Weare News : Goffstown

Cleanup efforts under way

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:16:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Local towns are dealing with the wrath of Mother Nature, who dropped ice around the Granite State, leaving a good portion of the state in the dark.

More than 325,000 New Hampshire residents were left without power following an ice storm that many officials say was worse than the one that took place in 1998.

“I’ve been with the department for 16 years, and this is the most I’ve seen with power outages and other things,” said Weare Police Lt. James Carney. “Although there was more ice on the road (in 1998), I just don’t remember this many trees down and this many people in the dark.”

Weare was one of the towns hit hardest by the storm, as about 75 percent of the town was in the dark, according to Carney. As of Monday, Dec. 15, several hundred residents were still in the dark.

One piece of evidence on the destruction of the storm came when a local news team came to do an interview in Weare. As the cameraman was setting up, he and several members of the Police Department ran to safety as a tree began falling in their direction.

As of Monday, 1,800 Goffstown residents had no power, and Police Chief Patrick Sullivan said that number was at about 4,600 at the storm’s peak.

“The worst part is the inconvenience for all the people,” said Sullivan. “We certainly appreciate their patience, that’s for sure.”

One police lieutenant in the department even had to leave his post at the Emergency Operation Center after finding out his home was on fire. The blaze left a hole in the the side of his house, and he was unable to live there as of press time.

Several roads were closed in Goffstown, but nearly every one was open by the beginning of the week, with the exception of Shirley Hill Road.

Another town thumped by the ice storm was New Boston, as Police Chief Chris Krajenka said at one point during the storm, only one road was open in town – Route 12N to Goffstown. “It was scary out there,” said Krajenka. “Snapping trees, falling limbs – some of the sounds were God-awful.”

In addition to the closed roads, power outages and closed schools, Krajenka said the Fire Department’s 1964 generator died early Saturday night. Through FEMA, the department was able to get a temporary generator the next day.

Bow Police Chief Erin Commerford said the storm has taxed the manpower of several departments in town, as well as residents.

“Without being able to stay warm, take a shower, cook, go to school, just every day functions, it’s had a great impact,” she said. “It seems like a lot of people have been without power a lot longer than surrounding towns.”

Alleged arsonist to be arraigned

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:10:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Weare man who allegedly set another resident’s home on fire in April is facing arson, burglary and criminal threatening charges in Superior Court.

A Goffstown District Court judge decided on April 24 that there was probable cause to move forward with the case against Peter Walsh, 27, of 126 Abijah Road, whom Weare police said entered the Mt. William Pond home of Vernon Hamel, 46, and started a fire in addition to threatening Hamel’s life.

Walsh is scheduled to appear in Hillsborough Superior Court on Friday, Aug. 1, for arraignment. In Weare police Detective Lou Chatel’s affidavit, Walsh allegedly broke windows in Hamel’s home with two-by-fours at around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12.

Hamel got up to investigate the noise, he told police in interviews, and saw Walsh outside.

Walsh then allegedly climbed through one of the windows and entered the house.

“Having no way to exit, Mr. Hamel grabbed a pieced of wood and went toward the front room and now saw Peter Walsh standing inside his house next to a wall that was on fire. Mr. Hamel stated that Walsh said he was ‘going to burn him out,’” Chatel wrote in the affidavit.

At that point, Hamel said he picked up a piece of wood and struck Walsh, simultaneously pushing him toward the front door.

When Walsh was outside, Hamel told police, he allegedly pointed a gun at Hamel through the window and threatened to shoot him. When police arrived at Walsh’s Abijah Road home later in the day to question him, they also searched the premises and found a .357 handgun in his truck.

The fire fully involved the home, and Walsh allegedly drove off in a green car. Hamel fled the home and went to his brother’s home next door, police said.

A K-9 unit went through the house to detect accelerants, but nothing of that nature was found. After examining electrical wires and outlets, the wood stove, heater and other possible sources, fire investigators determined there was no evidence of accidental causes for the fire’s eruption.

