Happy Anniversary to Sara and Josh Tetro
celebrating on September 10.
Pittsfield
Beautification Committee
Help the Pittsfield Beautification Committee at our annual Mum Sale
Fundraiser, to be held on Saturday, September 10th, at the Aranosian
Garden (next to Jack’s Pizza on Catamount Rd.), from 8:00 am
to 12:00 noon.
We will be selling a variety of colors in 10” pots and 5 gallon
pots. We will also be selling baked goods.
As always, thank you for your support!
The Suncook Valley Area Lions Club (serving the towns of Pittsfield
and Barnstead) will hold their annual meeting on Monday, Sept. 12 at
6pm at the PES Cafeteria. The District Governor will be present and
a special award honoring long time Lion Club member, John
Topouzoglou will be announced. All are welcome and encouraged
to attend. A potluck dinner will be served. Please feel
free to bring a dish to share.
Things Are
A-Buzzzzz
At The Clothes Closet
Summer’s out! Fall’s in! Volunteers at the Clothes
Closet are busy, busy busy getting cool weather clothing out for
those autumn days just ahead. Thanks to generous donors, a
ready and classy supply is at hand for patrons who want to take
advantage of quality items at a good price. Bargain Bags are
also available for those whose circumstances need a little extra
consideration. The Clothes Closet has a reputation for being the
right store in the right place at the right time.
A special treat is the raffle (3 tickets for $1.00) of a large
hand-crafted quilt put together by the students of Mrs. Towle’s
class at PMHS. Last year these students donated 6 small quilts
to benefit the shop selected for its service to the community.
The raffle will be offered and the quilt displayed throughout the
month of September. Please support this wonderful project.
Finally, more good news is that volunteer Phyllis Conway is taking
over the day-to-day routine of running the shop to give Bev Drolet a
break. No, Bev is not ill, but desiring some time to
regroup some of her own activities knowing Phyllis and the rest of
the crew will capably carry on. For the time being, Bev
will continue as a substitute when needed
and, of course, have more time for walking Buddy her pup.
Letter
Due to an administrative oversight, there was no mention that the
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 would not meet on its regular
meeting night, which would have been Labor Day. Instead, the
September 2016 meeting will be held on September 12, 2016 at 7:30
pm. Some agenda items to be discussed will be: membership,
vacant positions to be filled, and POW/MIA Recognition day –
September 16, 2016. The Post home is located at 3 Loudon Road.
Questions can be directed to Post 75 Adjutant ProTem, Merrill
Vaughan at 603-344-0264.
For the Commander,
Merrill Vaughan, Adjutant Pro Tem,
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
Pittsfield
Circle Of Home & Family Group Announces Raffle Winners!
The Pittsfield Circle of Home & Family group would like to thank
everyone who purchased tickets for our annual Hot Air Balloon Quilt
Raffle. The winners were: Hot Air Balloon Quilt - Deborah
Prescott; Hand Woven Basket - Margaret Towle; Salmon Falls Pottery
Pitcher - Stacey Wittenberg; Ceramic Hot Air Balloon - Sabrina
Smith; (3) 8x10 Framed Photos - Jean; Balloon Rally Pillow - Susan
Bleckmann; Hand Knit Hat, Scarf & Wristers - Gail Pillow; Set of
Anna-Lee Dolls - Linda Spinosa; Cross-Stitched Pillowcases - Vicki
St.George; and Knit Hot Mat Set - Nate Davis.
The Pittsfield Circle of Home & Family group is a women’s group that
meets once per month on the 4th Thursday at 7pm at the Community
Center. Our meetings typically consist of an educational
program, such as a guest speaker, making a craft, or cooking
demonstrations....and we always have refreshments! Many of the
program topics are geared towards women’s health, finances,
community outreach, history and heritage arts. NEW Members are
always welcome. We have a great time and it’s a fun bunch of ladies
- come join us! Please call Andi Riel at 435-6346 or email at
[email protected]
if you’d like more information.
VA
Awards $300 Million More In Grants To Help End Veteran Homelessness
Ongoing Initiative
targets homeless and at-risk Veterans and families.
Submitted Via Merrill
Vaughan
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
today awarded approximately $300 million more in grants under the
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to help
thousands of very low-income Veteran families around the nation who
are permanently housed or transitioning to permanent housing. The
SSVF grant program provides access to crucial services to prevent
homelessness for Veterans and their families.
