1 00:00:01,133 --> 00:00:06,033 - For this week's report, river 2 00:00:06,100 --> 00:00:08,300 Run, river stabilization project underway 3 00:00:11,433 --> 00:00:13,500 Selectboard here is paid parking proposal. 4 00:00:16,233 --> 00:00:18,000 Exeter TV receives CPR training 5 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:23,333 updates from SAU 16 on school 6 00:00:23,333 --> 00:00:27,266 renovations and Exeter Mark. 7 00:00:27,367 --> 00:00:28,533 10 years without the great 8 00:00:28,634 --> 00:00:33,100 Dam Forter tv. 9 00:00:33,834 --> 00:00:36,367 I am Gabriel Perez. I am lost in the woods. 10 00:00:36,900 --> 00:00:41,066 And this is the Exeter biweekly report. Let us get started. 11 00:00:59,433 --> 00:01:00,634 Good afternoon Exeter. 12 00:01:00,667 --> 00:01:02,266 Thanks for tuning into the show today. 13 00:01:02,867 --> 00:01:05,033 If you haven't done so already, hit the subscribe button 14 00:01:05,266 --> 00:01:07,467 and like this video to help spread the word about the show 15 00:01:07,634 --> 00:01:08,634 and all things Exeter. 16 00:01:09,133 --> 00:01:11,266 You can also head over to the town website to subscribe 17 00:01:11,266 --> 00:01:12,467 to the town's email newsletter. 18 00:01:12,834 --> 00:01:14,734 To get this show and of the local news, 19 00:01:14,734 --> 00:01:16,300 send straight into your inbox. 20 00:01:17,634 --> 00:01:19,033 For our first segment, we were invited 21 00:01:19,033 --> 00:01:21,567 to the River Run community to learn more about the efforts 22 00:01:21,634 --> 00:01:23,467 to stabilize 550 feet 23 00:01:23,467 --> 00:01:27,033 of severely eroding shoreline along the Exeter River in the 24 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:29,000 river run community off of Linden Street. 25 00:01:29,033 --> 00:01:31,634 There is an impending unfortunate circumstance. 26 00:01:31,934 --> 00:01:34,066 In 2009, the New Hampshire Department 27 00:01:34,066 --> 00:01:35,133 of Environmental Services 28 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:38,533 or DES, conducted a geomorphic assessment 29 00:01:38,667 --> 00:01:41,233 of the Exeter River that runs through the borders 30 00:01:41,233 --> 00:01:43,700 of the community regarding severe storm issues. 31 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:46,500 They found several areas were documented 32 00:01:46,500 --> 00:01:49,033 for stormwater runoff and bank erosion concerns. 33 00:01:49,367 --> 00:01:52,000 This erosion becomes a long-term issue when the dirt 34 00:01:52,100 --> 00:01:53,834 beneath the soil isn't strong enough 35 00:01:53,834 --> 00:01:56,634 to resist high flooding areas as they weaken over time. 36 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,700 With trees rooted on the inside, they run the risk 37 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:02,767 of being pulled down by gravity, collapsing everything 38 00:02:02,767 --> 00:02:05,100 above it in order to prevent another collapse. 39 00:02:05,834 --> 00:02:08,300 N-H-D-E-S gave an emergency operation permit 40 00:02:08,433 --> 00:02:12,367 to create a temporary rip wrap stones along the shoreline. 41 00:02:12,734 --> 00:02:16,066 This was a short-term solution as DES instructed them 42 00:02:16,066 --> 00:02:17,867 that they must create something long-term 43 00:02:18,333 --> 00:02:19,634 to prevent further erosion. 44 00:02:20,266 --> 00:02:22,700 Said plan must include a living shoreline. 45 00:02:22,934 --> 00:02:25,767 Since then, the Rockingham County Conservation District has 46 00:02:25,767 --> 00:02:28,533 worked diligently alongside cobblestone properties 47 00:02:29,066 --> 00:02:31,266 to put a plan into place that prevents the erosion, 48 00:02:31,867 --> 00:02:33,867 creating a living wall of flood resilient plants 49 00:02:34,233 --> 00:02:35,533 and saving people's homes. 50 00:02:35,834 --> 00:02:37,500 That plan starts right here. 51 00:02:55,634 --> 00:02:58,000 Tracy Deon, the senior project manager 52 00:02:58,033 --> 00:03:00,066 for the Rockingham County Conservation 53 00:03:00,100 --> 00:03:01,233 District, explains more 54 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:03,233 - When you get a lot of rain. 55 00:03:03,734 --> 00:03:05,000 It saturates roots 56 00:03:05,133 --> 00:03:08,300 and the river had already eroded some of the bank. 57 00:03:08,700 --> 00:03:10,100 So you put the combination of that 58 00:03:10,133 --> 00:03:11,700 and perhaps a little wind together 59 00:03:12,133 --> 00:03:14,100 and a high, you know, water flow. 60 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,634 And you will see things like an eroding bank happen 61 00:03:17,834 --> 00:03:20,834 and you will see trees pull down pieces of that bank. 62 00:03:21,133 --> 00:03:24,100 And this particular site is very sensitive 63 00:03:24,100 --> 00:03:28,500 because the homes are located in very close 64 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:29,634 proximity to that bank. 65 00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:32,634 And so it was a very much of a concern for everyone. 66 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:36,000 On a normal river bank, you should have native plants, 67 00:03:36,100 --> 00:03:38,567 native river plants, and if you look across the river, 68 00:03:38,667 --> 00:03:40,100 that's the floodplain 69 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:42,233 and that's kind of the plants that should be growing air. 70 00:03:42,433 --> 00:03:45,266 So notice how much higher we are in elevation from the fill. 71 00:03:45,734 --> 00:03:50,133 So we're gonna try and include native plants that are able 72 00:03:50,233 --> 00:03:53,100 to deal with water flows as they rise and fall, right? 73 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:57,000 So they have to have the ability to adapt to those kinds 74 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,033 of conditions below 75 00:03:58,033 --> 00:03:59,367 - The line where the plants will be placed 76 00:03:59,467 --> 00:04:01,767 as a giant metal wall, creating a barrier 77 00:04:01,767 --> 00:04:03,300 between the soil and the river. 78 00:04:03,533 --> 00:04:04,834 - Those are called pilings. 79 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:09,934 So those were needed because the slope was so steep there 80 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,233 and there's no ability to angle that slope inland 81 00:04:13,333 --> 00:04:16,000 because the housing structures are located right there. 