November 2008 Archives
Estimates are that the state might have to find itself as much as $400 million more in the next two years than it spent in the current two-year budget.
By TOM FAHEY State House Bureau Chief
Union Leader Sunday November 30, 2008
While all the talk in Concord is about budget cuts, no one's talking about taxes. That will change -- soon. When the Legislature starts work in January, it will tackle bills to add or increase all sorts of taxes. Lawmakers have filed a dozen tax bills so far on gasoline, tobacco, bottles, beer, income (three of those), even fireworks. One resurrects the Legacy and Succession tax (better known as the death tax) that produced $25 million a year before it was repealed in 2002. Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes told lawmakers he'd like several bills to bump up a couple of fees his agency collects. Want to register your boat? Get ready to dig deeper to help the navigation safety fund that covers enforcement of boating speed limits…..
6 HOLLAND STREET
PO BOX 139
MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254
Selectmen’s Meeting November 20, 2008
DRAFT
MINUTES
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, , Joel R. Mudgett, Betsey L. Patten; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Joel Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of November 13, 2008 as written. Ed Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
IV. NEW RESIDENTS: None.
V. PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Non-Public, Personnel Matter, 8:00 P.M.:
2. Cristina Ashjian, Chair of the Historical and Cultural Resources, Community Character and Appearance Master Plan Update Committee provided the Selectmen with a memo regarding their request for the establishment of a Heritage Commission. Four out of eight members were also in attendance......
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By NORMA LOVE Associated Press Writer |
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ New Hampshire is cutting its budget by nearly another $60 million — reducing spending on everything from school aid construction to overtime.
Gov. John Lynch presented the areas to be cut Friday to the joint legislative Fiscal Committee, which approved them after a brief discussion. Lynch also recommended another $20 million in steps that will require legislative action when lawmakers convene next year.
Even with those steps, Lynch said another $75 million must be found to balance this year's budget.
"We are in the midst of an unprecedented global economic crisis," Lynch told the committee. "When we crafted the state budget 18 months ago, no one could have predicted the depths to which our nation's economy would sink."
Since February, Lynch and lawmakers have used a variety of spending cuts and revenue measures to deal with declining revenue. The latest cuts bring the total amount trimmed to about $150 million, roughly 5 percent of the $3.2 billion in spending from general tax sources in the two-year budget. The total budget is $10.3 billion when spending from federal and other sources is included.
Lynch characterized Friday's actions as another step and reiterated his pledge to balance the budget....
“I don’t feel the commissioner should dedicate to one part of the road (Rt. 25). We have to represent the town of Moultonboro, and we have to represent the entire town, and others on the other intersection. I feel that because politically, because someone knew someone, though he has every right to do so, it feels wrong for the DOT to pick one road because Mr. Lamprey lives on Fox Hollow Road.” Karel Crawford, Chair, Moultonboro Board of Selectmen
The Meredith News November 20, 2008
SARAH SCHMIDT
MOULTONBORO — With a few reservations, the Moultonboro Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to move the
"I think it's a great idea myself, having worked with DOT myself on our
By
eplummer@citizen.com
The Citizen Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Community representatives from around the state will share concerns and open communication with the Department of Transportation as part of a transportation advisory committee.
A committee of 14 representatives from organizations and municipalities around
The committee was a result of contact between DOT Commissioner George Campbell and the
The committee will provide input to the DOT on transportation needs in each area and resolve communication issues.
"Its really mainly a communication thing and to advise the commission on the upcoming issues that DOT already is (encountering)," said committee member and Center Harbor Selectman Charley Hanson. "I think it's a great idea myself, having worked with DOT myself on our
Hanson and Franklin City Manager Elizabeth Corrow are the members of the 14-member committee from the Lakes Region. Also on the committee are Mayor Donnalee Lozeau of Nashua; Assistant City Manager William Prokop of Keene; City Councilor Sandra Keans of Rochester; Town Managers Glenn English of Haverhill and Julia Griffin of Hanover; Public Works Directors Chris Temple from Claremont, Carl Quiram from Goffstown, Edward Roberge from Concord, and Jennifer Perry from Exeter; Finance Director Dana Call of Windham; Cliff Sinnott of the Rockingham Planning Commission, and Lewis Feldstein, president of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
"It's really cutting across all swatches of the state," Hanson said. "I think it's a pretty good cross section of people."
