Only two selectmen were on duty at the Wednesday meeting as Cathy Ryan was on vacation. Kathy Vizard reported that the road posting signs have been lifted. Other signs (no parking for example) will be replaced, so be careful not to park in these areas so as to avoid a ticket. JoAnne Gayer, Albany’s previous animal control officer, has returned to this area. Hearing this Steve Parker has resigned as of April 30 and the selectmen voted to appoint JoAnne to the position of animal control officer. A letter of thanks will be sent to Steve for taking on the position when he did. Kathy advised the selectmen that the insurance company has issued a check for the repair of the stone wall in front of the Historical Society building. The wall was damaged by a car that swerved into it. The selectmen are looking into a state bill that would prevent a property assessment raise for those homes that have solar, wind or bio-mass.
The selectmen reviewed Fire Chief Solomon’s notice of problems at town hall. Nearly all have been taken care of and most that are still undone will be addressed when the electrician comes. The selectmen have asked for quotes for the cost to add safety exit doors in the meeting room.
Selectman Hiland reported that the Planning Board is working well. Leah Valladares has been elected chair and Kelly Robitaille has been elected vice-chair.
Steve Knox has been appointed to the North Country Council’s Committee on Economic Development Strategy. Steve has also volunteered to be on the Carroll County committee seeking ideas about how to best use the county farm land. He attended a commissioner’s meeting where Andy Kendall, Executive Director of the H.P. Kendall Foundation of Boston, spoke about the need for encouraging farming in New England. According to Mr. Kendall localizing production of farm products will help the economy of the area. Area farming produces about 10% of our needs. Everything else is imported with much coming from California. With the drought there, we could do a much better job feeding ourselves from more local production. The selectmen have asked Steve to make the county aware of the farmland that Albany has in its forested area and how we are using it.
Mia culpa! Apparently the date given for the meeting for Albany business owners to meet with Jac Cuddy was incorrect. At this time there has not been a particular date established. There will be an “On Demand” training session held May 18.
Albany’s 250th birthday celebration meeting went off very well on Friday. Brian Wiggin, a major player in Conway’s 250th celebration joined Steve Knox and other participants and shared some ideas with them. Among these ideas were: publicity for the events, update on town burials, update of 200th anniversary book, pictures of Albany landmarks, cookbooks, children’s events, marking historical locations, colonial picnic, funding. The next meeting is May 12 at 4 p.m. at town hall. Come one, come all. Bring your ideas and pick a project you’d like to work on. Let’s get into the spirit of the event!
Tin Mountain: On May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a program to help people manage their woodlots. It will be held on timberland in East Conway. For further information call 447-6991.
Gibson Center: Sunday is the first May-fest Gibson Center Auction commencing at 5:30 p.m. at the N. Conway Community Center. It features a live auction, silent auction, raffles, entertainment and Rick’s hors d’oeuvres. All funds raised benefits the Meals on Wheels program. Call 356-3231 to reserve your seat. On Monday, May 2 board the bus at 7 a.m. for a trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Call to reserve your seat. Thursday there’s Bingo with players suppling prizes. Friday, in time for Mother’s Day, there will be music, flowers and a special meal.
Library: Join the Mountain View Knitters at 10 a.m. on Monday. At 6 p.m. #6 of the Financial Series: College Planning-Getting There From Here begins. On Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. it’s Story Time for Twos and on Wednesday at the same time it’s Story Time for Wee Ones. At 4 p.m. enjoy Advanced Robotics. Thursday at 10:30 a.m. it’s Story Time for Threes and Fours. At 11 a.m. there’s Yoga for Kids and Caregivers followed at 6 p.m. with an Introduction to 3D Printing.
UNH Ext: Carroll County 4-H members stole the show at the NH 4-H Horse Judging and Hippology Contests. Hippology is a comprehensive horse knowledge event. Of the senior members of the group, one placed first and another placed third overall. There is still time for children 8 and up with their dogs to sign up for a five week 4-H SPIN Program: Understanding Dog Behavior & Canine Good Citizenship; Positive Training Methods; Intro to Rally Skills; Intro to Nose work’ Intro to Agility. Session 1 will start the week of June 20. Space is limited to 8 participants. Call 447-3834.
Kennett High School announced their third quarter honor roll and several Albany youngsters were named. Congratulations to sophomores Fiona Davis-Walsh, Eilidh McKinnon, Riley Steward and Chloe Van Dyne on attaining High Honors. Seniors Nathaniel Emerson, Tessa Greenhalgh earned Honors as did sophomore Lea Rose Thelemarck and Freshmen Ashton Coleman and Ethan Robitaille. Keep up the good work! You make us all proud.
Really folks it is spring. Don’t let a little snow fool you. Enjoy the outdoors and have a great week!