Familiar Face. Former Selectman Bratz Named - Interim Town Manager In Littleton. Page 4 - Townnews
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TOP NEWS
Fire Destroys
Jefferson Town Hall
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 Page 2
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Familiar Face. Former Selectman Bratz Named
Interim Town Manager In Littleton. Page 4
2 The Record Thursday, February 4, 2021
A firefighter works at the
scene of a fire at the Town
Hall building in Jefferson,
N.H., Monday, Feb. 1,
2021, in Jefferson, N.H.
No injuries were reported
and no one was at the
town hall at the time of
the fire.
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Prices Effective Fri. 2/5 — Thu. 2/11/2021
Jefferson Plans Recovery
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BY PAUL HAYES
Staff Writer
Less than 24 hours after a fire gutted town hall,
Nearly 150-Year-Old Town
Hall Destroyed By Fire
Uncooked • Meat Dept.
U
Fresh Chicken
F
pt.
pt
t
Hormel Jefferson began its rise from the ashes. JEFFERSON, N.H. (AP) — A fire de-
Trays
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During an emergency meeting Tuesday af- stroyed the nearly 150-year-old Town Hall
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ternoon, the Board of Selectmen appointed a
$ six-member committee to relocate and re-open the
town office.
building in Jefferson Monday night, and
town officers who were meeting remotely
stopped when they heard the news.
Lb The committee members (treasurer Terri Lar- “It is with a heavy heart I share that our
12 pks • Local
comb, assistant to the selectmen Linda Cushman, Jefferson Town Hall has burnt down last
Harpoon tax collector Mary Gross, library trustee Norman
5.5 oz Brewing Co. night,” Select Board member Cindy Silver
Beer Brown, and residents Joe Marshall and Wendy posted on Facebook. She said firefight-
Late July
$
12 99
Tortilla Chips Wells) will oversee all facets of the operation. ers were able to save the fire department,
4
That includes the salvage and storage of town
2/$ records, the seamless transition of municipal ser-
vices, and the move to new quarters at the Jeffer-
which is just feet away from the hall, and
the town office addition was still standing.
It wasn’t clear yet if any town records
13-17 oz • Local • Sel. Var.
son Community Building. were lost. There are town warrants and re-
12 oz • Local A
American The committee — which was authorized to ports going back to the 1800s.
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F spend up to $10,000 per week without approval, “We went through some of them this
Dips Pizza
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1 5
past year,” said Tom Brady, select board
$ 79 $ 99 went straight to work on Tuesday.
They met two hours after they formed.
chairperson. “It was a little fun to read the
expenditures for different things back in the
At its core, the committee is about small-town 1800s. So, it’s really sad if that was lost.”
residents coming together to solve a problem.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021 The Record 3
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4 The Record Thursday, February 4, 2021
Former Littleton Selectman Milton Bratz, seen here, center, in 2016 when he served on the board, was enlisted this
week to be interim town manager for Littleton for at least the next six weeks. (File photo by Paul Hayes)
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Littleton Selectmen Decide
On Interim Town Manager
hours a week for $40 an hour, which is less manager would be signing. We picked 20
BY ROBERT BLECHL
than what the town is paying a full-time hours. I’m not there to make major poli-
Staff Writer
manager on an hourly basis. cy decisions … We’re going to try to hold
Bratz is also the municipal zoning offi- as much as possible to the 20 hours. I am
LITTLETON — With the departure of
cer and health officer, but after consulting more than willing to do this for a short pe-
Town Manager Andrew Dorsett in two
with town legal counsel regarding munic- riod of time and willing to help them out.”
weeks, selectmen have brought on an in-
ipal laws and policies, he will not be serv- On Friday, Bratz meets with Dorsett for
terim manager to give them more time to
ing in those roles while serving as interim several hours to get up to speed on all of
find the best permanent fit.
town manager. the current town manager projects.
He’s a familiar face.
