The Walpolean

The Walpole Police Committee meeting has been changed to August 14,2023 at 7:00 pm in the Selectboard office.

From Ray:

I was hoping to have your August CLARION in the mail this afternoon, but with vacation schedules my printer was running a few hours behind. So, tomorrow the hard-copy will be at the Post Offices for delivery to you, but tonight I can give you the link to read the August issue on-line. 

To see the August CLARION – Click this Link – or on the front page below. Stay safe and well, and enjoy the remainder of your summer — yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Good morning, neighbors!

As the skies clear, please continue to be careful with water recreation.  

Water levels and conditions can still change rapidly, and water quality can still be compromised, not to mention unseen debris in still-turbid water.

This post is taken from the Bellows Falls Fire Department post on Facebook on Friday, July 21.  The advisory is from Great River Hydro, about the operation of the dam.

“IMPORTANT ADVISORY: As part of our successful flood control response during the historic rain event on July 10, 2023, Great River Hydro (GRH) raised the stanchion flashboards at our Bellows Falls dam on the Connecticut River in accordance with the dam’s design, its operating procedures, and its FERC license.

With the floodwaters receding, GRH is now preparing to reset the stanchions and restore the flashboards to their normal operating positions. The restoration project will involve drawing down the impoundment upstream of Bellows Falls dam for a brief period to accomplish the work. 

As soon as early next week (dependent upon when optimal flow conditions can be reached), GRH will slowly lower the impoundment, conduct the necessary work, and then gradually refill the impoundment to normal operating levels. The entire process will take approximately 3 days. We will communicate with you again when the drawdown is set to begin.

During the drawdown, visitors to Connecticut River will see exposed riparian areas upstream of Bellows Falls dam, most visible closest to the Bellows Falls dam. We are taking every measure to mitigate, to the extent possible, risks and impact to environmental resources in and adjacent to the Connecticut River.

All recreational use of the river is strongly discouraged during the drawdown period as reduced flows may expose previously submerged hazards and dangerous quagmire conditions could exist in exposed flats. Recreational boating upstream of Bellows Falls Dam will continue to be discouraged after the impoundment is re-filled until GRH can fully restore all public safety measures. Boat ramps at the following locations remain temporarily closed for public safety purposes: Herricks Cove (Rockingham, VT), Charlestown (Charlestown, NH), and Pine Street (North Walpole, NH). Further updates will be provided as soon as possible. 

The public may contact Great River Hydro at communications@greatriverhydro.com or (802) 291-8104”

I’m hoping it dries out enough so I can mow my lawn for the  second time this summer.

Lucy

Friday, August 11 at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church on the Common in Walpole.
The concert is free with donations accepted to benefit the church.
The chorus includes singers from a number of northeast states. The performance will include a wide variety of music which includes musical theater, pop, patriotic, glee club and spiritual selections.

Friends of the Walpole Library

Preparations for our annual Book Sale are in full swing. The Friends of the Library Book Sale will take place at the Walpole School gym on the weekend of October 27 – 29.

We are currently looking for community help with the following:

Book Donations at the Chicken Coop (behind the Hungry Diner)

Wednesday, August 16 and 23, 10:00 am to noon
Thursday, August 17 and 24, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Please no textbooks, encyclopedias, or travel guides older than 5 years. We can only sell books in excellent conditions, so please no dirty, damaged, moldy or mildewy books.

Book Sorting at the Chicken Coop

Every Wednesday morning, 10:30 to 11:30
Every Thursday afternoon, 4:00 to 5:00

Also note that our plant sale at the Reuse Center in ongoing. We are currently focusing primarily on house plants and perennials.
We are very grateful for all of your help! Please call 603-439-7778 with any questions.

Tonight’s band concert featuring The Temple Bank will be in the Town Hall due to weather concerns. The concert starts at 6:30 PM.

The Congregational Church will be hosting a pie sale. As usual, the Scouts will be selling hot dogs, cold drinks, etc.

Chairs will be provided.

***Town of Walpole Water Department Emergency Notification Update***

Walpole Water system has returned to normal operations as of 11:54am today.  Both wells are back online and the water restriction has been lifted.  Thank you for everyone’s support and assistance during this unusual event.

Mark Houghton

Walpole Water Department’s “River well” located behind Pinnacleview Equipment has been shutdown due to historical flooding associated with the recent rainfall.  Walpole’s second water source is on Watkins Hill and has experienced a catastrophic pump failure.  As we wait for the replacement pump to arrive, we ask that everyone take measures to conserve water at this time.  Please refrain from any outside water usage and use water in your homes sparingly until we can return our wells to normal operation.  We will keep you advised as this event unfolds.

Thank you,

Mark Houghton