The committee's first meeting was last Friday and, according to Hanson, lasted for two-and-a-half hours with committee members talking about issues in their communities.
The advisory group will meet around three times a year and the agenda will be open, allowing committee members to discuss any issues that come up.
"Hopefully it will be an opportunity to provide input so the level of frustration on both sides can be greatly reduced so things work well," Hanson said.
6 HOLLAND STREET
PO BOX 139
MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254
Selectmen’s Meeting November 13, 2008
DRAFT
MINUTES
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, James F. Gray, Joel R. Mudgett; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Joel Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of November 6, 2008 as written. Ed Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
IV. NEW RESIDENTS: None.
V. PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Karin Nelson, Lees Pond, Milfoil Treatment: Ms. Nelson, as the Treasurer of the Lee’s Pond Association, told the Selectmen that this past summer they treated Lee’s Pond for milfoil using the chemical treatment of “24D” at the cost of $10,000 and a vacuum harvester for $4,000. She stated that the treatment went well, but they discovered more. Their association checked with DES and learned that this year they can only offer a 1/3 match vs. 50/50 match as in the past. Ms. Nelson asked the Selectmen if they could support a petition requesting $5,000....
"The important thing is that the public's sentiments are taken into consideration when it comes time to vote. If all the discussion is held secretly — never mind that that is illegal — then the people never get their opportunity to be part of "government of the people, by the people, for the people".
By Thomas Caldwell
The Citizen Sunday, November 16, 2008
Something that continues to baffle those of us who work in journalism is the number of people who choose a career of public service but who show not the slightest inkling of what public service means. It soon becomes clear that they are putting their personal interests above the people they ostensibly serve.
When a public official declares with a straight face that he or she will not release working documents because to let the public know what members of the group are saying would hamper the discussion and lead to fewer people agreeing to serve — that official obviously is out of touch. The whole idea of having public meetings is to let people know what is under discussion and how decisions are made.
Thus it was with astonishment that one of our reporters received the news from the chair of
Note from the MCA: Why is it a good thing to have a watchdog group like the MCA in your town? Attendance at meetings, questions to our elected officials, letters to the editor, video taping and posting on this website many public meetings goes a long way to avoid surprises like a 20% tax hike.
By Amy Augustine Concord Monitor Staff
Boscawen is giving taxpayers more time to pay up after a big spike in the tax rate appeared in their November bills.
The overall tax rate is $23.58 per $1,000 of assessed property, up from $19.04 in 2007. The town portion of the rate jumped from $4.63 to $6.99. Tax bills were mailed this month, along with a letter explaining the increase from Town Administrator Michael Wright.
In the letter, Wright cited a 2007 "miscalculation" between the town and Department of Revenue, as well as a decrease in town revenue as reasons for the sharp increase. Wright said the town accounted for about $125,000 in state funds for a water and sewer project in its 2007 budget submission, which inflated the amount in the town's general fund.
That made last year's taxes lower than they should have been, he said. That money must be recouped this year.
This week selectmen agreed to give taxpayers a 90-day interest-free grace period if they pay 80 percent of their bill by the Dec. 5 due date. Wright said people should contact the town offices if they want to take advantage of the grace period. ..
Note from the MCA: At the 11/13/2008 Selectmen meeting, Ed Charest reported on a session he attended at the recent NH Local Government Center annual conference about the economy and how it impacts NH. Mr. Charest indicated that NH overall was one of four states that probably will weather the recession far better than the other 46 states. Hmmm... We respectfully disagree. There are many indicators in this state that point to very serious problems, such as 17% of NH single family homes having negative equity. As Betsey Patten state in the article "We all have to do some belt-tightening and take a deep breath." Read on below....
