Hudson~Litchfield News 3-4-2016

8/20/2019 Hudson~Litchfield News 3-4-2016

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by Susan Krzeminski When John F. Kennedy stated

that “the margin is narrow, but theresponsibility is clear,” he obviouslycould not have been thinking about ourlittle towns of Hudson and Litchfield.Yet, it holds true that the margin forwarrant articles to be approved is quiteoften by a few votes.

The burning question is…why didvoters show up in droves for the First inthe Nation Primary on Feb. 9? In fact,8,618 registered voters turned up forthe state primary in Hudson alone. InLitchfield, 3,561 concerned citizens

did their civic duty.What will happen on Tuesday,

March 8 when all of the local issuesare up for consideration? Despite the high stakes,only 3,000 voters are projected to make itto the polls in

Hudson on thisimportant day of decisions.

Although presidential candidates won’t be listedon the ballots on March 8, the familiar names willall appear there as they vie for their town and schoolboard seats. And the issues that affect you locallywill be front and center: in Hudson, a $2.2 millionfire station on Lowell Road and the addition of afull-time police officer; and in Litchfield, citizens’approval of $15,597 in fees to participate in acoalition related to the Northeast Energy Gas Pipeline

and a tax cap that regulates the town’s growth. Theseare just a few top items of consideration among the20 or so warrant articles listed on each of the townballots.

The decisions made on these local issues willaffect your daily life. The items up for vote willimpact each resident day in and day out. Collectivebargaining agreements with the teachers as well asthe firefighters in Hudson, a zoning ordinance inLitchfield regarding signs, various town operatingbudgets, and road improvement projects totaling

$200,000 in Litchfield. The variousissues on the local ballots impactthe roads you drive on, the firstresponders who keep you safe, andthe status of the schools where yourchildren learn.

Now get ready for a math lesson.In a national election, your vote isa minute percentage of all thosewho cast their opinions at the polls.Meanwhile, your vote at the locallevel counts for a lot more. If threethousand of Hudson’s

16,691 registeredvoters make a visit to the polls next week,then each vote constitutes 1.8 percent ofthose eligible to vote. Don’tforget that about 27,600people live in Hudson, soyour one vote equates to16 percent. Likewise, inLitchfield, if a projected 700voters show up, out of the6,176 who are registered,each vote equates to9.6 percent of votingpopulation.

When it comes tonavigating your way through

the ballot on March 8,you will have two ballotsto consider: one for thetown and one for theschool district. Your jobis simple: fill in the ovals.First, the names of thecandidates will appear atthe top of each ballot, alongwith what offices they arerunning for. Following the

candidates’ names, the warrant articles will appear in numericalorder with a b rief explanation and end with whether the town’sboard of selectmen, school board and budget committee endorsedthe particular article.

An indication will appear of how each group voted on eachwarrant article. For example, in Hudson, Warrant Article 7 on thereplacement of the track at Alvirne High School for $494,458 wasrecommended by the Hudson School Board by a vote of 3 to 1 butwas not recommended by the budget committee, 4 to 5. One townaway in Litchfield,the town’s Warrant Article7 concerns the police

contract,which appropriates $18,329 for the

current fiscal year. It was recommendedby both the board of selectmen, 4 to 1, and by the budget

committee, 8 to 0.Here’s a historical comparison to put it all in perspective.

by Laurie Jasper GFWC Hudson Junior Women hosted the

annual Candidates Night on Monday, Feb. 29, atthe Hudson Community Center. Sixteen of the23 residents seeking election to various positionsattended the event. GFWC member LauraEdmands opened with welcoming remarks, notingGFWC Hudson Junior Women is celebrating50 years of service to the Hudson communityand the community at large. Edmands thankedthe candidates and the audience members forattending, the Hudson Community Club for theirassistance as well as Hudson Cable Television forbroadcasting the program live. Town moderatorPaul Inderbitzen, who is running unopposed forre-election, explained the rules of the evening.Each candidate was allowed three minutes foran introductory speech. Following that portion,audience members were able to submit questions.Board of Selectmen (five candidates running fortwo three-year terms)

There are five candidates for two three-yearterms for the board of selectmen, and eachaddressed the audience. Roger Coutu said hemoved to Hudson in 1999 and has served forthe past eight years as a selectman, including aschairman and vice chairman, and said he wouldcontinue to serve with unending dedication,passion and integrity. Coutu said, “In thiselection, experience and productivity matter.”

Richard Kahn,who has run four

prior unsuccessfulcampaigns forselectman, choseto play on JeffFoxworthy’s“You might be aredneck” comedyby listing arambling diatribewith “You mightvote for Rich Kahnif …” including “Ifyou want to showyour neighborshow well you aredoing so you putall your stuff inyour yard, youmight vote forRich Kahn” and “Ifyou believe that a fullbody, naked scannerlike those they use atthe airports is somewhere between voyeurism andpedophilia, you might vote for Rich Kahn.” Heruns a landscaping business in town.

Incumbent Richard Maddox has been aselectman for the past 12 years, stating, “I am just

here to do what I believe is inthe best interest for the town ofHudson.” Maddox said he hasasked a lot of questions duringhis 12 years, citing severalexamples, and said he has theknowledge, determination anddedication for the position.

Angela Saucier has lived inHudson for six years, and this isher first time running for office.She said she works in salesfor an outside staffing agency

and her on-the-job experiencewould be an asset on theboard. Saucier is a member ofthe Alvirne Booster Club andis helping to renovate KiwanisField.

Jared Stevens ran last yearfor selectman and is on theballot again. “We’re reallytired of the status quo,” Stevenssaid. During Stevens’ openingstatement he spoke against thecurrent board.Budget Committee (threethree-year terms)

There are three three-year terms open for budgetcommittee, and two candidateshave applied. James Barnes

attended the event and said he has lived inHudson for 30 years and has served the last threeyears on the budget committee. In addition,Barnes has been a volunteer on the conservationcommittee and a member of the planning board.Currently, Barnes is chairman of the Benson ParkCommittee,Budget Committee (one one-year term)

Also for budget committee, there is one one-year term to which Joseph Fernald has applied.Fernald has lived in town for 12 years and isseeking office for the first time. “I want to involvemyself in how and where this town spendsits money,” Fernald said. Married with twinboys, Fernald is a T-ball coach with a degree inaccounting and an advanced degree in business.Cemetery Trustee (one three-year term)

Two residents have applied for the single three-year position as cemetery trustee. William Collins

is a life-long resident of Hudson and this is hisfirst time running for office. He is an appointedmember of the planning board and conservationcommission. “I think the cemeteries can providesome of that history to the localpeople. It’s something I findinteresting,” said Collins.Code of Ethics Committee(two three-year terms; onetwo-year term)

The code of ethicscommittee meets on an as-need basis. This year there aretwo three-year terms open forwhich no one applied. MarkManning signed up to servefor the one two-year term.Manning has lived in townwith his wife and two boys

for four years. He grew up in Dracut and is anaccount executive in Woburn who works part-time in real estate.Library Trustee (two three-year term)

For library trustee, there are four candidatesrunning for two three-year positions. Shawn

Jasper is a lifelong resident of the town and hasserved on many boards and committees. Jaspersaid as speaker of the House of Representativeshe doesn’t have as much time as he would liketo volunteer for the town he loves so much, buthe would like to give back to the community. “Ithink I have the experience that is needed onthat board. The library is a very important assetto the town of Hudson. I think there are someefficiencies that could be had there,” Jasper said.

Linda Kipnes is a current library trustee andloves being a trustee because she is an avid readerand library user. She said the trustees oversee the

budget and help set library policy.

Volume 27 Number 34 March 4, 2016 16 Pages

Supported Through Advertisers An Independent Weekly Newspaper

View past issues

and our other

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continued services with dedication,compassion,and above all, integrity!

Please Return Hudson Selectman

ROGER E.COUTU

Please Return Hudson Selectman

ROGER E.COUTU

On Tuesday March 8th

Candidates Night Introduces Those Seeking Election;Brings Rancor to Town as in Recent Presidential Debates

From left are Len Lathrop, Kara Roy, Linda Kipnes, Shawn Jasper, Mark Manning, William Collins, Moderator Paul Inderbitzen, Roger Coutu, Richard Kahn,

Richard Maddox, Angela Saucier, Jared Stevens, James Barnes, and Joseph Fernando.

C o u r t

e s y p h o t o

Alvirne High School Air Force JROTC cadets visitedWashington, D.C., Feb. 21-25. While there the cadets visitedwith U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte. Watch next week’s HLN for thecadets’ input on their visit to the nation’s capital.

JROTC Cadets Explore Washington, D.C.

C o u r t e s y p h o t o

continue to page 9- Presidential Debates

Just Think About it

Your Local Vote Counts for So Much More than a Penny

An enlightening look from the 1916 Hudson Annual Reportwhen the entire teaching staff’s salaries totaled $3,103.

Hudson’s 1916 Annual Report provides a glimpse at town costs from a century ago.

