Selectmen’s News.

BROOKFIELD RECREATIONAL PARK COMMITTEE Plans are underway for a park, playground, and ball field to be constructed here in Brookfield near the Town House and Town Office Building. This complex will be built with money from fundraisers and donations, with volunteers doing the building. We will also be applying for a grant from the state when we get further along. The first fundraiser, held in August at Tumbledown Farm, was the "Family Farm Day." The major event was a pig roast with all the fixings. There were also games for the young people, live entertainment, a raffle, "cow chip” bingo, and hay rides for all. It was a great success. Thanks go to the large number of volunteers from Brookfield and to the many donors and attendees. After expenses there was a profit of close to $2,500.00 to start the fund. With additional cash donations of $1,321.50 there is now a total of $3,742.88 in the bank. We have a long way to go but with your help we will be able to reach our goal of $50,000.00 and have a park we can all be proud of. This is the first project of this size ever undertaken by the townspeople of Brookfield on behalf of the Brookfield Selectmen and it is hoped it will serve to unite us all for a good cause and bring us closer as a community. If you would like to get involved or learn more about this project, please contact Selectman Clifton Camp, 522-6077 or Diane Davis, 522-9948.

The committee also sponsored a Halloween party and plans to have a Christmas party as well as ongoing fundraisers. Keep an eye out for announcements in the Granite State News and on the Notice Boards in front of the Town Hall and at the intersection of Stoneham Road and Garney Road.

New TAX RATES~~ax rates~~ are as follows:

Town of Brookfield $3.36 Last year: $2.38

Carroll County 0.75 Last year 0.69

School District-local 7.36 Last year: 6.68

School District-state 2.25 Last year 2.23

Total rate: 13.72 Last year 11.98

The Selectmen had no surplus from last year to use to reduce rates this year.

TOWN MEETING AND ELECTIONS The September 2006 state primary election went off without any serious problems in the Town of Brookfield aside from the fact that the state-provided telefax system furnished under the Help America Vote Act for sight-impaired voters did not function properly. Six new voters were added to our checklist of registered voters for a total of 471. 120 voters cast their ballots resulting in 26% voter participation. This was double the predicted state turnout of 12-14%.

Brookfield voters cast 314 ballots in the November 7 general election, a 65% turnout. Ten new voters registered, bringing our total registration to 482. Of this number 185 are Republicans, 86 are Democrats, and 211 are Undeclared.

Town Meeting will be held at the Town House Tuesday, March 13 at 7:00 PM. Polls will be open from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM on that day. Absen-tee ballots may be obtained from the Town Clerk and must be received back by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 13th. Voting on the school budget and election of school board members will take place at the Town Office Build-ing at the same time. Absentee ballots for school voting will also be avail-able from the Town Clerk and must be received back by 5:00 PM on the 13th.

TOWN BUDGET HEARINGS, WARRANT DEADLINE~~own Budget Hearings, Warrant Deadlines~~ Plan to attend the Town budget hearing on February 6 at 6:30 PM. Petitioned warrant articles are due to the Selectmen by February 26th at 5:00 PM. The last date to post the budget and the town warrant is February 26^th.

SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET MEETINGS AND BOND HEARING. ~~Petitioned warrant articles~~ ~~are due to the Selectmen by February 3 at 5:00 PM.~~

~~School District Budget Meeting and Bond Hearings.~~ The Governor Wentworth Regional School District School Board will set a preliminary budget December 19. The Board will hold final budget and bond hearings Monday, January 15 at 7:00 PM at the Voc-Tech School. Petitioned warrant articles must be submitted by January 10. The Deliberative Session to set the budget warrant will be held Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00 AM at Kingswood High School. Talk to School Board members and participate~~participate~~ in these meetings to have an impact on school expenditures.

TOSS YOUR HAT IN THE RING! Candidates for town offices must file with the Town Clerk between Wednesday, January 24th and Friday, February 2nd. Filing closes at 5:00 PM on the 2nd. Candidates for School Board must file with Mary Patry, District Clerk, at 140 Pine Hill Road (Route 109A) between Wednesday, January 24th and Friday, February 2^nd. Filing closes at 5:00 PM. Call Mary Patry at 569-1658 for school board information. Volunteers for appointment to commissions should contact the Selectmen. Town elections will be held Tuesday, March 13, 2006 for the offices and terms listed below:

Selectman (1) 3 years

Planning Board Members (2) 3 years

Trustee of Trust Funds (1) 3 years

Cemetery Trustee (1) 3 years

Auditor (1) 2 years

School Board Election. Officials to be elected on Tuesday, March 13^th are the following:

Member residing in Effingham (1) 3 years

Member residing in Ossipee (1) 3 years

Member residing in Wolfeboro (1) 1 year

Member at large (1) 3 years

Moderator (1) 1 year

(Note: Vote on each position. School Board Members are pledged to represent the entire District, not just their own towns.)

