NewHampshire.com Communities

Bald Eagle Shot in Millsfield, N.H.

AskLisa — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

Officials are seeking information to aid an investigation into the shooting of a juvenile bald eagle off the Millsfield Loop Road in Wildlife Management Area B, in Millsfield, northern New Hampshire, on or about October 22, 2009.

Anyone with information should call the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Operation Game Thief 24-hour hotline at: 1-800-344-4262, or report online anytime at http://www.HuntNH.com/OGT. Callers may remain anonymous.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s conservation officers and special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are conducting a joint investigation into the incident. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 to the person or people who provide information leading to a conviction under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Local sportsmen discovered the injured bald eagle and notified the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator is caring for the eagle. Examination of the eagle revealed it had been shot with a shotgun and sustained a fractured wing and other injuries. A veterinarian expects the wing will heal well enough for the eagle to fly again and for it eventually to be released into the wild. The New Hampshire moose and small game hunting seasons were open at the time the eagle was found.

In addition to the Eagle Act, state laws and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect bald eagles. Until 2007, bald eagles were also protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and a trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

Suncook: Attempted Break-In at Emerson Mills Building

MertzMHz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:57:00 GMT

Well, it’s been a busy few days in bloggery thanks to the many criminals who choose to call the ‘bronx home: Yet another APB, folks!

This time we have an attempted break-in at the Emerson Mills Condominium building on Main Street Scumcook. Apparently, someone attempted to pry open the window of a ground-level condo. It is presumed that this brazen act occurred during daytime hours.

All area citizens are being urged to keep their doors and windows locked in addition to maintaining an ultra vigilant eye. Please report any and all suspicious activity to the Pembroke Police Department immediately.

And remember boys and girls: Only you can prevent home invasions. Be prepared, like a Boy Scout.

Nutter leads state champs by keeping talent in mind

Bedford Editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:29:00 GMT

Athlete of the Month Sponsored by Indian Head Athletics BY MATT SCHOOLEY Jake Nutter was about five feet tall and not much more than 100 pounds at the time, but his mental makeup was already developing. At the time, the summer before his freshman year at Bedford, Nutter played a round with Manchester Country Club pro Joel St. Laurent, who was preparing to coach the golf team at the new Bedford High School. “You could just see that he had the creativity and imagination to be a good player. He...(read more)

Talented Bedford High School boys dominate MV but lose in first round

Bedford Editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:26:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY Putting shots on net wasn’t the problem for the Bedford boys soccer team during the preliminary round of the Class I playoffs. While the ninth-seeded Bulldogs controlled play against No. 8 Merrimack Valley, the locals were knocked out by a heartbreaking late goal on Thursday, Oct. 29, in a 1-0 loss. Despite playing on a grass surface rather than its synthetic home turf, Bedford maintained a high tempo throughout the contest, easily outshooting Merrimack Valley, 26-6. The Pride...(read more)

Bedford marches within one win of state finals

Bedford Editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:23:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY Michelle Winning questioned how her team would respond after allowing a goal during its quarterfinal match of the Class I girls soccer tournament. Her team supplied a swift answer. After Bedford allowed its first goal of the game, pulling John Stark within 3-1 with 14:17 remaining in the second half, Sarah Kelly notched her second tally of the match to push the edge back to three just over one minute later. The Bulldogs advanced with a 4-1 victory on Saturday, Oct. 31, to earn a...(read more)

‘Kennel Up’ raises $16K for ARL

Bedford Editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:20:00 GMT

BY JILLIAN JORGENSEN In a unique fundraiser, volunteers “kenneled up” at the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire’s Bedford shelter, raising more than $16,000 in the drive, exceeding its $15,000 goal. “That was an excessive goal,” said Robin McCune, coordinator of events and community relations at the ARL. “When we set it, we thought we were more likely to raise ($8,000 to $10,000.)” The first “Kennel Up” event was held Oct. 22. Fundraising has...(read more)

Official: Jobs created, airport road is proof

Bedford Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:57:00 GMT

BY JILLIAN JORGENSEN Amid recent concerns that the number of jobs saved or created by the American Recovery or Reinvestment Act may have been inflated, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited New Hampshire to tout the program’s success and visit the airport access road, being built in part with federal funds. LaHood spoke to a crowd at C.R. Sparks in Bedford on Oct. 30 as part of the Politics and Eggs series held by New Hampshire’s Political Library. The visit came the same day...(read more)