The fire started in the front part of the home by the kitchen, according to the affidavit.

While there was little evidence found at the scene, investigators did find clean broken glass outside below a window outside the home.

State fire investigator Keith Rodenhiser testified at the hearing that accidental causes, which included a nearby wood stove, electrical cords and outlets were ruled out after finding no deficiencies.

“The glass is significant because it proves the window was broken out prior to the ignition of the fire rather than as a result of the fire,” the affidavit said.

Investigators have been looking into past interactions between Walsh and Hamel, and there is some information to indicate there may have been a sexual assault at some point, authorities said.

“Walsh may have been a victim of an alleged sexual assault in the past,” said Rodenhiser on the stand, adding the claim is under investigation.

Chatel was also called as a witness, and said on the stand that Hamel has no convictions on his record, but that the police had dealt with him previously regarding allegations against him of aggravated felonious sexual assault, lewdness and animal cruelty.

When investigators questioned Hamel’s family members, who live next door, his sister-inlaw mentioned that there had been an altercation between Walsh and Hamel this past December in which Hamel was beaten.

No police reports of that incident were made, according to Chatel, but investigators are aware of a history that the sister- in-law declined to elaborate on with police, according to the affidavit.

John Stark Regional and GHS invited to state drama event

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:39:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

The false moustache, beard and bushy sideburns that he glued to his face helped Ben Carignan, a John Stark Regional High School student, transform his appearance to that of Crutch Collins, a man living in Gray, Ind., in 1892.

Carignan, 17, and other members of his school’s drama club, brought their production of the play “Anatomy of Gray” to the New Hampshire State Drama Festival. Their performance, which included both solemn and funny moments, drew a loud, enthusiastic applause from the audience when it was done.

It was one of a dozen shows performed at the festival, which drew about 500 participants from 12 high schools, including Goffstown High School. The event, held April 11 and 12 in Gilford, featured one show from each school.

“It’s definitely a fun atmosphere,” said Goffstown High junior Brendan Bertagnoll, 16. “The goal is to present the best show possible and enjoy theater. It’s educational. We can take a lot away from this.”

At the state festival, an annual event, two schools are selected to move on to the New England Drama Festival. Last March, about two dozen New Hampshire high schools performed at regional festivals and 12 of them were chosen for the state event.

“It’s a great opportunity to celebrate (theater) in a fairly noncompetitive environment, which is nice,” said Jennifer Matzke, who directed John Stark Regional’s show. “The students are extremely supportive of each other.”

The festival’s emphasis on education, rather than competition, is an important element of the event, according to its organizers. Each show is critiqued by adjudicators, and students and directors share feedback in forums.

“It’s nice to sit back and look at a play and see how we can improve ourselves,” said Ellen Comeau, 16, who performed several roles in Goffstown Theatre Company’s production of “Metamorphoses.”

“I think it definitely makes me a better actor. I learn. I listen. It’s a good experience.”

Festival rules require that each show not exceed 40 minutes, so the John Stark actors performed only the first act of their play. Schools that exceed the time limit are disqualified from advancing to the New England festival.

The shows ranged from serious pieces to performances that drew big laughs. “Metamorphoses,” a play featuring vignettes based a Greek poem, featured ancient and modern characteristics.

Like the state festival, shows performed at the regional level were judged by adjudicators. Actors, technical workers and directors used that feedback to improve their show before bringing it to the state event.

“You do the things you can to make your show better,” said Goffstown’s director, Lee Mannion, who serves as president of the New Hampshire Education Theatre Guild. “You get that critical eye. There is a huge benefit to having constructive criticism in your life. There’s always something more to think about.”

John Stark’s performance at the state festival drew praise from adjudicators for its look, pace and attention to detail. But the actors were also encouraged to speak more clearly.

Neither John Stark nor Goffstown was chosen to advance to the New England festival – the top honors went to high schools in Laconia and Plymouth – but several local students were among the recipients of All Star Company awards for exceptional acting and technical work.