TAX COLLECTOR Congratulations Brookfield property owners! We were above the state average for timely payments made for the June billing. We had an 89% payment by the middle of July and only eleven parcels went to tax lien. As always my phone is open for anyone who wishes to speak to me about a tax issue. There is an answering machine at my home number, 522-6551. I will return all calls and go to my office to help you when needed. I have been your Tax Collector for twenty years and received my 20-year certificate at the convention this fall. It is my pleasure to work for all of you and get to know many of you through these many years and I plan to remain your tax collector if this is your desire and I am reelected this March. Diana Peckham

Boards and Committees News

PLANNING BOARD Tumbledown Farm was the site of two very well received folk festival concerts with catered dinners served using food products from the Farm. Because such events are not covered in our zoning ordinance, the Selectmen gave special permits. The Board is now holding a series of workshops and hearings to discuss whether we want changes to our residential/agricultural zone to permit such uses to continue. The Board is also developing language on accessory apartments. Member Mike McLaughlin resigned and Charlotte Colman was appointed to fill the vacancy until the March election. Janet Murfy was appointed as an alternate. The public is invited to attend all meetings, usually held on 2^nd and 4^th Mondays.

Conservation Commission Town Clean-Up Day will be held Saturday, May 6, 2007, again chaired by Judy Moore. In the past six months the Stafford Regional Planning Commission has completed and digitized a map showing all conservation and current-use land parcels and wetlands in the Town of Brookfield as of the year 2003. An update to the year 2006 is now under way. It will be a valuable tool for the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, and the new regional program, "Land Conservation Plan for NH's Coastal Watersheds," locally administered by Moose Mountain Regional Greenways. Brookfield is the northernmost contributing water source. The Town took a 7-acre parcel of land in the Pike Brook wetlands area for nonpayment of taxes. It has been physically identified and will be protected for conservation purposes. The Commission is fully staffed with six appointed members and three alternates. It meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM in the Town Office Building. The public is always invited to attend.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT In 2006 the Zoning Board of Adjustment heard Appeals from decisions by Administrative Officials and the Planning Board on Applications for Variances from the Zoning Ordinance and Applications for Special Exceptions under the Zoning Ordinance. Appeals from decisions of the Selectmen, Code Enforcement Officer or the Planning Board are limited to determining whether the Zoning Ordinance has been interpreted properly. Variances are requests to "vary" some activity from the terms of the Zoning Ordinance and are determined according to the five-part test specified by state law. A variance cannot be contrary to the spirit of the Zoning Ordinance, and the Zoning Board cannot change the Zoning Ordinance. Special Exceptions can only be granted when they are specifically permitted by the Zoning Ordinance (such as setbacks). A Special Exception must be in harmony with the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is an important document. It is available at the Town Office Building, and we urge everyone to become familiar with it. The Zoning Ordinance can only be changed by vote of the residents by written ballot at the time of a Town Meeting. Jim Martin, Chair

Trustees of Trust Funds The eleventh annual Scholastic Recognition Award went to Kasey Wyman, the graduating senior from Brookfield with the highest four-year grade-point average. Congratulations, Kasey! Contributions and memorial donations to Brookfield’s Scholastic Recognition Award Fund are deductible from Federal income taxes for those who itemize deductions. Call Chris Pinkham for information at 522-9925.

COME TO THE TOWN Coffee Hours! They will be held at the Town House on alternate winter Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30 AM. They provide an opportunity to meet your neighbors, discuss town issues and meet candidates for offices. Watch for the sign at the Town House and check the calendar. Contact Diane Davis at 522-9948 to provide goodies.

BROOKFIELD BLOOMERS took great care of the Town House gardens again and had fun at various events including the progressive dinner and potluck supper, speakers, crafts, and field trips. Contact Lois Royle at 522-8972 to join. The first spring meeting is April 18^th at 6:30 PM.

Reminders

Dump permits expire January 31, 2008. See the Town Clerk to get new permits. They cost $2.00.

Dog licenses must be renewed by April 30 or a civil forfeiture fine of $25.00 will be incurred in addition to a late fee of one dollar a month. Renewal forms will be available starting January 1. Rabies shots must be current. Bring a rabies certificate from your veterinarian as proof. See the Town Clerk for new licenses and permits.

You are reminded that injury or destruction of any cemetery or burial ground including monuments, tombs, fences, gates, and other structures is a felony. RSA 635.6

Severe Emergencies. In case of extended power outages or other emergencies, the Town House will be open to provide water, cooking facilities, and shelter to residents in need.

Emergency care files update. Please notify the Wakefield Town Hall or Police Department of anyone who is on a life support ventilator, uses an oxygen system or any other type of life support system that runs on electricity, is bedridden and would need to be moved in the event of power failure, or lives alone and may need to be checked on in the event of power failure.

