Due to business stresses, Rob Nadler has tendered his resignation from the Board of Selectmen effective December 1. Also, Josephine Howland has resigned from the Planning Board.
At the November 19 meeting of the selectmen a controversial statement made at the August 13 Planning Board meeting by Rick Hiland was discussed and amended. It appears that Rick erred in stating that Chairman Mike Helmers had said the Planning Board did not have to listen to the public. It was in fact, Josephine Howland, Vice-Chair of the Planning Board who made that statement as was recorded later in the October 15 Planning Board minutes. Rick offered his apology to Mike for the error and Mike accepted. To read the minutes of the selectmen’s meeting, go to albanynh.com.
The tax rate for Albany has been set at $12.77 per $1000 of assessed valuation. To lower the tax rate for Albany taxpayers the selectmen agreed to use $150,000 of the unreserved fund balance. Your tax bills should have arrived by now. Payment is due by December 22 or there will be a 12% late charge.
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to think about Christmas. The annual children’s Christmas party will be held at town hall on December 13 from 9:30 am to noon. And of course, Santa is expected to make his appearance. All Albany families are welcome as are their extended families.
Gibson Center: On Mondays there are Chair Exercises at 10:30 am and you can choose either FunDay or Yoga at 12:30 pm. On Tuesdays it’s Strength, Balance & Stretch at 10am. Wednesday from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm there’s Wii. At 12:30 pm it’s Game Day or Care for the Caregiver. Thursdays at 9 am try Belly Dancing. At noon you can get Medicare Counseling. Don’t forget the first Thursday of the month it’s Bingo! Friday, December 5 is the day before Saint Nicholas Day. There will be tasty door prizes and a holiday raffle. After lunch get together with friends and make a wreath for the holidays. Call 356-3231 to sign up for this project. On Saturday get picked up for the Christmas Parade. Call to sign up.
Library: On December 1 at 10:30am it’s session 5 of Family Place. On December 2 at 6:30pm come and enjoy The Pucckerbrush Holiday Concert.
UNH Extension: There’s a new 4-H Sewing Club starting in December. The first meeting is December 5 from 6-7:30 pm at the Tamworth Library. For the farmers, USDA, Risk Management Agency is sponsoring a workshop “Practical Approaches to Improving Soil Health” on December 10. It will be held at the Common Man Inn in Plymouth. For more information or to pre-register call Carl Majewski at 352-4550. If you are interested in the Nutrition Connections free program at qualifying schools call Joy Gagnon at 447-3834.
Tracy Mathieu, Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice scheduler, made the local papers as part of the agency’s food drive to benefit local food pantries. This is their part to celebrate National Home Care Month. The public is invited to participate in the program.
Darby Field will be participating in this year’s Inn to Inn Cookie Tour December 13 and 14. Put this fun event on your calendar. And as an added attraction, the exhibiting artists at Darby Field are reducing prices of their artwork for the event.
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for heat, the Fuel Assistance Program may be able to provide some relief. Contact Tri-Community in Chocorua to see if you qualify.
The Forest Service is once again offering New Hampshire residents the ability to cut their own Christmas tree. You must stop by the Saco River Forest Office for a permit though.
Mary and I hope everyone has had a perfectly wonderful Thanksgiving! Have a great week as well!