Stories, and a salute

I've been wanting to post about this for a couple of days, but hadn't gotten to it until now. Barry Alvarez announced that this will be his last year last week. I believe that the hiring of Alvarez is one of the two most important hires of the last twenty years in the Big Ten (along with Joe Tiller at Purdue). For so many years, it was just Michigan and Ohio State, and you'd sometimes have an occasional "one year wonder" team, like Iowa in 85, who had a bunch of seniors and could beat one of the aforementioned teams (or caught OSU at a time when they were down a bit). Alvarez made Wisconsin, which was the worst program among the Big Ten's public schools when he got there in to a potential contender every single year. With the introduction of Penn State, the league could have become incredibly top heavy, instead, Alvarez helped to lead the Big Ten's middle class into a new golden age. Now, if Wisconsin, Purdue, Northwestern, State, or Iowa win the conference, its not a surprise. The amazing thing about Alvarez, too, is that, unlike Joe Tiller, who brought the spread to the Big Ten, played real smashmouth football. Basically, he just went ahead and punched the other team in the mouth with his giant offensive line and big running backs. The fact that he beat the big boys (except Michigan, he never beat Michigan with any consistentcy) playing that kind of style shows that success could still come from running the ball. He also did it without ever having a really great quarterback either, which to me, is all the more impressive. While the Badgers have slipped, as Iowa, Northwestern and Minnesota have improved, they were the one's who set the bar. Bret Bielema has a heck of a task ahead of him.

By the way, its really great to see this, finally.

Here's this week's stories:

Valley Dam Road residents bring selectmen to the scene
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Selectmen were given explicit examples by residents of Valley Dam Road in Barnstead of some of the things that have been going on there at their July 26 meeting. Tuesday evening, Aug. 2, the selectmen went to see some of the "damage" for themselves.
Homeowners showed selectmen where they found beer cans, diapers and even a used condom on the road near the dam. Selectmen Frank Sullivan, Gordon Preston and Mike Akstin then had a spirited discussion with the residents about what the best solutions to some of the problems experienced by the residents were.
The July 26 meeting included testimony by residents of drinking, fires being started, nudity and sexual activity at the area near the dam.
Residents did say that the parties had lessened over the weekend, but did say that with the weather expected to heat up, there may be more activity later this week.
One of the more frequently raised questions was that of liability. Resident Dottie Sowards addressed the issue of liability for the town if something were to happen at the dam. Sullivan said that he believed the town had "limited liability if the town acts properly." Residents also asked why there were regulations on who can swim in other areas of the town but not at this particular area. They cited YMCA groups from other towns that had come in and used the area for swimming in the recent past as an example.
The selectmen did agree to try and set up certain rules for the area. The three selectmen believed that putting a trash barrel in the area, secured, so that it couldn’t be thrown into the river, might help alleviate some of the litter problems.
The selectmen also believed the area to be a class five road, meaning that the town could come clean up the area if things got particularly bad, and in fact, would empty out the trash barrel once a week, according to Selectmen Gordon Preston.
The selectmen also said that they would look into possibly instituting some sort of curfew, or time restriction, for when the swimming area would be used. Preston added that the town might put up signs reading "Swim at your own risk," in the area, in order to inform people of the potential hazard of swimming to close to the dam.
Sullivan said, "I don’t want to restrict people from using it (the area) properly." He agreed with residents that the selectmen would back them in efforts to get state and local ordinances, especially with regards to public intoxication, minor possession, and other acts enforced. The selectmen agreed that the police should be the main enforcers and that the residents of the area could report suspicious activity to the police.