Contact Adeline Russo, 522-3458, Supervisor of the Checklist for voter registration information.

Intent to Cut and Intent to Excavate forms must be signed by the selectmen and filed with the Town Assessor Clerk before work begins. Town Driveway Permits are mandatory when putting in a driveway accessing a town road. Apply to the Code Enforcement Officer. State permits are required for accessing state roads.

Protect our town from fire! Notify our fire warden, Doug Vanderpool, 522-8432, of all open burning you plan.

“Good Morning, Seniors.” Seniors or shut-ins who want to take part may call the Wakefield Police Department daily to let them know they are all right. Call Earleen DiPrizio at 522-3232.

Aluminum cans, rinsed, may be deposited in the collection trailer at the rear of the Town House. Mr. DeLisle donates half of the money raised to the Scholastic Recognition Award Fund.

Check town notice boards at the Town House and Stoneham Corners for official notices of, hearings, meetings, and changes of office hours. All meetings are open to the public unless otherwise posted.

Spring hunting season dates are noted on the calendar. There is no closed season for coyote, porcupine, skunk, weasel, wild boar, or woodchuck. Wear blaze orange for visibility in the woods. Check the web at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us for details.

The Community Affairs Committee, Town of Brookfield, NH, publishes Town of Brookfield, NH Newsletter twice a year. Write to M. Pike, Editor, P. O. Box 800, Sanbornville, NH 03872-0800.

Town of Brookfield, NH Calendar, January - June 2007

All meetings and office hours listed below will be held at

Brookfield’s Town Office Building (522-3688) unless otherwise noted

Dates are believed to be accurate at time of publication. Changes will always be posted.

Check notice boards or telephone to verify.

January

Town Clerk .,,.. Mondays Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29, 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Tuesdays Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Tax Assessor Clerk (Mondays - or by appt.) .….…………………….…….……...... January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Conservation Commission (Wednesday) ............………..….....………..…..……….……..……………............. January 3, 4:00 PM

Planning Board (Mondays) ......................… …….……..….………..……….………..………..……..... January 8 and 22, 7:00 PM

Selectmen's Meeting (Tuesdays) ………………….…..…….....…..……………………...…..……...... January 9 and 23 - 6:30 PM

Trustees of the Trust Fund (Thursday)………………..……………...……....…….…………..…..………….January 11, 7:00 PM

Tax Collector (Fridays - or by appt.) .......……....…….....….......…….…..….………........ January 12 and 26, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Final School Budget and Bond Hearing (Monday), Voc-Tech Center……………………….…………..…. January 15, 7:00 PM

Voter Registration (Tuesday)…………..….…………………………….………………………….January 23, 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Filing Period for Town Offices and School District Offices……………….……………...…...…. January 24 through February2

Coyote night hunting ……….…………………….…………………………….……...….….….…………..………... Opens January 1

School closed, In-Service Day…………………….…………………………………..………………….…………………….January 2

School Board Meeting (Monday) Voc-Tech Center …………………………………………….…. ……………..… Jan. 15, 7:15 PM

Senior Meals, St. Anthony's Church, Wakefield (Fridays) .....……………...........…….………... January 5, 12, 19, and 26, 12:00, Noon

Saturday Morning Coffees, Old Town House ...................………............…………….…..…January 13 and 27, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

School closed, Civil Rights Day (Monday) ......…………………….………..………………....…….………............……....... January 15

Hunting season for Fisher……………………………………………...............…………………….……………..Closes January 31

February

Conservation Commission (Wednesday) .........…….………………………..………….….……..………........ February 7, 4:00 PM

Deliberative Session, Gov. Wentworth Reg. School District (Saturday) Kingswood RHS…………...…… February 3, 10:00 AM

Town Clerk. (Mondays) February 5, 12, 19, 26, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM and (Tuesdays) February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Tax Assessor Clerk (Mondays - or by appt.) ..……………………………,,,,,,,,……… February 5, 12, 19, 26, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Town Petitioned Warrant Articles Deadline (Tuesday) …....….…...…………………..……………………..…... February 6, 6:30

Town Budget Meeting (Tuesday) ..…………………………….…………..…………….…………….………..February 6, 6:30 PM

Tax Collector (Fridays - or by appt.) .....……........………………….......…………........ February 9 and 23, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Planning Board (Mondays) ............................…….……………….………………………...……..... February 12 and 26, 7:00 PM

Selectmen's Meeting (Tuesdays) …......……..........……………………….……………….......…....... February 13 and 27, 6:30 PM

Last date to post Town budget and warrant (Monday)..………….…….……………..……………….………………….February 26

Senior Meals, St. Anthony's Church, Wakefield (Fridays) ....………....….......…...………….………. February 2, 9, 16, 23, 12:00 Noon

