Those Celebrating Birthdays are: March 6, Eric Tiede; March 8, Tim
Pethic; March 9, Crystal Blodgett, Stan Bailey; March 11, Evan Ward;
March 12, Brett Tiede.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and All!
Play Ball!
Pittsfield Youth Sports would like to announce softball and baseball
signups for girls and boys aged 4-18. Signups will be held in the
Pittsfield Community Center on Tuesday, March 5, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00
p.m., Saturday, March 9, 9:00 am – 2:00 p.m., and Thursday, March
14, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. If your child is new to the program,
please bring a copy of his/her birth certificate to signups. If you
have questions, please contact Glenn Amnott at 435-7905.
REMINDER
The community of Pittsfield at large, and the patrons of Josiah
Carpenter Library in particular, are invited to honor Ruth
Strickhart, at her Retirement Party, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on
Thursday, March 7th at the Josiah Carpenter Library.
School Lunch Menus
March 11 - March 15, 2013
PES
Monday
There’s A Wocket In My Pocket
Ham and cheese pita pocket, lettuce, tomato and pickle, sweet potato
chips, pears
Tuesday
One Fish, Two Fish
Fish sticks, dinner roll, french fries with ketchup, corn, blueberry
cup
Wednesday
The Shape Of Me And Other Stuff
Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread squares, green beans, orange
wedges
Thursday
Ten Apples Up On Top
BBQ chicken, apple stuffing, mashed potatoes, apple crisp
Friday
Fresh Picks Pizza
French bread cheese pizza or chef’s topping, broccoli tops, baby
carrots, fresh fruit
PMHS
Monday
Protein Packed
Ham and swiss melt, lettuce, tomato and pickle, potato salad, pears
Tuesday
Lunchtime Classic
Sloppy Joe, french fries, baked beans, blueberry cup
Wednesday
Fiber Superstar!
Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread squares, green beans, orange
wedges
Thursday
Apple Fest
BBQ chicken, apple stuffing, mashed potatoes, apple crisp
Friday
Vitamin A Champion
Garden salad with chicken, pita bread, sweet potato fries, pears
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Voters:
On March 12 you will receive a ballot that has 3 articles on which
to decide yes or no.
Once again the Board of Selectmen want you to give up your right to
vote for people running for the Planning Board. They want to have
the authority to appoint members of the Planning Board. This is a
bad idea. The Planning Board is a separate, totally independent
governing body. How can it remain that way if one board appoints
another? Please vote No to this!
Another article proposes to totally eliminate zoning in Pittsfield.
To do so means that many undesirable businesses are free to setup
next to your property, thereby reducing your property value and your
enjoyment of it. Again, please vote No.
Finally, there is an article that proposes to define “frontage” on
class V or better roads (maintained by state or town). This is the
exact article proposed by the Planning Board last year. If you have
been staying informed about the Planning Board’s dealing with
AHG/Stagecoach subdivision (on a non-maintained road) you know the
nightmare it has become. This type of subdivision is premature,
ill-advised and scattered. Voting for this frontage article helps
ensure that these subdivisions don’t happen. In addition, major
subdivisions on non-maintained roads endanger police, fire and
rescue, EMS personnel and the town’s equipment. Last year, the
ballot was so confusing that dozens of voters didn’t even bother to
vote on any articles.
This ballot is simplified and you’ll know what you are voting for.
Please help stop scattered, premature subdivisions on non-maintained
roads by voting Yes to this frontage definition.
Sincerely,
Ted Mitchell
Maundy Thursday And Easter Services Offered At
The First Congregational Church
The First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield will
hold a Maundy Thursday worship service including Holy Communion,
commemorating the “Last Supper” of Jesus, Thursday, March 28 at 7
p.m. Special music will be provided by the Chancel Choir and the
JuBellation Handbell Choir.
