PRESCHOOL
OPENINGS!
Are you
thinking about enrolling your child in preschool for next fall? The
Center School in Northwood is accepting registrations for the
2013-2014 school year. The Center School is a parent cooperative
preschool located next to the town hall in Northwood, which provides
a developmental program for three, four, and five year olds of
Northwood and surrounding towns. There are openings in our two-day
(T/Th) program and three-day (M/W/F) morning programs. Call or email
us soon to get an information packet or to make an appointment to
come for a visit! For information, please email director Karen
Andersen at
[email protected] or call her at the school at
942-7686.
The
Northwood 3rd/4th Rec Basketball team went undefeated this season!
Pictured in front from the left is: Burke Bulger, Aodhan O’Dwyer,
Luke Tkaczyk, Liam Jozokos, William Moehlmann, Tyler Tkaczyk, Aidan
Cox. Back row from the left: Coaches Brent Tkaczyk, Amy Tkaczyk,
Jacob Burgess, Christian Jones, and Coach Tim Cox
Northwood Bean Hole Bash
The
Northwood Bean Hole Bash Committee is seeking other individuals and
organizations to join them in making the revived Bean Hole Bash our
best summer event ever. We can have fun, get to know each other,
raise some money, and give our community a celebration of our town
to rival the Old Home Days of our neighbors.
The
Bash is planned for the evening of Friday, July 26 and all day,
Saturday, July 27th on the Town Hall Grounds, at Coe-Brown, and
possibly at other locations on Route 4. So far we have The Lions
Club proposing an auction Friday evening, the Northwood Crank
Pullers snowmobile club bringing their awesome food trailer, a 5K
race being planned by Coe-Brown, bench building with NALMC, a
softball tournament gaining momentum at the Police Department, the
Farmers Market planning a dance, games at Scout Island, a flea
market... We could go on and on. And of course, the Northwood Fire
and Rescue team will be cooking the beans in the traditional bean
pots in holes in the ground.
If you
and/or your organization is interested in joining this effort or
donating funds, please call the Northwood Fire Department at (603)
942-9103, or contact Steve Bailey at (603) 608-6624. Northwood is
going to have an amazing summer celebration of our community!
Please
like us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northwood-Bean-Hole-Bash/428212287267704.
Letter
To The Editor
They’re
over, I know, but I’d like to make a few observations on the
election results. First and foremost is the teacher’s contract. By
the way, we received a letter from the union who are unhappy with me
for spelling out their gets and wants. It was illegally presented to
us by the Chair in non-public session last week. I intend to read it
into the record on the 21st. I want it on Comcast.
Due to
the huge cost of the contract and the lack of any real negotiations
the entire package that the teachers wanted was, with their
agreement, put to you the voters. 73.4%, everybody but teachers
their families and their most ardent supporters said get real. I
needed to know that. They needed to know that. I hope to again be on
the negotiating team. You should make sure that I am. I am not their
enemy. My advice, look in the mirror. Negotiations should start
immediately. No more waiting until the end.
Some of
you won’t agree but a three year contract that ends with teachers
paying 20% of their health care while giving them a net increase of
$65,000 a year to the taxpayers would get me writing letters of
support. Oh, that’s provided that we have an acceptable evaluation
process and no stupid retirement incentive. Just stirring the pot,
sorry.
I’m
really saddened that you couldn’t see the value of the technology
package. That is our fault for not doing enough to show you the real
help it would be for our students education.
Finally
I’ve come to realize that you consider running for School Board a
blood sport. Last year you gave the most votes to a very fiscal
conservative and now you’ve reelected the biggest spender in the
history of School Boards. Pretty funny, really. It’s the crashes you
come to the race for. I get it.
Tim
Jandebeur
Northwood
Northwood Election Results
In
contested races for Town positions, James Hadley retained his
position as Selectman with 369 votes, challenged by Babette Morrill,
receiving 234 votes. Selectman Hadley was appointed in 2012 to
complete the term of Alden Dill, who moved to Deerfield; the elected
term is 3 years.
Richard
Wolf took the 3 year Police Commission seat by a narrow win 280-274
over incumbent Spike Bryant, who has served continuously on the
Commission since its formation in 1986.
Incumbent Norma Heroux lost her bid for re-election to Betty Smith
for the 2 year position of Library Trustee.
