Today is August 10, 2010. It has been 16 months and 4 days since the last minutes posting from a selectmen meeting. They DO still have them weekly( or weakly?) do they not?
So where are the minutes? Well asking at the town hall will do you no good, Barbara Snicer will merely look at you with her best "Why are you bothering me with this petty crap" look, and tell you sweetly that they have sent the minutes over to the webmaster many times, he must be busy.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
We have a website that we pay almost $40/month to HOST! We could host our site on many servers for $4- 6.00/mo. ANd get 1200 email addresses to boot. In short, as usual the taxpayers are paying too much for too little.
For short money we could be hosting the actual videos of selectmen's meetings online we could show them in real time, for the roughly one third of the town that does not pay for cable.
How about you guys do the EASY thing, and post the damn minutes!
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Atkinson resident donates $25K for town park
from the eagle tribune;
Atkinson resident donates $25K for town park
By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — What may have been a secret to some was probably not much of a surprise to others.
Months ago, voters were asked at Town Meeting to consider a $80,000 warrant article for construction of the East Road recreation area. Although residents knew an anonymous donor was footing $25,000 of the cost, it wasn't until the selectmen's meeting Monday that his identity was revealed.
It was longtime resident and former Planning Board Chairman Jake Collins.
For those who were surprised, they probably shouldn't have been.
Collins, who turns 88 this week, has been helping his community for years. He and his wife Una, who died in 2006, have contributed to local projects in many ways and for many decades.
But it was always without fanfare.
"Jake has made many anonymous contributions to the town over the years," Selectman Bill Bennett said. "Not that many people step up to the plate to that extent."
Collins, an Atkinson resident for 60 years, said Thursday he and his wife were never interested in receiving recognition for their efforts. They just wanted to help in any way they could.
"My wife and I started that a long time ago," he said.
Recreation Committee member Patti Mangini, who has been leading the recreation area project, said Collins approached her more than a year ago to express interest in helping to make it become a reality.
"It's a good thing that he's doing," she said. "He loves this town."
Once selectmen formally accept the donation, the $25,000 will be used in conjunction with $55,000 appropriated by voters in March to complete the project's second phase.
The first phase featured the development of two athletic fields funded by a $40,000 warrant article approved by voters in March 2009.
But residents rejected a $25,000 proposal to provide a 50-car parking lot and walking path around the two fields. Construction of an unpaved parking lot and walking path were approved this year.
The second phase includes installation of a well and irrigation system for the fields. Bocce courts also will be put in unless a water tank is needed for the irrigation system, Mangini said.
"It's going to be a nice park," she said.
The project's estimated cost is about $160,000, Mangini said.
Selectmen recently reviewed bids for the project's second phase but believe they are too high, Bennett said.
"We're trying to get bids at lower rates," he said.
The recreation area would not open until fall 2011 at the earliest, Mangini said.
Collins, a member of various local organizations over the years and a 17-year Planning Board member, said the East Road project will be an important asset to the community.
"It's necessary to keep the kids off the street and give them a place to play," he said. "It's a really good thing."
Atkinson resident donates $25K for town park
By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — What may have been a secret to some was probably not much of a surprise to others.
Months ago, voters were asked at Town Meeting to consider a $80,000 warrant article for construction of the East Road recreation area. Although residents knew an anonymous donor was footing $25,000 of the cost, it wasn't until the selectmen's meeting Monday that his identity was revealed.
It was longtime resident and former Planning Board Chairman Jake Collins.
For those who were surprised, they probably shouldn't have been.
Collins, who turns 88 this week, has been helping his community for years. He and his wife Una, who died in 2006, have contributed to local projects in many ways and for many decades.
But it was always without fanfare.
"Jake has made many anonymous contributions to the town over the years," Selectman Bill Bennett said. "Not that many people step up to the plate to that extent."
Collins, an Atkinson resident for 60 years, said Thursday he and his wife were never interested in receiving recognition for their efforts. They just wanted to help in any way they could.
"My wife and I started that a long time ago," he said.
Recreation Committee member Patti Mangini, who has been leading the recreation area project, said Collins approached her more than a year ago to express interest in helping to make it become a reality.
"It's a good thing that he's doing," she said. "He loves this town."
Once selectmen formally accept the donation, the $25,000 will be used in conjunction with $55,000 appropriated by voters in March to complete the project's second phase.
The first phase featured the development of two athletic fields funded by a $40,000 warrant article approved by voters in March 2009.
But residents rejected a $25,000 proposal to provide a 50-car parking lot and walking path around the two fields. Construction of an unpaved parking lot and walking path were approved this year.