82 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,834 So in a, in a normal stabilization, 83 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,133 you might not need those pilings, 84 00:04:20,133 --> 00:04:21,133 but we needed something 85 00:04:21,133 --> 00:04:24,033 to stabilize the banks without cutting in anymore. 86 00:04:24,266 --> 00:04:26,000 'cause there's nowhere to go. Those are there in 87 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:27,133 place that's gonna hold it. 88 00:04:27,433 --> 00:04:30,033 But the bank that's gonna be developed 89 00:04:30,033 --> 00:04:34,066 with a geotechnical fabric called Somax 90 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:37,066 and Pax, those are gonna be planted with native plants 91 00:04:37,133 --> 00:04:40,033 and hydro seeded so that the plants are actually helping 92 00:04:40,033 --> 00:04:41,100 to hold the bank as well. 93 00:04:41,634 --> 00:04:43,700 And you really want those plants to stay there 94 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:45,233 to hold that bank in place. 95 00:04:45,266 --> 00:04:47,767 And you don't want mowing, you don't want grass. 96 00:04:49,066 --> 00:04:50,734 So that's, that's the intent of it. 97 00:04:50,834 --> 00:04:52,834 And I think the hope is, you know, 98 00:04:53,033 --> 00:04:55,000 50, 75 years we're looking at, 99 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:58,467 but we're also talking climate changes, so it's really hard 100 00:04:58,467 --> 00:05:00,634 to tell, but I think those pilings are pretty 101 00:05:00,634 --> 00:05:01,867 secure for a long time. 102 00:05:02,634 --> 00:05:04,767 - If you'd like to keep up with the River Run Restoration 103 00:05:04,767 --> 00:05:06,033 Project and what steps are next, 104 00:05:06,567 --> 00:05:09,533 you can visit the Rockingham County Conservation District's 105 00:05:09,533 --> 00:05:14,467 website@rockinghamccd.org slash Exeter River run. 106 00:05:17,233 --> 00:05:19,567 The select board heard important updates on the status 107 00:05:19,634 --> 00:05:22,367 of the closed Park Street Bridge, a paid parking proposal, 108 00:05:22,934 --> 00:05:24,133 and more at their latest meeting. 109 00:05:24,734 --> 00:05:27,333 Will Tapley breaks it down in our meeting minute series. 110 00:05:32,900 --> 00:05:34,100 - This is your meeting minute 111 00:05:34,033 --> 00:05:37,467 for the September 14th, 2026 select board meeting. 112 00:05:38,033 --> 00:05:39,133 Near the beginning of the meeting, 113 00:05:39,433 --> 00:05:41,300 public Works director Steven Cronin, 114 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:42,634 gave an update on the completion 115 00:05:42,634 --> 00:05:44,033 of the roundabout at the intersection 116 00:05:44,033 --> 00:05:46,033 of Front Linden and Pine Street. 117 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:49,533 - All in all, I think the project went pretty well. 118 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:54,934 I think the detour was a a, a big factor in helping us to, 119 00:05:54,934 --> 00:05:58,100 to get that project completed in a timely manner. 120 00:05:59,166 --> 00:06:00,533 You know, we weren't able to get it open 121 00:06:00,533 --> 00:06:02,100 before the start of school unfortunately, 122 00:06:02,133 --> 00:06:04,266 but we were able to do so before the election 123 00:06:05,133 --> 00:06:07,634 and I, you know, I think it certainly helped 124 00:06:07,634 --> 00:06:09,333 that intersection a great deal. 125 00:06:10,133 --> 00:06:14,033 Who was the contractor on this project? Michelle Blazer on. 126 00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:17,500 They were so good at interacting with our public. 127 00:06:17,567 --> 00:06:20,500 Yeah, yeah, they just did a fantastic job. 128 00:06:21,734 --> 00:06:24,100 Thank you so much for bringing them on board to do that 129 00:06:24,734 --> 00:06:27,300 and I'm so pleased with the result. 130 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,533 - The next item on the agenda was an update on Park Street 131 00:06:30,533 --> 00:06:33,867 Bridge, which has been closed since February of last year. 132 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:36,100 DPW Director Stephen Cronin 133 00:06:36,266 --> 00:06:38,700 provided a proposal from the engineering consulting group, 134 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:42,100 Wright Pierce, that looks to prepare conceptual alternatives 135 00:06:42,100 --> 00:06:45,100 and opinions of costs for a future project to remove, 136 00:06:45,300 --> 00:06:47,834 rehabilitate, or replace the Park Street Bridge. 137 00:06:48,266 --> 00:06:51,934 - This is really a desktop level exercise where they sort 138 00:06:51,934 --> 00:06:55,367 of look at bridge, you know, rehabilitation 139 00:06:55,367 --> 00:06:58,000 of the existing bridge removal replacement 140 00:06:58,100 --> 00:07:00,367 and what the property impacts would be from, from any 141 00:07:00,367 --> 00:07:01,500 of those types of projects. 142 00:07:01,700 --> 00:07:05,000 - And I, I would recommend that we proceed with the $10,000. 143 00:07:05,133 --> 00:07:07,033 We will find the funding in the budget 144 00:07:07,133 --> 00:07:08,333 and for the end of the fiscal year. 145 00:07:09,867 --> 00:07:12,500 And the good news is, is this work can be completed within 146 00:07:12,533 --> 00:07:14,367 four weeks of authorization to proceed. 147 00:07:15,066 --> 00:07:18,100 So again, we should have, you know, answers by Columbus Day, 148 00:07:18,433 --> 00:07:19,934 - The motion awarding the proposal 149 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,934 to Wright Pierce was passed unanimously. 150 00:07:22,367 --> 00:07:25,233 Next town planner Dave Sharples presented a proposal 151 00:07:25,333 --> 00:07:28,367 for a paid parking pilot program in downtown Exeter. 152 00:07:28,567 --> 00:07:32,467 In 2024, a consultant group named Stantec was hired 153 00:07:32,467 --> 00:07:36,033 by the town to conduct a study concerning downtown traffic, 154 00:07:36,133 --> 00:07:38,467 parking and pedestrian flow analysis. 155 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,233 They provided a range of options to the board, 156 00:07:41,266 --> 00:07:43,000 including an option for paid parking. 157 00:07:44,100 --> 00:07:47,066 Recently, an internal group of qualified town employees was 158 00:07:47,066 --> 00:07:49,033 created to evaluate the option 159 00:07:49,033 --> 00:07:50,834 of paid parking in downtown Exeter. 