Bedford Town Council considers fiscal year

Bedford Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:54:00 GMT

BY JILLIAN JORGENSEN The Bedford Town Council discussed switching to a fiscal year at its Oct. 28 meeting. No decisions were made, and the council will discuss the issue again later in the year. The switch would take the town from a calendar that runs January to December to one that runs July to June. The town’s school budget and the state budget both run on a fiscal calendar. With a calendar year, the town meeting in Bedford, held in March, is three months after the beginning of the budget...(read more)

Party in Bedford leads to 22 arrests

Bedford Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:51:00 GMT

BY HOLLY DAVIS Police arrested 22 people at a house party on Friday, Oct. 30, as part of their crackdown on underage drinking in town. Officers responded to a call about a large fight on the front lawn of 421 Donald St. shortly after 12:30 a.m. The anonymous tip indicated there were 15 to 20 college-age people at the house, and there had been a party going on there all night. When police arrived, they found a number of people outside and inside, many of them had been drinking alcohol. Officers who...(read more)

Defending champ Central edges top-ranked Salem

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:47:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Peter Lally knows from experience what the Salem girls soccer team went through at Stellos Stadium.

Lally’s No. 4 Manchester Central Little Green knocked off the No. 1-ranked Blue Devils in the Class L semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2-1, earning a shot at winning a second consecutive state title.

“I’ve certainly been in Salem’s position before. I’ve been a top seed and been knocked out, been undefeated and knocked out,” said Lally. “It’s not fun.”

All of the scoring in the game came within a span of 3 minutes, 28 seconds in the second half, beginning with a connection between two Hooksett players.

Deven McKiernan put a ball on net that bounced off Salem goaltender Sarah Snyder, and Lindsay Johnson put the rebound in while falling to the turf with 25:18 left to play.

The Blue Devils responded when Cassandra Chase took a perfectly placed through-ball from Tayllar Righini and capitalized with a wide-open goal at the 22:03 mark to even the score.

A mere 13 seconds later, while Salem’s fans celebrated the equalizer, the Little Green came storming back when Hooksett’s Sarah Velasquez took advantage of a failed clear by the SHS backfield, finding the back of the net to again give her team the lead. Johnson earned the assist after putting the ball into the middle of the box.

“We let down after we scored, and that’s uncharacteristic of us,” said Salem mentor Kendrick Whittle. “I thought we were in the driver’s seat, but that’s what Central does to you. They were just a little bit tougher than us.”

The Blue Devils couldn’t muster many more scoring threats, though Chase did fire twice while closely guarded; the junior sent one high and the other into the side of the net.

As the final seconds wound down, Salem defender Avery Neusch lofted a free kick off the crossbar, but an infraction was whistled on the Blue Devils, and time expired just seconds later.

Both teams had similar runs into the semifinal meeting. Each won a preliminaryround game, 1-0, before surviving quarterfinal-round tilts on penalty kicks.

Lally said his team’s grit has been the biggest factor in reaching the Class L championship, which is scheduled for the campus of Southern New Hampshire University on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m.

“We’re not the biggest team, but sometimes they play big,” said Lally. “Our program is as good as any team in the state. The Little Green is still around. I think the ‘little’ part of that is appropriate.”

Another tight loss ends season for tough Pembroke squad

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:44:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Pembroke Academy’s preliminary- round girls soccer match with John Stark didn’t last as long as Steve Langevin hoped it would.

In 180 minutes of regularseason play, the teams combined for one goal, leading the PA mentor to prepare his team for a tight finish.

“The last few weeks we’ve been practicing penalty kicks because we’ve been to overtime so many times this year, and because we played (Stark) so tight the first two games,” said Langevin. “We weren’t playing to get there, but we were prepared for it.”

Unfortunately for Langevin and the Spartans, JS senior forward Lauren Macklin scored with 11:24 remaining in regulation to give the Lady Generals a 1-0 victory on Thursday, Oct. 29.