Hudson Town House, 1857

continue to page 9- Local Vote Counts


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2 - March 4, 2016 | Hudson - Litchfield News

The following students made the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of

Technology for the fall semester: Litchfield residents Andrew DiCola,who is studying in the biochemistry program and Aaron Pentheny,who is studying in the criminal justice program and Hudson residentsNicholas Iannaco, who is studying in the film and animation programand Torrey Dickman, who is studying in the graphic design program.

In honor of their outstanding academic achievement, EmmanuelCollege has named more than 600 students to the Dean’s List for thefall semester. Local students named to the Dean’s List include: MollyGillespie of Litchfield and Amanda Ingersoll of Hudson.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has named Adam Champagne ofLitchfield and Matthew Poegel of Hudson to the Dean’s Honor List forthe fall semester.

Ethan Michaud of Hudson and Samantha Sonnesso of Litchfieldhave been named to Emerson College’s Dean’s List for the fallsemester.

Three Hudson residents have recently been named to the Dean’sList at Boston University for the fall semester. Students recognizedfor this honor include: Teja Karri, Jacob G. Nazarian and Holly J.Roberts.

The following select students have been named to the fall Dean’sList at Roger Williams for the fall semester: Hudson residents Hanna

Bate, an Architecture major, Delaney Burns, an Elementary Educationmajor and Jeanetta Griffin, a Management major and Litchfieldresident Brianna Hardy, a Graphic Design Communications major.

Brittney Lambert of Hudson was one of 25 Worcester PolytechnicInstitute’s winter student-athletes to earn New England Women’sand Men’s Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference accolades.Lambert is a sophomore on the Women’s Basketball team. Honoreesmust have met the following criteria: earned a minimum cumulativeGPA of 3.5/4.0 scale or 4.35/5.0 scale after the 2015 fall semester,achieved second year academic status at his or her institution, andbeen a member of the varsity team for the entire season.

Send your Accolades to [email protected] with a photo

12

Hudson Police, Fire & Town Supervisors Association

Would Appreciate Your Support

YESON Article

Vote Tuesday,

March 8th

7am-8pm at HudsonCommunity Center

A "Mom & Pop" Hobby Store Open 7 Days A Week

4 Orchard View Drive - Apple Tree Mall -Londonderry, NH

603-432-4881

H OBB Y T O W NModel Kits . Puzzles . Paint-By-Number. Trains & Scenery Slot Car Sets . Breyer Horses . R/C Trucks & Planes

submitted by Girl Scout Troop 10251The Girl Scouts of Troop 10251 had a busy February learning

some valuable life skills. Thanks Harrison’s Comics and GraniteState American Kenpo for taking the time to work with the Scouts.Harrison’s helped them earn their business badge and preparefor their cookie booth by teaching them everything from how to

display items to customer service. Granite State American Kenpohosted an anti bullying and self-defense seminar for them. The GirlScouts learned how to protect themselves and had a lot of fun atthe same time.

Thank you to these two businesses for supporting Girl Scouts.

C o u r t e s y p h o t o s

Scouts Learn Business Basics and Life Skills

Harrison’s Comics Granite State American Kenpo

Candidate for Selectmen Hudson, NH March 8th for Jared Stevens

(603) [email protected] Political ad paid for by Jared Stevens, Hudson, NH

“ F o c u s o n o u r F u t u r e ”

submitted by Presentation of Mary Academy,Hudson

Maxwell Beland, an eighth grader at thePresentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, sureknows his geography. Maxwell has been notifiedby the National Geographic Society that he is oneof the semifinalists to compete in the 2016 NHNational Geographic State Bee. The contest willbe held at Keene State College on Friday, April 1.Maxwell was the winner at the PMA GeographyBee for all students in grades four through eight.School champions were then required to take an

online qualifying test. Maxwell is ready for thebig day. “I’m excited and have been studyingevery day,” said Maxwell. Best of luck!

Maxwell Beland Wins PMA

Geography Bee;

Heading toState Contest

Maxwell Beland of PMA has been studying hard forthe upcoming NH National Geographic State Bee on

April 1 in Keene.


Back Row (from left to right): Ms. Dekeon, Emily, Isaballe, Daica, Evan, Ms. D’AnjouFront Row (from left to right): Ryleigh, Hana, Avery pose and make funny faces.

Ms. Jacobson and Mrs. Faria dancing and acting wacky.

Wacky Wednesdayat Dr. H.O. Smith


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Hudson - Litchfield News | March 4, 2016 - 3

Hours: Tues- Thur. 11am - 6pmFri & Sat. -11 am - 7pmSunday - 12 - 5 pm

Monday - Closed

603-417-7164

ll l

297 Derry Rd. Route 102,

Hudson, NH (Next to Rocco's)

TOGETHER WE WILL CONTINUE

THE PROGRESS FOR HUDSON

SELECTMAN ROGER E.

C O U T UPolitical Advertisement paid by Roger E. Coutu

REELECT

SELECTMAN ROGER E.

C O U T U

submitted by Ruth Parker The year was 1951 and Hudson’s population was rapidly growing.

The town was renting a four-stall fire station on Ferry Street that wasalready overcrowded. The problem was simple: how could thetown build a larger fire station without raising the already high taxrate? The selectmen, the then volunteer fire department, and FrankNutting had a plan. They would borrow $40,000. The yearly costto repay this loan would be about the same as what the town wasalready paying for the rented station. This money would be used formaterials; the labor to build the station would come from volunteers.

At the town meeting in March 1952, the town voted to build afirehouse at a cost not exceeding $40,000.

The planning and architectural work was done by Leonard Smith,a local builder and member of the volunteer fire department.Ground was broken May 1, 1952, on town-owned land at thecorner of Library and School streets, opposite Webster School,utilizing about one-half of the approximately 1.3 acres of the oldball field. Community spirit was high; volunteers came from withinthe department, the town, town organizations, and even fromsurrounding towns. Engineers, builders, merchants, and laborerscame forward to help. The result was this fire station of typical NewEngland architecture with housing for nine trucks, offices, rest rooms,kitchen, future sleeping area and an assembly hall. There was alsoroom for expansion. By the fall of 1952 the building was enclosedfor winter work, and, by the summer of 1953, the new station wasput into service. One work session occurred on April 3, 1953, with24 men and 16 members of the fire department. Following workthey were rewarded by a ham and bean supper prepared by LeonHammond, Norman Crosby and Lewis Reynolds.

This facility housedthe fire and policedepartments. Later theupstairs was used fortemporary classrooms,then for meetingsand classes for bothdepartments with spacefor supplies. The boardof selectmen moved its

office from the basementof the Hills Libraryinto the fire station,remaining here untilthe town office buildingwas built next door onthe corner of schooland what is now ChaseStreet. At that timeChase Street ended atSchool Street and did notextend to Ferry Street.

As town growthand needs of the firedepartment continuedan addition to thisstation has occurred as well as the addition of satellite stations onBurns Hill and Robinson roads. Shortly after the passing of LeonardSmith in 2002, the Central Fire station was renamed The Leonard E.

Smith Fire Station” in his memory. Photo from the Historical Societycollection.

Remember Hudson When ...Central Fire Station C 1955

Central Fire Station c. 1955

submitted by Pastor Lori Wiley An ordination and installation were

conducted at Litchfield CommunityChurch Presbyterian on Sunday, Feb. 28.

Julie Doyle was ordained as a ruling elder,and Jean Lister was ordained as a deacon.This was followed by an installation of

Julie Doyle and Elizabeth McGilvary asruling elders, and Jean Lister and ChristineLepine as deacons.

In the Presbyterian tradition, eldersand deacons are nominated by thecongregation, then prepared, examined,and approved by Session, composedof six ruling elders. “Ruling” is relatedto measuring – helping the church“measure up” to God’s expectations.Those who are approved by Session are

ordained and installed in the presenceof the congregation. The ordination andinstallation was conducted by the Clerk

of Session, Gregory Lepine. Anordination carries for life, andcomes from the term ordered or“organized.” Presbyterians believethe church is put in order by God,and God calls members of thechurch to ordered ministry. Thechurch, also called congregation,confirms God’s call to individuals forservant leadership. Each ruling elderwho has been installed as a memberof Session will have responsibilitiesfor overall church management aswell as specific duties.

The Presbyterian Church camefrom the Reform movement, viaScotland, and is best known forits Constitution, which consists

of the Book of Confessions andBook of Order. The Book of Ordernot only sets out the Foundations of

Presbyterianism, but also how the church is tobe governed, the order of worship, and howdiscipline is to be conducted.

Jonathan Edwards began as a Presbyterian,as did Benjamin Franklin. There were 11Presbyterians in the Continental Congress, andtheir views on representational governanceinfluences the formation of the House ofRepresentatives. Andrew Jackson was the firstPresbyterian President. Charles Finney, leader ofthe Second Great Awakening, was a Presbyterianminister. The song, “Jesus loves me” was writtenby a Presbyterian.

