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Pittsfield NH News

December 21, 2016

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



 

Happy Birthday to Brittany Reed who will be 25 on Christmas Day!

 


 

The Pittsfield Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on January 10, 2017 at the Society headquarters at 13 Elm St. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

 


 

Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service At St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

 

This year St. Stephen’s will be opening  its  doors to  members, friends and neighbors near and far to celebrate a Child/ Family friendly Christmas at 5 PM on Christmas Eve. Follow the path up the candlelit ramp at 50 Main Street and find the ancient town of Bethlehem and the Judean desert waiting for you to help us complete the scene. The church will be decorated with Christmas plants, candles and flowers to celebrate the Savior’s birth.  The service will be a simple telling of the Christmas story and the story of Holy Communion with Christmas Carols and the singing of Silent Night in a darkened sanctuary.   Come and begin your celebration of Christmas with us.  The sanctuary is handicapped accessible and the congregation child friendly. All are welcome.

 

Christmas Day Service At St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Sunday, December 25th, at 9:30 AM, St Stephen’s will celebrate the birth of Jesus with a service of Lessons and Carols. Father Ted Rice will offer a Christmas Sermon and as always, Holy Communion will be offered.  Everyone is welcome to join us for this service and at God’s table.

 


 

VA Grants Full Practice Authority To Advance Practice Registered Nurses

Decision Follows Federal Register Notice That Netted More Than 200,000 Comments

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it is amending provider regulations to permit full practice authority to three roles of VA advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and certification, regardless of State restrictions that limit such full practice authority, except for applicable State restrictions on the authority to prescribe and administer controlled substances, when such APRNs are acting within the scope of their VA employment.

 

“Advanced practice registered nurses are valuable members of VA’s health care system,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin. “Amending this regulation increases our capacity to provide timely, efficient, effective and safe primary care, aids VA in making the most efficient use of APRN staff capabilities, and provides a degree of much needed experience to alleviate the current access challenges that are affecting VA.”

 

In May 2016, VA announced its intentions, through a proposed rule, to grant full practice authority to four APRN roles.  Though VA does have some localized issues, we do not have immediate and broad access challenges in the area of anesthesia care across the full VA health care system that require full practice authority for all Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Therefore, VA will not finalize the provision including CRNAs in the final rule as one of the APRN roles that may be granted full practice authority at this time. VA will request comment on the question of whether there are current anesthesia care access issues for particular states or VA facilities and whether permitting CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their advanced authority would resolve these issues.   

 

APRNs are clinicians with advanced degrees and training who provide primary, acute and specialty health care services; they complete masters, post-masters or doctoral degrees. There are four APRN roles: Certified Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Certified Nurse Midwife.

 

“CRNAs provide an invaluable service to our Veterans,” Under Secretary for Health Shulkin continued. “Though CRNAs will not be included in VA’s full practice authority under this final rule, we are requesting comments on whether there are access issues or other unconsidered circumstances that might warrant their inclusion in a future rulemaking.  In the meantime, we owe it to Veterans to increase access to care in areas where we know we have immediate and broad access challenges.”

 

All VA APRNs are required to obtain and maintain current national certification.

 

The final rulemaking establishes professional qualifications an individual must possess to be appointed as an APRN within VA, establishes the criteria under which VA may grant full practice authority to an APRN and defines the scope of full practice authority for each of the three roles of APRN. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists will not be included in VA’s full practice authority under this final rule.   

 

VA is the nation’s largest employer of nurses; as of July 2016 its workforce of approximately 93,500 nurses (RNs, LPNs, NAs) includes approximately 5,769 APRNs

 

For more information about openings for nurses or other health care positions at VA, visit [email protected].

 


 

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

 

Include the wonderful Christmas Eve candlelight service this Saturday night, Christmas Eve, 7 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, 24 Main St., Pittsfield, in your holiday celebrations. The service includes beautiful music by the Chancel Choir and the JuBellation Handbell Choir, scripture lessons, the story of the first Christmas, the sanctuary sparkling in gleaming candlelight and the singing of “Silent Night.” Make this lovely evening service a tradition with family and friends. Parking and wheelchair accessible entry are available at rear of church at Chestnut Street. For more information, call the church office at 435-7471.

