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**On
Thursday night, December 30th, several people began
to gather at the Shapleigh Town Hall in
anticipation of obtaining a 2005 growth permit.
Applications would be accepted on Tuesday, January
4, at 9:00 am at the Town Hall. Last year, 17
people were unable to get their permits. This year,
many were prepared to line up as early as
necessary. By New Year's Day, all 33 growth permits
were spoken for by people waiting in line. And yes,
the Town Hall parking lot was
overflowing! **The
organization of this diverse group was amazing. A
list of names with the number of permits (2 permits
per applicant are permitted.) was immediately
formed and the group initiated measures to protect
the position of everyone on the list. Additional
applicants would be welcomed and added to the list.
Often this meant taking shifts throughout the
night. Most slept in their cars and trucks while
some enjoyed the comfort of their campers and RV's.
An oversized portable garage was erected and
furnished with space heaters. People gathered there
for warmth, conversation, card games and to enjoy
the continuous supply of food, donuts and coffee
provided by different members of the
group. **We
would like to thank the Shapleigh Selectmen and
their representative, Bill Hayes who provided the
portable toilet on Friday morning and allowed us to
wait in the Town Hall beginning Sunday
morning. **Once
inside the Town Hall, people on the list were
assigned chairs marked with their names, the number
of permits they were applying for, and their place
on the list. The chairs were placed in a circle
until the final night when more applicants arrived
and the decision was made to snake the chairs up to
the exit door. **Everyone
enjoyed watching the Patriots' win on Sunday,
conversation was ongoing, books were read, scarves
and other items were knitted, and tv shows and
movies played in the background. By Tuesday
morning, we were a cohesive group of people who had
made the best of a bad situation. And, we were more
than ready to get our applications and return home
for some much-needed rest. **Since
this was such a unique happening in the town of
Shapleigh, all the major tv networks and news media
came to visit and several growth permit survivors
found themselves celebrities for a brief moment. It
was my privilege to enjoy the company of so many
unique and wonderful people. **This
photojournal includes pictures taken by me and ably
assisted by Jim Cacace on Tuesday morning after I
left for school. #14
- diana tomasello waterman Shapleigh
Town Hall
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One of many group meetings. |
