YourNeighborhoodNews.com: The Hooksett Banner

It’s a bit puzzling to us how anyone truly interested in the master plan process in Hooksett could be showing up now with criticism of the plan. There were many opportunities over the past two years to provide input to the process, and many articles in this paper describing the ideas brought forth at those meetings.

Nonetheless, there are people upset at some of those ideas. We suppose many residents decided to let others do the work on the plan and would just wait to read what was decided – if they read it at all. That’s fine. That’s how most town decisions are made. Afew people work hard on a project, and once it’s finished the critics emerge.

But it’s very frustrating to those who spent enormous amounts of time and energy on a project to have it criticized. As Steve Korzyniowski said, where were these people when the planning was being done?

We took part in this process and were very impressed with how much people cared about what happens in Hooksett’s future. This master plan is the culmination of many residents’hopes and wishes for the town. Constructive criticism is fine, but this is coming a little too late. -Ginger Kozlowski, Editor

To the Editor:
The Tower Hill Road residents of Candia have banded together to address the inconsistent assessment of their land values.

Vision Appraisal Technology, a Massachusetts firm that was hired to re-appraise the town, has evaluated its land values higher than most of Candia’s community.

The feeling is that the road has been targeted for unfair taxation of their individual land value assessments based on community comparison.

A signed petition will be presented at the next selectmen’s meeting being held on Monday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m., at Town Hall.

Any questions or concerns, call Joe Silveira at 483-2220 or Carol Ober at 483-5332.

To the Editor:
It should not be a surprise to learn that our little town of Epsom is growing. In fact, it has been steadily growing by about 35 residential homes each year since the last school building project took place in 1992. This said, it should not be a surprise then to learn that our school is facing overcrowding issues.

Between the years of 1999 and 2001, two separate Space Needs Committees reviewed the district’s academic program requirements against the availability of classroom space in the existing building. The result has been three separate lunch times, teachers (pushing carts) shuffling from one available room to the next and the increased dependency on the use of detached portable classrooms.

In addition to overcrowding, the school building is also facing numerous building code deficiencies; namely the lack of a fire suppression sprinkler systems, but also inadequate hall and stairway widths, and ever-increasing interior air quality standards.

Compounding these two requirements are several more issues affecting the education and safety of Epsom’s smallest residents: numerous building entrances significantly reduce building security; an incomplete intercom system further reduces building security and operational efficiency and an obvious inability to control the buildings heating system.

The Epsom Central School Building Committee has been meeting weekly for the past eight months to develop a building project that address the requirements and concerns outlined above, among others. The objective has always been a building project consistent with Epsom’s conservative views, that will serve our needs for at least 10 years.

The result is a building addition and renovation that will cost $6,782,58. The state’s building aid will be 40 percent. Understandably, this will present a difficult decision for many of you this March. Please take the time to learn about the project between now and Town Meeting.

To the Editor:
Thanks to the generous donation of time of countless Hooksett citizens and the equal generosity of shoppers in Hooksett. More than $13,000 was raised from collection points at Kmart, Wal-Mart and Shaw’s in Hooksett during the holiday season. We were especially pleased with the results, given that we lost a major ringing location this year. The volunteer coordinators of the bell ringing drive wish to thank all who gave so generously of their time.

We would also like to thank Shaw’s, Wal-Mart and Kmart for their community spirit in allowing our Hooksett volunteers to stand near their exits to enable their customers to participate in this vital holiday effort. In addition, BJ’s Wholesale Club participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, with their customers donating many toys and articles of clothing to the Hooksett Adopt-A-Family program.

We are especially grateful to the Hooksett Lions’ Club, who manned the kettles at Shaw’s on Friday evenings and during the daytime hours on Saturday. The Hooksett Kiwanis Club was equally generous in giving of their time every Thursday and Friday evening and all day on Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Other organizations that participated include the Hooksett Fire Department, the great folks at C.B. Sullivan’s, and several Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops. There were many other individuals and couples who willingly gave two hours of their time during this very busy season to help others less fortunate. A certain Mrs. Claus and her trusty elf were spotted at Wal-Mart and the Loiselle family manned the kettle at Kmart from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. one Saturday. Jane and Jill Ferguson provided invaluable assistance in so many ways. The willingness of so many citizens to donate precious hours during this busy time of year is a testament to the wonderful volunteer spirit that is alive and well in Hooksett.

Every year the dollars available to our Hooksett Salvation Army come from the holiday bell-ringing conducted from Thanksgiving until Christmas. These dollars are spent to assist the Hooksett Adopt-A-Family program so that needy Hooksett families with children can have a happier holiday. They also help to provide turkeys for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets prepared by the Hooksett PTAand other organizations. They also help to generously support the Hooksett Food Pantry in its efforts to feed the hungry. In addition to this vital holiday support, the Salvation Army is there to help all year long. Without this money it would be much more difficult to help our fellow Hooksett citizens in emergency situations. Again, thanks to everyone for a job well done!