Easter Sunday, March 31, at 7 a.m. the long-established Sunrise
Service will be held in the Sanctuary with breakfast immediately
following in the Vestry. The traditional Easter worship service will
commence at 10:30 a.m. with music by the Chancel Choir and
JuBellation. Come and worship and join us for breakfast!
Everyone is warmly welcomed at these services as well as throughout
the year. Sunday worship services are at 10:30 a.m. with adult
Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. and children’s Sunday School at 10:20
a.m.
For more information, call the church office at:
435-7471 and speak with Rev. David Stasiak, pastor, or refer to the
church’s website:
www.pittsfieldcc.com.
Letter To The Editor
The Pittsfield Food Pantry is proud to announce that it is
participating in the Feinstein Foundation One Million Dollar Give
Away. Pantries throughout the U.S. will participate.
During the months of March and April all monetary and food items
donated to the pantry are counted and recorded by the Foundation.
Last year we received a grant of $250. I hope we can exceed that
this year.
We thank you in advance for your participation in this endeavour.
Sincerely,
Ruth Strickhart
Letter
Dear Pittsfield residents:
The requirement of Class V frontage in town subdivision rules is
good town planning that shows foresight and benefits all the town’s
taxpayers. Economically, it shows foresight because it is a way to
ensure that public works, fire departments, police departments, and
school buses do not ultimately have to respond to emergencies or
other needs on Class VI roads that may not be properly maintained.
Pittsfield’s fire chief testified at a December 15, 2011 PB meeting
that all fire/medical emergencies required their response, no
choice. If the road is not maintained, damage may be done to
vehicles, and the response time is severely hampered. Any unplanned
cost related to such emergency response is borne by all Pittsfield
taxpayers.
Our Planning Board has a responsibility to plan in the interest of
all the taxpayers in the town. They must plan with respect to future
financial/capital reserve needs of the public works/fire/police of
the town because our taxes pay these costs. It is poor planning to
allow growth that presents unplanned costs to the town in this way.
Instead, the cost of properly developing a subdivision with at least
Class V standards should always be borne by the developer of the
property.
Amendment #3 requires that subdivisions have frontage on Class V
roads or better. By voting “yes” to this amendment, we vote for the
possibility that foresight and good planning may keep taxes as low
as possible.
Planning Board members Clayton Wood and Ted Mitchell, have shown
they have this foresight and we should re-elect them both.
Susan Willoughby
Letter
We ask you to join us in voting for Jim Pritchard for Planning
Board. Jim has demonstrated that he truly cares about how the Board
operates, and he is probably the most knowledgeable member of the
Board when it comes to the rules and regulations that govern the
Planning Board. Jim deserves to continue serving Pittsfield in this
capacity. He does a wonderful job taking the minutes, and if you
are unable to attend meetings, all you have to do is read his
minutes and you know exactly what individuals are requesting and how
the Board comes to their decisions.
Jim believes in treating everyone fairly and spends many hours
researching issues that come before the Board. After many years of
turmoil on the Planning Board, it is wonderful to finally see the
Board working together, listening to residents who come before them,
and finding common ground in their decision-making. Please vote for
Jim on March 12th.
Paul and Carole Richardson
TOPS News
Submitted By Terrie Azotea
This past week at TOPS we talked about our upcoming events going on.
Officer of the week was Laurel, Miss Angel is Irene. Best Loser was
Janis and KOPS of the week was Barbara. I say Kudos to everyone and
for the runners up good job! Keep up the good work.
At our meeting we spoke about foods that are better together; food
pairings for a nutritional powerhouse. Some of them were spinach and
oranges together, and tomato and broccoli, whole grains and yummy
garlic and onion. Some interesting recipes went along with them that
I think I am going to try this week. It’s always nice to learn new
foods that go well together.
Well, I hope that everyone has had enough of this snow. I am looking
out my window thinking is it ever going to end. I tried to take a
walk today, but the roads were so slippery that I decided to stay
in. On days like this when we can’t get outside, we should walk the
stairs a few extra times or put in a DVD of exercise. My favorite
thing to do is turn on the radio and just dance around the house and
sing. It sure is a good stress relief and before you know it, you
got your exercise in for the day plus you’re thirsty from dancing so
you get your water intake. Give it a try and smile, we are never to
old for dancing.
