The
Pittsfield Police Association is currently conducting it’s annual
fundraising campaign. Area businesses and residents are being
contacted for sponsorships and ticket sales.
The
officers will once again be hosting a “Night of Laughs” comedy show
at the Dell-Lea Country Club on Friday, November 17th at 8:00 p.m.
Three comedians from the Boston area who have appeared on Letterman
and Leno as well as performing at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun will
entertain our donors in a hilarious evening of laughs.
The
Association is raising funds for youth athletics, scholarships, toys
for children at the holidays and the many other worthwhile endeavors
they sponsor. We hope to see you at this fun filled show!
Letter To The Editor
Pittsfield Select Board meeting, 9/13/17- full docket after 3 wk!
First, a public hearing re: additional state highway block grant of
$99,212.
Several
residents had suggestions as to how to spend this modest amount were
heard. The road agent wants to use it in conjunction with the safe
routes to school project (which is finally ready to go to design) to
repave Manchester and Onieda streets when Berry Ave. and Catamount
St. are done. There are plenty of places it would be nice to use
it, but realistically it won’t go very far. We were also advised by
the state that they will be ditching part of Barnstead Rd. this
fall- presumably to prepare for the long awaited repaving by the
state of their roads through town, which are extensive, next year.
The LED
lighting project approved at town meeting will also finally happen
this fall by Affinity, the only company interested in a project this
small. They are also reputed to be the best.
We have
$35,000 in the capital improvements fund for the wastewater
treatment plant. We are going to begin the task of ‘slip lining’
about 5,000’ of leaky sewer pipe with these funds. With a total
cost approximately $400,000, it will take many years, but we must
remedy the situation so we might as well get it underway.
Another
cost we have no choice but to accept is the cost of improvements to
the Clark’s Pond (town pool) dam. $22-25,000 in engineering, just
to prepare us for spending another $400,000 to do the work! We do
not have the money appropriated by the voters, so we are getting the
engineering scheduled, but contingent on what voters say in March.
That
about uses up the 300 word allotment for letters to the editor, so
I’ll continue next week with the rest of the meeting.
Carl
Anderson
Local Completes Basic Training At West Point
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Cadet Morgan R Corliss, daughter
of Chuck and Kathy Corliss of Pittsfield, N.H., has completed Cadet
Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy.
Corliss
entered West Point on July 3 and successfully completed six weeks of
CBT. CBT is one of the most challenging events a cadet will
encounter over the course of their four years at the academy.
The
initial military training program provides cadets with basic skills
to instill discipline, pride, cohesion, confidence and a high sense
of duty to prepare them for entry into the Corps of Cadets. Areas of
summer instruction included first aid, mountaineering, hand
grenades, rifle marksmanship and nuclear, biological, and chemical
training.
Corliss
began classes Aug. 21. The West Point curriculum offers 37 majors
balancing physical sciences and engineering with humanities and
social sciences leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.
Corliss
graduated from Pittsfield Middle High School. She plans to graduate
from West Point in 2021 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the U.S. Army.
About
West Point
The U.
S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational,
federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York
City. It was founded in 1802 as America’s first college of
engineering and continues today as the world’s premier
leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top
colleges in the country. Its mission remains constant--to educate,
train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a
commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty,
Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence
and service to the nation as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Return From Hopkinton
Submitted By Carole Soule
Livestock returning from the fair must be quarantined to
protect other animals on the farm.
When I
returned from the show ring with my oxen on Monday night the crew
was already packing up our barn at the Hopkinton Fair. I was
exhausted and the cattle were ready to go home but we all had to
wait until the posters, wheel barrow, show trunk, yokes and other
stuff was jammed into the goose neck trailer. The barn had to be
clean or we would face a $100 fine.
The
cattle, tied to the outside of the trailer, waited patiently for us
to finish so they could be loaded up for the trip home. It was dark
when we pulled into the farm and I unloaded the animals by trailer
lights (the barn yard lights at Miles Smith Farm stopped working a
few months ago) into a “quarantine pen,” where the cattle will stay
separated from the rest of the herd for at least 10 days. Even
though all the cattle are inspected for diseases when they arrive at
the fair grounds, animals stabled together for 4 ½ days can still
get sick. In a new environment livestock can be stressed and get
sick even if they get the same feed and care they receive at home
and every year a few fair livestock need veterinary care. With
animals stabled closely together undetected diseases can spread and
may not be obvious for days. So when we bring our livestock home
from any fair they stay separated from the rest of my herd until we
are sure they are disease free.