Litchfield Community Church is a member ofthe Presbytery of Northern New England, and itsprimary purpose is to meet the spiritual needs ofthe town of Litchfield. Its worship services are at10 a.m., and everyone is invited to attend.

Litcheld Community Church Conducts Ordination

Jean Lister

Julie Doyle

by Len Lathrop“Although no bomb has ever been found in a

New Hampshire school after a Communicatedthreat, take each threat seriously.” is the openingstatement in a Response Guidance pass out thatTrooper Ed Flynn of the New Hampshire State

Police used as he met with staff at Campbell HighSchool Monday after school.

The informational meeting was set up bySchool Resource Officer Michael Corl, who isa sergeant on the Litchfield Police. The invitedwere administrators, office personnel, SchoolAdministrative Unit members and other membersof the Litchfield School District.

Corl stressed that being proactive is the keyto good planning and preparation to have safeschools. Corl had worked with the Flynn andother members of the NH StateBomb Squad at the Manchesterairport and knew theirexperience would be a guide forthe Litchfield schools.

Trooper Flynn outlined hisgoal as to use: “What we (thebomb squad) have seen andwhat we have done.” His goalson Monday were to educate,

covering phone screening, basicplanning and to meet and know

the players of the Litchfield School system and toreview threat assessment.

As the “1812 Overture” could be heard comingfrom the band room, Flynn broke the ice bytelling everyone about bomb dogs and theirtraining starting with smelling gunpowder in cans,

and when they show an interest in the can thatsmelled different to sit and stay. He mentionedhow the bomb squad was an asset of the stateand their team will help small town and largercommunities when asked.

Many things were reviewed, but many were ona need-to-know basis, but important informationon the assessment of threat, shelter in place versusevacuation, noting things out of place, and manymore useful examples for those on the front line ofschool safety.

Litcheld School StaffReceive Guidance on

Bomb Threat Response

S t a f f p h o t o s b y L e n L a t h r o p

NH State Trooper Flynn


s


4/16

Cheryl Ann O’Toole, 60, passed away aftera courageous battle with cancer on Feb. 27,2016. She was born in Dorchester, Mass.,and graduated from Burlington High Schoolin 1972. She has been a resident of Hudsonsince 1985 where she was employed by theHudson School District since 2000; she mostrecently worked at Library Street School asan administrator. Her smile and kind wordsat the front door were appreciated by all.

She was a devoted wife and loving mother.Cheryl was an avid health enthusiast, bargainshopper, holiday decorator, and dog lover,

especially to her beloved “little boo” Toby. She loved spending timewith family and friends, Saturday dance nights, time outdoors, andtending to her admired garden.

Cheryl is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Brian

O’Toole of Hudson; her son Ryan and his wife Allison ofTyngsborough, Mass.; and her son Patrick, his wife Melanie andgranddaughter Harper ofLondonderry. She was thebeloved daughter of PatrickFlanagan of Wells, Maine, andDoris Flanagan of Burlington,Mass. She is also survivedby her sister Susan Miles ofSalem, N.H., and her lovingnieces and nephews. She will

be missed dearly by all thatknew her.

A Celebration Mass washeld March 3 at St. JohnChurch in Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, donationscan be made to the

New Hampshire Humane Society.To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.

dumontsullivan.com. The Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home inHudson was in charge of arrangements.


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NowCurrently

New Hampshire Flag Football Leagues spring seasonregistration is open. The league offers flag football for boysand girls ages 5-15. For information on the league and to

register your player, go to www.NHFFL.com.

Registration for Winter/Spring Children’s Programs at RodgersMemorial Library. Registration has begun - We have everythingfrom cooking and crafts to book discussions and story times.Something for all ages can be found here! Miss Betsey’s Craft Clubheld on the first, third and fifth Thursdays and Miss Karyn’s “Food& Fun” held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month areboth sure to ignite creativity for making cool projects and exploringnew book titles. Books and Babies is a great time for babies up to18 months and their caregivers to enjoy time with other babies andparents. Check out www.rodgerslibrary.org and click events for amonthly calendar. Call 886-6030 with questions.

Ongoing Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Hot Lunches available

at 12 p.m., Community Church of Hudson, 9 Central St., Hudson.We are working around repairs.

Sunday, March 6Faberge Eggs From Fine Art to Fine Craft. Traditional

Russian artist and lecturer Marina Forbes will offer a unique

workshop on the rich Russian folk tradition of wooden Easteregg painting at the Rodgers Memorial Library from 1 to 4 p.m.

Open to adults, teens, and families with children 6 and up. Thisunique program combines a beautifully illustrated presentation onthe life and remarkable work of Russian master jeweled egg artist,Peter Carl Faberge, with a hands-on workshop where participantswill learn how to render a variety of delightful images on woodeneggs. Traditional Russian painting techniques and floral and berrydesigns are introduced. No painting experience is required for theclass. Experienced artists will also feel very comfortable in thisworkshop. Pre-register at rmlnh.org/events or call 886-6030.

Tuesday, March 8Hudson Town Elections, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Community CenterLitchfield Town Elections, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Campbell HighSchool

Self-Care 101. Now that Valentine’s Day has come and gone,it’s time to think about taking care of one of your most importantloved ones - you! We’re not talking about spa pedicures andmassages, although those are great, we’re talking about the basicsof self-care, such as how you talk to yourself: Like your best friend

would? Or like your worst enemy? Join Master Certified Life CoachDiane MacKinnon, M.D., for an interactive discussion about thetrue meaning of self-care and gain tools and skills to help set yourlife up so you take care of everyone in your life, including yourself!Rodgers Memorial Library, Hudson. Registration requested; walk-inswelcome. Go to rmlnh.org/events or call 886-6030.

Wednesday, March 9Candidate for Governor Mark Connolly will join the

Pelham and Hudson Democrats for their meeting. Therewill be an opportunity for Q & A. 7 p.m., Rodgers Memorial

Library, 194 Derry Rd., Hudson.

Thursday, March 10Kid’s Tabletop Game Night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Aaron

Cutler Library. Geared for aged 8-13. Kids may be droppedoff or parents and siblings may stay and play.

Thursdays, March 10 & March 24Unraveled Knitting and Stitching Group meets every second and

fourth Thursday night of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the AaronCutler Library to stitch, swap patterns, and socialize. All levels from

beginner to advanced are welcome. Even if you have never pickedup a needle, our group members will help you get started! Feel freeto call the circulation desk with questions at 424-4044.

Fridays, March 11, 18 & 25 Book Babies, 10:30 a.m., at the Aaron Cutler Library.

Geared for babies aged newborn to 18 months. Babiesand their caregivers can join us for stories, songs, nursery

rhymes and lots of bonding!

Fridays, March 11, 18 & 25 Toddler Time, 10:30 a.m., Aaron Cutler Library. Geared for

toddlers aged 18-36 months. Toddlers and their caregivers can joinus for stories, interactive play, songs, crafts, and loads of fun!

Saturday, March 12Thrift Shop at Community Church of Hudson will reopen

at 10 a.m. Easter and spring items. Coats and jackets,household items.

Sunday, March 13Hollis Arts Society Juried Members Show. In March

works of art by members of the Hollis Arts Society willbe displayed in the Rodgers Memorial Library community

room. From 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a reception where youcan meet the artists. Guitarist George Page will provide music forthe reception and light refreshments will be served.

Sunday, March 13 & Thursday, March 17 A Used Book Sale to benefit the Hudson library will be held on

Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. atthe Hills Library building, 16 Library St. in Hudson.

Tuesday, March 15 Friends of the Library of Hudson will hold its bi-monthly

meeting at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the RogersMemorial Library. All are welcome as we plan for spring

events.

Tuesday, March 15 thru Saturday, March 19Make ‘n Take Crafts at the Aaron Cutler Library. Join us at the

library for crafts. You can either make it here or take it for somecrafting fun at home. Our next Make ‘n Take craft is scheduled forthis week. Stop by to make a shamrock hat of your own!

Wednesday, March 16The Litchfield Senior Citizens Group will meet at 12 p.m.

at the Community Church on Charles Bancroft Highway.There will be a luncheon followed by a discussion on the

history of cinema by Jeff Klenotic. All seniors are invited toattend.

Book Bunchm, 4 p.m. at the Aaron Cutler Library. This book club

for kids in grades 3-5 meets each month to discuss a pre-selectedbook, complete a fun book-related activity, and begin our next book.We will discuss “Nuts to You” by Lynne Rae Perkins. Pick up yourcopy at the library!

Tween Game Night meets every third Wednesday night of themonth for tweens in grade 6-8 to come and enjoy a variety of boardgames lead by Litchfield resident Nick Ozmore. This program runsfrom 6 to 8 p.m. at the Aaron Cutler Library and is free and open tothe public. Feel free to call the circulation desk with questions at424-4044.

