The Dispatch, September 12th, 2023

September 12th, 2023

Town House Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm CLOSED Fridays with Town Clerk’s Office Monday – Thursday 8:30am-5:30pm and closed on Fridays. Please access the building after 5pm from the side door of the building closest to the clerk’s office.

The Fire & Ambulance Building Committee: Peterborough residents are invited to participate in the upcoming Fire Station Design Input Sessions. Two sessions with a focus on site design will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 in the 1833 Room of the Peterborough Library. To accommodate the varying schedules of residents, the first session will start at 3:00 PM, and the second will start at 6:00 PM. Information presented to the public for consideration will be the same at both sessions.

The sessions will be held by SMP Architects, which has been retained by the Town of Peterborough to lead the design of a new fire and ambulance station to be located on Elm Street, adjacent to the Peterborough Community Center. SMP will present information about the site and the project and then actively gather feedback and ideas from the community for incorporation into the design.

No sign-up is required – All are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts and ideas on this important community need with those who are directly involved.  Questions about these sessions can be directed to DPW Director Seth MacLean at 603-924-800, ext 102 or seth@peterboroughnh.gov.

Monadnock Clean Energy Fair: The first Monadnock Clean Energy Fair will take place at the Peterborough Community Center, 25 Elm St., on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event is an opportunity for Peterborough residents to learn more about the money-saving value of energy audits, weatherization, solar panels, and heat pumps, along with the rebates, tax credits, and other incentives that make such home improvements more affordable. The Fair includes a Drive Electric expo providing a chance to see and drive electric cars and a display of a wide variety of efficient, non-polluting electric yard implements.

There will be workshops about heat pumps and about state and federal financial incentives that can reduce your cost for a wide range of energy-saving measures in your home. Kids can enjoy face painting by Soul Blossom Body Arts and gelato from Frisky Cow Gelato.  For more information, visit monadnocksustainabilityhub.org.

Department of Public Works:
Fire Hydrant Flushing:  The Peterborough Water Department will begin its biannual hydrant-flushing program on September 5th, to run through October 27th. Flushing will occur between 8:00am and 3:00pm. These dates and times are approximate and are subject to change due to scheduling and/or weather conditions.

Customers may experience discolored water, low water pressure, or a disruption in water service during this time. Residents are urged to reduce water use and consumption during flushing periods.  Please wait until the evening hours (after 4:00pm) to do laundry, and refrain from using bleach, as bleach enhances iron levels in the water and can cause discoloration in clothing. If you find that your water appears cloudy or discolored, open all cold-water faucets, and wait until the water runs clear before using it.  We appreciate your cooperation and patience. For More Info, click here

Planning:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Committee is seeking at least 2 full members to fill out this year’s 2023 CIP Committee. This season’s meeting schedule is tentatively set for the following, with all meetings at 1 PM in the Select Board meeting room:
Thursday, September 28
Thursday, October 12
Thursday, October 19
Thursday, October 26
Thursday, November 2
Thursday, November 9
Thursday, November 16 (if needed)
Thursday, November 30 (if needed)

This Committee is tasked with annually reviewing proposed and planned expenditures of $10,000 or greater over a period of up to 10 years. In turn, the Committee makes recommendations on when expenditures happen, or happen at all, to the Budget Committee. More information on this role of this Committee can be found on the Town website. For further questions or if you’re interested in trying out the CIP Committee, please fill out a Volunteer Application and email Danica Melone at dmelone@peterboroughnh.gov

The Planning Board has officially kicked off this year’s Zoning season – a time leading up to 2023 Town Meeting where the Planning Board can propose changes to the Town’s Zoning, Site Plan Review, and Subdivision regulations. All are welcome to propose changes and are encouraged to follow the 2023-2024 Zoning season process. Follow along with this year’s work on the Town website here.

Peterborough Elementary School:  Peterborough neighbors! We need to hear from you!  The consulting firm, Prismatic Services, Inc is holding listening forums in each of the nine ConVal towns to hear your thoughts about our district’s current and future school configurations to best serve our students and our pocketbooks. Join us: 
Tuesday, September 26, 7-8:30PM 
Peterborough Elementary School 
17 High Street
Here’s a fact to chew on in the meantime: ConVal’s total enrollment for the 2022-23 school year was 1,993 students over eight elementary, two middle, and the high school. Total capacity currently is for 3,530 students—that means nearly 40% is underutilized. We need to consider alternatives that may best serve our students and family budgets. Time for a change?  Your attendance is strongly encouraged and supported by the Town of Peterborough, Select Board, and ConVal School Board Members. 

Recreation:
Flag Football Fall Season: This program will be for 1st-6th grade. No touch, no tackle, strictly flag football using NFL Flag rules (https://nflflag.com/flag-football-rules).

When: Games will be on Sundays sometime between 12 and 4pm. Coaches will schedule one, possibly two weeknight practices during a time that fits their schedule 
Dates: First game day is Sunday, September 10th, practices may start the week before. Season will wrap up on October 15th.
Where: Russell Field, 64 Union Street, Peterborough
Grades: 1st-6th 
Cost: $75/resident, $80/non-resident (T-shirt & football included in registration fee)
Additional Information:
We need coaches. No experience necessary. If you would like to coach your child's team, please notify the Program Coordinator ASAP! Call our office or email, please! 603-924-8080 or jchidester@peterborough.gov. You must be able to pass local, state, and federal background checks to volunteer. Coaches who complete the season and return their keys at the end of the season will be reimbursed for the entire cost of one child's registration. 

Get your tennis lessons with us! This fall we are offering a session of tennis lessons for youth and a session of lessons for adults through a program called Tennis in the Parks. This program is in partnership with USTA New England.