SSVF funding, which supports outreach, case management and other
flexible assistance to prevent Veteran homelessness or rapidly
re-house Veterans who become homeless, has been awarded to 275
non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These grants,
key elements of VA’s implementation of the Housing First Strategy,
enable vulnerable Veterans to secure or remain in permanent housing.
A list of SSVF grantees is located at
www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
“Since 2010, the Housing First Strategy has helped cut Veteran
Homelessness nearly in half,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald.
“Housing First is why 360,000 Veterans and family members have been
housed, rehoused or prevented from falling into homelessness over
the last five years. SSVF helps homeless Veterans quickly find
stable housing and access the supportive services they – and their
families – need.”
Grantees will continue to provide eligible
Veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance
obtaining VA and other benefits, which may include health care,
income support services, financial planning, child care, legal
services, transportation, housing counseling, among other services.
Grantees are expected to leverage supportive services grant funds to
enhance the housing stability of very low-income Veteran families
who are occupying permanent housing. In doing so, grantees are
required to establish relationships with local community resources.
In fiscal year (FY) 2015, SSVF served more than 157,000 participants
and is on track to exceed that number in FY 2016. As a result
of these and other efforts, Veteran homelessness is down 47 percent
since the launch of the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End
Homelessness in 2010. Also since 2010, more than 360,000
Veterans and their family members have been permanently housed,
rapidly re-housed, or prevented from falling into homelessness by
VA’s homelessness programs and targeted housing vouchers provided by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Today’s grant
recipients successfully competed for grants under a January 15,
2016, Notice of Fund Availability. Applications were due
February 5, 2016. The funding will support SSVF services in FY
2017, which starts October 1, 2016, and ends September 30, 2017.
For more information about the SSVF program, visit
www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
Big Trees Of New Hampshire
If you want to learn about the state’s
biggest trees then be sure to go to the presentation at the
Pittsfield Historical Society building on Wed Sept 14th at 7 PM.
Kevin Martin will be showing and discussing these trees as described
in his new book Big Trees of New Hampshire. You will hear how he got
involved with finding the trees, how lumber from similar trees is
used in his boatbuilding work, and how wildlife will use these
impressive parts of our landscape. The discussion will cover trees
on public land in all parts of the state and where they are located
so you can go see them for yourself. City tours of Portsmouth,
Nashua and Concord are also described. Books will be available after
the presentation for those interested. Call 603 435-8004 for details
Departments In Montana And Nevada Are
Latest Recipients In 2016 Globe Gear Giveaway
Globe, DuPont, and
NVFC teamed up to award 52 sets of gear in 2016 Globe, DuPont
Protection Technologies (DuPont), and the National Volunteer Fire
Council (NVFC) have announced the second round of winners in the
2016 Globe Gear Giveaway. In the fifth annual Giveaway, a total of
13 departments will each receive four sets of new, state-of-the-art
turnout gear. The latest recipients of the 2016 Globe Gear Giveaway
are the Glacier County Rural Fire Department in Cut Bank, MT, and
Walker Lake (NV) Volunteer Fire Department.
“We are pleased to grant gear to two more
deserving fire departments as part of the Globe Gear Giveaway,” said
NVFC Chairman Kevin D. Quinn. “Many departments are struggling to
provide gear to their members and often have to make do with gear
that is old, non-compliant, ill-fitting, and otherwise inadequate,
putting the safety of the boots-on-the-ground firefighters at risk.
We are grateful to Globe and DuPont for continuing to support the
nation’s fire service through this important program.”
To be eligible to apply for the four sets
of new Globe turnout gear, departments had to be all-volunteer or
mostly-volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be legally
organized in the U.S. or Canada, demonstrate a need for the gear,
and be a member of the NVFC. To help departments meet this last
requirement, Globe sponsored NVFC Department Memberships for the
first 500 applicants.