Friday, March 18Hudson Memorial VFW Post 5791 will host a Meat

Raffle at its post home located at 15 Bockes Rd., Hudson,beginning at 7 p.m. You must be 16 or older to attend. The

proceeds from this event will benefit the VFW National Homefor Children. For more information call the canteen at 598-4594Mon.-Sat., 12 to 8 p.m. We hope to see you there.

Saturday, March 19$5 A Bag Sale. Help us clean out and get ready for spring

and summer merchandise. Community Church of Hudson,9 Central St., Hudson. Clothing, children’s clothing,household items.

American Legion Post 48 will host a Meat Raffle at its post homelocated at 1 Fulton St. in Hudson. This event is open to membersand guests. The proceeds will benefit American Legion projects. Formore information call the Foxhole at 889-9777 after 11 a.m.

Tuesday, March 22The Homeland Heroes Foundation - Helping Soldiers

Every Day will hold a 1960s Dance Party, its third annualDinner Dance, from 6 to 11 p.m., at the Atkinson Country

Club. Dance the night away for a great cause! Music byThe Reminisants, live and silent auctions, prize wheel and more!Reserve your table today! $60 per person. Tickets available atHomelandHeroesFoundation.org or by calling (617) 910-6948. Visitus at facebook.com/www.homelandhereosfoundation.org.

Thursday, March 24 thru Saturday, March 26Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Great Vigil on

Saturday, “Triduum,” 6:30 p.m. each day. CommunityChurch of Hudson, 19 Central St. Join us for this special

Holy Week service.

Tuesday, March 29The Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce will hold

its 47th Annual Awards Dinner honoring the Citizen of theYear, the Business of the Year, the Outstanding Community

Partners and the Junior Citizen of the Year. This event will take

place at The Castleton Banquet & Conference Center, 58 EnterpriseDr., in Windham, beginning at 6 p.m. Guest speakers will beExecutive Councilor Christopher Sununu and Carl Soderberg of AbleEbenezer Brewing Co. Tickets are $50 per person. Reservations can be made by contacting the Chamber by Wed., March 16 at 889-4731 or [email protected].

Wednesday, March 30“Hiking the Camino de Santiago,” a library program

presented by Theresa Fersch. She will highlight her journeyfrom St. Jean Pied-de-Port, France all the way to Santiago

de Compostella, Spain, sharing her experiences of kindness,friendship and love. Come to the Aaron Cutler Library in Litchfieldat 7 p.m. to enjoy her celebration of life as she discusses her 500mile pilgrimage. Get inspired to live vicariously through her slidesor head out on your own journey. This program is free and open tothe public. For questions call the circulation desk at 424-4044.

Saturday, April 2CHS Athletic Booster Club is hosting Saturday Night

Spring Fever from 7 to 11 p.m., at Talent Hall in Litchfield.Music will be provided by DJ Bob Kirby and there will plenty

of great raffle prizes! Tickets available in advance for $10each at Town Hall or $15 each at the door. BYOB/food and come

join us for a great night of dancing and socializing!

Friday, April 8Adults can sign up now for a Beginner Scrap Booking

Class. Come join us at the Aaron Cutler Library from 1 to3 p.m. to learn how to create a scrap book page to preserve

memories with family and friends. All attendees shouldbring six to eight theme related photos (i.e., graduation, Christmas,a birthday, a day at the beach). Free to attend for all Litchfieldresidents. Supplies are included, but sign up is required. Forquestions call the circulation desk at 424-4044.

Saturday, April 9Litchfield Firefighters Association will hold its 36th

Annual Ham & Bean Supper from 4 to 7 p.m. at theCampbell High School Cafeteria. The Supper is a wonderful

fundraising even that helps bring the community together.Tickets may be purchased in advance at [email protected] or at the door: $7/adults, $6/seniors, $5/children, under 4/free.

8th

9th

T oot Y ou r H o r n ! ! ! Be part of Salute to Business and your unique story will run with your advertisement. Call 880-1516.

March is the month to tell your story.


5/16

The Word Around Town...Letters to our Editor

The Alvirne High School Music Department presents:

Cabaret 2016

Hollywood – Then and Now

Saturday April 2nd at 2:00 PM

Saturday April 2nd at 7:30 PM

Sunday April 3rd at 1:00 PM

Tickets are on sale now athttp://alvirnemusic.ludustickets.com

Get Your Tickets to the AHS Cabaret!

Elect Angela P. Saucier on Tuesday

March 8th Focused

on the continued

growth of Hudson and

doing what is right

for the community.

[email protected] ad paid for by Angela Saucier, Hudson, NH

Buy-Sell-Trade

New and Used Firearms

Firearms Training

Gunsmithing - Custom Builds

Cerakote - Hydrographics

Class III Dealer

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continue to page 6- More Letters

Vote Yes on Warrant Article 18 –Benson Park Utilities

Beginning in 2009, countless hours of volunteer work and contributions plus

the work of Town employees in the Highway Department and other departmentshave converted Benson Park from an overgrown, abandoned parcel of property intoa popular attraction enjoyed by many, many people throughout the year. Goingforward, we will need to continue to invest in the park to provide improvements.

One of the planned improvements is the development of a museum in the oldElephant Barn. e Friends of Benson Park have been working to restore the buildingand raising funds to support the restoratio n process. e Town of Hudson hasprovided the Friends of Benson Park with a long-term lease to support the museum.One of the commitments by the Town was to provide utility connections to the futuremuseum. Currently, there is only a temporary electricity connection to the building.

Warrant Article 18 on this year’s Town Warrant provides the funds to bring theutilities into the central portion of the Park and to the Elephant Barn/Museumbuilding. Passing this Article will allow water and sewer service to be brought tothe building. A permanent connection to the electric grid will also be provided.e gas utility will provide a connection from the nearby main on Kimball HillRoad. Installation of the utilities in the central part of the park will also provide anopportunity to co nnect the newly relocated Train Station and the Offi ce Building when and if that becomes part of the plan for those buildings. And finally, havingthese utilities will provide an opportunity to add permanent restroom facilities to thePark in the future.

Please vote Yes on Warrant Article 18 to support this investment in the future ofBenson Park.

Jim Barnes, Hudson

Article 12 Supports Police,Fire and Town Staff

Our association is asking for your support on Town Article 12 and how importantthis article is to the people of Hudson. Warrant Article 12 asks to approve a threeyear contract for the Hudson Police, Fire and Town Supervisors Association. isassociation is made up of supervisors from various Town departments. e majorityof this association is Police and Fire supervisors as well as the Animal Control Offi cer,Town Engineer, Information Technology, Highway Department Supervisor and Town Accountant. ese are highly experienced, professional and educated town employees, with some having more than 20 years of service to the people of Hudson.

e association is asking for a fair increase while keeping the tax impact as low as

possible. For people who live here, Hudson is a great Town and a great place to raise afamily. One thing that makes it so great is the services you receive. ese employeesare here to serve and protect the Town.

A yes vote on Article 12 will allow you to pay your Town supervisors an average wage for their continued outstanding dedicati on to you and the Town of Hudson.

Please take a few minutes out of your busy day to vote yes on Article 12. emembers of the Association would like to thank you in advance for your considerationon this article. We join together with the Hudson Board of Selectmen, HudsonBudget Committee and ask for your support to vote yes on Article 12.

John P. Beike, President, Hudson Police, Fireand Town Supervisors Association

Chief Reminds Voters that Hudson Firedoesn’t Act Alone

Today I write to encourage you to support Articles 10, 11 and 12, the ratificationof multi-year contracts negotiated between the Town of Hudson Board of Selectmenand the Hudson Fire Fighters Union, IAFF 3154, Hudson Support Staff a nd theHudson Police, Fire and Town Supervisors Association for wage and benefit increases.One of my goals as Fire Chief is to make sure I provide the citizens of Hudson withthe best services possible. is may include many different things: from a fire, to amedical emergency, problem with your heating device, obtaining advise for a buildingproject or zoning/code enforcement concern. I certainly cannot accomplish thisalone. is can only be accomplished through a team effort that is made up of severaldifferent groups all of these associations make up the great team at Hudson Fire.

All of the mentioned warrant articles represent multi-year contracts that prov ide

employees with a raise, while making sure that we collectively work together tounderstand the implication of the Affordable Care Act. E ach day they provide alevel of service that cannot be matched. ey do this by embracing new trainingtechniques and medical practices or expanding their responsibilities in order toincrease the services we provide. ey do this to ensure we are providing the bestopportunities to our customers.

ank you for taking the time to read this a nd I remind you to vot e on Tuesday,March 8.

Robert M. Buxton, Fire Chief, Hudson

Renovating Alvirne Track Requires your VoteI write as a member o f Alvirne High School’s track team and a s the Student

Representative to the School Board as I ask you to consider voting for Warrant Article 7 on the Hudson School District Ballot during the March 8 elections. is Warrant Article came in by petition and provides for the renovation of the JamesSullivan Track at a cost up to $494,458. e 23-year-old track has been closed forcompetition beginning in this upcoming track season due to its poor condition thatis unrepairable. Hudson’s high school and middle school teams will no longer be ableto hold home meets at the track. Within a few years, it appears that the high schooltrack team will no longer be able to hold practice on the track as its condition willonly continue to degrade. With that being said, I sincerely ask you to vote in favor of

Warrant Article 7 to provide for the renovation of the James Sullivan Track.