Well, if anyone is interested in joining us on a Tuesday night, we
meet at the St. Stephen’s Church on Main Street in Pittsfield at
5:30 for weigh in and at 6:30 for our meeting. Any questions, please
call Laurel Tiede at 269-8721 or Pat Smith at 435-5333.
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the
things we can think up if only we try!”
Hope everyone has a good week and see you all lighter next week!
Letter
I strongly urge voters to vote Yes on ballot article 3, a road
frontage definition in the Pittsfield’s zoning regulations. Until
2003, the Planning Board excluded unmaintained roads from
subdivision. The board then reversed this policy because our zoning
ordinance had no “frontage” definition.
The Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) has advised the
Planning Board to define “frontage” as frontage on any town or
state-maintained road, whether dirt or paved, but the Planning Board
of that time ignored them. Ballot Article 3 heeds the CNHRPC
recommendation.
Unmaintained roads have historically been excluded based on NH law.
NH law does not obligate towns to allow subdivisions on unmaintained
roads, for good reason. Such developments create a potential
liability for taxpayers who must provide emergency services to the
subdivisions and who will eventually be stuck paying to upgrade
these roads as development occurs. Ballot Article 3 doesn’t negate
any rights for development on preexisting lots; it simply does not
guarantee new rights.
Pittsfield has a track record of “sleeping” on important issues
until it’s too late, resulting in substantial long term costs to the
taxpayers. Last year this proposal lost by 2 votes. Let’s pass it
this year before we the “tax payers” become “road builders.” The
Stagecoach Station development that the Planning Board is struggling
with this year is a potential example. Please vote Yes on Ballot
Article 3.
Jim Pritchard is running for reelection to the Planning Board. For
the past two years as Board secretary he has been quietly but
consistently saving taxpayer money and working for Pittsfield’s
better planning. Please return him to the board.
Daren Nielsen
Pittsfield NH
Letter
Good Planning And Zoning Benefit Everyone, Even The Naysayers.
No one wants to see a detrimental use be allowed next to them that
would cause a loss in their property value. Good zoning is about
being fair and square with your neighbors and fellow citizens.
Just to remind everyone, the root of our high taxes is the
disproportionate amount of apartments we have in relation to single
family homes. This all came about before we had zoning and we would
be worse off if zoning had not been approved, voted in and
supported by the citizens of Pittsfield. Good planning and zoning,
less apartments, smart economic development and our improving
schools are Pittsfield’s’ path to a better tax base and lower
property taxes.
For this reason, I ask you to support and vote for Jim Pritchard
for the Planning Board. In his position on the Planning Board, he
has been a diligent worker and an asset. I do not always agree with
Jim, but he takes his oath as a Planning Board member seriously and
has the best interests of Pittsfield at heart.
I also ask you to vote Yes for Article 3, as this will guarantee
that building cannot take place willy-nilly on Class VI roads and
wind up favoring developers at the expense of the ordinary hard
working citizen of Pittsfield.
Submitted by,
Helen Schoppmeyer
Victory Workers 4-H Club create snow sculptures at Josiah Carpenter
Library Tuesday, February 26, 2013. (Courtesy photo by Eleanor
Joyce)
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Voters:
Please vote No for Ballot Article 2. Ballot Article 2 would repeal
zoning. There are some in town who believe a land owner has the
right to do anything they want with their land whether or not it
will de-value the land of their neighbor. At one Planning Board
meeting, I heard one proponent state that if he wants to have a hog
farm or a junk yard on his property it is his right to do so.
Respect the rights of all landowners by supporting our zoning
ordinance.
