The Walpolean

These minutes from the Walpole Conservation Commission were forwarded from Janet Clough today.  Thank you, Janet.  – Lil

Minutes
For the regular meeting of the
Walpole Conservation Commission
Monday, July 1, 2013

Present: Tom Beaudry, Chas Street (SelectBoard representative), Gary Speed, Lewis Shelley, Duncan Watson
Not Present: Jane Worley, Sheldon Sawyer, Peter Palmiotto (alt.), Myra Mansouri (alt.)
Mr. Beaudry, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.

Minutes:
Mr. Beaudry reviewed the minutes of the last meeting for the members who were not present in June. Mr. Speed moved to approve the minutes of June 3, 2013, as presented. Mr. Shelley seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
Non-Public session:
No alternates needed seating.
There is no report about the Treasury or Budget.
Public session:
Correspondence:
1. Connecticut River Joint Commission had a field trip 6/24
2. Culverts Project workshop: 9/18 – 9/21 in Greenfield, NH
3. Monadnock Conservancy Newsletter
4. Trust for Public Lands 40th Anniversary Gala; dinner & cocktails 9/17 in NY
Old Business
1. Ballam Farms Easement Monitoring – Mr. Speed reports it is complete and the forms for last year and this year have been submitted. Other members have volunteered to complete the monitoring of other easements.
2. Current use issues still waiting for information from S. Smith, Town Clerk
3. Monadnock Conservancy dues are requested. Mr. Watson moved to pay $200 for sustaining membership. Mr. Speed seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
4. Derry Hill Road – 70 acres were clear cut and a good job was done. However, the road in and out was heavily damaged, as well as damage to the stone walls lining the road and along personal property, wetlands were impacted. Conversations have been held with abutting landowners, State Forest Ranger, and the State Forester.
5. No report from Two Rivers subcommittee as Ms. Worley is not present.
New Business
1. Rail Trail Great Brook stone culvert/Hall’s Crossing north – the State cleared the trees on top of the culvert, both sides. Further up, they have created 2 substantial roads for purposes of repair to the culvert. The State has the right of way of 125’ either side of the railroad. Concerns are that there is a fire pit with people hanging out but no one monitoring.
2. DES Wetlands bureau sent a Notification of Routine Roadway and Railway Maintenance Activities. They intend to replace the damaged stone box culvert (2X2) with a 36” PVC culvert and install rock lined inlet and outlet ditches.
3. SCA trail training – 860-900’ of trail was cleared from the pole barn to the picnic shelter up and around onto the knob behind there in a loop. They did not do the bridge on Mill Pond; the bike group in town is willing to volunteer to replace it.
4. Letter from Doris Barrett trustee of the Gordon H & Dorothy J Fletcher Trust – woodlot that abuts the Fanny Mason Forest is still available for sale. It is 3.6 acres of mixed hardwoods. Survey is available. Its value for the town is $6,100 but is offered for $4,000. Completely landlocked but shares 445’ of common boundary with FM Forest. Mr. Shelley moved that Mr. Beaudry approach the FM Trust to go forward with the purchase of this property. Mr. Watson seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
5. Kim Lewis has been appointed to a 3 year term to the Cold River Advisory Committee.
Mr. Speed moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8: 26 PM. Mr. Watson seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
Mr. Watson moved that the meeting be reopened. Mr. Speed seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
Mr. Street strongly suggested that recommendations for new members be submitted to the Selectboard. Mr. Shelley nominated Seth Andrews to a 1 year membership and Alicia Flammia to a 3 year membership.
Mr. Watson moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8: 31 PM. Mr. Shelley seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
The next meeting will be Monday, August 5, 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Heleen, Recording Secretary
NOTE: These are unapproved minutes with corrections to be found in the minutes of the next meeting.

I am sorry that is was away and did not get this message from Juliana Stevens posted in a more timely fashion.  There’s only a couple of days left now. My apologies. – Lil

Only a few more days remain for the Alstead’s Sestercentennial Art Show at the Shedd-Porter Library. This town-wide exhibit celebrates the talent and expression of Alstead artists, from emerging closet painters to established pros. It includes a section devoted to work of artists of the past, most notably, Marion Nicholl Rawson, artist, writer and historian. The show may be seen during library hours (Wednesdays, 11-5; Thursdays, 11-7; Fridays, 11-5; Saturdays, 9-noon) through August 1.

This graphic that I received from Andrea Goins seems to say it all but she went on to explain that she especially love the collection of old store and business letterheads and bills of sale that have the most charming typography. Christie Winmill deciphered beautiful Spencerian script from old store ledgers and pharmacy prescription books, and those are also on display. Thanks to Carol and Ed Reardon, a terrific collection of artifacts from the old C.C. Davis Drug Store are on loan for the display. There’s a lot to see and learn about early commerce, and we hope folks will stop by and have a look into their history!

Fran Imhoff wants everyone to know about a new tradition that is being held at Alyson’s Orchard.

