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This is the weekly update sent out to subscribers from the Town of Meredith. Granted, it is from the desk of the Town Manager, but let’s face it folks, we have a de facto Town Manager in our very own Town Administrator. Or so it would seem, as he acts on his on accord for many different issues, agendas and even ordinances. Why, then, would it be asking too much for an informative weekly update that highlights the many goings on in our town, without forcing citizens to search the town webpage? The town calendar is not all inclusive, nor is it enough to decipher any real information. How ‘bout it folks? Let’s ask our town for more!
Town Manager’s Weekly Message
Keeping you informed about what’s happening in the Town of Meredith
This message is updated each Friday to keep residents informed about town issues and activities.
September 23, 2009
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MEREDITH:
Infrastructure Improvements Project Construction Notice
Sewer repair and road improvement work on Main Street between Waukewan St. and Lake St. began on August 31st. Trench paving is now taking place. Weather permitting, work may be completed by October 2nd however, that date is subject to change.
The roadway will be open to local traffic only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; however access to sidewalks will be maintained. Traffic coming from the center of town will be diverted to Lake St. onto Route 3. Traffic coming toward the center of town from the intersection of Waukewan and Main St. will be diverted onto Mill St. then to Route 3. Although every effort will be made to maintain water and sewer service, temporary interruption of service could occur. NO OVERNIGHT PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ON MAIN ST. FROM THE HUMISTON SCHOOL BUILDING TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS.
For more information contact Jerry Cedrone, Resident Engineer, KV Partners, LLC at 496-1282 or the Town of Meredith Water & Sewer Department at 279-3046. You can also click the links below to view the full construction notice and work detour map.
- H1N1 SWINE FLU INFORMATION –
SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
We like this editorial by the Meredith News and here’s why. Finally, local representatives that actually keep the very people that they represent informed, without making them spend countless hours researching the happenings in Concord. It’s too bad that this is not happening in our town of Moultonboro. We would like the same here, as well as in Tuftenboro and Wolfeboro that are represented by our own Betsey Patten. We would like to encourage her to do the same for the good folks that elected her.
Fall may not officially be here for a couple more weeks, but with schools starting this week and Labor Day weekend right in front of us, it’s about time to say goodbye to summer. As cooler weather approaches, so will the return of news from the State House, courtesy of our local state representatives. What we’ve seen in the past year from reps like Kate Miller in Meredith, Bill Johnson in Gilford and Belmont, and Liz Merry in Sanbornton is not only willingness, but an eagerness to provide constituents with the lowdown on House debates and votes through their local newspapers. Before the summer break, Johnson had been regularly submitting capsules of pertinent information regarding what he saw happening in the House of Representatives. This has accomplished a couple of things: first, it has made state news more accessible, particularly because Johnson writes in layman’s terms and with a bit of color, so readers aren’t wading through the typical political jargon. Second, Johnson gives us insight into the whys and hows of the House voting process, candidly noting the reasons behind his decisions while acknowledging the other point of view as well. For Meredith, Miller has regularly submitted letters to the editor to keep her constituents informed. Although her district doesn’t cover Moultonboro, Sandwich or Center Harbor, what Miller has to say is pertinent to all of our Meredith News readers. Like Johnson, she provides updates of the goings on in the House and continuously invite conversation from her constituents. Merry has done the same for Tilton and Sanbornton with her letters and updates. At Salmon Press, we’re grateful that our towns’ representatives are readily providing vital statewide information to our readers, because while we pride ourselves on bringing readers news at the most local level, we also recognize the importance of knowing what’s happening at the state level, that the impact of House and Senate votes are often widely felt by the residents of our towns. The downside to being a truly local, weekly paper is that we don’t have the resources to report on state affairs ourselves – we’re busy attending local board meetings – and have to rely on outside sources to gather that information. Until this past year, our papers didn’t have a single state representative from any of the districts we cover actively sending us news we can use. Now, true to their campaign word, reps like Miller, Johnson and Merry are channeling such vital information through us. We hope their updates continue in the coming year, and that you appreciate reading them as much as we do.
…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
