History of
Sanborn Mills Farm at Gilmanton Historical Society
Colin Cabot will describe the history and
revitalization of Sanborn Mills Farm at the
Gilmanton Historical Society on Tuesday, September
23rd, at the Gilmanton Academy (Town Offices)
building in Gilmanton Corners. The program begins
promptly at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a social hour and
refreshments at 7 o’clock.
Two years ago Sanborn Mills Farm hosted a field trip
for members and friends of the Society. Now Colin
Cabot will present a program on the history and
revitalization of this early 19th century farm and
mill in Loudon.
Sanborn Mills Farm is a traditional New Hampshire
working farm with agricultural fields and managed
forests, timber-framed barns and outbuildings still
in use for animals, and a saw mill, a grist mill
(both water-powered), and a blacksmith shop, all
dating from the 1830s. The farm buildings are
clustered around two dams at the outlet of Sanborn
Pond, and are surrounded by almost 2,000 acres of
open space in conservation.
A century and more ago, Sanborn Mills Farm was a
bustling, thriving center of agricultural activities
that supported an extended family and served the
community. Today Colin Cabot and his staff have
gathered a group of instructors, farmers, crafts
people and historians dedicated to teaching the
traditional skills that were commonplace then. Its
programs provide opportunities for people to learn
old-fashioned ways and explore how they can be
integrated into modern life.
The Society’s summer programs are scheduled on the
fourth Tuesday of each month, May through September.
This is the final program, in the 2008 summer
season. The Society welcomes suggestions for future
programs from members and friends as we plan for the
2009 summer program, develop ideas for publications,
and enhance our collection of Gilmanton historical
documents and items.
Information is posted on the Society’s
website.
All are welcome at the summer series programs.
There is no charge, but donations are welcome to
support the Society’s programs. The Society’s
publications are for sale at every program,
community events, and at the office of the Town
Clerk.
Letter To The Editor
To The Editor,
It pleases me to announce the formation of the
Gilmanton Energy Committee. Through the use of
renewable energy in our homes, and our community,
we can reap the benefits of renewable energy,
while saving our environment.
The purpose of the Gilmanton Energy Committee will
be to save the town and its residents money, promote
conscientious energy use through education and
implementation, and to make less of an impact on
our environment, by reducing our carbon output. This
will help the town of Gilmanton move toward being a
more earth friendly, economically progressive,
energy savvy community.
The first step that we as a community must take, is
to adopt NH statutes regarding property tax
exemptions on renewable energy. RSA 27-72:62 for a
solar tax exemption, RSA 27-72:66 for a wind tax
exemption and RSA 27-72:70 for a wood heating tax
exemption. The vote will be in March and if you
have questions regarding the statues please attend
the first official meeting of the Energy Committee
on September 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the Gilmanton
Academy Building (Town Hall).
We cannot wait for the government, we must take
charge on our own and create a better living
environment for ourselves and our community. There
is no better time to adopt a town energy policy and
set an example to other towns that renewable energy
will help everyone thrive and prosper. Let’s make
things a little easier on all of us by starting the
process and voting to adopt these renewable energy
statutes in March.
Amy Russell
Gilmanton, NH
Gilmanton Selectmen’s Corner
The following summary, compiled by Carolyn Baldwin,
is drawn from the minutes of Gilmanton Selectmen’s
meetings June 16 through August 11, 2008.
The selectmen met on alternate Mondays during the
summer. Complete copies of all approved minutes are
available at the Selectmen’s Office during their
business hours and can be viewed on line at the
Town’s website:
www.gilmantonnh.org.
Economic Development. Nate Abbott, as Gilmanton’s
representative to the BELKNAP County Economic
Development Council, reported to the selectmen about
his meeting with executive director Jennifer
Boulanger. He will introduce Ms. Boulanger to the
Town, its Master Plan and zoning ordinance and its
properties appropriate for industrial and commercial
development.
Recycling Facility. The Recycling Committee has
been reconstituted. Early discussion with Stan Bean
and Brenda McBride included the proposal for single
stream recycling and the possibility of
reintroducing the “pay as you throw” system. The
selectmen have rejected the single stream option
(meaning all recyclables go into one container and
are separated at the incinerator plant). The
selectmen felt that Gilmanton residents have
responded positively to the recycling program.
Because New Hampshire does not have a “bottle bill”
the problem of glass in the recycling stream may be
greater than it is in neighboring states where
bottles are returned for a deposit refund.
Health Insurance. Gilmanton has been invited to
join several towns in a coop to get health insurance
at reduced rates through the Local Government
Center. Groups with over 100 employees are eligible
for the reduced rates, estimated in the range of
10-15%. The selectmen are exploring this option.
Roads. The price of asphalt has risen significantly,
and is expected to continue to rise in the future.
Paving projects will be examined for priority
decisions.
The State DOT has denied a request for a striped
cross-walk between the Church and Old Town Hall in
the Iron Works. DOT concluded that the location
“does not meet the minimum standards for safe cross
walk.
Other striping projects include the recycling
facility parking lot, handicap parking at the
Academy, a stop line at the end of Elm Street in the
Iron Works and a double yellow line down Elm Street
past the post office and the cross walk to the
store. Also discussed were parking spaces at the
Iron Works Market and the Corner Store and Currier
Hill Road in the Corners.
Energy Committee. Amy Russell proposed
establishment of an energy committee. A goal is to
adopt property tax exemptions for solar, wind and
wood-heating installations as allowed by State
statute. The selectmen agreed to initiate a
Gilmanton Energy Committee with Ms. Russell as its
first official member and chair.
Town Buildings. The feasibility study committee for
Old Town Hall includes John Dickey, Stan Bean,
Israel Willard, Police Chief O’Brien and Selectman
Betty Ann Abbott. A study done at the time the
Academy Building was refurbished was made available
to the committee. The committee is studying the
feasibility of converting the Old Town Hall into
appropriate police headquarters Israel Willard will
be chair.
The septic system at Old Town Hall has been
replaced, and the bats removed from the building.
A new phone system has been installed and a list of
repairs and improvements for the Academy Building is
being prepared.
Appointments. Melba LaRoche resigned as book-keeper
for the Trustees of Trust Funds. The Selectmen
appointed Neil Roberts to the position.
