The Nelson School would like to thank all of you who were able to attend as well as our dedicated volunteers: Fallon Smith, Megan Schillemat, Angela Creasey, Lauren Lucas, Marcus Bean, Earl Creasey, Mark Bean, Linda Bean, Charlie Lang, Joy Birdsey, and Vicki Dowley.

Here are the results of voting at Town Meeting. Y = Yes, the article passed. (U) means that it passed unanimously. N means it did not pass. Passed Over means that the town voted not to consider the article.

ARTICLES OF A GENERAL NATURE

1. To choose necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing. (see Election Results)

2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $286,600. Y (U)

to be raised by taxes. This is to defray Town charges for the year ensuing. The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. Y (U)

3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,150 for support of the town library.  (In 2009 the appropriation was $30,329). 
$19,570 to be raised by taxes
$10,580 income from library memorial fund and other sources.  Y (U)

4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,478 for support of social service agencies which provide assistance to Nelson residents.  The agencies chosen to receive funds are:  Home Health Care ($550), Monadnock Family Services ($828), The Keene Community Kitchen, Inc. ($1,500) and Southwestern Community Services ($600). The Selectmen recommend these appropriations.  (In 2009, these same agencies received contributions from the town in the amount of $3426). Y (U)

5. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be added to the Town Buildings Capital Reserve Fund.  No withdrawals may be made from the fund except by vote of the town.  The selectmen recommend this appropriation. The fund balance on 12/31/2009 was $52,954.46.  Selectmen recommend this article. Y (U)

6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 to repair the gate pillars and reset and repair the monuments in Section 1 of the Nelson Cemetery. Y (U)

7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,985 to do a professional audit for this year. This was suggested by the Department of Revenue. Y (U)

8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 to be added to the Milfoil Prevention and Treatment Expendable Trust Fund.  The Selectmen recommend this article.  The fund balance as of 12/31/2009 was $12,334.24. Y (U)

9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $680.40 used for hazardous waste collections for 2010 consisting of 12 collection dates.  The Selectmen recommend this article.  Y (U)

ARTICLES DEALING WITH SERVICE AND PROTECTION

10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $11,242 as subsidy for ambulance service for the ensuing year, it being understood that residents will still be charged for individual calls.  (The appropriation for 2009 was $8,787).  The Selectmen recommend this article. Y (U)

11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $14,250 for the proper expenses of the Fire Department and Rescue Squad. (The 2009 appropriation was $15,000). Y (U)

12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for the purpose of fighting forest fires. This sum to come from reimbursement from the NH State Fire Warden and no amount will be raised through taxation. The Department of Revenue Administration recommends this method of accounting so as not to impact the Fire Department’s operating budget. Y (U)

13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 to be added to the Fire Equipment Capital Reserve Fund, for the purpose of Fire Apparatus for the fire department. No withdrawals may be made from this Fund except by vote of the Town and upon recommendation of the Fire Chief.  The fund balance as of 12/31/2009 was $131,087.75. The Selectmen recommend this article. Y (U)

14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 for the proper expenses for Emergency Management.  Y

15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $37,000 for the proper expenses of the Police Department. (The appropriation for 2009 was $37,949). Y

16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000 for the purpose of patrols performed by the Nelson Police Department for the State of NH, Cheshire County, Sheriff’s Office and other authorized municipal entities.  This sum to come from offsetting grants and no amount will be raised through taxation. Y

17. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Select Board to enter into a long-term lease/purchase agreement for a 2010 Ford Expedition in the amount of ($28,861.02), and with payments of ($9,620.34) payable in annual payments over the term of three years. This police cruiser will replace the 1993 Ford Crown Victoria that will be sold, with the proceeds from the sale to go back to the general fund.

