From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson administrator's post draws 60 applications Resume review starts Monday
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — About 60 candidates have applied to be Atkinson's next town administrator.
Selectmen started accepting applications about two weeks ago; yesterday was the final day to file.
That's more applications than they have received for the job in the past. But it's also the first time in recent years selectmen opted not to hire someone to screen the applications for them.
When the most recent town administrator, Steven Angelo, was hired in September, selectmen employed the Local Government Center to advertise the position and to screen applications.
Selectman Bill Friel said yesterday the board will start reviewing applications at their regular meeting Monday night and will likely start interviewing candidates the following week.
"We're very encouraged about the prospects," Friel said.
He said he expects they will hire someone as soon as possible. "As soon as we can find somebody qualified that we like," Friel said.
Selectmen offered the job to an unnamed candidate in April, but when that person gave notice to their employer, Atkinson's offer was matched. That candidate was left over from the search from which Angelo was hired. No salary range was specifically stated in the advertisement.
This will be the fourth town administrator hired in about a year.
Angelo left in late January after only a couple of months on the job. Before Angelo, Craig Kleman served as interim town administrator. Kleman was hired in April 2008, but left last summer to take a similar job in Plaistow. He has since left Plaistow.
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Atkinson creates panel to study emergency communication issues
From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson creates panel to study emergency communication issues
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town hopes to finally solve its emergency communication problems.
Selectmen have decided to form an ad hoc committee made up of four technical experts and three emergency management personnel.
For years, police and firefighters have had difficulty communicating with dispatchers on their portable radios. Once they step away from their vehicles, they have trouble communicating in the many dead spots in town.
Selectmen also have debated having the town's Technology Committee solve the dilemma. The group's main job is dealing with computer network problems.
Last year, a committee studied the same emergency communication problems and suggested a cell tower be built in the center of town.
A warrant article was presented to voters at the 2008 Town Meeting but it failed.
Selectman Bill Bennett said yesterday he wants the new committee to be mostly made up of engineers or people with experience in radio communications.
Once given a specific task, the group of engineers should be able to come up with a solution, he said.
The problem with past committees, Bennett said, is that laypeople were trying to solve the problem and not experienced engineers.
Bennett said the committee should be open to all options but cautioned that a cell tower in the center of town would encounter a lot of resistance from residents.
"I'm guessing there is a solution that doesn't involve a tower in the middle of town," said Bennett, a retired mechanical engineer.
Any residents interested in joining the committee should call Barbara Snicer in the selectmen's office at 362-5266.
Atkinson creates panel to study emergency communication issues
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town hopes to finally solve its emergency communication problems.
Selectmen have decided to form an ad hoc committee made up of four technical experts and three emergency management personnel.
For years, police and firefighters have had difficulty communicating with dispatchers on their portable radios. Once they step away from their vehicles, they have trouble communicating in the many dead spots in town.
Selectmen also have debated having the town's Technology Committee solve the dilemma. The group's main job is dealing with computer network problems.
Last year, a committee studied the same emergency communication problems and suggested a cell tower be built in the center of town.
A warrant article was presented to voters at the 2008 Town Meeting but it failed.
Selectman Bill Bennett said yesterday he wants the new committee to be mostly made up of engineers or people with experience in radio communications.
Once given a specific task, the group of engineers should be able to come up with a solution, he said.
The problem with past committees, Bennett said, is that laypeople were trying to solve the problem and not experienced engineers.
Bennett said the committee should be open to all options but cautioned that a cell tower in the center of town would encounter a lot of resistance from residents.
"I'm guessing there is a solution that doesn't involve a tower in the middle of town," said Bennett, a retired mechanical engineer.
Any residents interested in joining the committee should call Barbara Snicer in the selectmen's office at 362-5266.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Atkinson looks for solutions to radio communication woes- Selectmen to discuss TONIGHT!
For those who thought our article on the resurrection of the Tower debate was merely "conspiracy theory and rumors", here is your answer. Tonight on the agenda at the selectmens meeting is going to be the discussion of either putting together a committee of police and firemen to look at the tower issue, headed for the third time by Lt. Baldwin!
Or having the technology committee look into it, preferable with Lt. Baldwins direction and guidance!
Third bite at the Apple, coming up!
From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson looks for solutions to radio communicaiton woes
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town still wants to find a solution to its emergency communication problems.
Selectmen plan to discuss Monday whether they want to form an ad hoc committee of police and fire officials to come up with solutions or ask the town's technology committee to come up with options.
Police and firefighters have had difficulty for years communicating with dispatchers on their portable radios. There are many dead spots in town where emergency personnel have trouble communicating once they step away from their vehicles.
Selectman Bill Bennett said he would support giving the task to the technology committee since there are several members on that board who have experience solving these problems.
"It's a technological problem that needs to be solved," Bennett said.
