The Walpolean

Remember when you were asked to fill out a survey to provide feedback to the Walpole Library?  Well, they listened.  Jennifer Kelley forwarded this announcement today.  Thank you Lyn Cooke and everyone else who worked so hard to gather the information, and thank you especially, for following through on what you heard. – Lil

The Walpole Library’s survey last March revealed that patrons wanted more a consistent, predictable schedule, as well as additional hours in the evening.

To respond, the Library has fine-tuned its schedule, so that it is open every day, Monday through Friday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as evenings, Monday and Wednesday until 8 p.m.  As before, the library is open on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and Saturdays, 9 to 1 p.m.

The library is trying out the new hours from now until the end of the year. A small surplus in the budget for salaries allows for the extended schedule without additional funds from the town. Librarian Mary Farrell is monitoring usage during the new hours and will make adjustments as necessary in her plans for next year’s schedule and budget.

“Our Monday evening hours have been very popular, and we are getting more and more people coming in between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. as well,” said Farrell.  “We hope that the additional hours on Wednesday will bring in even more people who can’t visit during the day.”

Because of budget constraints and the varying needs of patrons, the library cannot be open for the same hours on all days; however, the new schedule ensures that the doors will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every weekday.

Here is a complete list of the opening hours for the Bridge Memorial Library on Main Street:

Monday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m. to Noon; 1 p.m to 6 p.m.

Thursday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Still confused? In addition, the library has purchased a colorful banner that will fly from the front porch whenever the library is open.

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase from your child, your grandchild, or a child you are teaching and/or caring for.  If so, you are invited to hear this nationally know speaker.  Thanks to Tammy Vittum, chairman of the Fall Mountain School District Professional Development Committee, arrangements have been made for her to speak to the public at large on Thursday night and the district staff on Friday. – Lil 

On Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Fall Mountain Regional High School, the district will host Dr. Jane Bluestein who will present “You Can’t Make Me” – using boundaries to build responsibility, cooperation, and mutual respect.

This free program is applicable to kids of all ages, with strategies for parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators. A dynamic and entertaining speaker, Dr. Bluestein has worked with thousands of educators, counselors, healthcare professionals, parents, childcare workers, and other community members world-wide. She has appeared internationally as a speaker and talk-show guest, including several appearances as a guest expert on CNN, National Public Radio and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Dr. Bluestein’s books as well as other resources will be available for purchase at the time of her presentation.

If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Vittum at tvittum@sau60.org.

Michael Haslam Wanted everyone to know about this opportunity to see what is happening at the Community Gardens behind Hooper. – Lil

The Walpole Community Garden will be holding an Open House this Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Rain date Sunday.)  All are invited to come and stroll around the garden and share in its communal pleasures.  Plot-holders will be on hand to chat and talk about the principles and practice of community gardening.  As well as organically feeding its own plot-holders throughout the year, the Garden contributes to the local community by providing fresh produce to food banks throughout the area.

There will be a demonstration of the labor-saving “no till” method of plot-making and soil-building, and a chance to witness the construction of a gravity-feed water tank — or visitors can just wander around and enjoy the garden and its beautiful setting.

Started just a few years ago, the Garden is still expanding and still evolving.  This year an apple orchard has been planted, with 5 different varieties, including Thomas Jefferson’s favorite, “Esopus Spitzenburg”, and “Rambour Franc”, circa 1535.  Each “host” tree benefits from surrounding “plant guilds”, demonstrating Permaculture concepts.

Parents can come with their kids and introduce them to the healthful joys of growing their own peas, tomatoes, beans, raspberries—and so much more!  The Community Garden is located behind the Hooper Institute opposite the Hooper Golf Course up Prospect Hill. There is parking at the Hooper Institute or in the garden’s small parking area just beyond. For more information call Michael Haslam, 360-739-5626.

The news speaks for itself.  I can add no more! – Lil

Hello from Sonoma, California! We’ve reached our new home and, while it
doesn’t quite feel like home yet, friendly, helpful neighbors and
townspeople have already made us feel like more than just visitors!

Driving all the way across the country was a great experience! We had good
weather and many enjoyable experiences with people we met along the way. We
connected with old friends in Montreal and Chicago, and we enjoyed seeing
the Midwest so green and growing, the Great Plains, the Rockies, the Great
Salt Lake (and related salt flats) and the Sierras.