The town voted to amend this article to: To raise $10,000 to be added to the 1985 Police Capital Reserve Fund. Y (written ballot 69 Yes / 39 No)

ARTICLES DEALING WITH ROADS

18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $215,000 for the purpose of maintenance of highways and bridges for ensuing year’s budget with $38,753 coming from the Highway Block Grant with the remaining $176,247 to be raised by taxes. Y (U)

19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to be added to the Road Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.  It is understood that no withdrawals may be made from this fund for the purchase of road equipment except by vote of the town upon recommendation of the Road Equipment Committee.  The Fund balance on 12/31/2009 was $41,576.29. (The 2009 appropriation was $20,000). Y (U)

20. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Salt Barn Capital Reserve Fund and any money left will go to the General Fund. Y

ARTICLES DEALING WITH PLANNING & ZONING

21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $728 for dues to belong to the Southwest Region Planning Commission. ($727 in 2009) Y (U)

OTHER ARTICLES

22. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Fire Equipment, Expendable Trust Fund, created in 1979. This fund has a zero balance. 
This is a Warrant Article per request of the Department of Revenue Administration. Y (U)

23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,840.00 to be added to the amount appropriated for the salary of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector in Article 2 in order to restore the salary to the amount appropriated for that office in 2006.  (The amount raised in 2006 was $18,306.00). This is a petitioned article. Passed Over

24. To see if the town will rescind the authorization given to the selectmen at the 1994 Town Meeting, article 4 allowing the selectmen to convey title to tax deeded properties.  This authority will revert to majority vote at Town Meeting.This is a petitioned article.  Not recommended by the Selectmen. N

25. To see if the town will direct the selectmen to put a Conservation Easement on tax map parcel 3-15-0 allowing for 1 house to be built not to exceed 5,000 square feet including garage, 1 dock not exceeding 6’x25’, no subdivision, no clear cutting of trees. This Easement will be given to the Harris Center, or similar conservation organization. Exact wording to be worked out by the Selectmen and the receiving organization.
This is a petitioned article.  Not recommended by the Selectmen. N

26. To see if the Town will vote to approve the following resolution to be forwarded to our State Representative(s), our State Senator, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President. Resolved: The citizens of New Hampshire should be allowed to vote on an amendment to the Hew Hampshire Constitution that defines “Marriage”. This is a petitioned article.  Not recommended by the Selectmen. Passed Over

27. Shall New Hampshire Congressional Delegation be instructed to pursue a new and independent investigation to address thoroughly all of the evidence and unanswered questions related to the events of September 11, 2001?(The record of the vote on this article shall be transmitted by the Town of Nelson to New Hampshire Congressional Delegation.)
This is a petitioned article.  Not recommended by the Selectmen. Passed Over

Keene High School ~ Arch Street
Works Bakery Café ~ Main Street
SAU 29 Offices ~ 34 West St
The Colony Mill ~ West Street

All proceeds will go the Red Cross Haiti Fund.

How you can help!
While each of the children will already be helping, there are ways that you can also contribute if you’d like to lend a hand.  We are looking for donations of any of the following items… Homemade Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies (2 dozen+ per volunteer) Tubs/tubes of frosting/icing for cookie decorating Sprinkles/Red Hots/Conversation Hearts Any type of individually wrapped candies (Hershey kisses, etc.) Flowers (Carnations, Roses, Etc.) (If you include receipts with the items you pick up, that would allow us to exchange items if we get too much of one thing.

We will also be accepting cash donations, or checks made out to the Red Cross, as well as taking orders in advance for the bags themselves.
Please call the school with any questions or to place your orders.
If you wish to make donations of any of the above items, please call the school (847-3408) and/or just stop by to drop them off.

Participants:

4th Graders – Chad Auclair, Sarah Cucchi, and Emma Scott
5th Grade – Bradley Auclair, Sydney Carlisle, and Tori Daigle
6th Grade – Marcus Bean. Lauren Lucas, and Megan Schillemat.

Students will compete in a double elimination spelling bee. Students will be tested on words from the SCRIPTS National Spelling Bee List in various word origins. First place winner will compete at the Keene Regional Bee on Saturday, March 13th. Runner-up will be responsible for taking the first place winners spot if they are unable to compete. State Bee is Saturday, March 20th.