Stress
works on people too. I slept pretty much non-stop for two days after
the fair. I did have to wake up briefly to help husband Bruce secure
our fifteen piglets who were terrorizing the neighborhood while we
were at the fair. The piglets figured out how to scoot under the
electric wire gate handles and some even dove under the charged wire
to pester the cattle pastured across the road and annoy our
neighbors. The only secure place for these escape artists was our
stock trailer where they will stay until we reinforce the pig
fencing.
The
cattle did well in the show ring. Topper and Stash, my five year old
Scottish Highland oxen team, had to drag a log scoot through an
obstacle course in the log scoot class. Unfortunately they came in
last because we knocked over all of the cones mostly because of my
inexperience but also because the hitch chain was too long. In
another class, the Yankee hitch (where four steers are hitched
together,) they followed all my commands and came in first in their
class.
Of
course I’ll never be as professional as the 4H working steer
teamsters, the Ox Bows, who all weekend cleaned up in the show ring
and also taught me and helped me with my new team, Ben and Snuff. I
learned a lot from those kids who are amazing and who know what they
are doing. Maybe someday I’ll grow up to be a 4Her. Do they have a
4H club for those of us who are 60 and over?
Carole
Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, in Loudon, NH, where she
raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs and other local products.
She can be reached at [email protected].
Concord Regional VNA Holds October Flu Clinics
Concord
Regional VNA is holding seasonal flu clinics in October.
Specially-trained nurses administer seasonal flu shots to people age
3 and over and answer your flu-related questions.
The
discounted cash or check charge is $30 per immunization. Clients who
present an insurance card from Medicare B, Medicare Advantage,
Medicaid, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, or Anthem do not need to pay a
fee.
Wednesday, October 18, 4 - 6 p.m.
Epsom
Public Library
1606
Dover Road, Epsom
Friday,
October 20,
10 a.m.
- Noon
Pittsfield Senior Center
74 Main
Street, Pittsfield
Seasonal flu clinics are dependent upon the availability of the flu
vaccine and are subject to change. To confirm clinics and for a full
schedule, visit www.crvna.org
or call (603) 224-4093 or (800) 924-8620, ext. 5815.
Blessing Of The Animals- Save The Date!
On
Sunday, October 1, at 11 AM, the Pittsfield community is invited to
bring their pets for a “ Blessing of the Animals” by Rev. Dr.
Miriam Acevedo, Priest-in-Charge at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
in Dustin Park, next to the church building. Following the
tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, we will
celebrate the special bond we have with our pets and with all
animals.
All
pets must be on lead or in a secure pen or you may bring a picture
of the animals you love or one of an endangered species in the wild.
More information will be posted in the “SUN” and on our website
www.ststephenspittsfieldnh.org as we get closer to the
event. Everyone is welcome to attend this outdoor event. Rain date
will be Sunday, October 22. Please join us!
A
Matter Of Balance
Pittsfield Area Senior Center and the Concord Regional Visiting
Nurse Association is offering, A Matter of Balance class, which is a
program that addresses concerns about falls. Starting on Tuesday,
October 3, at 10:00 AM at the Pittsfield Community Center located on
74 Main St. The class is in the upstairs Bicentennial Room. This
floor is wheelchair and walker accessible.
Matter
of Balance is about managing concerns about falls. Have you turned
down a chance to go out with family or friends because you were
concerned about falling? Have you cut down on a favorite activity
because you might fall? If so “A Matter of Balance: Managing
Concerns About Falls” program is for you.
Fear of
falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who
develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in
severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater.
Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depression
when they limit their interaction with family and friends. A Matter
of Balance can help people improve their quality of life and remain
independent.
A
Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and
increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to
set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment
to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase
strength, and balance. Please call 603-435-8482 to register or for
more information. If living in the Pittsfield and Barnstead area
transportation can be provided for you.
My
First Novel
Submitted By Dan The Stoneman
I think
it was early spring when Lucille Noel called and asked my brother,
Mark Colby, and me if we would help rebuild a stonewall with the
Heritage Commission, Historical Society members, and Chichester
volunteers. This was an old wall on the inside curve of Main
Street, near the Town Hall.
I told
her we were in and we would bring a truckload of ledge rock from the
southeastern slope of Catamount Mountain in Pittsfield. But we would
need more fieldstone from Chichester, more flat stone and some old
granite for the corners.
We set
a building date in early June. June 3rd came, I beat Bernie
Reinhardt to the site by over five minutes.
We
looked at the wall. It had been half removed, probably by Nate. The
remaining half had some big boulders in it. It could take the whole
day just to remove this section.
