Donation” WILTON – The cost of live-streaming public meetings for a year has been donated by Charles Crawford and Kimball Physics. The Select Board accepted the donation at their regular meeting on Monday, May 14.

Crawford was accompanied by former Police Chief Brent Hautanen who explained the program.

Most of the neighboring towns offer the service, Hautanen said. The company would install the cameras and microphones. The benefits, he said, “include more accessibility, and people can see the process (of town government).”

After a short discussion of storing the videos, how the videos could be used by the minutes recorder, the board voted to accept the donation. The service can be used by any town board or committee.

Cost of a year’s service is $3,000.

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More sleep?

MILFORD – The school district’s start-time committee will meet on Wednesday, May 30, at 3 p.m. in the Milford High School library.

The committee is considering whether to flip the schools’ start times. Elementary schools now begin at 8:30. a.m. while the middle and high schools begin at 7:30. Numerous studies show adolescents naturally stay up later and wake up later and early start times mean they are not able to get the sleep needed for optimal academic and athletic performance. Meanwhile, most parents of young children know their kids are naturally up at the crack of dawn way before their school day begins.

The committee is made up of students, parents, administrators and other community members.

The committee plans to identify all the issues that need to be resolved, including bus schedules, after school sports and other activities and teacher requirements and will survey parents, students and staff.

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Town meeting

MONT VERNON – There will be a town meeting on June 18 to ratify the results of the March 13-14 election and town meeting. The meeting is necessary because the dates for the annual meeting had been posted incorrectly on the town warrant, and the ratification article complies with RSA 31:5-b and will be the only article on the warrant.

There can be no changes in the amount of money raised or appropriated, nor any changes in wording or intent. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the selectmen’s meeting room of town hall.

Selectman Jack Esposito said he expects the meeting to be brief.

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Celebration

WILTON – In spite of occasional showers, when everyone moved inside, dozens of people attended a celebration at the Wilton Public-Gregg Free Library on Saturday, May 19. The event officially opened the new outdoor meeting place, which was created during extensive repairs to the drainage system. A space behind the library was levelled and retaining walls and new landscaping were added.

The Rakes of Milford provided music in the library rotunda. Pizza, cake and ice cream were served in the lower level children’s area. Youth Services Librarian Chance Joyner interviewed visitors, recording their memories and impressions for an up-coming video.

N.H. Humanities Speaker Kevin Gardner presented a program on New England Stone Walls, sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Granite steps now lead to the area from the Gregg Street parking lot, tables and benches provide seating and free Wi-Fi is available. Story boards, created by volunteer Don Rankin, line the front walk, enticing readers.

The area is available for community events such as concerts and lectures. Or just gathering to relax, read, or talk with friends.

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Wellness Fair

WILTON – Offering a wealth of information in all areas of health and wellness, introductions to such things as Reiki, yoga and massages, and vision and hearing screenings, what organizers hope will the first of many such events, was held on Wednesday, May 16, in the high school cafeteria.

The event was open to all staff and employees of Supervisory Union 63 which includes Wilton and Lyndeborough.

Over 20 vendors’ tables were spread around the room, and across the stage. Topics ranged from identification of ticks and hydroponic organic greens, through first aid, and asthma treatment, to information on health and retirement plans.

The event was organized by Lise Tucker, business administrator of SAU 63, with much assistance from Laura Gifford, nurse at the Lyndeborough Central School.

Those attending declared it a success ad a “great idea.”

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Helping Hand

NASHUA – United Way of Greater Nashua recently distributed $43,402 to 67 different agencies throughout the community and beyond from designated donations to its annual campaign. Each year, donors from throughout the community sometimes choose to specify that their donation go to a nonprofit of their choosing. If they do not, then their donation goes to the 16 agencies which are grant funded by United Way and invested through United Way’s unique community assessment and investment process. According to United Way President, “Our grant funding process invests typically $500K or more each year to local nonprofits which are vetted through an investment process. Each year we also have donors who pick their favorite agency, and this past year that totaled over $43K to 67 different nonprofits. We never discourage people from doing this, and they can still do so through payroll giving, which is the most convenient way for employees to give in the workplace.” Designated donations included agencies such as CASA-NH, Harbor Homes, Boy Scouts Daniel Webster Council, the Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club, the Nashua Children’s Home, and the Humane Society for Greater Nashua. “Donors appreciate that they can still support United Way and at the same time make a difference at their ‘favorite’ nonprofit,” according to Apfelberg.

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Board meeting

LYNDEBOROUGH – The use of unanticipated revenue, $51,751 from grants, was approved by the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School Board on May 8, following a public hearing at the Central School. None of the nine people present commented.

Grants must be used for specific purposes and the money will be placed in special accounts if already covered in the budget. One of the grants is a state program of $30,000 to upgrade security at the schools.

Among grants reported by Curriculum Coordinator Julie Heon were $24,000 for a summer conference for science teachers. She also said they have received a Title I grant of $47,000 which will fund the summer institute, a 12-day summer enrichment program held at the Central School for students needing extra help, particularly in math and reading. This year’s grant will cover transportation.

The question of whether to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Assistant Principal Susan Ballou, or look for some other option, was left undecided.

The board approved appointment of ten new staff members, with a reduction in the salary account of about $10,000. There are still three openings, including the assistant principal.

High School graduation was set for June 15, 7 p.m.

Eighth grade promotion ceremonies will held on June 20.

Next year’s first graders will be welcomed at FRES on May 25, and incoming kindergartners will visit LCS.

– By Kathy Cleveland, Jessie Salisbury and from staff reports