What Makes Exeter Work?

Volunteers. They make Exeter work.

Wikipedia defines volunteering as the "practice of people working on behalf of others… intended to promote good or improve human quality of life."

The Town of Exeter is fortunate to have so many wonderful residents that give of themselves to improve, promote, protect and celebrate our community. Whether it’s the local mountain biking club that works to clean and build upon our network of trails, the Christmas Parade Committee and the Chamber of Commerce volunteers that decorate downtown and plan our winter celebration, the members of the American Independence Museum that put on the Revolutionary War Festival or the approximately 150 residents that volunteer on almost 20 boards, committees and commissions within the Town.

From the Arts Committee that runs the Art Gallery on the second floor of the Town Hall, the residents that work tirelessly on the River Committee on the Great Dam Project and the protection of one of Exeter’s most valuable natural resources, the Commissioners that are appointed to oversee the Exeter Housing Authority or the many that give of their time on land use boards from the Conservation Commission, to the Historic District Commission, to the Planning Board - all of our volunteers are working hard in the best interest of our community and give their time, talent, experiences and energy to make this a better place for all of us to live.

Over the last year we have had the opportunity to celebrate and thank many of the volunteers that have given decades of service to Exeter. Last year in July the Zoning Board of Adjustment said goodbye to Mike Dawley. Mike gave almost twenty years of service to the Town volunteering first on the Planning Board and then more than a decade on the ZBA. Over the course of his tenure he reviewed countless developments and building projects from large to small.  It’s never just as easy as one or two nights a month when you add in preparing for meetings, reviewing the plans, following up on conditions and keeping up to date on changes to zoning ordinances, regulations and laws – but Mike had a commitment to his community and had a hand in shaping Exeter over the past two decades.

The 2010 Town Report was dedicated to Harry Thayer. Not only did Harry spend 45 years as a member of the call department at the Exeter Fire Department, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief but he has logged countless hours over the years as a member of the Budget Recommendations Committee, the Economic Development Commission and the Seacoast School of Technology’s Building Committee. Whether it has been battling fires and natural disasters, helping to build Exeter’s Industrial Park or having a hand in shaping the education of Exeter’s future --- Harry was always there (and continues to be there) whenever you asked him to help.

And only 90 days ago we honored Bill Campbell for more than 20 years of service to Exeter. Most recently Bill spent 9 years as a Selectman after having served 11 years on the Exeter Conservation Commission – seven of those in the top seat as its chairman. Bill has had a hand in the leadership of Exeter for most of the last decade and has mentored several new selectmen that have been elected – including myself, for which I continue to be very grateful. When Bill “retired” in March we presented him with a picture of what could arguably be his proudest moment – the acquisition of the Raynes Farm on Newfields Road. From his time on the Conservation Commission to his years of service as the Selectmen’s Representative to the Planning Board, Bill always worked hard to preserve Exeter’s natural and historic resources and many generations to come will be able to appreciate those efforts.

Although I mentioned only three volunteers there are countless others that give of themselves – whether it’s one day a week or one day a month or one day a year.  There are plenty of opportunities and we will continue to recognize, honor and thank those that make Exeter what it is.  There is an opportunity for you, so please consider getting involved – whether it is with one of the local community groups or on a town committee – you too can have a hand in making Exeter Exeter - the best place to live and work on New Hampshire’s Seacoast.