Hopkinton News : selectmen

Hopkinton Selectmen appoint full-time fire chief

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:09:00 GMT

At a recent Hopkinton selectmen meeting, part-time Fire Chief Richard Schaefer was appointed full-time acting fire chief. He will assume the full-time duties July 13.

Schaefer has been a member of the Hopkinton Fire Department and ambulance squad for 30 years. He served as the part-time chief in 1999 and also served as full-time facilities director for the Hopkinton School District since 1999.

The full-time deputy fire chief position has been vacant since the retirement of John Pianka. Funding will be transferred to support the full-time acting chief’s salary. Two part-time call firefighters with the deputy chief designation will assist Schaefer with command and administrative duties.

The total 2009 budget for the Fire Department remains unchanged.

Hopkinton residents vote down town employee pay raises

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:28:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It isn’t uncommon to see employees state their case for a pay raise, but it’s rare for workers to stand up and say they just don’t need one.

That’s what happened at Hopkinton’s annual Town Meeting on Saturday, March 14, as Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Steve Clough stood at the microphone to address residents while speaking on behalf of town employees.

“We haven’t questioned your judgment in the past, and we won’t question it now,” said Clough. “We don’t want to cut services further to deal with (raises) if you don’t want them.”

Selectmen decided in the week leading up to the meeting to lower their suggested budget by approximately $80,000 to reach the Budget Committee’s recommended figure.

However, board members wanted to leave in the budget a 3 percent cost of living increase, and said they would make up the difference by making cuts in other areas.

Clough told the crowd at the meeting that the town employees had not asked for the raise, and they would accept the decision if residents decided against it in order to leave the money in other departments.

Marion Paxton suggested an amendment to restrict selectmen from giving raises from the budget, an amendment that was passed by voters.

Overall, the operating budget of $5.43 million passed following the amendment, which will result in a decrease of 13 cents per $1,000 on the town portion of the tax rate.

Residents also approved an amendment to put an additional $12,000 in the budget for the town’s summer camp, which sent mixed messages according to Patricia Finnerty.

“I am having a hard time thinking that people just voted $80,000 out that would fund people who work in this town, keep this town safe, and we are talking about putting money in for people to play,” said Finnerty. “I just don’t get it.”

The longest debate of the meeting came over the pay as you throw program, also known as “SMART.”

Many residents felt that the program would benefit the environment and also help save the town money, but others did not believe it was in the best interest of the town.

Town officials had to count ballots twice before deciding that it had been defeated by a 215-212 vote.

Every article other than the SMART program was passed during the meeting, including approval of the sale of Columbia Hall.

Hopkinton Pay by Bag will appear on warrant

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:55:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The Hopkinton Recycling Committee with host a public forum to inform residents about benefits of Pay by Bag, a program that is aimed to save money and increase recycling efforts.

Selectmen also planned a public session to discuss the warrant article on Thursday, Feb. 12. If passed, the article would authorize the program and set up an account for any revenue generated.

The program is also known as SMART (short for Save Money and Reduce Trash), and residents would pay to get rid of trash with the purchase of special trash bags, not with tax dollars.

“It will set up revenue for reduction in tipping fees paid by general taxes and encourage at the same time recycling, which should be in more rational economic days a plus for the town,” said Town Administrator Leon Kenison.

The Recycling Committee’s public forum will take place Tuesday, Feb. 17, at St. Andrew’s Church beginning at 7 p.m.

“Increased recycling benefits the environment by conserving resources and energy, as well as reducing carbon emissions,” said a release about the forum. “As an added bonus, the more we recycle, the more money we save through avoided disposal costs and increased recycling revenues – which is smart.”

Currently there are 7,000 communities in the country that use the program and 46 in New Hampshire.

“Right now the market is varied, and it’s coming back but very slowly,” said Kenison. “The whole market fell out, and a lot of people are accumulating things in stockpiles and waiting for a better market to return. When the demand picks up it will be met with an overabundance of supplies.”

Town Meeting takes place Saturday, March 14, at 9 a.m.