With the loss, Pembroke ended the year with a 7-7-3 record, including six setbacks coming by two goals or less.

The Spartans scored just 22 goals in 16 regular-season contests, but allowed only 16 on defense to earn the No. 10 seed in the Class I playoffs.

“We played the way we have played all year,” said Langevin. “They might possess the ball in our end for the majority of the time, but they won’t get too many scoring opportunities. (Macklin) is an all-state caliber player, and she took advantage of one of those chances.”

Knotted in a scoreless tie in the second half against the Lady Generals, Jordan Heath took a feed in the box from Hannah DeBold and put a hard shot toward the upper portion of the goal, but the Generals’ goalie, Molly Dussault, leapt to tip the shot harmlessly above the crossbar. Stark’s defense cleared the ensuing corner kick to end the threat.

Pembroke had its best opportunity to notch the equalizer with 4:33 remaining when Melissa Pellerin lined up a corner kick.

Pellerin’s pass squirted free to the middle of the box, but just as Chelsey Martinelli was about to put a foot on the ball, it was cleared by a defender.

“When we play them it’s always a close game,” said John Stark mentor Heather Doucette. “All I know is we were hoping it wouldn’t get to penalty kicks.”

Welfare services strained this year in Allenstown

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:41:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

Recent statewide budget cuts to welfare-related services could affect Allenstown hard.

The cuts include funding for funeral expenses for those supported by the Aid to the Totally and Permanently Disabled program; a 50 percent cut in an emergency assistance program that typically pays for emergency rent or utility bills for people supported by the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program; and the elimination of reimbursement funds to municipalities for supporting people while they wait for state assistance.

There is also a new waiting list for child care financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The cuts couldn’t have come at a worse time for Allenstown, where the number of people seeking welfare assistance from Town Hall has risen dramatically since last year. Most are first-time applicants, the town welfare director said.

“We’ve had three times as many applicants in October 2009 than we did in October 2008,” said Diane O’Callaghan, the welfare director.

Residents can seek welfare from the town on a monthly basis to help with basic needs, such as food, utilities and medicine.

Two years ago, when O’Callaghan began working as the welfare director, she said most of the applicants were young single mothers. That has changed in a big way. She said 72 percent of people who applied for welfare in 2009 were first-time applicants.

“The change in clientele is dramatic,” O’Callaghan said. “Most of them are families and what is commonly referred to as the working poor.” Home foreclosures, job lay-offs and cuts in work hours have forced families to seek welfare.

“A lot of times one or both parents have lost their job or have had their hours cut to the point that it’s like a job loss,” she said. “They can’t apply for unemployment and they’re caught in the middle.”

O’Callaghan said many of the applicants have no idea what programs are available and she often walks them through the process.

There are currently no demographics on the people who apply for welfare, but O’Callaghan said the New Hampshire Welfare Association is compiling a computer database to start keeping track in the near future.

Property taxes up in Epsom despite school cuts

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:37:00 GMT

By Kathleen Bailey

The Department of Revenue Administration has set Epsom’s tax rate for 2009. Residents can expect to see an increase of 39 cents per $1,000, in a year where the town portion of the bill went up and the school portion went down.

Epsom’s current rate is $17.35 per $1,000 of taxable property. It breaks down into $2.60, town portion; $2.51, county; $10.09, local school; and $2.15, state school portion.

The new rate, set Oct. 15 by the Department of Revenue Administration, is $17.74 per $1,000. This breaks down into $4.03, town share; $2.41, county; $9.13, local school; and $2.17, state school portion.

The Epsom School District increased its revenues this past year, and even turned approximately $94,000 back to the town, financial adminstrator Nancy Wheeler said.

There are “a couple of reasons” the town portion went up, according to Wheeler. First, the town passed a budget in March 2009, after three years of being on a default budget. The total appropriations went up $207,000 when the operating budget was voted in, she said.

In addition, Wheeler said, the town did not use any surplus funds to mitigate taxes. In previous years Epsom would use its undesignated fund balance to offset taxes, but this year, she said, “there wasn’t that much to play with.” The Department of Revenue Administration requires that a certain amount be left in the fund, she said.

