Table Of Content

f7 1997 Annual Report Town of the of New Newport, Hampshire . & In 1925 Norbert I. Diotte, son ofMr. Mrs. Eugene Diotte, told why he liked Newport in a school essay: Why I Like Newport Why shouldn't I like Newport, my home town? Some might say, "Oh it isn't large enough to have any big times." It is not the largest city in the world, but the good times are there just the same. The population is only five thousand, just enough to make a good sized town and at the same time a quiet industrial little city, and enough young blood to make it lively without disgracing the neighborhood. I like its wide and clean streets, its well shaded by streets with rows ofgreat maples on either side, with here and there a giant elm! It is not all crowded (around) together on either side of Main Street, but is spread out covering more territory than some large cities. "Spread out enough so you can breathe freely" as a Westerner remarked. . The streets are well lighted so you are safe, as regards to "stubbing your toe." The town is not afraid to protect its citizens as you would soon find out if you visited Newport, with "silentpolicemen" atevery importantcross street, thatflashtheirwarning by acetylene gas.You will also notice the surly policeman who is usually on the comer of Main and Sunapee Streets. Do not be afraid of him, in spite of his two hundred pounds, he is ajolly, good natured officer. And ifyou ever visit Newport, you will not wonder why I like it, but you will wish to visit it again. & reprinted condensed from Argus-Champion The publication ofthis annual report is made possible through the combined efforts ofthe Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Department Heads, town employees, and committees. Although we believe this report to be accurate, changes may occur and be made as necessary. Sharon Christie, Editor, Printed on Recycled Paper by Barrett Press, Inc. 1997 Main Street Project Front and Back Cover Photos Courtesy ofNewsleader/Archie Mountain 1997 Annual Town Report of Newport, New Hampshire web site www.town.newport.nh.us : Table ofContents Appointed Committee Members 17 Appointed Town Officials 16 Auditor's Report 109 Boston Post Cane 10 Budget 86 Dedication 3 Elected Town Officials 15 General Information 14 History of59 Main Street 80 History ofNewport Police Department 56 Net Taxable Valuation 105 New England Artists Trust Congress IV 7 NHMA Award for Annual Report Excellence inside back cover Police Chiefs 79 Police Facility Capital Funds Project 108 Police Roster 1761-1997 69 Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meetings Bookmark Report ofCapital Reserve Funds 98 Report ofTrustees ofthe Trust Funds 99 Schedule ofTown Property 106 Statement ofExpenditures 92 Statement ofRevenues 91 Tax Collector's Report 101 Tax Lien History 102 Telephone List ofMunicipal Numbers Bookmark TenYearTax Rate Comparison 103 Town Department Annual Reports: Ambulance Department 22 Assessing Department 104 Board ofSelectmen 20 Building Inspector 50 Cemetery Department 23 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 51 Consen'ation Commission 24 Economic Corporation ofNewport (ECON) 25 Finance Department 90 Fire Department 27 Executive Councilor, Ray Burton 26 Heritage Commission 28 Highway Department 29 Historical Society 30 , Lake Sunapee Region VisitingNurse Assn \. ... 31 Library Arts Center 32 NHA^T Solid Waste Project 34 Planning Board 50 Police Department 35 Police Statistics 38 Public Works 39 Recreation Department 42 Richards Free Library 44 Safety Committee/Joint Loss Management 45 School to Work 46 Sewage Treatment Plant 47 EPA Environmental News 48 Sullivan County Economic Development Council 49 Tax Department 100 Town Clerk 145 Town Manager 21 Town Office ofPlanning & Zoning (TOPAZ) 50 Zoning Board 51 Water & Sewer Department 53 Welfare 55 Town Hours Bookmark Treasurer's Report 94 Vital Statistics Births 146 Deaths 150 Marriages 148 Volunteers ofthe Year 6 — Voting Resuh May 13, 1997 Town Meeting 153 Warrant 81 Newport Honors Edward DeCourcy J. Photo: Courtesy ofThe NewsLeader/Archie Mountain 3 In Dedication Edward DeCourcy J. Editor and Publisher of the Argus Champion 1961-1981 Bom the day after the Titanic Sank, April 16, 1912, J. Edward DeCourcy grew up with a loveof journalism that he credits to his dadhaving a real news sense and tohis family talking about news alotathome. He first helped start a high school newspaper, then graduated from the University of Mainewherehewaseditorofhis college newspaper. He continuedhis news career after graduation in Connecticut, Boston andNew York. Onedayhereceivedacall asking ifhewas interested in being aneditor for a newspaper friends had justboughtandtorun itas though he ownedit. That newspaperwas Newport's Argus-Champion. Drawn to countryjournalism, Ed's commitmentwas always to the total news contentofthe paper, especiallymatters that concernedthe community, to coverthe news andcover it accurately, making sureanythingthathappenedinNewportwas intheArgus, andknowing ifhe wrote a critical editorial about someone, he was sure to meet him on the street the next day. IfImakepeople aware there is another viewpoint, Ihave servedadequately. IfImake themsee myviewpointis correct. I've served better. Ken Andler reflected although Ed's