e-Ticker News of Claremont 1 County Property Taxes Could See a e-Ticker News Nearly 10% Increase; page 4 of Claremont [email protected] www.facebook.com/etickernews www.etickernewsofclaremont.com June 21, 2021 Calling All Classes Stevens Alumni Association Has Big Plans for 2021 By Eric Zengota e-Ticker News CLAREMONT, NH—Dick Girard is proud to state that the Stevens High School Alumni Association is the oldest active high school alumni association in the nation. No argument there: this year is its 150th anniversary. But Girard — the association’s vice president and parade chairman — is looking for help from as many members and businesses as possible to celebrate a century and a half of memories and fellowship. There’s plenty of time for anyone to get involved in this year’s parade, scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 2, which is also Homecoming Day. It will feature both the Class of 2020 (whose cele- bration was cancelled last year due to the pan- demic) and the Class of 2021. But as always, alumni from all classes at Stevens and St. Mary’s High School (which closed in 1971) are invited to participate. (Continued on page 14) SHS alumni vice president and parade chairman Dick Girard (Eric Zengota photo). 30 Years Since Claremont: The Monumental Ruling and the Work That Remains The NH School Funding Fairness Project education and to fund that education with tax- young lawyer at the time, Connair saw a con- hosted an event on Thursday, June 10, in es that are uniform throughout the state. stitutional violation in the state’s school funding Concord to mark 30 years since the start of the Thomas Connair, who was Chair of the system and led a two-year charge to organize seminal Claremont School District v. Governor Claremont School Board at the beginning of the five districts in filing their lawsuit. of New Hampshire lawsuit. Originally filed by the suit, spoke of joining the board in 1987 and Andru Volinsky, lead counsel for the plaintiff the Claremont, Franklin, Lisbon, Allenstown, facing a still-too-familiar set of problems. As he districts, discussed the origins of the case, re- and Pittsfield school districts, Claremont ulti- recalled, Claremont had the highest property marking that 30 years is both “a time to reflect mately established that the State of New tax rate in the state, seniors on fixed incomes and a time for a call to action.” Volinsky re- Hampshire has a constitutional obligation to were being priced out of their homes, and yet called illustrative stories that embodied the im- provide all children with an adequate public the schools still could not provide the basics. A (Continued on page 6) e-Ticker News of Claremont 2 ways The Elegance of the Crawl aimed to give it to Local Sculptor Installs the City. The Statue at CSBCC Cumber- land By Eric Zengota Farms e-Ticker News Corpora- tion CLAREMONT, NH—“Freefalling, weightless / made a as in dreams of / wingless flight … ” These generous lines from Robert Hayden’s poem “The Diver” donation evoke the motion of “The Swimmer,” a 200-lb. of $5,000 statue donated to the Claremont Savings Bank to Community Center by Ernest Montenegro. To Clare- the poet’s words he’ll add “the swimmer mont, breaks the water’s surface with the grace of a intended razor’s edge” on a plaque in the display case. specifi- “I usually work in bronze,” said Montenegro, cally to “so the learning curve of a new medium, wire fund this mesh, was a good experience.” The figure be- work so gan to take shape as his required project dur- that no ing two months as artist-in-residence at city funds Claremont MakerSpace two years ago. “I al- were used.” The donation and statue were formally e-Ticker News of Claremont LLC accepted by a unanimous vote at a city council Index is published Mondays meeting in April. Parks and recreation director Mark Brislin Commentary……………………….4-5 Phyllis A. Muzeroll chose the location just outside the CSBCC Classifieds…………………………10-11 pool. “We’re happy to have ‘The Swimmer’ Publisher/Editor Claremont Fire Dept. Log……….14 here,” he said. “It might even inspire our own Eric Zengota swimmers to add a lap or shave off a few sec- Business News……………………15-16 onds from their time.” Contributing Writer/Photographer Mayoral Notes………….………….21 Left to right: Sculptor Ernest Montenegro ––––––––––––––– poses with Parks & Rec director Mark Bris- Sports……………………………….22 lin by “The Swimmer”, recently installed at Inspiration………………………….23 [email protected] the Claremont Savings Bank Community Calendar/Events………………..