I've had some interesting things go on. I saw Episode III last weekend, and to be quite frank, I was rather underwhelmed. The acting, even Hayden's was fine, for you see that anyone given some of the most inane and stupid dialogue ever written can only do so much with it. The other thing I noticed, and this goes through the whole series, is that the badasses of the Star Wars series always seem to die the weakest possible deaths (witness Boba Fett in Episode VI, and Mace Windu, General Grievous and Count Dooku in Episode III).
Here's this weeks stories. Obviously, there's a lot of them, so I've been extraordinarily busy:
Bradley talks about health care, education
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — Jeb Bradley encountered an often-contentious crowd at his Town Meeting in New Durham May 21. Several hard questions were asked of the Congressman with regard to health care costs, education and the possible closing of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Many times, the Congressman had to stop while answering because some of those who asked questions continued to make statements while he tried to answer their questions.
Bradley, who serves on the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, Small Business and Budget committees, was asked by Nicholas Kalfas of Alton about health care costs. Kalfas said that he believed that the American health care system was "no longer the best," in part because people "can’t access it." Kalfas, who described himself as a Republican said that the "government has to step in," on this issue, and he asked what Bradley believed would be the best option. Bradley said that he believed that both state issues and federal issues were at play. He said that he was "pretty reluctant to go down that road," in reference to a single-payer health care system similar to what other countries have. He also mentioned a 1994 state law, which guaranteed access to health care forced many insurance carriers to leave the state, causing a lack of competition now. He also mentioned what he believed to be federal issues, referring to doctor’s medical liability costs, health savings accounts and associated health plans (which would allow small businesses to pool together and purchase health insurance, including allowing them to cross state lines to do so). He also stated that he was going to reintroduce a bill to legalize the re-importation of prescription drugs from countries in Europe and Canada, after clarifying some of the safety issues that were raised about his previous bill. Gail Mitchell, of Barrington, asked why these costs were so high in America, especially given the high profits of drug companies. Bradley responded that other countries have price controls, but the U.S. does not. He did mention other ways of delivering health care as well, such as a community health center, which would provide some of the basic care hospitals could. Mitchell and her companion at the meeting, Bob Perry, of Strafford, went on to say that they felt price controls were needed "on some things," and that the deliverers of health care were becoming more and more corporate in control. They went on to ask Bradley, using the president’s statements on Social Security as a template, whether Bradley believed that "health care was in crisis?" Bradley responded by saying that the American system could be characterized as "tremendously innovative, but with cost and access problems." He said that he would not characterize health care as being in crisis.
The discussion then turned to the Medicare prescription drug benefit, which, Bradley explained, would allow partial coverage under Medicare for the cost of senior’s prescription drugs. The present drug discount cards, he says, were only meant as a stopgap measure, to be used until the program is up and running at the beginning of 2006. Perry asked why what he described as a successful Veterans Administration policy of the same type was not adopted instead. Another person in the audience said that they "didn’t think Americans should have that much faith in the private sector," despite some of the protections that Bradley said the benefit carried.
The next large discussion took place on the subject of education. Ellen Phillips, for works as an educator in the Governor Wentworth Regional School District, asked why there were tutoring companies (which she said used high school students as tutors) being given "$200 million a year to work in failing schools." She said that her experience showed that the Department of Education was not allowing "what works in New Hampshire," but were favoring federal guidelines – even though they were not as effective. She said that she believed the federal government didn’t believe teachers to be qualified, and that she was "seeing things go backward in the state." Bradley, who did not have the opportunity to vote on No Child Left Behind, said that there might be areas where they can "tweak" the legislation, once it is found what works and what does not.
Bradley also pledged, following a question by New Durham resident and shipyard employee Stuart Hotchkiss regarding the possible closure, that he, and others in the New Hampshire delegation "will present an excellent case to the commission." He stated to the Granite State News last week that he and delegations from New Hampshire and Maine are prepared to fight to keep the historic shipyard open.
Other topics, such as social issues and immigration policies, were also covered at the meeting.
Alton planners pull a two-nighter
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — With a very heavy load of cases to hear at their monthly meeting, the Alton Planning Board spread the load of cases over two nights, May 17 and 18, in order to better accommodate the workload and for the convenience of applicants. The meeting on May 17 included hearings on nine applications, though four were by the same property owner. David Livingston was applying for two boundary line adjustments, and then the merger of two lots into one, and the subdivision of that newly merged lot. He did say that if the board did not approve the merger, he would not subdivide the lot, however. The board had some concerns, especially with regard to the merger of the two lots and the sustainability of a subdivision with regards to septic and well issues. The board agreed to continue the discussion at later meetings once some of the issues had been addressed and legal situations cleared up. The other cases on the night were either continued or approved.
The Wednesday meeting focused primarily on commercial issues. The board approved the application of Wainwright Insurance to change the property that currently stands as "Karen’s Kitchen" into an insurance office. The building, Ken Hoyt of Wainwright said, would actually be using less parking than it currently uses as a restaurant, and other issues, including water and sewer use, would be lessened as well.
The next case to be heard was that of William McQuade and Nextel Communications. The site plan calls for a 120-foot monopole to be used as a cellular tower off of Old Wolfeboro Rd. Problems arose because the application, as submitted, did not have the notes of a surveyor. The property had not been surveyed, in fact. This led to a testy exchange between Chairman Thomas Hoopes and board member Thomas Varney. Varney chastised the engineer on the project for not having the land surveyed and not using proper surveying equipment. When Hoopes suggested that the board should not further drag along the process (the application had been continued at the January meeting), Varney shot back, "I don’t have the habit of catering to applicants or developers." He went on to say, "I see a problem right now and I’m pointing it out." There were some questions regarding property lines and wetland use. Varney also expressed concern about an FAA mandated light that would have to be placed on the tower. He was concerned about the light to the proximity of nearby homes, as well as to airports and plane traffic. The board accepted the application, with the caveat that the site would need to be surveyed to answer questions regarding the property lines and other issues.
The next case involved Keith Chamberlain of Chamberlain Self-Storage. Chamberlain’s proposed additional buildings were a concern of the board in terms of screening. The board was hoping for additional screening of the property, using trees, shrubs and other plants by Chamberlain. Chamberlain was initially reluctant to go beyond his current plan, hoping to keep architectural and land design consistency. Eventually, Chamberlain agreed to plant additional trees in a staggered pattern, in order to cover more space.
The final case of the night involved Daryl Hoit, who proposed redeveloping the Alton Bay Pavilion property, potentially into condominiums. Alan Sherwood, the Selectmen’s representative on the board stated that he was not certain condominiums could be placed on the property in terms of zoning laws. Other ideas were tested as well, including using the property as a combination of commercial and residential properties, or for use as a motel.
The board also discussed increased rates of one of the town’s engineering firms. The firm in question, Dufresne-Henry Engineering, raised rates for customers without informing the Planning Board they were doing so. The board discussed whether the firm was also giving them the returns they were looking for, in terms of services and turnaround time. There was also some question as to whether the company was properly having engineering approved.
Sunflower brings light to community, tries to keep deer at bay
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
Alton — Bruce Holmes obviously has a real green thumb. He and his small staff operate Sunflower Gardens off of Route 28 in Alton. With 18 greenhouses on the site, and with plants growing from before the gardens annual April opening, the gardens are in business for much of the year.
Holmes, who has been in the business of retailing and wholesaling plants for more than 10 years, and at the current location since 1996, says that he’s learned over that time that months like this one, with lots of rain and fewer days of sunshine, usually balance out; there might soon be a month that’s very dry, with very little rain and lots of sun. "The weather’s a major player," he says.
Holmes and one of his two full time employees (others are seasonal or part-time), Mary Morris, described the seasons at Sunflower Gardens as following a set pattern. In the spring the spring annuals and perennials come up, around the time that the stand opens in April, summer adds a lot of vegetables, such as sweet corn, peas, sweet peppers and tomatoes. During the fall, the gardens begin to sell their own mums and also sell pumpkins, apples and cider. After closing down in November, the stand reopens before Christmas with trees, wreaths, poinsettias and other holiday related items. The Gardens also sell farm fresh eggs, milk, Pie-Guy pies and other items.
Holmes said that he, like many other business owners, is often at the mercy of oil prices, as well as the weather. "plastic comes from oil resin, so when the price of oil goes up, everything goes up. Prices reflect what happens in oil." Holmes’ greenhouses use plastic as a covering, as well as using home heating oil for heat.
Another of the unusual problems faced by Holmes and his employees is deer. "They eat everything," Morris says. Holmes did say that the deer, which enjoy corn and cut flowers, won’t eat mums "unless they have to."
Holmes, Morris and the garden’s other employees also keep the Gardens involved in the community. The Gardens give donations to community groups, including both the Alton and Barnstead Garden clubs, and have been involved with the Gilman Library’s mum sale for "a number of years." Other philanthropic activity includes relationships with the 4-H clubs of Alton and Barnstead Elementary.
That community involvement also extends to Holmes’ new place on the Alton Planning Board. He finally decided to run, he says, to have input with regards to "what restrictions the town puts on development." He wanted the town to remember too "keep it reasonable in what they zone and where they zone."
Town gathers to remember Chief Scruton
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — Town officials, family members, the police department and other community members gathered May 21 to remember former New Durham Police Chief Douglas Scruton, who died suddenly last year. They were also there to help celebrate his legacy by witnessing the dedication of a tree and bench engraved with Chief Scruton’s name, and to dedicate the new Police Building in his honor. Police Chief Shawn Bernier said at the ceremony that he hopes that "future citizens of New Durham ask who he was, and me and my officers can tell them who he is and what he stood for." Office manager Katie Woods read an emotional letter to Scruton, letting him know that everyone misses him and that, with his pictures still around the office he was "always smiling back" at her and the officers. Woods also read a poem written by Scruton’s widow, Robin, called "Never Forgotten," which expressed all of the emotions about seeing these permanent remembrances to Scruton’s memory. Town Administrator William Herman talked about how Scruton’s dedication, commitment, sense of humor and decency helped to bring the new police offices to fruition. Herman said that the anonymous donors "saw in Doug…the way he treated others in this town and they recognized that," in making their donation.
Cathy Orlowicz, a friend of Scruton’s, also wanted to honor him. She announced that a memorial fund has been established in Scruton’s name, and that a scholarship for New Durham students to continue their educations would be established in Scruton’s name. In order to raise money, Orlowicz will run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October of 2006. Orlowicz, who ran the marathon in 2002, said that she remembered Scruton having "such a passion for children" and believed that the scholarship would be a great way to honor his memory, and as a way to continue that legacy "long after we’re gone." Orlowicz said that anyone seeking to contact her about the scholarship or trust could reach her at 859-4643, or at cathyo@worldpath.net.
Cooler heads get down to fire business
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — After the rather heated preliminary May 5 involving filming the meetings, the New Durham Fire Station Task Force got down to business May 19. The task force established two subcommittees to look at various options the town considers important to have. For the record, the town camera, as well as a personal camera brought by Planning Board Chair Bob Craycraft, was there to film this meeting, which Chairman Gullmar Nelson joked about.
Selectmen Ron Gehl and Town Administrator William Herman attended, and provided the committee with an overview of the Right-to-Know laws, which was also the subject of some discussion at the May 5 meeting. Nelson also reiterated his desire that future committees be given a kind of "seminar" on the right-to-know law at their first meetings, to avoid any of the same problems faced by the fire station committee. Gehl also emphasized that e-mail communication between members should probably be kept to a minimum, as e-mails that involve a quorum of members would have to be disclosed at the following meeting. Members of the public encouraged the committee to stay on focus and to make sure that their job gets done.
The committee, which unanimously decided on an April 19 look at the fire station, that it needed replacing, then took up the task of deciding how to raise money, and whether or not to fix the roof of the current building. Currently, the Fire Station’s roof is not up to code, and Chief John Nicastro said that the most important thing was to "fix the roof the right way." He pointed out that roofing companies coming to look at the Library’s roof (see story page A1) could also look at the roof of the fire station. The committee also discussed several options for fund-raising. Some on the committee suggested asking for donations from companies and individuals in the area, especially considering the large gift that was given anonymously to the town to build a new police station. Still, Gehl pointed out that any meeting where members discussed who they might approach would be considered a public meeting, and that those wishing to donate may not like to see their names in print or on Community TV. It was also pointed out that for something such as a fire station, the fire company cannot accept donations, as the new station is considered a citizens’ effort, not a department one. Others mentioned that the group might consider forming a non-profit company, so that donations would be tax-deductible. Currently, anything that comes into the town’s coffers would not be tax deductible, though the town itself is tax exempt.
The committee then considered alternative options to the initial proposal for a $1.7 million dollar fire station that was presented at town meeting. A list that had been prepared at earlier meetings was pared down to two options. One would tear down the fire station and rebuild on one level with reduced features from the original design, and then leave room for possible expansion later on. Another option would put the building in another location, again, with reduced features. Committee member Ed Niester, who had taken time to prepare some comparisons from different companies and comparisons of options, encouraged the group to look at the single floor idea saying that it "was much more cost effective." He said that many of the companies he had spoken with agreed that a metal building would be best for the fire station, and that 16-foot walls, in order to accommodate the trucks and equipment, were best for fire companies. He also said that there might be too few positives to the first option and "too many negatives." Nicastro warned however, that if the department couldn’t put students in a facility, the Fire Department might be forced into using full time crews as opposed to volunteers.
Niester also prepared a "zone map" so that the group might best compare multiple alternative locations at once. He then used a spreadsheet to help organize the potential lots and their various ratings with regards to how effective they might be for response time and other issues. He mentioned that a subcommittee might be able to look at multiple lots and be able to make a recommendation regarding lots soon, using this format.
The committee also discussed potential redesigns for the fire station. Niester said that steel building concept "gets the largest square foot area at the smallest cost." He also mentioned the potential for very quick turnaround, saying that the frame of a station might be up within a few months of approval of the town, and then only interior work would need to be done. The committee seemed excited by this prospect, and agreed to form subcommittees to look at various redesign and alternate location options.
Mold growing in New Durham library
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
New Durham — A leaky roof is causing mold to grow throughout the New Durham Library’s ceilings and beams.
Shay Bennett, library assistant, said the roof had been "leaking for a while." The water, Bennett said, came in mostly during heavy rains, such as what the region has been experiencing this week.
Library directory Duane Shaffer said that the town "is really on top of this" and that two roofers have already come by to assess the damage to the roof and will soon be submitting bids. He says that there are many guesses as to why the roof is leaking, but that the one looking "most credible" is a potential problem with flashing in the valley of the roof.
The leak has caused large brown patches of mold to appear throughout the library ceiling, with a heavy concentration in the children’s section. The mold and water have also damaged the main bean that extends between the main library and the children’s section.
Bennett said that the installer of the roof had come by after the leaking started and said the problem was fixed, only to see the roof leak again. She said that when the roof leaks the water "soaks the floor" and that the staff has to put out buckets in some of the worst areas. She was concerned most that the children’s area, in addition to being the most damaged, is also the most used. She also pointed out that children tended to stay longer in the library than the adults as well.
Board approves new playground
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — The Barnstead school board unanimously approved the expenditure of $30,000 for the Barnstead Elementary school playground. The new playground, which will be metallic, will be put in over the summer. The playground will include a picnic table, which was just donated by a local business, as well as a park bench with a plaque remembering former special education paraprofessional and morning crossing guard Linda Jeziorkowski or "Mrs. J." Known as the "smiling crossing guard," Mrs. J died April 18.
The playground committee was actually able to raise more money, in concert with the budgeted monies and a town warrant article, than the cost of the playground. The additional money would be used for mulch and other maintenance, according to Lisa Goodwin of the Playground Committee. The committee, which interviewed five companies in Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine and in New Hampshire, saved nearly $9,000 in choosing the company they did.
The board also unanimously approved a facilities use request by the Locke Lake Colony Association to hold their annual meeting in the gym.
Interim Principal Michael Tocci also reported that enrollment in grades one and six would lead to a reduction in the number of sections offered next year. The current second and seventh grades have three sections, and next year would be reduced to two, because of smaller classes in those particular grades. Tocci added that an increase in enrollment might also lead to a reassessing of the situation.