In 2008, voters were presented with the option of building a cell tower in the center of town to fix the problems, but the proposal was defeated.
Bennett, who supported the tower in the 2008 vote, said the emergency communications problem is a separate issue from residents just wanting a tower for better cell phone reception in town.
Selectmen meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Town Hall.
Or having the technology committee look into it, preferable with Lt. Baldwins direction and guidance!
Third bite at the Apple, coming up!
From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson looks for solutions to radio communicaiton woes
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town still wants to find a solution to its emergency communication problems.
Selectmen plan to discuss Monday whether they want to form an ad hoc committee of police and fire officials to come up with solutions or ask the town's technology committee to come up with options.
Police and firefighters have had difficulty for years communicating with dispatchers on their portable radios. There are many dead spots in town where emergency personnel have trouble communicating once they step away from their vehicles.
Selectman Bill Bennett said he would support giving the task to the technology committee since there are several members on that board who have experience solving these problems.
"It's a technological problem that needs to be solved," Bennett said.
In 2008, voters were presented with the option of building a cell tower in the center of town to fix the problems, but the proposal was defeated.
Bennett, who supported the tower in the 2008 vote, said the emergency communications problem is a separate issue from residents just wanting a tower for better cell phone reception in town.
Selectmen meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Town Hall.
State says Atkinson can start field construction
From the Eagle Tribune;
State says Atkinson can start field construction
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Construction of two athletic fields on East Road should be completed this year.
Selectmen received word from the state Department of Revenue Administration yesterday that they will be allowed to use money from a 2008 warrant article to pay for construction of the two fields.
"It looks like we will be able to do that by the end of the year," Selectman Bill Friel said.
Selectmen previously said the project would have to be put off for another year since they believed the wording of a March warrant article prevented them from touching a $40,000 warrant article approved at the 2008 Town Meeting.
Construction was originally supposed to start in April. The project's total cost will be about $136,000, but construction will begin with the $85,000 they have available.
Voters approved a $45,000 warrant article at Town Meeting this year to construct the lacrosse and multipurpose field. But voters rejected a $25,000 warrant article that would have funded a 50-car parking lot and walking path around the two fields.
More money will have to be requested at next year's Town Meeting in order to complete the project.
Patti Mangini, chairwoman of the Recreation Commission, said previously the athletic leagues and Recreation Commission would fundraise before next March to help ease the burden on taxpayers.
State says Atkinson can start field construction
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Construction of two athletic fields on East Road should be completed this year.
Selectmen received word from the state Department of Revenue Administration yesterday that they will be allowed to use money from a 2008 warrant article to pay for construction of the two fields.
"It looks like we will be able to do that by the end of the year," Selectman Bill Friel said.
Selectmen previously said the project would have to be put off for another year since they believed the wording of a March warrant article prevented them from touching a $40,000 warrant article approved at the 2008 Town Meeting.
Construction was originally supposed to start in April. The project's total cost will be about $136,000, but construction will begin with the $85,000 they have available.
Voters approved a $45,000 warrant article at Town Meeting this year to construct the lacrosse and multipurpose field. But voters rejected a $25,000 warrant article that would have funded a 50-car parking lot and walking path around the two fields.
More money will have to be requested at next year's Town Meeting in order to complete the project.
Patti Mangini, chairwoman of the Recreation Commission, said previously the athletic leagues and Recreation Commission would fundraise before next March to help ease the burden on taxpayers.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Heard Around Town: Chief is trying to resurrect the Tower!
Yes, folks it is true. The reporter has heard form a number of citizens and officials in town that Phil is quietly trying to resurrect the tower issue. Now remember, it was only because of those meddling residents up on Hog Hill that he didn't get to use the communications equipment he got on a federal grant, in conjunction with Plaistow, in 2004, on the Hog Hill Tower. The LAW, and the Lawsuit settlement(part of which was negotiated during his tenure as selectman) BE DAMNED! Phil wants it, and by God, he is going to get what he wants. Now that he has intimidated Brian Kaye into leaving Town, and he has apparently intimidated Mark Acciard into leaving too, who is going to question him this time? After all This is a Life safety issue according to Jack Sapia!
Well, it appears that our new selectman, Bill Bennet has been quietly pressuring the new "technology" committee to look into the "communications problem" in town. AND he wants BILL BALDWIN PUT ON THAT COMMITTEE! No conflict there, right? And let's be honest, even if it WERE a conflict, Dick SMith, and the wonderful dedicated citizens on our conflict of interest committee, WOULD NEVER FIND THE CONFLICT ANYWAYS! The only conflicts they ever find is with people like Barbara Stewart for signing a stack of payroll vouchers which happened to contain her brother-in-laws. But when Phil singed one giving himself union benefits, WELL, THAT's OK! Another useless committee that lacks the cajones to do their job!