By DAN TUOHY
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
Brian J. Gottlob, of the Dover-based PolEcon Research, said towns and cities may see greater property tax delinquencies and a choke-hold on many smaller revenue sources, such as new car registrations. Towns and cities can better cope with the downturn than state government, but Gottlob said local leaders may not think so come budget season and its prickly political decisions.
"You'll probably suffer more of the angst," he said at the
Gottlob discussed the housing market,
The conference, "Local Government: Challenging Times, Creative Solutions," continues today and tomorrow at the Radisson Hotel Manchester. More than 650 municipal, school and county officials from around the state are attending. Topics include finance, land use, pension reform, and healthy, safe and secure school environments.
Local government officials are keenly aware of the challenges, said state Rep. Betsey Patten, R-Moultonborough, after listening to Gottlob's presentation. She sits on the House Municipal and County Government Committee and serves on her town's board of selectmen.
One of the first priorities, she said, is working to ensure the state does not shift any financial burdens to counties.
"We all have to do some belt-tightening and take a deep breath," Patten said.
While Gottlob says local government should not expect any help from the state, he anticipates the state looking to the federal government for financial assistance. Such a stimulus package for the states, now under discussion on Capitol Hill, could give
Gottlob expects six more months of declining state revenues, with a turnaround starting possibly in late spring of 2009.
Though he expressed an optimism about
Business access to bank credit has been hampered in
New unemployment claims are approaching levels of the last two recessions, and there appears to be no slowing in terms of home mortgage foreclosures in
He said 17 percent of
Compared to other states, there is not an especially high concentration of high-risk loans in
On the bright side, Gottlob said
"We're really on a precipice now," he said.
The Meredith News November 14, 2008
SARAH SCHMIDT
MOULTONBORO — Driven by an increase in the county portion, the projected tax rate for Moultonboro residents is on the rise, from $6.99 per $1,000 in 2007, to $7.65 in the current year. Town Administrator Carter Terenzini presented the tax rate to selectmen and told them that the rate had been approved by the New Hampshire Department of Revenue. The total amount raised is decided by the town’s local assessed valuation - down 2 percent from last year, from about $2,878,000,000 in 2007, to $2,827,646,039 this year. Though all portions of the tax rate are up this year, the most dramatic rise was a 22.78 percent increase in the county portion, from 79 cents to 99 cents.Terenzini said the county portion accounted for about a third of the increase. The town portion came in next, increasing from $2.07 to $2.32, a 12 percent increase. The local school portion increased from $2.01 to $2.16, a 7.46 percent increase, while the state portion of the school tax increased 4.25 percent, from $2.12 to $2.21. Despite these increases, Terenzini warned against people concluding that their taxes would automatically “go up 10 percent,” and said that taxes would vary depending on value and rate. He gave several examples of housing situations in Moultonboro, and how each would be affected by the tax rate. One house in the tenth percentile, assessed at $211,900 in 2007, with taxes of $1,481, had decreased in its assessment in 2008, bumping the taxes up to $1,593, Terenzini said, giving a local example. A house in a median percentile, at $477,000 in 2007, had its taxes rise from $3,335 to $3,481 in 2008, a rise of about 4.4 percent. Properties with a decrease in value of 8.6 percent tend to stay flat in relative dollars, Terenzini said. He also noted that the selectmen had chosen to use of the unreserved fund balance to help out the tax rate, leaving the amount at 7.5 percent. Selectman Chair Karel Crawford noted that the town was searching for ways to increase their efficiencies in order to bring down the budget. “We’ve looked at joining with the school to buy our supplies and oil,” said Crawford. “The department heads are working on their budgets right now.We’re going to look at conservation, and we want to keep the tax rate down.” Crawford also noted that, oddly, her own property’s assessed valuation had inexplicably gone up. Resident Al Hume spoke up about the budget, asking about capital expenditures, and whether the selectmen thought that they could bring the budget for capital expense items “as close to zero as possible.” Selectman Ed
Charest said that selectmen were also looking at the economic situation as an opportunity to “save us money in the long run,” noting that prices for equipment and supplies aren’t going down yet.