Please vote Yes for Ballot Article 3. Ballot Article 3 would define
the frontage required subdivision, but not for building on an
existing lot, as frontage on any dirt or paved road that the town or
state maintains. Put an end to the ambiguity in the law that
allowed a major (12-lot) subdivision on a Class VI Road that will
require substantial expense to the Town to subsidize a private
developer. Don’t let it happen again.
Please vote No for Ballot Article 4. Democracy is always better
served when regulatory boards can operate free from political
pressure. Don’t let Pittsfield’s Select Board pack the Planning
Board with cronies. Vote for an independently elected Planning
Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Lambert
Letter
A Vote for Jim!
I’m writing to ask you to join me in re-electing Jim Pritchard as
Planning Board member. Jim is a conscientious man, always striving
to be fair and do the best for the citizens of Pittsfield. He keeps
abreast of current laws and regulations, saving taxpayers the
unnecessary cost of litigation.
Please vote for reason – Vote for Jim!
Thank you,
Paula Belliveau
Coming Soon To A Theatre Near You!
The Pittsfield Players present Ken Ludwig’s Musical Farce, “Lend Me
A Tenor” at the Scenic Theatre in downtown Pittsfield.
This Tony Award winning comedy enjoyed a revival on Broadway last
year with Tony Shaloub and Anthony LaPaglia and will be at the
Scenic Theatre on Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6 at 7:30 pm;
Sunday, April 7 at 2:00 pm and the following weekend on Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday, April 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30 pm.
You enjoyed Ludwig’s humor in “Moon Over Buffalo” and his “Leading
Ladies” made a romp around the state last summer to extremely
receptive audiences; so if you’re here for the laughs, Ludwig is the
guy you want.
Mo Demers returns to the Pittsfield Players director’s chair to
guide some superb actors in this Pittsfield debut of “Lend Me a
Tenor.” Demers is known for her direction of “Tea And Sympathy” and
The Players’ revival of “You Can’t Take It With You,” among many,
other shows here and across New Hampshire, showing her range in both
comedy and drama. As an actress, director and producer Demers is
familiar with the attention to detail it takes in bringing a farce
to life.
“Lend Me A Tenor is set in September 1934. Saunders, the general
manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome
world famous, Tito Morelli, Il Stupendo, the greatest tenor of his
generation, to appear for one night only as Otello. The star arrives
late and, through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double
dose of tranquilizers and passes out. In a frantic attempt to
salvage the evening, Saunders persuades Max to get into Morelli’s
Otello costume and fool the audience into thinking he’s Il Stupendo.
Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to and gets into his other
costume ready to perform. Now two Otellos are running around in
costume and two women are running around, each thinking she is with
Il Stupendo.” (Samuel French).
Tickets will soon be available online at
www.pittsfieldplayers.com.
Put us on your calendar!
Letter
Reelect Jim Pritchard To The Planning Board On March 12th
I am supporting Jim Prichard for the single Planning Board position
that is on the ballot this year. I’ve had the honor of serving on
the Planning Board for the last 4 years. During this time, Jim has
always been the most prepared, always scrutinizing the process and
law and making every effort to be fair and helpful to the developer,
abutters, taxpayers and town. For the last two years, he was elected
by PB members as Secretary, agreeing to take the minutes and saving
the town thousands of dollars. As Secretary, he has also been very
helpful in writing and researching all drafts of decisions and
letters from the Board.
If you have followed any of the activities of the Planning Board, it
is clear that this current year is a critical time. The board has
faced many problems that were created by previous Planning Boards.
By the way, these ‘previous’ Planning Boards were not elected by
voters, they were appointed by the Selectmen (a problem in itself).
Jim’s commitment to the town has been constantly reconfirmed by his
willingness to do the hard work researching these problems. For
example, regarding the Bailey Park subdivision (approved in 2006)
Jim prepared a 100+ page document covering all recorded aspects of
the approval to help facilitate the board. This level of commitment
is unduplicated on the board.