Epsom also saw a decrease in its anticipated revenues, which are down by $142,500, Wheeler said. These include car registrations, dog licenses, building permits, the land use change tax, the timber tax, and other licenses, permits and fees. A decrease in auto registrations was responsible for the biggest part of the drop, she said.

The town also saw reduced revenue from state highway block grants and the rooms and meals tax, and saw state “shared revenue” completely eliminated. Peter Aubrey, business manager for School Administrative Unit 53, credited the lower school portion to two factors.

First, he said, the town’s assessed value went up by $6 million in 2009. Second, he said, the school district actually returned $94,955 to the town to help offset taxes.

This was the result of good budgeting by Epsom Central School Principal Patrick Connor, he said.

“The principal is very frugal and runs a tight ship,” Aubrey said.

Hooksett sees string of burglaries

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:33:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

Chrissy Curran was surprised, but not overly shocked, when someone broke into her unlocked Whitehall Terrace home in June.

It was probably some mischievous kids, she thought. Only an iPod and a plastic container of loose change were stolen.

“It was small and it seemed random,” Curran said.

But then it happened again. And again. And again. Curran’s house has been burglarized four times since June, including Oct. 19, when thieves stole a 50-inch flat-screen television.

“I’m not seeing an end in sight,” she said.

Across the street from Curran, the home of Nicole McIntyre was also burglarized twice since July. Another Whitehall Terrace resident, Diane Berube, returned home about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 4 to see an intruder running out her back door. Police called in a K-9 unit to track the burglar’s scent, but he was never caught.

At the same time police investigated Curran’s most recent burglary on Oct. 19, they dusted for fingerprints across town at 70 Corriveau Drive, the home of Dan and Ginnie Toland, which was found broken into the previous night.

Among the items stolen: a 50-inch flat-screen TV and jewelry. Police said not much else was taken, but the house was heavily ransacked.

The Tolands did not respond to requests for an interview, but Ginnie Toland spoke at a Police Commission meeting on Oct. 20, calling for an increased police presence in her neighborhood. Her house was the second one burglarized on Corriveau Drive since July.

“It’s disturbing,” Toland said. “What’s more disturbing is to hear it happened again.”

Police commissioners talked about forming a neighborhood watch type of program last month. Now, there’s a push for action more than ever.

“This issue is now,” said David Gagnon, chairman of the Hooksett Police Commission. “It’s not coming. It’s now.”

Toland and her husband had left town for the weekend, but neighbors told her a white van was in her driveway.

“There were people out in broad daylight casing our house,” she said. “They came right through our front door. It’s really disturbing.”

Jim and Lucille Shea know what their neighbors are going through. When their house was broken into the morning of July 20, it was ransacked and their 50-inch television was also stolen, along with jewelry and Jim’s shotgun.

“We had just purchased a new flat-screen television and the first thing I noticed when I walked in was that there was no television set,” Lucille Shea said. “They had trashed the entire upstairs.”

During the Police Commission meeting, it was announced that police officers will host a public forum at the Hooksett Public Library on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. to give residents tips on how to prevent burglaries.

Also during the commission meeting, Police Capt. Paul Cecilio said he’s in talks with Manchester police about expanding the Manchester Crime Line to include Hooksett, Goffstown and Bedford. The Crime Line is a 24-hour phone center where people can anonymously report information about crimes and sometimes receive cash rewards.

Police officials say a neighborhood watch is unlikely for Hooksett. Nationally, watch programs are designed for urban areas, where police hold meetings with residents and train them to walk the streets looking for suspicious activity and calling it in.

The Hooksett Police Department says it’s already understaffed and cannot afford to send a police car to exclusively patrol the neighborhood around Corriveau Drive, which is seeing increased activity due to retail development near Interstate 93’s Exit 10.

McIntyre hopes people will be more aware of suspicious activity. All the burglaries on Whitehall Terrace have occurred in the middle of the day while the victims are at work.

“The funny thing is that half the neighbors are home all the time,” she said.

The latest incident happened Monday, Nov. 3, sometime between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., at a home on Laurel Drive.

Police said someone broke through the kitchen window, ransacked the house and stole jewelry.

The location is two streets away from Whitehall Terrace, where several homes have been burglarized over the past six months.