Cameron said she was most recently paying $4,800 in taxes — a $1,000 increase from three years ago. In 2005, the city tax rate was $19.61. For 2008, the rate is $23.43.
"That's $400 a month in taxes alone," Cameron said.
November 14th, 2008
By JENNIFER KEEFE
jkeefe@fosters.com
SOMERSWORTH — Nancy Cameron's new place has a bathroom attached to her bedroom. Her dog, a pug/dachshund mix named Dewey, has been enjoying the yard. And her utilities will likely cost less each month.
But, she says, "it's not home anymore."
The place she's called home for the past 19 years on
She and her partner split up three years ago, and she was left trying to pay mounting costs by herself. It seemed like everything stopped being possible.
"You factor in all those things — credit card payments, car payments. You're kind of robbing Peter to pay Paul," she said. "But still, providing that home life that was important to me. I held on as long as I could, but once it starts taking you under, you realize you're getting nowhere fast."
Cameron said she was most recently paying $4,800 in taxes — a $1,000 increase from three years ago.
In 2005, the city tax rate was $19.61. For 2008, the rate is $23.43.
"That's $400 a month in taxes alone," Cameron said.
She has also experienced the crunch of rising utility costs, with about $330 a month going to oil and $143 for electricity. She said she's always been on a budget plan but paying for those expenses on her own got harder and harder — and then impossible.
She tried to stay in Somersworth — where after more than 20 years in the city she had volunteered for nearly every organization and cause — but couldn't find an affordable place that would allow dogs.
And with all the changes she was going through in her life, there was no way she was moving without Dewey.
"Keeping the dog was stable," she said, laughing as she talked about how happy he is to see her when she comes home from work.
She also said she thought her sons were having trouble dealing with the possibility of giving Dewey away.
But it had been a real possibility for Cameron, just like having to move.
"You never dream of stuff like this," she said. "There's no relief out there. You can only refinance so many times. You can't do it on your own."
Today, her duplex in
"I cry a lot because I'm letting go of so much of myself in this community," she said. "You feel like an outsider because you don't live here. It's just a weird aspect of your life." Cameron boasts a long list of city activism, starting with being supervisor of the checklist for 15 years, a School Board member for eight years, high school class adviser, deacon at the
She also spearheaded the project to bring lights to the high school's football field and serves on the International Children's Festival board. "I've had quite a run," she said nostalgically. It's only been a week in her new place so she's expecting things will get easier down the road. Until then, she still has a lot to think about.
She said she doesn't think she'll see any real financial relief from her move for about a year. "I'm at a point now where I have to look for a second job," she said, wondering if juggling two jobs will be possible. She works as a department manager at the Wal-Mart in
She's not even sure she could find a second job right now.
Cameron's challenges don't end there. She's trying to put her son, Sean, 21, through college at
"I'd be damned if I wasn't going to let (Sean) go to college," she said. "I was going to get him those loans he needed. He works, he does what he should do to earn money while he's home."
She's expecting a lot of debt.
She's also expecting to owe money when tax season rears its head again in April because she's doing a short sale on her home. A short sale prevents foreclosure by allowing the home to sell for less than the outstanding balance of the loan and the bank to assume the proceeds. Still, Cameron will have to claim on her taxes the difference between the home's list price and what it sells for.
"I tried to redeem myself a little bit," she said. "It looks better with the bank if you try to work something out."
But, she added, there has to be some good that can come out of the situation.