Hopkinton Senior Center can be rented after hours

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:57:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton selectmen agreed on a policy for renting out the Slusser Senior Center, a method that could potentially earn money for the building’s operating costs.

During a Monday, Feb. 3, Board of Selectmen meeting, board members decided that from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the building will remain a senior center, but after hours and on holidays it can be rented out to the general public.

“That’s been a thorny issue because there are some in town that think it should be available to the general public. That’s not the idea that the donor gave. It needs to be a senior center,” said Selectman George Langwasser.

“It’s not a community center as some people would want to designate it. On the other hand, it’s a public building and should be available to the public.”

The approved plan was one presented to the selectmen by recreation director Justin La Vigne.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said La Vigne. “I think it’s great for the community. I’m glad the selectmen agree that it should be a drop-in senior center first.”

A warrant article still being developed would ask voters to approve the creation of a revolving fund to deposit the rental fees into.

“The revolving fund will hopefully build up to a point where certain portions of the operating expenses can be taken out of there,” said Langwasser. “To create that, it has to be approved by the town.”

Although La Vigne said it will be good to have the money going toward the Slusser Center, he said that isn’t the only reason for the resolution.

“We’ll have to see after a year or two how much money comes in,” said La Vigne. “It isn’t about the money, it’s about utilizing the building for the community.”

Debate in town has centered on the building and whether it should be used as a general community building or remain a senior center.

Langwasser and La Vigne both said this plan is a good way to keep the building as a senior center, but also have the entire community be able to use it.

“When there’s a conflict, the seniors win out because it is a senior center,” said Langwasser. “On the other side of the coin, to have a building sitting there that could be rented out when the seniors aren’t there, this accommodates that.”

Also at the selectmen meeting, board members discussed proposed warrant articles that could ask the town to approve the sale of Columbia Hall.

“At this point we haven’t had a real good debate about that to decide how that will be written,” said Langwasser. “We want to decide what to do with it, whether to fix it up or sell it. It can’t just sit there and deteriorate, it is a town asset.”

Another warrant article discussed would, if passed, mean all residents would be required to pay for ambulance services, even uninsured residents.

“Traditionally, in the town of Hopkinton, if someone does not have insurance, the town does not charge the individual for transportation,” Langwasser said.

Hopkinton selectmen accused of having nonpublic meeting

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:19:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton selectmen voted to reiterate their policy on e-mail communications during a recent meeting after discussions on whether board members were following the state’s Right to Know Law.

Selectman George Langwasser brought up the subject during a Nov. 10 meeting, after Chairman Scott Flood e-mailed the four other board members and Town Administrator Leon Kenison with a memo with the subject, “Eyes Only.”

In the e-mail, Flood lists 12 subjects he feels the selectmen should begin to address in upcoming meetings, including potentially making the Slusser Senior Center a community center and moving the Town Clerk’s office to Town Hall.

“I welcome your thoughts and other ideas on the foregoing,” Flood closed the e-mail with. “Please send me your unvarnished thoughts.”

Langwasser said that by welcoming input from the other board members via e-mail, it was essentially holding a meeting without the public’s knowledge – a violation of the Right to Know Law.

“You can put forth an idea and let it go,” said Langwasser. “When you start to invite comments and suggestions back, you’re making a discussion out of the realm of the public, which is what the law is designed to counteract.”

Resident Janet Krzyzaniak went to Town Hall and requested recent documents pertaining to a variety of departments in town, and was surprised to find the email in the file.

“The big thing that is very upsetting to me is the memo and how it pertains to the Right to Know Law,” she said. “If I hadn’t had a gut feeling that something was going on, we wouldn’t have seen this memo.”

Flood said he did not intend to violate the RSA, and that the law did exactly what it was supposed to.

“It’s undisputed that the letter was sent to the selectmen and the Town Administrator,” Flood said. “She went into the office and asked for the documents, and obtained the letter. The process worked as it was intended to work.”