Now, can anyone tell me what qualifications Mr. Baldwin has to be on the "technology committee"? Does he have an IT degree? No, He has NO Degree! Does he have a technology work history, where he might have gained insider knowledge? Nope, he is a cop. The extent of his technological exposure at work, is surfing the net(including this blog, much of the time, we are told), and pushing the transmit button on his radio. Could Mr. Bennett's insistance on Baldwin's participation on this committee, have to do with his totally partisan viewpoint that Atkinson's "communications crisis" can only be solved with a 180' phallic symbol in the center of town? Hmmm, we have heard of overcompensating, but this is ridiculous!
Keep your eyes and ears peeled people, something is rotten in town hall. And WHERE ARE THE DAMN MINUTES ANYWAYS?
Well, it appears that our new selectman, Bill Bennet has been quietly pressuring the new "technology" committee to look into the "communications problem" in town. AND he wants BILL BALDWIN PUT ON THAT COMMITTEE! No conflict there, right? And let's be honest, even if it WERE a conflict, Dick SMith, and the wonderful dedicated citizens on our conflict of interest committee, WOULD NEVER FIND THE CONFLICT ANYWAYS! The only conflicts they ever find is with people like Barbara Stewart for signing a stack of payroll vouchers which happened to contain her brother-in-laws. But when Phil singed one giving himself union benefits, WELL, THAT's OK! Another useless committee that lacks the cajones to do their job!
Now, can anyone tell me what qualifications Mr. Baldwin has to be on the "technology committee"? Does he have an IT degree? No, He has NO Degree! Does he have a technology work history, where he might have gained insider knowledge? Nope, he is a cop. The extent of his technological exposure at work, is surfing the net(including this blog, much of the time, we are told), and pushing the transmit button on his radio. Could Mr. Bennett's insistance on Baldwin's participation on this committee, have to do with his totally partisan viewpoint that Atkinson's "communications crisis" can only be solved with a 180' phallic symbol in the center of town? Hmmm, we have heard of overcompensating, but this is ridiculous!
Keep your eyes and ears peeled people, something is rotten in town hall. And WHERE ARE THE DAMN MINUTES ANYWAYS?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Apology!
The Atkinson Reporter would like to apologize for the lack of content over the last two weeks. The Blog Administrator was on vacation in the Carribean, and did not have access to the internet. We will seek to rectify this situation for the future. Again we humbly apologize to our regular readers.
Atkinson to seek new administrator
From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson to seek new administrator
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — More than three months after the last town administrator left, the selectmen will now advertise for the position.
After their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, the selectmen said they plan to have the position advertised in local newspapers by the end of this week. "My guess is we'll have responses fairly quickly with this economy," Selectman Bill Friel said.
Selectmen decided not to hire the Local Government Center, which they used for the previous search to find Steven Angelo last fall.
One reason to go without the Local Government Center was the $5,000 fee, Chairman Fred Childs said.
"By doing it this way, it won't take as long," he said.
Friel said they have already received a few applications for the job without even advertising.SClBSelectmen offered a candidate the job two weeks ago but when that person gave notice to his employer, Atkinson's offer was matched.
That candidate, whose name was not released, was left over from the last search when Angelo was hired.
Angelo left in late January after only a couple of months on the job. Before Angelo, Craig Kleman served as interim town administrator. Kleman was hired in April 2008, but left last summer to take a similar job in Plaistow. He has since left Plaistow.
The previous administrator, Russ McCallister, left in February 2008 to work as a government adviser in Iraq.
Selectmen said in January that they were waiting until after the election in March to start looking for someone to fill the position.
Atkinson to seek new administrator
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — More than three months after the last town administrator left, the selectmen will now advertise for the position.
After their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, the selectmen said they plan to have the position advertised in local newspapers by the end of this week. "My guess is we'll have responses fairly quickly with this economy," Selectman Bill Friel said.
Selectmen decided not to hire the Local Government Center, which they used for the previous search to find Steven Angelo last fall.
One reason to go without the Local Government Center was the $5,000 fee, Chairman Fred Childs said.
"By doing it this way, it won't take as long," he said.
Friel said they have already received a few applications for the job without even advertising.SClBSelectmen offered a candidate the job two weeks ago but when that person gave notice to his employer, Atkinson's offer was matched.
That candidate, whose name was not released, was left over from the last search when Angelo was hired.
Angelo left in late January after only a couple of months on the job. Before Angelo, Craig Kleman served as interim town administrator. Kleman was hired in April 2008, but left last summer to take a similar job in Plaistow. He has since left Plaistow.
The previous administrator, Russ McCallister, left in February 2008 to work as a government adviser in Iraq.
Selectmen said in January that they were waiting until after the election in March to start looking for someone to fill the position.
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