John Stark student Courtney Perron was given the Robert A. Stuart Award, named after the late leader in New Hampshire theater, in recognition of her excellent acting. During the festival, students bond with other kids who love theater, applaud loudly at each others’ shows and enjoy a dance together.

“I love being with people who share the same passion,” said Comeau. “It’s so neat that so many kids come together and we’re one theater family.”

When a student from Newport was recognized at the awards ceremony for his acting performance, Goffstown High’s Pat Sheehy, a light and sound worker, gave him a high-five. When an actor from Wolfeboro won an award, Sheehy gave him a thumbs-up.

“There’s a tremendous amount of support,” said Dan Pare, the technical director of the Goffstown show. “You don’t see any contention between kids. They have an art, a craft they’re sharing.”

House destroyed, man charged with arson

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:29:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Weare man has been charged with arson, criminal threatening, burglary and two counts of reckless conduct after he allegedly broke into a house and burned it down.

Police arrested Peter Walsh, 27, of 126 Abijah Road on Sunday, April 13, for breaking into and setting a house on fire and pointing a gun at the home owner shortly before 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 12.

At his arraignment in Goffstown District Court on Monday, April 14, a judge set Walsh’s bail at $50,000 cash.

Weare police detective and prosecutor Lou Chatel said he asked for $100,000 bail due to the severity of the crimes alleged, but given Walsh’s lack of a substantial criminal record, the request was denied. “Last I knew, he was headed back to Valley Street,” Chatel said.

According to Chatel’s police affidavit, which includes testimony from other officers and state fire marshal inspectors, Vernon Hamel was asleep when he heard what sounded like his door being broken down at around 4:30 a.m. on April 12.

When he emerged from his bedroom to investigate the noise, Hamel told police he saw Walsh outside of his home heading toward the back of his house.

In an interview with Chatel and Fire Marshal officer Stacey Dubois, Hamel said Walsh had shown up at his home in December 2007 and repeatedly punched Hamel in the face when the front door opened.

Another witness to the fire on April 12 said Hamel and Walsh had problems in the past, as far back as 10 years ago, according to the affidavit.

Chatel said police are still looking into that past relationship, adding there are no police reports relating to it.

Hamel said in the interview that the phone didn’t work when he attempted to call 911 after seeing Walsh outside, and a check of the phone cable leading to the home revealed it had been cut. A large piece of wood shattered one of the front windows, according to the affidavit, which Hamel said he believed Walsh retrieved from a pile of similar wood outside Hamel’s home. After a second window was broken, Hamel said, he went to the back of the home and heard someone climbing into the house.

“Having no way to exit, Mr. Hamel grabbed a pieced of wood and went towards the front room and now saw Peter Walsh standing inside his house next to a wall that was on fire. Mr. Hamel stated that Walsh said he was ‘going to burn him out,’” Chatel wrote in the affidavit.

At that point, according to the affidavit, Hamel said he picked up a piece of wood and struck Walsh, simultaneously pushing him toward the front door.

When Walsh was outside, Hamel said he tried using a fire extinguisher in an attempt to smother the flames. Walsh was breaking more windows, Hamel reported.

Hamel then told police he looked up through one window to find Walsh standing outside with a gun pointed at him. Hamel said Walsh told him he was going to shoot him.

When the escalating fire prevented Walsh from entering the home again, he drove off in what Hamel said was a green Toyota, similar to one he had seen Walsh driving before, which he believed to belong to one of Walsh’s family members.

Hamel said in the interview that the same green car with the lights off came back down the street half an hour later. Fearing for his life, Hamel ran to his brother and sister-in-law’s home next door.

By the time police and fire personnel responded, the singlefamily wooden home was fully ablaze, making entry impossible. Officers found Hamel next door shortly after arriving.

When Weare police Sgt. James Carney arrived at Walsh’s home to question him later that afternoon, they discovered a green Toyota Prius sitting in Walsh’s driveway which they later found was registered to one of Walsh’s family members.