The supervisors of the checklist will meet at the Brick Schoolhouse to register new voters from 7 – 7:30 p.m.

The following is a list of current occupants of each school district office and who is running for re-election and who is not running.  If you are interested in running for office, we recommend that you contact one or more current office holders to learn more about  the job details and time commitments.

To file for a school district office, call Kathy Schillemat, School District Clerk, at 847-9785 to arrange a mutually convenient time.  The filing period for school district offices is Jan 20 -29, 2010.

School District Officers

School Board
Kelly French, Chair-Term expires 2010 – running (3 yr term)
Michael Cornog-Term expires 2012
Betsy Street-Term expires 2011

Moderator
Richard Church-Term expires 2011

School Clerk
Kathy Schillemat-Term expires 2011

Treasurer
Hope Lothrop-Term expires 2011

In 1997, the people of Nelson raised funds from private donations, the Town of Nelson and the Nelson Congregational Church to sponsor The Hotel Nelson, a musical theatre that was created by, for, and about the Town of Nelson. Facilitated by Larry Siegal of Westmoreland, it was performed in the Nelson Congregational Church on August 14 and 15 to sold out audiences.

In 1840, The Nelson House was built to house the hotel, the post office, the library and a store.  The three-story brick building burned down in 1894!  So, for 54 years, sitting on the village common, it was literally the center of the town.
Thus, it is the metaphor from which our theatre, The Hotel Nelson, was born:

“When I built this hotel I put a porch on the front.  It was the best decision I ever made.  People come and sit out there, from the end of black fly season until the first snowfall.  Now granted, that’s not a very long stretch of time, but it’s enough time for some good stories to get told, and for more stories to get made.  The town goes by, day by day, and just when I think I’m getting to understand how it works, something happens and I realize I really don’t have it figured out after all.  But I love it here – this place, this land, these people.  I’ve found myself quite a home here….  Please… come in.  You might stay for a night, or for a summer.  And if you can’t figure out how to leave, well – you won’t be the first. “
Narrator in “The Hotel Nelson”
(from the opening scene)

From the above scene onward, songs were sung and stories were told by the same people who researched, wrote and composed them.  They covered some of
Nelson’s history and politics, some of its notables and characters, and many anecdotes past and present.

Some of the songs that were sung are simply too good to relegate to the archives, so we’re going to sing them again…with your help.

So, please join us on Friday night, January 29, 2010, 6:30 pm, at the Nelson Town Hall.

After a potluck supper (please bring something to share), we’ll have some skilled musicians teach us a few of the songs so that we can all join in.  But, if you don’t sing, that’s OK.  Just come to enjoy the festivities.

“The mud can’t get deeper on Old Stoddard Road.
My white car is brown: what a sight to behold.
I’d give anything for a driveway that’s dry,
And to taste the tart pleasure of fresh rhubarb pie.”
From “Sing Halleluiah!”

“The world is full of gladness, and joys of many kinds.
There’s cure for ev’ry sadness, each troubled mortal finds.
My little cares grow lighter.  I cease to fret and sigh.
My eyes with joy grow brighter, when she makes lemon pie.”
From “The Lemon Pie Song”

“When you’re a kid in Nelson you’re like a tall oak tree
Roots reach down into the past
Arms reach for eternity
Whether we’re playing baseball
Or biking through the square
There’s always something happening
And music fills the air”
From “Being a Kid in Nelson”

And, stay tuned for more:  On Saturday, March 27, 2010, we will incorporate the songs that we learn on January 29 with more of the original songs and many of the stories (and perhaps even some new ones!) into another evening out at The Hotel Nelson Revisited.

“There’s one thing certain about the future, which is — it’s always going to be there.  Some folks worry about it, some try to plan for it, some think it’s preordained, and some spend so much time thinking about it that today becomes tomorrow with nothing in between.