 


 

Letter To The Editor

Correction of Misinformation Regarding SAU #51 Staffing Levels

 

In the December 14 issue of The Sun, a writer incorrectly stated that the SAU office… has continued to be fully staffed and funded as it was when we were a three school district SAU.

 

At the time many years ago when SAU #51 consisted of the Alton, Barnstead, and Pittsfield School Districts, the SAU office was staffed by 7.0 full-time equivalent positions:  a superintendent of schools, a business administrator, three financial professionals, an administrative assistant, and a secretary.

 

At the present time, the SAU #51 office (which now serves Pittsfield alone) is staffed by 2.8 full-time equivalent positions:  a part-time superintendent of schools, a financial manager, and an administrative assistant.

 

It may also be of interest to note that the workload of the SAU office has increased significantly over the years due to increased demands of state and federal reporting, grants management, and school improvement initiatives. 

 

John J. Freeman, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

SAU #51, Pittsfield

 


 

Thank You

 

On behalf of the Community Wellness Coalition, we’d like to thank many people for making the Narcan Event, held on November 15th, a success. 

 

We’d like to express gratitude to Grace Capital Church on Barnstead Rd. in Pittsfield for allowing us to hold this important community event, in addition to:  supplying video usage, tables, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa for everyone.

 

A lot of time was spent on getting the word out about Narcan or Naloxone and how to administer it in an emergency situation.  39 people were taught the steps on how to help someone who’s overdosed and is unresponsive.  Step #1 is to call 911 and THEN proceed to help the person by administering Narcan. 

 

We truly appreciate the delicious chili donated by Wendy’s in Epsom and the fresh baked cookies donated by Subway in Epsom, both were a huge hit!  A big thank you also goes out to the Lays Potato Chip company and Margarita’s in Concord for donating chips and to Rite Aid in Pittsfield for donating water. 

 

The Pittsfield Wellness Coalition would like to invite the public to another important event at Pittsfield Middle High School in the cafeteria.  “Facing Heroin and Substance Misuse” is the topic for the evening on Wednesday, January 25th from 6-8pm.  More information will be coming in the next few weeks.  We look forward to having a huge turnout for this community dialogue. 

 

Jen Pickard, Coalition Member

 


 

VA Announces Funding Opportunity For Community Partners Working To End Veteran Homelessness

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

WASHINGTON – Building on President Obama’s commitment to end Veteran homelessness, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funding for non-profit organizations and other groups that serve Veterans through VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.  The SSVF program assists very low-income Veteran families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  These SSVF grants are available to current grantees seeking renewals and make new funding available for eight high-need communities.

 

VA relies on strong, targeted collaborations in key areas at federal and local levels and engages community partners to develop innovative and forward-thinking solutions that can lead to scalable and replicable models of service.  SSVF grantees currently operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, working within their communities to end or prevent homelessness among Veteran families.  

 

“One of the things you learn in the Army is you never leave a soldier behind,” said Secretary McDonald. “Unfortunately, we’ve left some people behind, and they’re our homeless Veterans.  VA is committed to achieving the goal of ending Veteran homelessness, and we won’t rest until every homeless Veteran has a place to call home.”

 

SSVF grantees typically serve Veterans with incomes below 30 percent of the area median income.  Grantees must follow the housing first approach, which centers on permanently housing homeless Veterans quickly without preconditions and providing supportive services as needed. Additional SSVF requirements are that grantees engage in outreach to find and serve Veterans in need, provide Veterans with case management, and assist them in obtaining VA and other public benefits.  SSVF served nearly 150,000 Veterans and their family members in fiscal year 2016.  As a result of these and other efforts, Veteran homelessness is down significantly since the launch of the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in 2010.  Since 2010, homelessness among Veterans had dropped by 47 percent. 

 

For more information about VA’s homeless programs, visit www.va.gov/homeless.  The Federal Register notice of funding availability may be found at: www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp. The application deadline is February 3, 2017 at 4p.m. EST.

 


 

VA Study Confirms High Cure Rates With New Hepatitis C Drugs

Virus undetectable in high percentage of patients after treatment.

