8-11-06

By Charles C. Bingaman, Contributing Writer

Actions at August 10 Selectmen’s Meeting

            At Thursday evening’s Board of Selectmen in Walpole, town resident Stu Bailey proposed to fund, and town selectmen approved, construction of a new bandstand on the Common in honor of his wife Judy who passed away in late April.

            While exact design details remain to be settled, the bandstand as proposed will be a traditional design, approximately 32 by 20 feet with lighting, an elevated stage and pitched roof.  “I want it large enough that any of the bands that visit us in the summer can fit inside it,” said Bailey.  “And Judy always liked that fact that the concerts on the Common really bring people together from Walpole and many surrounding towns as well.  So this is a perfect memorial to her.”

            The new bandstand will be placed, according to the current plan just south of the flag pole at the north end of the Common, about where the current tents are placed for concerts.

            Bailey’s hope is that the bandstand can be in place and ready for use by next Memorial Day and that flowers and other plantings can also be in by that time.  “We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we can’t be dragging our feet if we are going to meet that schedule,” he said on Saturday.

Bailey agreed with the selectmen that the bandstand should be available for multiple uses they approve such as weddings, graduations, etc.  Bailey and town leaders working on a new veterans’ memorial also began discussions at the meeting to insure that the designs and siting of both projects will harmonize.

Support for Walpole Leadership Academy

In other business, the Board agreed to a proposal to participate in the new Walpole Leadership Academy program being organized by the Walpole Grange and to make the Town Hall available for the program’s use on dates to be negotiated.  The Academy is scheduled to begin twice per month programs in mid-October for adults interested in leadership roles in the town. 

Plan for Possible Town Purchase of St. Joseph’s Church

In anticipation of a possible future sale of St. Joseph’s Church just south of the Town Hall, the Selectmen agreed to make an offer to purchase a right of first refusal on the property. 

Refusal to Close Cold River Road

In response to a petition from a number of residents of Cold River Road asking that the road be closed to all by non-residents, the Board declined to act on the understanding that New Hampshire statutes forbid such limits.  Cold River Road runs from Walpole into Langdon and has experienced increased traffic since the destruction of the Rt. 123 bridge over the Cold River in the October 2005 flooding.

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