From the Eagle Tribune;
Consentino will be paid $100 a year to lead elderly affairs
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Philip Consentino soon will receive his first paycheck as the town's director of elderly affairs.
The police chief has volunteered for the position for 16 years, but the selectmen decided Monday night to pay him $100 a year for doing the job.
As the director, Consentino brings elderly residents to medical appointments and social events. He also sends birthday cards, holds an annual flu clinic, and is planning a Christmas party next Tuesday, where he will hand out hundreds of dollars worth of gas cards, restaurant gift certificates and other gifts.
Selectman Bill Bennett said it was time to designate the job as that of being a town employee since Consentino was putting himself at risk driving town vehicles with elderly residents to medical appointments from Boston to Manchester.
"The issue is a liability for the town and for Phil," Bennett said.
At Town Meeting in March, residents will vote on a warrant article to make the position official with the $100 salary.
"They never officially created the position," Consentino said.
The position will remain appointed and Consentino will have to be reappointed if voters approve the article at Town Meeting.
That's the final step in clarifying Consentino's roles as elderly affairs director and police chief.
Last year, the state attorney general's office received complaints about the way Consentino operated elderly affairs as a division of the Police Department. The two departments were separated last year, but Consentino still heads both departments.
Over the last seven months, selectmen have been asking Consentino to sign a document outlining his responsibilities as volunteer director of the department. But Consentino said he had refused to sign, saying he was being singled out and the only volunteer being asked to do so.
Before Monday's meeting, Consentino said he would be forced to resign from the Elderly Affairs Department if the selectmen continued to pressure him to sign the document.
Bennett said he's not concerned about the article being approved by voters.
Voters will face another warrant article asking them to approve the purchase of a fourth vehicle for the Elderly Affairs Department.
Consentino said there are five drivers and sometimes it can be difficult to arrange rides for seniors when they are getting five to seven requests per day. Last year, the department provided 1,644 rides.
"They've been using their own cars at times," Consentino said of the other four drivers.
The warrant article calls for buying a 2010 Subaru Forester from Singer Subaru in Plaistow. It would cost taxpayers $12,000.
An anonymous donor has given $7,000 toward the new car, lowering the price tag for taxpayers from the $19,500 the dealer is charging, Consentino said.
"I think the people should be happy to vote for that," Bennett said.
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Where is the information?
A quick read of the town website show absolutely NOTHING!
For over TWO YEARS the budget committee has not posted minutes of their meetings. TWO YEARS! We remember selectman Sapia railing about former Budcom chief Acciard not posting minutes, but he was the first person to get the committee's minutes on the town website, and updated them each week.
Our illustrious board of selectmen, with their new $76,000 Town Administrator has not posted minutes since APRIL!
By the way, this is not something that is difficult to do, they attach the already approved minutes to an email to Don Roberts, and he posts them. VIOLA!
But that is probably ok, since there is little other information on the town website either. No demographical info about the Town. No historical info about the town. No videos of meetings. No recent minutes of meetings. NO INFORMATION!
But that i in keeping with our town officials traditions, of restricting access to public information as much as possible. If not, outright restrictions on access, then setting a price on the information too steep for most to meet.
Our current board of selectmen has been better than the last in supplying public info to the public, but, then again, they could hardly be worse than the Sapia/Consentino/Childs board. THAT board set the unlowerable standard for refusal to answer anything.
For over TWO YEARS the budget committee has not posted minutes of their meetings. TWO YEARS! We remember selectman Sapia railing about former Budcom chief Acciard not posting minutes, but he was the first person to get the committee's minutes on the town website, and updated them each week.
Our illustrious board of selectmen, with their new $76,000 Town Administrator has not posted minutes since APRIL!
By the way, this is not something that is difficult to do, they attach the already approved minutes to an email to Don Roberts, and he posts them. VIOLA!
But that is probably ok, since there is little other information on the town website either. No demographical info about the Town. No historical info about the town. No videos of meetings. No recent minutes of meetings. NO INFORMATION!
But that i in keeping with our town officials traditions, of restricting access to public information as much as possible. If not, outright restrictions on access, then setting a price on the information too steep for most to meet.
Our current board of selectmen has been better than the last in supplying public info to the public, but, then again, they could hardly be worse than the Sapia/Consentino/Childs board. THAT board set the unlowerable standard for refusal to answer anything.
Timberlane changes focus of adult education classes
From the Eagle Tribune;
Timberlane changes focus of adult education classes
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
PLAISTOW — Aromatherapy classes don't have the same draw as they used to.
Instead, people are looking to take adult education classes that can help prepare them for a new career.
Next month, Timberlane Regional High School will offer a free job search seminar series for residents to learn resume writing, interviewing skills and how to search for a job.
