Today’s Greeter: Robert Louf welcomed members to Bow Rotary
President Bryant Stevener, presiding
Attendance:
34 Bow Rotarians
0 Visiting Rotarians
1 Guest: Ian Cascadden
0 Guest speakers
Total of 35
Announcements:
RLI (Rotary Leadership Institute) is happening March 16 at NHTI. All levels are planned to be available.
Donations over $2,500 require announcement at 2 meetings, and then a vote at the third meeting. Having made two previous announcements, President Bryant reminded the Club that the proposed allocation is $22,500 for scholarships and $5,000 for camperships. Discussion yielded that the website for accessing the applications has been improved; that “scholarships” include awards for vocational and other programs, not just standard college courses; and that we have broadened our reach to community colleges, Dunbarton students, etc. It was moved, seconded and voted to APPROVE this allocation.
Michele Fortin announced that her daughter Andrea, a student at Boston College, has been participating in a program (APPA, the Appalachian outreach program) which helps to rebuild houses, distribute food and clothing to homeless and vulnerable people, and provide comfort to those who have been through disasters. Michele encouraged members who want to support these efforts to contact her in order to make a contribution to the program.
Speaker has vertigo, so unable to attend this morning.
Sergeant at Arms:
Logo Fines: Jon Ruggles, Michele Oliver, Jerry Kingwill; Late fine: Michele Fortin
Happy Bucks:
Ben Kiniry, using Bob Louf’s opening remarks, remembered how much fun he had flying kites as a kid.
Mike Griffin: also remembered being a kid, and never would have believed that the Pats would win one Super Bowl, never mind SIX!
Dick Bean: a day for remembering, thought about his past political history, serving in many capacities in the town of Bow; and still decided to run as a selectman for the Town of Pembroke.
Jerry Kingwill: very grateful for Concord Hospital, which took good care of his wife.
Dave Gazaway: several bucks: suggested that if we don’t find sufficient applicants in Bow, that we consider sending some of our scholarship funding to Berlin, NH, or another community which might really need help. Reminisced about the basketball day, last Friday; Corey Laroche (son of Brian) was inducted, and the junior varsity team won. Had a good Super Bowl event at his house; and remembered that he might have been chased by a Town of Bow police officer at one time.
Michele Fortin: happy to have been supported by so many club members after the water damage in her kitchen. She is heading to Florida to see Noreen and Steve soon.
Jon Ruggles: a sympathy dollar for one of his employees who “over celebrated” the Super Bowl touchdown.
Donna Deos: offered a new category of “suck bucks”; her speaker had to cancel, and she found out (too late) that she was on set up crew.
Ben Kiniry: his aunt, who had been on a transplant list for a long time, finally received a new liver. She’s doing well.
Raffle Winner: Sandy Eldredge, who did not find the joker
Program: Bryant Stevener introduced David Stack, Town Manager for Bow
Town meeting is fast approaching.
Budget process begins in June each year:
CIP Committee maps out all capital improvements in an effort to minimize the impact on the budget.
In the fall, department heads work on refining their own budgets through mid-December.
Budget Committee works on the budget from January through mid-February. Meeting scheduled Tuesday, February 12, at 6 pm, to review the combined budgets of the town and the schools.
Commercial Development: Matt Taylor has been hard at work
Has the patience to keep moving forward; has a vision of what Bow can be.
Meeting with Town of Hooksett: sewer and water are topics. Trying to get both communities to a point of benefiting from the “boat load” of water available.
Water Study: MBTE funds to help with water quality and availability at Exit 1.
Petition Article: to increase the exemption available for disabled veterans
Member: If you have Program responsibilities for an upcoming meeting and are in need of a speaker, the following people have acknowledged their interest in speaking to our club as of 2/3/18.
