The Hooksett Banner ­ March 11, 2004

This week's stories: (click on the headline to jump to story)

School funding - income tax only solution? Robotics masters Library at last Pembroke: No to SB2 Fire truck article fails Hooksett says not to composting, school budget Candia Town Meeting to decide fire dept. transfer Knox back as selectmen; town and school meetings next Former town councilor Don Duford dies at 66

Are you interested in chatting about Hooksett issues? Want to help plan Hooksett's future? Check out the new Internet chat group begun by the master plan committee at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hooksett_chat/ Auburn has a similar group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburn/

We have listed the warrants and candidates in advance of elections on March 9 so you can see them before the vote. Election results will be posted as soon as we get them on the night of March 9. See your town's warrants here: Hooksett School, Hooksett Town (for May elections), Allenstown, Auburn, Candia, Epsom and Pembroke.

School Funding

Some say income tax may be only solution

By RUSS CHOMA Staff Writer rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com During a recent budget committee meeting in Hopkinton, Bob Wells, a 15-year veteran of the committee, was filled with frustration. Committee members were debating how they could best reduce the size of the school board's proposed budget. Some suggested axing additional special education positions the district requested in an effort to avoid costly tuition for special-needs children to attend special private schools. Eventually, the committee voted to reduce the entire bottom line of the school budget and let the district decide what specific items would be cut. Wells was irritated with the cuts. "What was presented was a perfectly acceptable budget," he told the rest of the committee. Wells, who claims he doesn't have a particular ideological leaning toward the left or the right, said he sympathizes with those who say costs are too high, but feels districts shouldn't be punished for things they need, like more special education teachers.

He also argued there is a bigger problem than just Hopkinton's particular needs this year.

"The issue here is: We, as a state, continue to elect governors and legislators who refuse to address the issue head-on," he said at the meeting.

Wells said he believes his town provides a very good education for students, but realizes that to maintain even the status quo in terms of quality, costs will continue to rise.

In Wells' eyes, the current system of funding education in New Hampshire, which relies heavily on local property taxes and some state aid, also raised through a property tax, is inherently unfair.

"The system really pits the landowner against the other citizens in town," he said.

In particular, he says it hits the elderly, who generally lack significant incomes yet may have owned land for many years which has appreciated in value.

Wells may be more adamant than many on the need for a permanent education-funding fix, but few would argue that the current system is severely flawed.

Squeeze play

The five communities that sued the state in 1991 because they could not adequately fund their own schools still struggle.

In addition to Claremont, Allenstown, Pittsfield, Franklin and Lisbon, a large number of other communities are also finding their budgets squeezed tighter each year, while their local property tax rates continue to rise unchecked.

The current formula for distributing state aid to needy districts ­ known as House Bill 608 ­ was designed to cut the state's property tax rate, target the money more specifically to the towns in need, and depend less on the extremely wealthy towns as sources of funding.

The bill appears to partially succeed at each aspect, but opponents say it does so at the expense of a large number of so-called middle towns, communities not wealthy enough to qualify as donating towns and not poor enough to be receiver towns.

In Goffstown, one of those middle towns, School Board Chairman Scott Gross said the idea behind HB 608 is flawed.

"I think you have to look at what it costs to adequately educate a student and go from that," he said," not how much money do we have, and then divide up the pot."

A taxing problem

The fix, Gross argues, is in finding a fairer way to distribute the burden of funding education.

"I think the state does need to look at the potential of a sales tax or an income tax, in combination with the local property taxes," Gross said. "Because right now, you're forcing (the total cost) on the local property owner."

That solution almost became reality in 1999, when the legislature narrowly passed a measure that would have instituted an income tax. The bill was vetoed by Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen.

The likelihood of the income tax returning any time soon appears slim. Current Gov. Craig Benson, a Republican, is pushing his "Taxpayer's Bill of Rights" ­ which includes a plan to tie all state spending increases to the changes in the annual cost-of-living increases.

This cap concept is also part of HB 608, and many lawmakers have argued that to abide by that cap, school districts may have to learn to control their spending.