…26-29 Center (Eric Zengota photo). Snail mail to: Claremont Senior Center………..29 6 Osgood Ave. Claremont, NH 03743 City Council Agendas……………31-32 603-542-7319 Obituaries………………………….33 e-Ticker News reserves the right to reject/decline/edit NH Lottery Numbers any material submitted that is deemed inappropriate 06/19/2021 for our publication. NH PowerBall The opinions expressed in articles, Letters to the 4 22 35 38 39 20 Editor or columns are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion NH Mega Millions 06/18/2021 of the e-Ticker News 14 36 44 46 53 18 Advertisers are solely responsible for the Tristate Megabucks 06/19/2021 content of their advertising. 1 4 12 24 26 1 Member, NH Press Association For more lottery numbers, Member, Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce https://www.nhlottery.com/ e-Ticker News of Claremont 3 FORWARD THINKING Determining If It Makes Sense To Move or Remodel If your family needs more space, a bathroom or kitchen, expect to pay $100 to $250 per square foot. Remodeling builds your options include remodeling equity, but don’t underestimate the hassle and your current home, building a new inconvenience of living on a job site. one, or buying one already on the HOMEBUILDING PUTS YOU IN CONTROL. When market. Each alternative has its you have strong ideas about the shape, size, layout, and location of your home, building pros and cons. it from scratch can make a lot of sense. The If you already own your home or have average cost to construct a new home in 2020 significantly paid down your mortgage, your was $248,000, with cost per square foot ranging from $100 to $155.3 You can simplify the process first instinct might be to make it larger or more Becky Vittum Ashleigh McFarlin CFP® Kayla Rivet e!icient. But you must weigh the time, expense, by buying a plan from a local homebuilder. LPL Investment LPL Investment Client Services and inconvenience of remodeling against the Furthermore, manufactured and modular Advisor Representative Advisor Representative Assistant homes can go up quite pricier options of buying Let our team of professionals be and building. Whichever quickly and are usually choice you make, ensure built to high standards. your guide towards the financial you understand the Don’t forget to factor in the future you desire. available financing cost of land, which can add • Retirement Planning options. considerably to the overall expense. • Financial Planning GET READY FOR STICKER SHOCK. HOMES IN ALL PRICE • Life Insurance POINTS ARE SELLING AT Housing prices rose • Legacy and Estate Planning over 10% in 2020 INFLATED PRICES. In 2020, thanks to sharply lower the median home price • Cash Management Services inventory.1 Accordingly, the average number of rose to more than $300,000, and was $307,000 in 4 • Small Business Strategies days on market for home sales fell significantly. midyear. As inventory narrows, you can expect Demand has been strong in all 50 of the largest prices to continue to rise. Budget constraints U.S. metro markets, but your local real estate may have you looking at older homes, which professionals can discuss housing prices for means you will probably be inheriting some the neighborhoods that interest you. Mortgage problems le" over by the seller. Always use an interest rates are low, making it easier to finance independent home inspector before making a homes despite inflated prices. final bid, and budget for any immediate repairs. FULL SERVICE OFFICE REMODELING LETS YOU STAY PUT. Some YOUR HOME IS YOUR COSTLIEST INVESTMENT. 145 Broad St. Claremont, NH Financing a home purchase, construction, or 603-542-2696 considerations that favor remodeling are www.claremontsavings.com/investmentservices proximity to schools, work, friends, and family. renovation is an important factor in getting what you want at a price you can a!ord. Many Securities and and advisory advisory services services are are o! eredoffered through through LPL LPL The cost will depend on the scope of the work Financial (LPL),(LPL), a a registered registered investment investment advisor advisor and and broker broker and whether you’ll be contributing sweat people are eligible for FHA loans, but there are dealer (member(member FINRA/SIPC). FINRA/SIPC) Insurance. Insurance products products are areo!ered offered through LPL or or its its licensed licensed a !affiliates.iliates. Claremont Claremont Savings Savings Bank Bank and equity. For 2020, whole-house renovations many other options. If you’ve got the housing andClaremont Claremont Financial Financial Services Services are not are registered not registered as a broker-dealer as a bro- bug, contact me to discuss how it fits into your ker-dealeror investment or investmentadvisor. Registered advisor. representatives Registered representatives of LPL o!er of averaged between $15 and $60 per square foot, LPLproducts offer andproducts services and using services Claremont using Financial Claremont Services, Financial and Ser may- depending on home size, appliances, quality overall financial plan. Together, we can figure vices,also be and employees may also of beClaremont employees Savings of Claremont Bank.