School Board Meetings (Mondays) VocTech Center ...….…………....…..………….…….………........... February 5 and 19, 7:15 PM

Saturday Morning Coffees, Old Town House …...................………......…..……….….….…February 10 and 24, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

School Closed, Winter Recess ………………………………………….…………………...……..……….……February 28 – March 2

March

Conservation Commission (Wednesday) …………..……………………..…..…..….……….............……........... March 7, 4:00 PM

Voter Registration (Saturday)………………………………………..….…………...…………..………March 3, 11:00 – 11:30AM

Town Clerk (Mondays) March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM and (Tuesdays) March 6, 13, 20, and 27, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

Tax Assessor Clerk (Mondays - or by appt.) .…………….…………...……….……..March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tax Collector (Fridays - or by appt.) ......……………......….….….….……….…...….…..... March 9 and 23, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Planning Board (Mondays) .................................………………………………..….…...………....……... March 12 and 26, 7:00 PM

Town Voting Day (Tuesday) ………………………………………..………………………..……..…. March 13, 1:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Town Meeting, Town House (Tuesday) …...……………...…………………….………….…….………….……..March 13, 7:00 PM

Selectmen's Meeting (Tuesdays) …...…………………….….......………………….……….…...….…...March 13 and 28, 6:30 PM

Saturday Morning Coffees, Old Town House.,...........................…..…...…………….….....…March 10 and 24, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Senior Meals, St. Anthony's Church, Wakefield (Fridays) .......…..…..………….…...……..…..... March 2, 9, 16, and 23, 12:00 Noon

School Board Meetings, VocTech Center (Mondays) ….……………………….………………………...… March 5 and 19, 7:15 PM

Hunting season for Snowshoe Hare, Cottontail Rabbit …….....…......………………………………..………......……. Closes March 15

School closed (In-Service Day)…………………………………………….………..………….………………………….……..March 26

Hunting season for Red & Gray Fox, Raccoon, night hunting of Coyote ……………..………………...………......... Closes March 31

April

Town Clerk (Mondays) …April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM and (Tuesdays) April 3, 10, 17, and 24, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Tax Assessor Clerk (Mondays - or by appt.) .………………………………..………....…..…April 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2:00 PM - 5:00

Conservation Commission (Wednesday) …….……..……………………..…..………..………….…...……...…......April 4, 4:00 PM

Planning Board (Mondays) .....…...……….………….........………………..……………..……...…..…….April 9 and 23, 7:00 PM

Selectmen's Meeting (Tuesdays) …...……...……..………….……….………………………...……...….. April 10 and 24, 6:30 PM

Trustees of the Trust Fund Meeting (Thursday)…..…….……….……….…………………….………....………April 12, 7:00 PM

Tax Collector (Fridays - or by appt.) ...……….......…..….……...……………….......…..….. April 13 and 27, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

School Board Meeting (Mondays)……….…………………… …….… April 2 (Crescent Lake ES) and 16 (VocTech Cntr), 7:15 PM

Senior Meals, St. Anthony's Church, Wakefield (Fridays) ……...………………….….…………....April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 12:00 Noon

Brookfield Bloomers, Old Town House (Wednesday).......………….………………….………..………………...…..April 18, 7:00 PM

School Closed, Spring Recess………………………………..………………………………...……...………. April 23 through April 27

May

Town Clerk (Monday). May 7. 14. 21. and 28, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM and (Tuesday). May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Tax Assessor Clerk (Mondays – or by appt.)………………………..…………….….… May 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Conservation Commission (Wednesday) ..…………………………………………………..………………...……... May 2, 4:00 PM

Planning Board (Mondays) ............……………….....…...................………………….....…..……………… May 14 and 28, 7:00 PM

Selectmen's Meeting (Tuesdays) …...….…...…….…………………............…….……………………….. May 8 and 22, 6:30 PM

Tax Collector (Fridays - or by appt.) .....….…....….……..……………..…..….…...…........... May 11 and 25, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Hunting season for Wild Turkey …………………….……...……….……………....….……………………….………... Opens May 1

School Board Meeting (Mondays)….……….……………..……………May 7 (Tuftonboro ES) and May 21 (VocTech Cntr), 7:15 PM

Senior Meals, St. Anthony's Church, Wakefield (Fridays) ..…..…………….…..………………… May 4, 11, 18, and 25, 12:00 Noon

Town Cleanup Day (Saturday)………………………………….………………..……..……………….May 5, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society, Little Red Schoolhouse (Tuesday) ….…………….…………..………………May 8, 7:30 PM

Brookfield Bloomers, Old Town House (Wednesday).........………………………….……..………….……………….May 16, 7:00 PM

Selectmen’s News.

Selectman (1) 3 years

Planning Board Members (2) 3 years

Cemetery Trustee (1) 3 years

Auditor (1) 2 years

Reminders

Abbreviated Brookfield Directory