During Bratz’s duration as interim, both He will be meeting with Gendreau and
Enlisted for the temporary job is Milton
the zoning officer and health officer posi- Chad Stearns, vice-chairman of the Board
Bratz, a former selectman, from 2012 and
tions will be filled by Joanna Ray, Little- of Selectmen, once a week at the minimum
2018, who is familiar with the workings of
ton’s planning and zoning administrator and will meet with town department heads
the town and was involved in the hiring of
who has been deputy health officer for once a week or less, said Gendreau.
Dorsett in 2015.
several years. In the event it takes longer than antici-
“He’s a two-term selectman, people
“We want people to understand I am not pated to find a permanent manager, Bratz
trust him and like him, and he has a big
double-dipping,” said Bratz. “They are not told selectmen they should budget the in-
HR [human resources] background,” Car-
paying me in any one of those positions.” terim position through May 15.
rie Gendreau, chair of the Board of Select-
Ray is paid an amount to be deputy “We don’t think it will be long to find a
men, said Tuesday evening. “We just feel
health officer, and that will continue, and town manager, but that person might have
he’s a really good fit and are very pleased
she will receive the stipend Bratz received to give a 30-day or 60-day notice,” said
he accepted.”
for being the zoning officer during the Gendreau. “He is flexible and willing to
On Tuesday afternoon, Bratz met with
weeks he is interim town manager. work with us and on what we need.”
Dorsett and Gendreau to review the job
Bratz described the job he will be doing Dorsett has done a great job preparing
description and contract.
as a temporary manager, a role in which he the full list of projects, she said.
His first day is Monday.
will take over what Dorsett has been do- Likely in the next three or four weeks,
“They the way contract reads, it’s going
ing, separate of any new projects. interviews of permanent candidates will
to run for six weeks or until a new town
“Theoretically, this will be four hours a begin after the search committee winnows
manager is hired,” he said. “I told them
day, mornings or afternoons, and clearly down the candidate pool, said Bratz.
I think it would be more than six weeks.
on days when the select board is meeting,” After more than five years as Littleton’s
They haven’t completed their list of people
he said. “I’ll be meeting with department town manager, Dorsett is departing to be-
they want to interview … I figure it will be
heads and representing projects currently come the next administrator of Grafton
www.northcountryhealth.org closer to ten weeks or 12 weeks.”
in process and signing checks the town County, in North Haverhill.
Under the contract, Bratz will work 20
Thursday, February 4, 2021 The Record 5
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6 The Record Thursday, February 4, 2021
News Briefs
Littleton Welcomes New Ski and Sports, from June 2015 to June 2019. a new playground, a gazebo, tennis courts, and precinct owns the pool but the Town of Haver-
Before that, she was a special education the community pool. hill pays all maintenance, management and op-
Parks And Rec Director teacher for two years at James Nikki Rowe LPR also offers youth camp programs, child- erations costs.
High School in McAllen, Texas. care programs, adult softball, and in-house bas- The pool operates at a net loss of $35,000 to
LITTLETON — The town has hired a new Walsh, who has a bachelor’s degree in sports ketball. $40,000 per year, according to town records.
parks and recreation director, whose overarch- management from Rutgers University and a Walsh is joining the parks department at a Meanwhile, the pool is a cornerstone of the
ing goal is to build on the community’s recre- master’s degree in recreational therapy from time when town meeting voters will be asked Haverhill Parks and Recreation program.
ation programs to provide a greater inclusive- Indiana University, was also chosen as a rising to raise through a warrant article $200,000 for It hosts the town’s HARP summer camp, se-
ness for those of all ages and abilities. star in Vermont Business Magazine and was a a new town pool, water activity area, and new nior Aqua Aerobics classes, and American Red
Kelly Walsh, of Lyndonville, who has served presenter for two consecutive years at the Na- pump house at Remich Park to replace the ex- Cross certified swim lessons. It also welcomes
as the athletic and activities director for the tional Outdoor Recreation Conference. isting aging pool that is about half a century resident and non-resident recreational swim-
Kingdom East School District since July 2019, “She brings extreme passion and extensive old. mers from across the region.