Shane Coughlin, Student Representative to the School Board, Hudson

Re-elect Couture to LitchfieldBudget Committee

I am running for re-election the Litchfield Budget Committee and I ask for yoursupport on Tuesday. March 8.

I have over 20 years of Litchfield budget experience as a former long-timeLitchfield School Board member who was involved in detailed budget development,including goal setting, program development, policy creation, etc. I held a varietyof positions in my tenure including serving as Chair, vice chair, President of the NHSchool Boards Association, and several years as the School Board’s representative tothe Budget Committee. e last four years I have served as an elected member ofthe budget committee and the last two years as the Budget Committee Chair. I amorganized, detail-oriented and work to keep people focused on the role of budgetdevelopment.

ank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the polls onTuesday.

Cynthia Couture, Litchfield

An Open Letter to the Citizens of HudsonI’m Robert (Bob) Guessferd. I have been a resident of Hudson since 1989 and,

while I grew up in Delaware. Hudson is where I have raised my family and it is myhome. I care very much about the present and future of our town and have been avery active parent and volunteer in town and school activities. My family has beenimpacted over the years from the decisions made by others regarding town and schoolservices. I am now running as a write in candidate for one of the three open BudgetCommittee seats which will be decided on March 8. I would be honored to receivethe confidence of your vote, but at a minimum, I ask you to take a few minutes ofyour time on Tuesday to exercise your right to vote for those whom will make thegreatest direct impact on your day to day lives here in Hudson. ank you verymuch.

Bob Guessferd, Hudson

It’s Spring Time;Flowers and Politicians

Pop UpHe’s back! I was sick and so was my PC

but we’re both healthy again and just intime. e Crocus bulbs and the politicalbulbs are popping up and it’s brought tomind that I moved to Hudson in 2004and it now seems like there’s many of thesame names in town government then, asthere is now. Isn’t there something wrong with that? Twelve years later and we getthe same offerings, what happened to

“Change we can believe in” especially at the local level?is is the same question I’ve asked in previous Opinion Offerings, which is what

prompted the thought of “Vote for New, After Two (terms); and especially after “TooLong” in offi ce. I fully understand what it means to be of service in our communities,at 70 I’ve done so since my late 30s. But when the same local politicians, and I usethe term politicians t o refer to the local offi ce holders in this i nstance, who are indeedserving their communities; but when they can’t or won’t let go of that to allow othersto serve in their communities in the very same capacities; all those other people who want to do so, are being marginalized or d isenfranchised by the two political partiesmanipulating conditions to stay in power with those who gained power, against eachother.

e primary elections have shown that all across the country, people are generallyfed up with this two party political system that produces the same candidates everyelection cycle. And look at NH with this current governor who is campaigning tomove further up the ladder behind her benefactor, when there’s 938 drug over dosedeaths have been allowed duri ng her terms in offi ce; while she’s squandered urgentlyneeded and limited resources to build gigantic liquor stores across this state. Don’t938 dead people, even if at their own hands, mean anything to anybody; that thisGovernor should have started a major program to stop in the year of 192 deaths in2013? ere should have been a call to remove this governor from offi ce a long timeago! I’ve got no respect for her as a person, no respect for her benefactor, or theirpolitical party.

Jerry Gutekunst, Hudson

Shawn N. Jasper a Candidate

for Library TrusteeI am asking the voters of Hudson to consider casting one of their two votes forLibrary Trustee for me. e Library is wonderful resource for the people of Hudson, which should be managed in a way that not only respects the traditiona l purposesof libraries, but that also meets the ever expanding ways in which modern librariesprovide nontraditional services. I believe that my experience in business and ingovernment can help the library in many ways that will benefit both the patrons andthe taxpayers.

As Speaker of the New Hampshire House I have saved the taxpayers severalhundred thousand dollars by bringing a fresh set of eyes to the operations of theLegislature and not just assuming that the way things are, are the way they shouldalways be. I believe that there are effi ciencies to be had in the operations of the librar yas well, ones which will not have a negative effect on services.

My interest In the Library is nothing new. As a Selectman I served as the liaison tothe library, where I learned about the library operations. As a member of the BudgetCommittee I became very familiar with the budgetary needs and wants of the library.More recently I served on a committee which developed a strategic plan to better servethe needs of the patrons.

My promise to the voters of Hudson is that, if I am elected, I will devote the timenecessary to make sure that your tax dollars are used wisely and that I have educatedmyself on the issues to ensure that my decisions are based on the facts and not just onthe recommendations of others.

Shawn N. Jasper, Hudson

Richard Kahn Vies for Selectman’s Seat My name is Richard Kahn and I am a candidate for selectman for the town of

Hudson, for a three-year term. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in computersystems engineering from UMass/Amherst and a Master of Education degree fromRivier College. I have been married to Sherry for over 32 years and have a 28 year oldson, Matthew, a daughter-in-law Nancy, and a soon-to-be 1-year old granddaughterMaggie. I have run a landscaping business in town for the last 15 years.

My campaign is still centered on the five primary goals and objectives first definedfour years ago. 1) Accountability, 2) transparency, 3) fiscal restraint, 4) civil liberties,and 5) create a business-friendly climate.

• Accountability - Government at all levels likes to escape accountability byblaming “the other guy.” A vote for Rich Kahn means the buck stops with me.• Transparency - Anyone here heard of RSA 91-A? at is the state’s right-to-know law. If there is a public hearing or even a discussion between twopublic offi cials on an issue, you are entitled to know the content of that heari ngor discussion. Why should Hudson residents have to file a formal right-to-know request to get information from *their* government. A vote for RichKahn means if you are entitled to public information and I have access to it, itis yours.• Fiscal restraint - Fiscal restraint is sorely lacking everywhere in public life.Ever wonder why default budgets are higher than actual budgets? Ever wonder

why voting *no* costs more than voting *yes*? A vote for Rich Kahn means youthink that is as silly as I do.• Civil liberties - How is it in the United States of America you can loseyour property on the mere suspicion your property was involved in a crime?

You do not even have to be accused of a crime, and the burden of proof is on*you* to get your property back. A vote for Rich Kahn means your civil liberties

will be respected.• Business-friendly climate - In Hudson, ordinance interpretations appearto be at the whim of those bureaucrats charged with enforcing those ordinances.Big businesses based out of town or even out of state and country are given apass while the small business owner has to fight for even the smallest concession.is is what I consider crony capitalism and a vote for Rich Kahn means a votefor a more business-friendly climate.

As you consider the options, you will see one candidate for selectman is no t saying what the other candidates are saying. If you like that difference, please “like” me onFacebook (www.facebook.com/RichardKahnForSelectman) and let me have your voteon Tuesday, March 8.

Richard Kahn, Hudson

Your Neighbors Need YouI think we can agree that the weather has been kinder this year. Instead, many folks

of Hudson are preoccupied with the elections. In all of our daily routines we have atendency to forget that there are many of our own neighbors who are still strugglingeven without all the snow. ey are not sure where their next meal will come from.Once the holidays are over and the decorations are put away, people tend to forgetabout those who are less fortunate.

Our shelves are rather bare after feeding 200-plus families for the holidays and wereally need help with the following items; pickles, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, ketchup,beets, carrots, tea, coffee, cookies, tuna, spam, canned chicken, beef broth, beef gravy,chicken gravy, jelly, sugar, flour, brownie mix, hash, chili, canned macaroni products,

breakfast bars, pancake syrup, evaporated milk, mashed potatoes,stuffi ng mix, pasta sides, r ice sides, chicken helper, mac & cheese,toothbrushes and shaving cream.

It does not matter whether you can donate one of the items listedabove or a bag of items. What matters is that you realize that yourneighbors need help and you want to donate something. Items can bedropped off at the Food Pantry at 23 Library St., at Chiropractic Worksin the Brook Plaza or in the wooden box at Hannafords. We here atthe Hudson Food Pantry we would like to thank all of you for yourgenerosity in the past but we need your help now.

ank you in advance for your support and donation.

Meghan Kostro on behalf of St. John XXIIIParish Food Pantry

Why do Teachers Choosenot to Stay in Hudson?

Warrant Article 2 is a five-year agreement between the HudsonSchool Board and the 260 members of the Hudson Federation ofTeachers which includes all teachers, speech therapists, occupationaltherapists, physical therapists, full-time nurses, and full-time para-educators.

e cost to fund this contract in the 2016-2017 school year is$281,768. Funding for this warrant article creates an estimated taximpact of 11 cents. is is an annual cost of $33 to a family with aproperty valued at $300,000. is comes out to $2.75 per month, thecost of one large cup of coffee.