We
talked with Bernie about the utility box at the beginning of the
wall. He told me we needed to give it some space, as it might be
worked on from time to time.
We
started stringing the wall and with help, finished the bed for the
base for the first section that had been cleared. By now, Bob Mann
had showed up. Also, Gayle and Charlie Kojigian offered their help.
Ed Millette also showed up to help. Jim Plunkett pulled in early to
help set the strings and build. Enough off the road, hopefully the
snow plows miss it. It is on a little rise so that should help. We
were starting to figure things all out when I looked across the
street and saw a backhoe heading our way. The operator was Nate
Brannenberg, who live across the street. He was driving a John Deere
backhoe loader with an extended hoe. While we started building the
first section, he started removing the second section, boulders and
all. Then, when we needed him, he would help set the big ones in the
first section.
We had
a good supply of rocks. Earlier in the week, Jim Plunkett had moved
rock to the site. Also, Fred Chagnon and Bernie dug up Fred Shaw’s
walkway for flat stone. (I’m sure they had permission!) We also had
a good supply of water, thanks to Jennifer Pickard from Rite Aid.
Staying hydrated is important to prevent leg cramps at night. Dr.
Dan says, “Take a Tums to eliminate the cramps, or just stay
hydrated during the day.”
Dick
Pratt, Carolee Davis, and Frank Curatalo brought doughnuts from the
Chichester Country Store to keep us happy. By 10 AM, we started
getting a rhythm. Everybody was busy, either chaining rocks, setting
base, filling in, or making a bed on the second section after Nate
had it cleared.
I
started on the corner near the utility box with Bernie and Bob’s
help. My brother Mark took the far end toward the intersection. My
son, James, had delivered rock in the AM to us and helped build. I
give Jim Plunkett credit for the granite and rock he managed to
find, load, and truck to the site.
Lunchtime came. We went over to the Methodist Parish house across
the street. Lucille Noel, Ann Davis, Donna Chagnon, and Joyce LeMay
had quite a feast, for I have never seen so many varieties of Subway
sandwiches, or goodies ever assembled.
I was
the last one back to work, but back to work I went.
“Put
that rock there. Shim that one. Nate, could you chain that large
boulder and set it on these two base rocks? Bob, could you
straighten that rock with a shim and fill behind it? Mark, could you
cut this granite to use on the corner? We need more shims over here.
Where are all the shims?”
Now I
have to do something. That’s how we work. I let everyone go, until
someone has a question. Sometimes we have a discussion, and then
everyone gets into it. Sometimes things get a little heated.
Now you
can’t get anybody too mad, as we are all volunteers, and it would
not be a bad idea to just go home and rest and let anyone who gives
us cr*p to finish it themselves.
What we
do instead is have a polite, respectable (most of the time) debate
why we want to do something a certain way. “Does that rock qualify?
Is that rock crooked?” Just simple debate.
We
decided, always, what was best for the project. We had a good crew.
The afternoon flew by. Most of the wall was built. We left a mess,
but felt good with our progress. Nate, with his dog, “Flash,” and
their backhoe made us all heroes.
Day Two
The
next Saturday, June 10th, came quickly. Mark brought buckets of
shims and plugs and we had a lot of stone to finish this project. It
was 6 AM. No Bernie. A little later, no Gayle or Charlie. No Ed and
Jim. No Nate. Everybody was busy except for Bob Mann. Was he in for
a treat. Mid way through the day, my brother, Mark, wanted to put
the larger corner rock on the wall without a machine to lift it. I
told him he was crazy and that I did not want to get hurt today.
Well, if you know Mark, you know he won’t quit. He got it over. We
propped the four foot long rock against the back wall and with our
bars, lifted slowly, one side at a time, putting rock under it as it
went up, until we felt we could push it and finish lifting it until
we got it up on the wall. It took us three, just barely, to get that
rock on the wall.
My
brother is relentless, just ask Bob Mann, who went along with him.
And I had to help.
Once
again, plenty of water, juice, and food. We slowed down in the
afternoon. It was hot. We were tired, but the wall was 95% complete.
Just a few details Mark wanted to do.
Now we
still had a pile of rocks left. Maybe we should stack them into a
wall at the back of the project.
Day
Three
Over
the next couple of weeks, it was determined by the Heritage
Commission, to meet July 1st, with Nate, Bob, Bernie, Jim, Ewen
McKinnon, and Jordan Davison who helped build also.
