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Pittsfield NH News

February 9, 2011

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



 

Those Celebrating Birthdays are: February 9, James Bond, Jr.; February 11, Joshua Rogers, Dale Desrosier, Jennifer Blais; February 12, Daniel St. Laurent, Richard Frost, Dwight Morse; February 13, Lorrie Cornell, Jesse Giordano; February 14, Russ Courtemanche, Ogden Boyd, Jr.; February 15, Lenny Deane, Peggy Chagnon.


A Very Happy Birthday to One and All!




The Pittsfield Area Senior Center will be offering an AARP Safe Driving Program at the center on Tuesday, February 15, and Wednesday, February 16th from 9 am to 1 pm.  Also on February 15th, (Tuesday) you may come in between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm for Free Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Assistance.  Call the center at 435-8482 for an appointment.



PYBA is pleased to announce that softball and baseball signups for children aged 4-18 will be held at the Community Center as follows: Wednesday, March 2 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm; Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm; and Wednesday, March 9 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm.  Players in the PYBA program for the first time should bring a copy of their birth certificates.  The cost is $50 per player with a $125 family cap. 
 


Congratulations to Albert and Nellie Riel, who will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary on February 14th.


 

VA Expands Outreach To American Indians, Hawaiians, Alaska Natives

Submitted By Merrill A. Vaughan, Vice Commander

American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 Pittsfield, NH

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the creation of a new Office of Tribal Government Relations to ensure the more than 200,000 Veterans who are American Indians, Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives or are part of the Alaska Native Corporations receive the VA benefits they have earned.


“There is a long, distinguished tradition of military service among tribal peoples,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.


“VA is committed to providing these Veterans with the full range of VA programs, as befits their service to our nation.”


About 200,000 Veterans are represented by the 800 tribal governments officially recognized by the United States.  Although VA has long provided benefits to Veterans in tribal lands, the new office will further strengthen and expand that relationship.


Stephanie Elaine Birdwell, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation from Oklahoma, has been selected as the office’s first director.  A former social worker, she has spent nearly 15 years working on tribal issues with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and, most recently, the Bureau of Indian Education.


She will oversee a six-person office responsible for “establishing, maintaining and coordinating a nation-to-nation, federal-tribal relationship,” according to a VA briefing.
The office has a charter that officially extends to Veterans who are American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Alaska Native Corporations.

 


 

School Lunch Menus
February 14 - 18, 2011


PES
Monday - Fish sticks, fries, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Beef stew, cornbread, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - (Early Release) - Ham & cheese sandwich, carrots, apple, milk.
Thursday - Burger on a bun, veggie, fruit, milk.
Friday - Pizza, veggie, fruit, milk.


PMHS
Monday - Meatball subs, cheese, veggies, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Pizza, veggies, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Chicken, noodles, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, baked dessert, fruit, milk.
Thursday - Steak and cheese subs, onions, peppers, fruit, milk.
Friday - Hot dogs, rolls, mac and cheese, veggies, fruit, milk.

 


 

Pittsfield Meet the Candidates Night


The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual “Meet the Candidates Night” on Monday, February 28 at 7:00 pm at the Pittsfield Middle High School Lecture Hall.


All registered candidates have (or will) received a letter from the Chamber asking them to prepare and submit a one page letter for inclusion in an information packet that will be handed out that night.


Candidates - if you did not receive a letter please contact Andi Riel at 435-6346.  I must receive your letter by Feb. 18th at 5 pm to be included in the packet.


Please note that we will not allow candidates or other parties to distribute additional handouts or materials to the audience at the meeting.


Please come meet the Candidates and show your support.  Each candidate will have time to address the audience and then there will be a question/answer time.  The Chamber does not, as a body, support any individual running for election.  We are only providing a platform for the Candidates and the Community to meet.


If you have any questions about the event, please contact Andi Riel at 435-6346 or visit www.pittsfieldchamber.org.
 



Letter To The Editor


Recently, legislation has come before the New Hampshire House of Representatives to redefine an “adequate education.” To be clear, despite recent news reports, neither I, nor House Republican leadership, have taken a specific position on House Bill 39,with regard to the various subjects within the state’s definition. Additionally, any claim that we do not value subjects like art, music or foreign languages is completely false. Those subjects will continue to be taught in our local public schools.


The recently announced  House Republican agenda stressed that our primary educational focus would be on a constitutional amendment that protects local control, permits targeted aid, and removes the handcuffs on the legislature’s funding policy authority. We also made clear our belief in the wisdom of keeping the decision making process in the hands of the local communities.  Ultimately it should be local parents and schools who decide the content of students’ curricula, not the state bureaucrats in Concord.