Cooperation or court for New Durham resident
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The town of New Durham will be taking resident Erven Duncan to court later this month, unless a meeting with town officials brings another solution, according to Police Chief Shawn Bernier.
Duncan, who owns property along Rte. 11, has vehicles and tires along with other articles, along his driveway, and has been ordered by the town to clean up the debris.
After initially cooperating with town official’s requests, Duncan has changed his mind, according to Bernier, "All of a sudden it’s defiance." A reporter for The Baysider tried to meet with Duncan at his property, but was turned away by Duncan, who had initially agreed to be interviewed.
The reporter did confirm that vehicles and tires, along with assorted other debris, was visible along Duncan’s driveway, and at the entrance to Duncan’s property.
Duncan had been scheduled to meet with the selectmen at their last meeting, but refused to show up, according to Bernier, who was at the July 20 meeting. At that point, the selectmen said they would meet with Duncan at his driveway, per Duncan’s request, after Chairman Ron Gehl returned from vacation. Selectman Dwight Jones said, "I really don’t want to make a comment until we talk to him and see what’s going on." At the July meeting, Gehl said the board "may be looking into an ordinance to deal with trash. Bringing it into compliance is what the town is interested in."
Bernier said that Duncan had been cooperative in anticipation of a July court date on the matter. After that date was pushed back, Bernier says, Duncan changed his mind, and no longer wanted to cooperate with the town. "Its up to Mr. Duncan as to whether or not he wants to meet (with the Board), to resolve this," said Bernier.
Bernier also said that Duncan has options. "He can apply for a junkyard permit," similar to others in the town, "but he doesn’t consider what he has to be junk under the statute." But at the July 20 meeting, there was some question as to whether Duncan’s property met the standards for a junkyard, however. Bernier said at the time that Duncan’s property did not meet the 1,000-foot standard currently in place for junkyards.
The trial is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 17, according to Bernier. A similar situation in Wolfeboro resulted in jail time for town resident Charlie Teryek. The procedures followed by Wolfeboro officials were cited by Bernier at the meeting as a possible model for how to deal with Duncan and future problems.


Barnstead based co-op now one of state’s largest
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Barnstead resident Dan Barraford’s time has often been spent two ways in the last six years. Between his family’s publishing company and energy co-op Barraford, has very little time to waste.
It seems that that effort is paying off, however. This spring, Barraford took over the management of Energy Alliance, a co-op operated by Wayne Mock of Tamworth, which was primarily based in the North Country.
"We started 15 years ago," says Mock, "last year, we had over 1,530 accounts." However, Mock had been spending more time in Florida recently. "I retired, and I was spending less time here. I couldn’t devote the time and ‘energy’ needed to the co-op."
Barraford said that earlier this spring, Mock called him to let him know that he would no longer be running Energy Alliance, and he offered Barraford the chance to take it over. "It seemed the logical thing to do," said Mock, "it was the perfect fit for him to take it over."
Barraford says that with the addition of the Energy Alliance customers, as well as additional ones for his own Our Town Energy, the organization is now one of the largest co-ops in the state. Still, there have been some problems integrating the two companies. "There was really no time to do anything but run with it," according to Barraford.
The differences between the two companies, though they are similar, have made the transition a little harder for the Barrafords. "They have a totally different structure," says Barraford, who cited a difference in paperwork and filing systems as reasons for why the companies are currently being kept separate. "We had four (phone) lines going (filled with Energy Alliance customers who had questions) and have only three people here," says Barraford.
Barraford began Our Town Energy in 1999, he says, to help seniors in the area get cheaper prices on heating oil. "There were 75 members, that first year," Barraford said, who added that the rolls of Our Town Energy have swelled to more than 3,000 this year. That, combined with new and old Energy Alliance customers brings the total to almost 6,000 customers represented by Barraford. He says that such numbers will allow for more access to goods and services from companies that would not have previously been open to Our Town Energy.
As for the marriage of the two companies, Barraford says that next year, Energy Alliance will be more fully integrated. He said the Energy Alliance filing and tracking system "was not quite up to date as far as computers." "It will be much easier next year. This is a new page for us, we’ve crossed a threshold of some sort."