Not everyone who opposes the idea of new broad-based taxes says they are necessarily against increased education spending.
Matt Thomas, chairman of the Weare School Board, described his district as able to fund curriculum needs, but is in no shape to make the multi-million dollar investments needed to expand crowded facilities that have become what he terms "unhealthy."

Despite his district's need, Thomas said he is extremely wary of any sort of broad-based tax because he sees it as a dangerous route to greater taxation.

"It's a very slippery slope," he said. "If you initiate an income tax or a sales tax to make up for perceived inequities in funding, what I fear is that money would be too easy for the state to go back to. Instead of a simple 1 or 2 percent tax, we're now looking at 4 or 5 percent to start funding other things like road projects."

Thomas said he thinks that keeping current state property tax levels as they are ­ and working more seriously toward a better formula ­ will solve the problem.

Farther south in Bedford, a town which in the past has been able to maintain a high level of educational quality based on local property taxes, School Board Chairman Sue Thomas has also considered the income tax.

"I think you could go to any state and there's serious issues about the funding," she said, noting she is originally from New York, where they have both an income tax and a sales tax, yet still have fights over the cost of education.

"You can go to any state and they're arguing over school funding, whether there's an income tax or not," she said. "I don't think an income tax necessarily solves the problem.

"Half the population thinks school spending is extravagant, and the other half thinks there needs to be more money. I'll tell you, I don't know the answer," Thomas said. "But I'll say this: I'm glad I live in New Hampshire and not New York."

For Scott Gross, though, New Hampshire's traditional opposition to an income tax is sending his district headlong into a crisis.
"I think they are fooling themselves by not looking into (a broad-based tax) more aggressively," he said. "And that whole rallying cry of 'that's what makes us unique' is nice, but in three or four years, we'll be crying 'Uncle' if we don't reform either how we fund things or get new revenue streams."

Bob Wells would agree, and said he's discouraged about the prospect of finding a new revenue source for schools anytime soon.
"We now have a legislature who apparently will never vote for one, and a governor who will never vote for one," he said. "So it's the same old story ­ an unwillingness to say upfront we need a broad-based tax, and so now it's constantly being put on the backs of people who own."

FIRST Competition

Robotics masters

West wins regional FIRST championship, needs help to go to finals in Atlanta

Anyone wishing to help the West FIRST team go to finals in Atlanta may call Ed Forcier at West High School, 624-6384, or e-mail to: info@powerknights.com By GINGER KOZLOWSKI Staff Writer editor@hooksettbanner.com MANCHESTER ­ It came down to the last few seconds. West High School's robot struggled to get onto a platform and reach up to a high bar, pull itself up and hang while the robot belonging to ally Quincy Public Schools couldn't quite get back up. Trinity High School's robot lay helpless on its side. Hanging from that bar made all the difference, as the West team won the decisive match 90-40 to take the Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition on Saturday, March 6, at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The ironic part? The team hadn't planned to go any further than this competition and is now scrambling to gather enough money to compete in the finals in Atlanta April 15 to 17. Local teams do well The Manchester-area high schools were scoring well after the qualifying rounds held Friday, March 5, and Saturday morning. West was undefeated, while Central High School went in as the third-ranked school; Trinity High was ranked fifth. Memorial High School, Pembroke Academy, and Jesse Remingington School in Candia also competed.

YEAH! Chris Grimes of Bedford leaps in exhilaration over a quarter-final round win as team member Torin Volk of Hooksett cheers. (Ginger Kozlowski Photo)

West teamed up with second-ranked Quincy and a high school from Connecticut for the final rounds, while Pembroke Academy and Central were allied with the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science.

During round one of the quarterfinals, Central and Pembroke easily defeated their opponents by both hanging from the bar in the best out of three rounds. The first round of the semifinals looked like it was going to be a repeat of the quarters with both Central and Pembroke hanging easily for the win. But Pembroke tipped over during the third round trying to climb the 6-inch high platforms, leaving only Central to hang and ending PA's run.

As for the West team, all were thrilled about the win. Teacher Ed Forcier was nearly speechless. Business partner Jefferson Hall of FCI was all smiles.

"I'm ecstatic," said Hall. "It went far beyond our expectations. The hanging worked perfect."