Enrollment in the adult education program has dropped 30 percent from last year, which Assistant Principal Robert Dawson said can be attributed to the economy.
"I'm just seeing fewer people right now who are looking to spend money," Dawson said.
The hardest hit programs have been aromatherapy, Reiki and oil painting. Last year, those classes had about 20 students each, but this year, Dawson said, some classes have been canceled because of a severe drop in enrollment. An average class costs between $20 and $30.
But what has remained consistent is the demand for computer classes and other skill-oriented programs that people can put on their resume when looking for a job.
Next semester, Dawson said, the school plans to offer its first Microsoft Office class.
"It's the number one thing people ask for when they call," he said.
A similar class at a community college costs more than $1,000, but Dawson said he knows the school can offer it for a fraction of the price.
A job search seminar series, which will be held on Dec. 7, 9, 14 and 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 each evening, is exactly the type of class people are looking for, Dawson said.
The class will be led by Susan Henry, who has more than 30 years' experience in the corporate world and a master's degree in career counseling.
Residents of Atkinson, Danville, Plaistow and Sandown can register for one of the 20 spots for free until Dec. 4. After that date, residents from other communities will be accepted until Dec. 10 for an optional $10 donation.
If all goes well, Dawson said, this is the type of class residents can expect regularly.
"I want to be oversold, so I can do it again," he said.
Timberlane changes focus of adult education classes
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
PLAISTOW — Aromatherapy classes don't have the same draw as they used to.
Instead, people are looking to take adult education classes that can help prepare them for a new career.
Next month, Timberlane Regional High School will offer a free job search seminar series for residents to learn resume writing, interviewing skills and how to search for a job.
Enrollment in the adult education program has dropped 30 percent from last year, which Assistant Principal Robert Dawson said can be attributed to the economy.
"I'm just seeing fewer people right now who are looking to spend money," Dawson said.
The hardest hit programs have been aromatherapy, Reiki and oil painting. Last year, those classes had about 20 students each, but this year, Dawson said, some classes have been canceled because of a severe drop in enrollment. An average class costs between $20 and $30.
But what has remained consistent is the demand for computer classes and other skill-oriented programs that people can put on their resume when looking for a job.
Next semester, Dawson said, the school plans to offer its first Microsoft Office class.
"It's the number one thing people ask for when they call," he said.
A similar class at a community college costs more than $1,000, but Dawson said he knows the school can offer it for a fraction of the price.
A job search seminar series, which will be held on Dec. 7, 9, 14 and 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 each evening, is exactly the type of class people are looking for, Dawson said.
The class will be led by Susan Henry, who has more than 30 years' experience in the corporate world and a master's degree in career counseling.
Residents of Atkinson, Danville, Plaistow and Sandown can register for one of the 20 spots for free until Dec. 4. After that date, residents from other communities will be accepted until Dec. 10 for an optional $10 donation.
If all goes well, Dawson said, this is the type of class residents can expect regularly.
"I want to be oversold, so I can do it again," he said.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!
This was George Washington's Thanksgiving Day Address;
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Rockingham Co. sheriff resigns to avoid criminal prosecution!
From the Eagle Tribune;
Rockingham Co. sheriff resigns
Jo-Anne MacKenzie
jmackenzie@eagletribune.com
Rockingham County Sheriff Dan Linehan and Maj. Mark Peirce have agreed to resign their posts in order to avoid criminal prosecution, according to Attorney General Michael Delaney.
Linehan and Peirce were investigated by the Attorney General's Office. The investigation revealed that an annulled arrest record of David Lovejoy, Linehan's opponent in the last year's election, was released to two reporters.
Delaney said Peirce or someone in his office provided that information to reporters and it was Linehan's intent that the information be revealed. Reports were subsequently published about a 1989 case involving Lovejoy that was annulled.
It is a misdemeanor to disclose an annulled arrest or conviction record.
In a prepared statement, Delaney said he reached "a negotiated disposition with Linehan and Peirce regarding their unlawful conduct." If the two resigned immediately, Delaney agreed not to bring criminal charges against them.
Both men relinquished their New Hampshire police certification and Linehan agreed not to seek employment as a law enforcement officer in the state again.
"This type of criminal behavior will not be condoned, especially by those members of society who are sworn to uphold the law.’While I am confident that misdemeanor convictions would have been obtained, today's agreement ensures that Mr. Linehan and Mr. Peirce will immediately be removed from the highest levels of Rockingham County law enforcement and they will never again serve as members of New Hampshire's law enforcement community," Delaney said. "I believe that this agreement is an appropriate disposition of this case."