Town Clerk Sue Strickford was scheduled on the agenda for Monday, Nov. 17, to talk about the cost of potentially moving her office to Town Hall, but was informed that afternoon she was taken off the agenda. Strickford was told the Board had too many budget items to discuss and they would not have time for her concern during that meeting.

“I told them that I was certainly a budget item, and a big budget item,” Strickford said. “I respected his opinion, so I went in to talk as a citizen instead of my role with the town.”

Strickford was also upset that the potential move was discussed through the e-mail, and felt Flood’s correspondence had violated the law.

“I felt that we need to respect that Right to Know Law, and I was really disappointed that he, as a practicing attorney, would so blatantly disregard that by sending the e-mail,” Strickford said.

Flood said that the ideas in his e-mail are only that, potential ideas to save the town money during an upcoming time period when Hopkinton will likely struggle with revenue down and costs up.

“It’s consistent with the goal to economize and save money while providing the services to the town,” Flood said. “It’s an idea. Nothing that we have plans for.”

Turning the Slusser Senior Center into a community building could save the town money, according to Flood.

“There is over $250,000 that has been designated to assist or fund a community center. It’s just sitting there not doing any good in that account,” Flood said.

“Since we have this beautiful building that’s been built, it may be appropriate to use those funds to create an endowment or trust to help support that building.”

Krzyzaniak, chairman of the Senior Recreation Committee, said doing so may leave open the possibility that Gene Slusser could attempt to recapture his $1.5 million donation to the town since he donated the money with the understanding that Hopkinton would use it to build a senior center.

Langwasser said the possibility that the e-mail violated the Right to Know Law could be damaging to the board.

“It can be injurious to the reputation of the board because the general public has the right to believe the that the issues discussed in an open meeting are really what the board is talking about,” he said. “The public doesn’t have to agree, but the point remains it should take place in an open meeting.”

Serving is two-way street for Hopkinton Town Administrator Leon Kenison

Bow Editor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:38:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Two Wednesdays a month, Leon Kenison runs the show. Every Monday, he’s a part of it.

Kenison, who has settled into his role as Hopkinton Town Administrator, has been adjusting to a job that differs from his position as chairman for the Bow Board of Selectmen.

“The two are quite different,” he said. “I go from a policy-setting role as a selectman to an administrative and research role to present information to the board, decision-maker to information- provider.”

According to Selectman George Langwasser, Kenison’s experience in both sections of government have been the key to his success.

“He has an understanding and appreciation of what the selectmen need to do their jobs,” Langwasser said. “You ask him a question and he’ll give you an answer. He’s very low key and doesn’t come over robustly.”

After a year of interim town administrators following the departure of Ed Wojnowski, Kenison was hired in late September to fill the role full time.

The town administrator works closely with selectmen and community members. It’s this interaction that Kenison most enjoys about his job.

“You are directly involved,” said Kenison. “This is where the rubber hits the road. You’re dealing directly with the people who own the town. There’s not medium in-between. You look right into the face of the people who want the service.”

Langwasser said the town has switched its approach, as it is now Kenison that department heads report to, rather than the Board of Selectmen.

“By doing that, he stays much closer to the department heads than we do, and he becomes a very valuable source of information to us,” said Langwasser. “This way, they have someone to check with instead of trying to track down a selectman.”

There has been a learning curve for Kenison, who was previously the town administrator in Pittsfield for a year.

“Here, we have different people and a little different set up as well as what the community has for priorities,” said Kenison. “Every day I am learning a bit more and finding more about what things people have for visions for the town.”

With his differing roles in Bow and Hopkinton, Kenison has to keep himself in check at times during his Monday night meetings in Hopkinton.

“I do have to realize that I’m not a selectman here, and it’s not my role to be one,” he said. “I think that when the opportunity rises and I have suggestions, the board is quite willing to listen. I’m certainly not going to play the selectmen’s role.”

Hopkinton selectmen forge ahead as they watch spending

Bow Editor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:25:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Despite new faces and a new chairman, the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen has meshed well entering what may be a difficult few years for taxpayers.

