Littleton, NH Power Project Across the State Hydropower Project That Aims Fossil Fuels, and Bring a Much- the Meeting Begins Promptly (603) 444-4141 at 6:00 P.M
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www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com SERVING THE NORTH COUNTRY SINCE 1889 [email protected] 121ST YEAR, 11TH ISSUE LITTLETON, N.H., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011 75¢ (USPS 315-760) Selectmen lay off nine, cut subsidies to work towards $745,000 budget reduction Highway Department, Library, and Parks and Rec. among hardest hit By KAYTI BURT of the latter, and that means according to town officials at impact of an appropriation Recreation Department tak- [email protected] a slash to the former. Among a press conference held $745,000 short of what we ing the biggest hits with LITTLETON — After the casualties: nine layoffs Wednesday. were anticipating just one reductions of $50,000 each. months of debate over the (including town manager), “The Board of selectmen month ago,” read Selectmen The Littleton Area Chamber balance between town serv- one fewer day of operation regrets that more time was Chairman Ron Bolt from a of Commerce will lose ices and a lower tax rate, the at the library, and the poten- not available to consider, in prepared statement. “Budget $15,000; the Community Town town has spoken in support tial closing of the town pool, the necessary detail, the cuts of such magnitude, House will lose $5,000; the made in haste, have the Conservation Commission strong potential for unin- will lose $1,000; and the manager tended consequences. Cemetery Board will lose Accordingly, we took a $3,000. measured and conservative Library Director Jeanne gone approach to these cuts, keep- Dickerman said that the ing foremost in our minds $50,000 cut to the library’s April 1 that the primary role of town proposed $290,860 in subsi- government is the protection dies will mean one fewer By ART McGRATH of people and property.” day of weekly operations at [email protected] The selectmen described the library as it will have to LITTLETON—One of the cuts as the first round, as layoff three permanent part- the casualties of last they amount to $563,000, time employees and one sea- week’s layoffs was Town rather than the $745,000 sonal part-time employee. Manager Chuck Connell, reduction called for by the The library absorbed a who has been controver- amendment to the proposed $50,000 cut from the town sial among many resi- budget that was approved two years ago that also dents almost since his by the town 960 to 788 last resulted in fewer employees arrival in October 2007. Tuesday. The cuts were and operational hours. Connell came to made in four areas: reduc- The Parks and Recreation Littleton from tions in subsidies, layoffs, Department has not had the Moultonborough, where reductions in labor-related time to address the $50,000 he had been town admin- items, and reductions in cut – which comes out of the istrator for 11 years. Since non-labor items. department’s $305,179 in Reductions in subsidies proposed subsidies – in as ART MCGRATH/THE COURIER SEE MANAGER, PAGE A12 The cuts in subsidizes much detail as the library, SWORN IN came to a total of $124,000, but Parks Commissioner Newly sworn SAU 84 Board Chair Ann Wigget, left, joined by School Board Clerk Kathleen Paradice and and were seen across the Charlie Paradice did say The limit new School Board Member Alison Bolt. board, with the Littleton that the cut would mean Library and the Parks and SEE BUDGET, PAGE A10 and scope of public office Ethics committee finds Gionet made no violation in sending letter By KAYTI BURT [email protected] CONCORD — While a Mike Donahue Tammy Ham Lonnie Sawyer Matt Manning Jane Ludwig defamation of character suit and counterclaim regarding a dispute between Representative Lin-Wood School District candidates face off Edmond Gionet, of By KAYTI BURT available to the public – speak- up and have an open mind at like to see more industrial Tammy Ham Lincoln, and former repre- [email protected] ing out against the format of all times. Donahue thinks it is classes offered at the school. Candidate Tammy Ham, of sentative Martha McLeod, the question and answer ses- important to know the names He believes there are plenty of Lincoln, is running for the of Franconia, continue in LINCOLN — The five can- court, a 2010 ruling by the didates vying for the three sion that did not give the pub- of the staff in the system and Advanced Placement and spe- school board to try to change lic a chance to ask its own for them to feel comfortable cial education options, but not the environment of hostility state’s Legislative Ethics open Lin-Wood School Committee comes to light District school board seats questions, but rather