opinions may he too liberalfor Newport, people wouldneverholdhisopinionsagainsthim, he wassuch agoodfellow. In 1964 Ed opposed adoptionofthestatesweepstakestosupport state government on the basis ofgambling, saying later and it neverdid what it was supposed to do in supporting state aid and education. Roasted on his retirement, Dayton Duncan said he learned many things from working for Ed DeCourcy attheArgus, mainly—it ispossible to go through life as a newspaperman and not loseyour idealsoryoursenseofhumor andhowtotieabowtie Afterhis retirement, Ed continued to write aweekly SpectatorColumnintheArgus, aswell as writing forothernewspapers and magazines. As forwhyhecontinuedto write a column, Ed DeCourcy said itis a matterofhavingso much to say. A newspaperman for more than 50 years, and editor and publisher ofthe Argus Champion for 20 years, Ed won wide recognition and more than 150 awards for hisjournalism, including the 1971 InternationalSocietyofWeeklyNewspaperEditorsAwardfor an editorial, tying for first place with another editorial, alsowritten by Ed: the Golden QuillAwardforBestEditorofthe Year; Yankee QuillAward, inducting him into the Academy ofNew England Journalists; 1981 Man ofthe Year: the 1981 Eugene CerviAward: andthe 1982Governor'.?AwardofDistinction, honoring those who havesignificantly contributedto the improvement ofthe quality oflife in New Hampshire and who havedemonstratedtliroughout their lives unselfish and unfailing commitment to this goal. In 1997. Edwas againrecognizedforhis years ofcommunityjournalism by theNew Hampshire Press Assn. Always interested and active in the community, in civic and charitable work, praised for his dedicationtobettereducation,thelocal business community, and especially to the town ofNewport, the name Ed DeCourcy is a household word, andthe man Ed DeCourcy is an icon. In honor ofhis —contributions to our community, Newport proudly dedicates its 1997 Annual Town Report tohim Newport's best-known and most respectedcitizen,journalist, scholar, editor, neighbor and friend. 4 No lack ofspirit or talent here The Spectator Youtakenorisk whenyou predict that people will be talking about the New England Artists Trust Congress IV in Newport for years to come. Gone are the days when wisenheimers will refer to Newport as "that little mill town." Mostofthebeautybroughtto Newport by the New England Artists Tmst Congress IV will last and flourishwiththe passingyears, and that should bringjoy to the entire community, but special pride tothosecitizens who worked so long and hard to achieve the new beauty they brought to the center oftown. Newport has had a beautification committee for many years, and its labors are reflected in the Common andtheLittleCommonwhere flowers and shrubs have flourished in response to the loving care of Newport citizens who had a dream. Now, responding to the hard work of a handful of committeed citizens, the dream has become reality, and the center oftown has become a beautiful park,muchtothejoyofthosewhohadthedream long ago. and worked through theyears to bringing it to reality. The mural painting on the south wall ofwhat used to be called 'The Johnson Building." dcsenes special attention andwouldbringjoytothehearts ofNewporters foryears to come, not only because itdepicts a golden age in the life ofthis town, but because it proves that the town has citizens with enormous talent who are able to paint that virtue. Ifone ofour community goals is to attract new citizens to Newport, let them see what the present citizenshavedonetobringtheircommunitydreamtoreality. Some citizens may choose to remember incidents likethedaythetruckdrove acrossthe Little Common, but most will remember how quickly the citizens ofNewport banded together to repair that damage with new planting(s). Some may remember the many years when the bandstand in the Common languished for need of repair,butnow wehave animproved bandstand that demonstrated the willingness ofNewporters to take good care ofboth the bandstand and the Common. TheArtists Trust Congress teaches us that Newport has the spirit and talent to make its Common a parkofunusual beauty, tomaintain iithroughthe seasons andto repair and restore it when necessary. So this department shouts a loud "thank you" to all those who strove mightily to make the Artists Trust Congress a resounding success. Edward DeCourcy J. Octobers. 1997 Newport Salutes Volunteers ofthe Year New Hampshire Municipal Association Volunteer ofthe YearAward James Lantz At the November 20, 1997 annual meeting ofthe New Hampshire Municipal Association in Manchester, recognition was given to ten outstanding individuals throughout the state, whose effort and dedication to community service serve as a model for the type of volunteer involvement without which town and city governments could not function. One ofthose ten peoplereceivingtheVolunteerofthe YearAwards wasNewport's Jim Lantz, in recognition of almost three decades of community service, for his volunteer involvement, effort and dedication to community service, and for his unfailing support ofevery important issue that surfaces in town. Recipients of this prestigious awards are chosen by a panel from the NHMA's Executive Committee and arebased upon leadership, responsibility, level and impact of voluntary contributions, and the spirit of volunteerism represented throughout the community. 