To the Editor:
I wish to bring you an update on the proposed renovation and expansion project for the Henry W. Moore School in Candia.

The project was started upon receipt of the New Hampshire School Administrator’s Association’s Educational Facilities Study conducted in the fall of 2003. The study concluded there is not enough space to support the programs and needs of the students at the Moore School. In the spring of 2004, the Candia School Board contracted an architect and formed the facilities subcommittee to present a plan to the citizens of Candia.

Some specific issues with the current space include conducting small group programs (e.g. Title I reading and math programs) in closet size space or hallways. The gymnasium/cafeteria is clearly too small. The Moore School has not hosted a home basketball game since 2001, because other schools refuse to play in our gym, saying it is unsafe. The library-media center and nurse’s area are too small. There are 14 regular classrooms below the 900-square-foot state minimum requirement. Extra curricular activities such as drama, music and large group meetings are limited due to booking of the gym/cafeteria space.

The new plan includes a regulation-sized gym; stage area; updates of heating, plumbing, electrical systems; and grouping of age appropriate classrooms. Also, major renovation of current space and the creation of new classroom space will eliminate the current crowding.

The project is designed to benefit both the community and general school population. As a community, we will have space (the new gymnasium) for meetings of more than 180 people and a place to take shelter in case of any emergencies.

As community members and parents, we expect academic excellence from our school. The Candia School District no longer wants to be an average school district. We want better scores and standards and to get to a top 10 percent state rating. We have to “raise the bar” of our current accepted standards to be an excellent school.

This facility project is a piece of that excellence. We have an opportunity to meet the needs of our students and staff with an excellent facility. The community can show its pride and commitment to excellence with a facility that will provide the environment the students need today and for many future generations.

The next public information meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the school cafetorium. Babysitting and refreshments will be available. Please come and see the details of this great project. We welcome all comments and questions.

To the Editor:
For many of us who grew up in Hooksett, Robie’s Store was not merely a place to pick up milk or buy the Sunday paper. This was a place to sit and visit with neighbors. It was a place to share news and always receive a warm greeting from the Robie's. After having the store closed for many years, word of it re-opening was nice, thinking there would be a convenient spot to grab that milk in the Village, but thanks to Steve Christou and Dan Mitton, it once again became the community hub for sitting and sharing good food and good conversation.

It is not easy to follow in the footsteps of such an establishment. Yes, there were changes that were bound to happen in this new millennium like an ATM machine or lottery tickets. However, fixtures are only a part of what makes a place inviting; it’s the people within who make a place feel like you need to just sit another minute or two … or three. Steve and Dan embraced our community and re-opened Robie’s Store with their hearts while trying to address the retail needs of the area. I for one, am grateful that that they understood the history and roots of this store and made a point to keep the community spirit foremost in their endeavors.

With the new proprietors now getting settled in, I wish Donna and Kevin Brown much success in continuing with the tradition of Robie’s Store while giving it their own touches. However, as Steve and Dan follow new paths in their futures, I extend heartfelt thanks for their attention beyond just a storefront: Thanks for understanding what generations have come to know and love behind those doors. Best wishes to you both always!

To the Editor:
A number of Auburn families currently have their children enrolled in private schools and seven students are at Mt. Zion in Bedford already. Being a growing trend in education, a K-12 Christian school is very likely to attract new residents to the town and encourage existing residents to enroll their children as well. This would save the town more than the tax revenue potential for the property being proposed for this school.

The impact upon town services would likely be less than that of a factory, as originally intended for this property; no truck traffic, noise, smells, nor hazardous materials. Most families drive their students to school; no bus traffic, and car traffic will be at very specific and narrow windows of time. No smells, except maybe cooking, and the noises will be happy sounds; cheering, singing, laughing and playing sounds.

This will be a modern facility, with low energy consumption, minimal emissions and be aesthetically beneficial to the area. The surrounding lot values won’t be adversely affected. (Everyone seemed to agree on that.) This school will offer community access to the facility for gatherings, events, productions, athletic fields and more. These benefits alone should help outweigh any perceived impacts.

The $80,000 to $100,000 “projected” yearly revenue that might be gained, if someone else buys it (three years on the market) seems relatively small, considering that eight to 10 Auburn students not being sent to Manchester High School, would save that much. Mount Zion isn’t asking for your tax money, they just don’t pay property taxes because they’re a nonprofit school. This was the only objection expressed by the planning board, “You people have a long hill to climb.”

This school will help Auburn in many ways to become a more prominent, prosperous and pleasant place in New Hampshire. Please help these families and students by contacting your Town Hall and the folks needing persuading. If you can offer support at the meetings, please do. A citizen, appearing in-person, almost always helps convince and encourage our trustees to respond favorably and quickly to their requests. Writing letters is also fruitful. You can help for 37 cents.