With regard to adequacy, we support the concept that the adequacy definition adopted four years ago should be re-examined to ensure that it relates to contemporary educational needs and is financially sustainable. There were early signs that the current definition was imperfect when Gov. Lynch allowed it to become law without his signature in 2007.


The difficult economic realities that we face necessarily require that we make difficult spending choices and not downshift costs onto local municipalities and property taxpayers, but we will make those choices with the understanding that we must ensure that our students leave our public school system with a mastery of the fundamental subjects so they may excel in college and go on to be productive members of society.

 
Rep. D.J. Bettencourt
House Majority Leader

 


 

From The Superintendent’s Desk
Submitted By John J. Freeman, Ph.D.
Superintendent Of Schools SAU #51


Two winters ago, the School District held a series of community forums to articulate the community’s vision for the District and a vision for our PMHS graduates. The participants provided their thoughts which resulted in a new mission and vision statement for our schools.


Our District’s mission includes a belief in high academic standards, personalized learning that is “adjusted to promote growth in each and every learner,” and the need for our graduates to leave PMHS with “thoughtful plans for the next phase of their lives.”


Such a mission calls for a shift from a one-size-fits-all high school environment with which most of us are familiar, to a high school that attends to the individual learning needs, interests, and styles of each young person enrolled in the school.  Further, such a mission views high school graduation not as the end of a journey, but as an important milepost in a lifelong journey.


As you may have read in the Suncook Valley Sun, the Pittsfield School District has received a large planning grant from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to fund one year of planning to develop student centered learning in our Pittsfield Middle High School.  This planning grant will allow the District to develop earnest plans to fulfill our new mission.


The acceptance of this large grant would naturally lead to several questions:


• What is the Nellie Mae Education Foundation?
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is a large New England public charity formed in 1998 by the Nellie Mae Corporation, a nonprofit education financing company.  In the past, the Foundation has invested in efforts to improve adult literacy, provide college preparation, and reduce the achievement gap.


More recently, the Foundation has shifted its focus to student-centered learning in our region’s middle and high schools, believing that such an approach will best prepare New England for the challenges of the future.


• Why would they give this grant to Pittsfield?
More than 300 high schools in New England were eligible for this grant; following a rigorous eight-month process, the Foundation awarded planning grants to seven schools.  In making this award to Pittsfield, the Foundation demonstrates its confidence in our community’s ability to collaboratively design a strategy for implementing a student centered education system that meets the needs of all learners in Pittsfield.


• What is student centered learning?
Student centered learning rethinks where, when, and how students learn.  It expands education beyond the school’s physical boundaries and traditional times while it makes the community and its resources an important part of the learning process.  Project-based learning, internships, experiential learning, career technical education, peer learning, and apprenticeships are features of student centered learning.


• Who is involved in the planning?
Our PMHS Community Advisory Council – which consists of a broad range of interested parties, including students, parents, non-parent citizens, civic leaders, business leaders, school board, teachers, and school administrators – is taking the lead in the planning process.  The plan will be shared with our community in the fall, and feedback will be sought prior to finalizing the plan for submission to the Pittsfield School Board and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.


• What will the grant pay for?
The grant will provide funds for technical assistance from a range of sources in developing the plan.  Additionally, the grant will also provide opportunities for planners to visit highly successful schools – public, charter, and private schools – from which we will learn about successful strategies to help our own Pittsfield students.


• What can we expect come from this planning?
As noted above, we can expect a draft plan to be shared with our community in the fall.  Following feedback from interested citizens, the plan will be finalized and presented to our Pittsfield School Board and the Foundation.  We expect that the plan will provide a seven-to-ten year roadmap for the development of our middle high school as the school is transformed to better serve each and every PMHS learner.


• What comes next after the planning year?
The Foundation plans to award up to six planning grant recipients with significant multi-year grants to implement our student centered learning plan.


This planning grant opportunity arrives at a very good time for PMHS.  Building on our new community-generated mission and vision, PMHS has begun this important transformation with the support of a three-year federal School Improvement Grant. 

 
The Nellie Mae planning grant is helping us to plan beyond this three-year period, strategizing for a more student centered PMHS in the years ahead.

 


 

Letter


In March, the Pittsfield town ballot will contain a proposal to abolish zoning.  I think it’s such a daft idea that it hasn’t a chance of passing.  I’m informed that I could be wrong and hence this letter.