The Glacier County Rural Fire Department
(GCRFD) in Cut Bank, MT, serves five small communities and two
incorporated towns in an area that includes the Blackfeet Indian
Reservation land. There are multiple ports to Canada nearby as well
as several entrances into Glacier National Park, bringing thousands
of tourists through the area in summer months. Summer in the area
also typically brings fire season: Glacier County has witnessed a
number of wildfires that have destroyed property and affected
wildlife habitat, scenic resources, and air quality. GCRFD is
responsible for ensuring that county lines are covered in the event
of fires, providing mutual aid for wildland fires, lending tribal
assistance, and responding to EMS calls when requested. In addition,
they provide fire prevention and safety outreach in the community,
and they even organized a donation drive to get winter clothing for
local children who were unable to afford it.
The GCRFD budget is dedicated to
maintenance of older vehicles, supplies, building costs, and
training; all of their gear is more than 10 years old and many
volunteers are making do with sets that don’t fit correctly. The
four sets of new Globe gear will help protect GCRFD firefighters
from loss of life or serious injury while they work to protect their
community.
The Walker Lake (NV) Volunteer Fire
Department’s 12 volunteer firefighters respond within a
50-square-mile service area. All of their gear is over 10 years old,
and most are over 20 years old. During a training exercise, the knee
area in the thermal liner of one firefighter’s set of gear failed.
This led to an investigation that found that the 10 oldest sets of
the department’s turnout gear have started to break down. Due to
this safety hazard, they have had to adjust their tactics,
preventing firefighters from performing interior fire attack. The
department has a small budget that is supplemented through monthly
fundraisers, but they are unable to get afford new turnout gear
without cutting back on other department operations.
“With these new, up-to-date turnouts, we
will be able to better protect our community,” said Fire Chief Adam
Greenfield. “We will also be able to keep our firefighters safer as
they perform interior attacks. We greatly appreciate this donation.”
Additional awards through the Globe Gear
Giveaway will be made monthly throughout 2016. A total of 52 sets of
gear will be distributed to departments in need. Stay tuned to the
NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and page on Facebook, as well as
the Globe page on Facebook, for additional information and
announcements regarding the Globe Gear Giveaway.
About Globe
Firefighters need to be prepared to perform at their peak, on every
call. That’s why Globe delivers the most advanced, best-fitting, and
longest lasting protection by listening to our customers, creating
breakthrough designs, and applying the engineering skills of the
nation’s most trusted turnout gear manufacturer. Globe turnout gear
is designed to protect you, move with you, and improve your
performance. It’s athletic gear for firefighters. Learn more at
www.globeturnoutgear.com.
About DuPont Protection Technologies
DuPont Protection Technologies (NYSE: DD) has been bringing
world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the
form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The
company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments,
NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global
challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere,
decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the
environment. For additional information about DuPont and its
commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit
www.dupont.com.
About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit
membership association representing the interests of the volunteer
fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the
volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable resources,
programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the
nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
Selectman’s Overview
Submitted By Carole Richardson
Select Board Meeting 8/30/2016
First off, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Carl
Anderson for his articles following each Select Board meeting.
Since Carl was not at this meeting, I decided that the tradition
should be carried on since transparency is of utmost importance to
the current Board. It was a very short meeting with only one
topic discussed – 33 and 37 Main Street.
Ed Lagraize, Vice President, Ed Vien and Linda Small from the
Suncook Valley Regional Development Corporation (SVRDC) were present
to answer questions the Select Board posed following the last
meeting. Bill Miskoe was also present to respond to questions.
Mr. Miskoe’s original plan that was agreed upon by SVRDC on July
21st was as follows:
• Subdivide 37 Main Street to give
additional property for the library; • Remove the barn and add onto
building 37 Main Street leaving the Mansur-type house, (the SVRDC
has no concern if the barn stays); • Tear down the house on 33 Main
Street; and • Add the property of 33 Main Street to the remainder of
37 Main Street making it a one-parcel lot.
The following is a response from SVRDC
which addressed the following concerns/question of the Select Board:
1. Yes, the SVRDC will depend upon the Town for a low simple
interest loan from the expendable trust fund that was set up for
economic development purposes in order to rehab the property(s).
While we cannot guarantee we will not seek financing and/or
contributions from outside sources in order to complete the project,
we will not seek any future money from the taxpayers for this
endeavor.
2. It is the SVRDC’s intention to allow a
mixed use in the building with residential units being restricted to
the second and third floors.
3. Yes, the SVRDC will follow all town
ordinances and regulations throughout the duration of the project.
4. Yes, it is the intention of the SVRDC
to place the property on the market and make it available to the
private sector once the project is complete.