After veteran selectmen Peter Russell and Done Lane chose not to run for re-election earlier in the year, the town brought on two new members, Jim O’Brien and Chris Lawless, to fill the spots.

According to Selectman Tom Congoran, it didn’t take long for the group to become familiar with one another.

“I think it’s been delightful. The five of us can disagree, but it doesn’t get personal,” said Congoran. “It’s easy anywhere for selectmen to make it personal if they don’t win an argument. That is devastating. We’re able to disagree, but it’s OK. We don’t agree on everything.”

Scott Flood has been getting accustomed to a new role, as he became chairman for the upcoming year, replacing George Langwasser.

“It’s a little bit more busy, but it hasn’t changed fundamentally. All the selectmen do the same sort of thing,” Flood said. “I have more direct interface with the (town administrator), but not a lot more than anyone else. The biggest change is that I run the meeting, and that’s really the big thing.”

Lawless may not have been a selectman before last election, but he could be found sitting on the benches at Town Hall nearly every Monday before he decided to run.

“Before I ran, I had been attending the selectmen’s meetings for two years so I didn’t really need much time to ramp up,” he said. “I think that things went very well in the beginning. Scott has done a great job making sure that everyone gets to say their piece.”

Many members of the board said dealing with the town budgets can be the most difficult aspect of their job. Flood said, the upcoming years will certainly be a test for the selectmen.

“The town of Hopkinton is in very tough financial straights now and for the next two years,” Flood said. “The revenue projections are projected to go down fairly dramatically, and the costs have gone up. We have serious financial challenges ahead of us, and it’ll be difficult to resolve them without cutting services.”

Congoran said he expects the upcoming year to be the most difficult task he has been faced with during his tenure as selectman.

“It’ll be a challenge. Unfortunately we have a slowing economy and inflationary costs,” Congoran said. “It’s the beginning of the cycle in which the board and town are going to have to choose between what it would like to have and what it can afford.”

Ban on construction debris under attack in Hopkinton

Bow Editor — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:47:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The topic of burning construction and demolition debris has once again come up in New Hampshire, as a Massachusetts company is suing the state Department of Environment Services to get a ban on burning the materials overturned.

New England Recycling and a construction and demolition debris (C and D) recycling trade group claim in their suit that N.H. DES Commissioner Thomas Burack and Attorney General Kelly Ayotte created the law to ban the materials to protect the state’s virgin wood pellet industry.

The lawsuit includes three parts, with the main one claiming the state violated the commerce clause of the Constitution, according to Mary Maloney, who is representing the DES.

“The commerce clause is the heart of their claim. They’re saying we enacted the laws to detriment of out-of-state interests. Of course, that’s not the case. The heart of the legislation was consideration of an environmental one to protect the residents of the state. It was an effort at cleaning up the environment.”

New Hampshire’s construction and demolition debris ban stemmed from the Bio Energy plant in West Hopkinton, during which the town became involved in legal action against the company. C and D materials can be hazardous to the environment because they emit lead and other chemicals into the air.

Mark Dell’Orfano, the spokesman for XGenesys Development Corp., Bio Energy’s parent company, said the lawsuit has no impact on his company’s future plans for the power plant.

And although Hopkinton selectmen discussed the lawsuit at a recent meeting, Chairman Scott Flood said he does not anticipate speaking with anyone about the lawsuit.

“We’re not parties in the lawsuit,” said Flood. “I just wanted to make sure the board and public knew it has been filed.”

Maloney said she has recently completed reviewing the materials of the case, and her first move will be to file a motion to dismiss on two of the three claims, possibly all of them.

“We’re really at the investigation stage right now. Obviously, we take every case filed against the state seriously,” Maloney said. “In this case, I think motions to dismiss are appropriate because I don’t believe there is any merit.”

The state did not have alternative intentions when creating the laws banning C and D, according to Maloney.