160 00:07:51,133 --> 00:07:53,100 The group ultimately decided to move forward 161 00:07:53,100 --> 00:07:55,567 with the recommendation of paid parking to the select board. 162 00:07:55,900 --> 00:08:00,467 - We collectively agreed with the recommendation by Stantec 163 00:08:00,834 --> 00:08:03,300 to implement paid parking 164 00:08:04,667 --> 00:08:07,066 because the main goal, the purpose was, 165 00:08:07,100 --> 00:08:11,133 and the study identified that there was 166 00:08:11,867 --> 00:08:15,467 a parking issue along Water Street in the municipal lot 167 00:08:15,467 --> 00:08:19,634 here, 85% utilization rate plus to a hundred percent. 168 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:21,834 So how do we manage ti, you know, 169 00:08:21,834 --> 00:08:24,033 manage the time parking out there or enforce it 170 00:08:24,100 --> 00:08:27,533 and encourage turnover for the businesses and reduce traffic 171 00:08:27,533 --> 00:08:28,734 because people were circling 172 00:08:28,734 --> 00:08:30,233 around looking for a parking spot. 173 00:08:30,634 --> 00:08:33,000 Well, paid parking is the solution that we recommended, 174 00:08:33,467 --> 00:08:36,333 and the goal is not to generate additional revenue, 175 00:08:36,667 --> 00:08:40,266 it's just to generate revenue to offset the cost 176 00:08:40,433 --> 00:08:42,000 of the enforcement and the program. 177 00:08:42,500 --> 00:08:46,533 To me, this is so important for the health of our downtown. 178 00:08:47,667 --> 00:08:50,300 You'll see in there if you read the report, 179 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:53,500 you'll see in their analysis that so many spots 180 00:08:54,300 --> 00:08:58,133 along Water Street are taken up 181 00:08:58,367 --> 00:09:01,033 by a single individual for the entire workday. 182 00:09:02,433 --> 00:09:06,000 And there are no places for people that want to just visit 183 00:09:06,433 --> 00:09:09,133 for an hour or two or 15 minutes to park. 184 00:09:09,834 --> 00:09:12,033 - The board decided they would move forward withholding 185 00:09:12,033 --> 00:09:15,000 three public hearings on the paid parking pilot program 186 00:09:15,133 --> 00:09:17,367 before making a formal decision on whether 187 00:09:17,367 --> 00:09:19,100 or not to implement the pilot program. 188 00:09:19,367 --> 00:09:22,367 After that town manager Paul Cohen, presented a request 189 00:09:22,467 --> 00:09:24,867 to amend the town's winter parking ban. 190 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,700 The parking ban originally states 191 00:09:26,734 --> 00:09:29,100 that all street parking is banned from December 1st 192 00:09:29,467 --> 00:09:31,100 to March 15th with an Exeter, 193 00:09:31,467 --> 00:09:33,834 the amendment will change this permanent ban 194 00:09:34,100 --> 00:09:36,100 to a temporary on-call ban. 195 00:09:36,266 --> 00:09:38,266 When there is incoming inclement weather, 196 00:09:38,700 --> 00:09:40,000 the public will be notified 197 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:41,700 through the Town Emergency Alert system 198 00:09:41,734 --> 00:09:43,100 and other modes of communication. 199 00:09:43,867 --> 00:09:45,133 - And I think the simple rule is 200 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:48,000 that even without the absence of notification, 201 00:09:48,133 --> 00:09:50,867 if it's snowing significantly, catch a car off the road. 202 00:09:51,166 --> 00:09:54,367 But the problem is over that 150, you know, five day period, 203 00:09:55,100 --> 00:09:57,133 there's probably, you know, you could probably count 204 00:09:57,133 --> 00:09:59,033 with two hands how many days you really 205 00:09:59,033 --> 00:10:00,100 need to be off the road. 206 00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:02,367 - The board unanimously passed the motion 207 00:10:02,467 --> 00:10:04,634 to hold three public hearings about this amendment 208 00:10:04,667 --> 00:10:05,767 to the winter parking ban. 209 00:10:06,166 --> 00:10:09,033 The next select board meeting will be on September 28th. 210 00:10:09,467 --> 00:10:10,467 See you there. 211 00:10:11,667 --> 00:10:13,100 - The Exeter Fire Department works 212 00:10:13,100 --> 00:10:14,700 to provide community-based CPR 213 00:10:14,834 --> 00:10:16,100 and a ED programs 214 00:10:16,100 --> 00:10:19,033 to give local citizens the lifesaving skills they may need 215 00:10:19,033 --> 00:10:20,066 in a medical emergency. 216 00:10:20,867 --> 00:10:22,033 To learn more about this effort, 217 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:24,533 exert v staff signed themselves up for the training 218 00:10:24,667 --> 00:10:26,000 and brought along our cameras. 219 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,000 Did you know Exeter has a program that could save lives? 220 00:10:30,533 --> 00:10:33,066 It's all right if you didn't because neither did we. 221 00:10:33,500 --> 00:10:36,266 The Exeter Fire Department presents monthly CPR 222 00:10:36,266 --> 00:10:39,634 and a ED training classes in the chance you might be present 223 00:10:39,634 --> 00:10:42,033 during a catastrophic event such as a heart attack 224 00:10:42,100 --> 00:10:43,100 or cardiac arrest. 225 00:10:44,133 --> 00:10:46,100 Since we didn't know about it, we decided 226 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:48,533 to send the Exeter TV team to take a class 227 00:10:48,567 --> 00:10:51,734 with Deputy Chief Jason Fritz in order to learn safe 228 00:10:51,734 --> 00:10:53,266 and effective methods of CPR 229 00:10:53,500 --> 00:10:55,033 that could help save lives in the future. 230 00:10:55,567 --> 00:10:58,000 - We entered the fire department, they brought us 231 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,066 to the training room 232 00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:02,000 and there were a couple people there 233 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,934 to train us from the fire department. We 234 00:11:03,934 --> 00:11:07,266 - Watched a couple videos, you went over basic 235 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,834 CPR stuff and like how to approach the situation, 236 00:11:13,033 --> 00:11:16,634 read the room, what equipment you might need. Well, 237 00:11:16,767 --> 00:11:18,500 - A good trick is to pump to the tune 238 00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:20,233 of staying alive by the bees. Do you 239 00:11:20,233 --> 00:11:21,233 - Know that song? 240 00:11:21,233 --> 00:11:22,233 Yes. Yes I do. I love that song. 241 00:11:23,433 --> 00:11:26,300 First I was afraid I was Petrified 242 00:11:30,367 --> 00:11:31,367 - Data Live. 243 00:11:31,900 --> 00:11:34,266 - The three hour class covered all the standard techniques 244 00:11:34,266 --> 00:11:36,300 needed for an emergency level situation 245 00:11:36,500 --> 00:11:38,300 where CPR is important to apply. 