Walsh denied being at Hamel’s home at the time of the fire, but further questioning from Carney led Walsh to request counsel and deny he made the statement to Carney that he was not present, according to the affidavit.

A K-9 unit went through the house to detect accelerants, but nothing of that nature was found. After examining electrical wires and outlets, the woodstove, heater and other possible sources, fire investigators determined there was no evidence of accidental causes for the fire’s eruption.

The fire started in the front part of the home by the kitchen, according to the affidavit. While there was little physical evidence found at the scene, investigators did find clean broken glass outside below a window outside the home.

“The glass is significant because it proves the window was broken out prior to the ignition of the fire rather than as a result of the fire,” the affidavit says.

A probable cause hearing on the case is set for April 24 at 1 p.m. in Goffstown District Court.

Beating not enough says father of girl who had underage sex with boyfriend

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:24:00 GMT

BY GRETA CUYLER

The father who beat up his daughter’s boyfriend after learning the two had had sex appeared on ABC’s “20/20” Friday, March 14, and spoke publicly about the incident for the first time. “So I hit him,” said Gilberto Soto, the girl’s father. “Do I regret what I did? No. Would I do it differently? Yes, I would, I would.

“Now? Take that kid, stick him in the car, tie a rope around his neck and go as fast as I could up and down the highways, every single highway there is,” Soto said, then clarified that he meant drag the boy at the end of a rope behind his car.

The show was called the “Age of Consent.” Soto, 38, is from Weare. Last fall his 15- 1/2-year-old daughter had sex with her then-17-year-old boyfriend, Damon Hadley. Hadley is 18 now.

When school officials caught the two cutting school, the girl alleged Hadley had raped her, according to authorities. Although she later admitted to police she lied, Hadley was charged with sexual assault because he admitted the two had had sex, and under state law, a person cannot consent to sex until the age of 16. Soto was charged with assault.

Both eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor simple assault; Soto was sentenced to 12 months in jail and Hadley to three months. Both sentences were suspended on condition of good behavior.

Soto told “20/20” he’s upset Hadley didn’t go to jail. “He should’ve done at least a year,” he said.

Asked if maybe his daughter lied about being raped because she was scared of her father, Soto replied, “My kids don’t have reason to be scared of me.”

Hadley’s lawyer said he hopes Soto will be charged with criminal threatening.

“It is my fervent hope that Soto be charged, convicted and incarcerated for these types of hateful and alarming comments that have no place in our society,” said Concord attorney George “Skip” Campbell.

He said Soto’s comment brings to mind the 1998 killing of James Byrd in Texas. Three men beat up Byrd, stripped him of his clothing, tied a chain around his waist and dragged him for 3 miles.

Lisa Hadley, Damon’s mother, said she’s worried for her son.

“I was worried for him that day in the nurse’s office after he got beat up ...,’’ Lisa Hadley said. “And then to hear him on national TV saying this. Yeah, I’m worried. He got away with what he did to my son.”

Damon Hadley remembers the day Soto beat him up. “I didn’t move at all, I just froze,” Damon said in an interview last month. “I didn’t know what to do. Her dad hit me. I was on the ground. I just remember him standing on top of me and hitting me.

“He kept saying, ‘Did you (have sex with) my daughter?’”

Bonding agent – All-stars enjoy the game, each other’s company

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:56:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

Richie Vaillancourt had an idea what he was signing up for. He knew coaching a handful of 10-year-old softball players meant practices, pregame preparations and time during games would involve lots of chatter, lots of energy and plenty of laughter.

And he was right.

At the helm of this year’s Kearsarge Mountain South 10U Babe Ruth softball all-star squad, Vaillancourt watched as his young players finished among the top four teams in New England.

“There’s less talk of softball and more about their favorite movies and songs and things,” said a smiling Vaillancourt while trying to corral his team before a game. “They’ve been together six weeks now, and they’ve become such good friends. It’s amazing. This (spending time together off the field) is what they really enjoy. But coming in one game away from playing at nationals isn’t something they’re going to forget either.”