steps into the job in Littleton on Monday, Feb. knowledge in sports and recreation and looks She will be joining, too, the effort to make Sherri Sargent, the town’s parks and recre-
8. forward to establishing programs that will $400,000 in park-wide renovations to Remich ation director, said her department is creating
“My background is adaptive sports and rec- serve everyone in the community,” Littleton Park (which includes the new $200,000 play- alternate summer camp programming, in the
reational therapy,” Walsh said Tuesday. “As Town Manager Andrew Dorsett said in a Fri- ground already installed) that will feature a event the pool is defunded.
athletic director, I was working primarily with day note to Littleton department heads. “In her new half-mile paved walkway around the park
the kids in the school district. This opportuni- position at the Kingdom East School District, that will be compliant with the Americans With
ty allows me to really broaden the population she created an athletic and recreation program Disabilities Act; a new snack shack at the ball
Outbreaks Winding Down
we serve and build parks and recreation around for students in K-8, with a focus on outdoor field that will include equipment storage space At Franconia, Lancaster
the community. I love that kind of work, pro- recreation and programs for people with dis- and restrooms; and drainage upgrades to the
grammed development and creating access for abilities.” playing fields.
Nursing Homes
everyone.” Walsh succeeds former LPR Director Chris The bulk of the money for the renovations COVID-19 outbreaks at Country Village
While the COVID-19 pandemic in the short Wilkins, who became the parks director in Feb- came from grants and donations. Center in Lancaster and Lafayette Center in
term makes programming a little complicat- ruary 2018 and departed in November 2020 to For the future, and with additional grant Franconia are winding down.
ed, she said she is excited to meet community become a police officer with the Littleton Po- money sought, town officials are eyeing a $3 The long-term care facilities on Feb. 1 had
members. lice Department. million-plus new recreation center building and eight active cases, down from 33 on Jan. 21.
“I’m really looking forward to connecting Littleton has a number of parks and recre- town hall community center at Remich Park. They represent the two largest outbreaks
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with the community and seeing what they feel ation facilities across town. Walsh, a New Jersey native, said she’s very in northernmost Grafton County during the
the needs are and then creating programs that Apthorp Commons, along Carleton Street, happy in the Northeast Kingdom and North 11-month pandemic.
include everyone,” said Walsh. features a soccer field. Country and couldn’t envision living else- Country Village Center has been the harder
That also includes focusing on outdoor rec- There is also the Brickyard Field along where. hit, with 12 deaths (four in the past week) and
reation and lifelong sports and opportunities Blackberry Lane, the Littleton Opera House’s “I had a great family dynamic, was fortunate, 67 infections (47 residents, 20 staff) since its
for a healthy community, she said. grand hall and tower room, Littleton Riverfront and the opportunities were endless,” she said. outbreak began on Dec. 3.
Walsh said she is excited to work in a town Park, the Norton Pike Fields along Highland “I wanted to be physically active and so I’ve CVC currently has six active cases (four res-
whose parks department has much community Avenue that features a soccer field and softball been helping to create that in this region of the idents, two staff).
support. field, and the community’s largest recreation country and in our area. It’s so important to Lafayette Center has reported one death and
Prior to joining Kingdom East, Walsh was area, Remich Park, along Pleasant Street. have lots of opportunities to keep kids healthy 18 positive cases (12 residents, 6 staff) since its
the program coordinator for Vermont Adaptive Remich Park features large and small fields, and safe.” outbreak began in early January.
