At the Wednesday selectmen’s meeting, a contractor working for Eversource came before the selectmen with information on what is being proposed for lighting changes at Town Hall. The contractor, Carl, of EMC explained that he proposed changing the indoor lighting to more energy efficient fluorescents and LED lighting outside. He said that inside the building, lights are used too little to use expensive LED lighting. He said the town would save approximately 3700 kilowatt hours/$790 per year by making these suggested changes. Maintenance would also be a savings. He also suggested the town could pay their half of the total cost of $3194.25 upfront with Eversource paying the other half. Under those conditions, it would take just over a year to see the payback of the project. Or, the town could choose to pay off their portion monthly. A representative from Eversource will be at next week’s meeting to discuss the issue further. In the meantime, the selectmen will look for a possible grant from USDA to offset the cost. Once the selectmen decide how they wish to go forth with the payment, the job can be done within a month. In another matter, Kelly Robitaille motioned to amend a decision made in October, 2014 regarding how selectmen’s minutes could be changed. After discussion, the selectmen voted 2 to 1 to allow that changes to minutes not be limited to a written declaration. Jack Rose reported that the Conservation Committee is looking for help from Pete Holmes on clearing the lower fields in the Albany Forest. Cathy Ryan explained that after reading over paperwork on the Hazard Mitigation Plan she understood that the $2000 cost would be worked off with the time people invested in the plan. Jack reported that he was unable to join the DOT representatives on Friday when they came to oversee the test rumble strips being put down along the newly paved Route 16, but the trial work has been done. Sara Knox went along with the group as she is doing freelance newspaper work and learned a great deal from the experience. Now all will watch to see if the strips work since they were played shallower than normally done. How this will be assessed is a question though.
Colleen Cormack reported to the town office that some ten or more bags of recyclables and trash were dumped in Wildwood earlier this week. Animals had gotten into the trash and spread it around. She thinks it must have been dumped by someone who knows the area and is posting on Facebook asking anyone who knows who might have done the dumping call town hall with the name. Not only is this dumping unhealthy, it could also be a danger in that it attracts wild animals.
World Fellowship: The 75th Summer Season opens June 25. On Friday, June 26 Andy Davis will be entertaining with his storytelling. Don’t miss this. Check out Jonathan Moller’s Photography of Resistance at 7:30pm on June 28.
Gibson Center: Today is Father’s Day and Chef Rick has prepared a special meal. Join friends and check out Jackson Art in Bloom on Saturday. On Wednesday, June 24 Caregivers are offering first dibs on a free Zero Balance massage session after lunch. Call 356-3231 to reserve your place for the June 26 Greek Festival trip.
Library: At 6pm on Monday Part III of the Food Film Festival-The Lunchbox will be shown. Tuesday at 10:30am it’s Story Time for Twos and Wednesday at 10:30am it’s Story Time for Babies and Toddlers. At 4pm check out Animal Heroes. On Thursday at 10am sign up for the Summer Reading program. At 10:30am that day it’s Story Time for Ages Three and Up. At 4pm check out Gardening at the Library.
Happy Father’s Day to all dads. Dads ride FREE on the Conway Scenic Railway on Sunday.
Congratulations to Waldorf School Alumni/Kennett High School student Fiona Davis-Walsh for her academic achievements in German II, World Cultures, and Best Writer/Freshman English.
Condolences to Bernadine DuBois on the death of her sister, Joan Perish. Joan died last week.
If you’re a sports enthusiast, HomeRun Sports Training Center on Hobbs Street is offering professional instruction to improve sports skills for all ages. Call 447-2000 for more information.
The Rozie May Animal alliance is holding a pet food drive on June 26 from 2 to 6pm at Hannafords in North Conway. This in conjunction with the area food pantry is a way of keeping families and their pets together. Pets need food as well as their masters. You can drop unopened packages of food off at Hannafords. If you have questions, call 273-7243.
The winner of the Center Lovell Inn has been announced. Prince and Rose Adams’ family from St. John in the Virgin Islands (by way of New York City) are the winners. They plan to open the inn on July 10. You might want to stop by and welcome them.
Looking forward to a lovely Father’s Day weekend. Have a great week!