REMINDER
The South Pittsfield Friends Church will be open on Sunday, August
7th with Rev. Henry Frost as the speaker. Services begin at
1:00 pm and all are welcome.
The church will also hold services on
August 14th with Rev. Nancy Talbott as the speaker and on August
28th with Rev. Harold Muzzey as the speaker. All services begin at
1:00 pm unless otherwise noted. All are welcome to attend.
If you have a child under 3 or are
pregnant, Early Head Start will have openings soon! Fun activities,
information, support, and learning experiences are provided through
home visiting and play groups. Free for income eligible families.
Call us at 435-6611 to jump start your child’s learning.
If you have a 3 or 4 year old child, Head
Start has openings for the fall! We are a 5 day a week preschool
program that provides lots of fun and learning to prepare your child
for kindergarten. Breakfast and lunch are included. Free for income
eligible families. Please call Susan Ireland at 225-3295 for more
information.
Congratulations to Colleen Corliss of Pittsfield who received a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from
UMass Lowell.
Pittsfield
Area Senior Center News
There are a couple of events that are
occurring here at the Pittsfield Area Senior Center located on 74
Main St. in Pittsfield. On Tuesday, August 9, at 10:00 AM we will be
sharing ideas for crock-pot cooking. A Wellness Representative from
NH Interlocal Trust is giving a free crock-pot cooking demonstration
that is made possible through a grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health.
Information will be given on how to cook quick easy and low cost
meals using what is in your freezer while taste testing some of the
items cooked. This will be a great class with great ideas so please
join us! Please call 435-8482 to reserve your spot because class
size is limited. You can also stay for lunch after the class.
On Wednesday, August 24, at 10:30 AM,
there will be a college professor here at center who teaches
horticulture showing people how to make flower arrangements from our
own gardens. When you buy flowers in the flower shop they only use
the best and as most people with their own gardens know, flowers do
not always grow that perfectly. She will share some of her secrets
on making a pretty bouquet and tips on how to promote growth and
health for the flowers. The class is free.
Every Tuesday we have a cafe that includes
a soup and salad to accompany the community meal. These senior
community meals provide a delightful opportunity for socializing
while providing a highly nutritional meal at an extraordinary price
of only $2.00. When you share a meal you have the chance to meet
other seniors and create new friendships. Join us, enjoy lunch and
good conversation. Please call 435-8482 to reserve your spot. Lunch
is served at 12:00 PM . If you can not make the meals on Tuesday, we
serve senior community meals Monday thru Thursday at 12:00 PM.
Letter
Dear Readers,
The Pittsfield Economic Development
Committee (EDC) invites you to be a part of the next chapter in
promoting Pittsfield. In our mission to improve our town’s economic
situation, we have used up our funds for this year. We have
sponsored forums on grant information, improved board/committee
communication, educated businesses on tax incentives, communicated
with countless businesses outside of our region and state to inform
them of the opportunities that Pittsfield and the region can provide
to them, and maintained contact with businesses in town (offering
assistance whenever needed).
The EDC is fundraising in order to
continue our work. Saturday, August 6th, the EDC will be at the
Balloon Rally (11:00 am to 8:00 pm) selling tickets for a 50/50
raffle. The drawing will be just after 8:00 pm that same night.
Please seek out our table or the
individuals wandering around selling tickets. If you would like to
donate to the EDC please send your check (made out to “Town of
Pittsfield” with “For Economic Development” written on the memo
line) to Town of Pittsfield, Economic Development Committee, 85 main
Street, Pittsfield, NH 03263.
Your support is greatly appreciated as we
continue to work for you.
Sincerely,
Ted Mitchell
Chair, Pittsfield Economic Development
Committee
Kids And Drugs
Submitted By Dr. John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools, SAU 51
The Drug Free NH website - drugfreenh.org - is a great resource for
learning about the challenge of drug misuse and addiction in our
state. In addition to facts about this state-wide problem,
such as the fact that one in six New Hampshire teens have abused
prescription drugs, the website provides a wealth of information and
strategies for individuals and communities who want to do something
about it.
For example, if you’re looking for facts about the impact of drugs
on teen brains, ways to protect your kids from the dangers of misuse
and addiction, information about the most commonly abused drugs by
New Hampshire children and youth, or ways to talk with your kids
about drugs, you’ll want to find the Families tab -
http://www.drugfreenh.org/families - or on the right side of the
home page.
In taking a look at this website, you’ll learn, for example, that
our human brains are not fully developed until about age
twenty-five, placing teen drug misusers at risk for a permanent
impact. You’ll learn that encouraging kids to do well in
school is a good prevention strategy as kids who do well in school
are less likely to misuse drugs. And, you’ll learn that
despite the increase in the use of heroin and misuse of prescription
drugs, alcohol remains the most abused drug by New Hampshire teens,
with 40% of high school students reporting that they’ve used alcohol
within the previous month.