1997 Governor's Volunteer Recognition Awards Patryc Wiggins, Kathy Hubert, Dana Waterman and Greg Hannigan On December 1, 1997 the Govemor ofNewHampshirehonored four members oftheNewport community. Recipients ofthe 1997 Governor's Volunteer Recognition Awards were invited byGov. Jeanne Shaheentojoinher atthe Awards Celebration at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord for a reception and a public program. Patryc Wiggins and Kathy Hubert received this recognition and were presented this award for their extraordinary effort and success as co-administrators ofthe New England Artists' TrustCongress IV, held inNewport in September, and for their sense ofcommunity spirit and vision forNewport's future. DanaWaterman and Greg Hannigan also received this recognition and were presented the 1997 Governor's VolunteerRecognition Award for their dedication to the development ofour youth, fortheircommunity service, and fortheirexemplary sportsmanship and leadership in the Newport community. Congratulations to Jim, Patryc, Kathy, Dana and Greg for these well deserved honors, and congratulations to our town as role models from our community are recognized. New England Artists Trust Congress IV In 1996local artist, Patryc Wiggins, proudly announced toherhometownofNewport, NH thatithadbeenchosen from allNew Hampshiretowns andcities tohostthe 1997 Congress ofthe New England Artists Trust (NEAT), an honor previously held only by large New England cities. NEAT supports a diverse group ofNew England artists, recognizing art as an integral part ofa community'sculture andcontributing significantly to our lives. Overthepast several years, Patryc herselfhas made a significant contribution ofher own to the Newport community with her "Mill Tapestry Project". Itwas Patryc's representation ofherhometown as a progressiveNew England town,withitsrichindustrial heritage, well known for its support ofeducation, preser\'ation, culture andthe arts, that broughtNewport, NH to the attentionofNEAT. Patryc wasjoined by Kathy Hubert, local businesswoman, manager offive family-owned retail stores, volunteer President ofthe ChamberofCommerce, volunteer Secretary ofECON, and mother of seven young children. Patryc and Kathy started down the road towards developing a common vision ofwhat the Artists Congress should be. They recruited committee members and volunteers, organized meetings, made presentations to solicit interest and support, and traveled all overNewEnglandtomeetwithkeypeople from artistcommunities. In June 1996 they attended the 3rd Artists Congress in Portland, Maine, gaining critical insight for the upcoming Congress in Newportwhichwas quicklybecominganextraordinary undertaking. To hire a coordinator and fund theproposedconference, Patryc and Kathy applied forgrants, raising $148,000. Tohighlightindustry's impactonthe area, amachine tool exhibitwas created. GoodParts, On Time, celebratingthe heritage thatbuiltthe American machine tool industry. Theircommittee throughtheLibraryArts Center, securedtheMaxfieldParish Exhibit, applauding the rich cultural heritage ofour area and gathered artists to work with townspeople to crete murals ofNewport's historytowelcomevisitors. New England writer andpoet. Veranda Porche, was recruited as artist- in-residence,tocollaboratewith our school, collecting autobiographical stories ofseniorcitizens for ahistoricalprojectcalledSelfPortraits in Newport. At our Opera House, students were introduced to opera in a two day residencyprogram, producing a polished performance called Kids Kabaret, with scenes from famous operas. Second graders designed posters to advertise the Congress, with oneposterchosen forpromotional packets. A grant was also securedto fundIlluminateNewport, enhancement lighting ofour Opera House/Town Hall, in conjunctionwith the town's revitalization effortofMain Street. Hundredsofhourswerespentprocessingthousandsofmailings, soliciting artists, volunteers, organizations, seeking housing, canvassing the community to sponsor suppers, tapping historical resources, inolving students and teachers in curriculum that researched important contributions of women to Newport's history, culminating in the painting of two fireplace screens displayed in Richards Free Library, and coordinating the presentation ofthe prestigious Sarah Josepha Hale Award to New Hampshire author, Wesley McNair, during the Congress in Newport, all ofwhich caught the attention of NH Public Television who came to film the event and to produce a documentary later shownon PBS. The NEAT Congress IV, Culture Builds Community, revealed another example of Newport's extraordinary community spirit and vision, attracting incredible support from local volunteers, the Newport business community, and organizations all overNewEngland, in another testimonyastohowNewport can step up to a challenge and bringrecognition not only toourtown, buttoourstate, andtoNew England. To all whowere involved, the TownofNewport thanksyou andcongratulatesyou for atremendouslywell-done and successful effort. 7 New England Artists Trust Congress IV September 1997 Photos by: Marilyn Humphreys Co-Adinistrators Courtesy of: PatrycWiggins N.E. Fndtn. forthe Arts KathyHubert