The two
things I remember about that day were Bernie beat me to the job and
it was hot. I felt like slacking. Bob and Bernie helped set the
string. Jim came along and told to shorten the string. A tree was
going in that section. I told him, “I don’t care about trees. The
wall looks better, longer.” Bernie pulled out the plan. Sure enough,
there was a tree there. This is where I had to give. It’s their
community’s wall. I had to cooperate.
Once
again Nate worked his magic with the John Deere backhoe loader. He,
through constant focus, listening to all of us barking orders, using
his knowledge of stonewall building, having the patience, put up
with us. Anyway, he did the work of 50 men that day, setting and
hauling the rock from our front wall clean up.
A
special feature of the day was when Karl Merrill pulled in with an
overload white pickup truck, loaded with large fieldstones. He told
me it was his son’s truck and if I wanted, he would unload it by
backing up real quick and slamming on the brakes. I told him I had
heard that’s how he unloaded his truck. Ewen jumped up and with some
help, rolled them off the tailgate. I didn’t want any part of that
deal, except the rock, of course. Did I tell you it was hot? We were
all struggling by 2 PM. We called it a day around 3:30. My brother
and I headed to talk granite for the dam with Karl Merrill at his
home in Chichester.
Dawn
Marshal and Sharon Higgins also contributed to lunch. My favorite
time of day.
Day
Four
I ran
into Lucille in Jitters Café. She told me Bernie wanted to finish
the wall. They needed to clean up and plant grass. I told her we
would be there in two Saturdays, and we needed Nate.
I
showed up at 6:30. My brother, loaded with shims, shortly after. No
Bernie. I heard he was in Iceland. You can’t build walls in Iceland,
can you? No Bob either. But Nate and “Flash” got there early.
Nate
helped us set the string height. Ewen McKinnon, from up on Bailey
Rd. and John Healy from up the road, worked the day, mostly capping
the wall. I built the corner toward the Town Hall. My brother, Mark
Colby, built the far end corner. Ewen, being his second day, was
getting the hang of it. John stepped up and started picking rocks to
put in the wall. Nate, once again, was invaluable.
I quit
with my brother around noon and went up the road to hassle the fire
department. On my return trip, the project had been cleaned up and,
as I drove by real slow, I saw what handful of volunteers who love
their town can do. I have tears of joy.
From
The Superintendent’s Desk
Submitted By John Freeman, Superintendent of Pittsfield Schools
Response to Misinformation
A
letter published in last week’s Sun contained false and misleading
information regarding Pittsfield schools and school funding in New
Hampshire.
Among
other things, the letter stated that “our cost per student is
already one of the highest in the state.” According to Department
of Education records, Pittsfield’s cost per pupil was ranked at #68
(from the most costly) out of 161 districts (https://www.education.nh.gov/data/financial)
in cost per pupil for the 2015-2016 school year, the latest year
available.
It is
also important to note that the district was the recipient of a
competitive private foundation grant that added more than $2000 per
student for our high school costs in that year; unfortunately, this
current year is the last year of this grant, so we can expect to see
that cost per pupil drop even further in the years ahead as this
source of external funding dries up.
It is
accurate that this year’s school budget looks like a large jump from
last year, but factored into that increase is the $518,228 in fund
balance “returned” to the town at the end of the previous year; this
“return” represented a more that $2/thousand decrease – less than
was approved by the voters at district meeting – in the anticipated
tax rate for last year.
Finally, as many who have been involved with schools know, the state
funding scheme disadvantages small, property-poor towns like
Pittsfield. In fact, Pittsfield was a party to the well-known
Claremont Lawsuit in the mid-1990’s in which the funding scheme was
challenged and was found by the court to be inadequate.
Despite
this victory, a report by the non-partisan New Hampshire Center for
Public Policy Studies issued just this past June (http://www.nhpolicy.org/UploadedFiles/Reports/Education_Funding_-_2017_For_Publication.pdf) provided an analysis
of the state’s “solution” to the funding inequities and concluded
that the goals of the original lawsuit – equity for all New
Hampshire students – have not been met.
The
report states that “rural, property-poor communities, in both
demographic and economic transitions, are those that will experience
the most significant reductions.” According to the report, “the
state will be paying approximately $16 million less in state aid [in
2010] than in the current year.” For Pittsfield, that’s an
additional $85,000 reduction per year, every year, for the next
twenty-four years.
Our
legislature has established a study committee on school funding, and
I have been invited to testify regarding the detrimental impact of
the funding system on our students and on our taxpayers. I would
like to be optimistic about a positive outcome.
Until
that day of greater equity occurs, the Pittsfield School District
will continue to practice fiscal responsibility while meeting our
responsibilities to our students.
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