5. Yes, the SRVDC will accept the building with the understanding
the back opening will need to be secured immediately. Bill has
assured us this can be easily taken care of.
6. No, the SVRDC will not be seeking
property tax-exemption due to our non-profit status.
7. Yes, the SVRDC understands we are responsible for all applicable
building permits. We would ask to maintain the right to seek a
waiver from the BCEP for necessary disposal.
8. The SVRDC will not sell the property
until it is in a habitable condition according to Town regulations
and codes.
9. The SVRDC is not in agreement that all proceeds from the project
should be returned to the expendable trust fund upon the initial
loan, all accumulated interest and any costs that the town may incur
on behalf of the project final sale of the property(s). In the
event of a profit, it is the intention of the SVRDC to use any
additional proceeds for administrative costs as well as seed money
for future economic development projects.
10. While it is the intention of the SVRDC to complete this project
and turn it back to the private sector as quickly and efficiently as
possible, we believe a two-year time frame for project completion
and final sale is a bit over zealous. That said, we would ask
the time period be increased to four years.
11. The SVRDC agrees to pay all property
taxes throughout the time that we own the property(s).
Mr. Miskoe submitted a second proposal dated August 28, 2016 which
replaced his August 23, 2016 proposal that was accepted by the
Select Board on August 23rd. This second proposal stated that
after demolition as agreed has been accomplished, he will adjust the
lot lines to cause the house currently located at 37 Main Street to
be incorporated with some or all of the lot known as 33 Main Street.
Following that, he will deed the new #33, including the house, to
the town rather than to SVRDC. The town can then sell the
property to a qualified rehabilitator or deed it to SVRDC. In
this revised proposal, Mr. Miskoe requested that the Board of
Selectmen lift the conditions imposed when his proposal was accepted
on August 23rd so he can proceed with the work needed, knowing that
there are no conditions left to be dealt with.
Following questions by the Board, Mr.
Miskoe’s proposal dated August 28th was adopted. The Board and SVRDC
agreed that more details should be required before moving forward
with this project or any other project involving taxpayer funds.
The Board wishes to thank Mr. Miskoe for
his generous offer, and we look forward to working with all
stakeholders to develop a well thought out plan for this property,
and a project that will optimize the funds provided by taxpayers,
and benefit all the citizens of Pittsfield.
Cindy’s Hair Affair welcomes Wendy Clark
to our team. Wendy joins the team with over 30 years experience.
Pittsfield School District Energy Options
Last fall, a group of
interested Pittsfield citizens – including both members of the
public and school officials – convened to review the district’s
energy needs and consider options for future energy sources.
The group recommended to the School Board that an energy audit be
conducted to provide the community with current information and
efficiency recommendations. Additionally, the group
recommended that a wood energy feasibility study be completed to
provide specific information to supplement the energy audit.
(Cost for the audit was shared by the district and Eversource; the
feasibility study was completed at no cost to the district.) Both
reports were received by the district in early summer and are now
available for review on the district website (www.pittsfieldnhschools.org).
Additionally, two community meetings have been scheduled to review
the contents of the reports:
· Energy Audit Report Meeting: 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, September
21, Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center · Wood Energy
Feasibility Report Meeting: 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19,
Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center Interested Pittsfield
citizens are cordially invited to these meetings to learn more about
energy and the schools and to have your energy questions answered.
Reuben Leavitt’s 90th Birthday Bash
On Sunday, August 21st Reuben Leavitt was surprised to find one
hundred friends and relatives at the Pittsfied Community Center
gathered to celebrate his 90th birthday. A luncheon was held
in his honor followed by songs written and sung by his son Jerry
Leavitt, titled “Sweet Memories”, “Time Should Stand Still” and “Son
Don’t Ever Grow Up”. Dale Riley, a hot-air balloon captain and
close friend, entertained all with Pittsfied ballooning stories
spanning over thirty years. Many of the stories involved
pranks that Reuben and Dale concocted, including dipping the hot-air
balloon into a local lake and catching a huge (stuffed) marlin and a
safari flight that captured a stuffed gorilla.
The celebration ended with all joining in to sing Happy Birthday
followed by cake and ice-cream. Reuben’s family would like to
thank all who helped with this memorable event.