Allenstown Selectmen won’t pay electric bill at building

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:29:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

The lights are going out at the Old Allenstown Meeting House inside Bear Brook State Park after selectmen decided to flip the switch.

Public Service of New Hampshire sent a bill to Allenstown Town Hall saying it would cut electricity service to the meeting house Oct. 29 because the town hasn’t paid its bill since April.

According to minutes of the April 20 selectmen’s meeting, the board voted 2-1 not to pay that month’s bill, which was $10.76. However, no one bothered to call PSNH to cut service to the building.

A copy of this month’s bill is for $46.51, which includes late fees.

Selectmen Tom Gilligan and Roger LaFleur voted against paying the electricity bill.

Gilligan said the town Steering Committee, a volunteer group that maintains the building, was told through e-mails and memos to come up with the money themselves, whether it is through fundraising, grants or other means.

“The town of Allenstown is in a default budget for the third year in a row,” Gilligan said. “This was an unbudgeted expense … Therefore, the board decided we weren’t going to pay for it on a default budget.”

After the April vote, Roland Martel of the Steering Committee sent several e-mail messages to Town Hall requesting selectmen take up the electricity issue at a future meeting. According to those e-mails, Gilligan denied the request.

“The BOS (Board of Selectmen) is not interested in discussing this matter any further at this time,” Gilligan wrote June 3. “If the OAMH (Old Allenstown Meeting House) is looking for future funding for this bill, we suggest that you provide a budget request as part of the FY 2010 budgeting process.”

The refusal to pay the bill marks another blow in the fight to preserve the meeting house, which advocates say is needed to keep part of the town’s history alive and for educational purposes.

Steering Committee members are already angry with selectmen for refusing to sign off on a Land and Community Heritage Investment Program grant application twice since last month.

The grant would have brought $23,700 to the meeting house, which was built in 1817.

The deadline for the grant has passed. Selectman Jason Tardiff was the only one who voted in favor of signing the grant application and for paying the electric bill.

Gilligan said he voted against the grant because he had too many open questions about the town’s financial obligation tied to it. LaFleur did not return calls for comment.

During a heated debate about the building in a Sept. 28 selectmen meeting, LaFleur said, “Ninety-nine point nine percent of people in town said they have no use for it.”

“I’d like to see those letters against it,” Steering Committee Chairman Carol Martel said in response. LaFleur later admitted he had none.

Martel has since said publicly she thinks LaFleur and Gilligan are trying to rid the town of the meeting house, which used to belong to the state. In 2004, Town Meeting voted 496-130 in favor of the town purchase and to maintain the building.

Fire kills woman in Hooksett

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:26:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

A three-alarm fire that broke out at 253 Hackett Hill Road in Hooksett the morning of Oct. 16 caused the entire structure to collapse and killed the woman inside, fire officials said.

The body of Suzanne Dionne, 65, was pulled from the rubble shortly before noon as family members looked on. Firefighters were still dousing hot spots about seven hours after the fire began.

Dionne’s brother, Ed, who lives in Florida, hadn’t seen his sister in several years until last month when he returned to New Hampshire to help care for a sick family member.

When asked if he was grateful for the time they shared, he answered, “Yes. Very much so.” “We wanted to take her out to dinner last night but she wasn’t home,” he said, adding that she was very active. “She was a very independent woman.”

“We did things with her as much as possible, but we wish we could have done more,” said Suzanne’s other brother, Ray Dionne.

Hooksett Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hoisington said it took so long to remove Dionne’s body due to “the complete collapse of the entire structure.” “It’s a total loss,” he said.

Several family members, including Dionne’s brother, Bill, who lived next door to his sister, said her house was about 300 years old.

Family members said Dionne worked at the Sylvania plant in Hooksett as an assembly worker for more than 20 years. She lived at the Hackett Hill Road home her entire life and graduated from Manchester West High School in 1964, said her brother, Ray.

Kim Belisle, who lives across the street from the burned home, said she woke up that day to the sound of fire engines.

“I just stood and watched it and I cried,” Belisle said. “There was nothing I could do. The whole house was engulfed. I knew there was no way they could get to her.”

Belisle said she spoke with Dionne often and took in one of her kittens after an adult cat gave birth. She said Dionne owned between 15 and 20 cats.