The
positions filled in non-contested openings include: Treasurer:
Sandra Priolo; Budget Committee, 3 years: Nikki Roy, Betsy Colburn,
Ginger Dole and Hal Kreider; Budget Committee, 2 years: Bunny Behm
and Keith McGuigan; Trustee of Trust Funds: Kevin Murphy; Cemetery
Trustee: Charles Pease; Library Trustee, 3 years: Ann Kelley;
Planning Board, 3 years: Richard Wolf; and Planning Board, 1 year:
Lucy Edwards.
Voters
approved the proposed Town Operating Budget, the purchase of a new
ambulance, the creation of a new police special duty revolving fund
and a number of warrant articles funded by revenue or surplus. The
Board of Selectmen will be required to note the estimated tax impact
on future warrant articles.
Voters
rejected the proposed change to give authority to the Board of
Selectmen to appoint the Town Treasurer and Road Agent; both
positions will remain as elected. A petition article to increase the
hours of the Deputy Town Clerk was also defeated. A Warrant Article
to bond $750,000 for road construction and upgrades did not reach
the 3/5 majority required for approval.
On the
School District ballot four people had filed for two open seats on
the school board. Incumbent Dave Ruth won re-election with 339
votes. Of the three newcomers hoping for a seat, Karen Brieger
narrowly won with 293 votes against Bonnie Sears with 288 votes.
Joseph McCaffery received 206 votes. The School District’s proposed
operating budget was defeated and will go to a default budget for
the second year.
Winning
voter approval on the school warrant was upgrading the school’s
security system ($34,569); retention of up to 2.5% of the unassigned
general funds (surplus) in any fiscal year for emergency
expenditures; and a requirement to include the tax impact on all
warrant articles in future years. Voters rejected increases in
salary and benefits (collective bargaining agreements) for both the
support personnel and the teachers; a request for purchase of new
technology equipment ($95,388); and a proposed 25% tax cap.
Letter
Northwood Voters Thanked
My
thanks to the 671 people (22% of the voters) who came out to vote on
election day (3/12). Also special thanks to the 369 (61%) who voted
for me to be your newest selectman for the next 3 years. I look
forward to serving the community with Selectmen Scott Bryer and Bob
Holden.
As a
fill-in on the Select Board for the past six months, I was pleased
to be a part of the Town’s 2012 property tax rate setting whereby a
reduction of 12% for the town tax was realized. I will continue to
work to reduce the town’s tax rate even further without impacting
services.
Voters
approved the Town’s 2013 operating budget which was level-funded and
there were no special warrant articles approved that would raise
additional taxes. Rather they will come from either surplus or
another revenue source. The Selectmen in the past have also used a
portion of the Undesignated-Unreserved Surplus to ‘buy down the tax
rate.’ Thus, when the Selectmen set the 2013 Town Tax Rate, there
should be an additional reduction.
The
only vote that will have a negative impact on the Town’s portion of
the tax rate was the Road Bond, which failed by 15 votes. One
individual at the polls told voters not to vote for that article. 83
voters took his advice and left that question blank. It was an
opportunity for the state DOT to pay 100% of our road improvements
instead of only 50%. It will force Selectmen to unnecessarily tax
local property owners or curtail the much-needed road repairs.
To
those of you who took the time to stop-by and thank me for running
while I was standing at the polls, I thank you. Public service is a
serious business and I will give it my all.
Sincerely,
Jim
Hadley
Northwood
Getting
Fit With Your Dog
Submitted By
Kristina Folcik
A dog
can be a perfect companion for outdoor activities. Just like humans
need to slowly work up to becoming more fit, so does your dog.
Different breeds are suited for different kinds of exercise. Some
prefer shorter distances while others prefer longer distances. You
should find a vet that understands athletic dogs and work with them
to learn about proper nutrition and how to ease them into exercise
if it has been a while.
We have
a wire fox terrier named Jack, which is a great breed for longer
runs. They have endless energy and need to get out exercising
daily. We do give him days off from running to allow him to recover
from his long runs but in exchange we need to play fetch for
extended periods of time. Research your breed to see if they are
better suited for walking or running before taking them out on a
long excursion.
One
thing I love about running with a dog is that I feel safer being out
on the trail. Having a dog to run with me also makes the run more
enjoyable! Our dog has so much fun being outside! As soon as he
sees us put our running gear together, his tail is wagging and he is
waiting by the door!