Tocci also mentioned that the school had been having issues with the fire alarms in recent days. He said that the alarm had gone off twice in a row last week, and a look at the detectors in the area revealed them to be dirty. After cleaning them off, the problem was seemingly fixed…until the fire alarm went off again. Tocci said the problem might well be a bare wire, which wouldn’t trip a single detector, but would set off the system. Tocci said that the system would be silenced in the area with the problem while someone looked at the wiring to determine the problem.
Tocci also mentioned that the staffing at the middle school will be shifting slightly. Sixth graders will now be taught health classes, joining the seventh and eighth grades, and there will be a section of eighth grade algebra. He went on to explain that all eighth graders will be taught algebraic concepts to prepare them for freshmen math courses, in consultation with Prospect Mountain High School, but that some students, through a testing program, would be placed in an algebra class that may end up giving them high school credit. Tocci added that the school will be holding a Memorial Day assembly on May 27 at 8:30 a.m.
District Business Administrator Donna Clairmont informed the board that new tables and benches for the cafeteria would be ordered. While not replacing all of the current equipment at once, the district will be replacing the rest in a rolling cycle.
The board will hold a goal-setting meeting, which may include updating current goals and policies, on May 31, and hold a regular meeting June 14.
Local Author Goes through Heaven and Hell
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
WOLFEBORO — Tuftonboro author, and former teacher, Duke Southard got serious he says, about writing after retiring from teaching at Kingswood Regional High School. He’s published three books, including one set primarily in the Lakes region. But his latest book, frankly, is one he never wanted to write.
"The Week from Heaven and Hell" is a tribute by Southard to his son, Captain Gary Southard, who died thirteen years ago this month. The title refers to the week that brought Capt. Southard, who was 29 at the time, home from service in the Army (he was a West Point graduate), to attend the wedding of his sister (also a West Point graduate). Southard describes those first few days as "a long family reunion."
That Thursday afternoon, however, brought tragedy. Capt. Southard’s heart gave out, and he passed away, only two days before his sister’s wedding. The elder Southard describes his son as being in "great physical condition," making his sudden death all the more tragic.
That Saturday, Duke Southard faced one of the most tragic emotional dichotomies any father would ever, and likely will ever, have to face. He describes by asking "How many people pick out a casket for their son Saturday morning, and walk their daughter down the aisle Saturday Afternoon?"
"The Week from Heaven and Hell" is not merely a tribute to a son lost before his time, however. Southard says he also wrote the book as a tribute to the community of Tuftonboro, which rallied around Southard and his family.
"Tuftonboro was incredible," he says. "I wanted to write this book because it says special things about the community."
He also credits the Melvin Village Community Church with helping his family through the difficult times, saying he "wouldn’t know what to do without them."
Not surprisingly, Southard found the book difficult to write. He says that while working on his other books ("A Favor Returned" and "Agent for Justice") he did do some work on the book that would become "The Week from Heaven and Hell." He added, "writing this book makes you pretty vulnerable. It’s a very personal book." In the aftermath of his son’s death, Southard said that he felt a "numbness" and credited "drawing strength from my daughters and wife" for his getting through the situation.
The book, which uses several different writing styles, some parts are set up almost like a diary, some are more "straight" prose, was published on an "on-demand" basis. Southard explained that because some of those who helped his family through the death of his son are facing medical problems, he "wanted to get the book out" in order to give them their proper due.
While his son did not serve in the Gulf, Southard does say that he has an appreciation for the military, heightened by his children’s experience at West Point.
"(My children) were more compassionate people when they both left West point," he says, adding that "the West Point experience was powerful" for his son. Southard’s daughter graduated in one of the first cadet classes to include women at the service academy.
Still, Southard hopes that by putting this tribute to his son and community on paper, that he will truly be able to thank everyone for helping he and his family through unspeakable tragedy.
Phillip tells it like it is, and like it was (more or less)
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
Wolfeboro — Deane Phillips is a storyteller. Not just figuratively, he really is a storyteller. Groups from around the state and New England have been entertained and enlightened by his stories of his experiences in World War II. He has also done the same for seniors in the area, with a series of stories about growing up in the 30s and 40s. But through his work at the Wright Museum, and on his own as a professional storyteller, Deane Phillips tries to bring the war to a younger generation.
Phillips’ book, "The Saga of Snooty Seven" is the retelling of his experiences (some fictionalized) in the Pacific Theatre. The book itself is organized around a central story, the slow breakdown of the "LST" boat captain who commanded Phillips’ ship. Phillips described how the captain, after getting caught in the surf while landing at Okinawa, began to drink grain alcohol, set his own mattress on fire and later chased the Chief Engineer around the boat with a monkey wrench. This "crack up," as Phillips describes it, eventually led to the captain being relieved of command.
Many of the stories are also taken from a column written by Phillips while a student at Amherst College. His "Letters to June" column brought home what was happening to the students, and eventually gave Phillips the material necessary for a book.
Phillips spoke to more than 20 school groups last year at the Wright Museum and at school functions. Phillips got into storytelling almost by chance.
"I was a lay minister in the Methodist church, he explains, "and one day the minister at our church had a heart attack. I substituted and began telling stories."
Phillips has been a professional storyteller for 10 years, and a part of the Wright museum for four.
One of the interesting aspects of Phillips’ book is the language. While some authors might be tempted to sanitize the language used by soldiers during wartime, Phillips says that he had tried to be as authentic as possible.
"We didn’t say ‘Good gracious, here comes a kamikaze’, that’s not the way we talked."
Perhaps because of this, Phillips says his book is "possibly more adult, but high school students also enjoy the stories as well."
Phillips also admitted to carrying a little more with him after the war than just his stories. Like many other veterans of the Pacific Theatre, he said he brought home with him certain racial ill will at the end of the war. He explains that the commanders believed that it "helps to kill if you think they’re (the Japanese) rotten." Phillips said that an enjoyable encounter with a Japanese visitor many years ago changed he mind, he even offered up a thank you to his former enemy for showing him that he had been in error.
Phillips’ stories, from the humorous stories about shore leave misadventures to stories of the invasions he took part in, have been sold to short story anthologies as well as serving as chapters in his book.
Memorial Day brings special significance to Phillips. One of his first speaking engagements was at a Memorial Day parade in 1946, where he told the story of his friendship with Obed "Obie" Slingerlands, a good friend who was lost in combat, and to whom "The Sage of Snooty Seven" is dedicated.
Copies of the book can be purchased at the Country Book Seller, the Wright Museum and from the author.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Keeping Above Water
So its been a while. The last couple of weeks have kept me extraordinarily busy. I had seven stories last week, this week, ten, yes, ten. Its really great to be keeping busy though, and I've been able to get into a nice flow and into a bit of a routine, which I find helps things go by much faster. Its hard for me to believe, with the tangible evidence before me in the form of stories and miles, how busy I've been since I've been here, and how quickly the time has flown by. Next week will mark my second full month here, and its really shocking me to see everything rush by.
I must say that I'm very happy that the filibuster compromise came down. While we have to swallow a few bad judges, the protection of the filibuster in the Senate remains, which is good. The real interesting question is what this does to Bill Frist's presidential ambitions. He only has a limited time left as majority leader (he's retiring in 2006), and so far, with one of the largest Senate majorities in recent memory, he's been able to get almost nothing of significance through, with the possible exception of drilling in ANWR. That's it, that's all this Senate has produced so far out of Bush's agenda, there's not Patriot Act II, Missile defense system, and obviously, no overhaul of Social Security. So far, the political capital the president said he had after the election has been spent incredibly poorly. Frist's chances hinge on being able to deliver to the James Dobson wing of the party now, so that they won't fall head over heels for Sam Brownback and George Allen, the real true believers, in the primaries. McCain has a constituency, but by committing what Lawrence O'Donnell called on Huffington Post the greatest act of political courage this century, he's shown he is still a major player who can work with both sides.
I have noticed though, that around cable news and on blogs, conservatives seem to be seeing the country as being in crisis, like we're losing our grip on something, whether its the culture wars or something else. But for some reason, with control of every branch of government, there's still this totally illogical belief that they are somehow oppressed by the establishment, when they, in fact, are the establishment.
By the way, it should be noted that this state's neighbor to the south has not yet been sucked into the tenth circle of hell, nor have mothers and father's taken to the streets and begun cannibalizing their own children and each other since their state court legalized gay marriage last year. Maybe that should be a lesson to the rest of the country to start looking at this issue in terms of the here and now, and not in some calamitous future where we marry fruit bats.
I must say that I'm very happy that the filibuster compromise came down. While we have to swallow a few bad judges, the protection of the filibuster in the Senate remains, which is good. The real interesting question is what this does to Bill Frist's presidential ambitions. He only has a limited time left as majority leader (he's retiring in 2006), and so far, with one of the largest Senate majorities in recent memory, he's been able to get almost nothing of significance through, with the possible exception of drilling in ANWR. That's it, that's all this Senate has produced so far out of Bush's agenda, there's not Patriot Act II, Missile defense system, and obviously, no overhaul of Social Security. So far, the political capital the president said he had after the election has been spent incredibly poorly. Frist's chances hinge on being able to deliver to the James Dobson wing of the party now, so that they won't fall head over heels for Sam Brownback and George Allen, the real true believers, in the primaries. McCain has a constituency, but by committing what Lawrence O'Donnell called on Huffington Post the greatest act of political courage this century, he's shown he is still a major player who can work with both sides.
I have noticed though, that around cable news and on blogs, conservatives seem to be seeing the country as being in crisis, like we're losing our grip on something, whether its the culture wars or something else. But for some reason, with control of every branch of government, there's still this totally illogical belief that they are somehow oppressed by the establishment, when they, in fact, are the establishment.
By the way, it should be noted that this state's neighbor to the south has not yet been sucked into the tenth circle of hell, nor have mothers and father's taken to the streets and begun cannibalizing their own children and each other since their state court legalized gay marriage last year. Maybe that should be a lesson to the rest of the country to start looking at this issue in terms of the here and now, and not in some calamitous future where we marry fruit bats.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Stories
Ok, so here are this week's stories, I'll give everyone an update on things tomorrow:
Fire House meeting gets hot
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 5 meeting of the committee investigating possible options for the New Durham fire station was still engendering heated emotions at the Board of Selectmen workshop six days later on May 11.
Local police responded to the May 5 meeting after an argument ensued between members of the public and town officials. No one was charged.
Interpretations vary as to what exactly happened prior to the meeting between Town Administrator William Herman, Fire Chief John Nicastro, committee member Linscott "Skip" Fadden, and Planning Board alternate George Gale. Each side sees the events unfolding differently, and both sides take issue with the other’s viewpoints. Questions as basic as who was in the library at the time are in question, as are some statements made in the police report, filed by Patrolman Lloyd Gifford. About the only thing agreed upon by all parties is that George Gale began setting up video equipment in the town library, in preparation for the 7 p.m. meeting, approximately 15 minutes beforehand.
Gale says that around that time, Herman arrived and began talking to the chairman of the committee, Gullmar Nelson. He said that Fire Chief John Nicastro then arrived, and begin yelling at Gale for trying to tape the meeting. Gale also said that Nicastro used profanity, in addition to raising his voice, and that there were children in the library at the time. He said that Nicastro was "standing in my face, screaming." Gale stated that Herman also yelled at him (Gale), stating that the town administrator "suddenly had a huge objection (to having the meeting filmed)." "They said they were going to have me arrested for filming the meeting," Gale alleges. He said that what he characterized as "excuses" for not allowing him to film the meeting shifted. Gale said, "At first it was that it (the meeting) could not be filmed, then shifted into ‘you took the camera from Betsy Booth’s office.’" (Booth denies this, saying that the town’s camera is kept in the Land Use office. The Land Use office confirmed that they had given the camera to Gale earlier that day.).
Gale also alleges that perhaps Herman and Nicastro knew ahead of time what they were going to do. "I find it hard to believe that Herman didn’t know ahead of time (that Gale was taking the camera to film the meeting). The whole thing could have been scripted from the start." After Officer Gifford arrived (the police had been called), Gale says that he was asked to go outside to discuss the matter. He also alleges that Herman and Nicastro made false statements to the police regarding Gale taking the camera from Booth’s office, as well as indicating to officer Gifford that Gale did not have permission to film the meeting, which was necessary for it to be broadcast.
Herman’s account differs from Gale’s. Herman said that upon arriving at the meeting, he talked to Nelson, specifically about getting the committee to vote on whether or not they desired to be broadcast. He said that Gale approached him at that point, and that he, Herman, raised the objection to filming the meeting for broadcast, citing an unwritten rule of Wolfeboro Community TV that allows committees to decide whether they desired to be filmed for the purposes of being broadcast on Wolfeboro Community TV. He also said that he did not see any children in the library, and that he did not see Nicastro come in initially (Nicastro also denies yelling and swearing at Gale). The issue, Herman said, besides the issue of the unwritten rule, was that of "town property and its appropriate use." Herman said that "no one has been denied their right to film," saying that Gale would have every right to film with his own camera. "Committees have always had the right to decide to be broadcast over community access." Herman said. The town of New Durham, having contributed funds to Wolfeboro Community TV, is considered the owner of the camera, though the camera does say "Wolfeboro Community TV" on it.
The fireworks of the night did not end with Gale going outside to talk to the police. Fadden arrived, he says, around 7 pm. He saw Gale outside with the officer, and was told by Gale that he was not being allowed to film the meeting. Herman, Fadden says, was at the meeting to review the Right-to-Know laws with the committee (Herman says that this was the case, that he and Selectman Ron Gehl were there to talk about the issue, but that never took place). Fadden then began reading the "Right-to-Know law" to the committee, believing that they were "looking for anything to keep him (Gale) from taping the meeting." Fadden then said that Herman shouted, above the din of voices at the meeting, "you’re wrong" at Fadden, and then Fadden yelled back "No Mr. Herman, you’re wrong." Herman denied yelling at Fadden, though he did agree that they had an exchange. The police report says that the two men had to be separated, and that Fadden was taken outside. Fadden then said that he became upset, because he, a member of the committee was being taken outside, and Herman, who is listed as a resident of Concord on the police report, should have been, given that he is not a town resident. According to Herman, Chief Shawn Bernier, Chairman Nelson and himself told Fadden that if he and Gale got their own camera they could tape the meeting. Gale then drove Fadden home, and they unsuccessfully looked for a camera. In the meantime, the meeting began, and the committee voted to allow meetings to be recorded for broadcast, provided that Kathy Merrill, the town’s land use clerk, or a designee tape the meeting. Fadden then returned to the meeting, where discussion continued on what had taken place. He believes that members of the committee were "misled" by Herman about the Right-to-Know law, and that by denying Gale the ability to film with the town’s camera, they were effectively violating that law. Herman said that no such violation took place, especially since the committee did not deny Gale the right to tape with his own camera.
Fadden, still fuming about what happened, advised the Board of Selectmen last week that he believed that they may need legal counsel to look into the events of May 5. The selectmen agreed to look at the letter, as well as revise the town’s policy on the filming of meetings for broadcast. Meanwhile, Gale has, according to Bernier, decided to file a complaint alleging that he was threatened as well as assaulted at the meeting prior to the arrival of the police department. With the case being reopened, the police department was unable to make further comment about the incident before the arrival of Officer Gifford and Chief Bernier.
(See related story, page 1)
Local family runs Co-op, has their own energy saving plan
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Dan Barraford is proud of the co-op he and his wife, Cate, have helped put together since 1999. Operating out of their Barnstead home, and working on both the co-op and their main business, a publishing company, the family has helped to save thousands for families throughout the area during the winter months, and increasingly, summer as well.
By pooling the purchasing power of its 3,800 members, the Barrafords’ Co-op, Our Town Energy Choice, was able to save consumers between 70 and 80 cents for their per-gallon cost on propane last year. Barraford describes the co-op’s first years as a "charity." He says that a hike in oil and propane prices in 1999 inspired him to begin his project.
"We recruited senior citizens in Alton and Barnstead to go in together," he says of his first year setting up the co-op, " and we were able to pool pricing." "pricing for volume"
Barraford says, is cheaper than the alternative, because of the pooled pricing. He also said that at the end of that first year, there were over 500 families involved. Membership fees were instituted the next year.
