Article Submission:
Atkinson police officer's widow faces foreclosure
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
CHESTER, N.H. — When Amy Lapham was a child, her favorite place was a field across the street from her parents' home on Fremont Road.
The area was still special to her in 2004, so she built a four-bedroom home with her husband, John, a former Atkinson police officer.
Now, Lapham, a mother of two boys, is being kicked out of her home, a year after her husband died from leukemia.
"I haven't even had a chance to grieve," Lapham said yesterday in the backyard of her home, which sits on six acres with a horse stable.
On July 1, Lapham received a letter from her mortgage company, Select Portfolio Services, saying it was going to foreclose on the house. It gave her 30 days to respond and then an auction would be scheduled.
She said she wrote back, pleading to refinance the mortgage, but instead the company responded with an auction date, Aug. 25.
"There was just no negotiating," she said.
Lapham's financial troubles haven't come as a surprise.
When they built the house, she said, the couple knew they were getting into an expensive mortgage, but didn't see any other options.
They had credit card debt and planned to refinance in a year or two.
Even before John died, they were falling behind on the mortgage, Amy said. But, she added, they were committed to staying in their home. John worked the midnight shift, but would regularly pick up detail jobs during the day to make extra money, she said.
After he died, she continued to pay the mortgage every month using John's life insurance money. But she took a gamble in February and stopped paying the mortgage. It was a gamble that didn't pay off.
The company she had been paying didn't own the mortgage, she said, and she couldn't think of any other way of finding the owner and trying to refinance.
"It was a 50/50 shot," said her mother, Noni Towle.
If she continued paying the mortgage, Amy said, the money from the life insurance would have run out within a year.
She also owes a lot more than the house is worth. Amy declined to reveal the balance of the mortgage, but the town's assessing records list the home at $432,900.
After John died in June 2008, Amy said she thought about selling the house, but it held too many memories for their two sons, Matt, 7, and Justin, 5.
The couple had planned on raising their two children at the home and she doesn't want them to feel the pain of losing a father and their home in the same year.
"Without the boys, I don't think I'd be fighting so hard," she said.
She thought she might have been able to generate some rental income, so she renovated the left side of her home into a two-bedroom apartment. But that has been put on hold and is still empty.
"If I could get a lower mortgage payment, I could get the house to pay for itself," she said.
All she needs is a little time, Amy said — she said she can make everything work.
She's been saving every penny and plans to go back to work, but not until she knows the fate of her house.
The couple had always planned that she would go back and finish her education degree once the boys were older, she said. But now she's not sure teaching will earn enough income.
Amy hopes to avoid the auction in 13 days, but she's not sure how that can happen. Even though she knows the family bought into a house they can't afford now, she still places some of the blame on the company who sold them the mortgage.
"The mortgage companies have to know these people can't afford these homes," Towle said.
If she does lose the home, Amy said, she will be forced to move across the street into her parents' home and be haunted by the sight of her old house every day.
"Whichever way it goes, I'm tired," she said.
August 13, 2009 8:56 AM
Anonymous said...
The house is worth $432K and she owes more than it's worth.
She has a mortgage over $432K?
August 13, 2009 9:01 AM
Anonymous said...
Amy hopes to avoid the auction in 13 days, but she's not sure how that can happen. Even though she knows the family bought into a house they can't afford now, she still places some of the blame on the company who sold them the mortgage.
"The mortgage companies have to know these people can't afford these homes," Towle said.
And the buyers didn't?? I feel bad about Officer Lapham but don't have any sympathy for people tat bit off more than the can chew!
August 13, 2009 9:22 AM
Anonymous said...
"When they built the house, she said, the couple knew they were getting into an expensive mortgage, but didn't see any other options."
I guess they had to buy it, no choice.
"she said she can make everything work.
plans to go back to work, but not until she knows the fate of her house.
But now she's not sure teaching will earn enough income."
Any income is better than no income. I saw this on tv last week too. They just need a good plan (not like the last one) and income from a job to survive. It's sad to see someone so helpless when everyone is in the same boat but the rest of us manage.
August 13, 2009 9:56 AM
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
NH DOT may consider light at fatal crash scene
From the Eagle Tribune;
NH DOT may consider light at fatal crash scene
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — A fatal motorcycle accident Monday on Route 111 may lead state transportation officials to put a traffic light at the scene of the crash.
Department of Transportation engineer Craig Green said yesterday morning that officials may take a look at the intersection of Hall Farm Road and Route 111 to determine if a traffic light is needed.
"We may want to take a closer look at that," Green said.