We’ve already seen both of our children–and their children–multiple times,
and we are picking up our grandson Jasper after day camp in Mill Valley, CA
today for the second time this week.

Sonoma is bustling with summer tourists, and Peets Coffee opened a nice new
store on Monday about 10 minutes walk from our house! Very thoughtful of
them! It may become Chuck’s new downtown office!

While we are very stimulated by our new surroundings, we also miss our
friends in Walpole and are eager to get your news. Please make note of our
contact information below and keep in touch using the phone numbers, Skype
and G-Mail addresses below.

With warm regards, Chuck and Sue Bingaman

438 Chase Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
(Chuck) 603-313-0500 or (Sue) 603-313-1511
(Chuck) bing390@gmail.com
(Sue) slbingaman@gmail.com
Skype: bing390

Gale Davis wanted me to remind everyone that this Sunday is Cruise Night. – Lil

The Real Twist Soft Serve Ice Cream stand in Walpole, NH will hold its next Classic Car Cruise Night, weather permitting, on Sunday, July 14th, from 5 till dark. Here’s a chance for the whole family to enjoy a Sunday evening looking at old and antique cars, while enjoying a soft serve ice cream or frozen yogurt.  There will be live music by Doc Vinnie Dibernardo (vet on-call duties permitting). Anyone who brings his classic car to show will get a free regular sized sundae. Everyone visiting can get free jimmies, diptop or flavorburst with any cup or cone. Make sure to enter the drawing for gift certificates to the Real Twist or Real to Reel!

The Real Twist is located next to Real to Reel Video at the North Meadow Plaza in Walpole. It is open noon – 9:00 PM, seven days a week. Enjoy your ice cream outside, in the lovely garden, or under the porch.

Future 2013 Season Cruise Nights are scheduled for  August 11^th ,  and September 1^st . See you there!

Just had a nice chat with the new coach of the Fall Mountain Cheerleading Team, Chris Fecteau.  His goal for the team is have them more visible in our communities as well as getting more fans out to the games. In the final analysis he hopes to have more people supporting our home teams. – Lil

At the end of the month, the team will be attending a cheerleading camp at Dennison College.  To do this they are working on fundraising and holding a CAR WASH this Saturday at the Fire Station in Walpole from 11:00 to 3:00.  Cost of the car wash is by donation.  Chris also said that other students, including incoming freshman, who might be interested in becoming part of this new team, they should be sure they look him up at the car wash so he can give them more information.  His enthusiasm might even convince me to attend! :-)

While he didn’t want this to spotlight the coach, it is pretty nice to note that Chris was part of a national award winning team at Hofstra University.  Nice to have things like that in your resume.

Janet also sent along the minutes from the Workshop Session.  Don’t know what I would do without her but she would probably like to try and find out! – Lil

TOWN OF WALPOLE

PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP SESSION

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Members Present:        Robert Miller (Vice-Chair); James Aldrich, Henry Fletcher

Alternates:                   Steve Dalessio, Jeff White

Others Present:             Elaine Heleen

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. R. Miller called the Workshop Session to order at 7:04 PM in the Walpole Town Hall Downstairs Office.

Town Well Source Protection Ordinance:  Mr. R. Miller, Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Marcom are representing the Planning Board (PB) on the Town Well Source Protection Ordinance Committee.  Mr. R. Miller reported that there have been two meetings to-date with quite a bit of information being provided.  The committee’s next meeting is on July 24^th.  The folks on this committee are committed to protecting the Town water supply.  After they get the verbiage from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) on the Petition, as it was presented and voted upon, the committee will review it and then schedule a Joint Meeting of this committee with the ZBA and PB.  The members discussed the Petition and how they will need to address some proposals that come before them.  Mr. R. Miller felt that all members should have a copy of the “Town Well Source Protection Ordinance” to read therefore copies will be made and distributed at the next regular PB meeting.

Adjournment:  There being no Other Business, Mr. R. Miller declared that this Workshop Session was adjourned.  The time was 7:58 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, will be found in the Minutes of the July 9, 2013, Planning Board meeting.)

cc:  PB, ZBA, WCC, Town Offices, BOS

Posted:  Town Hall Lobby, Burdick’s Market, Walpolean

TOWN OF WALPOLE

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

PO Box 729

Walpole, NH 03608 

AGENDA

MEETING DATE AND LOCATION:

Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall Meeting Room.