Team captain Chris Grimes, a senior from Bedford, gave his teammates credit for the result.

"It's great to see it happen," said Grimes. "We all came together as a team. When I saw the conceptual design, I knew it could go places."

Another crucial aspect to the win was the choice of school alliance, he said.

"All along (team) 69 stood out," said Grimes, noting that West had teamed up with Quincy four years earlier to win. He said the Connecticut school, nicknamed Aces High, also was an easy pick, complementing West's robot with its abilities.

Other awards
There were many ways to be recognized besides winning the robotics competition. West also took home the GM Industrial Design Award, while Trinity got a Regional Finalist Award and the Motorola Quality Award. Pembroke Academy got the Leadership in Control Award, and Central advisor David Kelso won the Woodie Flowers award.

Getting to Atlanta
The decision to go to the final competition was easy to make emotionally, but more difficult financially. Denise Pichette-Volk of Hooksett, whose son, Torin, helped Grimes steer the robot, said parents and other team members are working hard to raise at least $11,000 to send the robot, supplies, engineer, teacher advisor and a core team of students. As of Tuesday, March 9, FIRST sponsor BAE Systems had already promised to cover the $4,000 entry fee for the team, but much more money was needed to pay for plane tickets, hotel rooms and other related costs.

See more FIRST photos

Epsom

Library at last

By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com

EPSOM ­ After two long years of default budgets, the school district received some good news on Tuesday, March 9, when voters narrowly approved this year's proposed budget.

By a much wider margin, voters also finally passed a proposal for a new town library that has been in the works in one form or another for more than 20 years.

Election results also portrayed an electorate that still values the old New England tradition of electing all town officials. Both articles asking voters to change the welfare officer and road agent to positions hired by the selectmen failed by significant amounts.

Library passes

After decades of planning, supporters of a new public library have had their wish granted.

Article 1, approval of a $250,000 five-year bond to help construct a new library, captured 64 percent of the vote, easily meeting the threshold for passage. The total cost of the new facility is $750,000, however library planning committee members have pledged to raise the balance of the money through private donations.

Citing cramped quarters, poor parking and a dangerous driveway, supporters have been lobbying for a new library since at least 1981, when voters approved a conceptual plan for a combined library and town hall.

School budget passes

At the deliberative session, school board members told the smattering of voters in attendance that the district had cut all frivolous items and would suffer under a third straight default budget.

Apparently the message caught on.

By a vote of 576-546, voters approved the proposed operating budget of $6,174,898. At the deliberative session, school board members said this budget includes only slight increases in the operating budget. Among items included in this year's budget are fully funded arts and music curriculums at Epsom Central School. Both programs were cut last summer to help keep district costs within the default budget.

Of the other five items appearing on the ballot, the only other article that passed was Article 2, which OK'd the purchase of two modular classrooms already being leased by the district.

In the only contested school district race for an elected position, incumbent school board member Timothy Riel grabbed 64 percent of the vote to successfully defend his seat from challenger Gordon Ellis.

Elected positions

In an indication of just how deep the attachment to old New England political traditions really is, voters once again refused to give up their power to elect two town department heads.

Article 16, which failed by a vote of 432-683, would have ended the elected position of welfare officer and authorized the board of selectmen to hire one.

Article 17 would have made a similar change to the currently elected road agent position. This article failed by a vote of 425-706.
Board members argued that these changes were not attempts to wrest control from voter's hands, but rather an effort to professionalize the town's work force.

Pembroke

Pembroke: no SB2

By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com

PEMBROKE ­ During this year's School District Meeting, the focus of the crowd's attention wasn't addressing the warrant at hand. In fact, the six warrant articles requiring action all passed by nearly unanimous votes and almost no discussion.

Daniel D. Crean and Larry W. Young Sr. were elected to two selectmen's seats during elections on Tuesday, March 9.

What seemed to top voter's concerns at the meeting was the possibility that there might be a change in the way residents discuss and approve warrants. Ultimately, the town decided to keep the old Town Meeting and School District Meeting form of government.

No to SB2

Out of all the articles open for discussion, it was Article 8, which would have changed the Pembroke School District meeting over to the so-called SB2 method, that garnered the most discussion.