The DOT is considering putting a traffic light about a half mile away from Hall Farm Road at the intersection of West Road, Island Pond Road and Route 111, Green said.
Richard Beaulieu, 47, of Derry was killed Monday afternoon while driving east on Route 111. A box truck driven by Ryan McGonagle, 24, of Manchester pulled in front of Beaulieu. McGonagle was turning left on to Hall Farm Road and didn't see Beaulieu's motorcycle, according to Atkinson police Lt. William Baldwin.
Beaulieu wasn't wearing a helmet at the time.
Baldwin said Monday that he has been pleading with state DOT officials to put a traffic light at Hall Farm Road, but nothing has been done.
Traffic on Route 111 is heavy during the day, especially during commuting hours, and it can be dangerous attempting a turn on the road, Baldwin said.
He said yesterday he wasn't convinced a traffic light at the intersection of West Road and Route 111 would have much effect on safety at Hall Farm Road.
"I still think you're going to be taking a risk," Baldwin said.
State officials identified the Route 111 and West Road intersection as an area with a high number of traffic accidents last year. DOT officials recently met with town officials from Hampstead and Atkinson and are considering a traffic light as one option to make that area safer, Green said.
A public hearing will be held once the DOT designs a plan for the intersection, Green said. But no improvements are likely this construction season.
Green said yesterday that the DOT has not done any studies on whether a traffic light at the Route 111 and West Road intersection would have any effect on safety in that area.
NH DOT may consider light at fatal crash scene
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — A fatal motorcycle accident Monday on Route 111 may lead state transportation officials to put a traffic light at the scene of the crash.
Department of Transportation engineer Craig Green said yesterday morning that officials may take a look at the intersection of Hall Farm Road and Route 111 to determine if a traffic light is needed.
"We may want to take a closer look at that," Green said.
The DOT is considering putting a traffic light about a half mile away from Hall Farm Road at the intersection of West Road, Island Pond Road and Route 111, Green said.
Richard Beaulieu, 47, of Derry was killed Monday afternoon while driving east on Route 111. A box truck driven by Ryan McGonagle, 24, of Manchester pulled in front of Beaulieu. McGonagle was turning left on to Hall Farm Road and didn't see Beaulieu's motorcycle, according to Atkinson police Lt. William Baldwin.
Beaulieu wasn't wearing a helmet at the time.
Baldwin said Monday that he has been pleading with state DOT officials to put a traffic light at Hall Farm Road, but nothing has been done.
Traffic on Route 111 is heavy during the day, especially during commuting hours, and it can be dangerous attempting a turn on the road, Baldwin said.
He said yesterday he wasn't convinced a traffic light at the intersection of West Road and Route 111 would have much effect on safety at Hall Farm Road.
"I still think you're going to be taking a risk," Baldwin said.
State officials identified the Route 111 and West Road intersection as an area with a high number of traffic accidents last year. DOT officials recently met with town officials from Hampstead and Atkinson and are considering a traffic light as one option to make that area safer, Green said.
A public hearing will be held once the DOT designs a plan for the intersection, Green said. But no improvements are likely this construction season.
Green said yesterday that the DOT has not done any studies on whether a traffic light at the Route 111 and West Road intersection would have any effect on safety in that area.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Timberlane launches 'integrated' preschool
From the Eagle Tribune;
Timberlane launches 'integrated' preschool
By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — In a milestone for the Timberlane Regional School District, Atkinson Academy will open a new "integrated" preschool, blending special and regular education children — in roughly equal numbers — in the same classroom.
"We want to show parents this is a wonderful setting for their children as they move toward kindergarten," said Edwina Lovett, district director of pupil personnel services.
In a blended classroom, parents should expect special education children to improve communication skills, while regular education children develop tolerance and acceptance, Lovett said.
Although the benefits of including special education children with regular education students have long been known, federal stimulus money is now providing the opportunity to put the theory into practice, she said.
Timberlane is receiving $987,016 in stimulus money for special education, Superintendent Richard La Salle announced last spring. The money can be spent over three years and is to be paid in two installments. In addition, the district also is receiving $35,860, in two installments, for preschool.
Lovett said the stimulus money will pay for a special education teacher, an aide and curriculum materials (such as books, toys and manipulatives) for two years. After that, the goal is to make the program self-sustaining by charging regular education students tuition.
The new preschool, which is for 4-year-old children, starts Sept. 1 with about 26 students, Principal Kathy Dayotis said. Thirteen youngsters will attend the morning session, and 13 have enrolled in the afternoon preschool. Each session has a regular education teacher and a special education teacher, as well as a special education aide.