Bubbly and enthusiastic at first glance, the all-stars’ competitive drive and focus balanced the light-hearted dugout atmosphere.

In fact, any warm-up session would include players from Dunbarton, Weare, Hopkinton and Goffstown running drills and working on plays while referring to each other with affectionate nicknames.

“They call me ‘Diesel,’” said Weare’s Chloe Loos, the squad’s lone returner. “We all came up with these funny names for each other because of things we’ve done or said. I’m ‘Diesel’ because they think I’m fast like a diesel train. And we have this one cheer we do before every game, too.”

On Friday, July 20, Loos and her teammates took the field at Reeds Ferry Elementary school in Merrimack, for the 10U Babe Ruth softball New England regional tournament. Coming in second in its district and state tournament, Kearsarge Mountain entered action on Sunday, July 22, as the top seed before falling, 7-2, to Lou Lever in the semifinals.

Kearsarge beat Barrington, Vt., 9-3, then downed New Canaan, Conn., 16-6, on Saturday morning, July 21. An 8-0 loss later that day dropped the team to the losers bracket, but because it had given up the least amount of runs, it earned the No. 1 seed on Sunday.

Hopkinton hurlers Meghan “Twinkle Toes” Kissinger and Sloane White pitched for KMS, while Goffstown’s Kallie “Wheels” Tabor, sisters Berklee and Colbi Vaillancourt of Dunbarton, and Hopkinton’s Rebecca Shatney turned in solid efforts for the offense.

The other KMS all-stars were Emma Roberts, Jordan Goodliff, Alyssa Bailey, Gianna Pezzulo and Caroline Lovejoy.

“After the state tournament, we thought we were eliminated because there was a mistake in the rules,” said Berklee Vaillancourt, known as “Tomahawk.” “So we were running around getting each other’s addresses and phone numbers so we could make sure we’d see each other soon.”

“This was so awesome because we all got so close,” agreed Hopkinton’s Kissinger. “We’re definitely going to stay friends even though the year’s over. Colbi and Berklee already said we could have sleepovers at their house because I think our coach is now used to it.”

Recounts don’t change any Election Day results

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:43:00 GMT

BY ROD HANSEN

Recounts of two town ballot items in Goffstown and a school budget vote in Weare produced different numbers, but identical results.

Goffstown’s Article 13, which would have paid for a water distribution system in Lynchville/Danis Park through a $1.6 million bond and additional grant money, remained defeated 1,491 to 1,037 after the recount.

Because it was a bonded article, the item required a 60 percent majority, or 1,517 votes, to pass.

Resident John Paradis delivered a petitioned request for recount on Monday, March 19. Paradis, a longtime resident of the area affected by the article, acknowledged that he submitted the petition because he was unhappy with the vote and hoped a recount could produce different results.

Ultimately, the recount produced one more positive vote and one more negative vote than the original tally, Town Clerk Donna Bergeron said.

The article’s margin of defeat remained 26 votes following the recount.

A second article, which would have given the town authority to establish a tax increment financing district, was also subject to a petitioned recount request. The item, appearing as Article 22 on the ballot, passed by a total of three votes in the March 13 election.

The recount produced a tally of 1,169 to 1,166, exactly three more negative and three more positive votes than the original count.

The additional votes likely came from cases in which voters placed an “X” inside the oval on the ballot rather than filling it in, Bergeron said.

The recount took place on Sunday, March 25, in the Mildred Stark Room of town hall. Votes were recounted by Bergeron, Town Moderator Rod Stark and members of the board of selectmen, with about a dozen community volunteers helping to sort the ballots.

Weare

A recount of Weare’s razor-thin school district operating budget defeat also produced no change in outcome.

The original machine count handed the $11.9 million operating budget a defeat of 646-643, while the recount put the number at 648-645 with the addition of two negative and two positive votes. The recount took place at the Weare town offices Friday, March 23, beginning at 6 p.m.

The recount took one hour and 20 minutes, according to School District Clerk Tina Pelletier.