Rockingham Co. sheriff resigns
Jo-Anne MacKenzie
jmackenzie@eagletribune.com
Rockingham County Sheriff Dan Linehan and Maj. Mark Peirce have agreed to resign their posts in order to avoid criminal prosecution, according to Attorney General Michael Delaney.
Linehan and Peirce were investigated by the Attorney General's Office. The investigation revealed that an annulled arrest record of David Lovejoy, Linehan's opponent in the last year's election, was released to two reporters.
Delaney said Peirce or someone in his office provided that information to reporters and it was Linehan's intent that the information be revealed. Reports were subsequently published about a 1989 case involving Lovejoy that was annulled.
It is a misdemeanor to disclose an annulled arrest or conviction record.
In a prepared statement, Delaney said he reached "a negotiated disposition with Linehan and Peirce regarding their unlawful conduct." If the two resigned immediately, Delaney agreed not to bring criminal charges against them.
Both men relinquished their New Hampshire police certification and Linehan agreed not to seek employment as a law enforcement officer in the state again.
"This type of criminal behavior will not be condoned, especially by those members of society who are sworn to uphold the law.’While I am confident that misdemeanor convictions would have been obtained, today's agreement ensures that Mr. Linehan and Mr. Peirce will immediately be removed from the highest levels of Rockingham County law enforcement and they will never again serve as members of New Hampshire's law enforcement community," Delaney said. "I believe that this agreement is an appropriate disposition of this case."
Monday, November 23, 2009
Towns, Schools face crippling State Retirement contributions
From the Eagle Tribune;
Towns, schools to face pension increases
By Doug Ireland
direland@eagletribune.com
Town and school officials in Southern New Hampshire can only hope the economy continues to improve since in a year and a half, they could face what one local leader calls "crippling" budget hikes.
That's because the latest rate increases proposed by the state Retirement System call for employer pension contributions of up to 31 percent for police officers and 30.3 percent for teachers starting July 1, 2011.
For firefighters, the increase would be 25.1 percent and 21 percent for other municipal employees. Meanwhile, the rate for state employees only rises 11.4 percent.
"That's quite a crippling blow, quite frankly," said Derry Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse, noting taxpayers in his town will have to dig down for an additional $540,000 if the rate increases for police, firefighters and other workers are approved by system trustees in September.
And the more than $500,000 won't even cover the pension contributions required for Derry's teachers since town government and the school district operate independently from each other, Stenhouse said.
"The money still comes from the same poor people's pockets," he said of taxpayers. "It just tells me there is something dramatically and drastically wrong with the state pension system."
When the current rates were approved, the town was forced up to come up with an additional $200,000, Stenhouse said. Now, the projected increase is close to triple that amount.
Stenhouse blames the rate hikes on what he calls the Retirement System's "overly optimistic" projections.
The system's increases, he said, have taken a toll on communities and school districts over the years, forcing taxpayers to pony up more money with no one being held accountable.
He compares the situation to the dilemma some towns face when they do not budget enough money for winter road maintenance and then run out of money for snowplowing and salting long before the last snowflake has melted.
At that point, a lot of finger-pointing takes place and the weather is blamed for causing too many snowstorms. However, proper planning would have avoided such problems, he said.
"It didn't snow any less in Derry than anywhere else," Stenhouse added.
Towns, schools to face pension increases
By Doug Ireland
direland@eagletribune.com
Town and school officials in Southern New Hampshire can only hope the economy continues to improve since in a year and a half, they could face what one local leader calls "crippling" budget hikes.
That's because the latest rate increases proposed by the state Retirement System call for employer pension contributions of up to 31 percent for police officers and 30.3 percent for teachers starting July 1, 2011.
For firefighters, the increase would be 25.1 percent and 21 percent for other municipal employees. Meanwhile, the rate for state employees only rises 11.4 percent.
"That's quite a crippling blow, quite frankly," said Derry Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse, noting taxpayers in his town will have to dig down for an additional $540,000 if the rate increases for police, firefighters and other workers are approved by system trustees in September.
And the more than $500,000 won't even cover the pension contributions required for Derry's teachers since town government and the school district operate independently from each other, Stenhouse said.
"The money still comes from the same poor people's pockets," he said of taxpayers. "It just tells me there is something dramatically and drastically wrong with the state pension system."
When the current rates were approved, the town was forced up to come up with an additional $200,000, Stenhouse said. Now, the projected increase is close to triple that amount.
Stenhouse blames the rate hikes on what he calls the Retirement System's "overly optimistic" projections.
The system's increases, he said, have taken a toll on communities and school districts over the years, forcing taxpayers to pony up more money with no one being held accountable.
He compares the situation to the dilemma some towns face when they do not budget enough money for winter road maintenance and then run out of money for snowplowing and salting long before the last snowflake has melted.