During negotiations, the Hudson School Board had three mainobjectives: to create a competitive salary schedule so that the districtcould attract and retain a quality teaching staff, create cost savingsto the voter through a change in health insurance plan, and to gain



6/16


Hudson, Re-Elect

Vote Tuesday, March 8th

Experienced

Dedicated

FrugalMaddox is the

fourth name listed

on your ballot!

Rick Maddox Selectman

Eloise Maddox, fiscal agent

30 Lowell Rd, Brook Plaza, Hudson, NH

603-886-3411

C R E A T ION S

FLOORING

CARPET SPECIALISTS

Serving the Southern New

Hampshire area for over 20 Years!

Carpets • Vinyl • Ceramic • Hardwood

Laminates • Window Treatments • Area Rugs

Residential-Commercial

T,W,F 9-5, Thrs 9-8, Sat 9-3

More Letters to our Editor- continued from page 5

continue to page 7- More Letters

concessions to be able to start school prior to Labor Day when it made sense; these were all achieved.

During the interview process, the Hudson School District loses many candidatesto other districts. Why does this happen? A study was done comparing salariesin Hudson to salaries in the surrounding communities of Pelham, Londonderry,Litchfield, Hooksett, Bedford, Windham, Goffstown, Merrimack, Timberlane,Nashua, Derry and Milford.

• Starting salary in Hudson for a Bachelor’s degree averages $3,284 less thanthe starting salary in 12 surrounding school districts.• Starting salary in Hudson for a Master’s degree averages $5,311 less than

the starting salary in 12 surrounding school districts.If you were looking for a job, would you look at Hudson first?Not including retirees and teachers who have left for other reasons, the Hudson

School District has lost 50 teachers to other districts because the salaries in Hudsondid not compare. e loss of 50 teachers represents 20 percent of our professionalteaching staff.

Why do teachers choose not to stay with the Hudson School District?• A teacher who works in Hudson with a Bachelor’s degree will earn anaverage of $52,944 less over 15 years than teachers in 12 surrounding schooldistricts.• A teacher who works in Hudson with a Master’s degree will earn anaverage of $105,654 less over 15 years than teachers in 12 surrounding schooldistricts.

Placing yourself in the position of a Hudson teacher who could make substantiallymore money by driving ten more minutes per day, would you stay?

e 50 teachers who have left the district have taken college courses at the district’sexpense totaling almost $150,000. is is a $150,000 investment that walked out thedoor to make more money somewhere else.

In order to lower the cost of the contract, teachers have made a major concessionin health benefits by agreeing to enroll in a benefit program that creates significant

savings to the district. In the first year, the savings is about $211,000 and the savings will increase each year compared to the current programs being offered.

Warrant Article 3 is the collective bargaining agreement Hudson School Boardand the district’s leadership team which includes 58 members who serve as principals,assistant principals, deans, directors, school psychologists, department heads, andmedia specialists.

e first year of the contract is the current school year which had no salaryincreases due to the warrant article not gaining voter approval last March. e costto fund this contract in the 2016-2017 school year is $137,728. Funding for this

warrant article creates an estimated tax impact of 5 cents. is is an annual cost of$15 to a family with a property valued at $300,000, a monthly cost of $1.25 whichis about the cost of a bagel at Dunkin Donuts. In this contract there is a 2.5 percentcost of living adjustment, no step movement and some members will increase thenumber of days they work.

Both of these contracts are recommended by the budget committee.

Bryan Lane, Hudson

Of Mutual Benefit to Everyone in Hudsonis has nothing to do with whether or not you have children in school any more

(I don’t). Frankly it has nothing to do with income levels of voters either. When itcomes to voting on School Warrant Articles 1 and 2 your support by voting yes onboth of these will be appreciated, and, of benefit to you, the Town, and the teachers.I’m asking for you to give consideration to the following information and simply askyourself “is it fair?” and “is it reasonable?” And ask that question as it relates to you,the Town, and our teachers.

Is it fair and reasonable for our teachers to negotiate in good faith with the SchoolBoard and help the taxpayers offset the recommended raises by agreeing to benefitconcessions totaling $211,000 in savings to the Town - in the first year of the contractalone , to help pay for their own teacher salaries? Is this approach, agreed upon byboth the School Board and our Teachers, “fair and reasonable?” Probably yes.

Is it fair that the Hudson Teachers are paid (and have been paid) the lowest salariesof all the surrounding school districts? Hudson ranks in 11th place out of 11 localschool districts - see chart below with information taken from the NH Department ofEducation Website - Is this fair and reasonable? Probably not .

Is it fair for the residents of the Town of Hudson to pay for training of newteachers only to have them leave for higher paying districts within a couple of years?is costs the Town money when they leave and Hudson ends up not getting a returnon their investment. Quite literally, we are throwing money away when this happens.Is this fair and reasonable? Probably not . Does being the lowest paying school districtin the area cause this? Probably yes .

Is it fair and reasonable for our teachers to be paid closer to the middle of all thesurrounding school districts? ey are not asking to be the highest paid in the area.ey are just asking to be paid closer to the middle. Is this a fair and reasonablerequest? Probably yes .

In summary, I ask you to take a quick look at the table below and consider theinformation you just read: If you think teachers are being fair and reasonable basedupon the above, then you, as a voter this Tuesday, as you walk into the voting booth,then maybe - in your heart of hearts, you can send a message that you too are willingto reciprocate being “fair and reasonable” to the mutual benefit of everyone (you, theTown, and the teachers), by voting yes on School Warrant Articles 1 and 2.School District - Starting Salary

Milford - $39,900Nashua - $39,284Bedford - $37,547 Windham - $37,254Londonderry - $36,866Derry - $35,900

Pelham - $35,460Salem - $34,325Merrimack - $34,000Litchfield - $33,623Hudson - $33,525I appreciate your consideration.

John Lavoie, Hudson

Adding a Police Offi cer is a Positive Step As you know, the Annual Town Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8. I am

writing to ask the public’s support for Article 14 (Hire One Full-Time Police Offi cer).is article outlines the Hudson Police Department’s request to hire one additionalfull-time police offi cer who will be assigned to the Patrol Division. ere are acouple of approaches to calculating the amount of recommended police offi cers for acommunity. ese formulas show Hudson could use at least five more offi cers.

We are facing a challenging time with some criminal activity. e amount of work involved to investigate crimes is increasing. For example, traveling criminalenterprises consisting of groups from around the country have been here victimizingour residents. ese criminals are using sophisticated computer software andequipment to commit fraud at local businesses. e heroin abuse and overall opiateepidemic are taxing manpower allocation.

As a nationally accredited agency through CALEA (Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies), I am proud of our progressive andforward thinking approach in combating the current problems facing our communityand police department. To successfully win these battles we need the availablemanpower to do so. To that end, the addition of a full-time offi cer is a positive step inthat direction.

Although the need for several more offi cers is appropriate, this first step is

welcomed and appreciated. In closing, I am again asking for Hudson residents tosupport Article 14 and vote yes to support the addition of one new full-timepolice offi cer.

Jason Lavoie, Chief of Police, Hudson

Reminding Citizens to Votee Litchfield Education Association would like to remind the Litchfield

townspeople to vote on Tuesday, March 8. Please visit the Litchfield Education Association Facebook page for more information on this year’s school board andbudget committee candidates. Every voice counts so we hope to see you there!

Stacey Leary, LEA Vice President, Litchfield

Incumbent Maddox Asks for yourConsideration for Re-Election to BOSMy name is Richard Maddox. My wife, Eloise, and I have lived in Hudson for

nearly 28 years. ose who know me well were not surprised that I announced myintention to run for re-election to Hudson’s Board of Selectmen. When I movedto Hudson, I made a commitment to become involved in this town that wouldbecome our home, and to serve our community in the best way possible. I becamea member of Hudson’s Town Planning Board 18 years ago, in 1998. I believe thatmy prior management experience and years on the Planning Board helped prepareme for the role of Selectman. I was elected in 2004 to the first of four, three-yearterms on Hudson’s BOS. Our town changes every year, and I believe I’ve grownand changed with it. I have no agenda other than my desire to continue to makeHudson a welcoming, affordable and sustainable place to live. Over the years, it

has evolved from a farming community to what we hope is becoming a town with athriving business and industrial center. A nearly full Sagamore Park shows that we’re well on our way to achieving that goal. Elected offi cials serve their communities indifferent ways. I continue to have the same enthusiasm and commitment that I had when I first ran for the BOS. I’ve strived to serve with decency and integrity and toalways use my best judgment. I don’t believe being too honest is a flaw, and I willalways be open and honest in the course of making decisions for our town and itscitizens. I’ve heard your concerns about working to ensure better collaboration andcooperation between town boards, and agree that there is room for improvement. Youhave my commitment. Richard Maddox, fourth name on the ballot. I’m typicallyknown for asking d iffi cult questions, and I always look at the bigger p icture prior tomaking a decision: “How will this help or affect us five, even 10 years from now?” Ihave the tenacity and staying power … with your vote and support I will stay in thisposition on Hudson’s Board of Selectmen and work for the continued wellbeing of thetaxpayers and the town. ank you.