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

WASHINGTON – A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) database study shows that new drug regimens for hepatitis C have resulted in “remarkably high” cure rates among patients in VA’s national health care system.

 

Of the more than 17,000 Veterans in the study, all chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus at baseline, 75 percent to 93 percent had no detectable levels of the disease in their blood for 12 or more weeks after the end of treatment. The therapy regimens lasted 8 to 24 weeks, depending on patient characteristics.

 

“This promising news comes as VA is dedicating significant funds to help greater numbers of patients with hepatitis C,” said David Shulkin VA Under Secretary for Health. “In March, we announced our ability to fund care for all Veterans with hepatitis C for fiscal year 2016 regardless of the stage of the patient’s liver disease. VA has long led the country in screening for and treating hepatitis C. As of mid-September 2016 alone, the Department treated more than 100,000 Veterans infected with the virus. More than 68,000 of these patients had been treated with these new highly effective antivirals.”

 

The VA researchers analyzed data from four subgroups of patients infected with hepatitis C—genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4—and found that genotype 1 patients showed the highest cure rates and genotype 3 the lowest. Genotype 1 was by far the most common type of infection among the four subgroups.

 

The study group of more than 17,000 Veterans included more than 11,000 patients with confirmed or likely cirrhosis, a liver disease that can result from hepatitis C, among other causes. The study team found “surprisingly high” response rates of around 87 percent in this group.

 

The overall results were consistent with those from earlier clinical trials that led to FDA approval of the three new drug regimens in the study: sofosbuvir (SOF), ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) and paritaprevir/ ritonavir/ ombitasvir and dasabuvir (PrOD).

 

The drugs, introduced in 2013 and 2014, have been credited with revolutionizing hepatitis C treatment, which means a cure is now in reach for the vast majority of patients infected with the virus. Previously, using earlier drug regimens, most patients could expect, at best, only a 50 percent chance of a cure.

 

“Our results demonstrate that LDV/SOF, PrOD and SOF regimens can achieve remarkably high SVR [sustained virologic response] rates in real-world clinical practice,” VA researchers wrote.

 

The new drug regimens examined in the study do not contain interferon, which has troublesome side effects such as fever, fatigue, and low blood counts. The newer drugs are considered far more tolerable than the older interferon-based antiviral regimens, although they are far more expensive.

 

The researchers extracted anonymous data on all patients in VA care who received HCV antiviral treatments between January 2014 and June 2015 using the VA Corporate Data Warehouse, a national, continually updated repository of data from VA’s computerized patient records.

 

The study’s optimistic finding is a source of optimism for Veterans and others infected with the hepatitis C virus, according to coauthors Dr. Lauren Beste and Dr. George Ioannou, specialists in internal medicine and hepatology, respectively, with the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle.

 

According to the researchers, modern, direct-acting antiviral drugs for hepatitis C far outperform our older options in terms of efficacy and tolerability. With older drugs, most patients could not undergo antiviral treatment because they had contraindications or medication side effects. With newer options, almost anyone can safely undergo treatment for hepatitis C.

 

VA research continues to expand knowledge of the disease through scientific studies focused on effective care, screening, and health care delivery. Some studies look at particular groups of hepatitis C patients—for example, female Veterans, or those with complicated medical conditions in addition to hepatitis C.

 

For more information on VA care for hepatitis C, visit www.hepatitis.va.gov and www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/hcv/index.asp. Information about the database study may be found in the September 2016 issue of the journal Gastroenterology.

 


 

Carpenter Library Open For Business!

 

The Library is OPEN!!  But - enter at your own risk.  Currently the Library does not have a working restroom or running water. The library’s wastewater pipe is clogged, and is possibly broken.  The Library Trustees have been working with contractors to repair the problem, but it was necessary to close the library on December 8th.   Following consultation with the NH Municipal Association to determine the guidelines for access to restrooms in public buildings, the Trustees decided to re-open the library.  We are very grateful to our Main Street neighbors for allowing an occasional library visitor to use their restrooms!

 

On a temporary basis, the library will be open during daylight hours.  Our temporary hours of operation are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, Wednesday 10:00am - 4:30 pm, and Friday, Saturday 10:00am - 1:00 pm.