Stimulus money will not be used to hire the regular education teacher, Lovett said, because the money must go to special education.
Only children from Atkinson have been accepted. So far, there is no plan to start integrated preschools at the other district elementary schools, Lovett said.
However, Timberlane parents have long been able to send their 3- and 4-year-old children to the district's first preschool at Pollard Elementary in Plaistow, and that program will continue, Pollard School Principal Michelle Auger said.
Auger said the Pollard preschool has three classes and although disabled and non-disabled children can attend, historically the preschool has enrolled far more special education than regular education students. Auger estimates only 10 percent of the Pollard preschool youngsters have been regular education students, and the result has not been "true inclusion," she said.
The new preschool, which is a pilot program for the Timberlane Regional School District, will bring the district close to a state target for preschool education, Lovett said. The state target is a 50/50 mix of regular and special education students. The Atkinson preschool is expected to have 60 percent special education children and 40 percent regular education, she said.
Timberlane launches 'integrated' preschool
By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — In a milestone for the Timberlane Regional School District, Atkinson Academy will open a new "integrated" preschool, blending special and regular education children — in roughly equal numbers — in the same classroom.
"We want to show parents this is a wonderful setting for their children as they move toward kindergarten," said Edwina Lovett, district director of pupil personnel services.
In a blended classroom, parents should expect special education children to improve communication skills, while regular education children develop tolerance and acceptance, Lovett said.
Although the benefits of including special education children with regular education students have long been known, federal stimulus money is now providing the opportunity to put the theory into practice, she said.
Timberlane is receiving $987,016 in stimulus money for special education, Superintendent Richard La Salle announced last spring. The money can be spent over three years and is to be paid in two installments. In addition, the district also is receiving $35,860, in two installments, for preschool.
Lovett said the stimulus money will pay for a special education teacher, an aide and curriculum materials (such as books, toys and manipulatives) for two years. After that, the goal is to make the program self-sustaining by charging regular education students tuition.
The new preschool, which is for 4-year-old children, starts Sept. 1 with about 26 students, Principal Kathy Dayotis said. Thirteen youngsters will attend the morning session, and 13 have enrolled in the afternoon preschool. Each session has a regular education teacher and a special education teacher, as well as a special education aide.
Stimulus money will not be used to hire the regular education teacher, Lovett said, because the money must go to special education.
Only children from Atkinson have been accepted. So far, there is no plan to start integrated preschools at the other district elementary schools, Lovett said.
However, Timberlane parents have long been able to send their 3- and 4-year-old children to the district's first preschool at Pollard Elementary in Plaistow, and that program will continue, Pollard School Principal Michelle Auger said.
Auger said the Pollard preschool has three classes and although disabled and non-disabled children can attend, historically the preschool has enrolled far more special education than regular education students. Auger estimates only 10 percent of the Pollard preschool youngsters have been regular education students, and the result has not been "true inclusion," she said.
The new preschool, which is a pilot program for the Timberlane Regional School District, will bring the district close to a state target for preschool education, Lovett said. The state target is a 50/50 mix of regular and special education students. The Atkinson preschool is expected to have 60 percent special education children and 40 percent regular education, she said.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Atkinson firefighter helps battle blazes in Alaska
From the eagle tribune
Atkinson firefighter helps battle blazes in Alaska
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — A longtime local firefighter is among 10 from New Hampshire who are headed to Alaska to fight wildfires.
Jeff Murphy has been a member of New Hampshire's wildland fire team for at least 20 years and has traveled all over the Midwest and western states fighting wildfires, according to his brother and Atkinson fire Chief Mike Murphy.
"He's well-respected throughout the state," Mike Murphy said.
The latest trip to Alaska will take Jeff Murphy to an area outside Fairbanks where thousands of acres have burned this summer due to hot, dry weather.
Jeff's son, Shane, also has fought wildfires over the last several years as far away as Canada, Georgia and Idaho.
"It's a cool way to see different parts of the country and not just the cities," said the younger Murphy, who is a full-time firefighter in Salem.
While battling wildfires, the crews regularly check the humidity and have lookouts to make sure nothing catches them by surprise, Shane Murphy said.
"They're pretty conscious of all the safety stuff," he said.
Shane Murphy would have loved to join his father, but to be a member of the wildfire team, the 24-year-old said you have to be ready to go at a moment's notice. That has been difficult for him to schedule over the last few years, he said.
New Hampshire's firefighters are joining crews from Massachusetts, New York and the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.
The crew flew out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on Tuesday and is expected to stay about two weeks.
