Report #4
March 6, 2009

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORT
By Raymond S. Burton

In recent times there has been growing interest in historic places and buildings here in Council District One. Much has been written and photographed about these historic sights, buildings and unfortunately there are meager public funds to just maintain facility structures. More public funds should be allocated for the crafts and skills needed to enhance and bring back to original standing which has many benefits for employment and purchase of material, etc.

The restoration of the Cornish/ Windsor, VT, Wooden Covered Bridge was a great project to follow as I chaired the special committee for NH DOT and attended the early December Dedication with then Governor Judd Gregg and with Vermont Governor Madeline Kunin. The total cost was over 5 million dollars. This bridge is still serving modern traffic needs in the Connecticut River Valley.

Small town projects like the Alton Railroad Park, Lebanon/Westboro Rail Yard Project, Shelburne Bridge, Woodsville RR Recreation Park, Lisbon Railroad Station, and the Digester Building in Laconia, are but a few of the projects wanting attention and money.

Much to the credit of local historical societies in nearly every community large and small, historic preservation is kept alive and in the public eye and in some cases in the public budget.

What are your concerns and ideas for historic preservation?

Contact Ben Wilson at 271-2411.

Represents all the towns and cities in Coos and Grafton counties as well as the cities and towns of Albany, Alton, Bartlett, Belmont, Center Harbor, Charlestown, Chatham, Claremont, Conway, Cornish, Croydon, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Gilford, Grantham, Hale's Location(unincorporated place), Hart's Location, Jackson, Laconia, Madison, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Newport, Ossipee, Plainfield, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Springfield, Sunapee, Tamworth, Tilton, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro.

For additional information on the cities and towns in this district, go to www.nh.gov/municipal/.

Councilor Burton may be contacted at two locations: his State House Office at 603-271-3632, rburton@nh.gov;and at his home office at 747-3662, ray.burton@myfairpoint.net.