This article was not up for a vote at the Saturday, March 6, district meeting, but when voters were able to cast ballots on Tuesday, March 9, the article was defeated soundly by a vote of 204-445.

At the same time, voters rejected a similar measure appearing as Article 3 on the town ballot. This also failed, 216-452.

Currently, the Pembroke School District uses the traditional method of one single meeting to discuss, deliberate and vote on warrant articles. If approved, Article 8, a petitioned article, would've had the district implement the Official Ballot Law, commonly known by its legislative bill number Senate Bill 2 (SB2). Instead of having one meeting like the old system, under SB2, districts and towns hold two ­ a deliberative session for debate and amendment, and a second session thirty days later where ballots are cast on the articles in a voting booth.

The intent of SB2 is to allow more residents a voice by allowing them to vote without attending an inconvenient or lengthy session. Opponents like school board member Gerald Fleury argue the change would do more harm than good.

Fleury said that more people might be able to vote under SB2 or cast absentee ballots, but said having voters who were aware of the issues was more valuable than having more voters.

Fleury also said SB2 might cause other trouble and pointed to neighboring Allenstown where this year's deliberative session only attracted 34 people out of 2,356 registered voters. At that meeting, a 16-16 tie killed an amendment that would've allowed the district to acquire portable classrooms.

Fleury also said the real reasons for wanting SB2 was so people won't have to face their peers when they turn things down.
"I'm concerned there are people engaging in wishful thinking," he said. "They think, 'I can vote no behind a curtain.' That's the real motive behind SB2."

Resident Diane Stewart, a staffer at the legislature in Concord, said since its passage in 1995 there have been amendments made to SB2 every year.

"It's not quite ready for prime time yet," she told the crowd.

Only one resident, Mike Bauer, spoke in favor of considering SB2. Bauer suggested making the change may be needed to "shake things up."

School budget sails

Though it was the single largest money item, Article 9, the district's operating budget, was passed easily.

Only two of the 180 voters in attendance appeared to vote against approving the $18,000,153 operating budget.

Following the vote, budget committee members answered a handful of questions from residents seeking clarifications.

Town Meeting's next

Residents will gather again on Saturday, March 13, at 10 a.m., at Pembroke Academy for Town Meeting. Among the items up for discussion and vote are the town budget and a variety of equipment maintenance issues.

The town started a new committee to oversee equipment maintenance last year, said Pembroke Town Administrator David Stack, and this committee has been carefully considering how best to maintain the town's equipment and plan for replacements. Most of 18 warrant articles to be discussed at Town Meeting involve these plans.

Residents will also vote on a change in elderly exemptions to the property tax and an operating budget of $6,111,735.
Stack said the tax rate will increase by less than 2 percent if all the articles presented are passed.

Allenstown

Fire truck article fails

By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com

ALLENSTOWN ­ The fire department was dealt a blow on election night by voters who rejected their pleas for a new fire truck.
By a vote of 178-305, Allenstown voters turned down Article 12, which would have approved a 10-year lease/purchase of a new $649,000 fire truck.

Fire Chief Everett Chaput was out of town and Deputy Chief Robert Martin was unavailable for comment.

At the deliberative session, voters had "zeroed out" a number of articles requesting new equipment for the fire department. Article 12 was one of the few articles that survived. Chaput had campaigned hard for the article, saying that the department desperately needs to replace a 1976 American LaFrance.

Voters also turned down Article 10, the town's operating budget by a vote of 214-270. Because the article failed, the town will be assigned a default budget of $2,915,811 ­ $184,565 less than proposed.

Sandy McKenney, chairman of the board of selectmen, expressed disappointment but said she was not terribly surprised.
"Well, I am disappointed that it happened, but I had felt in my heart that it could be a possibility because of the assessing that upped everyone's value," she said. "It hit a lot of people very hard. People were upset and that's understandable."

McKenney said the next step would be bringing the board of selectmen, including new member Peter Viar, together with department heads.

"The difference is $184,000, so we are going to have to sit down and work with department heads and see where we can cut," she said. "We really haven't made any decisions. We've just tossed a few things around in our heads, but haven't made any commitments."