"Everything happens for a reason," she said.
"Either you're going to go under, or you're going to pull yourself out," she said. "You've got to do what you've got to do. Trying to do it yourself is impossible these days and every time I come in here, I cry. But in a year or so, I'll see it wasn't so bad to do what I did. I still need a place to call home."
MCA
These are "draft" minutes and not verbatim as provided by the Selectmen's Office. We encourage attendees to comment on any errors or inconsitencies so we can provide the public with correct and complete minutes
6 HOLLAND STREET
PO BOX 139
MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254
DRAFT
MINUTES
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, James F. Gray, Joel R. Mudgett; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Joel Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of October 16, 2008 and the Minutes of the October 23, 2008 Work Session as written. Ed Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
IV. NEW RESIDENTS: Kaila E. & Samuel B. Catalano, Trevor D. Stone, Meagan C. Prudhomme, Zachary A. Tremblay, Troy Lewis, Kathleen I. Kramer, Donald S. & June C. Hall, Richard A. Engfor, Donna M. & Thomas W. Riel, Mark A. Meehan, Samantha Suzanne S. Booth, Irene V. Canty, Jennifer K. Stanford, Brian Bourgeois, Richard W. Grossman, Elaine R. Warshell, Ashley D. Logue, Robin L. Cheney, Phillip K. Sullivan, Janet E. & Dennis P. Sullivan, Suzene L. Bonner, Andrea D. Bonner, Bryan W. Sindorf, Brittany C. Ruiz, Ryan C. Cahoon, Evan R. Ames, Michael S. Grzelak.
V. PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Rick Heath asked the Selectmen what the new schedule is for their meeting. He added that he was unaware and came to attend a meeting during the past two weeks and found that there was none. Karel informed him that the Selectmen meet the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Thursday of the month. The 4th Thursday is utilized for the Selectmen’s work session and the 5th Thursday will be used as an optional work session if needed. Mr. Heath asked if the work session minutes were posted. Karel replied.......
HOME.
He (Tullis)said, "I do not like what I see with these changes," and said some of these changes dealt with RSA 91-A, the Right-to-Know law, which deals with the requirements for official bodies to hold public meetings as well as the public's access to public records.
The Citizen Tuesday, November 11, 2008
By KATIE AHERN
kahern@citizen.com
A member of the School Board has resigned, citing "continuing deterioration" of the way the board has been conducting business.
Jim Tullis, the board's vice chair, resigned last week because of personal reasons. He declined to elaborate when contacted Monday about his decision.
In his letter of resignation, dated Nov. 7, Tullis stated, "Since May 2008 when the Business Administrator, Donna Clairmont, terminated her position with the SAU 18, I have seen a continued deterioration in how the Board functions, carrying out its responsibility within the SAU 18 City of Franklin and Town of
In the letter, Tullis said these observations are not just his own, but were shared by others in the community. He said, "I do not like what I see with these changes," and said some of these changes dealt with RSA 91-A, the Right-to-Know law, which deals with the requirements for official bodies to hold public meetings as well as the public's access to public records.
Tullis stated in his letter that he believed it was the best for him to step down. In doing so he thanked the voters in Ward 1 who elected him and allowed him to serve on the board and represent
According to the SAU 18 website, Tullis began his term on the Board in June 2007 and it was set to expire in December 2010.
School Board Chair Kathy Fuller was sad to hear the news. "He's been a very good School Board member, and he will be missed."
Mayor Ken Merrifield was also disappointed in Tullis' resignation as well.
"He definitely did his homework," he said. "I'm sad to see Mr. Tullis leave the School Board."