The individual who initiated this proposal has a following and worked hard at rallying his supporters. Most of us don’t want our beloved town to be turned into Dogpatch, U.S.A., so we must be sure to vote NO and encourage other people of good sense to do likewise.


John Lenaerts
Pittsfield

 


 

Josiah“Read-Meet-Talk” Book Club For The Grown-Ups!


It is not too late to get in on the discussion for the next meeting of Josiah Carpenter Library’s brand new book club!  The first organizational meeting of the “Read-Meet-Talk” Book Club, was held January 27th.  Members were asked to discuss the following ten questions.  If you missed out, come and share your answers with us at the next meeting.  We will meet on February10, the second Thursday to discuss the first title,  Eat, Pray, Love,  by Elizabeth Gilbert


(The Library Trustees had already rescheduled their regular meeting to the third Thursday, February 17, this month only).   There are still some extra copies at the Library if you need to pick one up!    On that evening you can pick up a copy of Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven, for discussion at our March meeting, slated for the fourth Thursday, March 24, at 7:00 pm.


So remember those dates :  February 10 discussing Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, and March 24 discussing Sparks’ Safe Haven!   Call the Library today to reserve your book and a spot at the table!


The 10 questions members were asked to discuss are:  Why do I want to join a book club and what do I expect to get out of it? What kinds of books would I like to read? What are the responsibilities of each member? If I don’t finish the book can I still come to the meeting? What part does my library membership play in my Book Group membership? What is proper meeting etiquette? Who will lead book discussions? The person who recommended the book, rotating leaders, or a permanent leader? Can the meeting schedule be altered? How? And for what reasons?  What about summer, holidays and Christmas? How will we select the books we want to read? Anything missed?  Discuss book suggestions brought to the first organizational meeting and choose.


For more information call 435-8406 and ask for Rozalind J. “Roza” Benoit, Library Director.

 


 

VA Automating Educational Benefits Under Post 9/11 GI Bill
Submitted By Merrill A. Vaughan
Vice Commander American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
Pittsfield, NH 03263


The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has successfully deployed a new automated system that is delivering faster, more accurate payments to Veterans attending school under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.


“VA is relying upon the latest technology to provide a high-tech solution for administering the most generous educational benefits since the original GI Bill in 1944,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.


The technology relies upon information from Veterans and specialized rules-based software to streamline the process for calculating Veterans’ benefits.


“The new GI Bill is the first example of VA’s use of an agile approach to software development,” said Roger W. Baker, VA’s assistant secretary for information and technology. “Our success on this project is already being leveraged to ensure the success of other large software projects within VA.”


The new processes and software available to VA’s claims personnel replace the interim tools in use since August 2009, when the Post 9/11 GI Bill became effective. 

 
VA has issued more than $8 billion in Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit payments to nearly 440,000 students and their educational institutions.


The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays schools directly for the tuition and fees incurred by eligible Veterans and active-duty personnel.  Those payments are based upon the maximum rate in each state for tuition and fees at the in-state level for undergraduates.  A monthly housing allowance is also provided.


Also included is a maximum $1,000 annual stipend for books and supplies, and a one-time payment of $500 for students who reside in specific rural areas.  Further information about the Post 9/11 GI Bill is available on the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov.

 


 

Letter To The Editor


To the residents of Pittsfield:
The Pittsfield Ethics Committee is looking to fill three vacant seats for 2011; one year seat to serve the unexpired term of a former member; two three year positions to fill the expired terms of two members.


This is an excellent way to help your community to be professional and a wonderful place to live and work.  The requirements are simple:  willing to attend meetings once a quarter (unless there are cases we need to work on) and to help remake the Pittsfield Ethics Code so it works for everyone.  The only time we need to meet more than once a quarter is if we have a case pending and we need to schedule hearings and perform investigations; but that is rare.


This past year was quiet for the Committee.  We met and went over The Code, suggested some changes and went over the Rules and Procedures but they need to be worked over with some new ideas and fresh eyes.


Will you be one of the three new members?  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Pittsfield Ethics Committee Chairman, Merrill Vaughan at (603) 344-0264 (cell phone). 


Sincerely,
Merrill Vaughan,
Chairman, Pittsfield Ethics Committee

 


 

Letter To The Editor


To the good citizens of Pittsfield:
In last week’s Suncook Valley Sun, the Board of Selectman and the Planning Board member, Ted Mitchell, tried hard to make it a bad idea to repeal zoning.