The second phase includes installation of a well and irrigation system for the fields. Bocce courts also will be put in unless a water tank is needed for the irrigation system, Mangini said.
"It's going to be a nice park," she said.
The project's estimated cost is about $160,000, Mangini said.
Selectmen recently reviewed bids for the project's second phase but believe they are too high, Bennett said.
"We're trying to get bids at lower rates," he said.
The recreation area would not open until fall 2011 at the earliest, Mangini said.
Collins, a member of various local organizations over the years and a 17-year Planning Board member, said the East Road project will be an important asset to the community.
"It's necessary to keep the kids off the street and give them a place to play," he said. "It's a really good thing."
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Fire hits house in Atkinson
from the Eagle Tribune;
Fire hits house in Atkinson
By Jarret Bencks jbencks@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — A car battery charger is believed to have caused a fire yesterday at a house on Sawmill Road.
The fire broke out just before 12:30 p.m. at 31 Sawmill Road, prompting a neighbor to call the Fire Department when she saw smoke coming from the garage of the ranch-style house, fire Chief Michael Murphy said.
The flames climbed the outer wall and into the attic, but the fire was doused before it spread to the living area or caused any major damage to the garage, Murphy said.
Two adults and two children were home when the fire began, but no one was injured, Murphy said. They did not realize there was a fire in the garage until they were warned by their neighbor, he said.
"It was her action that kept it from extending to the living structure," Murphy said.
He said it appeared the fire was started by a car battery charger that was in use.
The fire was under control by 12:46 p.m. and firefighters had cleared the scene by 1:15.
While the fire was quickly extinguished, other departments were called as a precaution because of yesterday's heat, Murphy said. Firefighters from Hampstead, Danville and Sandown also responded.
Some of the garage's contents burned, Murphy said.
Fire hits house in Atkinson
By Jarret Bencks jbencks@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — A car battery charger is believed to have caused a fire yesterday at a house on Sawmill Road.
The fire broke out just before 12:30 p.m. at 31 Sawmill Road, prompting a neighbor to call the Fire Department when she saw smoke coming from the garage of the ranch-style house, fire Chief Michael Murphy said.
The flames climbed the outer wall and into the attic, but the fire was doused before it spread to the living area or caused any major damage to the garage, Murphy said.
Two adults and two children were home when the fire began, but no one was injured, Murphy said. They did not realize there was a fire in the garage until they were warned by their neighbor, he said.
"It was her action that kept it from extending to the living structure," Murphy said.
He said it appeared the fire was started by a car battery charger that was in use.
The fire was under control by 12:46 p.m. and firefighters had cleared the scene by 1:15.
While the fire was quickly extinguished, other departments were called as a precaution because of yesterday's heat, Murphy said. Firefighters from Hampstead, Danville and Sandown also responded.
Some of the garage's contents burned, Murphy said.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Farmers market proposed in Atkinson
From the Eagle Tribune;
Farmers market proposed in Atkinson
By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town is only one step away from having fresh vegetables available for sale right in the Atkinson Community Center parking lot.
Tomorrow night, Patti Mangini of the Recreation Committee will go before selectmen for final approval of a farmers market.
"Everything is falling into place," Mangini said Thursday. "We're hoping Monday night to get the stamp."
If approved as expected, the farmers market would be held Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through September. Five local gardeners would sell their produce, with the hope more would join the effort as it grows.
"They are just local people who have gardens and herbs," Mangini said.
She said there won't be any large farms offering produce, just people with gardens who have extra vegetables to sell.
The farmers market would offer residents a chance to buy fresh, organically grown vegetables and whole foods not always available in stores, she said.
"When you are buying local, at least you can talk to the farmer and ask questions," Mangini said.
In the past, Atkinson residents have had to travel to other communities, such as Kingston, to buy the fresh produce they would now be able to get in their own town, she said.
"People can just go instead of driving around and looking — and wasting gas," Mangini said. "I have definitely heard from people who are excited about it."
The Kingston farmers market shut down last year, Mangini said. Meanwhile, Derry started a farmers market last week and Salem will begin its own July 21.
Atkinson residents would not have to pay a fee to sell their produce. The fee for out-of-town residents is $10 a week.
Bill Bennett, one of the selectmen who will consider Mangini's plan tomorrow night, said he anticipates no problems starting a farmers market in town.
"People are always looking for fresh produce and the more places you can get it, the better," he said. "I think it's a great idea."
Farmers market proposed in Atkinson
By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town is only one step away from having fresh vegetables available for sale right in the Atkinson Community Center parking lot.
Tomorrow night, Patti Mangini of the Recreation Committee will go before selectmen for final approval of a farmers market.