Taking
your dog out on the trails requires practice. Some dogs tend to run
off more than others. If you work hard with your dog with voice
commands it makes for a positive experience on the trail. Make sure
you obey leash laws where posted but when your dog is off leash it
is best to be able to control them with voice and hand commands. We
have taught our dog hand signals that go along with the voice
commands because sometimes they cannot understand what you are
saying but they can recognize a hand signal.
I also
bring a lot of yummy treats out on the trail with me. We have been
doing this since he was a puppy. If you have something that is much
more enticing than chasing a deer your dog is more likely to stick
around with you. Start off the run or hike by doing a recall command
and giving them a treat. Your dog will soon begin to realize when
you call him or her that there is something worth coming back for!
Once
your dog becomes fit he or she will want to exercise regularly. Our
dog will not let us sleep if he has too many days off from running.
This is a wonderful incentive for you to get outside and maintain
your fitness! Keeping your dog active also discourages poor behavior
which often times is the result of boredom.
Always
check your dogs paw pads before during and after the run. Sometimes
they can get cut or ball up with snow and if you catch the injury
early it won’t become a huge problem. We taught our dog to drink
from a hydration bladder and water bottle. If you can do this it
will be easier to make sure your dog drinks enough water. Bring a
collapsible bowl if they cannot drink from a stream of water from
your bottle. If your outing is less than a couple of hours you do
not need to feed your dog more than a few treats but if you are out
for several hours bring some dog food with you and give your dog
plenty of breaks on hot days.
In the
winter we use a product called Mushers’ Secret on his paws and this
keeps the snow from sticking to them. Some people use boots, but I
find they fall off and get lost. We also put a soft shell jacket on
him when it is cold outside and a bell around his neck so that we
can hear him. Another advantage to a bell is that other trail users
and wildlife can hear him coming. In the fall a bright orange
jacket is important so hunters can see your dog.
A trail
running dog is an incredible training partner and will also become
one of your best friends. There is nothing more fun than watching
your dog bounding down the trail having a blast, splashing through
puddles and coming home covered in mud! Keep a towel in your car;
you will want to use it before letting your dog back in the car with
you.
Letter
The
Costs Of Free Money
Now
that the proposed 83% increase in the gasoline tax is wending its
way through the NH legislature, it may be a good time to look at
what the Feds have in store for us.
According to a recent story in The Washington Examiner, the Obama
Administration has plans “to scrap the federal gas tax in favor of a
pay-per-mile fee which would boost the tab to Americans as high as
250%, raising their current tax of 18.4 cents a gallon to as high as
46 cents, according to a new government study.”
Meanwhile, in news from our neighbor to the west, The Vermont
Digger, a statewide web newspaper, reports that the Vermont
government is considering a new gasoline sales tax. The Green
Mountain Boys and Girls aren’t giving up without a fight, however.
They have collected 4,000 signatures on a petition protesting the
increase.
Why is
the Vermont legislature, like NH’s, pushing for a gas tax increase
at a time when the price of gasoline is at historic highs?
According to The Digger, “If the state doesn’t raise about $36.5
million in new revenues, it could lose $65 million in federal
transportation funds.”
As to
why those 4,000 Vermonters are against the gas tax increase and all
that free federal money, one can only guess. Maybe they’re just
old-fashioned Yankees, both frugal and independent.
If so,
they probably think that gasoline and taxes are high enough as it
is. They may think the government already has enough money to do
what it needs to do. They may be wary of the strings that always
seem to be attached to government grants. They could even be
thinking that citizens of Vermont (and not the taxpayers of other
states) should pay for their own roads.
Michael
Faiella
Northwood
Chesley
Memorial Library News
The
Chesley Memorial Library will host a book signing for local author
Grace Mattern on Saturday, March 23, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30
p.m. Copies of “The Truth About Death” will be available for
purchase ($18.00) and light refreshments will be served.
Grace
Mattern’s poetry and short fiction have been published in numerous
literary journals and magazines, including The Sun, Calyx, Prairie
Schooner, Poet Lore, and Yankee. She received a Poetry Fellowship
from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and was the first
recipient of the Jean Pedrick Memorial Fellowship for a residency at
Vermont Studio Center. Her chapbook, Fever of Unknown Origin, was
published by Oyster River Press in 2002 and her first full-length
collection, The Truth About Death, was published last April by
Turning Point Books.
Over
the past thirty-five years, Mattern has been deeply involved in the
movement to end violence against women, serving as Executive
Director of the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
until June, 2011, and participating on statewide and national
boards. She can be found online at
www.gracemattern.com.
|