Goals as new LPR director include expand- They have two active cases (both residents).
ing programs for all ages and having programs There were 32 active COVID-19 outbreaks
for those kids who aren’t yet in school, as well in New Hampshire as of Jan. 26.
as for retired residents who are home during the In New Hampshire, long-term care facilities
day. remain in outbreak status until they go 14 days
“It’s always good to have some fun things without a positive test.
going on and to keep the whole community ac- Aiding those efforts, vaccinations have be-
tive and engaged,” said Walsh. gun at Country Village (Jan. 19) and Lafayette
The LPR director position carries a starting (Jan. 15) in partnership with CVS pharmacy.
salary of $67,500. The number of staff and residents opting into
vaccination remains unclear, according to a
Budget Committee Genesis HealthCare spokesperson.
“Some staff members in particular are wait-
Recommends Pool Closure ing until clinic number two as they wanted to
see how their peers responded to the vaccine in
HAVERHILL — Local swimmers could be round one. We are striving to get as many peo-
A CLEAR ALTERNATIVE FOR TEENS! left high and dry. ple vaccinated as quickly as possible at each
Did you know that we can treat teenage patients with Invisalign clear aligners, The Advisory Budget Committee last month clinic,” the spokesperson said.
which can be used for simple to complex cases? Your lifestyle isn't interrupted, recommended closing the A.P. Hill Community
meaning you still can enjoy the activities you love and the foods you can't live Pool for the upcoming summer season.
without, while shaping your awesome new smile more gently. The move would save the town approximate- See News Briefs, Page 7
STRAIGHT TEETH ARE WITHIN REACH. ly $43,000.
Call Dr. Alan Kennell today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Under the budget committee’s plan, the pool
would be funded at $1,000 for minor mainte- ON THE COVER: firefighter works at the
Schedule a Free Consultation Today! nance costs, in anticipation of its re-opening at scene of a fire at the Town Hall build-
KENNELL Dr. Alan F. Kennell
a later date. ing in Jefferson, N.H., Monday, Feb.
The Board of Selectmen will take up the rec- 1, 2021, in Jefferson, N.H. No injuries
The Clear Alternative to Braces
ommendation during their budget hearing at 6 were reported and no one was at the
p.m. Monday.
Through a 2012 agreement, the Woodsville
town hall at the time of the fire.
KennellOrtho.com | 524-7404 Laconia | 536-7404 Plymouth | 444-7403 Littleton
Thursday, February 4, 2021 The Record 7
News Briefs bail conditions, but because she was found to be a danger to the
public, said Hornick.
fice contacted Plymouth police after receiving a package from
Woodham.
Continued from Page 6 Search warrants detailed that bottle devices were found in the He told police he had no idea why a person by that name
engine compartments of the couple’s vehicles, and there is also would be sending him a package, said Hornick.
All Charges Dismissed For Woman evidence that Woodham entered their home while they were at The package, taken outside because of safety concerns, had
Littleton District Court seeking a restraining order against her, in it what appeared be an object like soap from the jail, said
Accused Of Bomb Threat, Stalking said Hornick. Hornick.
None of the devices in the vehicles or at the Littleton court- The object’s actual contents are being determined.
The woman accused of stalking a Franconia couple, planting house detonated. Also in the package was a written note to Ray requesting that
explosive devices in their cars and at a courthouse, and threat- On Jan. 5, 2021, an assistant from Attorney Brian Ray’s of-
ening to blow up Cannon Mountain has had all of her criminal See News Briefs, Page 10
charges dismissed after the state determined she is not mentally
competent to stand trial.
A state psychiatrist is now conducting an evaluation to deter-
mine if Grace Woodham, 31, of Conway, presents a danger to
herself and others.
If that determination of dangerousness is made, the matter
would move from a criminal case to a civil one and she could be
involuntarily committed to the state’s Secured Psychiatric Unit
(SPU) in Concord or within the state’s mental health system for
an undetermined period of time.
In a Jan. 12 order, Grafton Superior Court Judge Peter Born-
stein said Grafton County Attorney Marcie Hornick and Mark
Sisti, the defense attorney representing Woodham, “agreed on
the record that (1) clear and convincing evidence demonstrates
that there is no reasonable likelihood that the defendant can be
restored through appropriate treatment within 12 months and (2)
the Aug. 23, 2020, report of Eric Drogin, who performed a com-
petency and restorability evaluation of the defendant, supports
that finding.
