Village Planning Committee

The Village Planning Committee (VPC) continues to work toward the vision of Hancock Village as defined by residents and sanctioned by the Select Board. Using the conceptual plan developed by Holden Transportation Engineering which was funded at Town Meeting 2003, the VPC has focused on seven major areas: drainage along Main Street, street edges, lighting, walkways and cross-walks, parking, preserving the trees, and restoring the Village Common by removing the overhead utility wires and poles. The VPC has been consulting with the N. H. Department of Transportation (DOT), Southwest Region Planning Commission and the utility companies to plan the logistics, timing, and funding for these projects.

To date, we have installed test walkway surfaces in front of the library and created a more formal, defined parking area from Fiddleheads to the Manning House. Because last winter was mild and Mud Season was a no-show, the verdict is still out on which of the three test surfaces is the best. We have also pruned the trees on Main St. and removed several diseased and dangerous trees with plans to plant new trees in the spring.

The VPC is working closely with DOT and Southwest Region Planning to move the projects forward when state funding is available. Using the resources of Southwest Region Planning and the state will substantially reduce expenses to the town. We are pursing funding from many sources, including State Aid for Highways, and a federal program, the Transportation, Community and System Preservation (TCSP).

To remove the large puddles on Main St. and stop run-off pollution from entering Norway Pond, the VPC is pushing an innovative solution using a fairly new infiltration technology. Kurt Grassett and Tom Pisaturo worked with Bill Elliott, co-chair of the Conservation Commission, to submit a “pre-proposal” to the N. H. Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) for a grant to correct non-point source pollution (road run off). Their application has passed the competitive first round and the interview process.

Most recently, the VPC has also focused on restoring the Village Common by removing the overhead wires and poles that deprive residents and visitors of the full beauty and charm of our classic New England Village. Since the common is a place enjoyed by everyone in town—for summer concerts, Old Home Days, and parades, —restoring the Common to its natural beauty will benefit all. The survey we circulated at the last town meeting showed that almost two-thirds of respondents think it is a good idea to remove the utility poles and wires in the historic district in general and the Common in particular.

Working with Verizon, PSNH, and Adelphia (now Comcast), we have an estimate of $220,000 to remove the wires and poles and run new utilities underground along the Village Common from Rt. 137 to the Pine Ridge Cemetery. To avoid any tax impact to Hancock residents, the VPC has been authorized by the Select Board to conduct independent fund-raising for the project to include both individual donations and public grants. A fundraising subcommittee is working to meet that goal.

Howard Mansfield, Chair, Village Planning Committee:

Mary Covington, Mike Fallon, Jim Gamble, Kurt Grassett, Tom Pisaturo, Steve Pope, Dennis Rossiter,

Village Planning Committee Fundraising Subcommittee:

Mary Covington and Ted Renna, Co-Chairs.

Mike Fallon, Howard Mansfield, Byron Niederhelman, Bob Pettegrew.