Open Meeting:

1.  Roll Call – Designate Alternates;
2. Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting on June 11, 2013, and

Workshop Session on June 25, 2013.

Public Hearings:

1.  Proposed Amendments to the Site Plan Review –

“Changes and Alterations in an Approved Site Plan”

New Business:

1.  Subdivision – One Lot Into Three Lots:  Richard S. Francis, III, Ramsay Hill,

Tax Map #011, Lot # 007-001, Residential/Residential Zone District.

Old Business:

Other Business:

Planning Board:

1.  Workshop Session:  There will be a Workshop Session on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at

7:00 PM in the Town Hall Downstairs Office.

Communications and Miscellaneous:

1.  Handouts, Announcements and Other.

Adjourn Meeting:

cc:  PB, ZBA, WCC, Town Offices, BOS

Posted:  Town Hall Lobby, Outside Bulletin Board, Burdick’s Market

I hate to be the one to repeat gossip, but I understand that Monadnock Berries will be at the Farmer’s Market today, (7/5) for the first time.  With them they are bringing, raspberries, red currants, gooseberries and even a few blueberries.  I heard that they will also have some berry plants for those who wish to start their own.  Better get there early because I plan to! – Lil

Steve Fortier has issued this press release.  The Bingamans continue to have a positive impact on our community and its youth.  Thanks, Chuck and Sue. – Lil

Last month, Meeting Waters YMCA Executive Director Steve Fortier and Walpole Attendance Area Principal Sam Jacobs announced a new partnership between the two organizations. Starting on the first day of the 2013-14 school year, Meeting Waters YMCA’s after-school program, Y-ASPIRE, will serve the youth and families of the three Walpole elementary schools.

Community support was quick to follow. Just before moving to California, Sue and Chuck Bingaman offered their support to MWYMCA Board members Diane Myers-Miller and Antonia Andreoli to help the program get off to a strong start. Together, the four organized a fundraising campaign to secure some seed funding for scholarships and supplies. While that outreach continues, the initial response from the Walpole Foundation, the Bingamans and MWYMCA Board and staff members was so strong, Meeting Waters YMCA’s Board of Directors has decided to use some of the community support to lower program fees.

“New Hampshire’s ‘Child Care Scholarship Program,’ the subsidy program that uses federal dollars to support NH parents in accessing quality child care programs provides significantly less support compared to Vermont’s program,” explains Fortier.  “So, the initiative of Chuck, Sue, Diane and Antonia and the response from the Walpole Foundation and others is essential to us ensuring that all Walpole youth have access to our high-quality after-school program.”

Meeting Waters YMCA has used that support to subsidize a ten-percent discount on the program fees for the Walpole program. “This will leave a very small co-pay for parents on the upper end of the scale of the state Child Care Scholarship Program,” Fortier adds. “It makes the program even more accessible to all parents.”

The Y-ASPIRE program runs from the close of school until 6:15 for each of the 180 school days. It also runs for full days on all school vacations and most holidays, as well as for half-days on teacher in-service and other early release days. In all, the program operates for over 210 days between the first day of school and the last.

Each day of a Y-ASPIRE program includes physical activity and nutritious snack, both of which meet stringent Healthy Eating and Physical Activity national standards; assisted study time and a cooperative group project centered around monthly themes such as Different But the Same; Our Community; and Kindness and Justice. Through various activities, students in Y-ASPIRE develop “life skills” such as cooperation, problem-solving, group decision-making and leadership. They also learn more about themselves, their community and their world. Service learning projects benefit other community agencies as well as the ASPIRE participants. Monthly family events focus on family strengthening and health.

The new program in Walpole will be based in the multi-purpose room at Walpole Primary School. Bussing will be provided from North Walpole School and Y-ASPIRE staff will walk Walpole Elementary students to the Primary School each day.

For more information about Y-ASPIRE, visit http://www.meetingwatersymca.org or call their main office at (802) 463-4769.

Founded in 1895, Meeting Waters YMCA is a charitable (501-c-3), social service organization serving the Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Springfield and Fall Mountain regions. It strengthens the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, social responsibility and family strengthening.