Family members said Dionne never married and did not have any children. Her sister- in-law Sally Dionne, who also lives next door, said she awoke that morning to her son and his wife shouting that there was a fire at Suzanne’s house.

“We wanted to get inside,” Sally Dionne said. “We didn’t get any further than the porch. It was too late.”

Ray Dionne said his sister was active in many organizations over the years, including the Catholic Church, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. She retired a few years ago to care for her late mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, he said. She also assisted driving elderly people to doctor’s appointments.

“She filled her life by helping people,” Ray said.

Hooksett Fire Warden Harold Murray said the last fatal fire in Hooksett occurred 14 years ago when a man died in a house on Main Street.

Dionne’s official cause of death will be determined in the coming days by the state medical examiner.

Defina files unfair labor complaint

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:19:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

The labor union representing fired Hooksett police officer Jason Defina has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the state Public Employee Labor Relations Board.

The complaint, filed Oct. 16, accuses Hooksett Police Chief Stephen Agrafiotis and the Hooksett Police Commission of terminating Defina without just cause and without allowing Defina a proper hearing to discuss his alleged actions that led to his termination.

The complaint also accuses the Police Commission of violating the law by appointing a replacement board of former commission members to oversee a grievance that Defina filed in late September.

Thomas Noonan, an official from Teamsters Union Local 633, which filed the complaint, said the Hooksett Town Council would have been the proper board to decide who the replacement commission should be.

“We think the complaint is without merit and will vigorously defend against it,” said James Higgins, the commission’s attorney.

Defina’s attorney, William Cahill, said Defina was fired because Commission Chairman David Gagnon said Defina had not cooperated and properly participated in the field training program, which he was ordered to undergo after a suspension.

“We strongly disagree with Commissioner Gagnon’s assertion that there was a lack of cooperation on officer Defina’s part in the field training program,” Cahill said.

Gagnon steps down - Will stay on as police commissioner

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:17:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

David Gagnon stepped down as chairman of the Hooksett Police Commission on Thursday, Oct. 29, after five years on the board, saying the job is too time consuming.

“I don’t have the time,” Gagnon said. “Work is too busy. It’s crazy right now.”

Joanne McHugh, who was appointed to the three-person board in July, has taken over as chairman after being nominated by Gagnon and Commissioner Henry Roy.

“I’m going to go forward and do the best job that I can,” McHugh said.

“It’s too time consuming being chairman and I don’t have the time,” Gagnon said. “It’s not fair right now.”

Gagnon will remain as a commissioner.

The new appointment was made during a commission meeting that was scheduled only a few days before it took place.

Goffstown boys battle Concord before slipping in postseason

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:12:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY For the Goffstown boys soccer team, the pitch was far from perfect in the opening round of the Class L tournament. In addition to dealing with top-seeded Concord, the No. 16 Grizzlies battled a muddy and wet surface during action on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Despite a lopsided 5-1 score, Goffstown gave the home team a bit of a scare, trailing 2-1 until about 15 minutes remained, when the Crimson Tide pulled away. Concord jumped to a 2-0 lead and was ready to cruise into the quarterfinals,...(read more)

For second straight year, Goffstown High School earns victory in playoffs

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:09:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY The girls of Goffstown High School volleyball have started a tradition their coach plans to continue year after year – success in the postseason. The Grizzlies won a playoff match for the first time in school history in 2008, and they did it again in ’09, upsetting seventh-seeded Alvirne, 3-2, on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The 10th-seeded locals fell to No. 2 Londonderry, 3-0, in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, Oct. 31. Senior captain Jackie Borror pounded out 40 kills and...(read more)

Stark edges Pembroke before losing to Bedford

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:06:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Heather Doucette isn’t one to show her emotions. A group of 10 players changed that. The John Stark girls soccer mentor stood at midfield following her team’s 4-1 loss to Bedford in the Class I quarterfinals, embracing 10 seniors before they walked off the field one final time on Saturday, Oct. 31.

“It was really hard. We grew up together and figured out what kind of squad we were going to be,” said Doucette. “I try to be cool most of the time, but it broke my heart seeing it end for them.”

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Lauren Macklin gave her team a 1- 0 victory over Pembroke Academy in the preliminary round of the tournament when she scored with 11:24 remaining to break a scoreless tie.