On the school side, the operating budget did pass, 269-220, but bus transportation for high school students failed, 170-326.

Hooksett

Hooksett says no to composting, school budget

By KATE BENWAY
Staff Writer
kbenway@yourneighborhoodnews.com

HOOKSETT ­ A proposed 7-acre land transfer was shot down at the polls, effectively killing one of the sewer commission's options for creating a sewer sludge composting facility near the Hooksett Memorial School. Hooksett schools will also be forced to operate on a default budget next year.

Compost vote Article 5 failed 759-560 during the Tuesday, March 9, vote. The land transfer was the gateway to the larger project that included an enclosed composting facility with a special bio-filter to suck out stench. The proposal was designed to dispose of the town's sewage in a more cost-effective way. Despite the loss, a facility of the same design is set to be constructed, though a bit smaller, in back of the town's wastewater treatment facility, said Sid Baines, chairman of the Hooksett Sewer Commission. But resident Joan Bailey, one of the major opponents of the composting project, said she plans to put a stop to that second project. "In May, my warrant article will be on the ballot asking the town to rescind its prior authorization for borrowing, raising and/or appropriating funds for the purpose of adding a composting operation to the existing wastewater treatment plant," she said. "Basically, we want to stop plan B."

COMPOSTING ADVOCATE ­ Sewer Superintendent Bruce Kudrick encouraged Hooksett voters to support the town's composting plans and transfer seven acres of school property to the town for the project. (Kate Benway Photo)

But Baines said any such warrant article cannot stop the project. Though sewer commissioners said the ideal place for the composting was that 7-acre plot, there's room in the back of the wastewater facility and plenty of money in the budget to build the composting site.

"If we wanted to put the composting in, we could put it in tomorrow," he said. "We have the funding and the land. (Bailey) can rescind (the funding) but it doesn't affect the money we had for the composting."

One adjustment that must be made, said Baines, is the increase of the sewer commissions budget to add in $180,000 for the disposal of the sewage that would have been composted if the plan passed.

The composting issue arose about a year ago, when a group of residents living across the river from the composting site filed a lawsuit to stop the project. Three pilot composting programs filled the air around their homes with a putrid smell, they said.

Bailey, an organizer of CACO (Citizens Against Composting Odor), has been a staunch opponent of the project, even with the enclosed building and bio-filter.

But those odor-control measures, said Baines, have been a direct result of residents' concerns and he maintains the smell won't be a problem.

The composting at the local facility will combine 25 percent sewer sludge with 50 percent wood chips and another 25 percent wood ash, leaves or brush.

The heaps of compost will be placed on the floor of the enclosed building, taking 28 days to break down.

The result is essentially dirt, ideal for fertilizing, said Baines.

But Bailey said she is concerned the dirt contains harmful materials and bacteria.

Bailey said she was disappointed the Hooksett School Board placed the article on the warrant in the first place, as residents shot it down last year.

But school board members said they wanted to give the Sewer Commission a chance to fully explain the project after a last-minute attempt last year to unhinge any support was successful.

"We won this vote and I believe we have a good chance at rescinding the money at Town Meeting in May," said Bailey. "And my long-term goal is this: I have CACO members willing to pledge a lot of money to have that seven acres turned into the Heritage Trail."

As for Baines, he said the sewer commission chose the honesty route and it didn't pay off.

"It just proves to me you can't tell the truth," he said. "They scared (voters) by telling them it's unsafe to have composting near the school and it's not true. There is no danger to the kids at Memorial School."

Budget, Village School

In other school votes, the Hooksett School District will operate on a default budget after voters shot down a $20.57 million proposed operating budget, 747-565.

The default budget is about $20.35 million.

"We are very disappointed," said Becky Berk, outgoing chairman of the Hooksett School Board. "At our last board meeting we had talked about the various scenarios we might be faced with. I think the best thing a school board can do is get information out and respect voters' decisions."

Berk said the next board has a good start on the kinds of decisions they'll have to make.

The budget committee had not supported the budget because a new first-grade teacher for the Fred C. Underhill School was added in at the deliberative session just before the issues went to the polls.