246 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,700 The reason the town of Exeter is able 247 00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:43,533 to give these lessons out so frequently is due 248 00:11:43,533 --> 00:11:45,500 to the town's heart safe community status. 249 00:11:46,100 --> 00:11:47,867 Unsure of what being heart safe means. 250 00:11:48,133 --> 00:11:50,033 Fire Chief Pison as you covered, 251 00:11:50,634 --> 00:11:53,100 - It just means that we have met certain benchmarks 252 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:55,767 and requirements that are recognized through the state 253 00:11:55,767 --> 00:11:59,567 of New Hampshire to be a community 254 00:11:59,567 --> 00:12:01,066 that can provide classes. 255 00:12:02,166 --> 00:12:06,133 AEDs, if you were to call 9 1 1 right now, they would know 256 00:12:06,133 --> 00:12:08,000 where our public use AEDs are. 257 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,300 We're outside of 20 Court Street. 258 00:12:09,300 --> 00:12:12,100 They said, I have a cardiac arrest taking place. 259 00:12:12,433 --> 00:12:15,233 They would instruct you the closest public use. 260 00:12:15,367 --> 00:12:17,934 A ED is in the lobby of the public safety complex. 261 00:12:18,433 --> 00:12:21,500 Come in, you grab the a ED early intervention, 262 00:12:22,033 --> 00:12:24,533 that community involvement with your local fire departments, 263 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,033 it could be either Red Cross, 264 00:12:26,166 --> 00:12:27,533 the American Heart Association, 265 00:12:28,066 --> 00:12:29,500 that in community involvement 266 00:12:29,500 --> 00:12:31,700 and dedication to a program really does 267 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:32,834 pay off and it saves lives. 268 00:12:34,133 --> 00:12:35,934 - Videos can only get you so far. 269 00:12:36,333 --> 00:12:38,100 The real task is to try it in person. 270 00:12:38,834 --> 00:12:41,100 - When you first start out, it's a little awkward 271 00:12:41,100 --> 00:12:42,000 because it's okay. 272 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,533 Someone's gonna be like the main person 273 00:12:43,533 --> 00:12:45,533 who actually does the CPY, the most important part. 274 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:49,634 And you're like, am I good enough to do sleep yard? 275 00:12:49,767 --> 00:12:51,033 Like, yeah, I watched these videos 276 00:12:51,333 --> 00:12:52,834 and I practiced a little bit, 277 00:12:53,133 --> 00:12:55,100 but am I actually good enough to like lead, 278 00:12:55,166 --> 00:12:58,233 like take these people, ask them to like help me 279 00:12:58,333 --> 00:13:00,066 and do it correctly? 280 00:13:01,066 --> 00:13:02,867 And you kind of just, if if you're in this situation, 281 00:13:02,867 --> 00:13:04,266 you have to say yes because I have to, 282 00:13:04,934 --> 00:13:06,100 I should have to do it. 283 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:10,834 - Oh my gosh, Annie just collapsed. Please don. Okay. 284 00:13:10,834 --> 00:13:14,700 It looks pretty safe. Okay. She's a quadruple PT though. 285 00:13:14,867 --> 00:13:17,066 Are you doing okay? Are you all right? 286 00:13:18,834 --> 00:13:20,734 Are you gonna, okay. 287 00:13:21,467 --> 00:13:23,000 All right, I'm gonna, you call 9 1 1 288 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,734 and you get the a ED me? 289 00:13:26,033 --> 00:13:27,934 Yes, please. Okay. It's right here. 290 00:13:28,634 --> 00:13:31,133 - It, it really helped to have the instructor 291 00:13:31,333 --> 00:13:34,834 and then an actual, like paramedic there telling us, 292 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:37,700 you know, how it is in reality 293 00:13:37,767 --> 00:13:39,100 when you're actually on a scene. 294 00:13:39,300 --> 00:13:43,333 So we get a really, it's a, a very interesting perspective 295 00:13:43,867 --> 00:13:46,900 and a very helpful perspective to have someone who does this 296 00:13:47,066 --> 00:13:49,900 for their day job to teach you how 297 00:13:49,900 --> 00:13:52,667 to do it in an emergency situation. It's, 298 00:13:52,667 --> 00:13:54,066 - It's a very contained environment 299 00:13:54,066 --> 00:13:55,734 where you can't really like critically fail. 300 00:13:55,734 --> 00:13:58,000 Like even like working through the communication, 301 00:13:58,066 --> 00:13:59,567 the process itself, all of that. 302 00:13:59,834 --> 00:14:01,934 You just have to like practice and do it 303 00:14:02,033 --> 00:14:03,166 and you'll make a little mistakes, 304 00:14:03,233 --> 00:14:04,734 but it's like there's nothing end 305 00:14:04,734 --> 00:14:06,133 of the world and, and you're fine. 306 00:14:06,367 --> 00:14:11,133 - I have been certified twice before, but it's been a while. 307 00:14:11,767 --> 00:14:14,500 And personally I forgot how you were supposed 308 00:14:14,533 --> 00:14:17,066 to do the CPR for an infant. 309 00:14:17,667 --> 00:14:20,066 I thought so with, with choking, you're supposed 310 00:14:20,066 --> 00:14:23,266 to put them on your arm and, and, and do the back blows. 311 00:14:24,834 --> 00:14:26,900 I thought that's how you're supposed to do CPR as well, 312 00:14:28,266 --> 00:14:30,066 but you're supposed to put 'em on a flat surface 313 00:14:30,033 --> 00:14:31,700 so you can really get a good compression. 314 00:14:32,266 --> 00:14:33,433 I completely forgot about that. 315 00:14:33,467 --> 00:14:36,000 And if I was in a situation where I needed to do CPR 316 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:37,834 and infant, I probably would've done it wrong. 317 00:14:38,300 --> 00:14:41,133 So it's pretty invaluable that I got that today. 318 00:14:41,634 --> 00:14:44,133 - For some, a good reaction time is the difference 319 00:14:44,133 --> 00:14:45,433 between life and death. 320 00:14:45,867 --> 00:14:47,934 - I was eating breakfast with my grandma. 321 00:14:48,934 --> 00:14:52,100 I must have been an early teenager. 