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Pittsfield NH News

February 4, 2015

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



 

Pittsfield Food Pantry Serves Spaghetti Dinner

 

The Pittsfield Food Pantry is holding a spaghetti and meatball dinner and bake sale to benefit its outreach to the community.  All ages will enjoy the tasty meal of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, dessert (including homemade pies), and beverages, which will be served at the First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield, Saturday, February 21, 5-7 p.m.

 

A monetary donation is requested. Baked goods will also be offered for sale. Parking and wheelchair accessible entry located at back of church. For more information, contact the Food Pantry at 435-6773.

 


 

Counting Every Veteran On The

Way To Ending Homelessness

VA Leaders Join Community Partners And Volunteers In Nation-wide Homeless Count

Submitted By Merrill Vaughan,Chaplain

American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75

Pittsfield

 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald is taking a firsthand look at the issue of homelessness among Veterans by participating in this year’s Point-in-Time (PIT) Count in Los Angeles, California. The PIT Count typically takes place in locations around the country during the month of January.

 

Secretary McDonald remains committed to the goal of eliminating Veteran homelessness. The January 2014 PIT Count revealed that 49,993 Veterans were homeless on a single night representing a 33-percent decline in homelessness among Veterans since 2010. In FY 2014 alone, through VA’s various homeless programs, more than 72,000 Veterans and their family members were placed in permanent housing or prevented from becoming homeless.

 

“There is no question that the goal to end Veteran homelessness is within reach, and we remain laser-focused on it,” said Secretary McDonald. “Ending Veteran homelessness in America is more than hitting a number, it’s about helping communities put a system in place that can house every Veteran experiencing homelessness today and prevent it in the future. I am so heartened that over 440 mayors, governors, county executives and other local officials have joined us and are committed to ending Veteran homelessness in their communities. We will continue our work until all Veterans have a place to call home.”

 

By estimating the number of homeless Veterans, the PIT Count gauges progress in achieving President Obama and VA’s goal of ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.  Annual data from the PIT Count also assists VA staff and partner agencies in targeting homeless resources where they are needed most.

 

VA has a wide range of programs that prevent and end homelessness among Veterans, including health care, housing solutions, job training and education. Also since 2010 there has been nearly 43-percent reduction in unsheltered homeless Veterans.

 

As part of VA’s continued commitment to ending Veteran homelessness, Secretary McDonald, has directed his senior VA leaders to take part in this year’s count in cities across the United States and learn how the organizations they lead can continue to support VA’s efforts to end Veteran homelessness.  Twenty senior VA leaders will participate in PIT counts everywhere from New York to California to places in between.

 

The PIT Count is led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year to estimate the number of Americans, including Veterans, who are homeless. 

 

As a result of VA’s work with HUD, as well as the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and other federal, state and local partners, significant progress has been made since VA’s initiative to end Veteran homelessness began in 2010. 

 

More information about VA’s homeless programs is available at www.va.gov/homeless. Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless should contact their local VA Medical Center and ask to speak to a homeless coordinator.

 


 

Master Plan Update

Submitted By Ralph Odell

 

The Master Plan Committee is actively discussing issues related to the direction and growth of Pittsfield. A Town- Wide survey has been completed and this is extremely helpful to see what you feel Pittsfield should be like in the future. Your help is greatly appreciated. The results can be obtained by looking at the Town Web-Site.

 

The Master Plan is composed of several chapters. We have worked on three: demographics, transportation, and housing. Drafts will soon be available online and a public hearing is planned for the spring.

 

Demographics are based upon recent census data. Information related to Pittsfield and surrounding towns is compiled and examined to see how Pittsfield has changed and compares to other communities. Data for the transportation chapter was compiled by Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission and it identifies road conditions, traffic counts, accidents etc. Housing provides obvious needs of the residents as well as a general visual impression plus the base for property taxes in Pittsfield. The committee has visited several senior housing opportunities and is investigating housing trends.

 

The recent US census (2010) indicates that the number of senior citizens is increasing.

 

Pittsfield Age Distribution:

 

Age 2000 2010 Change
<5 269 272 3
5-19 843 782 -61
20-34 742 778 36
35-54 1277 1284 7
55-64 457 516 59
65+ 354 474 120

 

NH Office of Energy and Planning 2010.

 

Recent publications indicate that by 2025 one in three homes in NH will be occupied by a senior citizen. Pittsfield shows a trend similar to other communities in the state. 

 

If you are a senior citizen in town, have a family member or friend who are senior citizens, are there changes that need to be made to allow you to enjoy living in Pittsfield? Are there services, activities, housing, or other needs that should be added or expanded? Do you see this age distribution having an impact, positive or negative in the Town and how?

 

We would like your help again. Please send along your thoughts to our committee either by email- [email protected] or send a note to the committee c/o the Town Hall, 85 Main St. 

 


 

VA Announces Single Regional Framework

Under MyVA Initiative

Internal Organizations to Realign Their Existing Structures

Submitted By Merrill Vaughan,Chaplain

American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75

Pittsfield

 

Washington – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it is taking the first steps under the MyVA initiative to realign its many organizational maps into one map with five regions to better serve Veterans. 