Barraford says that his co-op, which serves families in Massachusetts and Maine as well as throughout New Hampshire, serves mostly residents and businesses, but has also counted the Alton school district and the Governor Wentworth school district as members in the past. While still primarily focusing on heating costs, the co-op has expanded into areas like phone service and Internet access, as well as providing discounted Canadian pharmaceuticals for seniors in the area.
For many, membership fees are waived in cases of severe hardship. Barbara Itchkawich, of Alton, says that she has been a part of the co-op since the first year and that she is, "very pleased" with her decision.
"It’s helped me out, its helped a lot of people out," she says.
That sentiment is echoed by Kathy Secirano of New Durham, who says that her family has been involved "for a couple of years" and that it has "saved us money."
In the style of "practicing what they preach" the Barrafords have also made another money saving change. They have converted one of their cars to run on vegetable oil. The conversion, which only works on diesel engines, which Barraford says were originally designed to be run on peanut oil, involves a kit which can be purchased online for between $700 and $800. Barraford said that he then paid a mechanic an additional $800 to do the conversion, but says that anyone could do it themselves "if they’re handy." The oil, which Barraford receives free from local restaurants is filtered for impurities and then heated, till it hits the same viscosity as diesel fuel. The car he says, takes some time to warm up in the before it can be started, five minutes in the summer and 10 in the winter, in order to heat the vegetable oil to the proper temperature, but that when the car runs "you can run it for free."
Barraford says he will soon be converting his other car to run the same way. He also says that the car gets the same mileage and power as if it were running on diesel fuel, but emits 60 percent fewer emissions, and that those emissions are biodegradable. When talking about his car, Barraford seems to be perpetually grinning, knowing that he’s no longer paying high gas prices.
Local Academy hosts big tournament this summer.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Meg Jones has been running the Kwoon Karate Academy of Self Defense in Alton for almost three years. In that time, she’s seen thousands of kicks, punches and chops from everyone from small children to adults at her downtown location. This June, however, the academy will be stepping out a bit.
The academy’s staff, students and families will be playing host to participants in a large multinational tournament, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Crown Championship, to be held in Manchester, at the Radisson Hotel, on June 10 and 11. Jones, who was tabbed as the female instructor of the year in 2004 by the Hall of Fame, says that the parents of students will be participating in running the events of the tournament, while many of the academy’s students will be competing in the tournament itself. According to Jones the academy was asked by The Hall of Fame’s founder, Dr. E.A. Moore, to host the tournament last year. "We’ve been working on it ever since," she says.
In addition to the normal events associated with this tournament, which includes a world-class karate tournament featuring 200 to 300 competitors from South Africa, Canada, the British Virgin Islands and across the United States, as well as a ceremony and dinner to induct new members into the Hall of Fame, the Academy will be conducting a charity event as well. Though the nature of that event, according to Jones, it will either be a kick-a-thon or a break-a-thon (where participants would break boards), depending on whether they receive donations from local lumber companies, is still up in the air, the proceeds from that will go to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for cancer research. Jones also mentioned that several New Hampshire residents would be up for induction into the hall of fame.
Information on the event can be obtained by calling 603-875-1171. Jones says that admission to the tournament is open to the public at a cost of $5 each. There are also seminars being offered by various speakers at the tournament, and the public is also able to purchase tickets to the induction dinner and ceremony.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — With two selectmen away from the meeting – Mike Akstin was on vacation and Jack O’Neil was attending a hearing in Concord – the three remaining selectmen met to primarily discuss the town website, as well as deal with other matters.
The longest portion of the night’s proceedings was a presentation by Scott Sainsbury, of Verity Creative, about his plans for a potential town website. Sainsbury, who is currently working on a website for the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce after a great success with his site theboros.com (Tuftonboro, Moultonborough, and Wolfeboro), presented his own experience and the possible options that he could offer the town website if he were chosen to create the site.
The site, as proposed by Sainsbury, would be a sort of "one-stop shop" for resources in Barnstead. He mentioned that local businesses, including realtors, as well as the town government might use the site, which might attract more visitors to the site using search engines. Gordon Preston mentioned that he sees many selling points about Barnstead, saying, "we’re right on the beaten path." "We’re the midpoint between Rochester, Manchester and Concord," he said, advocating that the town’s website be used not just to let people in the town know what was going on with town government, but also serve as a way of attracting businesses to potentially locate themselves in Barnstead as well.
Selectmen Ed Tasker asked Sainsbury, at the end of his presentation, about the potential costs for the town of putting a fairly large site, like Sainsbury was proposing as a possibility, and also how quickly the site could be up and running. Sainsbury replied that the cost would likely be less than what the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce paid, as Barnstead’s would likely be a smaller site, and that the hosting fees on the servers he used was "not as expensive as what others would charge." He also said that he could write a proposal for a website and a contract very quickly, and that the town could have a website developing within weeks of hiring him.
Other issues the selectmen touched on included the question of whether the town might be reimbursed for some, if not all, of the cost of using its manpower and equipment to clean up a car accident which happened in the town last week, which was estimated to have cost around $900. The selectmen agreed to ask the municipal organization if they can bill the insurance company for those services.
The selectmen also agreed to ask a town officer to pick up their exhibits from the Superior court offices in Laconia after no one appealed the town’s growth ordinance. They also agreed to ask the police department whether they believed that the town had gotten its money’s worth out of the Juvenile Court Diversion Program, which cost the town $3,500 for the year.
It was found that there was a $25,001 difference between the Selectmen’s budget and the town’s budget as decided at the town meeting, and that that money would now be put into a "selectmen’s miscellaneous fund" for the remainder of the year. The town approved a budget for more than what the Selectmen needed.
The Selectmen asked that those wishing to make announcements for meetings in The Baysider should please first schedule the use of the Town Hall with the Board of Selectmen.
Selectmen discuss Ethics, Recording policies
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 11 workshop meeting of the New Durham Board of Selectmen, held at the New Durham Library, grew more heated as it went along. While the primary focus of the meeting was on putting together a conflict of interest policy and a policy regarding Community TV, other issues sidetracked the meeting as it drew to a close.
After Selectmen Dwight Jones raised the issue of a conflict of interest policy, especially with regard to town officials becoming involved in the formal bidding process, at the last workshop meeting, held April 27, the selectmen investigated several possibilities to strengthen the town’s current policy, which was adopted in 1997. Selectmen Ron Gehl suggested, along with chairman Dean Stimpson, that policies in Antioch and Raymond, which were similar in many ways, were good templates for the board to follow. Jones was intrigued by the long list of definitions both policies had, which would help to clear up any possible misinterpretation of anything in the policy. Gehl and Stimpson also said that they would like to see such a conflict on interest policy separate from a purchasing policy, in order to avoid future confusion. The Selectmen agreed to work on a policy, taking, in Jones’ words, "the best of each one" and then getting together and finalizing a policy that would be best for New Durham’s situation. George Gale, who had brought a copy of the 1996 draft of the current policy, asked the board why it had been, to use Gale’s words "gutted" in the final version. Stimpson replied, looking a bit frustrated with the question, that "that’s a moot point. It’s over and done with" and that the board was looking to improve the current policy, not rehash how that policy came to be.
The group also looked at possibilities for a new, written policy regarding Community TV and video recording of meetings. Both Gehl and Town Administrator William Herman, had put together their own drafts for such a policy, and both were distributed to the Board at the meeting. Gehl’s policy was distributed to members of the community and began with a preamble, the text of the Right to Know law. Each draft made provisions to allow ordinary citizens the right to broadcast any such meetings, and provided guidance for what committees would be broadcast as a requirement and which committees could decide for themselves. Herman used as an example, the Conservation Commission, which chose not to record its meetings for broadcast. Community member Skip Fadden hoped that the selectmen would add language saying that would apply to all public officials in the town, and that any potential conflicts would err on the side of the "right-to-know" law. There was some question about how best to manage tapes at the town office, with Herman suggesting that the Clerk’s office did not want to have to handle sending tapes up to Wolfeboro as well as logging tapes in and out. He added that while some in the town offices "would like to be responsible, as long as someone is responsible," referring to the fact that volunteers are now mostly responsible for getting tapes to the Community TV station.
George Gale also suggested that some provision be made, giving only the Board authority to decide to destroy tapes, saying that in the past he had been told that tapes had been destroyed at Town Hall. Herman denied this saying that it was "news to us," that tapes had been destroyed, and saying that Gale had never logged a complaint stating as such.
There was also some question about how community groups might use town equipment, and what the ownership of that recording was. Community member Cathy Orlowicz said that she was confused by the placement of that section in Gehl’s draft and suggested moving it to another spot.
The meeting turned very heated at the end of the discussion of recordings, as some community members were upset by what they perceived as heavy-handed tactics by some in the town administration at the May 5 meeting of the Fire Station committee (see related story, page xxx). Stimpson seemed frustrated by this saying that it was a "rehash of something that happened, an unfortunate thing that happened." Fadden p-resented the board with a letter asking them to consider investigating the incident. The board will meet again May 18, after the next Baysider goes to press, but that meeting will be covered in our May 26 issue.
A special place in Barnstead is a Yankee best
BY Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — When Harold and Cynthia Huckaby arrived in New Hampshire in 1974, and purchased their eighteenth-century home, they wanted, according to Harold Huckaby "a place to raise our children."
In the years following though, their home became much more than that. The restaurant that the Huckabys opened in 1976 in their home, The Crystal Quail, has become renowned throughout the area, and was just recently a recipient of an "Editor’s Choice endorsement" from Yankee magazine, as a place that no traveler to New England should miss.
The Huckabys grow much of their own vegetables, along with spices and their own herbs, in their organic garden behind their home. The dining room seats only about 12-14 people, but the restaurant has received almost universally positive reviews and counts many fans, including longtime Washington Post columnist David Broder and Evelyn Lincoln, the former personal secretary for John F. Kennedy.
Still, the business of running the restaurant is still largely the same for the Huckabys as it was 29 years ago, when they opened. Harold Huckaby says that he begins work on a day’s menu "whenever I get up. There’s a lot of hours that go into preparation. Sometimes there will be days worth of preparation." Huckaby says the traditionally busiest season for the restaurant is in the summer and into the early fall, but that they do operate all year, from Wednesdays through Sundays.
While Huckaby is not quick to label the restaurant’s food as fitting into any particular style he says that he and his wife "draw on everything we’re exposed to. We’ll use that, try that (techniques and styles) on anything we have on hand."
Much of the food is also organic, "as much as possibly can be," says Huckaby, "but sometimes it cant’ be. But for the most part it is, especially when it comes through the garden."
The Huckabys do their own composting, and much of their lettuce and other greens come from the garden, as do their cabbages and other root vegetables. Huckaby describes his wife’s style of planting as her own. "She allows things to grow where they want to. It’s a very Japanese style. If things reseed themselves, she’ll let them stay." Some vegetables, he says, like lettuce, will come up two or three times in a season, which helps keep salads and vegetables du jour fresh.
The meats that the Huckabys carry, such as game bird or wild boar, might be considered exotic, but Huckaby disagrees, saying that "it isn’t exotic for ‘exotics sake.’" He says that he tries to combine different flavors and that those tastes often determine how he has to prepare the food. He describes it all as "a very creative process."
The land that the restaurant now stands on was once a main road through the area. Several times, the Huckabys have found ox bows and sled runners, from when the home’s owners serviced oxen teams.
Harold Huckaby says that the Crystal Quail has been good to him and his family. "We’ve made our way, and the lifestyle has kept me in good health." With continued recognition and acclaim, the restaurant would seem to be a likely constant fixture of the area for years to come.
Award given at Board of Selectmen meeting
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Local victim’s rights advocate and artist Florence Holway was presented with an award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at the May 16 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Lynda Ruell, a victim’s advocate working in the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, presented Holway with the award, calling her a "survivor and a voice" and being instrumental in toughening New Hampshire’s rape laws and raising awareness of sexual violence in the state, and eventually around the nation, following an HBO documentary made about her which aired in January. The center awarded Holway, one of only three people in the nation to receive the award this year, for her "effectiveness" in promoting awareness. Holway was presented with a framed award certificate, and thanked the many friends and family who attended for coming to see her receive the award.
After a short break the board returned to discuss other matters. The board granted two easements on barns that were being preserved, awarding the full 75 percent to each owner. The board also voted in favor of establishing small fees for certain electronics in the town’s electronic recycling program. Televisions and computer monitors of less than 19 inches would be charged $5; above 19 inches would be charged $10. All other electronic items would be free to recycle. Selectmen Peter Shibley noted that the town was trying to recoup some of the money that it costs to haul away those large items.
The selectmen went on to approve the town’s hazard mitigation plan, as well.
Selectmen Alan Sherwood wanted to remind citizens that the Household Hazardous waste collection say is Saturday, and that directions could be found on the town website. He also noted that the Planning Board, because of the volume of cases in front of it, would be spreading their May 17 meeting over two nights, with the meeting continuing into May 18 (look for coverage in next week’s Baysider).
Town Administrator Russell Bailey noted that the rescue vehicle the town had approved two years ago would be arriving soon, and that the old rescue vehicle would be donated to the Red Cross upon the arrival of the new vehicle.
The board, convening as the Board of Health granted waivers for septic tanks and leech banks at three locations, one on Woodlands Rd. and the other two on Varney Rd.
The main order of business, and the most controversial of the night, proved to be the denial of a permit sought by the Barbershoppers to sell alcohol on town property. The Barbershoppers were hoping to have a beer tent at their upcoming event in Alton Bay. While Peter Shibley noted that the group had never had any problems before relating to alcohol, a majority of the board was very hesitant to "set a precedent" with regards to serving beer on town property or near Alton Bay. Cris Blackstone noted that she had received several phone calls from citizens saying that "they weren’t interested in beer sales on town property." After it became clear that the beer tent would be denied, Shibley noted sarcastically that the Barbershopper’s might consider relocating to Madison, N.H., where, he said, the town passed an ordinance allowing people to drink on the streets. The permit was denied by a 3-2 vote.
Other issues included concerns about the town’s policies regarding animal control and smoking in public places, in particular the ballpark. A public hearing on those issues will likely be scheduled soon, so the selectmen could receive citizens’ thoughts on the matter. The selectmen also agreed to put out a mailing reminding townspeople to be compliant with the town’s E911 ordinance, which requires signals for emergency vehicles to spot a home at night. Bailey said that he did not want the fire department to "waste time trying to find houses." The motion passed 4-1, with Shibley dissenting. The selectmen also authorized the use of $3,100 in funds earmarked to renovate the B & M caboose for the B & M Railroad Park, as well as authorized tearing down an equipment shed in the area which is considered unsafe.
Fire House meeting gets hot
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 5 meeting of the committee investigating possible options for the New Durham fire station was still engendering heated emotions at the Board of Selectmen workshop six days later on May 11.
Local police responded to the May 5 meeting after an argument ensued between members of the public and town officials. No one was charged.
Interpretations vary as to what exactly happened prior to the meeting between Town Administrator William Herman, Fire Chief John Nicastro, committee member Linscott "Skip" Fadden, and Planning Board alternate George Gale. Each side sees the events unfolding differently, and both sides take issue with the other’s viewpoints. Questions as basic as who was in the library at the time are in question, as are some statements made in the police report, filed by Patrolman Lloyd Gifford. About the only thing agreed upon by all parties is that George Gale began setting up video equipment in the town library, in preparation for the 7 p.m. meeting, approximately 15 minutes beforehand.
Gale says that around that time, Herman arrived and began talking to the chairman of the committee, Gullmar Nelson. He said that Fire Chief John Nicastro then arrived, and begin yelling at Gale for trying to tape the meeting. Gale also said that Nicastro used profanity, in addition to raising his voice, and that there were children in the library at the time. He said that Nicastro was "standing in my face, screaming." Gale stated that Herman also yelled at him (Gale), stating that the town administrator "suddenly had a huge objection (to having the meeting filmed)." "They said they were going to have me arrested for filming the meeting," Gale alleges. He said that what he characterized as "excuses" for not allowing him to film the meeting shifted. Gale said, "At first it was that it (the meeting) could not be filmed, then shifted into ‘you took the camera from Betsy Booth’s office.’" (Booth denies this, saying that the town’s camera is kept in the Land Use office. The Land Use office confirmed that they had given the camera to Gale earlier that day.).
