Our Town excerpt for May

MAIN STREET BEAUTIFICATION IS COMING

by Aare Ilves, Chairman, Community Tree Committee

The beautification of a significant area of Main Street in front of Dan's Max Saver and the Bulletin Board, which presently consists of gravel and weeds, will start soon. This area (160 feet by 8 feet) is on the east side of Main Street between Perry Avenue and the driveway to the parking lot and between the sidewalk and the granite curb.

Our vision for beautifying this area consists of the following:

1. In front of Dan's Max Saver: a flat paved area of stamped concrete in a cobblestone pattern.
2. In front of the Bulletin Board: a hedge of boxwoods, perennials and ground cover, with walkways for access from the street to the sidewalk.
3. In the middle: a permanent stone-faced planter box with shrubs and flowers, around the signpost.

We are also considering three movable planter boxes with annuals in front of Dan's Max Saver during the summer.

The need to improve this area in the center of Charlestown has been evident for many years. A public meeting was held last summer, where over 20 citizens discussed many ideas. Since then the Community Tree Committee has been working on preparing a design.

We have produced a site plan, specifications, and a cost estimate, which we presented to the Select board on April 20. We particularly appreciate the efforts of Steven Dumont, who gave a lot of time and effort to prepare the plan. We intend to place the project out to bid in May and expect to have it completed by July.

The total cost of approximately $17,000 will be covered by a combination of sources:

1. The Tree Committee and the Heritage Commission have around $3,000 in savings.
2. We have written several applications for grants to cover at least half of the total cost.
3. We will also be asking for contributions from local businesses and organizations and foundations.

Those wishing to donate may send checks to
Charlestown Heritage Fund,
c/o Select board, P O Box 385,
Charlestown, NH 03603

or contact Eric Lutz at 826-5565.

For additional information contact Aare Ilves at 826-3126 or write to P O Box 1496 in Charlestown.

For more information contact
Deacon David Moody, 603- 835-7900 or
e-mail: dwmoody@beaverwood.com.

http://www.goodshepherdanglican.org