567-3267

bgemini@fairpoint.net

The benefit supper for Prospect Concerns Heating Fund has been postponed to Feb. 16 from 4-6 p.m. I have received several donations of money this week for the fund. It is such a worthy cause and please remember if you need emergency assistance, give me a call at the number above.

Nomination papers are now available at the Town Office for a three-year term for selectman and a one-year term for road commissioner. The fire chief is no longer an elected official, but is an appointed position. Town meeting will be held Mar. 30 at 9 a.m. in the fire station, and the election of officers will be the day before, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mar. 29 in the Town Office.

A second budget meeting will be held Mar. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Town Office to finalize the articles for town meeting. When the first budget meeting was held, the government had not yet determined how much they were going to cut revenue-sharing to the towns, and there were many questions about the Homestead Exemption reduction.

The Prospect Community Club will be 40 years old this month. The incorporation papers were signed in February 1973, and over the years many improvements were made. A drilled well, two bathrooms, new furnaces, new windows and doors, dining room completely renovated, ramp for easy access to the dining room, new shingles, completely clad in vinyl siding and much more. Maddie’s Place had been renovated by Fred and Diane Swift, the former owners, and now the new owners, D.J. Moody and Ruth Helbig, are making more changes. They request feedback from the customers if something is not to your liking in the food department. They aim to please, and the only way they will know if something is wrong is if you let them know.

On Jan. 28, we lost the power here in town for about four hours in most areas. Fire Chief Tim Terry and I were planning to have the generator in the fire station turned on to allow power to the dining room, where people could come in and get water, have something to eat or just get warm. We had set the time to do this at noon, but the power was restored about 11 a.m. In the event of a long power outage, that plan will go into effect to help people. My cell phone number is 299-4888 for information, as the land lines will also be out.

Joe-4-Oil is now taking applications for 100 gallons of free oil or kerosene by calling 877-563-4645. The lines are very busy, but keep trying, as several people here in Prospect got some help that way. This has been such a cold winter -- probably would have been better to have snow, as the snow banks your house when we have a lot.

There has been a big flock of red cap birds around our feeders and back yard. We also have five blue jays that believe their home is our deck. Still have European starlings coming to the suet, and the other day I saw a fight take place between a blue jay and a starling. It was comical, as I did not think blue jays would be aggressive with other birds; before, they would fly away to avoid confrontation. Love watching them and hope to start seeing different species coming back.

I want to wish you all a safe and healthy week, and please remember those who need a prayer or a card. God bless you all.