Voters approved articles to put $25,000 in a special education fund devoted to such students who move into the district mid-year, and $10,000 into a fund for unanticipated building repairs.

Voters also gave their seal of approval to a deal that hands the Village School over to the town for use as additional town office space or a community center.

Candia

Candia Town Meeting to decide fire dept. transfer

By KATE BENWAY
Staff Writer
kbenway@yourneighborhoodnews.com

CANDIA ­ A hotly debated transfer station proposal, a $3 million bond for conservation land and the transfer of the privately run Candia Volunteer Fire Department to the town's control are among 42 warrant articles up for consideration at the 2004 Town Meeting.

The meeting will begin on Saturday, March 13, at 9 a.m., at the Henry W. Moore School.

Here's what voters can expect:

· An article asking the town to approve $4 million for land acquisition, design, permitting and construction of a transfer station. The station would handle up to 500 tons of garbage per day, and the location of the facility has not been officially designated. The article also would give selectmen the authority to negotiate a lease with a private garbage hauler, which would pay rent to the town for use of the transfer station.

· A $3 million proposal to set aside funding for the acquisition of conservation easements or open space land.

· A proposed $1.7 million operating budget.

· An article asking voters to make the volunteer fire department a town department, named the Town of Candia Fire-Rescue Department. Last year, voters asked fire officials to research the move and make a presentation at this year's meeting. Voters should expect the finding of that research and a recommendation to make the switch at the Town Meeting.

· A number of annual requests for donations to local non-profit organizations, including the YWCA of Greater Manchester, the Rockingham Nutrition and Meals on Wheels Program and Child and Family Services of New Hampshire.

· Proposals to raise elderly, disabled and veterans tax exemptions and credits.

· A measure to set aside $3,800 for electrical improvements and exterior painting at the Fitts Museum.

· A $7,500 article devoted to supporting the Candia Teen Center.

· A proposal to raise the annual salaries of the three selectmen. Under the article, the chairman would go from $2,000 to $3,000; and the other two selectmen will receive $2,500 stipends, up from $1,700. The increases would take effect this month if passed.

· A proposal to transfer the duties and responsibilities of cemetery trustees to selectmen.

· A proposal to create a Capital Improvement Plan with $25,000. The plan would assist the Planning Board in updating zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.

· A $45,000 article that would cover police special details and grant programs.

· A proposal to set aside $18,000 for the purchase of a generator for the town office building.

· An article for $5,000 for the purchase of two digital portable radios and chargers for emergency management.

· A $50,000 safety net should winter road maintenance funds be exhausted.

· A $100,000 article for the final phase of the reconstruction of North and Merrill roads.

· A request for $26,900 to pave the Town Hall entrance and parking area and the Holbrook Cemetery Roads.

· A proposal to cover the $115,374 in operating expenses of the Smyth Public Library.

· An article totaling $99,500 for fire suppression, prevention and emergency medical services to the town.

· A proposal to raise $72,850 for the construction of an outdoor recreation area and skating pond at 55 High St., just in back of the Smith Public Library. The town will be refunded $36,425 from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Auburn

Knox back as selectman, town and school meetings next

By TIM RYAN
Staff Writer
editor@hooksettbanner.com

AUBURN ­ Bruce Knox was voted to the board of selectmen, and Charles Kellett edged three others to take a seat on the police commission, as 517 turned out to vote Tuesday, March 9.

The vote precedes Auburn's School District Meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 12, and the Town Meeting, to be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. Both will take place in the gymnasium of the Village School.

In the race for selectman, Knox took 300 votes, beating Michael Pepin, who had 199.

Kellett won the only other contested race for police commission, taking home 159 votes; he was followed by James R. Andrus with 148, Aldis J. Christie with 136, and Michael Myers with 54.

There were no names on the ballot for school district moderator, and the two residents that received the most write-in votes declined the post.

At the School District Meeting, voters will have four warrants on the table, including the district operating budget, which stands at $8.56 million. Voters will also decide whether to lease a modular classroom for more than $17,000; to appropriate $25,000 for the Expendable Trust Fund for school buildings and grounds; and $2,500 to be placed in the special education expendable trust fund.

