To the Editor:

Since the 2004 establishment of the Goffstown Single Stream Recycling program, the recycle rate has increased from 17 percent of the waste stream to 27 percent. In establishing the Single Stream program, with the automated pickup of recyclables in “big blue,” the 65 gallon totes on wheels, the Goffstown Solid Waste Commission had hoped that the simplicity of the program would have a positive effect on the recycle rate, and it has. The single-stream program allows people to throw all recyclables into one container, without separation, and expands the types of materials that are recyclable.

As chairman of the Solid Waste Commission, I salute the Goffstown citizens who are diligently recycling. These citizens are not only helping the environment, they are saving tax dollars. The automated recycle program was designed to save $100,000 per year in taxes just through the automation process, but it also saves an additional $30,000 per year for every 10 percent increase in the recycle rate. So the citizens who are participating are saving all of us $130,000 a year in taxes, so far.

However, I have taken a ride with the trash and recycle trucks as they make their rounds. As I stated, many people are participating, but many simply are not. The EPA suggests that 60 percent of the waste stream is recyclable, and some people who are participating are achieving those recycle rates. Despite several fliers, and newspaper and Vote Smart Goffstown inserts, designed to promote the program, the overall recycle rate remains stuck at 27 percent. The town just cut a DVD called “Goffstown Recycles” ­ it is available for download at the town Web Site at www.ci.goffstown.nh.us/. It is another way for the Solid Waste Commission to try to spread the word so more people do participate in the recycling effort. If the EPA estimates are achievable, then an additional 50 percent, roughly, of the waste stream is recyclable, and this could save the town, and therefore the taxpayers, an additional $150,000.

Recycling is mandatory by ordinance in Goffstown. This is meaningless unless there is an enforcement mechanism. The ordinance does have such a mechanism. The DPW can stop picking up trash for those who refuse to recycle. The DPW hasn’t been exercising this enforcement mechanism very much to date, because we, both the Solid Waste Commission and the DPW, hope that positive education efforts will obviate the need ­ we prefer carrots to sticks. There will come a point, however, when we need to turn tougher.

One additional positive reinforcement we have thought of is to “catch people doing it right.” As the drivers pick up trash and recyclables, they can call in to the DPW with addresses where they think the resident is making a good effort to recycle. We have started this process, and we do have the names of some individuals who are participating. I am in the process of calling those individuals to ask permission to use their names in the paper, and to ask how they are going about recycling, so as to be a positive example for others.

I hope to follow this letter to the editor up over the next several weeks to “catch people doing it right.”

Fred Plett, Chairman
Goffstown Solid Waste Commission

To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank Lori Goddard and the staff and customers of Curves For Women in Goffstown for their continued support.

This support has taken the form of regular food drives held throughout the year. Without the help of dedicated people like these, it would be much more difficult to be able to assist area families in need. Contributions from Curves have quadrupled in four years to over 1 ton of food a year.

It is easy to respond to a crisis once and then to forget about it, thinking that your job is done. It is entirely different to make a commitment as Curves has done and to step forward again and again to help address the crisis of hunger in our town. The need is not going away ­ rather it is growing minute by minute every day in the towns that we serve. Unfortunately the number of families per month that we serve has also quadrupled in the last four years.

On behalf of the board of directors, volunteers and especially the clients of the Goffstown Network Food Pantry, thank you, Curves of Goffstown, for your care and compassion.

I encourage other businesses and civic groups to join Curves and our other area partners and do likewise.

George Welch
President
Goffstown Network Food Pantry

To the Editor:

Despite the rainy weather Mother Nature brought on May 13, postal carriers and volunteers collected over 2,600 pounds of food. The Goffstown Network Food Pantry would like to thank everyone who made a food contribution along with the post office staff and volunteers for their time and dedication on Saturday.

A big thank you goes to all of the teens that gave of their time throughout the day as well sorting and hauling food downstairs.

We rely heavily on the Postal Carrier Food Drive to restock our shelves so that we may provide our clients with food assistance throughout the summer. Due to the poor weather, the amount of food we picked up is half the amount of last year’s collection. We ask for your consideration the next time you are out buying groceries that you might think of us and make a donation.

Our drop off locations are the Shaw’s and Hannaford’s grocery stores on Mast Road in Goffstown. Food may also be dropped off at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church or left at the Food Pantry, 9 N. Mast across from Sully’s during food pantry hours (Wednesday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday mornings 10 a.m. to noon). We thank you for your help.

Jean Mazzarella
Goffstown

To the Editor:

After reading the letter from Bernard and Donna Toomey, I asked myself, “Do these people realize what has happened to this town by the flooding rains?” I really take offense to the most nitpicking letter that I have ever read in The Goffstown News.

Perhaps the Toomeys were high and dry during the May rains and even now in June and probably don’t have a clue what has happened to our community. I must say “Shame on the Toomeys” for being blind in the worst tragedy this town has faced since the flood and hurricane of 1936-38. Half of our town has had flooding problems.

Our public works department has been working 24/7 to try to repair roads so people’s lives could get back to somewhat normal. Hanging flags in the town this time around was not a priority. If the funds were lacking for hanging flags, it was put to emergency use to rebuild our damaged roads from the flood.

Our town budget has been stretched to the limit by this flooding. I’m a veteran myself and I wasn’t offended by not seeing flags in the town for Memorial Day. You can’t do anything for the dead, but you can do something for the living.

This year, the town DPW, fire and police had to take care of the living. The ones that needed help from the flooding. I salute the town for their hard work and helping the victims of the flooding.

All town departments involved have done an exceptional job. I’m sure when our community gets back to normal, they’ll be plenty of time to honor the ones that have kept us free in our great country.

Robert P. Girard
Goffstown

To the Editor:

I would like to publicly thank Goffstown’s DPW for their tremendous efforts over the last few weeks. Like the fire and police departments, they have put in many, many extra hours during the flooding crisis we’ve had recently.

In the more recent rain storm of last week, they went home after a day’s work on Thursday, and were paged in shortly after 10 p.m. that same evening due to the heavy rains. My guess is most got very little sleep, if any, before reporting to work again.

They worked through the night and all day Friday before stopping to rest. The erosion to Wallace Road was even worse this past storm than it was the previous rain storm a couple of weeks ago. The erosion on our street (off of Wallace Road) was not as bad, but still bad enough that we could not leave our driveway due to the erosion and road collapse.

I was very impressed at how quickly the DPW worked to make it passable. It’s nice being able to leave our driveway. It’s something I’d always taken for granted. Thank you, DPW!

Gail Labrecque
Goffstown

To the Editor:

After attending a selectmen’s meeting in Goffstown last evening, I learned that many citizens do not know where to turn for help. I would like to offer the following information to the victims of flooding.

Goffstown residents who have experienced damage to property or homes from the flooding can contact Southern New Hampshire Services for assistance. SNHS is coordinating flood relief efforts for residents of Hillsborough County.

There is a flood relief center located at the SNHS offices at 160 Silver St. in Manchester. Individuals in need of assistance can go to the center during normal business hours to complete an application.

The operation flood relief coordinator, Ken Cantara, can be reached at 668-8010, ext. 6147, or via e-mail at kcantara@snhs.org.

Individuals are also encouraged to contact FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA to register for assistance.

Lou D’Allesandro
State Senate
District 20