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Community "Vision-to-Action" Forum Results
- Below is a summary of selected activities and
events that resulted from Vermont and New Hampshire
Community Forums over the last five years. These
efforts have been spearheaded and implemented by
working groups that formed during the Community
Forums. Each Forum resulted in an average of four
citizen action projects.
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- Barnard (VT):
- Participants identified the preservation of
undeveloped areas and the establishment of a town
conservation commission as among their top priorities.
These initiatives were approved by the selectboard and
town residents. The Conservation Commission initiated
the following activities: sponsored a "Wildlife Event"
that led to the formation of a "Keeping Track" group
to track wildlife and identify critical habitat;
applied for and received grants to map old town roads
and legal trails, and to build a shelter and
interpretative trail in the town forest; and helped
establish the Chateauguay/No Town Conservation
Projecta regional group (from Bridgewater,
Stockbridge, Killington, and Barnard) whose goal is to
maintain the undeveloped character and traditional
uses of a 55,000 acre area where the four towns
meet.
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- Charlestown (NH):
- One of the highest priorities identified at the
Charlestown Community Forum was the need to improve
the trails system in town. As a result, the "Enhancing
Natural Spaces" group reamed up with the local
snowmobile club and inventoried private and public
lands. The group received funding to put up trail
signs and produced topographical trail maps. They have
also sponsored trail clean-up on Green-Up Day,
repaired a nature trail, and placed a kiosk at one of
the main trail heads.
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- Enfield (NH):
- One result of the Enfield Community Forum was the
reinvigoration of an existing organization, the
Enfield Community Development Committee (ECDC), whose
goal is to improve economic development efforts in
town. The group provided the impetus for the formation
of the Enfield Village Gardeners. The Gardeners have
taken responsibility for town beautification including
maintaining the local park, planting flower barrels on
Main Street, and planting shrubs around town. They
received the Governors Community Beautification award
for two years in a row.
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- Grantham (NH):
- Participants identified the need to bridge the
communication gap between natives and newcomers as one
of its top priorities. In response, a group formed to
reinstitute "Old Home Day"-a townwide celebration that
had not taken place for twenty years. Old Home Day
takes place every July 4th and expands each year. This
popular, day-long event includes a parade, field
events, volleyball, and kids' activities.
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- Hanover (NH):
- Excessive automobile dependence was identified as
a priority issue at the Hanover Community Forum. In
response, a new organization-Hanover Alternative
Community Transportation System (Hanover ACTS)-was
formed. ACTS works in partnership with existing
organizations, institutions, and companies and has
implemented a number of projects. These projects
include: installing bicycle racks on public buses;
working with the Planning Commission on revisions to
the transportation chapter for the town master plan;
and preparing comments for a public hearing on the
Dartmouth College master plan promoting alternative
transit. ACTS is working on a new bike path, approved
by voters, connecting the downtown area with the
hospital.
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Haverill (NH):
- The need for increased recreational opportunities
was one of the top priorities identified at the
Haverill Community Forum. In response, the selectboard
established a town recreation commission. The
commission has sponsored a range of activities,
including a winter festival, outdoor ice skating
rinks, and trail improvements. In addition, the
Commission saved and reinvigorated the summer youth
recreation program.
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- New London (NH):
- Participants at the Community Forum identified the
need for new opportunities for the performing arts as
one of their top priorities. In response, a group was
formed to establish a link between the town and
Colby-Sawyer College. The group first developed
guidelines for use of the College's auditorium. The
College agreed to allow the town to use the auditorium
four times yearly without charge, except for basic
operating expenses. The committee has since evolved
into the New London Council for the Arts and continues
to organize events in the auditorium, such as concerts
and performances.
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- Norwich (VT):
- Tax stabilization emerged as one of the top
priorities of participants at the Norwich Community
Forum. As a result, the selectboard appointed a
committee to review property tax rates and make
recommendations. The committee prepared a report, an
item was added to the town warrant, and voters
approved a stabilization plan. In addition to tax
stabilization issues, the economic development group
prepared a survey and report that made recommendations
about the location of new businesses in town. This
information was provided to the planning commission
and included in their zoning provisions.
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- Unity (NH):
- One of the central themes that emerged from the
Community Forum was improving communication. As a
result, a group formed to reinvigorate a small local
newspaper, "The Unity Newsletter," which is now
published monthly. The paper greatly expanded upon an
existing small school paper and addresses both school
and town issues. It is complete with a calendar,
teacher reports, and articles contributed by people
from the community.
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- 40 Avon Street, Keene, New Hampshire
03431-3516
- 603-357-3122 www.anei.org
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