Richard J. Maddox, Hudson

Addressing Fire Station Concerns A recent umbs-Up and umbs Down in the Feb. 26, edition of the

Hudson~Litchfield News compelled me to write this letter. is umbs is related tothe construction of the new firehouse on Lowell Road. In that umbs it asked isthe station in t he best location, will the station function wit hout a traffi c light, HFDemployees think it’s a total disaster and the renovation of the existing Central FireStation.

To be up front and not hide behind the umbs Up/umbs Down, my name isDave Morin, and as I write this I serve as a captain wit h Hudson Fire. When you readthis I will be retired from Hudson Fire.

I must first address the comment of some HFD employees think the location isa disaster. is comment is totally false. All of us at Hudson Fire are well aware of where the calls for service are centered within our town as we respond day in and dayout. Locating the fire station on Lowell Road is best optio n for the Town of Hudsonas it will decrease our response times town wide, allowing our firefighters who protectthe south-end of Hudson to reach more of their district quicker and provides easieraccess to all the major thoroughfares of our town.

ere has been a lot of discussion in reference to the fire apparatus tying up LowellRoad, causing traffi c backups and other traffi c related issues. e placement of the firestation on Lowell Road will be located at a four-way intersection that is controlled bytraffi c lights. All of Hudson’s apparatus have traffi c control systems built int o themto change traffi c lights to green in the direction the fire apparatus are traveling. Withthese traffi c control devices not only will the ap paratus travel through a specific area ina safe and controlled manner it allows for less disruptio n of the traffi c pattern. WhatI don’t understand is many have voiced their concerns about the response of the fireapparatus on Lowell Road but what I don’t hear about is the time that many sit intraffi c that extends from the lane drop just nort h of Executive Drive all the way outto the Sagamore Bridge each night keeping them from their families, their jobs andother events for at times up to 30 to 45 minutes depending on conditions. But we worry about the 30 seconds it will tak e a fire truck or ambulance to pass through anintersection controlled by traffi c devices that may be respo nding to assist our family,friends or business from fire or a medical emergency.

Other comments that have been raised in reference to the firehouse on Lowell Roadand the noise impact it will create for the surrounding properties and specifically thenursing home located across the street. e use of our sirens passing this location willbe no more than is done now. e bigger noise issue for this location is the thousandsof vehicles that pass by each day and the many tractor-trailer trucks that pass by onLowell Road and Hampshire Drive going into the industrial park.

e question related to the long awaited rehabilitation of Central Fire Station andthe lack of seen progress is a very good question. I myself as a taxpayer have had that

same question along with is there enough money to complete the project and I tookthe time to meet with Chief Buxton on this. Yes, this project is taking time but I cantell you working from the station understanding the logistics and the information thatChief Buxton provided me the project is moving forward. e chief has some of hisbest people within the department working to get the project completed and soon we will see the project began in earnest. If anyone has questions, Chief Buxton willhappily meet with you provide you a tour of the facility and answer any questions youmay have.

e new fire station on Lowell Road will not add additional inconvenience for ourresidents, motorists or visitors to our town. But it will allow our members to reachyou the taxpayer in a much more timely and safe manner. I urge you to vote yes on Article 6 and help the fire department provide most professio nal, timely and safeservice we can.

Dave Morin, Hudson

It’s Time to ‘Get on Track’I am writing to encourage fellow citizens in Hudson to support Warrant Article

7 on the school ballot, to replace the James Sullivan track at Alvirne High School, atthe polls on Tuesday, March 8. is is a special warrant article that was submitted bypetition. It requests the raising and appropriation of $494,458 to replace the track.

For those who are unaware, this is a one-time expense that is equivalent to about

$56 on the average valued house in town, which I believe is somewhere in theneighborhood of $260,000. ose who attended the School Deliberative Sessionon Jan. 30 know that this figure may well be lowered if the article is approved, andcompetitive bidding ensues.

As it stands now, the Alvirne track team, which includes several athletes whosetalents are robust enough to continue on at the college level, will not be able to hosthome meets until this issue is rectified. e governing body of state high-schoolathletics has deemed the track to be unsafe for competition.

Many of you have heard the arguments put forth by both student-athletes and theirsupporters in regards to their lack of home meets. e disappoint ment felt by thoseparties should be self-evident. You have also heard arguments put forth by PrincipalSteve Beals, former School Board member Lee Lavoie and others that the track is not just for Alvirne, but also a recreational asset for the entire community. at is alsotrue, and many community members have taken advantage of this asset to improvetheir health and well-being, myself among them.

I write to add a third argument that has yet to be touched upon. It is a less obviousbenefit, and admittedly perhaps not a large one, but a benefit nonetheless. at is thebenefit that some of our businesses get from usage of the track.

ink about it. Every time Alvirne or Hudson Middle School hosts a track meet, itis not just Hudson athletes on that track. A bus parks in the abutting lot and emptiesout student-athletes from Merrimack, Londonderry, Nashua and Derry. Sometimesthey’re from further locales, like Rochester or Keene. And with those student-athletescome parents, siblings, friends and others to cheer on their loved ones.

For those who don’t know, track meets are not exactly brief. A dual meet (one in which there are just two teams competing against one another) can take up to threehours to complete. Meets involving more than two teams can last longer.

us, it is not out of the realm of possibility that these spectators might head downto Rocco’s, Professor’s, Campania Market, McDonald’s, Capri Pizza, Pizza Hut orPapa Gino’s for a sub or sandwich, or to Hannaford or the Dollar Store for bottled water, snacks or even sun-tan lotion.

Does the revenue these entities draw from several track meets each spring make orbreak their business? In most cases, probably not. But they certainly won’t turn itdown, and neither should we. Part of making our town healthier financially is havingan ability to draw dollars from other communities into our enterprises. Indeed, it was in the 1990s movie “Ruthless People” that Danny DeVito’s character pointedout that a key to increasing wealth is “OPM” - other people’s money. To do that, wemust be constantly be seeking and implementing ideas on how to make our town adestination, a place that prompts others to spend money here.


7/16


March 8 th -- Hudson Community Center

Hudson Town Residents

Please vote YES on Warrant Article 2Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Hudson School Board

and the Hudson Federation of Teachers

Based on State averages ...

• Hudson’s median income is 25% HIGHER• Education funding dollars are 23% LOWER• Proposed increase still leaves us the lowest*

The Hudson teachers NEED YOUR VOTE!!!

Hudson has the LOWEST paid teachers in the area*

Compared to 12 surrounding communities --

W E ARE LOSING SOME OF OUR BEST & BRIGHTEST TEACHERS TO HIGHER PAYING DISTRICTS

Derry .

Windham .

Litchfield .Londonderry .

Pelham .

H UDSON 13.62

Hudson Proposed ... .*

Community Total

Education Tax

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISING

More Letters to our Editor- continued from page 6

To be clear, passing Warrant Article 7 doesn’t give us anedge, per se - it merely puts us back to the same level as anyother high school with a similar facility.

We can’t afford to fall behind. As the signs you’ve seenposted throughout town say, it’s time to “get on tra ck.”

Please vote “Yes” on Warrant Article 7.

Daniel O’Brien, Hudson

Yes on 6 – ‘A Need that is not Going Away’ When you vote on March 8 give serious consideration of

a yes vote on question six which is a new fire station for thesouth end of Town. As wi th everything we have “nice to have,”“good to have” and “must have.” Very few things are musthave. As with most needs this is not a “Must have,” but mustbe considered a need that is not going away and sooner ratherthan later will require putting as they say “good money afterbad.”

We in the Hudson Fire Department have been patient theselast 20 or so years as the voters have addressed capital fundingissues piece by piece. e Police Station has been done as wellas Highway and Hills Garrison School. e time is ripe toaddress this longstanding issue.

Fire Stations are the only municipal buildings that arelocation driven. By re locating this station to a mainthoroughfare (we already own) several issues are addressed atonce.

• Increases to 70 percent of the Town being within afour minute response time for fire or medical.• Decreases the response to other areas of town due

to location.• Decrease traffi c impact. Equipment will betraveling with traffi c on Lowell Road. Currently we enter at Wason or Pelham roads stoppingall traffi c as we enter.• Using pre-engineered plans from Londonderry.Significant savings and “Lessons Learned.”• Places an additional 307 homes within the fiveminute response. Tremendous increase.• Town Water, Sewer and Natural Gas.e Fire Department pays very close attention to

expenditures. In the last two years alone the Fire Departmentadministration has instituted several changes in our operationto increase effi ciency, decrease response time at little or nocost. is project has been identified as “next up” by theadministration. Supported by Board of Selectmen and BudgetCommittee.