The page entitled 7 Ways to Protect Your Child offers practical,
easy, and natural strategies that are can be incorporated into
normal, day-to-day conversations and habits. A most
encouraging reason to try these is the statement that the #1 reason
kids do not smoke or use drugs is fear of disappointing their
parents. While today’s kids seem to be much more independent
than many of us were, it’s reassuring to know that we still have a
great opportunity to influence their decisions.
The Talking with Your Child page offers suggestions for effective
language to use for four different age groups, beginning with two
year-olds. Importantly, this page offers twelve different tips
for talking with kids for parents who may have a hard time
discussing the topics of alcohol or other drugs because of their own
past experiences.
There’s a lot available on this website; I encourage you to take
look for yourself. Drug Free NH is a collaborative effort of
the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of
Drug and Alcohol Services; the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment; and the
Partnership for a Drug-Free New Hampshire.
The Pittsfield Wellness Coalition organized in the late fall to
“promote wellness, prevent substance misuse, and create a positive
impact on the community through providing opportunities for youth,
families, and community members.” The Coalition meets from
6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in
the PMHS media center; our next meeting will be held on Monday,
August 8; all are invited.
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom
and Pittsfield, It was a pleasure to see so many of you at
Pittsfield Old Home Day. This summer, I’m investigating issues and
problems that you bring to my attention: everything from Gold Star
plates for stepmothers, liquor licensing, and taxes on annuties to
re-writing last year’s failed bill on exempting emergency generators
from property taxes. If you have any such issues or questions, let
me know.
One constituent wrote me about getting a
COLA on a state pension, but I’m afraid that is impossible. The
pension system, in the 1990’s, went to the Social Security actuary
system so that property tax payments would be less. That system, as
you might expect, resulted in underfunding and, even worse, the
faulty assumption that the system was solvent! For two decades, we
not only didn’t put enough money into the system, we pulled out
“excess” earnings to fund COLAs. Then the stock marked crashed...
As a result, we’re $4 billion (or so)
underfunded, and most of the payments made into the system are not
to cover current workers’ pensions, but to pay for the underfunding.
For the next 25 years or so, unless we’re incredibly lucky, we’ll
all be paying off this debt, especially in our property taxes. I
can’t see a COLA until the pension fund is big enough to fulfill the
promised pensions for our workers and retirees.
See you at Epsom Old Home Day, August 13!
Representative Carol McGuire
782-4918
[email protected]
New Art Exhibit At Josiah Carpenter
Library
“Photos By Nina”
The Josiah Carpenter library is pleased to
host a new art exhibit, “Photos by Nina.”
Originally from the Midwest, Nina came to
New Hampshire and has lived in the Pittsfield area since 1986. She
started in film many years ago and then made the transition to
digital. Most of her photos come from her adventures, exploring the
back roads on the Harley and kayaking the various ponds and lakes in
the New England area. She joined the Ash Street Group in 2015, a
group that meets bi- monthly at the Hooksett Public Library. This
group has helped by sharing images and technical experience.
Belonging to this group has renewed Nina’s passion for photography
and challenged her to develop her talents.”
This is a varied and interesting exhibit
of grouped photos with a total of 21 images, all different and
engaging. We hope you will stop by the library and take the time to
look at them and sign our guest book. The exhibit will be at the
library through the month of August.
For further information about Art Exhibits at the library, please
contact the library at 435-8406 or visit our website at
www.josiahcarpenterlibrary.org
Pittsfield Historical Society Latest
Fundraiser
The Pittsfield Historical Society teamed
up with two amazing art students at Pittsfield Middle High School
this past year, with assistance from Bill Mitchell, art teacher, and
Anne Banks, coordinator of the Extended Learning Opportunities
program, to create a project earmarked for the Society’s newest
fundraiser.
We asked the students, Emily Dunigan and
Emma Smith, to paint/draw 3-4 “landmarks” around town they were
interested in, so that the Society could recreate prints from their
original drawings. The result: four paintings from each
of the girls. Both are juniors – honor students, members of
the volleyball team, and of course, artists.
What they chose to depict are: the Scenic Theatre, Town Hall,
South Pittsfield Meetinghouse, Tuttle Mansion, Suncook River dam,
Thyng Memorial, and Civil War Statue and Veterans Memorial – at
Dustin Park.
The drawings were scanned and color reprinted into 5x7 prints and
matted to fit an 8x11 frame. They are on sale for $10 each,
and will be available for sale at the 35th Hot Air Balloon Rally,
Aug. 5-7, and through the Society. They make perfect gifts and
bring art to the eye of the beholder. Thank you to Emily and
Emma – an outstanding duo who spent many hours putting down on paper
what their eyes see in this Gem of the Suncook Valley.