 

If we are very fortunate the pipe may be repaired before The Sun arrives in your mailbox.  Work will continue until the problem is fixed.  The Library Trustees are grateful for the cooperation of the Pittsfield Board of Selectmen as we all work toward the modern convenience of indoor running water.

 


 

New Regulation Decreases Cost Of Outpatient Medication Copay For Most Veterans

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

Washington – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on copayments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions. VA currently charges non-exempt Veterans either $8 or $9 for each 30-day or less supply of outpatient medication, and under current regulations, a calculation based on the medication of the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-P) would be used to determine the copayment amount in future years.

 

“Switching to a tiered system continues to keep outpatient medication costs low for Veterans,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin. “Reducing their out-of-pocket costs encourages greater adherence to prescribed outpatient medications and reduces the risk of fragmented care that results when multiple pharmacies are used; another way that VA is providing better service to Veterans.”   

 

This new regulation eliminates the formula used to calculate future rate increases and establishes three classes of outpatient medications identified as Tier 1, Preferred Generics; Tier 2, Non-Preferred Generics including over-the-counter medications; and Tier 3, Brand Name. Copayment amounts for each tier would be fixed and vary depending upon the class of outpatient medication in the tier. 

 

These copayment amounts will be effective February 27, 2017: 

$5 for a 30-day or less supply - Tier 1 outpatient medication

$8 for a 30-day or less supply - Tier 2 outpatient medication

$11 for a 30-day or less supply - Tier 3 outpatient medication 

 

These changes apply to Veterans without a service-connected condition, or Veterans with a disability rated less than 50 percent who are receiving outpatient treatment for a non-service connected condition, and whose annual income exceeds the limit set by law. Medication copayments do not apply to former Prisoners of War, catastrophically disabled Veterans, or those covered by other exceptions as set by law.

 

Copayments stop each calendar year for Veterans in Priority Groups 2-8 once a $700 cap is reached.

 

More information on the new tiered medication copayment can be found here.

 


 

VA National Cemeteries Now Offering Pre-Need Eligibility Determinations

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it now provides eligibility determinations for interment in a VA national cemetery prior to the time of need. Through the Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program, upon request, individuals can learn if they are eligible for burial or memorialization in a VA national cemetery.

 

“MyVA is about looking at VA from the Veterans’ perspective, and then doing everything we can to make the Veteran Experience effective and seamless,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “This new program reaffirms our commitment to providing a lifetime of benefits and services for Veterans and their families.”

 

Interested individuals may submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery, and supporting documentation, such as a DD Form 214, if readily available, to the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office by: toll-free fax at 1-855-840-8299; email to [email protected]; or mail to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office, P.O. Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151.

 

VA will review applications and provide written notice of its determination of eligibility. VA will save determinations and supporting documentation in an electronic information system to expedite burial arrangements at the time of need. Because laws and personal circumstances change, upon receipt of a burial request, VA will validate all pre-need determinations in accordance with the laws in effect at that time.

 

VA operates 135 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots in 40 states and Puerto Rico. More than 4 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA’s national cemeteries. VA also provides funding to establish, expand and maintain 105 Veterans cemeteries in 47 states and territories including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan. For Veterans buried in private or other cemeteries, VA provides headstones, markers or medallions to commemorate their service. In 2016, VA honored more than 345,000 Veterans and their loved ones with memorial benefits in national, state, tribal and private cemeteries.

 

Eligible individuals are entitled to burial in any open VA national cemetery, opening/closing of the grave, a grave liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a government-furnished headstone or marker or niche cover, all at no cost to the family. Veterans are also eligible for a burial flag and may be eligible for a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

 

Information on VA burial benefits is available from local VA national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov, or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000.  To make burial arrangements at any open VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

 


 

Pittsfield School Board Meeting Of December 1, 2016

Submitted By Ralph Odell, School Board Member

 

The meeting began with public comment from Ross Morse and Susan Bradley.  Ross commented on the student involvement with the upcoming Drama Production and encouraged all of us to attend. Susan mentioned that there have been a series of positive comments about the school, atmosphere, student involvement and student interaction by a series of recent visitors.

