HAVERHILL—The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has invalidated two articles approved by voters at town meeting in Haverhill in March.
At town meeting on March 16, voters narrowly approved two petitioned articles—27 and 28—that provided funding for Woodsville Precinct. The former provided $298,630 for the precinct highway department and the latter provided $146,974 for the precinct’s fire department.
GROTON—After Groton voters spurned (132-106) the general fund budget at town meeting on March 1, selectboard members have revised the budget, decreasing it by $22,275.
A special revote will be by Australian ballot on May 25 in the Community Building from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. An informational meeting will be held in the same building on May 23 at 6 p.m.
WOODSVILLE—Soccer field illumination was the subject of lengthy discussion at the May 9 meeting of the Haverhill Cooperative School Board.
The cost estimate for the project, which has been discussed at several board meetings this year, is $66,000. Not all board members agreed on the need.
Chair David Robinson mentioned that Woodsville Water and Light would supply the poles and labor at no cost to the school.
FAIRLEE—The dusty parking lot next to a one-story building beneath the Palisades has been empty for a month.
But, hopefully, not for too much longer. As the overcast days of April finally parted, Mother’s Day opened up a glimmer of hope for the Fairlee Diner.
Janice Neil of West Topsham posted that it was “a great one” for her on Facebook with a picture of herself standing beneath the Fairlee Diner sign holding her own handwritten message that reads “Coming in June!!” with “Jan’s” replacing “the Gilman’s” in the picture.
BRADFORD—The Oxbow Unified Union School District will hold its annual meeting on May 12.
There will be an in-person meeting at 6 p.m. to vote on the proposed 2022-2023 budget and other items. There will also be an Australian ballot vote on proposed changes to the district’s charter. Polls in Bradford and Newbury will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the charter change vote.
Five decades ago, the new interstate highway arrived, opening in Fairlee in 1971, then Bradford in 1972, and eventually Newbury in 1974. The highway’s impact has been economically and socially profound.
In many ways, the history of towns along I-91’s route can be divided into two eras: before and after its arrival.
This is not the first time roadways in the area had significant impact. This column reviews the history of local roads from colonial settlement to the 20th century.
BRADFORD–Bradford town officials may consider asking voters whether the municipality should permit retail marijuana sales.
Act 164 passed in 2020 will allow retail marijuana sales in Vermont to begin on Oct. 1, 2022. While the state’s Cannabis Control Board regulates marijuana sales, including retail and wholesale markets, communities must first opt-in to permit retail sales within town limits.
ORFORD–Orford Selectboard members want to reduce the stress on a red-listed bridge that is scheduled to be replaced next year.
Board members voted on April 27 to implement emergency safety measures on the Archertown Road bridge over Jacobs Brook near the village in response to a worsening crack in one of the walls.
The measures include putting up stop signs near the bridge to slow travel speeds and reduce vibration on the bridge. Town officials will narrow travel lanes with concrete jersey barriers and impose a weight limit of 3 tons.
WELLS RIVER—In a vote of 26 to 13, Wells River Village voters passed Article 6 to privatize highway maintenance during the annual village meeting on April 19.
The change will eliminate the in-house position that was occupied by John Paye in favor of subcontracting the work.
Prior to the discussion and vote, trustee Brian Emerson, who became board chair a year ago, described the reasoning behind the proposal.
NORTH HAVERHILL—A state prosecutor told a Grafton County judge last week that he expects to seek a Grand Jury indictment against Lance Goodrich, 36, of Lyme in June.
Lance Goodrich has been accused of killing his 25-year-old cousin, Brooke Goodrich, who was found dead at her Route 10 home in Orford on Nov. 20, 2021. He allegedly shot her in the head. He was arrested later that day in Newport, New Hampshire.