Macklin waited patiently before stepping around two PA defenders and firing into the corner of the net to propel her team to the win.

The Generals were overmatched by No. 2 Bedford in the next round, falling behind 3-0 in the first half of play. Macklin cracked the scoreboard with 14:17 remaining when she pounded home a loose ball in front of the net, but the Bulldogs responded little more than a minute later to quash any hopes of a comeback. Stark had a prime scoring opportunity in the first 10 minutes of play when Macklin came streaking into the goalie box looking to put a shot on net.

Bedford goalie Aubrey Ouellet had other ideas, attacking the ball and kicking it out of harm’s way before Macklin could pull the trigger.

“They came out on fire and were tackling very tough,” said Bedford’s head coach, Michelle Winning, whose team advanced to a second consecutive semifinal game.

“They don’t give up, and they are a very physical team.”

John Stark loses seniors Macklin, Kayla Hubbard, Emily Pineault, Mia Fournier, Jessica Constant, Sydney Getzin, Megan Gosselin, Angela Beaulieu, Sadie MacLean and Molly Dussault.

Doucette admitted there are a lot of holes to fill next season, though she said with a strong offseason commitment the team can continue its recent tradition of postseason success.

“I felt like we were going against a giant, but we were going to take them on,” said Doucette of her team’s game against Bedford. “We had two more games in our heads. We weren’t ready to say goodbye to our seniors quite yet.”

Giant pumpkins set sail in annual regatta

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:02:00 GMT

By Amy J. Vellucci Several hundred turned out in the rain, sleet and, yes, even snow, to witness Goffstown’s annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta on the Piscataquog River on Sunday, Oct. 18. “Everyone seems to be having fun,” said Robbie Grady, executive director of the Goffstown Main Street Program, which runs the weekend-long event in which townspeople convert giant pumpkins into theme-decorated boats and race them down the river. It certainly wasn’t ideal weather, but it could’ve...(read more)

Explosion knocks firefighters off feet

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:59:00 GMT

By Dan O'brien

An explosion blew firefighters to the ground as they fought a two-alarm blaze at 13 Jonathan Lane on Oct. 25, but fortunately no one was injured, a fire official said.

“It was a good-sized explosion,” Bow Assistant Fire Chief Richard Pistey said. “It literally knocked down the first crew.”

Pistey said firefighters from Bow and Concord were first to arrive at the scene about 6 p.m. when flames were shooting well into the air. Five other fire departments provided mutual aid.

“We were just unloading groceries,” said Glenn Foley, who lives at the home with his wife and two children. “My wife noticed smoke. Then we looked outside and saw the garage on fire.”

Foley, his family members, their four cats and two dogs were able to escape the house safely.

Foley said he and his children had been home for a few hours before the fire started, and his wife had just returned home.

When firefighters first arrived, the garage attached to the two-story house was fully-involved with flames extending into a breezeway, Pistey said.

“They stopped it where they found it,” he said. While the firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading, water and smoke damaged the house. The fire burned through the roof of the garage, which was completely destroyed.

“The garage is gone, but the house is definitely salvageable,” Pistey said.

The Red Cross was called to the scene to offer assistance to the Foley family. Neighbors also took in some of their pets. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Goffstown to save $48,246 with cost-of-living cuts

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:55:00 GMT

By Jillian Jorgensen Goffstown municipal employees will feel the pinch next year, with the town cutting cost-of-living adjustments and switching to new insurance plans for nonunion employees. “This is not an easy topic, and I think we all know it. I think the employees of the town know it,” Scott Gross, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said Monday night. “We’re not trying to save the town on the backs of our employees.” The town has historically given nonunion employees...(read more)

35-year postal worker retires

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:51:00 GMT

By Kathy Remillard Goffstown residents going to the post office will no longer see the familiar face of Alan Dutch behind the counter. Dutch retired Oct. 31 after spending 35 years at the Goffstown Post Office. Staff members marked Dutch’s last day quietly, with a cake and certificate of appreciation. Dutch has worked at the Goffstown branch since July 1974. Postmaster Marc Richer has worked with Dutch for the past six years and saw him as a great local resource. “He had a lot of knowledge,...(read more)