“I don’t think the case has much merit. I don’t think it has any merit,” she said. “From what I understand, the purpose of the legislation was environmental. It wasn’t to advance the interest of New Hampshire industry over out of state.”

Dell’Orfano said there are no immediate plans to reopen the Bio Energy plant in West Hopkinton. Earlier this year, the company asked Hopkinton residents for feedback on whether the company should reopen the plant and burn clean wood for fuel or develop plans for another business at the site.

“We haven’t heard anything yet from the community, so we’re still in the process of feeling everything out up there,” said Dell’Orfano. “Given the fact that there seems to be changing issues in the financial world, we have to be careful where we put financial means to work. Right now until we hear something more definitive, we’re still status quo.”

Kenison named Hopkinton Town Administrator

Bow Editor — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:29:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton officials will now be able to remove the word “interim” from its town administrator position.

Leon Kenison, chairman of the Bow Board of Selectmen, has been named the first permanent replacement since Ed Wojnowksi left the position in August 2007. In the meantime, Bob Veloski held the position until August, when he accepted a position in Sanbornton, and resident John Boatwright took over the duties on an interim basis until a permanent replacement could be found.

Kenison, who will officially take over the administrative duties Oct. 6, said he has always admired the town where he will now be working.

“I’ve always thought highly of it,” he said. “They have a number of things they’re trying to work on. One of the prime things being making it as easy on the taxpayers as they can. Also, I hope to find some new jobs and commercial entitiies that will help provide those job.”

Hopkinton Selectmen Chairman Scott Flood said Kenison brings a new dimension of thinking to the position.

“I think the great thing is that he has the experience to view things from more than just one side,” said Flood. “Instead of just the town administrator side, he can see it from the selectmen’s side and the management side. That will be helpful.”

Kenison also said his experience as a selectman will come in handy.

“I’ve had some exposure to municipal operations since being a selectmen in Bow,” said Kenison. “I’ve seen how that interaction is and know how that works on that side of the table. I’ve gotten an awful good taste of what municipal management is about.”

Most recently, Kenison has served as the town manager in Pittsfield for the past year, and he previously served as an interim city manager in Lebanon. He also held various positions during his 37-year tenure with the state Department of Transportation, including serving as commissioner.

Also appealing to the position for Kenison was its location, as it is only eight minutes door to door from his Bow home.

Kenison will continue his duties as a Bow selectman, and said there will be no scheduling conflicts with his two sets of board meetings. Hopkinton’s selectmen’s meeting are on Mondays, while Bow meets two Thursdays of each month.

Meeting a new set of residents is something Kenison is looking forward to.

“The very immediate will be to meet the people and develop a good relationship with the employees of the town and the residents,” said Kenison. “I want to let them know they’re always welcome to give me a shout with things that concern them.”

Hopkinton selectmen begin new year

Bow Editor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:13:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

With two new members and a new chairman, the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen is off and running with several projects already in the works.

At the Monday, March 24, board meeting, selectmen assigned new committee posts for the upcoming year.

New selectman James O’Brien will be a representative for Planning and Zoning, Greener Hopkinton and Recreation commissions, while fellow newcomer Chris Lawless will be a member of the Conservation and Recycling committees.

Scott Flood will be the board liaison on the Economic Development committee, Tom Congoran on the Roads and Budget committees and George Langwasser will be on the Open Space, Sewer and Senior Recreation committees.

Langwasser, the board’s former chairman, said it will be different being only a board member, rather than the leader of the five-man board.

“I am going to be a good board member and provide all the help and my experience to the other board members, and particularly the new chairman. I’ll be a little more relaxed this year,” said Langwasser.

As the board’s new chairman, Flood said, the position comes with additional responsibilities.

“My expectation is that I look forward to working with the new board and moving the town forward in a congenial fashion,” said Flood.

Langwasser said he looks forward to what Flood will be able to bring to the table for the new selectmen.

“I think he brings some leadership for some newer board members, and he’ll be able to rely on his experience as we face the year ahead,” he said.

One area Flood has been involved with during his time as a selectman is Bio Energy, a topic that will be resurfacing in the near future.