Jennifer Tyrell Presents Work At 2016
Frostburg State Undergraduate Research Symposium In May 2016,
Frostburg State University student, Jennifer Tyrell of Pittsfield
presented research at the annual College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium. The project, Factors
Influencing Weaving Behavior in Cotton Top Tamarins (Saguinus
oedipus), was presented alongside FSU students Kathryn Bell,
Kristina Kuss and Renee Anderson, and performed under the tutelage
of Dr. Erica Kennedy.
The fifth Undergraduate Research Symposium showcased outstanding
student research and artistry from 16 academic departments for
Frostburg faculty, staff and alumni. Abstracts for each presentation
can be found in the Undergraduate Research Symposium Booklet,
available here:
http://www.frostburg.edu/fsu/assets/File/Colleges/CLAS/2016%20Symposium%20Booklet%20final.pdf.
The Friday Night Kayak Group met Friday July 22, 2016 with
eleven kayaks paddling Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead. The group is
open to everyone and meets at different local kayaking sites every
Friday at 6 PM during June, July and August. The paddling trips last
just over an hour and are always in the Northwood to Barnstead area.
Simply show up at this week’s Friday night’s location. Visit our web
site at huffnpuff.info for information and location of the next trip
and put yourself on our email list. You can also call Paul Oman at
435 -7199 for more information.
Lions Club president Larry Williams presents Mary-Jo Powell of the
Infant Toddler Diaper Pantry a check for two hundred dollars
and also a generous donation of diapers and wipes from Wal-mart
distribution center in Raymond. If you would like to donate to the
diaper pantry please contact Mary-Jo at 435-7471.
On July 1st, Pete Webber was promoted to
the rank of Lieutenant Commander with the United States Coast Guard.
Pete is a 1984 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Pete grew up in
Pittsfield and is the son of Ray and Donna Webber, brother of Ray
Webber III of Pittsfield, Donna Miner and Jim Webber of Barnstead
and Lori Roll of Stover, MO. He is currently assigned to Port
Security Unit 308 near Gulfport, Mississippi as a Reserve Program
Administrator for a 140 person unit. Pete resides in Gulfport with
his wife of 27 years, Michelle, who retired from the Coast guard as
a Commander in 2012. They have three children Lucas and Nathan in
Alaska and Devan Bodding and husband in Louisiana.
Selectman's Overview
Submitted By Carl Anderson
Select Board Meeting
7/26/16
A committee has been formed for the purpose of attempting to create
a better communicating enviornment among all the various committees
and boards that operate withing the town, to be made up of 9
members. It will be known as the “Town Planning and Steering
Committee” and we wish them success in bringing the various groups
together.
At the request of the employees of the
Town Hall, the board approved painting the interior. A fresh,
spruced-up enviornment can only help keep a visit to the Town Hall
more welcoming, and more pleasant for those who spend all day there.
For those who think this is an extravagence that we don’t need, we
would respond that with free labor provided by the NH State Prison,
the cost of paint which we will have to provide will be under $300,
and if our employees and visitors appreciate a new coat of paint it
seems a reasonable price to pay.
The planning board had provided us with a
written recomendation for selling the 3 most urgent single family
homes. We voted to accept the recommendations in whole or in part,
at the discretion of the select board. The planning board spent
considerable time viewing and discussing the properties and we thank
them for their efforts.
The opinion that tax deeded properties
will bring the best return to the town by selling them at auction
has been expressed by some residents and members of some
communities. However the BOS is in agreement with the NH Department
of Revenue in the opinion that auctions typically reflect a
distressed sale price, and are inferior to a well marketed arms
length sale that can be facilitated by professionals. The fact that
there is a repurchase mechanism for tax deeded properties
complicates sales no matter which process you use, however using
conventional selling methods at least gives us, the town, a chance
to establish clear title that an auction sale wouldn’t. We will use
auctions as a last resort only.
The houses will be marketed with a Realtor
at a competitive asking price with the caveat that a buyer must
improve the exteriors to our specs within 6 months of purchase. The
price of these houses may seem low- but they are severely
deteriorated and we feel the best interests of the town are to get
them back on the tax rolls and not to be a blight on their
neighborhoods any longer than neccessary. ANY person who would like
a first hand look at any of these houses is welcome to call the town
hall and they will be given a tour so they can see first hand what
we are dealing with.
Help!
The Food Pantry is in need of a few volunteers. One person is needed
to take ordering of food and pick up from USDA, NH for Bush,
and CAP.
We are also in need of volunteers for
Thursday from 11 AM to 2 PM. This is for filling patron orders. If
you can volunteer for either of these jobs please contact Ruth
Strickhart at 435-6773 extension 19 or at 435-7013.
Thank you.
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