ANNUAL REPORTS 1996 Debbie Crory Tow^n oS Sand^rich Neiv Hampshire GENERAL INFORMATION TOWNOFFICE 284-7701 Monday throughFriday, 8:00a.m.-4:00 p.m. SELECTMEN'S MEETING 284-7701 Monday,7:30p.m. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 284-6950 Winter - Monday throughFriday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Summer - Monday throughThursday, 6:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. TOWNCLERK/TAX COLLECTOR 284-7113 FirstMondayofeachmonth, 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. Tuesday andThursday,9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. LastSaturday ofeachmonth,9:00a.m. - noon BOARDOF ADJUSTMENT ThirdThursdayofeachmonth, 7:30 p.m. CONSERVATION COMMISSION SecondTuesday ofeachmonth, 7:30p.m. HISTORIC DISTRICTCOMMISSION ThirdTuesdayofeachmonth, 7:30p.m. PLANNING BOARD FirstWednesday ofeachmonth, 7:30p.m. RECREATION COMMITTEE FourthTuesday ofeachmonth, 7:30 p.m. SANDWICH LAND TRUSTCOMMITTEE Second Thursday ofeachmonth, 7:30p.m. CEMETERY TRUSTEES 284-6636 LIBRARY TRUSTEES 284-6665 ThirdMondayofeachmonth, 7:30p.m. SEWER COMMISSIONERS 284-6807 ThirdThursdayofeachmonth,4:00p.m. TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS 284-6629 WENTWORTH LIBRARY 284-6665 Monday 2:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. Tuesday 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. Wednesday 2:00p.m.- 8:00p.m. Thursday 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. Friday 9:00a.m.- 6:00p.m. Saturday 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. ANNUAL REPORTS oithe OFFICERS oS the TOWN OF SANDWICH NEW HAMPSmRE FORTHE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996 This is to certify that the information contained in this report ^ras taken from official records and is complete to the best of our kno^rledge and belief. Benjamin D. Shambaugh Lee W. Quimby Robert J. Ro'wran SELECTMEN -1- Table of Contents PAGE Dedication 3 List of Town Officers... 6 Selectmen's Report 1996 11 FINANCIAL REPORTS 1996 Budget 14 1996 Detail of Expenditures 19 Treasurer's Report 35 Report of The Trustees of Trust Funds 41 Schedule of Town-owned Property 55 Report of Town Clerk 57 Tax Collector's Report 58 1996 Property Valuation & Tax Rate Computation 61 Auditor's Report 62 SANDWICH TOWN WARRANT 1997 69 Warrant and Minutes: 1996 Town Meeting 81 ANNUAL REPORTS: Board of Adjustment 97 Cemetery Trustees 98 Conservation Commission 100 Fire 102 Highway 104 Historic District Commission 105 Land Trust Committee 106 Parks & Recreation 107 Planning Board 109 Police 110 Proposed Equipment Replacement Schedule 113 Samuel H. Wentworth Library 114 Sewer Commission 118 Memorial Day Essay Contest 120 Vital Statistics 121 Tax Exemptions/Credits - Town Ordinances 125 -2- DEDICATION BOB BATES 3- Our 1996 Annual Report is dedicated to Robert Bates, who has been involved with our community here in Sandwich for over forty years, and during that time has shared Ms talent, zest for life, and his love ofmusic with us. Bob began his professional career at an early age, working as an organist for a church in Weymouth, Massachusetts while still in high school. When he was fifteen years old, he was awarded a full scholarship to Harvard University and graduated with a Bachelors degree in music in 1928. A contemporary ofthe great era ofAmerican song writing. Bob worked as a professional musician in both the world oftheater and nightclub circles in New York City during the 1930s. For many years he played music at Tony's on 52nd Street - "the street that never slept-" accompanying singers and playing the piano into the early morning hours. He was also involved in productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operetta's in New York City, and toured with the prominent Shubert Theater organization. From 1940 to 1960, Bob and his wife Billie, a modem dancer, taught in private schools in both Connecticut and Michigan. Then in the early 1960's, Bob became the organist and choir director at the Episcopal Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a position that Bob held until his retirement in 1976. Bob and Billie spent their first summerin Center Sandwich in 1949. With characteristic