Mike Murphy said the crews are often sent to remote areas where it can be difficult to speak with family members by telephone.
"It's tough to know when he's going to come back," he said.
Atkinson firefighter helps battle blazes in Alaska
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — A longtime local firefighter is among 10 from New Hampshire who are headed to Alaska to fight wildfires.
Jeff Murphy has been a member of New Hampshire's wildland fire team for at least 20 years and has traveled all over the Midwest and western states fighting wildfires, according to his brother and Atkinson fire Chief Mike Murphy.
"He's well-respected throughout the state," Mike Murphy said.
The latest trip to Alaska will take Jeff Murphy to an area outside Fairbanks where thousands of acres have burned this summer due to hot, dry weather.
Jeff's son, Shane, also has fought wildfires over the last several years as far away as Canada, Georgia and Idaho.
"It's a cool way to see different parts of the country and not just the cities," said the younger Murphy, who is a full-time firefighter in Salem.
While battling wildfires, the crews regularly check the humidity and have lookouts to make sure nothing catches them by surprise, Shane Murphy said.
"They're pretty conscious of all the safety stuff," he said.
Shane Murphy would have loved to join his father, but to be a member of the wildfire team, the 24-year-old said you have to be ready to go at a moment's notice. That has been difficult for him to schedule over the last few years, he said.
New Hampshire's firefighters are joining crews from Massachusetts, New York and the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.
The crew flew out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on Tuesday and is expected to stay about two weeks.
Mike Murphy said the crews are often sent to remote areas where it can be difficult to speak with family members by telephone.
"It's tough to know when he's going to come back," he said.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Kindergarten numbers drop in Atkinson, But don't worry Pre-K is coming!
From the Eagle Tribune;
Kindergarten numbers drop in Atkinson
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Only half as many children are enrolled in kindergarten this fall at Atkinson Academy than last year.
A year ago, the school had 60 kindergartners in four classes with two teachers. This year, the school will only have two classes and one teacher, according to Kelli Killen, director of elementary education for the Timberlane Regional School District.
Although the drop in Atkinson is the most significant, overall kindergarten enrollment is down in the four-town district, Killen said.
Danville Elementary School has eight fewer students and Pollard School and Sandown North have about the same number as last year, Killen said.
In Danville, there were four sessions with two teachers last year. This year, there are only three and one of the teachers will only work a half-day, Killen said.
The reason for the drop in enrollment in Atkinson isn't really clear, but Killen said fewer children are being born and fewer families with young children moving to town contributes to the situation.
The families that are moving to Atkinson mostly have children in middle school and high school, Killen said.
"They just can't afford the home prices," she said of young families.
The decrease didn't really take the district by surprise, either, according to Atkinson Academy Principal Kathie Dayotis.
School staff called all area preschool programs last year and learned early on that they would have a lot fewer children this year, she said.
"It doesn't look like there were as many babies born in the last few years," Dayotis said.
But even though there is a drop in kindergartners, there is a large population of children ready for a pilot prekindergarten program at Atkinson Academy.
That program and three new teachers will be funded through the federal stimulus program.
Dayotis said they have hired two new teachers and an assistant specifically for the prekindergarten program. There are 26 children enrolled and there is still room for a few more. Most of the children are from Atkinson and six are special education students, Dayotis said.
The prekindergarten program will occupy one of the two classrooms built at Atkinson Academy last year specifically for kindergarten.
"All the furniture and books are designed for early childhood education," Killen said.
But next year, the district expects kindergarten enrollment numbers at Atkinson Academy will rise.
"The following year we will be back up to the 50s and maybe into the 60s," Killen said.
Kindergarten numbers drop in Atkinson
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Only half as many children are enrolled in kindergarten this fall at Atkinson Academy than last year.
A year ago, the school had 60 kindergartners in four classes with two teachers. This year, the school will only have two classes and one teacher, according to Kelli Killen, director of elementary education for the Timberlane Regional School District.
Although the drop in Atkinson is the most significant, overall kindergarten enrollment is down in the four-town district, Killen said.
Danville Elementary School has eight fewer students and Pollard School and Sandown North have about the same number as last year, Killen said.
In Danville, there were four sessions with two teachers last year. This year, there are only three and one of the teachers will only work a half-day, Killen said.
The reason for the drop in enrollment in Atkinson isn't really clear, but Killen said fewer children are being born and fewer families with young children moving to town contributes to the situation.
The families that are moving to Atkinson mostly have children in middle school and high school, Killen said.
"They just can't afford the home prices," she said of young families.
The decrease didn't really take the district by surprise, either, according to Atkinson Academy Principal Kathie Dayotis.