Letter To The Editor
Jim Adams For Executive Council District 4 My story could only
happen in this great country of ours. Upon my discharge from the
Navy, I became a letter carrier in Manchester. I worked days
and went to college nights. After receiving my degree in
Business Management, I went into management and became the first
person in the 236-year history of the Postal Service to go from
letter carrier in New Hampshire, to the Chief of Staff for three
Postmaster Generals, dealing with 850,000 employees and a $71
billion budget. During that 9-year period, I was a part of the
retirement of a $13 billion debt and an additional $14 billion
savings, and reducing some 40,000 redundant high-level, high
salaried jobs without any layoffs.
I ended my career as District Manager for New Hampshire/Vermont,
with 8,000 employees and a $1 billion budget, once again with
positive results. My 27 years of executive experience gives me a
unique bottom-up perspective for successful management.
I believe in the principles of small government, controlled
spending, and lower taxes. I also recognize that we must take care
of the most vulnerable in our society, while always realizing
government cannot grow larger than the people’s ability to pay for
it. We must find ways to reduce the high cost of
energy that will help grow our economy, and continue to reduce our
high business taxes which allows business to produce good-paying
jobs here in New Hampshire.
My story and my ability to build consensus is exactly what New
Hampshire needs on the Executive Council at this critical time in
our history. I have also demonstrated through action that it
is possible to make government accountable to taxpayers. I
would very much appreciate your vote on September 13th in the
Primary.
Jim Adams
TOPS 38 Pittsfield
Submitted by Pat Smith
Pittsfield TOPS Attendees visiting Bow
Chapter. Front Row Left to Right: Suzie Fife, Debbie Brown (State
Queen), Pearl Donavitch. Back Row Left to Right: Pat Smith, Sandi
Truscott, Jon Martin, Holly Brown.
TOPS is a weight loss group in Pittsfield
that offers support, nutritional information, programs and
encouragement to people who want to get a little healthier and lose
weight as well. We have had a great weight loss in our weight room
this summer and everyone is happy with that.
We had the privilege of going to the Bow
chapter to hear our NH TOPS State Queen, Debbie Locke, speak about
how she achieved her goal. She said it took self-esteem, courage to
change, and the ability to believe in yourself and do it for you and
not everyone else.
She also said she received lots of
encouragement from chapter members and friends. It didn’t go on
overnight and it won’t come off overnight, but we are here to
encourage and help you. Debbie is from the Conway Chapter.
If you would like to know more about us
please stop by to see us on Tuesday nights 6:30 at Berakah, Fairview
Ave., Pittsfield, or call Pat at 435-5333
Pittsfield Senior Center News
The Pittsfield Senior Center has a few
great programs coming up in September. On Thursday, September 8 at
10:00am, Chef Joe Jesseman will be teaching how to make a hearty
fall classic with a Vegetable Soup in a Bread Bowl. Please call
435-8482 if planning on attending or you can just show up, space is
limited.
On Tuesday, September 13, at 10:30 am, at
the Pittsfield Senior Center, the Concord Regional Visiting Nurses
Association will be leading a discussion on sleep, Good Night, Sleep
Tight. Sleep is something that we all need but some of us just do
not seem to be able to do it. Sleep is essential to your physical
and emotional well-being. How you feel during the day is dependent
on how well you sleep at night. This program offers suggestions for
a quality night’s sleep and strategies on speaking with your health
care provider about the difficulty of sleeping. Please call 435-8482
to RSVP by Friday, September 9.
On Wednesday, September 14, at 1:00 PM at
the Pittsfield Senior Center there is having a Quilting Club
meeting. If interested in learning how to quilt or you are an
experienced quilter and just want to sew and talk please come. These
quilts are made and then given too foundations to be used as
fundraisers. You can come and make friends while doing something for
the community.
Are you looking to make a difference in
the older adult population? Volunteers are needed to help at the
Pittsfield Senior Center. The senior center is Supported by the
Community Action Program of Belknap and Merrimack counties and we
serve Meals on Wheels and community lunch to individuals that are
over the age of 60. One in six seniors are not getting enough food
and it has been proven that these types programs help prevent this.
We need some dependable volunteers that will be willing to serve
food and wash dishes. Volunteers make these programs a success!
Please consider helping out, we have a wide range of needs. Please
call Carol at 435-8482 if interested in helping.
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