322 00:14:52,533 --> 00:14:56,533 We're laughing and then I was like, oh, like, 323 00:14:56,834 --> 00:14:58,233 you know when you're choking right away 324 00:14:58,533 --> 00:15:00,066 because you're choking. 325 00:15:00,300 --> 00:15:03,500 I didn't know what to do and I was like going 326 00:15:03,500 --> 00:15:06,734 around like side to side and my grandma, she is not panicked 327 00:15:06,734 --> 00:15:07,734 or freaking out at all. 328 00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:10,066 It's like, come over here and sit still. 329 00:15:10,433 --> 00:15:12,467 And I was like, huh. And she gets behind me 330 00:15:12,467 --> 00:15:13,467 and she's like, stop, stop. 331 00:15:13,467 --> 00:15:15,000 And I was like freaking out. 332 00:15:15,066 --> 00:15:16,300 And she's like, he does the thing. 333 00:15:16,900 --> 00:15:21,000 And then the bacon, that process ended 334 00:15:21,834 --> 00:15:24,133 and I took the pancakes to go. 335 00:15:24,834 --> 00:15:28,066 I am thankful every day for 336 00:15:29,066 --> 00:15:32,500 what my grandma does and what she did for me that day. 337 00:15:32,767 --> 00:15:35,233 She's a, she's always been a nurse 338 00:15:35,433 --> 00:15:38,100 and a, a person who just generally helps people 339 00:15:38,467 --> 00:15:41,000 and her being able to know the Hyle maneuver, 340 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:44,066 no CBR just on hand, it saved my life 341 00:15:44,500 --> 00:15:45,700 and I know I'm thankful for that. 342 00:15:46,233 --> 00:15:49,634 I took a class in 2017 be because of what happened then. 343 00:15:50,333 --> 00:15:53,233 And we were just trying to like, you know, 344 00:15:53,233 --> 00:15:55,467 like you really feel the, the weight 345 00:15:55,467 --> 00:15:57,266 of it when you're there, especially if you're the person 346 00:15:58,066 --> 00:16:00,700 and like you just feel so grateful 347 00:16:00,767 --> 00:16:02,000 that somebody else was there 348 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:03,133 to be able to help you, you person. 349 00:16:03,500 --> 00:16:06,500 And you want to be able to help people 350 00:16:06,567 --> 00:16:09,100 and you wanna learn a new thing and you're out 351 00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:12,634 and about every day and you want to be prepared 352 00:16:12,634 --> 00:16:13,867 and feel like you know what you're doing 353 00:16:14,166 --> 00:16:17,066 and you want to be a benefit to society even just generally, 354 00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:19,033 then it's good to, to learn this stuff 355 00:16:19,033 --> 00:16:21,567 and pick up on it so that you might be able 356 00:16:21,567 --> 00:16:23,266 to help somebody else someday. 357 00:16:23,567 --> 00:16:24,634 Like my grandma helped me. 358 00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:26,834 - This course comes once a month 359 00:16:26,834 --> 00:16:28,133 through the Exeter Fire Department. 360 00:16:28,734 --> 00:16:30,500 If you're interested in checking it out 361 00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:33,066 and learning CPR r you can visit the town 362 00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:36,333 website@exeternh.gov slash fire 363 00:16:37,834 --> 00:16:39,066 School is back in session 364 00:16:39,266 --> 00:16:42,834 and that means that Blue Hawk Media 1616 series is back 365 00:16:42,834 --> 00:16:44,700 as well in the latest edition. 366 00:16:44,700 --> 00:16:47,100 Superintendent Chris Andris gives updates on 367 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:48,100 recent school renovations. 368 00:16:48,900 --> 00:16:50,300 - Good morning. SAU 16. 369 00:16:50,300 --> 00:16:52,100 This is superintendent of schools, Chris Andris 370 00:16:52,266 --> 00:16:55,000 and here I am for the first installment of 60 371 00:16:55,100 --> 00:16:57,300 and 16 in 2026 372 00:16:57,734 --> 00:16:59,867 and we're back at Strata Memorial School 373 00:16:59,867 --> 00:17:01,266 where we started last year 374 00:17:01,266 --> 00:17:03,000 to talk about the renovation projects. 375 00:17:03,133 --> 00:17:04,300 And I'm here with Principal Lucas 376 00:17:04,300 --> 00:17:05,934 and two amazing fifth grade students 377 00:17:05,934 --> 00:17:07,567 that are gonna talk about all the amazing changes 378 00:17:07,567 --> 00:17:09,133 that have happened over the last 18 months. 379 00:17:09,634 --> 00:17:10,634 Ms. Lucas, 380 00:17:11,300 --> 00:17:12,300 - Welcome back. 381 00:17:12,333 --> 00:17:14,533 SAU 16 community. We are so glad you're here. 382 00:17:14,767 --> 00:17:16,266 I have Caroline Christopher right here, one 383 00:17:16,266 --> 00:17:17,634 of our amazing fifth graders, 384 00:17:18,066 --> 00:17:20,533 and I have Winn Gregor, also an amazing fifth grader 385 00:17:20,533 --> 00:17:23,000 that are gonna take you on a tour of the Reno renovations. 386 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:24,634 And we are so excited you're back. We 387 00:17:24,634 --> 00:17:25,734 - Wanted the entrance of the school 388 00:17:25,834 --> 00:17:27,066 to be inviting and welcoming. 389 00:17:27,634 --> 00:17:29,033 We also wanted it to match the 390 00:17:29,033 --> 00:17:30,233 aesthetic of the rest of the school. 391 00:17:30,667 --> 00:17:32,000 - One of the very important features 392 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:33,333 of the renovation project was a more 393 00:17:33,333 --> 00:17:34,634 secure and safe entrance. 394 00:17:34,900 --> 00:17:38,100 So you'll see behind me, we now have an extended vestibule 395 00:17:38,500 --> 00:17:39,533 with two checkpoints 396 00:17:39,533 --> 00:17:41,233 before any of our visitors enter the building, 397 00:17:41,634 --> 00:17:43,767 but we've also updated the full main office 398 00:17:43,934 --> 00:17:46,834 to include an area for our visitors to sit and hang out 399 00:17:46,834 --> 00:17:49,934 and spend time with us until they're actually accompanied 400 00:17:49,934 --> 00:17:51,066 or escorted to where they need to be. 401 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:54,266 And further behind me are all the new office space 402 00:17:54,333 --> 00:17:56,700 and conference space that we desperately needed. 403 00:17:57,333 --> 00:17:59,033 - This is the new nurse's office. 404 00:17:59,467 --> 00:18:02,700 It has many new features, like there's two new bathrooms 405 00:18:03,100 --> 00:18:05,767 and there's more space for two new beds. 406 00:18:05,767 --> 00:18:08,066 There's also room for showers. 