"Everything is falling into place," Mangini said Thursday. "We're hoping Monday night to get the stamp."
If approved as expected, the farmers market would be held Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through September. Five local gardeners would sell their produce, with the hope more would join the effort as it grows.
"They are just local people who have gardens and herbs," Mangini said.
She said there won't be any large farms offering produce, just people with gardens who have extra vegetables to sell.
The farmers market would offer residents a chance to buy fresh, organically grown vegetables and whole foods not always available in stores, she said.
"When you are buying local, at least you can talk to the farmer and ask questions," Mangini said.
In the past, Atkinson residents have had to travel to other communities, such as Kingston, to buy the fresh produce they would now be able to get in their own town, she said.
"People can just go instead of driving around and looking — and wasting gas," Mangini said. "I have definitely heard from people who are excited about it."
The Kingston farmers market shut down last year, Mangini said. Meanwhile, Derry started a farmers market last week and Salem will begin its own July 21.
Atkinson residents would not have to pay a fee to sell their produce. The fee for out-of-town residents is $10 a week.
Bill Bennett, one of the selectmen who will consider Mangini's plan tomorrow night, said he anticipates no problems starting a farmers market in town.
"People are always looking for fresh produce and the more places you can get it, the better," he said. "I think it's a great idea."
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Judge puts hold on Atkinson photographers' real estate
From the Eagle Tribune
Judge puts hold on photographers' real estate
By Jarret Bencks jbencks@eagletribune.com
BRENTWOOD, N.H. — An Atkinson couple facing litigation for allegedly breaking wedding photography contracts have had their real estate holdings temporarily frozen.
Michael and Darlene Perrotta face criminal and civil charges from state prosecutors for allegedly agreeing to photograph and produce albums for nearly 200 newlyweds — and getting paid for it — but never delivering.
The attorney general's office recently filed a petition seeking a $250,000 attachment to the Perrottas' assets to be added to the civil case, which seeks financial damages on behalf of the 178 complainants who allege they never got what they paid for.
Attorneys for the Perrottas and the state appeared in Rockingham County Superior Court yesterday, where a hearing was scheduled for the petition.
The hearing was continued for 45 days, but Judge John Lewis ordered a freeze on all the Perrottas' real estate assets after learning a property they owned was sold last month, days after the motion to attach was filed.
A parcel of land with a partially built home was sold June 4, after the petition to attach was served to the Perrottas, Assistant Attorney General Karen Gorham said.
After paying off the lien on the property, the Perrottas were left with $71,000 in profit, defense attorney Paul Pappas said. Of that, $55,000 was placed in an escrow account and the Perrottas kept the rest, the defense attorney said.
Lewis ordered the money in the escrow account to remain there, and for 27 Meditation Lane in Atkinson — the Perrottas' home — not be sold without permission of the court.
The orders are in effect until the hearing takes place. It has not yet been scheduled.
The Perrottas did not appear in court yesterday.
Along with the civil case, the Perrottas both face three charges of violating the Consumer Protection Act. They await trial on those charges.
Judge puts hold on photographers' real estate
By Jarret Bencks jbencks@eagletribune.com
BRENTWOOD, N.H. — An Atkinson couple facing litigation for allegedly breaking wedding photography contracts have had their real estate holdings temporarily frozen.
Michael and Darlene Perrotta face criminal and civil charges from state prosecutors for allegedly agreeing to photograph and produce albums for nearly 200 newlyweds — and getting paid for it — but never delivering.
The attorney general's office recently filed a petition seeking a $250,000 attachment to the Perrottas' assets to be added to the civil case, which seeks financial damages on behalf of the 178 complainants who allege they never got what they paid for.
Attorneys for the Perrottas and the state appeared in Rockingham County Superior Court yesterday, where a hearing was scheduled for the petition.
The hearing was continued for 45 days, but Judge John Lewis ordered a freeze on all the Perrottas' real estate assets after learning a property they owned was sold last month, days after the motion to attach was filed.
A parcel of land with a partially built home was sold June 4, after the petition to attach was served to the Perrottas, Assistant Attorney General Karen Gorham said.
After paying off the lien on the property, the Perrottas were left with $71,000 in profit, defense attorney Paul Pappas said. Of that, $55,000 was placed in an escrow account and the Perrottas kept the rest, the defense attorney said.
Lewis ordered the money in the escrow account to remain there, and for 27 Meditation Lane in Atkinson — the Perrottas' home — not be sold without permission of the court.
The orders are in effect until the hearing takes place. It has not yet been scheduled.
The Perrottas did not appear in court yesterday.