At that point, a lot of finger-pointing takes place and the weather is blamed for causing too many snowstorms. However, proper planning would have avoided such problems, he said.
"It didn't snow any less in Derry than anywhere else," Stenhouse added.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Former Atkinson Police Capt. Succumbs to Cancer
From the Eagle Tribune;
Windham police captain dies from cancer
By Terry Date
tdate@eagletribune.com
WINDHAM — A police captain who valiantly battled cancer for years died Wednesday.
Patrick D. "Rick" Yatsevich, 46, of East Hampstead was mourned yesterday by fellow officers and others.
"He fought a long and hard battle against cancer," Sgt. Carl Wagner said. "We feel terrible for the family."
Yatsevich leaves his wife, Kerri, and their three children, Kimberly, Jared and Jordan.
Sgt. Glenn Record said Yatsevich was a family man, who was religious and very professional.
"He was a family first guy," Record said.
He said his favorite memory of Yatsevich was the fine benediction he gave at the retirement of police Chief Bruce Moeckel in 2005.
Yatsevich left work in May 2008 on disability. Town employees donated six months of earned time to bring Yatsevich's income to its former level.
He was named Windham's Employee of the Year in February 2008.
Yatsevich started his law enforcement career in Claremont in 1981 as a dispatcher, and later became a patrol officer and captain with that department.
He also worked a year in Atkinson as a police prosecutor and captain in 1998-1999.
Atkinson police Chief Phil Consentino said yesterday he was saddened to hear of Yatsevich's death.
"He was a good man," Consentino said.
Yatsevich joined the Windham police force in 1999.
In 2000, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was surgically removed.
In June 2006, a cancerous tumor was found on his spine. The multiple myeloma cancer put him out of work for a year. His cancer went into near complete remission and he returned to work in June 2007.
Bruce Breton, vice chairman of the Windham Board of Selectmen, said he became close to Yatsevich during the time he was out of work. Breton had suffered a heart attack around the same time.
The two would talk. Often the topic was police service; the subjects ranged from traffic flow to Tasers.
Breton said Yatsevich carried himself as a professional.
"When you walked into his office, you could tell he was a career police officer," Breton said.
In early 2008, blood tests revealed that his cancer had returned. He underwent chemotherapy.
Yatsevich died at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill.
Relatives and friends may call today from 2 to 6 p.m. at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow at St. Matthew's Church, Main Street, Sandown. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Hampstead. Friends and family will gather after the service at Sandown Town Hall.
Windham police captain dies from cancer
By Terry Date
tdate@eagletribune.com
WINDHAM — A police captain who valiantly battled cancer for years died Wednesday.
Patrick D. "Rick" Yatsevich, 46, of East Hampstead was mourned yesterday by fellow officers and others.
"He fought a long and hard battle against cancer," Sgt. Carl Wagner said. "We feel terrible for the family."
Yatsevich leaves his wife, Kerri, and their three children, Kimberly, Jared and Jordan.
Sgt. Glenn Record said Yatsevich was a family man, who was religious and very professional.
"He was a family first guy," Record said.
He said his favorite memory of Yatsevich was the fine benediction he gave at the retirement of police Chief Bruce Moeckel in 2005.
Yatsevich left work in May 2008 on disability. Town employees donated six months of earned time to bring Yatsevich's income to its former level.
He was named Windham's Employee of the Year in February 2008.
Yatsevich started his law enforcement career in Claremont in 1981 as a dispatcher, and later became a patrol officer and captain with that department.
He also worked a year in Atkinson as a police prosecutor and captain in 1998-1999.
Atkinson police Chief Phil Consentino said yesterday he was saddened to hear of Yatsevich's death.
"He was a good man," Consentino said.
Yatsevich joined the Windham police force in 1999.
In 2000, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was surgically removed.
In June 2006, a cancerous tumor was found on his spine. The multiple myeloma cancer put him out of work for a year. His cancer went into near complete remission and he returned to work in June 2007.
Bruce Breton, vice chairman of the Windham Board of Selectmen, said he became close to Yatsevich during the time he was out of work. Breton had suffered a heart attack around the same time.
The two would talk. Often the topic was police service; the subjects ranged from traffic flow to Tasers.
Breton said Yatsevich carried himself as a professional.
"When you walked into his office, you could tell he was a career police officer," Breton said.
In early 2008, blood tests revealed that his cancer had returned. He underwent chemotherapy.
Yatsevich died at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill.
Relatives and friends may call today from 2 to 6 p.m. at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow at St. Matthew's Church, Main Street, Sandown. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Hampstead. Friends and family will gather after the service at Sandown Town Hall.
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