Gale also alleges that perhaps Herman and Nicastro knew ahead of time what they were going to do. "I find it hard to believe that Herman didn’t know ahead of time (that Gale was taking the camera to film the meeting). The whole thing could have been scripted from the start." After Officer Gifford arrived (the police had been called), Gale says that he was asked to go outside to discuss the matter. He also alleges that Herman and Nicastro made false statements to the police regarding Gale taking the camera from Booth’s office, as well as indicating to officer Gifford that Gale did not have permission to film the meeting, which was necessary for it to be broadcast.
Herman’s account differs from Gale’s. Herman said that upon arriving at the meeting, he talked to Nelson, specifically about getting the committee to vote on whether or not they desired to be broadcast. He said that Gale approached him at that point, and that he, Herman, raised the objection to filming the meeting for broadcast, citing an unwritten rule of Wolfeboro Community TV that allows committees to decide whether they desired to be filmed for the purposes of being broadcast on Wolfeboro Community TV. He also said that he did not see any children in the library, and that he did not see Nicastro come in initially (Nicastro also denies yelling and swearing at Gale). The issue, Herman said, besides the issue of the unwritten rule, was that of "town property and its appropriate use." Herman said that "no one has been denied their right to film," saying that Gale would have every right to film with his own camera. "Committees have always had the right to decide to be broadcast over community access." Herman said. The town of New Durham, having contributed funds to Wolfeboro Community TV, is considered the owner of the camera, though the camera does say "Wolfeboro Community TV" on it.
The fireworks of the night did not end with Gale going outside to talk to the police. Fadden arrived, he says, around 7 pm. He saw Gale outside with the officer, and was told by Gale that he was not being allowed to film the meeting. Herman, Fadden says, was at the meeting to review the Right-to-Know laws with the committee (Herman says that this was the case, that he and Selectman Ron Gehl were there to talk about the issue, but that never took place). Fadden then began reading the "Right-to-Know law" to the committee, believing that they were "looking for anything to keep him (Gale) from taping the meeting." Fadden then said that Herman shouted, above the din of voices at the meeting, "you’re wrong" at Fadden, and then Fadden yelled back "No Mr. Herman, you’re wrong." Herman denied yelling at Fadden, though he did agree that they had an exchange. The police report says that the two men had to be separated, and that Fadden was taken outside. Fadden then said that he became upset, because he, a member of the committee was being taken outside, and Herman, who is listed as a resident of Concord on the police report, should have been, given that he is not a town resident. According to Herman, Chief Shawn Bernier, Chairman Nelson and himself told Fadden that if he and Gale got their own camera they could tape the meeting. Gale then drove Fadden home, and they unsuccessfully looked for a camera. In the meantime, the meeting began, and the committee voted to allow meetings to be recorded for broadcast, provided that Kathy Merrill, the town’s land use clerk, or a designee tape the meeting. Fadden then returned to the meeting, where discussion continued on what had taken place. He believes that members of the committee were "misled" by Herman about the Right-to-Know law, and that by denying Gale the ability to film with the town’s camera, they were effectively violating that law. Herman said that no such violation took place, especially since the committee did not deny Gale the right to tape with his own camera.
Fadden, still fuming about what happened, advised the Board of Selectmen last week that he believed that they may need legal counsel to look into the events of May 5. The selectmen agreed to look at the letter, as well as revise the town’s policy on the filming of meetings for broadcast. Meanwhile, Gale has, according to Bernier, decided to file a complaint alleging that he was threatened as well as assaulted at the meeting prior to the arrival of the police department. With the case being reopened, the police department was unable to make further comment about the incident before the arrival of Officer Gifford and Chief Bernier.
(See related story, page 1)
Local family runs Co-op, has their own energy saving plan
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Dan Barraford is proud of the co-op he and his wife, Cate, have helped put together since 1999. Operating out of their Barnstead home, and working on both the co-op and their main business, a publishing company, the family has helped to save thousands for families throughout the area during the winter months, and increasingly, summer as well.
By pooling the purchasing power of its 3,800 members, the Barrafords’ Co-op, Our Town Energy Choice, was able to save consumers between 70 and 80 cents for their per-gallon cost on propane last year. Barraford describes the co-op’s first years as a "charity." He says that a hike in oil and propane prices in 1999 inspired him to begin his project.
"We recruited senior citizens in Alton and Barnstead to go in together," he says of his first year setting up the co-op, " and we were able to pool pricing." "pricing for volume"
Barraford says, is cheaper than the alternative, because of the pooled pricing. He also said that at the end of that first year, there were over 500 families involved. Membership fees were instituted the next year.
Barraford says that his co-op, which serves families in Massachusetts and Maine as well as throughout New Hampshire, serves mostly residents and businesses, but has also counted the Alton school district and the Governor Wentworth school district as members in the past. While still primarily focusing on heating costs, the co-op has expanded into areas like phone service and Internet access, as well as providing discounted Canadian pharmaceuticals for seniors in the area.
For many, membership fees are waived in cases of severe hardship. Barbara Itchkawich, of Alton, says that she has been a part of the co-op since the first year and that she is, "very pleased" with her decision.
"It’s helped me out, its helped a lot of people out," she says.
That sentiment is echoed by Kathy Secirano of New Durham, who says that her family has been involved "for a couple of years" and that it has "saved us money."
In the style of "practicing what they preach" the Barrafords have also made another money saving change. They have converted one of their cars to run on vegetable oil. The conversion, which only works on diesel engines, which Barraford says were originally designed to be run on peanut oil, involves a kit which can be purchased online for between $700 and $800. Barraford said that he then paid a mechanic an additional $800 to do the conversion, but says that anyone could do it themselves "if they’re handy." The oil, which Barraford receives free from local restaurants is filtered for impurities and then heated, till it hits the same viscosity as diesel fuel. The car he says, takes some time to warm up in the before it can be started, five minutes in the summer and 10 in the winter, in order to heat the vegetable oil to the proper temperature, but that when the car runs "you can run it for free."
Barraford says he will soon be converting his other car to run the same way. He also says that the car gets the same mileage and power as if it were running on diesel fuel, but emits 60 percent fewer emissions, and that those emissions are biodegradable. When talking about his car, Barraford seems to be perpetually grinning, knowing that he’s no longer paying high gas prices.
Local Academy hosts big tournament this summer.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Meg Jones has been running the Kwoon Karate Academy of Self Defense in Alton for almost three years. In that time, she’s seen thousands of kicks, punches and chops from everyone from small children to adults at her downtown location. This June, however, the academy will be stepping out a bit.
The academy’s staff, students and families will be playing host to participants in a large multinational tournament, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Crown Championship, to be held in Manchester, at the Radisson Hotel, on June 10 and 11. Jones, who was tabbed as the female instructor of the year in 2004 by the Hall of Fame, says that the parents of students will be participating in running the events of the tournament, while many of the academy’s students will be competing in the tournament itself. According to Jones the academy was asked by The Hall of Fame’s founder, Dr. E.A. Moore, to host the tournament last year. "We’ve been working on it ever since," she says.
In addition to the normal events associated with this tournament, which includes a world-class karate tournament featuring 200 to 300 competitors from South Africa, Canada, the British Virgin Islands and across the United States, as well as a ceremony and dinner to induct new members into the Hall of Fame, the Academy will be conducting a charity event as well. Though the nature of that event, according to Jones, it will either be a kick-a-thon or a break-a-thon (where participants would break boards), depending on whether they receive donations from local lumber companies, is still up in the air, the proceeds from that will go to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for cancer research. Jones also mentioned that several New Hampshire residents would be up for induction into the hall of fame.
Information on the event can be obtained by calling 603-875-1171. Jones says that admission to the tournament is open to the public at a cost of $5 each. There are also seminars being offered by various speakers at the tournament, and the public is also able to purchase tickets to the induction dinner and ceremony.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — With two selectmen away from the meeting – Mike Akstin was on vacation and Jack O’Neil was attending a hearing in Concord – the three remaining selectmen met to primarily discuss the town website, as well as deal with other matters.
The longest portion of the night’s proceedings was a presentation by Scott Sainsbury, of Verity Creative, about his plans for a potential town website. Sainsbury, who is currently working on a website for the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce after a great success with his site theboros.com (Tuftonboro, Moultonborough, and Wolfeboro), presented his own experience and the possible options that he could offer the town website if he were chosen to create the site.
The site, as proposed by Sainsbury, would be a sort of "one-stop shop" for resources in Barnstead. He mentioned that local businesses, including realtors, as well as the town government might use the site, which might attract more visitors to the site using search engines. Gordon Preston mentioned that he sees many selling points about Barnstead, saying, "we’re right on the beaten path." "We’re the midpoint between Rochester, Manchester and Concord," he said, advocating that the town’s website be used not just to let people in the town know what was going on with town government, but also serve as a way of attracting businesses to potentially locate themselves in Barnstead as well.
Selectmen Ed Tasker asked Sainsbury, at the end of his presentation, about the potential costs for the town of putting a fairly large site, like Sainsbury was proposing as a possibility, and also how quickly the site could be up and running. Sainsbury replied that the cost would likely be less than what the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce paid, as Barnstead’s would likely be a smaller site, and that the hosting fees on the servers he used was "not as expensive as what others would charge." He also said that he could write a proposal for a website and a contract very quickly, and that the town could have a website developing within weeks of hiring him.
Other issues the selectmen touched on included the question of whether the town might be reimbursed for some, if not all, of the cost of using its manpower and equipment to clean up a car accident which happened in the town last week, which was estimated to have cost around $900. The selectmen agreed to ask the municipal organization if they can bill the insurance company for those services.
The selectmen also agreed to ask a town officer to pick up their exhibits from the Superior court offices in Laconia after no one appealed the town’s growth ordinance. They also agreed to ask the police department whether they believed that the town had gotten its money’s worth out of the Juvenile Court Diversion Program, which cost the town $3,500 for the year.
It was found that there was a $25,001 difference between the Selectmen’s budget and the town’s budget as decided at the town meeting, and that that money would now be put into a "selectmen’s miscellaneous fund" for the remainder of the year. The town approved a budget for more than what the Selectmen needed.
The Selectmen asked that those wishing to make announcements for meetings in The Baysider should please first schedule the use of the Town Hall with the Board of Selectmen.
Selectmen discuss Ethics, Recording policies
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 11 workshop meeting of the New Durham Board of Selectmen, held at the New Durham Library, grew more heated as it went along. While the primary focus of the meeting was on putting together a conflict of interest policy and a policy regarding Community TV, other issues sidetracked the meeting as it drew to a close.
After Selectmen Dwight Jones raised the issue of a conflict of interest policy, especially with regard to town officials becoming involved in the formal bidding process, at the last workshop meeting, held April 27, the selectmen investigated several possibilities to strengthen the town’s current policy, which was adopted in 1997. Selectmen Ron Gehl suggested, along with chairman Dean Stimpson, that policies in Antioch and Raymond, which were similar in many ways, were good templates for the board to follow. Jones was intrigued by the long list of definitions both policies had, which would help to clear up any possible misinterpretation of anything in the policy. Gehl and Stimpson also said that they would like to see such a conflict on interest policy separate from a purchasing policy, in order to avoid future confusion. The Selectmen agreed to work on a policy, taking, in Jones’ words, "the best of each one" and then getting together and finalizing a policy that would be best for New Durham’s situation. George Gale, who had brought a copy of the 1996 draft of the current policy, asked the board why it had been, to use Gale’s words "gutted" in the final version. Stimpson replied, looking a bit frustrated with the question, that "that’s a moot point. It’s over and done with" and that the board was looking to improve the current policy, not rehash how that policy came to be.
The group also looked at possibilities for a new, written policy regarding Community TV and video recording of meetings. Both Gehl and Town Administrator William Herman, had put together their own drafts for such a policy, and both were distributed to the Board at the meeting. Gehl’s policy was distributed to members of the community and began with a preamble, the text of the Right to Know law. Each draft made provisions to allow ordinary citizens the right to broadcast any such meetings, and provided guidance for what committees would be broadcast as a requirement and which committees could decide for themselves. Herman used as an example, the Conservation Commission, which chose not to record its meetings for broadcast. Community member Skip Fadden hoped that the selectmen would add language saying that would apply to all public officials in the town, and that any potential conflicts would err on the side of the "right-to-know" law. There was some question about how best to manage tapes at the town office, with Herman suggesting that the Clerk’s office did not want to have to handle sending tapes up to Wolfeboro as well as logging tapes in and out. He added that while some in the town offices "would like to be responsible, as long as someone is responsible," referring to the fact that volunteers are now mostly responsible for getting tapes to the Community TV station.
George Gale also suggested that some provision be made, giving only the Board authority to decide to destroy tapes, saying that in the past he had been told that tapes had been destroyed at Town Hall. Herman denied this saying that it was "news to us," that tapes had been destroyed, and saying that Gale had never logged a complaint stating as such.
There was also some question about how community groups might use town equipment, and what the ownership of that recording was. Community member Cathy Orlowicz said that she was confused by the placement of that section in Gehl’s draft and suggested moving it to another spot.
The meeting turned very heated at the end of the discussion of recordings, as some community members were upset by what they perceived as heavy-handed tactics by some in the town administration at the May 5 meeting of the Fire Station committee (see related story, page xxx). Stimpson seemed frustrated by this saying that it was a "rehash of something that happened, an unfortunate thing that happened." Fadden p-resented the board with a letter asking them to consider investigating the incident. The board will meet again May 18, after the next Baysider goes to press, but that meeting will be covered in our May 26 issue.
A special place in Barnstead is a Yankee best
BY Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — When Harold and Cynthia Huckaby arrived in New Hampshire in 1974, and purchased their eighteenth-century home, they wanted, according to Harold Huckaby "a place to raise our children."
In the years following though, their home became much more than that. The restaurant that the Huckabys opened in 1976 in their home, The Crystal Quail, has become renowned throughout the area, and was just recently a recipient of an "Editor’s Choice endorsement" from Yankee magazine, as a place that no traveler to New England should miss.
The Huckabys grow much of their own vegetables, along with spices and their own herbs, in their organic garden behind their home. The dining room seats only about 12-14 people, but the restaurant has received almost universally positive reviews and counts many fans, including longtime Washington Post columnist David Broder and Evelyn Lincoln, the former personal secretary for John F. Kennedy.
Still, the business of running the restaurant is still largely the same for the Huckabys as it was 29 years ago, when they opened. Harold Huckaby says that he begins work on a day’s menu "whenever I get up. There’s a lot of hours that go into preparation. Sometimes there will be days worth of preparation." Huckaby says the traditionally busiest season for the restaurant is in the summer and into the early fall, but that they do operate all year, from Wednesdays through Sundays.
While Huckaby is not quick to label the restaurant’s food as fitting into any particular style he says that he and his wife "draw on everything we’re exposed to. We’ll use that, try that (techniques and styles) on anything we have on hand."
Much of the food is also organic, "as much as possibly can be," says Huckaby, "but sometimes it cant’ be. But for the most part it is, especially when it comes through the garden."
The Huckabys do their own composting, and much of their lettuce and other greens come from the garden, as do their cabbages and other root vegetables. Huckaby describes his wife’s style of planting as her own. "She allows things to grow where they want to. It’s a very Japanese style. If things reseed themselves, she’ll let them stay." Some vegetables, he says, like lettuce, will come up two or three times in a season, which helps keep salads and vegetables du jour fresh.
The meats that the Huckabys carry, such as game bird or wild boar, might be considered exotic, but Huckaby disagrees, saying that "it isn’t exotic for ‘exotics sake.’" He says that he tries to combine different flavors and that those tastes often determine how he has to prepare the food. He describes it all as "a very creative process."
The land that the restaurant now stands on was once a main road through the area. Several times, the Huckabys have found ox bows and sled runners, from when the home’s owners serviced oxen teams.