Maybe the Planning Board’s proposal will make a difference. Maybe going back to three selectmen will make a difference.  Maybe increasing the tax rate further will make a difference.


I’m about ready to puke!  Same old stuff!


Here is my plan:
• Tuesday, March 8th, 7 am to 7 pm, Town Hall.  Please vote (I’m begging) to repeal zoning.
• Thursday, March 10th, 7 pm, Elementary School.  Level fund the school budget.
• Saturday, March 13th, 10 am, Elementary School.  Level fund the Town budget.


Please support whatever you can.


Dan Schroth Piermarocchi
Pittsfield

 


 

ChildFind SAU #51


In an effort to comply with State and Federal Laws governing special education, to maintain eligibility for Federal Funding, to engage in sound long range planning and to provide evaluation and programming where appropriate, the District of Pittsfield is making a conscientious effort to identify individuals with potential disabilities residing within their jurisdiction.


Parents of children 0-21 years of age who suspect that a child may be educationally disabled, are invited to contact their local school special education director.  Assessments will be performed to determine if children qualify for special education programs and services.  Areas to be screened will include hearing, vision, communication, cognition, and motor functioning.


For further information, parents would contact their local school and ask to speak to one of the following: Tobi Chassie, Director, Pittsfield Elementary School, 435-8432; Lois Stevens, Coordinator; Pittsfield Middle High School, 435-6701.

 


 

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Siniscal joyously announce the engagement of their daughter, Bethany Rose, to Jacob Lammott, son of Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Lammott.  Bethany is from Union, NJ and is a graduate of Nyack College. She is employed at Nute High School. Jake grew up in Pittsfield, NH and attended New Tribes Bible Institute. He presently works at Hew’s Truck Body & Equipment. A May 21, 2011 wedding is planned and will be taking place in Mt. Bethel, PA.

 


 

Letter


Citizens of Pittsfield:
The Selectboard urges you to VOTE NO on the repeal of zoning for the Town of Pittsfield.


In the January 24th edition of the New Hampshire Union Leader, Ed Vien is quoted as saying “Pittsfield would be a dumping ground...” if zoning were repealed. The logic behind that statement is that when the surrounding towns have zoning and Pittsfield doesn’t, then all those things that are not allowed or granted in the surrounding towns will find a place in Pittsfield. That is not a blueprint for economic development.


Thank you,
Denise Morin
Ed Vien
Fred Hast
Fred Okrent
Art Morse
Pittsfield Selectboard

 


 

What I Have Learned At The Pittsfield Budget Committee Work Sessions
Parts 2 & 3
Submitted By Carole Richardson


• Over the past three years, three of our salaried employees have been paid for a large number of compensatory/overtime hours that they had accumulated over various years.   It was a decision by the Board of Selectmen in 2008 to pay these individuals for this time they had earned previously at their 2008, 2009 and 2010 hourly rate.  The Board also made it a policy from this time forward to stop paying salaried employees for compensatory time.


• All full-time town employees are paid a length of service stipend.  These stipends differ for each contract but range from $1,000 per year for years 7-14, $1,550 for years 15-21, and $1,750 for years 22 and beyond in the AFT-NH contract to $500 per year for 7-14 years, $1,000 for years 15-21 and $1,500 for years 22 and beyond in the Teamsters contract.


• All full-time employees have 11 paid holidays.


• All full-time employees are eligible for health insurance.  Employees under the AFT contract receive Blue Cross/Blue Shield and pay 10% of these costs.  These rates are effective from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 which are as follows:
Single Plan Cost:  $614.91 per month.
2-Person Plan Cost:   $1,229.94 per month.
Family Plan Cost:   $1,660.42 per month.


All full-time employees under the Teamsters contract have a choice of health insurance plans.  They can choose Blue Cross/Blue Shield as described above and pay 10% of the plan, or Northern New England Benefit Trust, which is paid at 100% as follows:
Single Family Cost:  $601 per month*
2-Person Plan Cost:  $1,294 per month*
Family Plan Cost:     $1,584 per month*


*If premiums for the above plan exceed the Blue Cross/Blue Shield rate, employees pay the difference.


Employees who have health insurance provided by others including themselves without cost to the town shall be eligible to receive an annual payment of $2,500 per year.


• Full-time employees under these contracts belong to the New Hampshire Retirement System.  The Town and employee each pay a share of this benefit as follows:
Group I Employees:
Employee Pays 5%
Town Pays 9.16%
Group II Employees:
Employee Pays 9.3%
Town Pays 14.63%     (Employees under this group do not pay FICA)
If police are on a special detail, the vendor pays the retirement portion.


