A ^^ Annual iREpnrt... Snuin nf Afil|lan6 INCORPOff^rfo 1868 130fi 1997 Dates To Remember January 1 Fiscal year begins March 6 Annual Pemi-Baker Regional School District Meeting Plymouth Regional High School Gymnasium - 7:00 PM March 8 Annual School District Meeting Ashland School Gymnasium - 1:00 PM March 11 Annual Town Meeting - ELECTIONS Ashland School Gymnasium - 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM March 15 Annual Town Meeting - DELIBERATIVE SESSION Ashland School Gymnasium - 1:00 PM April 1 All real property assessed to owner this date April 15 Lastdayforveteranstofileforpermanenttaxcreditwith the Selectmen's Office Lastdayforeligibleresidentstofileforpermanentelderly exemption with the Selectmen's Office Last day to file Current Use application with the Select- men's Office April 30 Dogtaxdue. LicensesavailablefromtheTownClerkwith proof of rabies vaccination and spaying/neutering July 1 Firsthalfofsemi-annual tax billing commences to draw interest at 12% December 1 Unpaidrealestateandpersonaltaxescommencetodraw interest at 12% MEETINGS SELECTMEN Third Monday of the Month, 5:00 PM - Booster Club PLANNING BOARD Third Tuesday of the Month, 7:00 PM - Ashland Town Office CONSERVATION COMMISSION First Wednesday of the Month, 7:00 PM - Ashland Town Office ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Meetings scheduled as needed HOUSING STANDARDS BOARD Meetings scheduled as needed Annual Report of the Officers of the TOWN OF ASHLAND For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31 1996 1- Index Dedication 4 In Appreciation and In Memoriam 5 Town Officials and Boards 9 Selectmen's Report 14 Town Manager's Report 15 1996 Town Warrant 20 Election Results for 1996 26 1996 Town Meeting Minutes 31 Presidential Primary 37 New Hampshire State Primary 40 General Election 44 Police Department Report 48 Fire Department Report 50 Firemen's Association Report 51 Forest Fire Warden Report 52 Highway Department Report 53 Water and Sewer Departments Report 54 Electric Department Report 60 Electrical Inspector's Report 63 Plumbing Inspector's Report 64 Parks and Recreation Department Report 65 Memorial Park Report 67 Fourth of July Report 69 Planning Board Report 71 Zoning Board of Adjustment Report 72 Conservation Commission Report 73 Building Inspector's Report 75 Town Welfare Report 76 Library Trustees Report 77 Library Trustees Financial Report 79 Scribner Trustees' Report 81 Town Clerk's Report 82 -2- Grants Administration and Development 83 Grafton County Senior Citizens Council Report 85 Recycling and Transfer Station Report 88 Pemi-Baker Solid Waste District 89 N.H. Humane Society Report 90 Lakes Region Planning Commission Report 91 Enhanced 9-1-1 Committee Report 93 Housing Standards Board Report 94 Vital Statistics Births 96 Marriages 97 Deaths 98 Tax Collector's Report 99 Inventory of Town Owned Property 101 Historic Commission Report 102 Historical Society Report 103 Pemi-Baker Home Health Agency Reports 104 Pemi-Baker Youth & Family Services Council, Inc., Report 106 Financial Statements Annual Treasurer's Report 108 Summary Inventory of Valuation 109 Statement of Appropriations and Taxes Assessed 110 Tax Rate Computations 113 Statement of Debt Service 115 Schedule of Town Property 117 Statement of Appropriations and Expenditures 118 Report of the Trust and Capital Reserve Funds 120 Executive Councilor Report 123 TOWN WARRANTS 1997 125 TOWN BUDGET 1997 134 .- -3 DEDICATION ^^^- Thomas "Punky" & Lorraine Marsh Ashlandisfortunatetohaveresidentsasdedicatedandcommittedtothe Town as Punky and Lorraine Marsh are. PunkyretiredastheElectricSuperintendentonJuly31, 1996. Punkycame to work for the town in 1968 and has continually strived to re-build, add to, modernizeand maintainourelectric departmentwhilekeepingourelectric ratescompetitivewiththelargerelectric companies intheState. Punkynot only accomplished his goals, he did so without placing the electric depart- ment in debt, which is a major accomplishment by anyone's standards. Lorraineretiredasa LibraryTrusteetotheTownaftertwenty-fiveyears ofservice. AshlandisfortunatetohaveaTownLibraryinthecenteroftown whichisamajorsourceofpridetoallofthetownspeopleduetothediligence of Lorraine during her tenure at the Library. Punky and Lorraine were both raised in Ashland and chose to continue to live in Ashland after they were married. We want to wish both of them a long and happy retirement. -4- MEMORIAM IN Richard Baker Richard Baker served the town of Ashland as a member of our Fire Department. Dick was born in Ashland and chose to live most of his adult life in Ashland with his wife June. Dick will be missed by those who knew him. MEMORIAM IN Richard Newton Richard Newton served the town of Ashland as a member of our Fire Department. Dick, ashewasreferredtobyhisfriends,wasaquietmanwho was dedicated to his family. Dick will be missed by those who knew him. 6- APPRECIATION IN Philip J. Guyotte 1922 - 1996 Philwas a lifetime resident of this community andhe served his fellow citizens as a selectman in the early 60's, along with these duties he sat on thePlanningBoard. Philalsoservedasa memberofthebudgetcommittee. Phil was a World War II Army veteran and a member of the Dupuis Cross American Legion Post. Phil was a quiet man who was dedicated to his family and friends and will be missed by all. IN APPRECIATION Lawrence Lee 1911 - 1996 Lawrence Lee was a native of Ashland, attending New Hampton and Ashland Schools. He worked at the Ashland Paper Mill and L.W. Packard WoolenMill, andafterbeing dischargedfrom the U.S. Army, workedatthe SoconyMobil Oil Company, transferringfromAshland in 1958toNewington when the local plant was sold. Hewasco-founder, secretary, president, director, andanhonorarylife- memberofthePemigewassetValleyFishandGameClub. Heandotherlocal citizens formed the "Booster Club," constructing a new ball field and club- house, after which they worked on the Ashland Beach and bathhouse. Lawrence was also a volunteer fireman in Ashland and Durham for a total of 32 years. Hewasasupervisorofthechecklist, ballotclerkandselectmanforthree years in the 1950's. As selectman, he made the first dial telephone call to Selectman Arnold Spencer of Plymouth November 15, 1954. Lawrence had an outgoing personality and will be missed by the community. -8-