Harold Huckaby says that the Crystal Quail has been good to him and his family. "We’ve made our way, and the lifestyle has kept me in good health." With continued recognition and acclaim, the restaurant would seem to be a likely constant fixture of the area for years to come.
Award given at Board of Selectmen meeting
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Local victim’s rights advocate and artist Florence Holway was presented with an award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at the May 16 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Lynda Ruell, a victim’s advocate working in the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, presented Holway with the award, calling her a "survivor and a voice" and being instrumental in toughening New Hampshire’s rape laws and raising awareness of sexual violence in the state, and eventually around the nation, following an HBO documentary made about her which aired in January. The center awarded Holway, one of only three people in the nation to receive the award this year, for her "effectiveness" in promoting awareness. Holway was presented with a framed award certificate, and thanked the many friends and family who attended for coming to see her receive the award.
After a short break the board returned to discuss other matters. The board granted two easements on barns that were being preserved, awarding the full 75 percent to each owner. The board also voted in favor of establishing small fees for certain electronics in the town’s electronic recycling program. Televisions and computer monitors of less than 19 inches would be charged $5; above 19 inches would be charged $10. All other electronic items would be free to recycle. Selectmen Peter Shibley noted that the town was trying to recoup some of the money that it costs to haul away those large items.
The selectmen went on to approve the town’s hazard mitigation plan, as well.
Selectmen Alan Sherwood wanted to remind citizens that the Household Hazardous waste collection say is Saturday, and that directions could be found on the town website. He also noted that the Planning Board, because of the volume of cases in front of it, would be spreading their May 17 meeting over two nights, with the meeting continuing into May 18 (look for coverage in next week’s Baysider).
Town Administrator Russell Bailey noted that the rescue vehicle the town had approved two years ago would be arriving soon, and that the old rescue vehicle would be donated to the Red Cross upon the arrival of the new vehicle.
The board, convening as the Board of Health granted waivers for septic tanks and leech banks at three locations, one on Woodlands Rd. and the other two on Varney Rd.
The main order of business, and the most controversial of the night, proved to be the denial of a permit sought by the Barbershoppers to sell alcohol on town property. The Barbershoppers were hoping to have a beer tent at their upcoming event in Alton Bay. While Peter Shibley noted that the group had never had any problems before relating to alcohol, a majority of the board was very hesitant to "set a precedent" with regards to serving beer on town property or near Alton Bay. Cris Blackstone noted that she had received several phone calls from citizens saying that "they weren’t interested in beer sales on town property." After it became clear that the beer tent would be denied, Shibley noted sarcastically that the Barbershopper’s might consider relocating to Madison, N.H., where, he said, the town passed an ordinance allowing people to drink on the streets. The permit was denied by a 3-2 vote.
Other issues included concerns about the town’s policies regarding animal control and smoking in public places, in particular the ballpark. A public hearing on those issues will likely be scheduled soon, so the selectmen could receive citizens’ thoughts on the matter. The selectmen also agreed to put out a mailing reminding townspeople to be compliant with the town’s E911 ordinance, which requires signals for emergency vehicles to spot a home at night. Bailey said that he did not want the fire department to "waste time trying to find houses." The motion passed 4-1, with Shibley dissenting. The selectmen also authorized the use of $3,100 in funds earmarked to renovate the B & M caboose for the B & M Railroad Park, as well as authorized tearing down an equipment shed in the area which is considered unsafe.
Stories
Ok, so here are this week's stories, I'll give everyone an update on things tomorrow:
Fire House meeting gets hot
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 5 meeting of the committee investigating possible options for the New Durham fire station was still engendering heated emotions at the Board of Selectmen workshop six days later on May 11.
Local police responded to the May 5 meeting after an argument ensued between members of the public and town officials. No one was charged.
Interpretations vary as to what exactly happened prior to the meeting between Town Administrator William Herman, Fire Chief John Nicastro, committee member Linscott "Skip" Fadden, and Planning Board alternate George Gale. Each side sees the events unfolding differently, and both sides take issue with the other’s viewpoints. Questions as basic as who was in the library at the time are in question, as are some statements made in the police report, filed by Patrolman Lloyd Gifford. About the only thing agreed upon by all parties is that George Gale began setting up video equipment in the town library, in preparation for the 7 p.m. meeting, approximately 15 minutes beforehand.
Gale says that around that time, Herman arrived and began talking to the chairman of the committee, Gullmar Nelson. He said that Fire Chief John Nicastro then arrived, and begin yelling at Gale for trying to tape the meeting. Gale also said that Nicastro used profanity, in addition to raising his voice, and that there were children in the library at the time. He said that Nicastro was "standing in my face, screaming." Gale stated that Herman also yelled at him (Gale), stating that the town administrator "suddenly had a huge objection (to having the meeting filmed)." "They said they were going to have me arrested for filming the meeting," Gale alleges. He said that what he characterized as "excuses" for not allowing him to film the meeting shifted. Gale said, "At first it was that it (the meeting) could not be filmed, then shifted into ‘you took the camera from Betsy Booth’s office.’" (Booth denies this, saying that the town’s camera is kept in the Land Use office. The Land Use office confirmed that they had given the camera to Gale earlier that day.).
Gale also alleges that perhaps Herman and Nicastro knew ahead of time what they were going to do. "I find it hard to believe that Herman didn’t know ahead of time (that Gale was taking the camera to film the meeting). The whole thing could have been scripted from the start." After Officer Gifford arrived (the police had been called), Gale says that he was asked to go outside to discuss the matter. He also alleges that Herman and Nicastro made false statements to the police regarding Gale taking the camera from Booth’s office, as well as indicating to officer Gifford that Gale did not have permission to film the meeting, which was necessary for it to be broadcast.
Herman’s account differs from Gale’s. Herman said that upon arriving at the meeting, he talked to Nelson, specifically about getting the committee to vote on whether or not they desired to be broadcast. He said that Gale approached him at that point, and that he, Herman, raised the objection to filming the meeting for broadcast, citing an unwritten rule of Wolfeboro Community TV that allows committees to decide whether they desired to be filmed for the purposes of being broadcast on Wolfeboro Community TV. He also said that he did not see any children in the library, and that he did not see Nicastro come in initially (Nicastro also denies yelling and swearing at Gale). The issue, Herman said, besides the issue of the unwritten rule, was that of "town property and its appropriate use." Herman said that "no one has been denied their right to film," saying that Gale would have every right to film with his own camera. "Committees have always had the right to decide to be broadcast over community access." Herman said. The town of New Durham, having contributed funds to Wolfeboro Community TV, is considered the owner of the camera, though the camera does say "Wolfeboro Community TV" on it.
The fireworks of the night did not end with Gale going outside to talk to the police. Fadden arrived, he says, around 7 pm. He saw Gale outside with the officer, and was told by Gale that he was not being allowed to film the meeting. Herman, Fadden says, was at the meeting to review the Right-to-Know laws with the committee (Herman says that this was the case, that he and Selectman Ron Gehl were there to talk about the issue, but that never took place). Fadden then began reading the "Right-to-Know law" to the committee, believing that they were "looking for anything to keep him (Gale) from taping the meeting." Fadden then said that Herman shouted, above the din of voices at the meeting, "you’re wrong" at Fadden, and then Fadden yelled back "No Mr. Herman, you’re wrong." Herman denied yelling at Fadden, though he did agree that they had an exchange. The police report says that the two men had to be separated, and that Fadden was taken outside. Fadden then said that he became upset, because he, a member of the committee was being taken outside, and Herman, who is listed as a resident of Concord on the police report, should have been, given that he is not a town resident. According to Herman, Chief Shawn Bernier, Chairman Nelson and himself told Fadden that if he and Gale got their own camera they could tape the meeting. Gale then drove Fadden home, and they unsuccessfully looked for a camera. In the meantime, the meeting began, and the committee voted to allow meetings to be recorded for broadcast, provided that Kathy Merrill, the town’s land use clerk, or a designee tape the meeting. Fadden then returned to the meeting, where discussion continued on what had taken place. He believes that members of the committee were "misled" by Herman about the Right-to-Know law, and that by denying Gale the ability to film with the town’s camera, they were effectively violating that law. Herman said that no such violation took place, especially since the committee did not deny Gale the right to tape with his own camera.
Fadden, still fuming about what happened, advised the Board of Selectmen last week that he believed that they may need legal counsel to look into the events of May 5. The selectmen agreed to look at the letter, as well as revise the town’s policy on the filming of meetings for broadcast. Meanwhile, Gale has, according to Bernier, decided to file a complaint alleging that he was threatened as well as assaulted at the meeting prior to the arrival of the police department. With the case being reopened, the police department was unable to make further comment about the incident before the arrival of Officer Gifford and Chief Bernier.
(See related story, page 1)
Local family runs Co-op, has their own energy saving plan
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Dan Barraford is proud of the co-op he and his wife, Cate, have helped put together since 1999. Operating out of their Barnstead home, and working on both the co-op and their main business, a publishing company, the family has helped to save thousands for families throughout the area during the winter months, and increasingly, summer as well.
By pooling the purchasing power of its 3,800 members, the Barrafords’ Co-op, Our Town Energy Choice, was able to save consumers between 70 and 80 cents for their per-gallon cost on propane last year. Barraford describes the co-op’s first years as a "charity." He says that a hike in oil and propane prices in 1999 inspired him to begin his project.
"We recruited senior citizens in Alton and Barnstead to go in together," he says of his first year setting up the co-op, " and we were able to pool pricing." "pricing for volume"
Barraford says, is cheaper than the alternative, because of the pooled pricing. He also said that at the end of that first year, there were over 500 families involved. Membership fees were instituted the next year.
Barraford says that his co-op, which serves families in Massachusetts and Maine as well as throughout New Hampshire, serves mostly residents and businesses, but has also counted the Alton school district and the Governor Wentworth school district as members in the past. While still primarily focusing on heating costs, the co-op has expanded into areas like phone service and Internet access, as well as providing discounted Canadian pharmaceuticals for seniors in the area.
For many, membership fees are waived in cases of severe hardship. Barbara Itchkawich, of Alton, says that she has been a part of the co-op since the first year and that she is, "very pleased" with her decision.
"It’s helped me out, its helped a lot of people out," she says.
That sentiment is echoed by Kathy Secirano of New Durham, who says that her family has been involved "for a couple of years" and that it has "saved us money."
In the style of "practicing what they preach" the Barrafords have also made another money saving change. They have converted one of their cars to run on vegetable oil. The conversion, which only works on diesel engines, which Barraford says were originally designed to be run on peanut oil, involves a kit which can be purchased online for between $700 and $800. Barraford said that he then paid a mechanic an additional $800 to do the conversion, but says that anyone could do it themselves "if they’re handy." The oil, which Barraford receives free from local restaurants is filtered for impurities and then heated, till it hits the same viscosity as diesel fuel. The car he says, takes some time to warm up in the before it can be started, five minutes in the summer and 10 in the winter, in order to heat the vegetable oil to the proper temperature, but that when the car runs "you can run it for free."
Barraford says he will soon be converting his other car to run the same way. He also says that the car gets the same mileage and power as if it were running on diesel fuel, but emits 60 percent fewer emissions, and that those emissions are biodegradable. When talking about his car, Barraford seems to be perpetually grinning, knowing that he’s no longer paying high gas prices.
Local Academy hosts big tournament this summer.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Meg Jones has been running the Kwoon Karate Academy of Self Defense in Alton for almost three years. In that time, she’s seen thousands of kicks, punches and chops from everyone from small children to adults at her downtown location. This June, however, the academy will be stepping out a bit.
The academy’s staff, students and families will be playing host to participants in a large multinational tournament, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Crown Championship, to be held in Manchester, at the Radisson Hotel, on June 10 and 11. Jones, who was tabbed as the female instructor of the year in 2004 by the Hall of Fame, says that the parents of students will be participating in running the events of the tournament, while many of the academy’s students will be competing in the tournament itself. According to Jones the academy was asked by The Hall of Fame’s founder, Dr. E.A. Moore, to host the tournament last year. "We’ve been working on it ever since," she says.
In addition to the normal events associated with this tournament, which includes a world-class karate tournament featuring 200 to 300 competitors from South Africa, Canada, the British Virgin Islands and across the United States, as well as a ceremony and dinner to induct new members into the Hall of Fame, the Academy will be conducting a charity event as well. Though the nature of that event, according to Jones, it will either be a kick-a-thon or a break-a-thon (where participants would break boards), depending on whether they receive donations from local lumber companies, is still up in the air, the proceeds from that will go to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for cancer research. Jones also mentioned that several New Hampshire residents would be up for induction into the hall of fame.
Information on the event can be obtained by calling 603-875-1171. Jones says that admission to the tournament is open to the public at a cost of $5 each. There are also seminars being offered by various speakers at the tournament, and the public is also able to purchase tickets to the induction dinner and ceremony.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — With two selectmen away from the meeting – Mike Akstin was on vacation and Jack O’Neil was attending a hearing in Concord – the three remaining selectmen met to primarily discuss the town website, as well as deal with other matters.
The longest portion of the night’s proceedings was a presentation by Scott Sainsbury, of Verity Creative, about his plans for a potential town website. Sainsbury, who is currently working on a website for the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce after a great success with his site theboros.com (Tuftonboro, Moultonborough, and Wolfeboro), presented his own experience and the possible options that he could offer the town website if he were chosen to create the site.
The site, as proposed by Sainsbury, would be a sort of "one-stop shop" for resources in Barnstead. He mentioned that local businesses, including realtors, as well as the town government might use the site, which might attract more visitors to the site using search engines. Gordon Preston mentioned that he sees many selling points about Barnstead, saying, "we’re right on the beaten path." "We’re the midpoint between Rochester, Manchester and Concord," he said, advocating that the town’s website be used not just to let people in the town know what was going on with town government, but also serve as a way of attracting businesses to potentially locate themselves in Barnstead as well.
Selectmen Ed Tasker asked Sainsbury, at the end of his presentation, about the potential costs for the town of putting a fairly large site, like Sainsbury was proposing as a possibility, and also how quickly the site could be up and running. Sainsbury replied that the cost would likely be less than what the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce paid, as Barnstead’s would likely be a smaller site, and that the hosting fees on the servers he used was "not as expensive as what others would charge." He also said that he could write a proposal for a website and a contract very quickly, and that the town could have a website developing within weeks of hiring him.
Other issues the selectmen touched on included the question of whether the town might be reimbursed for some, if not all, of the cost of using its manpower and equipment to clean up a car accident which happened in the town last week, which was estimated to have cost around $900. The selectmen agreed to ask the municipal organization if they can bill the insurance company for those services.
The selectmen also agreed to ask a town officer to pick up their exhibits from the Superior court offices in Laconia after no one appealed the town’s growth ordinance. They also agreed to ask the police department whether they believed that the town had gotten its money’s worth out of the Juvenile Court Diversion Program, which cost the town $3,500 for the year.
It was found that there was a $25,001 difference between the Selectmen’s budget and the town’s budget as decided at the town meeting, and that that money would now be put into a "selectmen’s miscellaneous fund" for the remainder of the year. The town approved a budget for more than what the Selectmen needed.
The Selectmen asked that those wishing to make announcements for meetings in The Baysider should please first schedule the use of the Town Hall with the Board of Selectmen.
Selectmen discuss Ethics, Recording policies
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 11 workshop meeting of the New Durham Board of Selectmen, held at the New Durham Library, grew more heated as it went along. While the primary focus of the meeting was on putting together a conflict of interest policy and a policy regarding Community TV, other issues sidetracked the meeting as it drew to a close.
After Selectmen Dwight Jones raised the issue of a conflict of interest policy, especially with regard to town officials becoming involved in the formal bidding process, at the last workshop meeting, held April 27, the selectmen investigated several possibilities to strengthen the town’s current policy, which was adopted in 1997. Selectmen Ron Gehl suggested, along with chairman Dean Stimpson, that policies in Antioch and Raymond, which were similar in many ways, were good templates for the board to follow. Jones was intrigued by the long list of definitions both policies had, which would help to clear up any possible misinterpretation of anything in the policy. Gehl and Stimpson also said that they would like to see such a conflict on interest policy separate from a purchasing policy, in order to avoid future confusion. The Selectmen agreed to work on a policy, taking, in Jones’ words, "the best of each one" and then getting together and finalizing a policy that would be best for New Durham’s situation. George Gale, who had brought a copy of the 1996 draft of the current policy, asked the board why it had been, to use Gale’s words "gutted" in the final version. Stimpson replied, looking a bit frustrated with the question, that "that’s a moot point. It’s over and done with" and that the board was looking to improve the current policy, not rehash how that policy came to be.