enthusiasm, the couple quickly enhsted the support of many local townspeople and began to work on what was to be the first of many years ofGilbert and Sullivan presentations. Bob used his talent and warm humorto guide large groups ofyoung and old amateur performers on the town hall stage, and soon established a local tradition. The couple presented lively and sparkling productions that brightened many summers. Some ofthese operetta's were performed after only seven rehearsals! Many members ofthe community can lookback on at least one August spent in the chorus, scrambling to learn lyrics under Bob's skillful tutelage. In 1953 Bob began his long association with Frances Cleveland and the Barnstormers Theater acting as its music director, he has worked with the company every year since then, providing the musical force behind this talented group. In last year's production ofAnd A Nightingale Sang. Bob, Sr. provided piano music from back stage as his son Bob "played" the part ofa piano player on stage! In 1978, The Sandwich Players were organized, and Bob became an instrumental part ofthe operation. Bob served as music director for many memorable Sandwich Players productions in the years that followed; to all ofthese perfonnances, he brought his expert musicianship and his remarkable skills with people. Under his direction, the cast would shine, and all would finish with a sense ofaccomplishment andjoy. Bob accompanied The Sandwich Singers for many years under the direction ofDavid Hugh Jones and Louise Barker, and then in the mid 1970's, he began to direct the group himself. For over twenty years under his sensitive guidance and expertise, the Sandwich Singers have performed a distinctive variety ofmusic chosen with Bob's unerring ear for quality. Bob continues to donate a considerable amount ofhis time playing for fund-raisers, including the past year's Barnstormer Gala. He also serves as organist for St. Andrews Church, where he has led the congregation in music for over twenty years. As ifthis were not enough, last year he expanded his repertoire to include the spoken word at a Robert Frost poetry recital! Bob delights in performing with his friends, (frequently on short notice!) and is often heard reciting his characteristic phrase "It's crazy!" as he plans his next musical event. Bob's charm, wit, and love of music and people, continue to lead and enrich the members ofthis community; a vital and enduring legacy! Sincerely, Benjamin D. Shambaugh Lee W. Quimby Robert J. Rowan Sandwich Board of Selectmen TOWN OFFICERS TERM EXPIRES MODERATOR Frederick C. Rozelle l'^'^^ SELECTMEN Benjamin D. Shambaugh i^^/ LeeW.Quimby 998 Robert J. Rowan ^^^^ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Joanne N. Coutu TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR 19^8 Priscilla K. Seeley Sharon A. Teel, Deputy TREASURER Leonard H. Manno ^^^o Anne M. Twaddle, Deputy SUPERVISORS OF THECHECKLIST 1998 Daniel C. Peaslee 2000 Mary Fleischmann Brown 2002 Janet E. LIBRARY TRUSTEES Richard Allen / J99 Lisa Shambaugh Diane Decker Booty J1999978 1998 Virginia Heard 1998 Walter Johnson 1999 Jeffrey Fleischmann 1999 Priscilla K. Seeley TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS John L. Webb 1997 Jane A. Brewer 19^° 19^^ Richard C. Papen -6- CEMETERY TRUSIEES TERMEXPIRES TERMEXPIRES CONSERVATIONCOMMISSION Gordon Ford 1^98 Jocelyn Gutchess 1998 George Kimball, Chairman 1998 1999 Kathy Fair Joseph Upson 1999 Benjamin Shambaugh Ex-Officio Mary Fleischmann, Alt. 1997 1998 Caroline Snyder, Alt. 1999 Patricia Slothower, Alt. . HISTORIC DISTRICTCOMMISSION Richard Devens 1997 Thomas Hadley, Chairman 1997 1998 Saundra Bicknell 1998 Sally Kalette 1999 Marcia Allen m Roger B. Merriman 1999 Robert J. Rowan Ex-Officio LAND TRUSTCOMMITTEE 1997 Robert Miner, Jr. Frederick C. Rozelle 1997 Martha Carlson, Chairman 1998 Jocelyn Gutchess 1998 1999 Richard Allen Denley W. Emerson 1999 1999 Susan Speers Robert J. Rowan Ex-Officio RECREATIONCOMMITTEE Holly Cook 1997 Ann-Catherine Sullivan 1997 Lee Webb, Chairman 1998 Susan Greene 1999 Patricia Mudgett 1999 1999 Daniel Peaslee Cynthia Yeager 1999 Jere G. Burrows Lee W. Quimby Ex-Officio HEALTHOFFICER Mc Dr. Douglas S. Vicar