Along with the civil case, the Perrottas both face three charges of violating the Consumer Protection Act. They await trial on those charges.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Thoughts On Independence Day- 2010
This Article was submitted last year, but is as true today as it was last year, perhaps even more so. Please take a moment out of your holiday celebrations to read this article and think about it's meaning. Thank you, Mr. Acciard for submitting this.
Submitted by MAcciard;
Please Accept as an article submission;
This holiday weekend, typically one of backyard bar-b-ques, sparklers, fireworks, gathering with family and friends, stop for a moment and do something you have probably never done before on this holiday, stop and give a moments thought to the meaning of this day.
In these perilous times where we appear to be replaying with modern technology the crusades, when the press and academia, and yes, many of our Senators and Congresspeople seem hell-bent upon telling everything that they believe is wrong with America, and the President and Congress seem to wish to spend the earning of the next three generations, Stop! and consider objectively everything America stands for and has accomplished in our 231 year history.
America stands for;
Freedom! Freedom to express yourself in any way you wish as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others.
Independence! Independence to pursue your brand of happiness in any manner in which you choose, so long as your pursuit does not infringe on the rights of another.
Opportunity! Opportunity to arrive on our shores as many immigrants do, with nothing to their names, and yet they are able to achieve a degree of wealth, and a comfort of lifestyle here that they could not achieve anywhere else on the globe. This is why people risk life and love to come here year after year. You don't see people sacrificing their lives to immigrate to the people's paradise of Cuba, or China, or Venezuela.
We hear day in and day out of the failures of our country, our country's leaders, our military, our culture, our society, our very existence. I say to those who can do nothing but complain, if you love France or Cuba so much go and live there, you are doing America no good here.
No Country in the history of the world has accomplished so much as has America. No country has been as generous, as noble, as honest, as forthright, or possessed as much integrity as America. America, as Ronald Reagan said, is the "shining city upon the hill". but much more than that we have consistently backed up our ideals with our blood, treasure, and deeds.
America was primarily responsible for the fall of Nazi Germany, after our victory, we spent hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild Europe, and now they show their gratitude by condemning America. America was responsible for the fall of the most oppressive regime in history, the Soviet Union, without firing a shot, and now those satellite countries that were crushed under the soviet boot for so long are now beacons of democracy on a continent bereft of that. They have become our strongest allies, replacing the lily-livered socialist countries of France and Belgium. And in the last 6 years we have liberated Afghanistan and Iraq, giving 50 million people their first chance to govern themselves. We have not stolen their oil, as John Kerry intimated was our reason for going, we have not plundered their country, as Micheal Moore stated we would do. We have not tortured them as Teddy Kennedy stated we have.
We hear from the media that it is our support of Israel that has caused the Muslims to hate us, but they fail to mention the $120 million a year we give to the Palestinian Authority for those very people.
America has made mistakes, but far fewer than any other country. We do not conquer, we do not enslave, or subjugate, We liberate, help our enemies get back on their feet, and then leave. We do far more for the world than all of the other countries combined. We have given time effort and money to 183 nations across the globe, most of those owe their very existence to the benevolence of the United States of America.
So when you are wolfing down your hamburgers this weekend, think for a moment about the history of our nation and reflect that you are a part of the Greatest Nation in Earth's History! Also reflect that our sons and daughters are in harm's way, fighting to defend the very freedoms that we are celebrating this weekend.
Thank you and God Bless.
Submitted by MAcciard;
Please Accept as an article submission;
This holiday weekend, typically one of backyard bar-b-ques, sparklers, fireworks, gathering with family and friends, stop for a moment and do something you have probably never done before on this holiday, stop and give a moments thought to the meaning of this day.
In these perilous times where we appear to be replaying with modern technology the crusades, when the press and academia, and yes, many of our Senators and Congresspeople seem hell-bent upon telling everything that they believe is wrong with America, and the President and Congress seem to wish to spend the earning of the next three generations, Stop! and consider objectively everything America stands for and has accomplished in our 231 year history.
America stands for;
Freedom! Freedom to express yourself in any way you wish as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others.
Independence! Independence to pursue your brand of happiness in any manner in which you choose, so long as your pursuit does not infringe on the rights of another.
Opportunity! Opportunity to arrive on our shores as many immigrants do, with nothing to their names, and yet they are able to achieve a degree of wealth, and a comfort of lifestyle here that they could not achieve anywhere else on the globe. This is why people risk life and love to come here year after year. You don't see people sacrificing their lives to immigrate to the people's paradise of Cuba, or China, or Venezuela.
