Bani
Tue Sep 10
4:30pm GIRLS JV SOCCER – AWAY vs. Bow
4:30pm GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER – AWAY vs. Bow
Wed Sep 11
5:00pm VOLLEYBALL JV – HOME vs Conval
6:00pm VOLLEYBALL VARSITY – HOME vs Conval
7:00pm BOYS VARSITY SOCCER – AWAY vs. Stevens
Fri Sep 13
4:00pm BOYS JV SOCCER – HOME vs. Mascoma
4:00pm CROSS COUNTRY – HOME meet
4:00pm GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER – AWAY vs. Newport
5:00pm VOLLEYBALL JV – AWAY vs Plymouth
6:00pm BOYS VARSITY SOCCER – HOME vs. Mascoma
6:00pm VOLLEYBALL VARSITY – AWAY vs Plymouth
7:00pm FOOTBALL – AWAY @ Raymond
That’s just one week. You can view the Athletic Schedule and game results online at: http://www.sau60.org. (Select Fall Mountain High School and then click on Athletics.)
PLANNING BOARD
TOWN OF WALPOLE, NH 03608
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Walpole Planning Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. A Public Hearing that was held at the July 9, 2013, meeting on theproposed “Changes and Alterations In An Approved Site Plan” was continued to the August 13, 2013, meeting, when a motion was made to seek legal advice on the Amendment. This motion was approved and the Public Hearing was continued to the September 10, 2013, meeting. Following is the proposed Amendment with recommended revisions from legal counsel. After this Public Hearing, if adopted, the Amendment will be added to the Site Plan Review to Section 6 as “C”.
Changes and Alterations In An Approved Site Plan; Revision Based On Attorney Review.
“If at any time before or during the construction of the Site Plan, unforeseen conditions make it necessary or desirable for the applicant to modify the location or design of any of the required work or previously submitted plans, the Planning Board may, after a duly noticed public hearing with notice to abutters and general public, authorize such modifications providing such modifications comply with all regulations and requirements of the Site Plan Review Regulation.
The applicant shall submit revised documentation for review by the Planning Board. The Planning Board may elect to waive certain site plan and/or documentation requirements based on the nature of the changes being submitted providing that the amendment meets the criteria listed in RSA 674:44 III (e).”
All interested parties are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend you may respond in writing to the Walpole Planning Board, PO Box 729, Walpole, NH 03608 prior to the meeting. Final action on the proposed Amendment may be taken by the Board following the Public Hearing. If final action is delayed or the Public Hearing continued, the Amendment would remain on the Agenda for the following regular monthly meeting or until a decision is reached, without further notice. The Agenda and Minutes of meetings are posted at the Town Hall, Burdick’s Market and website: www.walpolenh.us.
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
AUGUST 22, 2013
Selectboard Present: Jamie Teague (Chair); Chas Street; (Absent: Whitney Aldrich)
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Teague called the meeting to order at 6:12 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with eight people present in the audience.
These are unapproved Minutes.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
MR. STEVE DALESSIO – Land Use Study Committee: Mr. Dalessio had submitted an email to the Selectboard to explain why this committee has not moved forward. The recent change in zoning with regards to water protection has two important land use ordinances under review and updating by their respective owners, Zoning and Well Head Protection. It seemed like it would be an overload to have this committee going on at the same time. Some of the people that are involved in these updates also volunteered to be on the Land Use Study Committee. It was to be a cooperative effort. He hopes that the committee will start in October.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT (ZBA) – Myra Mansouri and Ernie Vose: Mrs. Mansouri reported that the ZBA is in the process of updating their ordinances. During the meeting last night, they went over everything to make sure that what was passed from 2005 is in there. Ms. Blaine will be incorporating the revisions into the existing ordinances. They are also working on some of the street names that they no longer have such as Hitchcock Road as it is now Alstead Center Road.
Mrs. Mansouri asked why the ZBA meetings now have to be held in the downstairs office. Mrs. Teague noted that the Boards have been meeting down there for quite some time. That decision was made mostly for winter meetings to avoid heating the large room. Mrs. Mansouri said the ZBA and Planning Board (PB) were still meeting upstairs. She wrote a letter to the Selectpersons, dated August 22, 2013, that she read at this meeting and requested that a copy of the letter be published with the Minutes. The public must have easy access. It is difficult for the ZBA members to bring the tables and chairs from the basement to the upstairs meeting room. Mrs. Clough stated that the tables and new chairs are on dollies. Some items have disappeared so they are taking precautions to put a stop to this. The capacity for the downstairs office is for 28 people. Mr. Vose thought the change of meeting space might be because of the heat so they can work around that. Mrs. LeClerc stated that the Conservation Commission also meets in the downstairs office and they lost a secretary because of the mold and dampness. Mr. Dalessio said when people make presentations it is awkward in the downstairs office; it is difficult to see plans on the easel. Mrs. Teague advised that the Selectboard will take this under advisement when a full Board is present and they will check on the scheduling.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Street moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations. Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 6:29 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 7:08 PM. No announcements were made.
RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Street moved to recess the Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a Non-Public Session as the Hooper Trustees pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property. Mrs. Teague seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)
Mrs. Teague called the recessed Selectboard meeting back to order at 7:20 PM.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Street moved to enter into a Non-Public Session #2 pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (b) Hiring. Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 7:21 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 7:35 PM. No announcements were made.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Street moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest for checks dated August 23, 2013, in the amount of $66,974.51. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
PAYROLL:
Mr. Street moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending August 17, 2013, for checks dated August 23, 2013, in the amount of $21,572.17. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Street moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,861.80. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
SELECTBOARD MEETING – August 15, 2013: Mr. Street moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of August 15, 2013, as submitted. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – August 15, 2013: Mr. Street moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 15, 2013, as submitted. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of Minutes from the following meetings:
Planning Board – August 13, 2013;
North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – August 20, 2013; and
North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – August 13, 2013.
BUILDING PERMIT:
RUDEK, Potato Barn Lane, Map & Lot #024-006-000: Mr. Street moved to approve Building Permit No. 2013-24 for Steve Rudek to do “Renovations to the Existing Building” located at 42 Potato Barn Lane. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Street moved to recess the Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 7:47 PM.
SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)
Mrs. Teague called the recessed Selectboard meeting back to order at 7:54 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Street moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 7:56 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
\
The Walpolean 
Recent Comments