School staff called all area preschool programs last year and learned early on that they would have a lot fewer children this year, she said.
"It doesn't look like there were as many babies born in the last few years," Dayotis said.
But even though there is a drop in kindergartners, there is a large population of children ready for a pilot prekindergarten program at Atkinson Academy.
That program and three new teachers will be funded through the federal stimulus program.
Dayotis said they have hired two new teachers and an assistant specifically for the prekindergarten program. There are 26 children enrolled and there is still room for a few more. Most of the children are from Atkinson and six are special education students, Dayotis said.
The prekindergarten program will occupy one of the two classrooms built at Atkinson Academy last year specifically for kindergarten.
"All the furniture and books are designed for early childhood education," Killen said.
But next year, the district expects kindergarten enrollment numbers at Atkinson Academy will rise.
"The following year we will be back up to the 50s and maybe into the 60s," Killen said.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Police Chief is being sued AGAIN??? What is going on?
It appears that the Town Moderator, Frank Polito has filed suit in NH Federal District Court for copyright infringement, against none other than our constantly legally embattled police chief. See the link below
http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=4784
Evidently the case, filed on June 11, 2009, has ALREADY been SEALED by Order of the District Court Judge, responding to a motion file by one of the parties.
So, it looks like our town officials are now suing each other, and once again the general public will never know the details, just like most of the past lawsuits.
Does anyone out there know of a copyright that Frank owns? or how Phil could have infringed upon it?
And you wonder why people laugh at this stuff.
http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=4784
Evidently the case, filed on June 11, 2009, has ALREADY been SEALED by Order of the District Court Judge, responding to a motion file by one of the parties.
So, it looks like our town officials are now suing each other, and once again the general public will never know the details, just like most of the past lawsuits.
Does anyone out there know of a copyright that Frank owns? or how Phil could have infringed upon it?
And you wonder why people laugh at this stuff.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Atkinson to hire town administrator soon
From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson to hire town administrator soon
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Town officials said they will hire a new administrator soon.
A committee of three current selectmen and six former selectmen has reviewed the 30 applications for the town administrator job and expects the interviews to begin shortly, Selectman Bill Friel said.
"We should have somebody in place pretty quickly," he said.
Selectmen asked all former selectmen who had worked with previous town administrators to suggest who among the candidates would be a good fit for the town, Friel said.
Selectman William Bennett said they would prefer someone who has experience working in New Hampshire town government.
The applicants come from various backgrounds, including some expected to be too expensive for Atkinson. Bennett attributed the large candidate pool to the weak economy.
The board began reviewing the applications in June and has said it would like to hire someone as soon as possible.
"We're refining where we want to go and the person we're looking for," Bennett said.
This is the first time in recent years the selectmen have taken on a search for a town administrator entirely by themselves. In previous searches, the town hired the Local Government Center to screen applications. That service cost $5,000.
A candidate, whose name was not released, was offered the job in April. But when that person gave notice to the employer, Atkinson's offer was matched. That candidate remained from the search when the most recent town administrator, Steven Angelo, was hired. No salary range was specifically stated in the job advertisement.
Atkinson has been without a town administrator since late January when Angelo quit after only a few months on the job. Before Angelo, Atkinson went through two town administrators within a year.
Atkinson to hire town administrator soon
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Town officials said they will hire a new administrator soon.
A committee of three current selectmen and six former selectmen has reviewed the 30 applications for the town administrator job and expects the interviews to begin shortly, Selectman Bill Friel said.
"We should have somebody in place pretty quickly," he said.
Selectmen asked all former selectmen who had worked with previous town administrators to suggest who among the candidates would be a good fit for the town, Friel said.
Selectman William Bennett said they would prefer someone who has experience working in New Hampshire town government.
The applicants come from various backgrounds, including some expected to be too expensive for Atkinson. Bennett attributed the large candidate pool to the weak economy.
The board began reviewing the applications in June and has said it would like to hire someone as soon as possible.
"We're refining where we want to go and the person we're looking for," Bennett said.
This is the first time in recent years the selectmen have taken on a search for a town administrator entirely by themselves. In previous searches, the town hired the Local Government Center to screen applications. That service cost $5,000.
A candidate, whose name was not released, was offered the job in April. But when that person gave notice to the employer, Atkinson's offer was matched. That candidate remained from the search when the most recent town administrator, Steven Angelo, was hired. No salary range was specifically stated in the job advertisement.
Atkinson has been without a town administrator since late January when Angelo quit after only a few months on the job. Before Angelo, Atkinson went through two town administrators within a year.
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