 

The new regions under the MyVA alignment will allow VA to begin the process of integrating disparate organizational boundaries into a single regional framework to enhance internal coordination. 

 

“We want every Veteran to have a seamless, integrated, and responsive VA customer service experience every time.  This regional alignment is the first step in empowering Veterans to interact with one VA – MyVA,” said Secretary Robert McDonald. “Ultimately, this reform will improve the Veteran experience by enabling Veterans to more easily navigate VA and access their earned care and benefits.”

 

VA’s new regional design utilizes state boundaries to divide the country into five regions.  Each organization within VA will begin work to ensure their structures are aligned within this framework by the end of June 2015. 

 

Veterans are already seeing the impacts of changes made through the MyVA initiative. For example, at the suggestion of VA employees, the Department has made improvements to VA call center operations, to allow call center agents to suspend or resume certain benefit payments at the request of the Veteran, which eliminates additional steps typically required of Veterans.  Also at the suggestion of employees, VA is working towards piloting improved signage in certain facilities, to make sure Veterans know where they are going and that directions are easy to follow. 

 

Additional VA efforts are currently underway to define the next steps to transform the Department into one that is more centered on the Veteran.

 

Background on MyVA

Launched on September 2, 2014, MyVA is an initiative which will reorient VA around Veteran needs and empower employees to assist them in delivering excellent customer service to improve the Veteran experience. It is the largest department-wide transformation in VA’s history and will be a product of ideas and insights shared by Veterans, employees, members of Congress, VSOs, and other stakeholders.

 

The first phase of MyVA has included creating the task force and building the team to support the mission and an organizational change of this breadth.  MyVA is focused on five areas of improvement:

 

1) Improving the Veteran experience

 

2) Improving the employee experience so they can better serve Veterans

 

3) Improving internal support services

 

4) Establishing a culture of continuous improvement, and

 

5) Enhancing strategic partnerships.

[ The Regional Map can be see at:

http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/docs/myva-5-regions-map.pdf ]

 


 

Drake Field Play Ground - Community Forum

 

A donation from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has made it possible for new playground equipment to be added to Drake Field. The Drake Field Committee, which includes parents, coaches, administrators, and School Board members, has taken the lead on this project in collaboration with the School Board.

 

On February 5 at 5:45 PM the committee will share a brief presentationin the media center (library) of PMHS with the School Board that details the recommended contractor, location, and equipment. Following the presentation the School Board will host a public forum, during which community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

 


 

Barbershoppers Announce Singing Valentines

 

The Concord Coachmen Barbershop Chorus announces booking opportunities for the 2015 “Singing Valentines” program. Several quartets, members of the Concord Coachmen, have been perfecting their harmony skills to deliver this ever popular Valentine’s Day surprise.

 

This year, quartets will travel throughout the Concord and Manchester area, pouring out sweet, tender love songs in close harmony. The unforgettable memory needs to be booked ahead by the donor, and will be delivered this year on Friday February 13th, for Valentines Day! Although deliveries are often made to Sweethearts at work, home or in local restaurants, families also enjoy surprising mothers or favorite relatives particularly those alone or in nursing homes. The popularity of the unique presentation makes it prudent to book early.

 

Singing Valentines Chairman Lannie Wood anticipates another successful year of “pleasing Sweethearts.” “Imagine,” Wood states: “from out of the blue, four men dressed in quartet style, bearing a beautiful rose appear at your Sweetheart’s home or workplace for this great Valentine gift!”

 

Anyone wishing to book a quartet to sing to Your Valentine or require more information should call: (603) 608-9768 Concord or 483-8295 Manchester.

 


 

Josiah Carpenter Library February Events

 

Preschool Story Hour February themes of Ground hog day, Valentines and a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration and more! Thursdays with Mrs. Grainger February 5, 12, 19  @ 10:00-11:00 in the Children’s room Story snack & craft

 

Maker Program Explore the children’s room again! After school program on Tuesdays February 3, 10, 24   @ 3:30 – 4:30. Origami paper folding and Stamp Art

 

Eager Readers Young reader’s book club ages K-5th grade will read books together; write reviews; have fun with book reports Thursdays February 5, 12, 26 @ 4:00- 5:00 pm

 

Josiah Teen Book Worms Discussing “Guitar Notes by Mary Amato (2012)  Thursday February 5th between  7-8:30  pm at the library

 

Library Open House Tuesday February 17th 4-7 pm Revisit the Children’s room and view a stunning display of 57 new Libri Foundation grant children’s books, including 20 new math and science books

 

Monday February 16th Library Closed in observance of President’s Day

 

Library Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, February 17th  @ 7 pm

 

Friends of the Library meeting, Wednesday, February 18th  @ 6:30 pm

 

Pittsfield Writer’s Circle Thursday, February 19th  @ 7 pm

 

Read Meet & Talk Tuesday February 24th Join us for an exciting discussion of “The Wives of Los Alamos” by TaraShea Nesbit (2014) at the Pittsfield Senior Center @ 10:30- Noon. Stay for a leisurely lunch served by the Community Action Program!

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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