“Based on those stipulations and Dr. Drogin’s report, the court
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determines that the defendant is not competent to stand trial and
there is no reasonable likelihood that she can be restored to com-
petency through appropriate treatment within 12 months,” he
wrote. “In accordance with RSA 135:17-a [the New Hampshire
statute on the state hospital, insane persons, and commitment to
hospitals], the indictments and complaints are dismissed without
prejudice.”
“At North Country Primary Care,
The dismissal without prejudice means the charges could be
re-filed in the future depending on a restoration to mental com-
petency.
it’s about putting the patients first!”
Woodham, who is held without bail on preventative detention,
currently remains in the Grafton County House of Corrections, — Gary Cassady —
where, except for a brief period last year when she was trans-
ferred to the SPU, she has been house since her last arrest in Gary Cassady (right) was looking for a primary care physician who would really listen to him. He found the perfect
June 2019. choice in Dr. Richard McKenzie (left), a board-certified Family Medicine physician with North Country Primary Care.
After months of alleged stalking, Woodham was arrested on “Dr. McKenzie makes you feel like you’re the only person on his mind when you talk to him,” says Gary, a retired
May 13, 2019, and charged with a felony criminal threatening Human Resources professional. “He gives you all the time that’s needed to answer your questions, and he really
with a deadly weapon (bio-substance) for the bomb threat made listened to my medical history.”
through the U.S. mail to Cannon Mountain, where one of the Recently, Gary was having trouble with his blood pressure. “It was all over the place,” Gary recalls. “I called to make
victims worked. an appointment with Dr. McKenzie and when he wasn’t immediately available, the office staff made it a priority to
Woodham was released that day with the conditions to not en- get me in to see another provider.”
ter Franconia or Littleton except for court hearings and to have
Gary was able to see Dr. Kylee Finn the very next day. Dr. Finn had recently joined North Country Primary Care
no contact with the two stalking victims, and to not come within as a Family Practice physician and is accepting new patients. “That’s what I call putting your patient’s needs first,”
100 feet of them through a restraining order. Gary says. “They knew my blood pressure was a concern to me and made the effort to make sure I saw a doctor
But on June 7, Woodham was arrested in the backyard of the as quickly as possible. They really care about their patients at North Country Primary Care. Both Dr. Finn and Dr.
couple’s residence carrying a bag that police said contained oxy- McKenzie are wonderful!”
codone and heroin, wire cutters, duct tape, two cell phones, and
other items.
Woodham allegedly ran from approaching police and had to
be forcibly apprehended, Hornick wrote in a Jan. 8 motion to
amend Woodham’s bail that sought to reinstate the no-contact
provision that had expired.
After the June 7 arrest, she was charged with criminal con-
North Country Primary Care
tempt of court, two counts of stalking, resisting arrest, criminal LRH’s designated Rural Health Clinic
trespass, and felony drug possession. 580 St. Johnsbury Road • Littleton, NH 03561
“She posed a credible threat to their safety,” Hornick wrote, 603-444-7070 • LittletonHealthcare.org
referring to the victims. “At the time, Ms. Woodham also al-
legedly told the arresting officer she did not feel obligated to
obey the court’s order, which was reported to the court during
the bail revocation hearing.” Where good health begins.
Woodham’s bail was revoked not simply because she broke
8 The Record Thursday, February 4, 2021
Smoke, fire and emergency vehicle lights create a moody scene as fire crews from across the North Country respond to a fire at the Jefferson Town Hall on Monday, Feb. 1.
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Your Community Health Partner Since 1975 Recovery Department of Revenue Administration
will allow the town to reschedule its town
More than 50 firefighters from 10 lo-
cal departments responded. That included
Continued from Page 2 meeting. However, elections must occur Lancaster, Whitefield, Dalton, Groveton,
on March 9. North Stratford, Bethlehem, Twin Moun-
That’s a necessary approach in rural Jef- The town’s response will become clear- tain, Gorham and Sugar Hill.
ferson (pop, 1.100) said Selectman Tom er in the coming weeks. The fire was brought under control
Brady.
