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Winnisquam Echo THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 SERVING TILTON, NORTHFIELD BELMONT & SANBORNTON, N.H. FREE Biomass plant gets overwhelming approval BY DONNA RHODES [email protected] present the matter to voters. and to also appropriate the TILTON — About a year af- Board Chair Mike Gagne use of $50,000 from interest ter the Winnisquam School told district residents during on the bond proceeds along Board started looking into the public hearing that rejec- with $96,760 to be withdrawn building a biomass heating tion of the stimulus money from the Building Renovation plant at the middle and high would mean that the funds and Repair Capital Reserve to school, and after countless would go to another school provide matching funds for hours of research and dis- district and not be available the projects. Balloting re- cussion, district voters over- to them again. He felt it was mained open for an hour and whelmingly approved the en- important to consider the five minutes before the votes ergy-efficient project at a spe- project as one of savings for were tallied. Moderator Ken cial meeting last week. taxpayers. Randall then announced that A special meeting of the "I'd like to focus our atten- the warrant article, which re- Winnisquam School Board, tion to cash flow," he told the quired a two-thirds majority followed by a public hearing voters. "We couldn't bring for- to pass, had handily exceeded and vote by residents from ward a project that wasn't that requirement with a 96.6 Tilton, Northfield and San- more cash flow positive." percent favorable vote. He bornton on Sept. 10, was held Jim Lucy of Honeywell said 137 votes had been cast; for the acceptance of Ameri- said that the $3,550,000 bond six no votes were received can Recovery and Reinvest- would pay for construction while 131 voted yes on the ar- ment Act funds. The funds and upgrades that would ticle. Longtime proponent for were designated for the bio- bring the district a 15-year the project, Ian Raymond of mass heating plant and other positive cash flow, through Sanbornton, was surrounded energy updates to the dis- state building aid, utility re- PHOTO BY DONNA RHODES by congratulatory supporters Jim Lucy of Honeywell presents a brief overview of a proposed biomass plant and energy upgrades for the trict’s schools and adminis- bates and ARRA monies, of after the announcement. Ray- Winnisquam Regional School District before voters took to the polls for a warrant article on whether or not to trative buildings. $1,211,102. Reducing energy accept ARRA funds for the project. mond's reaction to the pas- Working with plans from costs in the buildings of Win- sage of the article was a loud Honeywell, Banwell Archi- nisquam Regional School Dis- power needed to maintain the ager for MVSD and said Mer- state forms. It's a minimal "Whooo-Hoooo!" as he hugged tects designed the biomass trict would bring ultimate biomass plant and whether or rimack does not employee any amount of time." his wife and friends. plant to be built on land adja- savings to the taxpayers, re- not money for an employee to one person for the task. Weekends, he said, call for The district will now work cent to the Voc-Ag building on duce operating costs and im- operate the plant was includ- "I'm not a mechanic and I less load on the system and with Honeywell in securing the high school grounds. The prove the overall structures. ed. Lucy deferred to Neil Bar- manage it myself," he told vot- therefore no one needs to at- permits and all other neces- School Board initially put Improvements in lighting, ry of the Merrimack Valley ers. "I do the ash cleaning, tend to the boiler. sary contracts to begin con- aside a proposal to build the boiler replacement and up- School District, which has a which is a five minute job, and Polls then opened to vote struction and the approved plant because of cost and a grades in some of the schools, biomass plant already in op- there's about 15 minutes a day on the warrant article for ac- upgrades within the build- lack of time to study the mat- replacing the roof of the agri- eration. Barry is plant man- that I take notes and fill out ceptance of the $3.5 million ings and schools. ter further prior to the annu- cultural building and other al meeting in March. energy efficient repairs Stimulus fund availability would all be included in the through Qualified School project. A dual system for the Veterans honor service to others on 9/11 Construction Bonds brought boilers would be installed so them to a second look at the the district could switch be- BY DONNA RHODES knowledged the day in the ers is about, having given of the FFA, veterans and stu- [email protected] project, however,and an hour tween natural gas and heat- same manner, celebrating themselves in service to their dents work together in plant- before the special district ing oil, whichever is cheaper TILTON — On Sept. 11, service to others. country. Memories of war ing flowers and vegetables meeting, they unanimously from year to year. now known as Patriot's Day, Gathered in the dining hall scenes, loss of comrades and each year. The Mentoring voted to accept the funds and A question arose over man- President Obama addressed for a moment of silent re- loved ones remain in their Program pairs children and Americans, saying, "As we membrance of the 2001 at- mind, yet they continue to veterans for reading, sharing pay tribute to loved ones, tacks, they then turned to the give to others when they are and learning as old and young friends, fellow citizens and all positive aspects of volun- able and appreciate those who spend meaningful time to- Sanbornton to seek who died, we reaffirm our teerism. arrive at NHVH to assist them gether. commitment to the ideas and Public Information Officer as well. "How fortunate they and ideals that unite Americans for NHVH, Jackie Bonafide James Mazzuchelli is the the residents of the NHVH all new police chief in the aftermath of the at- told them, "Patriot Day is held NHVH social worker and are for the exchanges that tacks. Working together, we in memory of nearly 3,000 peo- oversees the Intergenera- happen here," Mazzuchelli BY DONNA RHODES chief. Experience and educa- can usher in a new era in ple who died during the ter- tional Program at the Veter- said. [email protected] tion go a long way,he told the which volunteering and serv- rorist attacks. Being a patriot an's Home. This program, he The residents still remem- SANBORNTON — San- three selectmen, but a person ice is a way of life for all Amer- means putting the needs of said, involves students from ber all that happened eight bornton Police Chief Mark should not be judged by the icans." your fellow countrymen the Winnisquam Regional years ago and possess a strong Barton met with selectmen "letters after their name" Echoing that sentiment of ahead of your own." High School Agricultural Fu- desire for memories of that last Wednesday to discuss his alone to become a chief. On- honor through volunteerism, The men and women who ture Farmers of America club day to live on. They want pending retirement and spe- the-job experience and train- the residents and staff of the reside at the facility are fully and boys and girls from Win- those memories to serve as a cial duty rate increases that ing along with job perform- N.H. Veteran's Home ac- aware of what service to oth- nisquam Middle School. With reminder to America of the would bring more money to ance should be considered as tragedies of war and terror- the town. well, Barton said. ism. Harold Palmer, a retired Barton had notified the "You have to look at the in- U.S. Army chaplain, said that board some time ago of his dividual," he said, "not just Apple picking can save pennies 9/11 was a wake up call to decision to retire from the de- the credentials." America. partment this winter. He Selectman Steve Ober said BY LAUREN TINER "We need to let people [email protected] plans to meet with the Retire- the new chief should come know this could happen ment Board in October, and from within the department, The leaves on trees may not again," he said. "The day after while he anticipates his re- while Selectman David Nick- have turned red, yellow, and 9/11 the churches were all full tirement will occur in early erson felt an open application orange yet, but the apples at but only two days later they January,he said he would no- process might bring in some local orchards have certainly were empty. We can't forget tify the selectmen of the exact qualified individuals they are turned to gold, yellow, and es- that day." date as soon as it is deter- not aware of at this time. pecially bright red hues for Ellis Howard is a former mined. He said he wants to en- Barton cautioned the the approaching fall season. Quartermaster who served sure a smooth transition for board about bringing in an Right now it’s not too hot aboard a U.S. Navy subma- whoever replaces him. outside party for the position and not too cold for apple pick- rine and recalls the day quite Barton was asked if a col- if they liked how things were ing, an old-time family fa- vividly.

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