“Now the past is always there too.  And we might not worry so much about it, but people can get to dwelling on that too, and lose the present.

“I like it here in Nelson, ‘cause folks seem to enjoy the past, the present, and the future, all in good measure.

“When I’m away from here I tell people about this place.  And sometimes someone will ask – tell me, that town of yours, and that Hotel, is it real, or is it just make believe?

“And I answer:  yes.”
Narrator in “The Hotel Nelson”
(from the closing scene)

The supervisors of the checklist will meet at the Brick Schoolhouse to register new voters from 7 – 7:30 p.m.

The following is a list of current members of each office and who is running for re-election and who is not running.  If you are interested in running for office, we recommend that you contact one or more current office holders to learn more about  the job details and time commitments.

You can file for office at the Town Clerk’s Office.  The filing period for town offices/committees is as follows:
Wednesday, January 20, 2010   5PM-8PM
Thursday, January 21, 2010   9AM-Noon
Tuesday, January 26, 2010   9AM-Noon
Wednesday, January 27, 2010   5PM-8PM
Thursday, January 28, 2010   9AM-Noon
Friday, January 29, 2010    4PM-5PM

Town Officers

Selectmen
Michael Blaudschun, Chair
Margaret Schillemat
Sam Bouchie-Term expires 2010-not running (3 year term)

Moderator
Richard Church-Term expires 2010-running  (2 year term)

Town Clerk/Tax Collector
Teri Upton-Term expires 2010-running (3 year term)

Treasurer
Tom Buttrick-Term expires 2010-not running (1 year term)

Trustees of the Trust Fund (Also members of the Cemetery Board)
Edith Notman
Peter Brngr
Patricia Jones-Term expires 2010-running (3 year term)

Auditor
Richard Lothrop-Term expires 2010-not running (1 year term)

Cemetery Board
Theresa Upton
Alfred Struthers, Cemetery Sexton
Roberta Wingerson-Term expires 2010-not running (3 year term)

Trustees of the Library
Bruce McSheehy, Chair
Linda Cates, Treasurer
John Zurich, Secretary
Susan Meehan-Term expires 2010-running (3 year term)
Max Nunnemaker-Term expires 2010-running (3 year term)

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Rich Popovic, Chair
Dona Girvan
Michael Giacomo
Maurice Legace-Term expires 2010-not running (3 year term)
Michael Blaudschun-Term expires 2010-not running (3 year term)

Planning Board
Troy Tucker
David Voymas-Term expires 2010-running (3 year term)
Hunt Smith-Term expires 2010-running (2 year term)
Open Position (2 year term)

Road Equipment Committee (also includes Road Agent and Selectmen)
Kirk Dale
Jim Russell-Term expires 2010-running (3 year term)
Open position (2 year term)

Supervisors of the Checklist
Betsey Church
Susan Peery
Rita Schillemat, Chair-Term expires 2010-not running (6 year term)

Emergency Management Officer
Richard Lothrop-Term expires 2010-running (1 year term)

This past Saturday, January 2nd, the Nelson School was filled with conversation, good cheer, and delicious edibles.  Charlie Lang was once again our Master Chef, making his fabulous pancakes.  Ham, breakfast potatoes, granola & yogurt, and fruit salad rounded out the meal and both children and adults alike enjoyed a variety of beverages, including the apple juice fountain.  Gluten Free options were offered as well and these were heartily appreciated.  The Nelson School would like to express their thanks to all of you who were able to attend.  We ended up serving 72 breakfasts and making a profit of a little over $550 for the 6th Grade Trip Fund.  It couldn’t have happened (and wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun) without the following enthusiastic volunteers; Fallon Smith, Kody Gray, Molly Gray, Mirela Weis, Megan Schillemat, Nicole Schillemat, Caitlyn Schillemat, Amber Schillemat, Ryan French, Cody Kendrick, Paige Brnger, Charlie Lang, Maury & Martha Collins, Joy Birdsey, Cheryl Schillemat, and Rhonda Gray.