“The reality is the board may not have a lot to do with it given how the permitting happens at a state-wide level,” said Flood. “Now that election and budgets are over, we can spend some time thinking about it. It’s going to take the new members a while to get up to speed on it. Any time you have some knowledge with a subject it makes it easier.”

Another project the board will be taking on over the next month will deal with how much authority the town administrator position will be given. According to Flood, after that restructuring is done, the position, currently interim, will be filled permanently.

The restructuring of the town administrator will also include restructuring how department heads work together with selectmen.

“On a day-to-day basis, it would be helpful to have someone who can address issues that come up, and that person can address it with the department heads. The selectmen can define that position any way they see fit,” said Flood.

Hopkinton board of selectmen stays at five

Bow Editor — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:40:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

When it came time to vote on two major governmental policy changes, Hopkinton residents just said, “No.”

Citizen-petitioned articles to move from five to three members on the Board of Selectmen and changing to the town manager form of government failed, although the two were close races.

Hopkinton will continue its Monday evening board meetings with five selectmen rather than three, as Article 4 failed by a count of 664-404.

“I think the taxpayers have spoken that they like the fact that five members comprise the board rather than shifting to three,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman George Langwasser.

“It’s at a point now where we can actually plan for the ensuing year knowing how many members we will have to share the responsibilities, and to know the town will benefit from five varied opinions.”

Selectman Scott Flood said during a March 3 public hearing the biggest benefit of keeping the board at five members would be the difference of opinion between selectmen.

“There is no unanimity on our (current) board. There is often debate and that is a good thing,” said Flood. “The debate and discussion is healthy and really pure democracy.”

Langwasser said he is happy to be able to move on to the next steps following Election Day.

“The votes were cast, and it was a good turnout,” said Langwasser after about 25 percent of voters, 1,113 total, came to the polls. “The town has taken the time to signal to the selectmen how they want to town to be run, and that will now fall onto the selectmen to act upon.”

The tightest of the two procedural races was Article 3, which asked voters to switch to hiring a town manager instead of a town administrator position, which failed 556-480.

“They (residents) didn’t think the town manager was warranted,” said Langwasser. “Having a town administrator is the best way to resolve some of the problems that face the town, rather than have the responsibilities fall onto the shoulders of the town manager.”

The biggest difference between the two forms of government is that the town manager has a different type of authority, being able to manage several areas of the town, while being advised by selectmen. A town administrator works directly under the board members.

Switching to a town manager would have had a financial impact on the town, though the exact monetary difference between the two positions would have varied based on the market at the time of hire, according to Langwasser.

Hopkinton town and school office winners

Bow Editor — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:35:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton’s three contested town and school races were decided in the voting booth, as residents chose two new selectmen, two School Board members and a new school treasurer.

The School Board race was a log jam, with seven candidates vying for only two spots. Elizabeth Durant and Peter Yunich were victorious, as Durant earned the most votes with 460, while Yunich garnered 353 on Election Day, Tuesday, March 11, to join the board.

While Durant won the first spot easily, Yunich narrowly defeated third-place finisher Karen Irwin for the second seat on the board, as Irwin finished only seven votes behind.

Durant said her first step as a board member is to work on the transition into her seat.

“My goal is to go in initially and become familiar with the dynamics of the board members and get to know them better,” she said. “I want to see where my skills and experience and knowledge can come in and be compliment with those already on the board.”

Yunich was not available for comment on his election victory.

Christopher Lawless and James O’Brien won the seats on the Board of Selectmen vacated by veteran selectmen Peter Russell and Don Lane, both of whom chose not to seek re-election after several years on the board.

O’Brien won his seat with 736 votes, while Lawless earned 694 votes to join a board that will have two new faces during Hopkinton’s Monday evening meetings.

“There isn’t a lot of longevity right now, losing two veteran members, so in some sense it’s a new board. From the people I have talked to already, we’re off to a good start,” said O’Brien. “It’s expected of me to come in right away, so I’ll come in Saturday to Town Meeting and get a feel for the voters and what their expectations are.”