By Daniel Barrick Concord Monitor November 9, 2008
Like a homeowner struggling with stagnant wages and rising health care and energy costs, the state of
November 9, 2008
By GARRY RAYNO
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
New Hampshire so far has escaped the brunt of the economic calamities befalling the rest of the United States, but amid reports of surging national unemployment rates, several local economists warned that Granite State is far from immune.While the state's residents and businesses have not experienced the credit freeze plaguing the nation, they have found it more difficult to qualify for loans. And while New Hampshire's unemployment rate for September remained relatively low at 4.1 percent, that was the highest it had been in more than four years.State unemployment information for October won't be available until the Department of Employment Security releases it one week from tomorrow, but the national rate is out, and it's ominous: 6.5 percent, the highest level in 14 years. Altogether in 2008, more than 1.2 million Americans have lost their jobs."The
Gains and losses
In the first nine months of the year, the state's hardest-hit industries were hospitality, with 1,500 jobs lost, and construction, down 1,300 jobs. Manufacturing lost 700 jobs; information services another 100.The manufacturing sector is struggling, said Anita Josten, a research analyst with the ELMIB, but that is part of the economic evolution. "It's not concentrated in any one industry," she said of the manufacturing sector. "We have a good diversification. While weaker industries are struggling, others are doing well." Some sectors, meanwhile, have undergone recent reversals of fortune.The trades, transportation and utilities sector had a net gain of 1,200 jobs in the first three quarters, but that included 600 jobs lost in September. Likewise the financial services sector had a net gain of 400 jobs for the first three quarters, but that included 100 jobs lost in September. Pending October's employment numbers, the state's biggest winner to date has been the professional services industry, with a gain of 2,600 jobs. Education and health services has added 900, and government at all levels has added 400.
Economic independence
Of the state's 655,500-member workforce, approximately 100,000 are self-employed, Francese notes. "A lot of highly educated and highly skilled people have moved to the state, with a large number working for themselves and in the high-tech industry," he said. "They are smart enough and skilled enough not to be concerned about plant closings because they will find another job pretty quickly." Even though it has slowed,
Warning signs, and hope
Russ Thibeault, president of Applied Economic Research of Laconia, said that while
By
eplummer@citizen.com
November 8, 2008
MOULTONBOROUGH - Proposed changes to Moultonborough's transfer station will address ongoing safety issues and expansion of recycling space.
Members of the municipal needs committee appeared before the selectmen during Thursday night's meeting to report on the committee's findings. Town Administrator Carter Terenzini and the Board of Selectmen in late July asked the committee to offer possible solutions to safety concerns at the transfer station.
While there had not been a major incident at the station, Police Chief Scott Kinmond said there have been some worker injuries at the station, mostly involving handling glass.
Committee Chair Barbara Rando said four possible solutions were listed, ranging from large-scale to minimal.
The large-scale project called for a 120- by 100-foot addition to the existing building at the transfer station to satisfy all safety concerns and leave room for expansion.
A medium-scale project would involve no expansion of the facility, but would add four balers inside the building to allow workers to reduce their handling of recyclables by 60 percent. There would be an open bin for glass to free another container for recyclable plastics.
Currently residents go into the facility with their paper, which poses some safety risks. Under the medium plan, there would be a paper baler in the facility so residents will not bale their own paper. There also would be a Dutch door at the facility for cardboard. A pole barn also is proposed for the back to keep recyclables clean and dry.
A smaller solution would have just a glass pit and improvements in signs, which are being proposed with all the plans. The last option is to "do nothing" and go back to the joint loss management committee to come up with recommendations. Money for signs still would be requested and getting a perforator for the plant might also be recommended.
Another addition proposed is a "valet service" on weekends and holidays during the summer where part-time staff members will help move traffic. The valet service is proposed for most of the plans.
There is $900,000 in the capital reserve fund. Rando said there is enough money in the capital reserve fund to cover a project between the large and medium projects.
By
eplummer@citizen.com
November 8, 2008
MOULTONBOROUGH - Possible state funding to repair a troublesome Moultonborough intersection is being seen as an ideal opportunity by some residents and officials. Other officials, however, say other intersections are of greater priority and the state money is not necessarily guaranteed.