The group also looked at possibilities for a new, written policy regarding Community TV and video recording of meetings. Both Gehl and Town Administrator William Herman, had put together their own drafts for such a policy, and both were distributed to the Board at the meeting. Gehl’s policy was distributed to members of the community and began with a preamble, the text of the Right to Know law. Each draft made provisions to allow ordinary citizens the right to broadcast any such meetings, and provided guidance for what committees would be broadcast as a requirement and which committees could decide for themselves. Herman used as an example, the Conservation Commission, which chose not to record its meetings for broadcast. Community member Skip Fadden hoped that the selectmen would add language saying that would apply to all public officials in the town, and that any potential conflicts would err on the side of the "right-to-know" law. There was some question about how best to manage tapes at the town office, with Herman suggesting that the Clerk’s office did not want to have to handle sending tapes up to Wolfeboro as well as logging tapes in and out. He added that while some in the town offices "would like to be responsible, as long as someone is responsible," referring to the fact that volunteers are now mostly responsible for getting tapes to the Community TV station.
George Gale also suggested that some provision be made, giving only the Board authority to decide to destroy tapes, saying that in the past he had been told that tapes had been destroyed at Town Hall. Herman denied this saying that it was "news to us," that tapes had been destroyed, and saying that Gale had never logged a complaint stating as such.
There was also some question about how community groups might use town equipment, and what the ownership of that recording was. Community member Cathy Orlowicz said that she was confused by the placement of that section in Gehl’s draft and suggested moving it to another spot.
The meeting turned very heated at the end of the discussion of recordings, as some community members were upset by what they perceived as heavy-handed tactics by some in the town administration at the May 5 meeting of the Fire Station committee (see related story, page xxx). Stimpson seemed frustrated by this saying that it was a "rehash of something that happened, an unfortunate thing that happened." Fadden p-resented the board with a letter asking them to consider investigating the incident. The board will meet again May 18, after the next Baysider goes to press, but that meeting will be covered in our May 26 issue.
A special place in Barnstead is a Yankee best
BY Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — When Harold and Cynthia Huckaby arrived in New Hampshire in 1974, and purchased their eighteenth-century home, they wanted, according to Harold Huckaby "a place to raise our children."
In the years following though, their home became much more than that. The restaurant that the Huckabys opened in 1976 in their home, The Crystal Quail, has become renowned throughout the area, and was just recently a recipient of an "Editor’s Choice endorsement" from Yankee magazine, as a place that no traveler to New England should miss.
The Huckabys grow much of their own vegetables, along with spices and their own herbs, in their organic garden behind their home. The dining room seats only about 12-14 people, but the restaurant has received almost universally positive reviews and counts many fans, including longtime Washington Post columnist David Broder and Evelyn Lincoln, the former personal secretary for John F. Kennedy.
Still, the business of running the restaurant is still largely the same for the Huckabys as it was 29 years ago, when they opened. Harold Huckaby says that he begins work on a day’s menu "whenever I get up. There’s a lot of hours that go into preparation. Sometimes there will be days worth of preparation." Huckaby says the traditionally busiest season for the restaurant is in the summer and into the early fall, but that they do operate all year, from Wednesdays through Sundays.
While Huckaby is not quick to label the restaurant’s food as fitting into any particular style he says that he and his wife "draw on everything we’re exposed to. We’ll use that, try that (techniques and styles) on anything we have on hand."
Much of the food is also organic, "as much as possibly can be," says Huckaby, "but sometimes it cant’ be. But for the most part it is, especially when it comes through the garden."
The Huckabys do their own composting, and much of their lettuce and other greens come from the garden, as do their cabbages and other root vegetables. Huckaby describes his wife’s style of planting as her own. "She allows things to grow where they want to. It’s a very Japanese style. If things reseed themselves, she’ll let them stay." Some vegetables, he says, like lettuce, will come up two or three times in a season, which helps keep salads and vegetables du jour fresh.
The meats that the Huckabys carry, such as game bird or wild boar, might be considered exotic, but Huckaby disagrees, saying that "it isn’t exotic for ‘exotics sake.’" He says that he tries to combine different flavors and that those tastes often determine how he has to prepare the food. He describes it all as "a very creative process."
The land that the restaurant now stands on was once a main road through the area. Several times, the Huckabys have found ox bows and sled runners, from when the home’s owners serviced oxen teams.
Harold Huckaby says that the Crystal Quail has been good to him and his family. "We’ve made our way, and the lifestyle has kept me in good health." With continued recognition and acclaim, the restaurant would seem to be a likely constant fixture of the area for years to come.
Award given at Board of Selectmen meeting
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Local victim’s rights advocate and artist Florence Holway was presented with an award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at the May 16 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Lynda Ruell, a victim’s advocate working in the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, presented Holway with the award, calling her a "survivor and a voice" and being instrumental in toughening New Hampshire’s rape laws and raising awareness of sexual violence in the state, and eventually around the nation, following an HBO documentary made about her which aired in January. The center awarded Holway, one of only three people in the nation to receive the award this year, for her "effectiveness" in promoting awareness. Holway was presented with a framed award certificate, and thanked the many friends and family who attended for coming to see her receive the award.
After a short break the board returned to discuss other matters. The board granted two easements on barns that were being preserved, awarding the full 75 percent to each owner. The board also voted in favor of establishing small fees for certain electronics in the town’s electronic recycling program. Televisions and computer monitors of less than 19 inches would be charged $5; above 19 inches would be charged $10. All other electronic items would be free to recycle. Selectmen Peter Shibley noted that the town was trying to recoup some of the money that it costs to haul away those large items.
The selectmen went on to approve the town’s hazard mitigation plan, as well.
Selectmen Alan Sherwood wanted to remind citizens that the Household Hazardous waste collection say is Saturday, and that directions could be found on the town website. He also noted that the Planning Board, because of the volume of cases in front of it, would be spreading their May 17 meeting over two nights, with the meeting continuing into May 18 (look for coverage in next week’s Baysider).
Town Administrator Russell Bailey noted that the rescue vehicle the town had approved two years ago would be arriving soon, and that the old rescue vehicle would be donated to the Red Cross upon the arrival of the new vehicle.
The board, convening as the Board of Health granted waivers for septic tanks and leech banks at three locations, one on Woodlands Rd. and the other two on Varney Rd.
The main order of business, and the most controversial of the night, proved to be the denial of a permit sought by the Barbershoppers to sell alcohol on town property. The Barbershoppers were hoping to have a beer tent at their upcoming event in Alton Bay. While Peter Shibley noted that the group had never had any problems before relating to alcohol, a majority of the board was very hesitant to "set a precedent" with regards to serving beer on town property or near Alton Bay. Cris Blackstone noted that she had received several phone calls from citizens saying that "they weren’t interested in beer sales on town property." After it became clear that the beer tent would be denied, Shibley noted sarcastically that the Barbershopper’s might consider relocating to Madison, N.H., where, he said, the town passed an ordinance allowing people to drink on the streets. The permit was denied by a 3-2 vote.
Other issues included concerns about the town’s policies regarding animal control and smoking in public places, in particular the ballpark. A public hearing on those issues will likely be scheduled soon, so the selectmen could receive citizens’ thoughts on the matter. The selectmen also agreed to put out a mailing reminding townspeople to be compliant with the town’s E911 ordinance, which requires signals for emergency vehicles to spot a home at night. Bailey said that he did not want the fire department to "waste time trying to find houses." The motion passed 4-1, with Shibley dissenting. The selectmen also authorized the use of $3,100 in funds earmarked to renovate the B & M caboose for the B & M Railroad Park, as well as authorized tearing down an equipment shed in the area which is considered unsafe.
Fire House meeting gets hot
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 5 meeting of the committee investigating possible options for the New Durham fire station was still engendering heated emotions at the Board of Selectmen workshop six days later on May 11.
Local police responded to the May 5 meeting after an argument ensued between members of the public and town officials. No one was charged.
Interpretations vary as to what exactly happened prior to the meeting between Town Administrator William Herman, Fire Chief John Nicastro, committee member Linscott "Skip" Fadden, and Planning Board alternate George Gale. Each side sees the events unfolding differently, and both sides take issue with the other’s viewpoints. Questions as basic as who was in the library at the time are in question, as are some statements made in the police report, filed by Patrolman Lloyd Gifford. About the only thing agreed upon by all parties is that George Gale began setting up video equipment in the town library, in preparation for the 7 p.m. meeting, approximately 15 minutes beforehand.
Gale says that around that time, Herman arrived and began talking to the chairman of the committee, Gullmar Nelson. He said that Fire Chief John Nicastro then arrived, and begin yelling at Gale for trying to tape the meeting. Gale also said that Nicastro used profanity, in addition to raising his voice, and that there were children in the library at the time. He said that Nicastro was "standing in my face, screaming." Gale stated that Herman also yelled at him (Gale), stating that the town administrator "suddenly had a huge objection (to having the meeting filmed)." "They said they were going to have me arrested for filming the meeting," Gale alleges. He said that what he characterized as "excuses" for not allowing him to film the meeting shifted. Gale said, "At first it was that it (the meeting) could not be filmed, then shifted into ‘you took the camera from Betsy Booth’s office.’" (Booth denies this, saying that the town’s camera is kept in the Land Use office. The Land Use office confirmed that they had given the camera to Gale earlier that day.).
Gale also alleges that perhaps Herman and Nicastro knew ahead of time what they were going to do. "I find it hard to believe that Herman didn’t know ahead of time (that Gale was taking the camera to film the meeting). The whole thing could have been scripted from the start." After Officer Gifford arrived (the police had been called), Gale says that he was asked to go outside to discuss the matter. He also alleges that Herman and Nicastro made false statements to the police regarding Gale taking the camera from Booth’s office, as well as indicating to officer Gifford that Gale did not have permission to film the meeting, which was necessary for it to be broadcast.
Herman’s account differs from Gale’s. Herman said that upon arriving at the meeting, he talked to Nelson, specifically about getting the committee to vote on whether or not they desired to be broadcast. He said that Gale approached him at that point, and that he, Herman, raised the objection to filming the meeting for broadcast, citing an unwritten rule of Wolfeboro Community TV that allows committees to decide whether they desired to be filmed for the purposes of being broadcast on Wolfeboro Community TV. He also said that he did not see any children in the library, and that he did not see Nicastro come in initially (Nicastro also denies yelling and swearing at Gale). The issue, Herman said, besides the issue of the unwritten rule, was that of "town property and its appropriate use." Herman said that "no one has been denied their right to film," saying that Gale would have every right to film with his own camera. "Committees have always had the right to decide to be broadcast over community access." Herman said. The town of New Durham, having contributed funds to Wolfeboro Community TV, is considered the owner of the camera, though the camera does say "Wolfeboro Community TV" on it.
The fireworks of the night did not end with Gale going outside to talk to the police. Fadden arrived, he says, around 7 pm. He saw Gale outside with the officer, and was told by Gale that he was not being allowed to film the meeting. Herman, Fadden says, was at the meeting to review the Right-to-Know laws with the committee (Herman says that this was the case, that he and Selectman Ron Gehl were there to talk about the issue, but that never took place). Fadden then began reading the "Right-to-Know law" to the committee, believing that they were "looking for anything to keep him (Gale) from taping the meeting." Fadden then said that Herman shouted, above the din of voices at the meeting, "you’re wrong" at Fadden, and then Fadden yelled back "No Mr. Herman, you’re wrong." Herman denied yelling at Fadden, though he did agree that they had an exchange. The police report says that the two men had to be separated, and that Fadden was taken outside. Fadden then said that he became upset, because he, a member of the committee was being taken outside, and Herman, who is listed as a resident of Concord on the police report, should have been, given that he is not a town resident. According to Herman, Chief Shawn Bernier, Chairman Nelson and himself told Fadden that if he and Gale got their own camera they could tape the meeting. Gale then drove Fadden home, and they unsuccessfully looked for a camera. In the meantime, the meeting began, and the committee voted to allow meetings to be recorded for broadcast, provided that Kathy Merrill, the town’s land use clerk, or a designee tape the meeting. Fadden then returned to the meeting, where discussion continued on what had taken place. He believes that members of the committee were "misled" by Herman about the Right-to-Know law, and that by denying Gale the ability to film with the town’s camera, they were effectively violating that law. Herman said that no such violation took place, especially since the committee did not deny Gale the right to tape with his own camera.
Fadden, still fuming about what happened, advised the Board of Selectmen last week that he believed that they may need legal counsel to look into the events of May 5. The selectmen agreed to look at the letter, as well as revise the town’s policy on the filming of meetings for broadcast. Meanwhile, Gale has, according to Bernier, decided to file a complaint alleging that he was threatened as well as assaulted at the meeting prior to the arrival of the police department. With the case being reopened, the police department was unable to make further comment about the incident before the arrival of Officer Gifford and Chief Bernier.
(See related story, page 1)
Local family runs Co-op, has their own energy saving plan
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Dan Barraford is proud of the co-op he and his wife, Cate, have helped put together since 1999. Operating out of their Barnstead home, and working on both the co-op and their main business, a publishing company, the family has helped to save thousands for families throughout the area during the winter months, and increasingly, summer as well.
By pooling the purchasing power of its 3,800 members, the Barrafords’ Co-op, Our Town Energy Choice, was able to save consumers between 70 and 80 cents for their per-gallon cost on propane last year. Barraford describes the co-op’s first years as a "charity." He says that a hike in oil and propane prices in 1999 inspired him to begin his project.
"We recruited senior citizens in Alton and Barnstead to go in together," he says of his first year setting up the co-op, " and we were able to pool pricing." "pricing for volume"
Barraford says, is cheaper than the alternative, because of the pooled pricing. He also said that at the end of that first year, there were over 500 families involved. Membership fees were instituted the next year.
Barraford says that his co-op, which serves families in Massachusetts and Maine as well as throughout New Hampshire, serves mostly residents and businesses, but has also counted the Alton school district and the Governor Wentworth school district as members in the past. While still primarily focusing on heating costs, the co-op has expanded into areas like phone service and Internet access, as well as providing discounted Canadian pharmaceuticals for seniors in the area.
For many, membership fees are waived in cases of severe hardship. Barbara Itchkawich, of Alton, says that she has been a part of the co-op since the first year and that she is, "very pleased" with her decision.
"It’s helped me out, its helped a lot of people out," she says.
That sentiment is echoed by Kathy Secirano of New Durham, who says that her family has been involved "for a couple of years" and that it has "saved us money."
In the style of "practicing what they preach" the Barrafords have also made another money saving change. They have converted one of their cars to run on vegetable oil. The conversion, which only works on diesel engines, which Barraford says were originally designed to be run on peanut oil, involves a kit which can be purchased online for between $700 and $800. Barraford said that he then paid a mechanic an additional $800 to do the conversion, but says that anyone could do it themselves "if they’re handy." The oil, which Barraford receives free from local restaurants is filtered for impurities and then heated, till it hits the same viscosity as diesel fuel. The car he says, takes some time to warm up in the before it can be started, five minutes in the summer and 10 in the winter, in order to heat the vegetable oil to the proper temperature, but that when the car runs "you can run it for free."
Barraford says he will soon be converting his other car to run the same way. He also says that the car gets the same mileage and power as if it were running on diesel fuel, but emits 60 percent fewer emissions, and that those emissions are biodegradable. When talking about his car, Barraford seems to be perpetually grinning, knowing that he’s no longer paying high gas prices.
Local Academy hosts big tournament this summer.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Meg Jones has been running the Kwoon Karate Academy of Self Defense in Alton for almost three years. In that time, she’s seen thousands of kicks, punches and chops from everyone from small children to adults at her downtown location. This June, however, the academy will be stepping out a bit.
