lBy BRANDON LATHAM
The new Peterborough welcoming group held its first meeting July 6, to brainstorm how to better incorporate new residents into town culture.
Seven people showed up for the first meeting, which was the result of an idea at a Community Conversations event earlier this year.
“I had the pleasure of having a Welcome Wagon when I was young in New Jersey, and they cam with recommendations, coupons, everything” said Karen Hatcher, who hosted and led the meeting.
According to her husband Mark, 90 families move into houses in Peterborough every year. This includes people moving within town, but does not include renters.
Those people present a huge opportunity, argues the new group.
Bringing people socially is the primary goal of the welcoming team. They hope to have an online presence to promote local events, and would host gatherings at community centers like the town library.
New residents also present a business opportunity, attracting Mark Hatcher, who is on the town subcommittee for economic vitality, and Jeanne Dietsch, member of the Economic Development Authority, to the group.
Library director Corinne Chronopoulos defended the need for a welcoming team in Peterborough.
“People call the library all the time,” she said. “They ask, ‘how do I get acclimated, how do I make friends?’”