THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Wednesday, August 29, 2012— Page 7
‘Blue Loon’ bus adds midday run from West Ossipee to Laconia & back By AdAm drApcho THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
SANDWICH — Last year, Carroll County Transit began running a morning and evening route from West Ossipee to downtown Laconia, offering anyone along the route a chance to avoid the expense and hassle of driving themselves. The route has proven popular, especially among those commuting for work. To use the service to attend an appointment, though, saw the rider stranded at his or her destination until the bus made its evening run. That changed earlier this month, thanks to the acquisition of funding which affords the program a mid-day run. Yesterday morning, a crowd gathered at the North Sandwich Store to celebrate the development. Those in attendance included officials from Tri-County CAP, NH DOT, bus drivers and nearby residents looking forward to riding the bus, nicknamed the “Blue Loon” for its bright livery. “It was a five-year project to get Carrol County Transit up and running,” said Jeanne Ryer, one of the volunteers who helped compile funding sources for Carroll County Transit, a program of Tri-County CAP. She and her cohorts persevered despite the predictions of naysayers who said such a program would never work. Yet, Ryer said, speaking to the crowd, there are many people who needed her and her cohorts to make it work. Funding for the program came from a potpourri of sources. DOT funding helped get Carroll County Transit off the ground and federal ARRA funds purchased the buses. Local municipalities chipped in, as did the Endowment for Health and the NH Charitable Foundation. Contributions form the Doris Benz and Quimby foundations were critical in making the mid-day run a possibility. Their efforts, though successful for now, could be fleeting, Ryer said. “If you don’t ride it, it won’t be here next year.” In theory, that shouldn’t be a problem Carroll County has an old population and is projected to get older, Ryer added. Many of those older residents live on fixed incomes and fluctuating gas prices can make the trip to a doctor’s appointment the supermarket uncomfortably expensive. “We all know people who could be using this service,” said Ryer. The “Blue Loon” isn’t exclusive to senior citizens, though. Anyone along the route can ride for $2 each way or $5 all day. Weekly and monthly rates are also available. The route from West Ossipee to Laconia starts at the McDonald’s restaurant at the intersection of Routes 16 and 25. Stops include the Sandwich Library, Moultonborough Town Hall, Heath’s Plaza
Carroll County Transit’s “Blue Loon” bus now makes three daily runs from West Ossipee to Laconia. On Tuesday morning, a crowd gathered at the North Sandwich Store to celebrate the development. From left, riders Peggy Merritt, Ron Lawler and Leo Goldman, driver Chip Boisvert, volunteer Jeanne Ryer, Chairman of Tri-County CAP Jack Rose, CAP Transportation Director Beverly Raymond, Lois Carmody, rider Mary Watkins, Mike Shattuck, driver Tony Martischnig, retired DOT representative Kit Morgan, DOT official Patrick Herlihy, and representing the Sandwich Board of Selectmen, Bud Martin. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)
in Center Harbor, Hannaford Supermarket in Meredith, the Interlakes Medical Center and Lakes Region General Hospital. The bus will also stop at the North Sandwich Store, or any other safe spot along the way, for riders who either call ahead (1-866-752-6890) or are successful in catching the driver’s attention as the bus drives by. The bus will also stop to let riders off at non-designated stops, so long as the driver deems the situation safe. The bus runs Monday through Friday and leaves the West Ossipee McDonald’s at 6:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m.
and 3:30 p.m. The “Blue Loon” departs LRGH at 7:55 a.m., 10:55 a.m. and 4:55 p.m. From the West Ossipee stop, Carroll County Transit also operates routes that run to Wolfeboro and to North Conway. For more information, call at the above number or visit www.tccap.org. Beverly Raymond, transportation director for Tri-County CAP, said many riders start for practical reasons but continue riding for socialization and ease of transport. “Please, get on board and try it,” she said.
LACONIA — State Representatives Robert Luther and Bob Kingsbury have endorsed District 7 state senatorial candidate Josh Youssef in the upcoming Republic primary. Youssef of Laconia and Franklin resident Bill
Grimm are vying for the chance to face off against Democrat and Laconia resident Andrew Hosmer in November. Luther and Kingsbury are both first term state representatives and both are seeking a second term.
Luther & Kingsbury endorse Youssef for Senate 7
NEW HAMPTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Monday, September 10, 2012 6 Pinnacle Hill Road, New Hampton, NH 7:00 p.m. Town Office Meeting Room
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The New Hampton Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on September 10, 2012 at 7:00pm, in accordance with RSA 36-A:5 (II), to expend money from the Conservation Fund for the purchase of the Elizabeth Clingan Baird property located off Waukewan Road between the Snake River bridge and the railroad tracks. The property contains wetlands and an upland buffer that protect the water quality of Lake Waukewan. The northern boundary abuts the Jacqueline Spear property, which was previously purchased by the commission. The parcel is shown on Tax Map R-7 Lot 34; the size and frontage are 8.1 acres and ±1500’ on the river and ±1000’ on the road. The proposed total project cost is $130,000, including $30,000 in matching funds and in-kind contributions. $100,000 will come from an Aquatic Resources Mitigation Fund Grant from the State of NH Department of Environmental Services. The match will come from the Town of Meredith and its conservation commission, the Waukewan Watershed Association (donations and an NHEC Foundation grant), as well as the New Hampton Conservation Commission Conservation Fund. The purchase price is $80,000 plus the $1,950 cost of a survey, $2,500 in legal fees for the seller’s lawyer, and property taxes from August 2010 until closing (on or before May 24, 2013). The property is assessed at $117,800. The public is encouraged to attend to ask questions and make comments.
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