Report of the Historian
There were 1179 registered voters: 372 Republicans, 265 Democrats and 542 Undeclared.
Building permits issued: New Homes-2, Additions and Alterations- 6, Garage and Outbuildings- 10, Decks- 5, Other- 10.
Postmaster Pat Soucy retired in April. Postmaster Kirk Schofield was appointed in October.
The State Historic Resources Council added 4 Francestown properties to the NH State Register of Historic Places; the Caleb Weston House on Oak Hill Rd, The Town Hall, the Beehive, and the Samuel Nutt-Joseph Kingsbury Farm on New Boston Rd.
Volunteers of the FVFD erected the frame, siding and roof of the barn which will serve as the town’s vehicular museum. It is located adjacent to the Town Hall and Beehive.
The “2010 By 2010 Saving Special Places” land conservation program reached its goal of putting 2010 acres of land into conservation. This approximately doubled the acres of conservation land in town over the past 5 years and protects water resources and wildlife habitat as well as providing areas for hiking, fishing, skiing and other outdoor activities.
Francestown Improvement and Historical Society sponsored the 93rd annual Labor Day weekend and over $12,000 was raised for the society. The parade theme was “My Tunes” and the Stewart family won the Grand Prize. The Historical Rooms were open for Labor Day and by appointment. FIHS continued to sponsor, with a grant from the NH Council of the Arts, the Francestown Historical Documentation Project. This year’s project was photographic documentation of Francestown. Events sponsored by FIHS included; the first annual cookout on the Town Common in June, community supper in June, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and seasonal flowers and holiday wreaths. Beehive renovations began with repairs to the building’s foundation. There were 181 members.
The Old Meeting House had 276 members. Events held at OMH included; Monadnock Music summer series, FIHS Labor Day weekend Vespers, tours and ice cream social on Labor Day, Francestown Land Trust Annual Meeting, trick or treating, 3 weddings and 3 memorial services. The major fundraiser was a performance by Sebastian Lockwood retelling Homer’s Odyssey. Restoration projects included some interior painting, replacement of the easternmost front step and restoration of the two other thresholds.
The Francestown Garden Club had another successful plant sale in May, raising $2,200. They donated over $350 to FIHS from the annual plant sale table during the Labor Day weekend. The scholarship awards were increased this year. Ten applicants submitted essays on “How to Create a
Greener World” and the first prize winner of $1000 was Chris Wallace. A second prize of $500 was awarded to Justin McInnes.
Rev Paul Rucker served as interim pastor of Francestown Community Church while the church continued its search for a permanent pastor.
There were 59 students enrolled in Francestown Elementary School, 61 in the middle school and 68 in Conval High School. In addition, there were 15 home schooled students.
Farming Fun 4-H Club had 11 members. Seven members showed at the Sheep and Wool Festival and participated in the Sheep Quiz Bowl. One member attended a clinic to show beef cattle. Members also showed at Hillsborough County Fair and attended a 3 day sheep clinic. Community service included helping with the community suppers on a regular basis, roadside clean up and assembling welcome baskets.
Francestown Food Co-Op, was in its’ 36th year. United Natural Foods delivered every other month on Fridays and Associated Buyers once a month on Mondays or as needed.
To the best of my knowledge, residents who served in the armed forces were: US Marine Corp-Gunnery Sgt Richard Beard, and Pvt William Dennis Robbins Jr.
Francestown mourned the loss of several residents in 2010.
January 10, 2010-Taisto ‘Tai’ Holm-a US Army veteran of WWII served 12 years on the Conservation Commission, loved nature, built small sailboats and researched and wrote articles on Finnish immigrants to America for the “Finnish-American Reporter”.
January 22, 2010-Matilda B Boyle-‘Mit’, born in Francestown, held a career in fashion in New York City for many years working at several stores including: Bloomingdale’s, Gimbels, Lord and Taylor, and Saks Fifth Avenue. She was instrumental in the preservation, fundraising and programming for the OMH for many years.
February 15, 2010-Richard C Cilley-born in Francestown, was a US Navy veteran of WWII. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club and a 70 year member of the NH Grange. He was known as a wonderful storyteller and loved hunting and fishing.
February 25, 2010-Paul Joseph Livingston-a seasonal resident since the end of WWII loved nature, supported land conservation, was a member of FLT, the Pleasant Pond Association and the Old Meeting House.
March 8, 2010-Thomas E Kennedy III- owned several concrete product businesses, enjoyed the outdoors and chess.
March 25, 2010-Raymond H Sullivan-a US Navy veteran of the Korean conflict, worked as a civil engineer with Honeywell/Sanders for 20 years and then as a framer and finish work carpenter. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
May 8, 2010-David Michael Stewart-enlisted in the American Field Service and was attached to the British Army in India during WW II. Afterwards, he held a career in brokerage of health and life insurance to small businesses and later brokerage of stocks and bonds. He loved feeding the birds, was an avid reader and adored his many dogs.
May 8, 2010-Samuel Dawson-a 2009 graduate of Conval High School, practiced karate for many years and loved skateboarding and snowboarding.
July 25, 2010-Waldo E Palmer Jr-served as a Marine Corps Sergeant in the Korean War, and then as a heavy equipment operator for over 40 years. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, family values, knowledge and dedication to his children.
August 24, 2010-Phillip Schell-a longtime employee of GE, was a member of the Gourmet Club in Francestown, and was known as a true outdoorsman.
August 25, 2010-Frances Place Arnold-summered in Francestown as a child and then moved here full time in 1969. She was a member of the Francestown community Church, OMH and the women’s guild and an enthusiastic supporter of town events including Labor Day and the town’s ski and golf areas. She loved nature, travel, reading, gardening and never missed a town meeting.
October 14, 2010-Wilma (Pedini) Welborn-enjoyed singing, playing piano, baking, sewing and reading, especially her bible. She was church pianist for many years.
October 15, 2010-Priscilla Heath Kunhardt-‘Sibby’ was appointed to Francestown’s first Conservation Commission in 1964, taught art and French at the Elementary school, served as library trustee and for many years she led the Labor Day parade with her Farmall Cub tractor. She raised sheep at her farm, had a great love of plants and nature and illustrated several books including Neil Jorgensen’s “Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide for Southern New England”.
November 15, 2010-Nina Abbott-was born in Francestown and lived here for many years. She was a member of the Francestown Community Church and taught elementary school in Milford and Francestown for many years.
All will be greatly missed by the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Kris Holmes, Historian
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