By Virginia Drye
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
The Plainfield Selectboard had nothing but praise for the Plainfield 40th Anniversary Parade at their Wednesday meeting at the Philp Read Memorial Library. As Community Resource Director Stephanie Schell stated, “Plainfield knows how to run the Fourth, as the whole community comes together.” She added, “It is like a wraparound hug!”
Thousands of people came to Plainfield Village on the day, some as far away as Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, to celebrate the festivities. Recreation Director Dan Cantlin ensured that, for his first year running the parade, it was larger than in previous years. This included bringing back a band. Sharon Merchant coordinated the 15 band members, who ranged from high school students, retired educators, music teachers, paraprofessionals, college students’ home for the summer, engineers, computer programmers, analysts, and hospital workers. Many of them were from Plainfield and Meriden, but also Keene, Lebanon, White River, Grantham, Candia, and Derbyshire, England, all united by the love of music.
Previously, a local marching band called the Yankee Doodlers would march in the parade, but they recently took a hiatus. Homage was paid, though, as the Yankee Doodlers drum was present on the converted trailer holding the band that was pulled by the Town Garage’s newest truck.
“We live in the best community, and it shows when we all come together like this. I am very grateful to all the participants and everyone who came out to enjoy the day with us,” Cantlin shared when asked about what motivated such a wave of individuals to attend.
Other business conducted at the selectboard meeting included a report of damage on Grantham Mountain Road, which may have to wait for full reconstruction and replacement of the culvert as the paving is in full swing after so much rain. The deadline for applying for Countywide FEMA relief has passed, and the results of the total of damage from June is yet to be announced. Plainfield estimated that about $200,000 worth of damage was done. The last time the culvert failed on Grantham Mountain Rd. was during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
Police Chief Swett reported that all of the new cruisers have arrived and are up to date on technology. He also said he would update the selectboard on a matter still under investigation. The Eagle Times will follow up on that investigation.
The Plainfield Village Water District commissioners discussed plans for the takeover of the billings for the district and the transfer of assets to the town.
The selectboard also discussed drafting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Library Trustees and Facility Manager Brad Atwater about the responsibilities of budgeting for various work at the two library buildings in town.
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