Town Administrator Carter Terenzini presented the findings of a design matrix for intersections on Route 25 during Thursday's selectmen's meeting.
Terenzini was a facilitator of a scoring team that included other town residents and officials along with engineer Robert Saunders and planner Mike Izard of the Lakes Region Planning Commission, analyzing intersections in the corridor and assigning scores for priority based on a series of criteria.
The factors included project cost, number of recorded accidents at each intersection, traffic volume, technical issues, and bonus considerations. Each intersection received a score based on each factor which were tallied up to determine priority.
Analysis of intersections went from the intersection of Route 109 to the
According to the report,
Residents of
Fox Hollow resident George Proctor said members of the steering committee were not aware of the matrix scoring.
"I'm astonished at the rating of Fox Hollow at the bottom of the list," Proctor said, citing accidents that have occurred at the intersection, including a double fatality.
Steering committee member Stewart Lamprey noted studies by the Lakes Region Planning Commission, the N.H. Department of Transportation, and the
Members of the steering committee have met with the selectmen, engineers, and DOT officials to discuss possible improvements, which have included approaching the state about getting an alternate right of way through an old salt shed owned by the Department of Transportation.
Lamprey said he, other members of the committee, and some members of the planning board had a meeting with DOT Commissioner George Campbell regarding the salt shed property. According to Lamprey,
Lamprey calculated that the town would have to provide around $94,500 in the next budget for the project to be taken care of in the spring.
"We went to
Terenzini, however, said Fox Hollow's score and ranking will remain the same, saying there have been more accidents and greater traffic volume at other intersections on the list.
"We're not saying that Fox Hollow in and of itself is not a dangerous intersection," Terenzini said. "We are putting it in terms of priority."
Terenzini said he and the selectmen had received a letter from
Board Chair Karel Crawford said the letter "didn't say when as far as when we would see the money."
"Commissioner Campbell said he would find the money somewhere if the town was willing," said Planning Board Chair Judy Ryerson. "If the town puts in $80,000 or $90,000 and the state doesn't come through, you don't do the project. If you don't put the money in, it definitely won't get done."
Selectman Ed Charest said it would be "good savings" if the town puts in the third while the state might put forward the rest. Charest and Selectman Joel Mudgett said the final result of putting up the money might be scratching one project off the list.
"As a selectperson, I have to look at the town as a whole, not just Fox Hollow," Crawford said. "All of these other roads have a serious problem, too."
Crawford did say the option sounded better than trying to get a right-of-way at the salt shed. The board decided by consensus to table the issue for consideration at next week's meeting.
November 8, 2008
The committee has issued a draft report on ways to ensure schools are delivering a constitutionally adequate education.
It recommends schools provide more information and report more frequently on how they are meeting standards. It's also recommending the state form a task force to report to the Legislature next May with a new system for measuring student performance.
The committee holds a hearing on its draft report on Monday.
Last year, the state defined an adequate education, but did not devise an accountability system. The committee was created to examine what measures are place now and recommend improvements.
The link to the report is below.
Joint Committee on Accountability for an Adequate Education - Draft Report for Public Comment
The Meredith News October 30th, 2008
MOULTONBORO — The menu for the Moultonboro,
The Meredith News October 30, 2008
BY ERIK ZYGMONT
MOULTONBORO — The town has undergone a lighting audit and could save about $10,000 annually in electricity costs, if it first purchases lighting upgrades. According to buildings and grounds head Andy Daigneau, the cost savings would pay for the initial upgrades in a little less than three years. An estimate from LighTec Inc., the company that conducted the audit, proposes a $57,263 for the upgrades. A $28,000 rebate is available from the town’s energy provider, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, if Moultonboro qualifies. According to the audit,the town currently pays $19,233 in lighting costs, and would pay an estimated $9,140 if the upgrades were done. On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Board of Selectmen voted to submit the LighTec proposal to NH Electric Co-op to seek the rebate. The town is still waiting to hear back, Daigneau said. He added that even with the rebate, the upgrades, at close to $30,000, would require voter approval at 2009 Town Meeting.