George Langwasser, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said he is eager to begin working with his new members.

“I look forward to them joining the board and fitting in. We’re losing two experienced selectmen who have each served over six years,” said Langwasser. “With that comes a lot of knowledge and experience. I hope the new members will come up to speed quickly and do their best to learn how the town functions.”

Lawless was unavailable for comment on his election to the board.

In the final contested race in Hopkinton, residents elected Allan Bloomquist as the new school district treasurer. Bloomquist, who got 520 votes to defeat opponent Kevin Chittim’s 461, will be replacing Arnold Coda, who chose not to run again after nine years in the position.

Coda voiced his support for Bloomquist in the weeks leading up to Election Day, something Bloomquist said made a difference in the voting booths.

“That (support from Coda) means everything in the world. I’m fairly certain if he hadn’t backed me so enthusiastically that I wouldn’t have won the election,” said Bloomquist. “I have always respected him, so for him to think I have some talent and ability was very flattering.”

Nine of the 12 races on the ballot were uncontested, as Cameron Ford and Marion Paxton will join the Budget Committee; Nancy Miner was elected cemetery trustee; Donna Dunlop and Christine Hamm won seats as library trustees; Sharon Baker, supervisor of checklist; Gary Richardson, town moderator; Bonita Cressy, town treasurer; Carolyn Hackwell, trustee of trust funds; Sue Batchelder, school clerk; and Charles Dibble school moderator.

Opinions varied on three-member Hopkinton board

Bow Editor — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:54:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Before voting on whether to decrease their town’s Board of Selectmen from five members to three, Hopkinton residents had the opportunity to hear the pros and cons of the citizen-petitioned warrant article that will be on the March 11 ballot.

About 20 residents attended the Monday, March 3, public hearing hosted by board members to inform residents before making their decision on Election Day.

“Unlike some, I like the debate and having more opinions,” said Selectman Tom Congoran. “I’m concerned by a three-person board being taken over by one personality.”

Several board members shared Congoran’s sentiment, including Scott Flood.

“There is no unanimity on our (current) board. There is often debate and that is a good thing,” said Flood. “The debate and discussion is healthy and really pure democracy.”

One resident in attendance in favor of the three-person board was Janet Krzyzaniak, who sits in the Town Hall during most selectmen meetings. Krzyzaniak was one of the signatures on the petitioned warrant article.

“I personally think that five (board members) is more cumbersome and it takes longer to get through opinions,” she said. “I’ve seen five and I’ve seen three, and I just feel that you get more done with less people.”

*** McIntire said he does not believe the board is in need of change.

“I am receptive to the value of speed and value of word, but I also realize the importance of quality,” said McIntire. “I think you can have all three qualities with five selectmen.”

Another concern with the switch to three board members is the potential of spreading board members too thin between the various committees in town.

“The move may end with some committees not having a selectman on it,” said Selectmen Chairman George Langwasser. “Would this discourage people from running for office that have the consideration for the community at heart, but aren’t able to make the time commitment?”

Resident Beth Taylor said the move to three selectmen could also take away from Hopkinton’s appeal.

“I think we should stay at five members, because it’s more democratic,” she said. “I think if we made the switch, Hopkinton would lose some of its small-town character. I think the true beauty of a small town would be lost.”

Hopkinton petition seeks 3 selectmen

Bow Editor — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:43:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Some residents think Hopkinton would be better off with fewer selectmen, and have petitioned the town to consider reducing the board from five to three members.

More than 100 residents signed the petition, which asks voters to decrease the number of Board of Selectmen members, beginning with the 2009 elections, when all three positions open.

To comply with legal guidelines, selectmen will host a public hearing on Monday, March 3, to field questions from the community on the issue. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., at Town Hall.

Selectmen Chairman George Langwasser said there are pros and cons to having three board members rather than five. One downside to the potential decrease would be the danger of spreading selectmen too thin.