Alton planners take a look at expanding marina
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — The July 19 meeting of the Alton Planning Board featured a lengthy discussion of the proposed expansion of Gillan Marine. The proposed expansion would include an increase in the size of the current sales facility, as well as replace a 2,000 square foot building on the premises with a two-story, 11,600 square foot structure.
Board members, who had taken a look at the area following their June meeting, said that one concern was about how much the proposed paving would effect the grassy areas around the business.
Several members of the board suggested that builders try to implement "green engineering" principles, such as putting in porous concrete. Board member Tom Varney stressed the need to approach the plan in "an environmentally sensitive and protective way." Members also said that the plan needed to have appropriate stamps and an engineering review to assess the environmental impact of such paving. There was some disagreement between the board and representatives for Gillan Marine about how much space could be paved.
Other board concerns involved the aesthetics and the drainage of the new, larger building being placed on the premises.
Gillan’s representatives said that a system for protection of the wetlands in the area would be built and maintained by the owners, to avoid sedimentation running in from Rte. 11.
Board member ex officio Alan Sherwood addressed potential traffic problems on Rte. 11, related to the new building and the increase in the number of boats.
In addition, abutters worried about the possible environmental changes and the divisions of the proposed new site.
The board voted to require an engineering review of the drainage design for the proposed site, and also agreed to continue the discussion at its next meeting, Aug. 16.
Soil becomes issue for subdivision
The board also approved plans for a subdivision on Stockbridge Corner Rd. – but not before getting into a spirited discussion regarding the soil information for the property.
A representative for the applicant, Benjamin Finnegan, said that the standard soil map for the property was the one completed in 1968. The board said that the information on that map was likely well out of date, and that the information needed to be updated. The board made an update of the soil information one of the conditions for approval of the application.
Cell Tower issues
The board used two nights to cover various cell tower issues. A tower being proposed by Midwest Towers, LLC, had their application accepted, contingent upon a site plan review being attended by representatives of US Cellular.
Discussion of another tower, a Nextel tower, proposed for Old Wolfeboro Rd, was a continued to the August meeting, though the board did agree to enter into a contract for an engineering review of the site.


New Durham Planners approve subdivision
Land Use Ordinance hearing penciled in
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — At a fairly straightforward meeting Aug. 2, the New Durham Planning Board voted to approve a three-lot subdivision and to continue other discussions until their next regular meeting, Sept. 6.
The subdivision, located on Brackett Road on property owned by the George family, had been looked at by the board on a site walk after their last meeting. Additionally, Bruce Pohopek, who surveyed the land for the Georges, added several technical requirements to the plan that board members had asked them to include at their last meeting.
Pohopek said that the lots were all "over 150 percent of their required lot size," for their soil type. He also mentioned that he was planning on meeting with the Conservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment later this month to discuss their concerns about the property. Board member Mike Clarke said that the applicant "has met all the criteria we asked him to meet," and urged the plan be approved. The board unanimously agreed.
Excavation
The board agreed to continue discussion over the renewal of an excavation permit for a lot on North Shore Rd., after an abutter, John Crickett, brought his concerns to the board. The operation has been going on for the last 12 years, and comes to the board every two years for approval, according to Paul Gelinas, representative for the excavator.
Gun Shop
The board, with the help of Dwight Jones, the Selectmen’s representative, who also happens to own a gun shop in Wolfeboro, agreed to continue a hearing for an occupation permit of Raymond Gamble.
Gamble, who is building a home in New Durham, has owned a gun shop in Newton for the last 25 years. He came to the board to talk about obtaining a renewal for his license to sell firearms by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice) at his new address.
The board encouraged Gamble to apply for a continuance on his license until his house was complete, which Gamble said would be sometime in September. At that point, Gamble said, he hoped to open a small gun shop out of his home.
Other Business
The planners went through proposed revisions to regulations involving site plans and subdivisions, and sent the amended regulations to the Town Council for review. The board also announced that the public hearing on the proposed land use ordinance would be held in the library on Aug. 16, pending the availability of the library’s space.