407 00:18:08,634 --> 00:18:10,133 - We are super excited to share the new 408 00:18:10,133 --> 00:18:11,500 special ed suites with everyone. 409 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,567 Prior to this year, our admin assistant was in the main 410 00:18:15,567 --> 00:18:17,567 office and she had a very small office that she shared. 411 00:18:18,100 --> 00:18:20,500 And then Mrs. Thompson, who is our director 412 00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:22,467 of special education, had an office 413 00:18:22,467 --> 00:18:23,767 that didn't even fit a conference table. 414 00:18:23,867 --> 00:18:27,100 And so now we have this beautiful new space that allows all 415 00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:28,867 of our families to have some privacy 416 00:18:29,066 --> 00:18:30,734 and to have really good critical conversations 417 00:18:31,066 --> 00:18:33,000 and for teams to meet both in the conference room 418 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,500 but also out here in the office area. 419 00:18:35,066 --> 00:18:36,734 - These are the new classrooms. 420 00:18:36,934 --> 00:18:39,500 There was four and all two our first students 421 00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:42,000 and the other is for the health office. 422 00:18:43,033 --> 00:18:44,567 Upstairs we have AC 423 00:18:45,433 --> 00:18:48,033 and we have sprinklers outlets 424 00:18:48,033 --> 00:18:50,000 and new dimple motion sensor lights. 425 00:18:50,367 --> 00:18:52,634 This is the new cap, it's a third bigger 426 00:18:53,166 --> 00:18:56,233 and now PE can be in here without having 427 00:18:56,233 --> 00:18:58,834 to worry about space and can play whatever games they want. 428 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,133 In here in the boiler room, 429 00:19:00,367 --> 00:19:02,734 we have three high efficiency boilers 430 00:19:02,734 --> 00:19:06,233 that look like cyber truck made a boiler rather than the 431 00:19:06,233 --> 00:19:07,934 38-year-old boilers we had before. 432 00:19:08,834 --> 00:19:10,567 And along with that, we've also upgraded 433 00:19:10,567 --> 00:19:11,700 the entire HVAC system. 434 00:19:13,233 --> 00:19:14,266 - Thanks so much win. 435 00:19:14,533 --> 00:19:16,567 Before we close out and give the mic back to Dr. 436 00:19:16,567 --> 00:19:18,133 Anderski, I did wanna say thank you so much 437 00:19:18,133 --> 00:19:19,266 to Cino Construction 438 00:19:19,266 --> 00:19:20,867 and Mark Job, our project manager 439 00:19:20,867 --> 00:19:22,734 for their outstanding partnership and work 440 00:19:22,734 --> 00:19:24,100 and the timeline that they did this in. 441 00:19:24,233 --> 00:19:26,300 Thank you again so much. Thank you. SAU 16. 442 00:19:26,934 --> 00:19:28,033 - As you can see, there's been a lot 443 00:19:28,033 --> 00:19:29,333 of work done over the summer 444 00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:32,133 to get Strata Memorial School where it's at today. 445 00:19:32,266 --> 00:19:34,333 Thank you again to everyone that that's been involved 446 00:19:34,533 --> 00:19:35,767 and SAU 16. 447 00:19:35,767 --> 00:19:36,867 We'll see you in a couple weeks. 448 00:19:37,367 --> 00:19:39,634 - For our last segment, Bob Acki speaks 449 00:19:39,634 --> 00:19:41,033 to several people involved 450 00:19:41,033 --> 00:19:43,166 with the Great Dam removal project in 2016. 451 00:19:43,700 --> 00:19:46,133 As the town marked 10 years without the historic 452 00:19:46,166 --> 00:19:47,333 structure in our downtown 453 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,033 - 10 years ago, the Exeter River looked very different. 454 00:19:53,734 --> 00:19:56,433 For centuries, a dam had stood in the heart of downtown, 455 00:19:58,133 --> 00:20:01,066 a source for power, part of the town's history, 456 00:20:01,700 --> 00:20:04,767 and eventually the center of a debate over what the future 457 00:20:04,767 --> 00:20:06,033 of the river would look like. 458 00:20:07,100 --> 00:20:08,166 - The dam had always been there, 459 00:20:08,734 --> 00:20:10,033 so it was kind of a fixture. 460 00:20:11,133 --> 00:20:12,667 - The dam had been issued a letter 461 00:20:12,667 --> 00:20:14,867 of deficiency from New Hampshire's Dam Bureau 462 00:20:15,767 --> 00:20:16,867 and the town needed 463 00:20:16,867 --> 00:20:20,000 to decide whether they would make significant modifications 464 00:20:20,066 --> 00:20:22,300 to the dam or if it could be removed. 465 00:20:23,700 --> 00:20:25,266 There was much to be evaluated 466 00:20:25,734 --> 00:20:28,033 as town engineer Paul Velo explains, 467 00:20:28,767 --> 00:20:33,000 - And with dam removal there, there's many different reasons 468 00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:36,934 that people are for against dams. 469 00:20:37,867 --> 00:20:41,867 Financial, long-term maintenance, historical 470 00:20:43,033 --> 00:20:46,667 what, what's happening with flooding, water quality, 471 00:20:46,834 --> 00:20:49,300 water supply, water withdrawals, 472 00:20:49,700 --> 00:20:52,066 and also what happens to the impoundment plus 473 00:20:52,066 --> 00:20:53,634 recreational activities. 474 00:20:55,100 --> 00:20:58,467 - The town went through a long process of studies, meetings, 475 00:20:58,767 --> 00:21:00,333 reports and questions. 476 00:21:01,166 --> 00:21:04,233 Eventually a citizen's petition put forward the question 477 00:21:04,233 --> 00:21:05,467 to remove the dam. 478 00:21:06,033 --> 00:21:09,300 And in 2014, residents voted at town meeting 479 00:21:09,433 --> 00:21:11,033 to move forward with dam removal. 480 00:21:12,934 --> 00:21:16,700 In July of 2016, water was drained and diverted 481 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:20,033 and the dam was slowly taken apart piece by piece. 482 00:21:41,433 --> 00:21:43,767 10 years later, it's as if the falls 483 00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:46,000 below Great Bridge have always been there. 484 00:21:48,433 --> 00:21:51,166 - I think of this particular project as being 485 00:21:51,867 --> 00:21:54,300 a tremendous success to be honest with you. 486 00:21:55,066 --> 00:21:59,634 The the changes that we predicted ha have happened, 487 00:22:00,100 --> 00:22:03,467 all of the positive changes we've witnessed 488 00:22:03,467 --> 00:22:06,467 and we have data that bears out all the, 489 00:22:06,634 --> 00:22:08,166 all the benefits of the project. 