The academy’s staff, students and families will be playing host to participants in a large multinational tournament, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Crown Championship, to be held in Manchester, at the Radisson Hotel, on June 10 and 11. Jones, who was tabbed as the female instructor of the year in 2004 by the Hall of Fame, says that the parents of students will be participating in running the events of the tournament, while many of the academy’s students will be competing in the tournament itself. According to Jones the academy was asked by The Hall of Fame’s founder, Dr. E.A. Moore, to host the tournament last year. "We’ve been working on it ever since," she says.
In addition to the normal events associated with this tournament, which includes a world-class karate tournament featuring 200 to 300 competitors from South Africa, Canada, the British Virgin Islands and across the United States, as well as a ceremony and dinner to induct new members into the Hall of Fame, the Academy will be conducting a charity event as well. Though the nature of that event, according to Jones, it will either be a kick-a-thon or a break-a-thon (where participants would break boards), depending on whether they receive donations from local lumber companies, is still up in the air, the proceeds from that will go to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for cancer research. Jones also mentioned that several New Hampshire residents would be up for induction into the hall of fame.
Information on the event can be obtained by calling 603-875-1171. Jones says that admission to the tournament is open to the public at a cost of $5 each. There are also seminars being offered by various speakers at the tournament, and the public is also able to purchase tickets to the induction dinner and ceremony.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — With two selectmen away from the meeting – Mike Akstin was on vacation and Jack O’Neil was attending a hearing in Concord – the three remaining selectmen met to primarily discuss the town website, as well as deal with other matters.
The longest portion of the night’s proceedings was a presentation by Scott Sainsbury, of Verity Creative, about his plans for a potential town website. Sainsbury, who is currently working on a website for the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce after a great success with his site theboros.com (Tuftonboro, Moultonborough, and Wolfeboro), presented his own experience and the possible options that he could offer the town website if he were chosen to create the site.
The site, as proposed by Sainsbury, would be a sort of "one-stop shop" for resources in Barnstead. He mentioned that local businesses, including realtors, as well as the town government might use the site, which might attract more visitors to the site using search engines. Gordon Preston mentioned that he sees many selling points about Barnstead, saying, "we’re right on the beaten path." "We’re the midpoint between Rochester, Manchester and Concord," he said, advocating that the town’s website be used not just to let people in the town know what was going on with town government, but also serve as a way of attracting businesses to potentially locate themselves in Barnstead as well.
Selectmen Ed Tasker asked Sainsbury, at the end of his presentation, about the potential costs for the town of putting a fairly large site, like Sainsbury was proposing as a possibility, and also how quickly the site could be up and running. Sainsbury replied that the cost would likely be less than what the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce paid, as Barnstead’s would likely be a smaller site, and that the hosting fees on the servers he used was "not as expensive as what others would charge." He also said that he could write a proposal for a website and a contract very quickly, and that the town could have a website developing within weeks of hiring him.
Other issues the selectmen touched on included the question of whether the town might be reimbursed for some, if not all, of the cost of using its manpower and equipment to clean up a car accident which happened in the town last week, which was estimated to have cost around $900. The selectmen agreed to ask the municipal organization if they can bill the insurance company for those services.
The selectmen also agreed to ask a town officer to pick up their exhibits from the Superior court offices in Laconia after no one appealed the town’s growth ordinance. They also agreed to ask the police department whether they believed that the town had gotten its money’s worth out of the Juvenile Court Diversion Program, which cost the town $3,500 for the year.
It was found that there was a $25,001 difference between the Selectmen’s budget and the town’s budget as decided at the town meeting, and that that money would now be put into a "selectmen’s miscellaneous fund" for the remainder of the year. The town approved a budget for more than what the Selectmen needed.
The Selectmen asked that those wishing to make announcements for meetings in The Baysider should please first schedule the use of the Town Hall with the Board of Selectmen.
Selectmen discuss Ethics, Recording policies
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The May 11 workshop meeting of the New Durham Board of Selectmen, held at the New Durham Library, grew more heated as it went along. While the primary focus of the meeting was on putting together a conflict of interest policy and a policy regarding Community TV, other issues sidetracked the meeting as it drew to a close.
After Selectmen Dwight Jones raised the issue of a conflict of interest policy, especially with regard to town officials becoming involved in the formal bidding process, at the last workshop meeting, held April 27, the selectmen investigated several possibilities to strengthen the town’s current policy, which was adopted in 1997. Selectmen Ron Gehl suggested, along with chairman Dean Stimpson, that policies in Antioch and Raymond, which were similar in many ways, were good templates for the board to follow. Jones was intrigued by the long list of definitions both policies had, which would help to clear up any possible misinterpretation of anything in the policy. Gehl and Stimpson also said that they would like to see such a conflict on interest policy separate from a purchasing policy, in order to avoid future confusion. The Selectmen agreed to work on a policy, taking, in Jones’ words, "the best of each one" and then getting together and finalizing a policy that would be best for New Durham’s situation. George Gale, who had brought a copy of the 1996 draft of the current policy, asked the board why it had been, to use Gale’s words "gutted" in the final version. Stimpson replied, looking a bit frustrated with the question, that "that’s a moot point. It’s over and done with" and that the board was looking to improve the current policy, not rehash how that policy came to be.
The group also looked at possibilities for a new, written policy regarding Community TV and video recording of meetings. Both Gehl and Town Administrator William Herman, had put together their own drafts for such a policy, and both were distributed to the Board at the meeting. Gehl’s policy was distributed to members of the community and began with a preamble, the text of the Right to Know law. Each draft made provisions to allow ordinary citizens the right to broadcast any such meetings, and provided guidance for what committees would be broadcast as a requirement and which committees could decide for themselves. Herman used as an example, the Conservation Commission, which chose not to record its meetings for broadcast. Community member Skip Fadden hoped that the selectmen would add language saying that would apply to all public officials in the town, and that any potential conflicts would err on the side of the "right-to-know" law. There was some question about how best to manage tapes at the town office, with Herman suggesting that the Clerk’s office did not want to have to handle sending tapes up to Wolfeboro as well as logging tapes in and out. He added that while some in the town offices "would like to be responsible, as long as someone is responsible," referring to the fact that volunteers are now mostly responsible for getting tapes to the Community TV station.
George Gale also suggested that some provision be made, giving only the Board authority to decide to destroy tapes, saying that in the past he had been told that tapes had been destroyed at Town Hall. Herman denied this saying that it was "news to us," that tapes had been destroyed, and saying that Gale had never logged a complaint stating as such.
There was also some question about how community groups might use town equipment, and what the ownership of that recording was. Community member Cathy Orlowicz said that she was confused by the placement of that section in Gehl’s draft and suggested moving it to another spot.
The meeting turned very heated at the end of the discussion of recordings, as some community members were upset by what they perceived as heavy-handed tactics by some in the town administration at the May 5 meeting of the Fire Station committee (see related story, page xxx). Stimpson seemed frustrated by this saying that it was a "rehash of something that happened, an unfortunate thing that happened." Fadden p-resented the board with a letter asking them to consider investigating the incident. The board will meet again May 18, after the next Baysider goes to press, but that meeting will be covered in our May 26 issue.
A special place in Barnstead is a Yankee best
BY Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — When Harold and Cynthia Huckaby arrived in New Hampshire in 1974, and purchased their eighteenth-century home, they wanted, according to Harold Huckaby "a place to raise our children."
In the years following though, their home became much more than that. The restaurant that the Huckabys opened in 1976 in their home, The Crystal Quail, has become renowned throughout the area, and was just recently a recipient of an "Editor’s Choice endorsement" from Yankee magazine, as a place that no traveler to New England should miss.
The Huckabys grow much of their own vegetables, along with spices and their own herbs, in their organic garden behind their home. The dining room seats only about 12-14 people, but the restaurant has received almost universally positive reviews and counts many fans, including longtime Washington Post columnist David Broder and Evelyn Lincoln, the former personal secretary for John F. Kennedy.
Still, the business of running the restaurant is still largely the same for the Huckabys as it was 29 years ago, when they opened. Harold Huckaby says that he begins work on a day’s menu "whenever I get up. There’s a lot of hours that go into preparation. Sometimes there will be days worth of preparation." Huckaby says the traditionally busiest season for the restaurant is in the summer and into the early fall, but that they do operate all year, from Wednesdays through Sundays.
While Huckaby is not quick to label the restaurant’s food as fitting into any particular style he says that he and his wife "draw on everything we’re exposed to. We’ll use that, try that (techniques and styles) on anything we have on hand."
Much of the food is also organic, "as much as possibly can be," says Huckaby, "but sometimes it cant’ be. But for the most part it is, especially when it comes through the garden."
The Huckabys do their own composting, and much of their lettuce and other greens come from the garden, as do their cabbages and other root vegetables. Huckaby describes his wife’s style of planting as her own. "She allows things to grow where they want to. It’s a very Japanese style. If things reseed themselves, she’ll let them stay." Some vegetables, he says, like lettuce, will come up two or three times in a season, which helps keep salads and vegetables du jour fresh.
The meats that the Huckabys carry, such as game bird or wild boar, might be considered exotic, but Huckaby disagrees, saying that "it isn’t exotic for ‘exotics sake.’" He says that he tries to combine different flavors and that those tastes often determine how he has to prepare the food. He describes it all as "a very creative process."
The land that the restaurant now stands on was once a main road through the area. Several times, the Huckabys have found ox bows and sled runners, from when the home’s owners serviced oxen teams.
Harold Huckaby says that the Crystal Quail has been good to him and his family. "We’ve made our way, and the lifestyle has kept me in good health." With continued recognition and acclaim, the restaurant would seem to be a likely constant fixture of the area for years to come.
Award given at Board of Selectmen meeting
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Local victim’s rights advocate and artist Florence Holway was presented with an award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at the May 16 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Lynda Ruell, a victim’s advocate working in the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, presented Holway with the award, calling her a "survivor and a voice" and being instrumental in toughening New Hampshire’s rape laws and raising awareness of sexual violence in the state, and eventually around the nation, following an HBO documentary made about her which aired in January. The center awarded Holway, one of only three people in the nation to receive the award this year, for her "effectiveness" in promoting awareness. Holway was presented with a framed award certificate, and thanked the many friends and family who attended for coming to see her receive the award.
After a short break the board returned to discuss other matters. The board granted two easements on barns that were being preserved, awarding the full 75 percent to each owner. The board also voted in favor of establishing small fees for certain electronics in the town’s electronic recycling program. Televisions and computer monitors of less than 19 inches would be charged $5; above 19 inches would be charged $10. All other electronic items would be free to recycle. Selectmen Peter Shibley noted that the town was trying to recoup some of the money that it costs to haul away those large items.
The selectmen went on to approve the town’s hazard mitigation plan, as well.
Selectmen Alan Sherwood wanted to remind citizens that the Household Hazardous waste collection say is Saturday, and that directions could be found on the town website. He also noted that the Planning Board, because of the volume of cases in front of it, would be spreading their May 17 meeting over two nights, with the meeting continuing into May 18 (look for coverage in next week’s Baysider).
Town Administrator Russell Bailey noted that the rescue vehicle the town had approved two years ago would be arriving soon, and that the old rescue vehicle would be donated to the Red Cross upon the arrival of the new vehicle.
The board, convening as the Board of Health granted waivers for septic tanks and leech banks at three locations, one on Woodlands Rd. and the other two on Varney Rd.
The main order of business, and the most controversial of the night, proved to be the denial of a permit sought by the Barbershoppers to sell alcohol on town property. The Barbershoppers were hoping to have a beer tent at their upcoming event in Alton Bay. While Peter Shibley noted that the group had never had any problems before relating to alcohol, a majority of the board was very hesitant to "set a precedent" with regards to serving beer on town property or near Alton Bay. Cris Blackstone noted that she had received several phone calls from citizens saying that "they weren’t interested in beer sales on town property." After it became clear that the beer tent would be denied, Shibley noted sarcastically that the Barbershopper’s might consider relocating to Madison, N.H., where, he said, the town passed an ordinance allowing people to drink on the streets. The permit was denied by a 3-2 vote.
Other issues included concerns about the town’s policies regarding animal control and smoking in public places, in particular the ballpark. A public hearing on those issues will likely be scheduled soon, so the selectmen could receive citizens’ thoughts on the matter. The selectmen also agreed to put out a mailing reminding townspeople to be compliant with the town’s E911 ordinance, which requires signals for emergency vehicles to spot a home at night. Bailey said that he did not want the fire department to "waste time trying to find houses." The motion passed 4-1, with Shibley dissenting. The selectmen also authorized the use of $3,100 in funds earmarked to renovate the B & M caboose for the B & M Railroad Park, as well as authorized tearing down an equipment shed in the area which is considered unsafe.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Story Time, again
Sorry about missing this past week. I've been busy, plus I really couldn't find a lot to write about. I decideed to send out personal greetings to the graduates privately. So I'll write tomorrow, but here's last weeks stories. One of my stories got held for this week, so there's four, one of which was in the Granite:
Local Man Uses work experience to invent new tool
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Tim Smith worked for more than 15 years in the propane industry as a technician. He installed the copper tubing that brings propane into homes and businesses, but he, and many of his colleagues, found it difficult to tighten the "t-valves" that propane needs to use to connect pipes in various areas of a building. The valve has two horizontal ends, and has brass fasteners, which can be tightened easily with a wrench, Smith explained. The third end is not so easily tightened, because tightening would turn the rest of the valve along with it, leading to lots of frustration and, potentially, increased liability for installers, because often, the lateral end would not be as tight as the other two.
Using these experiences, Smith came up with a new tool, one that he believes makes life a lot easier for those in his former profession. His home business sells his invention, the "Timmy-T-Tight," which helps to tighten the "T-Valve" by holding the two ends in place, allowing the user to tighten the lower valve without hassle. Smith says that a prototype, currently being used by a propane company in North Carolina, has proven to be very popular with installers. "They tell me that their guys have been fighting over it," he says, obviously very proud that his tool has proven to be a big hit.
Smith says that he has been working on his invention over the past three years, working to perfect the design, as well as to go through the patent process. While his patent is now pending, Smith has begun selling his tool online at his company’s website (www.takmacllc.com). While marketed primarily for use by professionals installing propane and heating oil, Smith is working on other models for use by other industries as well.
Smith has not been alone in putting his invention out into the world. He has been assisted by members of his family, which include his sisters helping him with both marketing and sales, and his daughter, Kayley, helping run the office. Smith’s longtime girlfriend, Amy Hall, also helps him with shipping, he says. Smith also credits local machinist David Lebrecque for assisting with the engineering and casting of his invention.
Smith also serves the town of Barnstead as a fireman. While he says that the fire department does get the occasional call related to propane, it was his experience as a propane installer that got him to work on this new tool. "It’s a liability risk for those installing propane," he says, "they’re the ones held responsible if something goes wrong." Smith hopes that the "Timmy–T-Tight" will help to alleviate some of those fears that installers might have, and make things safer for everyone else.
First Meeting in Nearly a month focuses on finance issues
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — After missing a regularly scheduled meeting because it fell during spring break, the Barnstead school board used their May 10 meeting to discuss several issues, including approving the hiring of new teachers and accepting a bid for next year’s heating oil needs, and the approval of next year’s school calendar.
The calendar, in keeping with the school’s move to a trimester grade reporting system, will feature more days set aside for parent teacher conferences. While the October conference day will be reserved for meeting with all parents, other meeting days in January and in March will be on an "as needed" basis, with both teachers and parents able to ask for conferences. Barnstead Education Association Co-President Linda Nelson said that the calendar’s changes would still allow for the school year to end on time, as well as allowing for more interaction between parents and teachers.
Interim principal Michael Tocci also reported that the Community Work days for the construction of the school’s new playground would be held on the 15 and 16 of July. He also reported that the school’s new alternative program was off to a good start, with relatively positive reactions from students so far, and that the program was successful in changing "the culture within the classroom" for the better.
The board also approved the hiring of two teachers currently serving in positions on a one-year contract to permanent one. Sixth grade teacher Amy Fuddy and Kindergarten teacher Gwen Starr both were filling in for teachers on leaves or absence who decided not to return. Both were judged to have done a very good job this year, and the board unanimously approved their hiring.