“With the town and the size of it and the number of committees in town, we try to put a selectman on each committee. If we have three (board members), it’ll make for a busy schedule for anyone who wants to run,” said Langwasser. “It may deter people from running because of the time required not only for the meetings each week, but for the committee meetings.”

He also said having three board members could mean an easier time coming to conclusions.

“Others would argue that three members can each have their say and come to a conclusion and do it in a more expeditious manner,” he said.

Interim Town Administrator Bob Veloski spoke of the benefits of each variety of government.

“With five (members), there is a broad experience range to draw on,” he said. “With three selectmen, it can be easier to get a decision because you won’t run into that undecided final vote. In some ways it’s easier.”

Many times, according to Langwasser, having five different opinions can be in the best interest of the town.

“Five people on the board have five possibilities for opinions and information on any subject. Perhaps you get more of a rounded view on any particular subject that comes before the board,” he said.

Taking away those two voices may take away some of the voice of Hopkinton residents, according to Langwasser.

“What you’re really trying to do is get a feeling of the taxpayers and the voters and make an informed decision and see how you’ll vote on any subject,” he said. “With five people, you get a good cross section of the feelings of the town. With three, you’ve really narrowed down those views.”

In the end, Langwasser said he will be willing to adapt to whatever the voters decide.

“The times change and the town changes. There is more involvement in running a town government and hearing people's opinions on any given subject,” said Langwasser. “My feeling is whatever the town wants. I serve the town and the taxpayers. I was elected by the citizens and that’s who I serve. It is what those people vote that I am in favor of.”

Time to file for town, school district seats

Bow Editor — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:13:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

While Hopkinton residents will cast votes for town and school officials as well as budgets in March, Bow voters will wait until May to make their choices. Bow School District Meeting, however, continues to take place at its traditional time of the year, on March 14.

Hopkinton
Those interested in running for office in Hopkinton must file between Wednesday, Jan. 23, and Friday, Feb. 1.

Town
Open seats and filing information include the following: Two selectmen seats for three-year terms each. Seats currently held by Selectmen Don Lane and Peter Russell are open.

One supervisor of checklist for a six-year term.

Two Budget Committee seats for three-year terms each. These seats are currently held by Jane Bradstreet and Barbara Unger.

Two library trustees for three-year terms.

One cemetery trustee for a three-year term.

One trustee of the trust fund for a three-year term.

One treasurer for three-year term. The currrent treasurer is Bonnie Cressy.

Moderator for a two-year term. This post is currently held by Gary Richardson.

To file to serve on an open town seat, contact Town Clerk Sue Strickford at 846 Main St., Hopkinton.

Hopkinton voters will cast ballots on Tuesday, March 11, at Hopkinton High School, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hopkinton Town Meeting is Saturday, March 15, at 9 a.m., at Hopkinton High School.

School district
There are two three-year open seats on the School Board, currently held by Marshall Rowe and Joy Bloomfield.

Treasurer, one-year seat. This post is currently held by Arnold Coda.

Moderator for one year, currently held by Charles Dibble.

To file for school offices, see the Hopkinton town clerk.

The Hopkinton School District Meeting is Saturday, March 8, at 9 a.m., at Hopkinton High School.

Bow
The Bow School District Meeting is Friday, March 14, at 7 p.m., at Bow High School, when residents will vote on the 2008 budget.

Voters will then go to the polls on May 13 for town and school district elections.

School district:
There are two open seats on the Bow School Board, with each carrying a three-year term. Deb McCann and Ann Baier currently hold these seats.

Moderator for a three-year term. Jim Hatem is the current school district moderator.

School district clerk for a three-year term. Louise Knee currently holds this post. Treasurer for a three-year term. The seat is currently held by Mark Lavalle.

Town:
Because Election Day in Bow is May 13, open seats on the town side are not yet available.

Residents and incumbents interested in filing to serve on open town and school district seats must file between Wednesday, March 26, and Tuesday, March 31, at the Town Clerk’s office, 10 Grandview Road, Bow.