490 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:11,100 Some of the concerns that we were, 491 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:14,634 we were worried about some specific locations upstream at, 492 00:22:14,767 --> 00:22:17,033 at places in the river we refer to as Meander Bend 493 00:22:17,033 --> 00:22:20,266 that we thought, well maybe if the river's gonna respond 494 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:24,500 and react and erode this, these are the areas 495 00:22:24,533 --> 00:22:26,934 that would be most likely to exhibit that type 496 00:22:26,934 --> 00:22:28,233 of adverse impact. 497 00:22:28,266 --> 00:22:31,000 And we have, we never saw any really any of that. 498 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:36,100 - We've got all new growth over where the land areas are 499 00:22:36,767 --> 00:22:41,066 and yes, it, it has been stable. 500 00:22:41,567 --> 00:22:43,000 There has been no scour. 501 00:22:44,066 --> 00:22:47,367 One of our main concerns was if 502 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:52,233 river flows eventually moved the bottom of the river, 503 00:22:52,533 --> 00:22:56,133 it would also lower the elevation that up in the impoundment 504 00:22:56,734 --> 00:23:00,700 there was considerable effort to do a riffle press, which is 505 00:23:01,133 --> 00:23:03,867 huge boulders that are like six foot deep 506 00:23:04,100 --> 00:23:08,033 underneath the river in an arch shape so that 507 00:23:08,567 --> 00:23:11,634 if there was any scour happening, that it would not go 508 00:23:11,634 --> 00:23:15,367 below those levels and we can maintain the top impounded. 509 00:23:17,100 --> 00:23:20,066 - The dam was really part of extra's history. 510 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:21,667 There's no question about that. 511 00:23:22,066 --> 00:23:24,934 It was one of the reasons why the settlement worked 512 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,066 so well here because we had that kind of, you know, 513 00:23:28,100 --> 00:23:31,900 water power that was needed back in the 16, 17 hundreds. 514 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:33,033 Things move on 515 00:23:33,133 --> 00:23:37,100 and I think all told the fact 516 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:40,934 that we have a much cleaner, much freer flowing river. 517 00:23:42,300 --> 00:23:46,300 The return of the river herring has been astounding. 518 00:23:48,066 --> 00:23:49,266 - In the early two thousands, 519 00:23:49,667 --> 00:23:53,100 fish counts regularly showed under a hundred herring making 520 00:23:53,133 --> 00:23:54,333 it up over the Great Dam. 521 00:23:55,667 --> 00:23:58,700 While the first few years post dam removal showed very few 522 00:23:58,700 --> 00:24:00,367 fish numbers are returning. 523 00:24:00,367 --> 00:24:05,233 Herring searched up to over 167,000 in 2021. 524 00:24:06,467 --> 00:24:11,133 Estimates for 2026 show approximately 330,000 fish. 525 00:24:12,066 --> 00:24:13,634 - Since we've removed this dam, 526 00:24:13,900 --> 00:24:16,834 that fish run has rebounded into the tens 527 00:24:16,834 --> 00:24:18,000 and hundreds of thousands of fish. 528 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:22,000 So that's, you know, very important not just 529 00:24:22,133 --> 00:24:23,133 for this Exeter River, 530 00:24:23,433 --> 00:24:26,867 but remember this Exeter Squams Skit River is a major 531 00:24:26,867 --> 00:24:29,567 tributary to the Great Bay, major tributary 532 00:24:29,634 --> 00:24:30,734 to the Gulf of Maine. 533 00:24:31,133 --> 00:24:33,634 And those awis are really important, not just 534 00:24:33,634 --> 00:24:37,100 to the ecosystem of this river, but to to the entire system. 535 00:24:37,266 --> 00:24:40,266 Our, our whole coastal area of New Hampshire 536 00:24:45,634 --> 00:24:46,667 - Exeter's experience 537 00:24:46,667 --> 00:24:49,700 with the great dam removal process is proving useful not 538 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:51,000 only with projects in town 539 00:24:51,533 --> 00:24:53,133 but in other communities as well 540 00:24:53,734 --> 00:24:56,033 as they evaluate the future of their rivers. 541 00:24:57,066 --> 00:24:59,567 - It demonstrated a project where 542 00:25:01,033 --> 00:25:05,233 a high visibility project in a community that had a lot 543 00:25:05,233 --> 00:25:06,734 of questions and doubts 544 00:25:07,266 --> 00:25:09,900 and the fact that it's turned out better. 545 00:25:10,033 --> 00:25:12,834 I think all of the feedback we've had is that people, 546 00:25:13,033 --> 00:25:15,467 even folks who were questioning the decision to remove it, 547 00:25:15,667 --> 00:25:17,867 have been pleased with the results. 548 00:25:18,533 --> 00:25:22,433 So other communities have looked to exit 549 00:25:22,433 --> 00:25:24,000 or to learn from that experience. 550 00:25:25,467 --> 00:25:28,734 - Do a little bit of shout out to Mimi Becker 551 00:25:29,300 --> 00:25:33,000 and also de Lizelle from New Hampshire DES 552 00:25:33,233 --> 00:25:36,500 that had many public meetings asking the citizens 553 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:38,133 what should we look at? 554 00:25:39,266 --> 00:25:43,367 And going through the feasibility study, we've heard from 555 00:25:44,066 --> 00:25:46,567 our, our, our NOA folks that 556 00:25:48,667 --> 00:25:51,467 Exeter's feasibility study for the Great Dam has been 557 00:25:52,100 --> 00:25:55,700 used throughout the country as a model. 558 00:25:56,266 --> 00:25:59,133 The town of dorm was also looking at our feasibility study 559 00:25:59,333 --> 00:26:03,233 and, and and trying to figure out what they needed to do 560 00:26:03,367 --> 00:26:04,900 for, to come up with answers. 561 00:26:05,900 --> 00:26:09,700 - Residents in Durham recently voted in 2022 to move forward 562 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:11,634 with the removal of the Mill Pond dam. 563 00:26:11,867 --> 00:26:13,133 Continuing a trend 564 00:26:13,133 --> 00:26:16,033 of dam removals across communities in the Seacoast 565 00:26:17,166 --> 00:26:20,166 back in Exeter, the town is applying these lessons on 566 00:26:20,233 --> 00:26:23,000 yet another dam removal just a few miles up river. 567 00:26:23,767 --> 00:26:26,734 The Pickpocket Dam was also issued a letter of deficiency 568 00:26:27,266 --> 00:26:30,000 and the town has decided to move forward with removal 569 00:26:30,133 --> 00:26:31,567 as opposed to modifications. 