“At this point, I don’t have $30,000 available to me in my budget to do the retrofit,” he said. According to Daigneau, LighTec analyzed lighting systems in Town Hall, public safety building, recreation building, library, Moultonboro Neck Fire Station, and highway garage. The proposed upgrades would include changing out older light fixtures with new ones, in some cases, that accommodate highly-efficient fluorescent bulbs, Daigneau said. Some light fixtures,he added, use more bulbs than are needed for sufficient lighting. Additionally, Daigneau said, LighTec brought in a specialist to analyze the town’s HVAC systems. “At this time, they determined that the HVAC retrofits pushed the payback period too far out,” Daigneau said, noting that a three-year payback for the cost of improvements is an “acceptable period.” He said that LighTec technician Jim Grady made other recommendations, such as shutting off certain computers when not in use, to save energy costs.
…the settlement ….is being paid through the town's liability insurer, the
By GRETA CUYLER
Special to the Union Leader
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Hooksett has paid $205,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by two former employees who were fired for gossiping about their boss.Former Assessor Sandy Piper and former Code Enforcement Officer Michelle Bonsteel received money for back pay, compensatory damages and attorney fees.According to the settlement agreement, Hooksett has paid Piper a total of $140, 000, including $55,000 in lost pay, $49,401 in compensatory damages and $35,599 in attorney fees. The town paid Bonsteel $44,501 in compensatory damages and $20,499 in attorney fees.Piper and Bonsteel were fired by the town council in April 2007 after an attorney's investigation determined the women had been gossiping about Town Administrator David Jodoin. Discussing the settlement last night, Piper said, "I wanted it done. There's more to life than the bickering and pettiness that goes on with politics. Life goes on."As part of the settlement, both former employees agreed to waive any rights under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act. The town denied any liability or wrongdoing in either case."I'm glad it's over," said Town Councilor Michael Pischetola, who was not on the council at the time of the firings. "I believe that everybody who was involved is happy with the judgment."
►Hooksett administrator taking Pembroke job
►$130,000 paid to two of 'Hooksett Four' (10)
►One of 'Hooksett Four' is employee of the year (9)
Shortly after the firings, the town council released a statement calling the women's actions "insubordinate" and "dishonest."Taxpayers will not be on the hook for the settlement, which is being paid through the town's liability insurer, the Local Government Center.At the same time Piper and Bonsteel were fired, the council fired two other employees. Jessica Skorupski and Joanne Drewniak. Both women filed lawsuits against the town, and each received a $65,000 settlement earlier this year. In all, the firings cost the town's insurance company more than $330,000. The four women had nearly 50 years of combined service to the town. All had positive performance reviews.Skorupski went on to find full-time employment as a dispatcher with the Goffstown Police Department. In January, Goffstown named her "Employee of the Year."According to the settlement agreements, both Piper and Bonsteel agreed never to apply for a job with the Town of
Bonsteel's case was different from the others. In August 2007, the council reversed its decision to fire her by a vote of 5-1 and reinstated her with back pay and a letter of reprimand. Seven months later, in March 2008, Bonsteel resigned. At that time, she said she had accepted another job in
Bonsteel could not be reached for comment yesterday. Hooksett agreed to remove Piper's termination letter from her employment file and give her a favorable letter of recommendation, according to the settlement."The majority of the community feels the four of us should never have been terminated," Piper said. "That's all I care about, that I can hold my head up in the community."Last week, Town Administrator David Jodoin announced he will leave Hooksett to take a job as administrator in Pembroke beginning Dec. 1.He will earn $72,000 in Pembroke, $18,000 less than he has been earning in Hooksett. Jodoin said he's looking forward to an easier work schedule and the opportunity to spend more time with his family
