What's Happening?

A Monthly Community Publication • Volume IX, Issue 8 • August, 2019 What’s Happening? Another Dollar Store An Editorial PHOTO: RAY BOAS When I fortuitously landed in Walpole changing the face of our community seventeen years ago, I knew I was in without taking into consideration, or heaven. Walpole was just where I wanted listening to, what the community wants. to be - a bucolic, pristine colonial town. Walpole is known as an agricultural A place, with its village, that, on the community, populated for the most surface, has remained unchanged since part with single family residences. In Peggy Pschirrer the 1870s. A place where neighbors take 2006, there was a proposal to develop care of neighbors. A place you are proud To Be Honored a high-density adult condominium On July 17, the Keene Sentinel to call home and showcase to others. I housing development in the village. The asked how this could be, there must be a announced its seventh annual proposed location is south of the former Extraordinary Women recognition to be defined and protective historical district, Woodward Florist greenhouses at the and strict guidelines for the outlying held Thursday, August 29, at the Redfern end of Westminster Street. Residents Arts Center at Keene State College. areas. When I asked many people how were invited to hear the proposal, and things could be so, the reply universally Each year, the event recognizes 12 area provide input. Many people in town, women who have made significant was, “People just know what the right however, were opposed to the plan that contributions to the region. Among this thing to do is, there is no need for a would change the village’s fabric. During year’s 12 recipients is Walpole’s Peggy regulated historic district. People just a contract lapse, a resident stepped in Pschirrer. “This year’s list of recipients know what the right thing to do is.” who “knew what the right thing to do is,” is impressive and diverse, women with That is not the case with Avanru purchasing the property and stopping unique stories and women who make Development Group, and its President the development plan. The land remains meaningful differences where we live and CEO, Jack Franks. In my opinion, untouched, and the current owner told in quiet, unassuming ways,” Sentinel and in conversations with others, Mr. the CLARION his wish is to have the land Executive Editor Paul Miller said. “We’re Franks does not have the good of his protected by conservation easements. excited to tell our readers about them in community at heart, and “does not know And, in the past year, the community this way.” what the right thing to do is.” Although working legally, Avanru’s Mr. Franks is Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 13 Continued from Page 1, Editorial of this proposed new business, or was aware that the land had been sold. The attended public hearings at the Town sign firm representing Dollar General Hall to express their concerns over the appeared at the June 17 Zoning Board inappropriateness of a gas station/ meeting requesting a sign variance convenience store on Route 12 just below – again, the first anyone knew of this the bridge to Westminster. Listening to project. Quoting the Planning Board citizens’ objections, the owners of the meeting minutes of July 9, “Mr. Franks land reconsidered their proposal, and said he sold the one-plus-acre lot at the now the Walker Road property, with its corner of Red Barn Lane and Main Street 1,000 feet of Connecticut River shoreline, to Mr. Gary Eucalitto who plans to build is in conservation and belongs to all a Dollar General store. The site plan for residents. the property was approved last year. Mr. Mr. Franks, unfortunately, has, over the Miller said it was verbally agreed last year past several years, moved ahead with when the site plan was approved that plans inconsistent with the pulse of the Mr. Franks would come to the Planning community. He has changed those plans Board with the new owner, and the Board many times along the way, in all likelihood would be assured that there weren’t any because of legal or financial hurdles, and changes to the site plan.” not to better serve the community as he Mr. Franks did not uphold his claims. For example, unable to secure agreement to keep the town aware of his buyers, Franks changed the original plan changes. This is not showing “good faith.” for senior condominiums into apartments It is not respectful of the Town’s boards managed by Hodges Development and citizens. Corporation, Concord, NH, to provide What should you do? Watch for the Rural Development HUD Section 8 posted upcoming agendas for the Select housing and Low-income Housing Tax Board, Planning Board and Zoning Credit program housing to families and Board. Attend if you want to hear what the elderly. Ground was recently broken is going to be discussed, and, when for phase two of this complex. appropriate, provide your comments. What’s next? Franks’ talk of a brew Read the minutes for all meetings pub on this land has come and gone. posted around town, in the Town Hall, There was talk of banks and family and on thewalpolean.org website. Ask restaurants coming into his Route 12 Mr. Franks to hold an open forum for the development. There was a rumor of a community to solicit input from residents grocery chain looking at the property. as to what you would like to see on the Most recently (this month) talk of a fast remaining commercial land in town. food chain circulated, its location to be I invite you to become involved in your next to the Dollar General that is now community and the challenges it faces. under construction. Prior to June 17, I invite you to provide reader comment no one from the Zoning, Planning or Select Boards had been given notice for publication in the Clarion. – Ray Boas Dollar Stores Are Everywhere – That’s a Problem The dollar chains’ market strategy, defined markets, and detrimental impact CNN July 19, 2019 Report: https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/business/dollar-general-opposition/index.html or, Google “cnn July 19 dollar stores” 2 I wanted to take the opportunity to children and families. You have inspired special places and watching kids connect thank the Hooper Institute Committee me to be a better educator. I am truly with one another in an outdoor setting for my very pleasant retirement party on grateful to have you as friends as well as has been especially satisfying. I have June 23rd. It was great to see old friends, colleagues. also been rewarded by the looks of pride students, colleagues, parents and my when kids finish a woodworking project family on this special day. It was a lovely of their own creation, be it a box, shelf, afternoon!Thank You from Eloise Clark coaster car or catapult. In my early days, I also want to thank Hooper Institute we ventured on backpacking trips to Committees past and present for their the Green and White Mountains, visited guidance and excellent ideas; their tide pools and even a fish hatchery. We tenacity and stubbornness when the climbed mountains nearby and canoed situation has called for it. You have on the Connecticut River. all given insight and expertise for the With the High School Summer Work Hooper study areas of agriculture, Program, Walpole teens work at an forestry, botany, soils and environmental agricultural site in town, while learning to science. You initiated and insisted on navigate the responsibilities a “real job” the Consent Decree of 1995. You guided demands. Thanks to the mentors who grants for all manner of bovine projects have patiently trained each teen worker. by 4-H members. You continue to shape Your partnership has led to the success of the High School Summer Work Program. this program for more than two decades. You created FoHI, the Friends of Hooper Institute and held events to raise funds It was satisfying to create the Farm for the summer programs. You have & Forest Museum at HI and introduce cheered the programs the staff does thousands of students to early 19th during the school year. You have been century living on the land. Through the energetic volunteers and advocates. I Farm & Forest Project, fourth graders have sincerely appreciate your passion for visited local farm and forestry operations Hooper Institute programs through my to see contemporary businesses.Thank tenure. you to so many community members for hosting our visits and sharing your I want to thank the Trustees of the Hooper Trust who have been stellar with Article continues on Page 8 their support and concern for the Hooper Institute. They were crucial to the creation of the Consent Decree of 1995 that revolutionized the Hooper Trusts. More recently, the THT’s did an outstanding job initiating and fundraising for the conservation easement on the Hooper I was introduced to environmental Golf property. They also patiently saw education 50 years ago when I spent a through the sale of that property into winter semester in college teaching at private ownership. Thanks to them the Boston University Sargent Camp Hooper Institute now has a firm financial residential school program. After college, I footing going forward. worked two years at a nature center in New York State leading nature walks and I must also thank the Walpole School creating exhibits. I then spent two for allowing such a close relationship summers leading a wilderness survival with the Hooper Institute staff.

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