Retreat woes – New questions arise in debate over Lake JoSilvia site

Bow Editor — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:47:00 GMT

As the fate of a proposed 42-room retreat on Lake JoSilvia remains before Merrimack County Superior Court, questions on who should be able to use the retreat concern residents. Also in question is whether Hopkinton Selectman Tom Congoran should be able to vote on issue, after writing an editorial in The Villager, a paper he owns.

A group of residents are now concerned, after Mike Sintros, director of the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, told board members about his group’s plans to house Peruvian exchange students who will work at Pat’s Peak during their time in New Hampshire.

This development appeared to go against the original proposal for the retreat, which was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on the grounds grounds that it was more residential than commercial because it was a nonprofit organization, owned by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston.

When the Zoning Board approved a 42-room structure on the site, residents worried it would disturb the tranquility of the area, going from a once seasonal camp to a year-round organization.

A group of residents unhappy with the decision then filed an appeal with Merrimack County Superior Court, where a ruling has not yet been made.

“I am troubled by the fact that they said they would not rent out the retreat for labor, and flat out went against that,” said Selectman Scott Flood during a Monday, Aug. 13 meeting. “This completely contradicts what the group said during (their meeting) with the Zoning Board of Adjustment.”

When Sintros came in front of the board members two weeks ago they suggested Sintros bring each proposal individually so a vote would not negate every item, simply because one was not agreeable.

Chairman George Langwasser told selectmen not to be troubled over the possibility of the Peruvian exchange students quite yet.

Controversy also arose when Langwasser took out a copy of an unsigned editorial printed in The Villager’s “Publisher’s Corner.”

“I assume it was not you who wrote this?” Langwasser asked Congoran, who replied quickly, “Yes, it was.”

The editorial, titled “Do we want this in our small town?” makes Congoran’s opinion clear against the retreat, according to Langwasser.

Whether Congoran could vote on issues regarding the retreat after already voicing his opinion in a public forum was questioned.

“Do you think you can make a just and fair decision when a vote comes on this issue after already sharing your opinion?” Langwasser asked Congoran.

“We are all entitled to and allowed our own personal opinions,” said Congoran.

One resident, who is also a member of the ZBA, noted she, along with several other board members, was removed from voting on Bio Energy after they voiced their opinion during a discussion.

The decision on the building of the church retreat is now out of the selectmen’s hands, as it is in front of the State Supreme Court.

Langwasser said he hoped a decision would help calm the situation.

“This is an issue that keeps rearing its ugly head, and I have a feeling it will not be going away until the court decision has been offered.”

Jail time cut

Bow Editor — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:28:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Melanie Cooper will only serve half of her original sentence.

After Cooper pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension, a felony, in the investigation of Eric Windhurst’s 1985 murder of her stepfather, Danny Paquette, she was sentenced in December to three to six years in prison.

But after a three-judge panel reviewed her case, at the request of Cooper, her sentence was reduced to 15 to 30 months.

According to published reports, Cooper met with the judges on June 15 and the panel made its decision on Friday, June 22.

“Melanie appreciates the careful review conducted by the sentence review panel in the reduction of her sentence,” said Cooper’s lawyer, Paul McDonough.

Cooper, 37, has been serving her sentence at state women’s prison in Goffstown since December and will be eligible for parole in March.

Eric Windhurst, Cooper’s high school classmate, is serving a 15- to 36-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2006.

Cooper testified against him, and according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin, the prosecutor in the case, Windhurst couldn’t have been brought to justice without her assistance.

Still, Superior Court Judge Robert Lynn went against the state’s recommendation of a five-year suspended sentence, instead sentencing her to a three- to six-year prison sentence.

Prior to Cooper’s meeting with the panel, Strelzin said the state would stand by its original recommendation.

“It was in recognition, primarily, of her cooperation in the case that allowed us to solve the 20-year old unsolved murder,” he said. “We also considered who she was at the time, and a lack of criminal history and what she’s done with her life since.”

Cooper had been living out of state, with her husband and five children, and had lied to police during prior investigations.

She claimed she was with Windhurst, who was 17 years old at the time he shot and killed Paquette. She was 15 years old.

Cooper told Windhurst that Paquette had sexually assaulted her, but said she was unaware Windhurst would kill her stepfather.

McDonough said the panel ruled Cooper had nothing to do with the homicide.

Hopkinton News : court

Retreat woes – New questions arise in debate over Lake JoSilvia site

Jail time cut