570 00:26:32,066 --> 00:26:33,233 In August of this year, 571 00:26:33,300 --> 00:26:36,133 the town reached the 60% design stage 572 00:26:36,500 --> 00:26:38,834 and will soon enter the final design stage 573 00:26:38,934 --> 00:26:41,266 and permitting process in 2027. 574 00:26:42,133 --> 00:26:44,133 This will allow for the eventual removal 575 00:26:44,567 --> 00:26:47,000 and restoration work to be completed in the summer 576 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:48,834 and fall of 2028. 577 00:26:49,033 --> 00:26:51,834 The town is also moving forward with studies related 578 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:55,066 to the dam at the Exeter Reservoir off of Portsmouth Avenue. 579 00:26:56,066 --> 00:26:58,634 Residents in Exeter and surrounding areas are once again 580 00:26:58,767 --> 00:27:01,934 faced with the same questions and unknowns as before. 581 00:27:02,734 --> 00:27:04,634 - What we're hearing on the pickpocket, 582 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:07,066 those concerns are very similar. 583 00:27:07,133 --> 00:27:08,934 They're very similar to some of the concerns 584 00:27:08,934 --> 00:27:11,133 that were expressed here, similar 585 00:27:11,266 --> 00:27:14,567 to concerns we've heard in in Durham and Dover 586 00:27:14,634 --> 00:27:15,834 and we've worked all over the place. 587 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,834 And so the concerns are very similar 588 00:27:18,266 --> 00:27:22,066 and oftentimes people have the perception 589 00:27:22,066 --> 00:27:24,000 that the dam is good for the river 590 00:27:24,433 --> 00:27:27,033 and that removing it is going to harm the river. 591 00:27:27,867 --> 00:27:31,066 And what we've learned over decades is 592 00:27:31,767 --> 00:27:33,266 that is not, that's not the case. 593 00:27:33,567 --> 00:27:36,934 That returning the river to a free flowing state 594 00:27:37,700 --> 00:27:41,734 is a really powerful way of restoring, you know, 595 00:27:41,734 --> 00:27:42,767 restoring the environment 596 00:27:43,667 --> 00:27:46,233 - Well The Great Dam was a perfect example 597 00:27:46,734 --> 00:27:51,133 of those same type of fears and now they can go 598 00:27:51,133 --> 00:27:53,467 and see for themselves, take a look at 599 00:27:53,467 --> 00:27:57,000 what happened at the Exeter Great Dam Project 600 00:27:57,734 --> 00:28:01,734 and know that initially it's going to look a little funky 601 00:28:01,734 --> 00:28:03,934 and when within a couple of months 602 00:28:04,734 --> 00:28:06,266 it'll have a whole new feel to it. 603 00:28:07,667 --> 00:28:09,467 - With memories of the dam fading 604 00:28:09,700 --> 00:28:12,467 and new generations growing up without the dam those 605 00:28:12,767 --> 00:28:16,033 involved in the process now reflect back at the legacy this 606 00:28:16,033 --> 00:28:17,100 project leaves behind. 607 00:28:17,467 --> 00:28:19,467 - And it's hard to imagine it's been 10 years. 608 00:28:20,066 --> 00:28:23,000 Time flies by, especially when you're getting a little on 609 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:24,066 the elderly side. 610 00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:28,634 I think people will probably not remember the dam as much 611 00:28:28,634 --> 00:28:30,133 as they will see what the river looks like. 612 00:28:30,333 --> 00:28:34,133 Now the important thing is we wanna, 613 00:28:34,433 --> 00:28:38,634 we wanna ensure that our waterways, our rivers, 614 00:28:38,634 --> 00:28:41,033 our streams are, are, you know, 615 00:28:41,033 --> 00:28:43,367 of good quality and not polluted. 616 00:28:43,934 --> 00:28:47,734 I think as a nation we've come a long way in 50 years. 617 00:28:48,500 --> 00:28:50,033 I, I think there's a better understanding 618 00:28:51,433 --> 00:28:55,100 as a whole from everyone about how important 619 00:28:57,233 --> 00:28:59,367 natural re our natural resources are. 620 00:29:00,300 --> 00:29:03,000 - I'm proud to be part of both of those. 621 00:29:04,367 --> 00:29:08,500 My approach through both of the dam projects 622 00:29:09,233 --> 00:29:13,100 was to find facts, find options, 623 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:18,467 find a way to solve the deficiencies that was noted 624 00:29:18,467 --> 00:29:22,000 by the dam bureau and keep searching for the facts 625 00:29:22,233 --> 00:29:26,834 or the information that you can best explain 626 00:29:26,934 --> 00:29:30,467 what is going on and then present that 627 00:29:31,033 --> 00:29:33,033 and watch where it goes from there. 628 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,500 I, I don't have all the answers. Never did. 629 00:29:37,767 --> 00:29:40,066 But you, I, you give people the information 630 00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:43,133 and you see what the consensus wants to do. 631 00:29:44,233 --> 00:29:46,033 - You know, we now had a free flowing river 632 00:29:46,567 --> 00:29:50,066 and went a different sight and sound than it was. 633 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:52,500 And I know I've talked to a lot of people 634 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:55,266 who were on the fence way back when, 635 00:29:55,333 --> 00:29:57,333 10 years ago who've really come around 636 00:29:58,266 --> 00:30:00,934 and felt that, you know, you know, I was kind 637 00:30:00,934 --> 00:30:03,100 of mixed feeling about removing the dam, 638 00:30:03,166 --> 00:30:06,066 but now I think it was the right decision. 639 00:30:14,900 --> 00:30:16,100 - That does it for this week's report. 640 00:30:16,533 --> 00:30:18,100 Be sure to like, share and subscribe 641 00:30:18,100 --> 00:30:21,033 to help us spread the word and head over to the town website 642 00:30:21,033 --> 00:30:22,900 and subscribe to the town's email newsletter. 643 00:30:23,033 --> 00:30:25,333 To get this show and other local news sent straight 644 00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:29,367 to your inbox, be sure to tune in on the October 9th report 645 00:30:29,433 --> 00:30:30,567 for the next edition of the show 646 00:30:30,867 --> 00:30:33,100 where we'll have information on the window dressers program, 647 00:30:33,900 --> 00:30:37,166 coverage on local meetings, and more For extra tv 648 00:30:37,900 --> 00:30:40,834 I'm Gabe Perez and this has been the Exeter Biweekly report. 649 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:42,367 Have a great weekend, Exeter.