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Annual Town Meeting Dedications
2022
Albert “Skip” Belanger
Albert and Sandra Belanger moved to Brentwood, NH from Exeter, NH in 1964. Exeter’s loss was Brentwood’s gain. If ever there was someone deeply vested in Brentwood’s history, it is most certainly Albert “Skip” Belanger. Most of us know Skip as a long standing member of both the Brentwood Historical Society (1970’s to present) and a cemetery trustee (1996 to present), but his volunteerism does not stop there. His long list of accolades includes serving as a member of Brentwood Volunteer Fire Dept in 1966, serving on the Brentwood Town Seal committee in 1977, volunteering on the town office building expansion project in 1978, serving on Brentwood’s Bicentennial Committee in 1975 for the celebration in 1976, volunteering for the town numbering system in 1988 and assisting with the Brentwood newsletter, among other things.
As a member of the Brentwood Historical Society, he is a wealth of knowledge for all things Brentwood. His love of genealogy and history made him a key participant in creating the Brentwood New Hampshire: Through the Years 1742-2017, 275th Anniversary history book.
Even before he was a cemetery trustee, Skip was active in mowing the town cemeteries and he continues to be an active member of the cemetery department. Since 2002, Skip has recited the Gettysburg Address from memory at Brentwood’s Memorial Day Ceremony. At the end of each town meeting session Skip takes it upon himself to stand before the attendees and recognize those residents that have passed and acknowledge their contributions to the town.
Skip was a 7th grade English and French teacher at Hampton Academy Jr High and who better to write a book - or two. After researching the Oregon Trail saga for over thirty years and accumulating many Trail journals and information, Skip wrote the book, On The Oregon Trail in 1851. Skip and Sandra even traveled part of the Trail to pay homage to those who actually were on the Trail.
Outside of teaching and all things Brentwood, Skip spent many summers at Hampton Beach working for the Park Patrol. In July of 2013, after having worked for the Park Patrol for over 50 years, Skip was awarded a state Senate resolution by Sen. Nancy Stiles earning him the title '’Mayor of Hampton Beach."
Over the years, Skip has been devoted to Brentwood and his family. He enjoys spending time with his wife, 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
2021
Kenneth R. Christiansen
Kenneth R. Christiansen was born in Utica, New York in 1941. He comes from a large family being the 4th of ten children. Ken grew up in New York and entered the Air Force in 1958. He was stationed at Pease airbase for a time which brought him to New Hampshire where he met his wife Ellen. Ken and Ellen have been married for nearly 60 years and went on to have 2 children, Frank and Jo Marie, and have 4 grandchildren.
Ken retired from the Air Force in 1975 and built a career in the insurance industry, primarily focused on workers compensation. This position had him traveling quite a bit and he often jokes that he has spent 13 nights at the airport in Pittsburgh. He and Ellen moved to Brentwood in 1998. After retiring in 2004, Ken and Ellen initially spent much of their time volunteering at the Mary E. Bartlett Library. Ken served on the municipal budget committee from 2007-2010 and as Brentwood's representative to the Technical Advisory Committee from 2012-2017. He also serves on the Southeast Regional Refuse Disposal District, the zoning board of adjustment and most notably as the Chairman of the Select board, which he has been a member, throughout the years from 2012 to present.
During his time as selectmen, the town has seen tremendous change and growth. We have always thought of Ken as someone who truly cares about this town and the people in it. Ken continues to encourage residents to get involved in the town and he will continue to be a strong support of the town and its employees. The Town of Brentwood has been incredibly fortunate to have Ken's leadership and he will be greatly missed.
Recipients of the Boston Cane
The Boston Cane is presented to the oldest citizen of the town, to be used by them as long as they live (or moves from the town), and at their death handed down to the next oldest citizen of the town.