On Sunday, August 4, the first annual Amateur BBQ Pulled Pork Competition will be held at Alyson’s Orchard from 11AM – 3 PM.  This fun, summer event is sponsored by Alyson’s Orchard, The Pit Stop Smokehouse and J & H Hardware.  There is no entry fee for participants, but you must supply 10 lbs. of pulled pork that has been cooked over wood or charcoal, for sampling.  Your sauce must be made using fresh peaches from Alyson’s Orchard.  Call 603-756-9800 or email info@alysonsorchard.com for details.

They are offering three amazing prizes for the winners of the People’s Choice Award:

First Prize is a weekend at Alyson’s Rochambeau Lodge for up to 18 people with a Saturday night BBQ dinner provided by The Pit Stop Smokehouse…a $2,000 value.

Second Prize is a new gas grill compliments of J & H Hardware of Bellows Falls, along with a bag of Apple Wood Smokin’ Chips and a grill set…a $300 value.

Finally, Third Prize will be gift certificates from the Pit Stop and Alyson’s, along with a jug of Maple Syrup from Stuart & John’s…a $75 value.

The public is welcome to sample the pulled pork and vote for the People’s Choice Award.  There is no admission charge for this event, but anyone who wants to sample must bring either one non-perishable food item to donate, or make a small cash contribution to benefit the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.   There will also be BBQ food for sale to the public from the Pit Stop Smokehouse, and a Beer & Soft Drink Tent to compliment the BBQ.

Other activities that day will include:  Alyson’s farm stand store will be open with fresh, local products and fresh picked peaches & blueberries — you can also PYO blueberries;  antique cars and trucks will be on display; face painting;  free wagon rides through the orchard; wine and cheese tastings;  children’s playground, lawn games for kids of all ages, and visit their new baby goats!  Bring your cameras and check out their new Gina the Giraffe Grow Chart and Awesome Apple photo-op.

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a beautiful day at the Orchard.  The BBQ event will run from 11AM-3PM and their farm store will now be open from 10AM – 6PM daily, for the season.  Don’t forget to bring home one of their famous apple pies or chicken pot pies!

Jeanne Jeffries asked me to remind everyone that:

The Walpole Seniors will meet for potluck lunch at the Congregational
Church on the Walpole Common at noon on Monday, August 19, 2013.
Everyone is asked to bring a contribution for the Fall Mountain Food
Shelf. Bring a dish to share. All Walpole Seniors are welcome. Come
for fun and good socialization. Trip Planning information will be
available.

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.

**************************************

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.”

Even though this may be a “scoop” on The Clarion, I don’t feel bad including this post because it came to me from Joy Nalevanko via Barbara Kasper.  Given Barbara’s excellent work with The Clarion I dthought she must be comfortable allowing me to say, “You saw it first in The Walpolean.” – Lil

Grease paint and curtain calls…these elements of theater and Alstead history have been melded into a two act play written and directed by Marilou Blaine. “All Stayed in Alstead” will be presented for two nights, August 8th and 9th beginning at 7:00 pm at the 3rd Congregational Church in the Village.

The play’s span of time is between the signing of Alstead’s charter in 1763 and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War in 1776 and follows several families of our first settles through their hardships, fears and triumphs. From the beginnings in an unsettled land to notable homes of Alstead, to prison, to Boston and finally to the former home of Simon Baxter, the story of Alstead’s beginning unfolds.

The characters are brought to life by notable thespians of Alstead. Colleen Heidorn portrays Sarah Cady in the story of the little lost boy; Aiden Jasmin is the British officer who explains the responsibilities of the charter to the new land-owners. Others appearing are Dan Hall as Captain Benjamin Bellows, Joyce Campbell as John Burroughs, Steve Blake as Samuel Chase, Dennis Molesky as the infamous Tory, Simon Baxter, Ellen Chase as his wife Prudence and John Mann as Judge Wyman. Not to be left out are Donna Sabin, Jackie Walker and Julie Stevens as narrators.

This promises to be an enlightening experience for all ages. The performances are free, there will be one intermission with refreshments.

I was so taken by the poster for the Historical Society Golf Tournament, that I missed some if the information Donna Drouin had forwarded!  When I said you should register soon I realized I couldn’t tell anyone how to do that.  I contacted Donna and she gave me the following ways. – Lil

If you want to register or are just looking for more information, you should call 603-756-3449 or see the following website: www.walpolehistory.org/golf.aspx 

No excuses now, unless, like me, you don’t play golf!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be presented for the Sixth time by The Walpole Players on December 11-14, 2013, at the Helen Miller Theater, Walpole Town Hall in Walpole, NH. The four performances will again be held for the benefit of local area foodshelves.

Auditions will be held Thursday and Friday, November 7th and 8th with rehearsals beginning on Sunday November 10th. Rehearsals are on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Production week we rehearse Sunday, full-dress on Tuesday, and then the performances are on Wednesday through Saturday. Thus, from start to end is five weeks.

If you would like to join us this year, please email: rayboas@comcast.net As time approaches you will be provided full details.

Thank you, Ray and Tara

This poster from Donna Drouin and the Walpole Historical Society says it all.  How could I possible embellish it? – Lil

August 3rd is coming faster than we think – or at least, would like to think.  Better sign up today!