We hear day in and day out of the failures of our country, our country's leaders, our military, our culture, our society, our very existence. I say to those who can do nothing but complain, if you love France or Cuba so much go and live there, you are doing America no good here.
No Country in the history of the world has accomplished so much as has America. No country has been as generous, as noble, as honest, as forthright, or possessed as much integrity as America. America, as Ronald Reagan said, is the "shining city upon the hill". but much more than that we have consistently backed up our ideals with our blood, treasure, and deeds.
America was primarily responsible for the fall of Nazi Germany, after our victory, we spent hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild Europe, and now they show their gratitude by condemning America. America was responsible for the fall of the most oppressive regime in history, the Soviet Union, without firing a shot, and now those satellite countries that were crushed under the soviet boot for so long are now beacons of democracy on a continent bereft of that. They have become our strongest allies, replacing the lily-livered socialist countries of France and Belgium. And in the last 6 years we have liberated Afghanistan and Iraq, giving 50 million people their first chance to govern themselves. We have not stolen their oil, as John Kerry intimated was our reason for going, we have not plundered their country, as Micheal Moore stated we would do. We have not tortured them as Teddy Kennedy stated we have.
We hear from the media that it is our support of Israel that has caused the Muslims to hate us, but they fail to mention the $120 million a year we give to the Palestinian Authority for those very people.
America has made mistakes, but far fewer than any other country. We do not conquer, we do not enslave, or subjugate, We liberate, help our enemies get back on their feet, and then leave. We do far more for the world than all of the other countries combined. We have given time effort and money to 183 nations across the globe, most of those owe their very existence to the benevolence of the United States of America.
So when you are wolfing down your hamburgers this weekend, think for a moment about the history of our nation and reflect that you are a part of the Greatest Nation in Earth's History! Also reflect that our sons and daughters are in harm's way, fighting to defend the very freedoms that we are celebrating this weekend.
Thank you and God Bless.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Hey Attorney General, How's that Separation thing workin' out for ya?
June 2010 Elderly Affairs FundRaising letter
The latest Elderly Affairs fundraiser letter has arrived in our mailboxes(see the link above). And it is obvious that there STILL isn't any separation between the PD, Elderly, and the APCF.
This mailer is supposedly paid for by the APCF, but contains "important message from your Police Chief, and Elderly Affairs Director"
Here are the problems:
In the "Daily well being call" section:
"Call into our dept.362-5536(PD phone number) and let us know you are alright. If there is no response to our call we will send an OFFICER out to make sure you are ok."
APCF has no authority to send a police officer anywhere.
In the "Medical Equipment" section:
"If you should need any medical appliance, please call us at 362-4001(PD number) before you buy any,At the Police Station we have (medical equipment) We will deliver them direct to your home"
All this equipment was donated to the TOWN for the use of the elderly, the APCF, has no authority to deliver any of it.
The Elderly Affairs Donation Drive Section:
"The Elderly Affairs dept. is currently conducting our annual fundraising drive.......We could not continue to provide assistance to our seniors without the residents generous donations to the Atkinson Police Charitable Fund"
The Elderly Affairs Dept. has a $37,000 budget and will continue to provide services to our seniors with or without donations to the Private APCF. Here we have the use of a town depts. name to fundraise for a private charity. Also the town does not show these donations listed in this mailer from APCF to the Town. apparently someone is lying here.
The latest Elderly Affairs fundraiser letter has arrived in our mailboxes(see the link above). And it is obvious that there STILL isn't any separation between the PD, Elderly, and the APCF.
This mailer is supposedly paid for by the APCF, but contains "important message from your Police Chief, and Elderly Affairs Director"
Here are the problems:
In the "Daily well being call" section:
"Call into our dept.362-5536(PD phone number) and let us know you are alright. If there is no response to our call we will send an OFFICER out to make sure you are ok."
APCF has no authority to send a police officer anywhere.
In the "Medical Equipment" section:
"If you should need any medical appliance, please call us at 362-4001(PD number) before you buy any,At the Police Station we have (medical equipment) We will deliver them direct to your home"
All this equipment was donated to the TOWN for the use of the elderly, the APCF, has no authority to deliver any of it.
The Elderly Affairs Donation Drive Section:
"The Elderly Affairs dept. is currently conducting our annual fundraising drive.......We could not continue to provide assistance to our seniors without the residents generous donations to the Atkinson Police Charitable Fund"
The Elderly Affairs Dept. has a $37,000 budget and will continue to provide services to our seniors with or without donations to the Private APCF. Here we have the use of a town depts. name to fundraise for a private charity. Also the town does not show these donations listed in this mailer from APCF to the Town. apparently someone is lying here.
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