REPORT OF THE HISTORIAN 2006
There were 35 building permits issued: 8 houses, 5 barns, 7 garages, 5 additions, 5 sheds, 2 porches, 1 deck, 1 gazebo and 1 swimming pool.
There were 1,178 registered voters: 379 Republicans, 244 Democrats, and 555 Undeclared.
In April, Selectman Paul St Cyr resigned and Tom Anderson was appointed to fill the position for the remainder of the term.
In July, Police Chief Phil Woodbury resigned. He had served on the Francestown police force for 19 years, the last 6 as Chief. At this time, Sgt Tom Thibeault was appointed to serve as acting Chief until a permanent replacement was found. In November, Sgt Thibeault stepped down as acting Police Chief and Officer Steve Bell was appointed acting Chief.
In December, Gary Paige became the official road agent. Tom Plourde had resigned from the position in June.
The ‘2010 by 2010 Saving Special Places’ project, aimed at conserving an additional 2010 acres of land by 2010, has reached 1/3 of its goal. Since the start of this program, 674 acres of land have been put into conservation easement. This is a co-operative effort by the Francestown Conservation Commission, Francestown Land Trust and the Piscataquog Watershed Association.
The Boston Post Cane was presented to Fran Prest at the Labor Day Vespers service.
The Francestown News celebrated their 10th Anniversary.
Francestown Improvement and Historical society sponsored the 89th Labor Day Weekend celebration. The parade theme was “A Day in the Life”. A homerun derby, and pig scramble were 2 new events this year, and it was a record year for funds raised. The Town of Francestown and FIHS completed a land-lease agreement to lease a portion of FIHS property as a site for the proposed Vehicular museum. A feasibility study for fundraising for the Beehive was completed, fundraising was begun and the building was ‘buttoned up’ for the winter.
The Old Meeting House sponsored many events during the year. Concerts held at OMH included: Vorcza Jazz Trio in February, folk singer David Mallet in April, musician Darlene Nevins in May, Zumba Tres jazz band in June, folk singer Tom Rush in July, Monadnock Music in July, folk singer Roger McGuinn in August, Randy Armstrong Trio in September, performance by pupils of Candice Wharton and a holiday concert by Monadnock Chorus. Other events included: Verdant Visions in March, Labor Day Vespers, tours and an ice cream social in September, and Odds Bodkin storyteller in October. In addition, Francestown Land Trust held their annual meeting at OMH in June and 5 weddings took place at OMH during the year. Improvements included installation of ventilating screens for the two rear doors.
Oak Hill Grange #32 had 19 members, including 5 golden sheaf members (members for 50+ years). The master was Merle Jones and the secretary Dariel Peterson. In February, the grange sponsored ‘Meet the Candidates Night’. The Grange entered exhibits in the Hopkinton and Hillsborough County Fairs and won both monetary awards and many blue ribbons. The exhibits depicted the community service of the Grange. The dictionary project continued in its 5th year. Dictionaries were presented to 3rd graders at Francestown and Hancock Elementary Schools.
The Heritage commission, in its 2nd year is working with a volunteer subcommittee, trying to get the Main Street and Mill Village areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are utilizing Greg Thulander’s survey to help with this project. Dave Adams helped translate the information in Greg’s survey onto discs which can be read on up to date computers.
The Garden Club met monthly throughout the year. Activities included: 6 programs with speakers from area nurseries, visits to local gardens in July and August, the annual plant sale in May and the annual craft workshop in November. The club also continued planting and maintaining the Oak Hill Turnaround and donated funds to the cemetery wall construction at Cemetery No 3. The 5th annual scholarship of $500 was awarded to Amanda Gagnon.
There were 2 churches meeting in town. Rev Suzanne Lamport served as Pastor of Francestown Community Church on Main Street and Pastor Andrew Dean served at The Village Baptist Church which met at the Elementary School on the 2nd NH Turnpike S.
As of October 1st, there were 77 students, K-4th grade, enrolled in Francestown Elementary school, 78 Francestown students at Great Brook School and 101 Francestown students at Conval HS. In addition, there were 19 home schooled students in town.
Joyful Tikes, a private pre-school, had an enrollment of 12 students, aged 3-5 years, from Francestown, Greenfield, Bennington, New Boston and Lyndeborough.
Farming Fun 4-H Club had 6 active members. Members showed animals, produce and educational exhibits at the Hillsborough County Fair, held in September. The club also supplied animals for display at the John Deere show at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in August.
There were no Boy Scout troops in town.
Girl Scout troop #3136 met twice a month in the basement of the Community Church.
The Food Co-Op, in its 32nd year, met twice a month at the town hall. They began using 2 suppliers, Associated Buyers and United Natural Food and this allows for more selection and flexibility of purchase amounts.
To the best of my knowledge, residents who served in the armed forces were: US Army- Lt Scott Quilty, US Navy-IS2Christina Davis, US Marine Corp-Staff Sgt Richard Beard, Air National Guard-Col Sylvia Johnson, US Army Reserve-Sgt Richard Roberts.
Francestown mourned the loss of several residents in 2006.
January 15, 2006-Albert Roehrig, during WWII served in the Pacific with the 24th artillery. After the war he worked at the Boston YMCA in vocational guidance and then developed and headed the Dept of Psychology and Counseling at Phillips Academy in Andover Ma. He was a member of the Community Church and enjoyed gardening, traveling and time with friends and family.
February 26, 2006-Harry James Putnam, born in Francestown in 1907, had been the holder of the Boson Post Cane. He loved motorcycles of all kinds, his favorite being “Indians”. He succeeded in locating many Indians in poor shape and was successful in getting them all to run. He was a member of many motorcycle clubs and a lifetime charter member of the American Motorcyclist Association. He was a woodsman, always worked in the wood business and had his own one man sawmill. He was known for his great mechanical ability, Yankee sense of humor, mild spirit and love of family and friends.
March 14, 2006-Jeffrey N Tower, worked at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, and had worked for the NH Department of Transportation for many years and for K & D Mechanical of Milford. He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan, enjoyed woodworking and working around his home. He was a loving father and was always smiling.
April 4, 2006-Lena ‘Lee’ Theresa Righi, had been employed as a seamstress for many years at several businesses in Connecticut.
September 25, 2006-Geneva Olive Perkins, worked at Sweetheart Plastics in Manchester for several years and then Pheasant Wood Nursing Home for 12 years. She had worked at the Adult Care Center at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough until her retirement.
All will be greatly missed by the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Kris Holmes, Historian
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