The board also approved a transfer of funds for more than $14,000 to cover costs incurred throughout the year. They also accepted a bid to purchase next year’s heating oil supply, from Frank Fuller Oil Company, to provide the school with its 24,000 gallons of heating oil. Board member Keith Couch asked why the bid was for about 30 cents more than he is paying for his own heating oil to the same company, and district business administrator Donna Clairmont replied that a spike in oil prices over the last few months contributed to the increase. The board also approved payment of $2,500 to an engineer from Kohler and Lewis to look at the school’s air quality, which for some reason had not improved following maintenance by its current company, Johnson Control.
The board also discussed its committee structure, and the charter for the Building and Grounds committee will be discussed at the next meeting, following a meeting between its members and Clairmont. The next school board meeting will be held on May 24, with a workshop following a week later.
Water brings Representatives to Barnstead
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Efforts by the Board of Selectmen and local activist Bruce Shearer brought more than 30 people from area towns and villages to discuss water issues effecting central New Hampshire at a meeting held May 4 at Barnstead Town Hall. While much of the meeting was spent watching a documentary, "Thirst," which discussed issues related to public versus private ownership of water in areas around the world, which included the United States, much of the meeting was spent discussing possible strategies to avoid the kind of problems faced by nearby towns like Barrington, Nottingham and Farmington in recent years.
Various officials, including three members of the district’s representation in Concord, attended the meeting, as did a representative from Governor Lynch’s office, who mentioned that the governor’s office "was happy to talk with the people." The meeting was also attended by community members and by officials in nearby communities including Pittsfield, and representatives of Save Our Groundwater, which has been fighting the USA Springs bottling plant for many years in Barrington and Nottingham.
The film primarily looked at scenes from a World Bank conference on water issues, as well as scenes of rioting in Bolivia after its third largest city privatized its water supply, and water rates rose for citizens there. A 17-year-old was killed in the fighting, according to the film. The film also shows efforts in Rajasthan, the desert state of India, to preserve their own water supply, and the dispute in Stockton, Calif., following the decision to privatize the town water company.
Many in attendance admitted that they hadn’t been thinking about water issues, but that the film made several key points that they took interest in. Veterans of the campaign against USA Springs suggested that they, too, were in the same position before the controversy hit their town. Several members of the Barnstead Board of Selectmen also attended the event, and made their own statements as well. Selectman Gordon Preston mentioned that he was especially concerned about the possible sale of community water for commercial purposes. He also said that the selectmen "were interested in local control, but they don’t know how much water is there (in the town’s wells)." Currently, he explained, the town uses a privately owned firm to provide water from the aquifer. Jack O’Neil mentioned that, in his role as town welfare director, he found that of all the utility companies, the water utility, because it is corporately owned, was the only utility he couldn’t make deals with to help families facing difficult times. He also added that he was concerned about the potential for bottling companies to go into the White Mountains to get their water, which he feared would hurt everyone in the area as tourism decreased.
Representative John Thomas, who represents Alton, Barnstead, Gilford and Belmont, said that he was impressed that meeting like this were going on in the area but warned the gathering that, "you have to keep committed. You have to stay involved with other communities." Gilford Representative Alida Millham, when asked at the meeting to rank the general awareness of the water issues in Concord, ranked it low, saying, "The awareness is not where it should be for most members."
Selectmen from other towns said that they were also concerned about the situation in their area. A Pittsfield selectmen stated that her town was now trying to take back their water company, which had been sold, using eminent domain, but that there might be the potential for one company to start controlling water in several communities at once.
Bill McCann, of Dover, a member of the board of directors of Save Our Groundwater, urged citizens to stay involved, saying that "this isn’t a Barrington or Farmington issue, it’s the entire state." Others at the meeting voiced some pessimism about how effective they could be, with water companies having the resources to hire several lobbyists to be in Concord all the time on their behalf. O’Neil did say that he felt that if citizens stood "with enough voices," they could make a difference. He also suggested that concerned townspeople could form a non-profit, which would allow them access to local media as well.
Shearer said that he has been working on the water issue "for about six months." He said that he was aware of the issues involving USA Springs, but that as he became involved in the Grassroots New Hampshire organization, water became a major issue for him. Shearer says that he would like to see an unamended version of House Bill 68 pass, which would give local communities greater control of their water. He also wanted to alert people in the area of "the environmental concerns of bottled water," including their disposal and materials. He hopes that Barnstead’s Board of Selectmen, who he said were invaluable for their help in setting up the May 4 meeting, will draft a strong ordinance regarding water that will be a model for other communities. Selectmen Mike Akstin also expressed similar hopes at the meeting.
New Machine gives doctors "Second Look" at mammograms.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
WOLFEBORO — Members of the Huggins Hospital department of Medical Imaging and Radiology departments have a new tool to help with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The hospital recently has come into possession of a new iCad machine, which will allow radiologists and mammogram technicians a "second look" at screening mammograms. While this does not replace the standard mammogram machine, it does allow for a closer look at certain areas that doctors and medical professionals might not initially see. The technology can improve the early detection by about 23 percent, according to literature provided by the manufacturer.
The new machine, Mammographer Louise Saxby said, will start to be used this week, after two weeks of test runs at the hospital. She says the new technology will be used, "primarily for screening mammograms."
"It digitizes the (mammogram) images, and prints out a paper report that highlights areas of concern for the radiologist," she said.
Saxby explained that the machine's software looks for areas of particular density that might be of concern. "There are subtle changes (in yearly breast examinations)," she said, "there isn't any bone to see broken or anything like that." Saxby said that she and the hospital’s other mammographers, Debbie Taylor, Darlene Ramsdell and Laura Smith perform between 2,400 and 2,600 mammograms a year at Huggins.
Dr. Gregory Vance describes the machine as "an important tool" in what he terms a "team approach to looking at a mammogram." But still, he says, "the human factor takes over" in the actual diagnosis of cancer.
Saxby made the point that the radiologist is still the one that considers risk factors for cancer, like age or family history, and that the radiologist takes factors like those into account while looking at the reports of the iCad.
Michael Wilkes, Director of Metal Imaging at Huggins, says that the department will be making attempts in the next few years to improve its technology. Currently, most all of the equipment still produces photographic images. Soon, according to Wilkes, the department will be trying to do more digitally.
Each Huggins professional emphasized the importance of early detection in breast cancer, including the importance for women, especially those over 40, to receive yearly mammograms. Early detection is important, as survival rates are far higher when the cancer is caught early on before it metastasizes.
Local Man Uses work experience to invent new tool
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Tim Smith worked for more than 15 years in the propane industry as a technician. He installed the copper tubing that brings propane into homes and businesses, but he, and many of his colleagues, found it difficult to tighten the "t-valves" that propane needs to use to connect pipes in various areas of a building. The valve has two horizontal ends, and has brass fasteners, which can be tightened easily with a wrench, Smith explained. The third end is not so easily tightened, because tightening would turn the rest of the valve along with it, leading to lots of frustration and, potentially, increased liability for installers, because often, the lateral end would not be as tight as the other two.
Using these experiences, Smith came up with a new tool, one that he believes makes life a lot easier for those in his former profession. His home business sells his invention, the "Timmy-T-Tight," which helps to tighten the "T-Valve" by holding the two ends in place, allowing the user to tighten the lower valve without hassle. Smith says that a prototype, currently being used by a propane company in North Carolina, has proven to be very popular with installers. "They tell me that their guys have been fighting over it," he says, obviously very proud that his tool has proven to be a big hit.
Smith says that he has been working on his invention over the past three years, working to perfect the design, as well as to go through the patent process. While his patent is now pending, Smith has begun selling his tool online at his company’s website (www.takmacllc.com). While marketed primarily for use by professionals installing propane and heating oil, Smith is working on other models for use by other industries as well.
Smith has not been alone in putting his invention out into the world. He has been assisted by members of his family, which include his sisters helping him with both marketing and sales, and his daughter, Kayley, helping run the office. Smith’s longtime girlfriend, Amy Hall, also helps him with shipping, he says. Smith also credits local machinist David Lebrecque for assisting with the engineering and casting of his invention.
Smith also serves the town of Barnstead as a fireman. While he says that the fire department does get the occasional call related to propane, it was his experience as a propane installer that got him to work on this new tool. "It’s a liability risk for those installing propane," he says, "they’re the ones held responsible if something goes wrong." Smith hopes that the "Timmy–T-Tight" will help to alleviate some of those fears that installers might have, and make things safer for everyone else.
First Meeting in Nearly a month focuses on finance issues
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — After missing a regularly scheduled meeting because it fell during spring break, the Barnstead school board used their May 10 meeting to discuss several issues, including approving the hiring of new teachers and accepting a bid for next year’s heating oil needs, and the approval of next year’s school calendar.
The calendar, in keeping with the school’s move to a trimester grade reporting system, will feature more days set aside for parent teacher conferences. While the October conference day will be reserved for meeting with all parents, other meeting days in January and in March will be on an "as needed" basis, with both teachers and parents able to ask for conferences. Barnstead Education Association Co-President Linda Nelson said that the calendar’s changes would still allow for the school year to end on time, as well as allowing for more interaction between parents and teachers.
Interim principal Michael Tocci also reported that the Community Work days for the construction of the school’s new playground would be held on the 15 and 16 of July. He also reported that the school’s new alternative program was off to a good start, with relatively positive reactions from students so far, and that the program was successful in changing "the culture within the classroom" for the better.
The board also approved the hiring of two teachers currently serving in positions on a one-year contract to permanent one. Sixth grade teacher Amy Fuddy and Kindergarten teacher Gwen Starr both were filling in for teachers on leaves or absence who decided not to return. Both were judged to have done a very good job this year, and the board unanimously approved their hiring.
The board also approved a transfer of funds for more than $14,000 to cover costs incurred throughout the year. They also accepted a bid to purchase next year’s heating oil supply, from Frank Fuller Oil Company, to provide the school with its 24,000 gallons of heating oil. Board member Keith Couch asked why the bid was for about 30 cents more than he is paying for his own heating oil to the same company, and district business administrator Donna Clairmont replied that a spike in oil prices over the last few months contributed to the increase. The board also approved payment of $2,500 to an engineer from Kohler and Lewis to look at the school’s air quality, which for some reason had not improved following maintenance by its current company, Johnson Control.
The board also discussed its committee structure, and the charter for the Building and Grounds committee will be discussed at the next meeting, following a meeting between its members and Clairmont. The next school board meeting will be held on May 24, with a workshop following a week later.
Water brings Representatives to Barnstead
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Efforts by the Board of Selectmen and local activist Bruce Shearer brought more than 30 people from area towns and villages to discuss water issues effecting central New Hampshire at a meeting held May 4 at Barnstead Town Hall. While much of the meeting was spent watching a documentary, "Thirst," which discussed issues related to public versus private ownership of water in areas around the world, which included the United States, much of the meeting was spent discussing possible strategies to avoid the kind of problems faced by nearby towns like Barrington, Nottingham and Farmington in recent years.
Various officials, including three members of the district’s representation in Concord, attended the meeting, as did a representative from Governor Lynch’s office, who mentioned that the governor’s office "was happy to talk with the people." The meeting was also attended by community members and by officials in nearby communities including Pittsfield, and representatives of Save Our Groundwater, which has been fighting the USA Springs bottling plant for many years in Barrington and Nottingham.
The film primarily looked at scenes from a World Bank conference on water issues, as well as scenes of rioting in Bolivia after its third largest city privatized its water supply, and water rates rose for citizens there. A 17-year-old was killed in the fighting, according to the film. The film also shows efforts in Rajasthan, the desert state of India, to preserve their own water supply, and the dispute in Stockton, Calif., following the decision to privatize the town water company.
Many in attendance admitted that they hadn’t been thinking about water issues, but that the film made several key points that they took interest in. Veterans of the campaign against USA Springs suggested that they, too, were in the same position before the controversy hit their town. Several members of the Barnstead Board of Selectmen also attended the event, and made their own statements as well. Selectman Gordon Preston mentioned that he was especially concerned about the possible sale of community water for commercial purposes. He also said that the selectmen "were interested in local control, but they don’t know how much water is there (in the town’s wells)." Currently, he explained, the town uses a privately owned firm to provide water from the aquifer. Jack O’Neil mentioned that, in his role as town welfare director, he found that of all the utility companies, the water utility, because it is corporately owned, was the only utility he couldn’t make deals with to help families facing difficult times. He also added that he was concerned about the potential for bottling companies to go into the White Mountains to get their water, which he feared would hurt everyone in the area as tourism decreased.
Representative John Thomas, who represents Alton, Barnstead, Gilford and Belmont, said that he was impressed that meeting like this were going on in the area but warned the gathering that, "you have to keep committed. You have to stay involved with other communities." Gilford Representative Alida Millham, when asked at the meeting to rank the general awareness of the water issues in Concord, ranked it low, saying, "The awareness is not where it should be for most members."
Selectmen from other towns said that they were also concerned about the situation in their area. A Pittsfield selectmen stated that her town was now trying to take back their water company, which had been sold, using eminent domain, but that there might be the potential for one company to start controlling water in several communities at once.
Bill McCann, of Dover, a member of the board of directors of Save Our Groundwater, urged citizens to stay involved, saying that "this isn’t a Barrington or Farmington issue, it’s the entire state." Others at the meeting voiced some pessimism about how effective they could be, with water companies having the resources to hire several lobbyists to be in Concord all the time on their behalf. O’Neil did say that he felt that if citizens stood "with enough voices," they could make a difference. He also suggested that concerned townspeople could form a non-profit, which would allow them access to local media as well.
Shearer said that he has been working on the water issue "for about six months." He said that he was aware of the issues involving USA Springs, but that as he became involved in the Grassroots New Hampshire organization, water became a major issue for him. Shearer says that he would like to see an unamended version of House Bill 68 pass, which would give local communities greater control of their water. He also wanted to alert people in the area of "the environmental concerns of bottled water," including their disposal and materials. He hopes that Barnstead’s Board of Selectmen, who he said were invaluable for their help in setting up the May 4 meeting, will draft a strong ordinance regarding water that will be a model for other communities. Selectmen Mike Akstin also expressed similar hopes at the meeting.
New Machine gives doctors "Second Look" at mammograms.
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
WOLFEBORO — Members of the Huggins Hospital department of Medical Imaging and Radiology departments have a new tool to help with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The hospital recently has come into possession of a new iCad machine, which will allow radiologists and mammogram technicians a "second look" at screening mammograms. While this does not replace the standard mammogram machine, it does allow for a closer look at certain areas that doctors and medical professionals might not initially see. The technology can improve the early detection by about 23 percent, according to literature provided by the manufacturer.
The new machine, Mammographer Louise Saxby said, will start to be used this week, after two weeks of test runs at the hospital. She says the new technology will be used, "primarily for screening mammograms."
"It digitizes the (mammogram) images, and prints out a paper report that highlights areas of concern for the radiologist," she said.
Saxby explained that the machine's software looks for areas of particular density that might be of concern. "There are subtle changes (in yearly breast examinations)," she said, "there isn't any bone to see broken or anything like that." Saxby said that she and the hospital’s other mammographers, Debbie Taylor, Darlene Ramsdell and Laura Smith perform between 2,400 and 2,600 mammograms a year at Huggins.
Dr. Gregory Vance describes the machine as "an important tool" in what he terms a "team approach to looking at a mammogram." But still, he says, "the human factor takes over" in the actual diagnosis of cancer.
Saxby made the point that the radiologist is still the one that considers risk factors for cancer, like age or family history, and that the radiologist takes factors like those into account while looking at the reports of the iCad.
Michael Wilkes, Director of Metal Imaging at Huggins, says that the department will be making attempts in the next few years to improve its technology. Currently, most all of the equipment still produces photographic images. Soon, according to Wilkes, the department will be trying to do more digitally.
Each Huggins professional emphasized the importance of early detection in breast cancer, including the importance for women, especially those over 40, to receive yearly mammograms. Early detection is important, as survival rates are far higher when the cancer is caught early on before it metastasizes.
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