 

Danielle Harvey introduced Nick Persson, a new social studies teacher who had not had a previous opportunity to meet with the Board.

 

School Activities

Danielle continued describing interaction with the NH Department of Education and the innovations that have occurred within the curriculum. Derek Hamilton reviewed the number of behavioral referrals has dropped approximately 50% from this past year. He summarized the results of a  recent food drive in the elementary school and upcoming concerts and other productions by various school groups. 

 

Evaluation by special education teachers have found that students have been making progress on their Individualized Education Plans plus academic progress. Discussions with teachers have been made to indentify strategies to maintain this progress. 

 

Melissa Brown, Director of College and Career Readiness had several items. To insure that students have every opportunity to graduate or eighth graders to be promoted on schedule, contact has been made with parents or guardians to develop a plan. Contact with eleventh graders who are not on pace was made and plans were developed to make up deficiencies. Several NH Community Colleges will be visiting and interviewing students for potential admission into the Community College System of NH. A School Board member commented it was encouraging to observe the accountability and monitoring of student progress. 

 

Edutopia, a national non-profit organization with a vision that project based learning is a key to improving learning, recently visited the Middle/High School. They recorded various aspects of the Site Council, PMHS’ student-majority governing council. I will let the public know when it is to be published.

 

The budget was a major focus of the meeting. Potential cuts were outlined and the impact on services was discussed. A meeting with faculty was scheduled for December, 5 to describe the scenario. The School Budget will be presented to the Budget Committee on December 21.

 

The School Board meets alternate Thursdays at the Middle/High School library, at 5:30. The public is always welcome.

 


 

Dove Singers 2017 To Be 40th And Final Year

 

A shock wave ran through the room as Gayle and Dan Troy announced that 2017 would be the 40th and final performance year of the Dove Singers.  The announcement was made at the cast party at the end of the 2016 season.  As the words, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” (Ecc 3:1), were spoken, many in the room had a foreboding of what was coming.

 

The group started out as a performance by a small youth group that the Troy’s led.  Forty years later, there are sound systems, lights, drama, dancers, a full orchestra, tech crew and singers.  This group isn’t your “stand up front in robes” choir.  There is constant movement.  Every action taken and every note played or sung contributes to the story picture being drawn in front of you.  Over the years, the group has become a family and shared the lows and highs that family can bring.  They open their arms and hearts to new members that God calls each year.  Members have come from as far away as VT, ME and MA, and from as many as 50+ different churches and many denominations.  Performances are typically held between the Concord and Nashua regions.

 

With 2017 being the final year, this is a “Calling All Dove Singers” casting call.  If you’ve participated in any manner in the past and were moved by it, or if you’ve always thought you’d like to join, but hadn’t made the time, the time is now.  In particular, demand is high for high sopranos and men, but all parts are open.  Rehearsals are each Monday night starting in January and culminate in four performances held at 4 different locations on successive weekends in March.  Former Singers that can’t make the weekly commitment are invited to practice and then sing the Hallelujah Chorus on performance nights.

 

For more information, see www.dovesingers.org, contact [email protected] or come to the first rehearsal at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 14 Mammoth Road, Manchester on Monday, January 9th at 7 p.m.  Come early for check in.  You’ll meet everyone, read/listen through the musical and have a chance to figure out if God is calling you for this final season of the Dove Singers.

 


 

Greater Pittsfield Chamber Of Commerce celebrates Christmas

Pittsfield COC.jpg

On Thursday night, 12/15, there was revelry and joy as members of the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce and some of their family members celebrated at the offices of Epping Well & Pump at 26 Main Street.  The previous weekend’s festivities, including the children’s store and the Christmas Tree Lighting were considered highly successful.

 

The members brought shrimp, meat pie, mac & cheese, taco dip, taco soup, cheesecake bites, and other delicacies to share.  Once the food had been enjoyed by all, a traditional yankee swap was on the agenda.  The most coveted gift was  tickets to Red River Theatres.  The night wound down as members shared funny stories of their travels and mishaps over the years.  The only thing to have increased the merriment of the evening would have been more attendees!  Hope to see all the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce members come out next year for this wonderful annual event.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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