For these reasons I am supporting Jim for the Planning Board
position to continue to work and bring about the much needed change
to the board during this critical transition. Please vote on March
12th for Jim Prichard for Planning Board.
A sample ballot can be accessed on the town’s website
www.pittsfield-nh.com.
God Bless our Country
Clayton Wood
Letter
Property Owners in Pittsfield:
Earlier this month the Planning Board voted to recommend Ballot
Article #3 - relating to road frontage requirements for changes in
land use such as subdivision. I did not attend that meeting and I do
not support the Article.
This ballot item is the same old wheezer that Jim Pritchard and his
group of do-gooders have been trying to shove up our noses for the
past five years. This time they have cleverly written the short
summary that appears on the ballot so that it leaves out important
stuff like what happens to people who own land on Class VI roads.
Only people who have time to go to Town Hall and ask the right
questions will find out exactly what this article will do to them.
Fact is that if this article passes, people who have paid taxes on
their land for years will no longer be able to ask the Planning
Board to let them subdivide it. Many owners have long range plans
for their property and this change will deny them the right to
complete their plans.
People here have paid their taxes on land, in anticipation of what
they hope to do in retirement or to assist their families. Their
right to divide lots has long existed and the taxes they have paid
have not been decided by what class of road they are on. Class VI
road land pays full whack at tax time. I know because I pay!
But if Article #3 passes, the value that owners have invested in
their land will be taken away. And it will be an unpaid taking.
Pittsfield should not do this to its people.
Never mind that it only applies on Class VI roads now. What next?
Vote No on Article #3.
Bill Miskoe
NH’s One-Room Rural Schools: The Romance And The Reality
Steve Taylor
The Pittsfield Area Senior Center has received a grant from the New
Hampshire Humanities Council to present New Hampshire’s One Room
Schools: The Romance and Reality. The presentation of One Room
Schools will take place in the Pittsfield Community Center’s
function room at 1:00 pm on March 20th.
Hundreds of one-room schools dotted the landscape of NH a century
ago and were the backbone of primary education for generations of
children. These schools were revered in literature and lore, but
were beset with problems, some of which are little changed in
today’s education environment. The greatest of these issues was the
method of financing the local school and the vast differences in
ability of taxing districts to support education. Other concerns
included teacher preparation and quality, curriculum, discipline,
student achievement and community involvement in the educational
process.
Steve Taylor will lead this public discussion about the lasting
legacies of the one-room school era and how they echo today. Mr.
Taylor is an independent scholar, farmer, and journalist. He also
served for 25 years as NH’s Commissioner of Agriculture. With his
sons, Taylor operates a dairy, maple syrup and cheese making
enterprise in Meriden Village. Mr. Taylor was the founding executive
director of the NH Humanities Council and is a lifelong student of
the state’s rural culture.
If you would like to have lunch before this lively presentation,
please make a reservation by March 13th by calling the Senior Center
at 435-8482.
Letter
Vote Yes On Warrant Article #15 At Town Meeting
Red Topped Tables
When the Josiah Carpenter Library developed the basement of the
library building into the Children’s Room, the Friends of the Josiah
Carpenter Library decided that one of the group’s yearly goals would
be the support and improvement of the Children’s Room. The members
of the Friends group understood the importance of a well equipped
Children’s Room for the children of Pittsfield.
With the generous public support of the Friend’s fund raising
efforts we were able to provide bookcases, red topped tables,
chairs, books and many other items for the new Children’s Room. We
appreciate the public support of our raffles, poinsettia sale and
book sales that made the purchase of these items for the Children’s
Room possible. Working with donations from the Rotary Club, the
Friends were able to promote reading to our youngest citizens and to
purchase books and more books for the Children’s Room.
Now the Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library are again asking for
your support of the Josiah Carpenter Library. We are asking you to
vote yes to Warrant Article #15 at the town meeting on March 16,
2013. We need to pass this warrant article so that the Children’s
Room can be opened for use by the children of Pittsfield.
The Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library
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