At the Town Meeting, voters will decide whether to raise $361,000 for the closure of the solid waste/incinerator site; $125,000 for police off-duty detail; $65,000 for the rehabilitation of the fire department's rescue vehicle; $47,000 to continue the full-time patrolman position, previously funded by a COPS Grant; and $15,000 for an emergency social health trust fund.

Voters will also vote on several tax exemptions and credits for seniors, veterans, and blind and disabled residents.

Two of the warrants regard the reclassification of Lover's Lane. The first asks for a reclassification of the road from a class six road to a class five paved road; the second asks that a portion of the road form Bunker Hill to Chester roads be reclassified to a class A municipal trail. The warrants were submitted by residents, and are not recommended by the board of selectmen.

Hooksett

Former town councilor Don Duford dies at 66

By GINGER KOZLOWSKI
Staff Writer
editor@hooksettbanner.com

He had the courage to speak his mind. He was dedicated to Hooksett, serving the town in many capacities. He assisted in many town projects, responsible for planning the Hooksett District Court courthouse, the Hooksett Safety Center, the highway center and the transfer station.

Donald Duford will be missed by many. Duford, 66, of River Road, died Wednesday, March 3, of a heart attack. He was a lifelong resident of Hooksett, and was self-employed as a general contractor. He built the Farmer's Market convenience store on Route 3A in Hooksett, and later ran the store. His service to the town of Hooksett is lengthy. He was a town councilor from 1989 to 1990 and 1999 to 2002 and never took any pay for it. He was on the Hooksett Solid Waste Management Comittee for more than 25 years, and served on the board of assessors, safety complex committee, facilities committee, tax investigation committee, recycling committee, transfer station committee and sanitary landfill committee. Duford was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Father Langlois Council No. 4961, a former member of the Pinnacle Fish and Game Club, and a member of the Suncook Valley Rod and Gun Club. Town Councilor Patricia Rueppel served with Duford during her present term.

Don Duford

"I do not know if the Reader's Digest still has the articles 'The Most Unforgettable Character I Have Ever Met,'" said Rueppel, "but if it does, I would write an article titled just that about Don Duford. He had the courage of his convictions and expressed them with great determination.

"The words 'politically correct' were not in his vocabulary and he fought hard for the things he believed in. He loved Hooksett and served the town in many capacities. Over the years, he assisted in building many projects to save the town money," she said.
"Another example of his dedication he was a member of the council for three terms and he never took his council pay. He donated it back to the town," said Rueppel.

Robert Schroeder of Hooksett remembered Duford's service and tenacity.

"I feel that the town has lost one of its most ardent supporters and an extremely determined worker for the betterment of our town," said Schroeder.

Duford was involved in the original sanitary land fill operation on Route 3-A and was a prime mover in providing a facility for demolition deposit, said Schroeder, which provided a substantial cash stream to the town.

"As a result of this," said Schroeder, "the town was the beneficiary of a transfer building and much of the equipment to operate the facility, a recycling building, a highway garage building ­ all at no tax payer expense."

Schroeder added that Duford was involved in remodeling the current town office building and also fought hard to get the town to build the current court house building, which has also provided income for the town.

"I think that even though he was not a quiet man and seldom held back his opinion," said Schroeder, "a lot of what he has done for the benefit of our community may have been forgotten."

Teacher, school board member and former town councilor James Sullivan said Duford was very helpful to him when he decided to get involved in the town in 1989.

"If Don Duford taught me one thing, it was to stick to my convictions and be consistent," said Sullivan. "He felt that community service was a duty and honor."

David Paquette of Hooksett admired Duford's dedication to the town and his ideals.

"Don was a rare person in today's society. He attended many meetings and/or volunteered many hours of himself for the betterment of the community. One of his best qualities that Don shared with many was, though many people in town may not have always agreed with Don and his views, which could spark much discussion, at the end of the debate/issue/discussion he was always still your friend, willing to share a cup of coffee and chat about other issues."

Duford is survived by three sons, three daughters, his mother, two sisters, his companion Judy Casey, and many other relatives.