Staff Robinson Road Fire Station 24 hours at no additionalcost - accomplished

Changing dispatch procedures to reduce turnout time noadditional cost - accomplished

With support of voters adopted “Squad” concept of usingutility style vehicle for non emergency and medical calls -accomplished

With voter support renovate Central Station - in process

Relocate South End Fire Station to improve service andincrease effi ciency (financially and operationally) - to bedetermined

Please help support our and your mission on March 8. Vote yes on 6

Deputy Chief John O’Brien, Hudson Fire Department

Captain Outlines Renovation ofCentral Fire Station

In March of 2015 the voters of Hudson supported the FireDepartment’s request to renovate the Central Fire Station.is vote authorized the expenditure of $900,000 to makestructural modifications and interior renovations of the nearly7,000 square foot facility. In the last 12 months, we have beendiligently working on defining the final scope of work andhave performed numerous needs assessments to best utilizeand maximize the funds available. In this review process wehave identified several areas of concern that required additionalinvestigation and design to accommodate the structure of thecurrent building itself. We are in the final stages of design and

we will be going out to bid within the next 30 to 45 days. Todate we have secured the plans for the second floor to includeliving area, meeting room, restroom facilities, communicationrooms and offi ce. Part of this ongoing process was to designa second means of egress for the second floor. e originaldesign called for significant structural work to remove existingstructural supports to accommodate a two-story steel structure.is would have required new footings and a steel superstructure. With detailed review and consultation we haveidentified an alternative that will better suit our needs andprovide for more value and a much less invasive constructionprocess. We have also spent numerous hours consulting withthe local energy suppliers to accomplish the most energyeffi cient options for lighting and utilities. We have identifiedoptions for energy savings in our windows and doors and weplan on using the best technology available to accomplish this. We as an organization and more specifically the planning teamassigned this task are very much aware of the time constraintsupon us in regards to the fiscal year. We feel that we areperforming our tasks with due diligence and a proper attentionto detail and this will pay dividends in the whole processmoving forward. We will be taking our time and proceedingthrough the process and we should be ready for bid in the nextfew weeks.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments please feelfree to contact us.

James Paquette, Captain, Hudson Fire Department

Saucier Seeking Electionto Board of Selectmen

My name is Angela P. Saucier and I am seeking election to aposition on the Board of Selectmen for Hudson, N.H.

My family and I moved to Hudson in 2010 and purchased

a home on Cardinal Drive in 2012. My husband and I choseHudson for the community, everyone has been welcoming,and it has a great school district for my daughter. We wantedto live somewhere that had a small town feel, but had theamenities of a larger community and we found that in Hudson.

I am an Outside Sales Representative for a national staffi ngagency and my sales area is the State of NH and NorthernMassachusetts. I have an understanding of wage and benefitsalong with multiple industries due to my position in thecompany. Prior to my current promotion I ran two of ourMassachusetts locations and I was responsible for the Profit andLoss statements, planning and organizing operational activities,managing consumer complaints, marketing, risk management,safety reviews, onsite job safety appraisals, quarterly and yearlypersonnel reviews, human resources and coaching internal staffto perform at the fullest potential they could.

I was the fundraising coordinator for the Hudson GirlsSoftball League. I am a member of the Alvirne Boosters. I amalso assisting with the Kiwanis Field Makeover in Hudson.

I have met w ith the Town Administrator, Police Chief, FireChief and Road Agent to find out from them the wants, needsand concerns of those departments and the community as theysee it.

If elected for selectman I will work with our committees todo my best to make the conscious decisions for the forwardprogress of our town.

I want to see the community and the town make forwardprogress towards bringing more businesses in to our industrialparks. I want to see our fields full of kids playing while morefields are being built for them to play on. I want to see ourcommunity come together as we always do and make Hudsonthe place the next family wants to live in.

Please on March 8 consider voting for me.ank you for reading a little about me.

Angela P. Saucier, Hudson

is is a Dilemma Imagine your child playing a school sanctioned sport on an

outdoor playing field or gym that has been deemed unsafe forschool competition. at is the dilemma facing the AlvirneHigh School Track Teams that use an outdoor track that hasbeen held together by duct tape for the last number of years,and is well beyond its useful life. With the inability to hostevents at Alvirne due to the condition of the track, all meets

are on the road, resulting in extensive travel costs.Besides the obvious benefits to those that run for Alvirne,as the only track in town, this facility also benefits many otherHudson residents (young and old) that enjoy running and

walking.Please consider voting for Warrant Article 7 on March 8

which calls for a replacement of the track which will servethe needs of the community for many years to come. eapproximate one time increase to our tax bills is equivalent to adinner out at T-Bones. is seems like a small price to pay fora critical and wonderful asset to our community.

ank you for your consideration.

Rich Smigliani, Hudson

Deputy Fire Chief Asks for your Consideration

May I ask you for one more minute of your time? Duringthe deliberative session this year we were very pleased to see theinvolvement by you, our citizens. For those of you that werenot there, we discussed Warrant Article 6 - the Constructionof a New Fire Station; this represents the construction of a new

fire station in south Hudson and is back on the ballot for yourreconsideration.

e move of the south Hudson Fire Station to Lowell Road will allow better service delivery to our resid ents in the southend of town and afford our employees to work in a modernfacility that will meet the needs of the Town of Hudson foryears to come. As we reviewed, the renovation of the currentstation is not financially effi cient. e review of potentialextension of water and sewer moves the project to a cost that isactually above the construction of the new facility.

I am very fortunate and privileged to represent the HudsonFire Department. e services that we deliver each day cometogether through a team effort. is team is inclusive of many,the Board of Selectmen, the members of the Hudson FireDepartment and most importantly, our citizens. In closing, I

would again thank you for your consideration to invest in ourcommunity and if you should have any questions regardingthe above mentioned project or anything to do with thedepartment, please feel free to contact me directly at 886-6021or [email protected].

Scott Tice, Deputy Fire Chief, Hudson

Litchfield BudgetCommittee Positions

e Litchfield Budget Committee is made up of twoappointed members and seven elected members. eir mainresponsibility is to prepare a bottom line Operating Budget tobe voted on by taxpayers. ey do not set policy but ratherevaluate if what the particular Board is proposing is consistent

with its policies and that the funding makes sense. e BudgetCommittee meets with the Administrators of each Boardto review their proposed budget, asks for more detail where

necessary, reviews the costs associated with parts of the budgetand ultimately proposes dollar changes to their budget to comeup with a bottom line Operating Budget.

How, and to what degree, proposed changes occur is afunction of the makeup of the Budget Committee. Over theyears, I have seen four types of members on the committees.First, the two appointed members are required to vote againstany change in their proposed budget, and generally voteagainst any change in the other appointed members’ budget.at results in an almost always automatic two no votes forchanges. Secondly, there has been on occasion, a memberor two that were elected with the agenda of supporting aparticular board’s budget regardless of the merit of proposedchanges. Fortunately that has not been a frequent occurrenceas that result could be more automatic no votes. e third typeare members that do a limited review of the proposal, asks fewquestions of the administrators, makes few proposed changesand votes for or against any proposed change based upon whatthey hear at the committee meeting from the administrationand fellow committee members. e fourth type are membersthat dig into the proposed budget prior to meeting with theadministration, asks many questions of the Administrators,understands what a particular function should cost, and makesthe vast majority of proposed changes. Without that type ofmember, reductions in the order of $500,000 per year mostlikely would never have occurred.

I have worked with two of the current candidates for BudgetCommittee that fall into this fourth group. Mrs. Coutureand Mr. Cutter have shown that they can be objective, nonpartial, and reasonable and have come to the meetings withspecific recommendations based upon the research theyhave done. ey have demonstrated that they will ask thenecessary questions and do the necessary research to ensurethat the Budget Committee’s budget can meet the goals of theparticular Board at a reasonable cost.

Bill Spencer, Litchfield

Vote Yes on Articles 15 and 20 -Recreation Department

I am writing to the Hudson Voters and asking for yoursupport on two warrant articles.

Article 15 is converting the Recreation Department part -time offi ce administrative positi on that is currently held byChrissy Peterson from 29.5 hours per week to 40 hours per

week year round. By converting to full-time this will providelonger offi ce hours, expanded customer service and year roundprogramming. In addition, this position will provide backupto the Senior Services Coordinator and serve as a replacementin her absence. is warrant article will add 1 cent to the taxrate.

Article 20: this past year the town sold $285,000 worth oftown owned land. e Board of Selectmen feels that there arethree areas that need to be improved with one of these areasbeing the lack of field space. If this warrant article is approved

$95,000 will be added to the Recreation Field ConstructionCapital Reserve Fund. is funding will go towards building amulti-purpose lacrosse/soccer field in the very near future. is warrant article raises no amount through taxat ion.

I ask that you vote yes for Warrant Article 15 and 20.ank you.

Dave Yates, Recreation Director, Hudson

John York Running

for School BoardMy name is John York and I am running for reelection tothe Litchfield School Board. I have two childr

Documents

Hudson~Litchfield News 3-4-2016