relied on coming to him with concerns, as much for the kids who like she observes now. Ham said predetermined questions. He questions, or feedback. He to work with their hands. she has had several staff mem- that finds Gionet was not gathered at the Lin-Wood abusing the powers of his Elementary School in Lincoln believes that this honesty said if there is bad news to The school district faces bers ask her to bring up an should start with the school deliver, he would do it in per- uncertainty – as do districts issue to the school board on office when he sent a letter last Thursday for a question to McLeod’s employer on and answer session that had board, and that is why he is son. across the state – said their behalf because they are running. This is not just a job In his work as a contractor, Donahue, as to the future of afraid of retaliation. She wants state letterhead. all heralding the merits of the “The Committee con- district, yet most pointing out that you can do 25 times a year he has dealt with million-dol- state and federal funding. to dispel that “cloud of fear,” at meetings, said Donahue, lar budgets, and said he is not Donahue recognizes that there and make the school board cluded that under the cir- issues they believe need to be cumstances, an Ethics addressed. but everyday. afraid to make hard choices – will be difficult decisions to be meetings a place where people Mike Donahue Donahue said that, as a one of the skills he would made, and thinks he should be SEE LIN-WOOD, PAGE A11 SEE GIONET, PAGE A12 Candidate Michael school board member, he bring to the job. one of the school board mem- Donahue, a contractor from would participate and speak Donahue said he would bers to face them. Woodstock, has lived in the district his entire life. Ultimately, Donahue’s goal is Northern Pass unpopular on to make the process more town warrants, regional survey By KAYTI BURT (NCC) survey. The verdict: southern New England. Attn: Members of the [email protected] the Northern Pass is not pop- Proponents of the project – Northern Lights Federal Credit Union NORTH COUNTRY — ular. very few of whom seem to Though the Department of Last week, towns across live in the North Country – The credit union Annual Energy (DOE) is in the midst the region voted in opposi- claim the project will lower Meeting is being held Weds., Dr. Hugh’s Dental PC Hubert W. Hawkins IV MPH DDS of gathering public sentiment tion to the Northern Pass energy prices across New March 16, 2011 at the Comfort Inn in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. concerning the Northern Pass project, a $1.1 billion England, ease dependence on 209 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH power project across the state hydropower project that aims fossil fuels, and bring a much- The meeting begins promptly (603) 444-4141 at 6:00 p.m. For more and region, the North to construct a transmission needed tax boost to the North Computer guided surgery line of 90 to 135-foot towers Country. Opponents argue information, please call 800- Country has already weighed 856-0026 or 800-370-6455. and restorations. in through town warrants through New Hampshire in the project will cripple the DrHughsDental.com and a North Country Council order to funnel the power to SEE SURVEY, PAGE A11 Littleton, N.H., 36 pages INSIDE 33 Main Street LOCAL INSIDE LOCAL NEWS . .A2 CLASSIFIEDS . .B10 SPORTS . A17, B1 COURT . .A6 Three hour NCES loses EDITORIAL . .A4 FROM THE FRONT . .A10 town meeting motion for CARTOON . .A4 SPOTLIGHTS . .C1 A2 REAL ESTATE . .B7 OBITUARIES . .A18 in Lisbon summary LETTERS . .A4 AREA NEWS . .A8 judgement A3 POLICE . .A6 CALENDAR . .C8 A2 THE COURIER, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011 Local News Littleton votes for lower taxes and fewer fees By KAYTI BURT the costs. $1.35 million Littleton Water tain's position, was defeated out the salary and benefits announcement by [email protected] The authorization of a and Light bond that will by only 17 votes, 860 to 877. figure that accompanied the Representative Rusty Bulis LITTLETON — In the SB- Capital Improvement have no tax impact; a vehicle The restructuring was origi- elimination of the position. that the decrease in state aid 2 town of Littleton, roughly Program (CIP) Committee and break room for the nally proposed by Police In addition to the restruc- could be that great. The 1700 voters turned out to also passed, 871 to 824. The transfer station, with no tax Chief Paul Smith in August turing, both Smith and Fire school received $3.8 million cast their ballots. Though the CIP is a long-term planning impact; and four zoning- following a request from the Chief Joe Mercieri proposed in aid last year, but as the most contentious article was tool used to project what related articles.