The 2016 Fourth of July parade permit application has been filed. I hope lots of organizations and neighborhoods will enter floats in the parade. Brian Reynolds is taking care of the permit and insurance requirements for the Firecracker 5K, which is also held on the Fourth of July. Now, let’s all hope for a sunshiny holiday!
On June 4, Select Board members Vicky Mishcon and David Blinn and I attended the Local Officials Workshop presented by the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Selectman Jim Delaney was unable to attend. The presentations covered a wide range of municipal topics and were well worth being inside on a glorious June Saturday.
Primex, which stands for Public Risk Management Exchange, will provide the Town’s property and liability insurance coverage beginning on July 1. Primex has provided our Workers Compensation and Unemployment coverage for many years.
Recently, I attended a new members’ orientation session and had the opportunity to tour the new Foundry at Primex. The Foundry is a high-tech experiential learning center for municipal employees in all departments and is very impressive. The educational opportunities provided there are part of the annual premium paid by the Town.
We did have other companies quote the insurance package, and Primex was actually the lowest quote.
Transfer Station
You may have noticed that Transfer Station attendants are now using a golf cart. This will allow them to assist patrons and to observe what is going into the various containers.
A few months ago, an article in The Andover Beacon explained that scrap metal loads leaving the Transfer Station are subject to very large fines, some are in the tens of thousands of dollars, if items containing mercury are in the load. I cannot stress enough that it is very important that nothing but scrap metal is in every load!
We were notified on May 26 that a load of light iron contained a five-gallon can of gas. It was in a metal sealant bucket but should never have been put in the scrap metal container. Although no fine was levied, the Town would have been liable had there been an explosion and or fire during transport.
Also, construction debris cannot go in the solid waste hopper; again, fines can be levied. We ask that if you are not sure where something goes, please see an attendant for instructions.
The Transfer Station is hiring! Red Soucy kindly came back after retirement to help out at the Transfer Station when we needed him. Now we will be hiring someone to fill that position, so that Red can go back to enjoying his retirement.
Halcyon Island
Halcyon Island in Highland Lake was given to the Town of Andover in 1934 by Naham Bachelder, in lieu of taxes, for the purpose of recreation for the townspeople of Andover.
Concern about the use of the island has been voiced over the years, as certain problems come up. There have been campfires that have burned out of control, and eggs from the loons nesting on the island have been abandoned due to too much disturbance or eaten by dogs allowed to roam on the island. There have been large numbers of people camping overnight on the island, which brings up concerns of human waste and trash.
Overall, however, most people have been respectful and conscientious when visiting the island.
At a Select Board public hearing in July 2015, there was consensus that some signage is needed to promote safe and respectful use of the island and that the signage should be short and simple. An example that was suggested was: No open fires; no overnight camping; carry in, carry out; no dogs.
The wording was voted on and adopted by the Select Board at its regular meeting on June 6, 2016. Signs have been ordered and will be placed on the island this summer.
If you are interested in participating in a focus group to discuss a noise ordinance please e-mail me or call the Town Office. This group will hold only three or four meetings.
The domain for the Town Web site has changed to Andover-NH.gov; the previous domain will forward for a short time so we ask that you make note of the new Web site address.
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions please contact me at TAdmin@nullAndover-NH.gov or give me a call at 735-5332, extension 6.