Thursday, August 25, 2011
MEETING HOSTED BY ROTARIAN Lynn Christensen
The meeting began at 7:15 am at the John O’Leary Adult Community Center (4 Church Street, Merrimack)with the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” and recitation of the “Four Way Test.” The invocation was given byRotarianLynn Christensen. Breakfast was catered by Granite State Caterers (
GUESTS:
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Lynn Christensen introduced Town manager, Eileen Cabanel
ROTARY MINUTE:
Dan Bittel gave the following Rotary minute:
“Responsibility of the Program Chair”Based on 51 weeks and our membership, you only do a program twice a year. Guest Selection needs to be very informative & interesting
- Below is a list of duties
- Send information about your speaker to the person who writes the newsletter
- You need to have a secret greeter
- During the meeting, you must have the prayer. You do not have to do it yourself, but you need to have someone else do it
- Arrive early enough to put up:
- Banners
- Podium
- Bell & Rotary speaker’s cup
- Rotary table and badges
- Introduce the guest speaker to everyone
- You and your guest speaker sit at the head table
- After the meeting you need to put everything away
- You need to send a “thank you” note to the speaker
- The following week you need to be the desk person who takes attendance, sells raffle tickets, etc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Coats for Kids – Macy’s to give Katie a 20% discount on the coats and hats a & mittens will be provide by person who has done it in the past
The signage for Kids Kove has been completed and a dedication for theplayground to be on Wednesday, 9/7 at 6pm. Volunteers for install are needed.
Yard Sale another pick up last Tuesday and Bill’s shed is full. Need to get trailers soon with another pick up for 4 loads in Tyngsboro to be set up.
Interact Mum Sale due today. Interact to work at Loudon Raceway on 9/23/11
Membership meeting on Friday, 9/9 at 7am at DW Diner
Thank you to Sylvia Stevens for a great time at the Fisher Cats game this past Tuesday
Next Social will be on Tuesday, 9/20 at the Country Tavern on 101A
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
In our ever increasing efforts to streamline and accommodate all speakers and their presentations, the Club can now handle Apple Mac computers and other peripherals. Adapters are now in the safe which holds the Rotary Laptop and HDMI cable; this should allow an effective link to the presentation monitor (TV). Paul Belfiore is also looking into one more adapter for the docking port for the Dell laptop to not only link with 1080i clarity (and full screen projection), but also a sound box when that is in use.
File this under: Is it beneficial to all concerned? From Pat McGrath
“DOLLARS ARE A CINCH WITH HINCH:”
Dick Hinch (Sergeant-at-Arms) fined the following Rotarians:
Chris Christensen paid a voluntary fine to get things moving for the speaker to have time to speak. Barbara Michael paid; Joe Mitchell was the official athletic supporter by wearing an Adidas baseball cap to the Fisher Cats game; Peter Flood paid a fine for missing a foul ball which hit his wife Jackie on the hand; Mike Hoover for being the youngest person at the game; Rob Moore forgot to finish dressing, but he called it casual Thursday; and Tim Brand and Phil DeGregorio received the twin fine. Late fines for Barbara, Tony, and Dave and scooter fine for Mike Hoover
HAPPY FINES:
The following “Happy Fines” were announced:
Jane Hoover was happy to see that Ethan is back to school and is staying in a hotel complete with large TV, microwave, etc. now that he is an RA; Joe Mitchell enjoyed the baseball game; Pat McGrath and Mary Ellen celebrated 37 years of marriage and their daughter Colleen signed for their new house; Janet Angus had an advertising fine for the next Library book sale on September 10 and 11 and is looking for donations and she is going to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at the Hampton Casino on Saturday; Pete Giacapuzzi’s happy fine was that his granddaughter was picked as a starter for her college soccer team and for not being able to help with the yard sale pick on Tuesday because Tuesday's are his golfing days; Phil’s Cardinals team was to open Sunday, but moved their first game to Saturday due to impending Hurricane Irene; Dick Hinch and Maureen Mooney were both happy to attend a scout event 4 young men went to Eagle Scout from Troop 15.
- In addition to the raffle, Barbara Michael made brownies which were auctioned off with the prize going to Steve Russell.
RAFFLE WINNER: Phil DeGregorioSECRET GREETER: Janet Angus
BIRTHDAYS:
PROGRAM:
On Thursday, 8/25, the speaker was the new Town manager, Eileen Cabanel
- Bio of Eileen:
Before becoming Town Manager in Merrimack in May, Eileen Cabanel was the City Manager of the City of Laconia from February 2001. Prior to holding that position she served as the Finance Director/Assistant City Manager. From 1990 to 1999 she served as the Finance Director/City Treasurer for the City of Somersworth, NH.
Eileen graduated Magna Cum Laude from Franklin Pierce College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting, computer science and business management.
During her tenure as Laconia City Manager, Eileen oversaw numerous infrastructure improvements in the City, including a new police station, the renovation and addition to the historic library, and the relocation and renovation of the Public Work’s facilities. Other major City projects she has overseen have included the construction of a “Riverwalk” in the downtown area, renewal of a collaborative agreement with Lakes Region General Hospital for ambulance service and working with the State of New Hampshire for the first public boat launch in the City on Lake Winnisquam.
Throughout her years as City Manager, and because of her strong financial background, Eileen continued to be heavily involved in the financial aspects of the City. She actively oversaw the preparation of twelve annual City budgets, five of which were under a tax cap.
Eileen is a New Hampshire native who grew up in Concord. She currently resides in Laconia, but will be moving to Merrimack in the near future. She has a daughter Lauren and granddaughter Lily who live in nearby Raymond.
Eileen feels it is key to listen to people and also to see what they are doing. Her experience in Laconiagives her insight into what she hopes to accomplish here in Merrimack. She pointed out that a lot was accomplished in the area of infrastructure while Laconia was under a tax cap. She said that a surplus was important and should be 5-10% of the budget as a way to earn interest income as well as showing potential bond people that the town is in good shape.
She feels that Merrimack has a lot of potential and being between Manchester and Nashua and near Bedford, all of whom are pretty much developed. She feels Merrimack is on the verge of a spectacular future. Good base in town with a variety of ages. The mall is a good sign because even though it took them a lot to get here, the fact they hung in shows that they think Merrimack is a good fit. She feels it’s a window of opportunity and with the update of the Town Master Plan underway.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 am.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 7:15 am. Barbara Michael will host the meeting.
Upcoming program responsibilities
September 8Tim Brand
September 15Steve RussellClub Assembly
September 22Ralph Stevens
September 29Ron Douville
Published by the Rotary Club of Merrimack
Maureen Mooney, Chair of the Public Relations Committee
603.578.4890;