Tuesday was primary day and there was a great deal of enthusiasm engendered. Thirty seven new voters turned up to vote. Three hundred and two voters came to the polls in all, which is almost 50% of the total number of people who live in Albany. The breakdown is as follows. There were 139 people that voted for Republicans in the following order: Trump 54, Kasich 24, Bush 19, Rubio 15, Cruz 13, Christie 6, Fiorina 6, Paul 1 and Witz 1. There were 163 votes on the Democratic side with Sanders getting 107 votes, Clinton getting 53 votes and one vote each to Lovitt, Schwass, and Supreme.
The Wednesday selectmen’s meeting was a public hearing on the proposed budget and the Warrant Articles to be presented at the March 8 Town Meeting. The municipal budget is up $12,328 this year as compared to last year. Questions arose regarding several budget items and warrant articles. The answers and discussions can be seen by going to albanytownmeetings.com.
Rob Nadler reported on a discussion the Conservation Committee had with the Forest Service regarding the controlled burning of fields. According to the Forest Service there were areas that a burn could help. It was suggested that a grant could be available to help with pay for this burn. Cathy Ryan will look into this through the Hazardous Mitigation group.
Town offices will be closed on Monday, February 15 in observance of President’s Day. Please plan accordingly.
The Planning Board is still in search of a new board secretary. There is compensation for this position. You can find the job description and salary at town hall or watch for the ad that will be in this paper.
There is a need for more members for the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) group. Those interested in working to move Albany forward, please contact Kathy Vizard (447-6038) at town hall to leave your name.
Gibson Center: The Center is closed on Monday for President’s Day. On Tuesday at 10 a.m. Bobbi Broemme RN leads the exercise class (Strength, Balance, & Stretch). If you are not yet attending this program, call 356-3132 to sign up for the class. Alexandra Perry speaks very highly of this program and Tai Chi. Both have allowed her to improve her health and helped her to recover from nagging aches and pains she had been suffering. She suggests that others should look into these programs. On Wednesday at 9 a.m. join the Belly Dance Class which is fun and a great way to improve your core musculature. Again, call to sign up for the class. Also on Wednesday at 10 a.m. there’s Mahjong. After lunch it’s Game Day and a Care for the Caregiver meeting. Thursday at 12:30 p.m. join friends for games, music, and fun. On Friday at 12:30 p.m. a group from the Mount Washington Valley Arts Association will meet with people interested in art.
Library: The library is closed on Monday. Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. it’s Story Time for Twos. At 2 p.m. Tina Craig and Tessa Narducci will present Visualizing Your Goals and Dreams. They invite all teens and adults to join in the discussion being held in the Ham Community Room. At 6 p.m. check out the Documentary: “The Missing Picture”. On Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. it’s Story Time for Wee Ones and at 4:30 p.m. there is Robotics. On Thursday there’s Story Time for Threes and Fours at 10:30 a.m. The Book Group with Starting Point meets at 6 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. there’s Pajama Story Time with Tara.
UNH Extension: Join the 4-H Pins-N-Needles Club and work with them on their Upcycling Project. Upcycling is the process of turning useless or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or better environmental value. For more information you can reach club leader Jennifer Mashiak at jmashiak@gmail.com. On Saturday, March 5 at the Sandwich Fire Station, Carroll County 4-H is partnering with Mush Mellow Adventures to offer a fun and educational dog sledding program. This is open to all youth 8 years and older. No pets are permitted to this event. There is a $10 fee. For more information contact Amanda Royce at 447-3834. Registration deadline is February 22.
Got some items to sell? Bartlett Elementary School will hold an indoor yard sale on Saturday, February 13. You can sell your own items (cost is $10 for the space) or they will sell your item and add them to the sale. Drop off is February 12. Please no tv’s, computers, mattresses, car seats or clothing. Call Bartlett Recreation Department for more information at 374-1952.
Condolences to the family of Plummer “Plum” Ezra Potter Jr. who died on February 9. A celebration of life will be held in the spring. To send a personal message of condolence, go to www.furberandwhite.com.
Due to an accident Wednesday morning 23 year old Garid Hounsell died after falling through the ice on Pequawket Pond. Condolences to the Hounsell family.
Now that the primary is behind us, there is time to get out to enjoy ourselves. Have a great week!