• Full-time employees receive sick and annual leave and a $15,000 term life insurance.
• The Pubic Works Director is paid $70 a week for the use of his personal truck, which amounts to $3,900 a year.  This is a separate line item in the budget.


• Employees working less than 40 hours a week are considered part-time and receive no benefits.


• The Town Administrator has an Agreement for Professional Services for the period September 28, 2008 through October 5, 2013.  His current annual salary is $74,241. The agreement states the annual salary for each 6 month extension shall be adjusted by the most recent % increase in Social Security plus 2%.  He receives health insurance as described in the AFT-NH contract and pays 10% of the cost; vacation time at the rate of 13.3333 hours per month, 10 hours sick leave per month; any and all other benefits provided in both town contracts for employees; and retirement benefits.


• The Fire Chief’s Agreement is effective December 12, 2009 through December 11, 2012 and includes a base salary of $57,990.  The agreement states the Selectmen will endeavor to address the matter of his compensation annually.  He receives no retirement contributions, but is provided with life insurance.  He accrues leave time at the rate of 16.67 hours per month and receives a $300 clothing allowance.

 


 

Letter


My name is Fred Okrent and I am a candidate for a position as Selectman (3 years) for the Town of Pittsfield.


I am currently an appointed member of the Select Board, filling out part of an unexpired term, which has given me the opportunity to begin learning about the responsibilities involved in the position. I am currently the BOS representative to the Pandemic committee and to the Cable TV committee.


My IBM career (30 years) taught me much about planning and project management (including budgeting) while my Fire Department and military service have taught me much about teamwork and leadership. I believe that this background, along with a strong measure of common sense, make me well suited for the position of Selectman.


I believe in Pittsfield and truly believe it is a great place to live and work but I also believe it can be even better than it is now and I would like the chance to be part of making that happen. I, therefore, ask for your vote on Election Day. Thank you for your consideration.


Fred Okrent

 


 

Letter
Read the Revisions


It has been quoted that 19 towns in New Hampshire have no ‘ZONING ORDINANCE’.  It’s true that 8% of NH’s 234 towns lack an ‘official’ zoning ordinance.  But of those 19, only 1 has a population similar to Pittsfield of over 4000; 2 have 2000-2900; 6 have 1000-2000;and 10 have less than a thousand people living in their towns.  All of these are in the ‘north country’ except for one town in Sullivan County with a population of under 1000.   These towns are not large tourist destinations or commercially oriented areas, and the range of tax rates among these towns varies from over $20/thousand to under $15/thousand.  Additionally, some of these towns have ‘regulations’ and ‘rules’ that, while not calling them a ‘ZONING ORDINANCE,’ are equally restrictive nonetheless. 

 

 

The fact that a total elimination of zoning could possibly become a driving force in this year’s Pittsfield elections can only demonstrate the increasing frustration of Pittsfield’s residents.  But I, for one, have not given up on the necessity of zoning in the 21st century.  While I do not agree with 100% of the Zoning Revisions, I will vote in favor of most of the amendments.  Please take the time and carefully read the Proposed Zoning Ordinance, which can be located at www.pittsfield-nh.com.


God Bless Our Troops,
Rachel Wood
Pittsfield

 


 

Letter


Pittsfield Voters:
The Planning Board has placed seven Articles on the Town Warrant for 2011 as the first part of a comprehensive revision of the Zoning Ordinance.


Article 2 deals with administration and enforcement, including such things as permits, certificates, exceptions and variances.  The purpose is to clarify and streamline the processes which the Ordinance requires.


Article 3 is intended to ensure that the Ordinance is in compliance with State and Federal laws, and to make it user friendly.


Article 4 deals with definitions and is intended to increase clarity, reduce confusion and conflicts and to rewrite definitions that act as regulations.


Article 5 is directed at making parking regulations in certain parts of the downtown more flexible when dealing with non-residential commercial activities.  The purpose is to encourage more and better business activity.


Article 6 removes a section of the Ordinance dealing with Shoreline Protection and notes that State statutes supersede any local ordinance.


Article 7 deals with establishment of a Senior Housing Ordinance.


Space restrictions do not permit a complete description of these Articles in a newspaper letter.


The Board urges all voters to examine the full text either on-line at www.pittsfield-nh.com or by reading the copies available at Town Hall.

 

Pittsfield Planning Board

 



These guys have some snow shoveling to do to clear their roof before the next storm.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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