Ǧ Ǩ
Fortunately, the move to the Jefferson around 10:30 p.m. and firefighters re-
“It’s going to take everybody,” he said. Community Building was already planned. mained on scene checking for hotspots for
WORK TO DO
The committee has two primary goals.
Last year’s town meeting approved funds
for the project.
another six hours.
In the end, the fire station was saved and
One is to retrieve paper and electronic The building, which served as the Jef- the town office addition was still standing.
records from the fire scene. The Monday ferson School until 2018, is vacant. How- “I’ve got to thank all the towns that
night fire destroyed the nearly 150-year- ever, it has adequate infrastructure in place came to assist us. It was everybody com-
old Jefferson Town Hall and heavily dam- and can accommodate the town office and bined,” said Jefferson Fire Chief Chris
aged the town office addition, where pub- polling station. Milligan. “It was tremendous teamwork.”
ACHS = Integrated Health Care lic files and historic documents were kept HISTORIC LOSS The Old Town Hall opened in 1872 and
in cabinets, safes, boxes and hard drives. The fire was reported after 7 p.m. Mon- hosted various celebrations, dances, recep-
Primary Care It is unclear how many of those records day by a New Hampshire Department of tions and town functions. It was also Jef-
were damaged or destroyed. That includes
Behavioral Health town minutes and reports dating back to
Transportation patrol foreman who was
inspecting Route 2 ahead of a snowstorm’s
ferson’s polling station.
Neither the town hall nor the addition
Dental & Oral Health the 1800s. Meadow Leasing in Littleton
has offered trailers for records storage.
arrival. were equipped with sprinklers or fire
Members of Jefferson Fire were the first alarms. The fire quickly spread through
Meanwhile, the committee must contin- on the scene. The Old Town Hall was ful- the wood, balloon-frame building, fanned
ue Jefferson’s municipal and government
Ǧ operations.
ly ablaze when they arrived. The flames
threatened the fire station, which abuts the
by 30 mph winds. The cause of the fire re-
mains under investigation.
To help, Lancaster will handle vehicle town building, and the first-arriving crews “It’s heartbreaking, it’s a tremendous
ACHS accepts most major insurances, registrations until a new Jefferson town pulled water from a nearby fire pond and loss to the town,” Milligan said. “A piece
Medicare & Medicaid, and office is up and running, and the state began a defensive operation. of the town’s history is gone.”
ơ
Ǥ
Call our NEW PATIENT Hotline
toll-free at 1.866.201.5076.
Fire Day.
The fire marshal’s office was expected on
No injuries were reported and no one was
at the town hall at the time of the fire, Jeffer-
Continued from Page 2 the scene Tuesday. A cause of the fire has not son Fire Chief Chris Milligan said.
been given. The town hall was in the center of Jef-
Ammonoosuc The building, which opened as a meeting
house in 1872, has been a gathering place
The fire was reported just after 7 p.m. ferson, a northern New Hampshire town of
Community Health Services through the years for parties, dances, and re-
Monday.
Town selectman Kevin Meehan said the
about 1,100 that’s popular with tourists for
its Santa’s Village amusement park and parts
Littleton • Franconia • Warren • Whitefield • Woodsville ceptions, in addition to town functions. The wind and cold made battling the fire chal- of the White Mountain National Forest.
603.444.2464 • www.ammonoosuc.org hall was Jefferson’s polling place on Election lenging.
Thursday, February 4, 2021 The Record 9
Obituaries
Kevin Michael Presley Kevin enjoyed his long days of motorcycle rides, snowmobil- A motorsports enthusiast, Shelly enjoyed going to NA-
ing, four-wheeling, and tinkering in the garage including hav- SCAR races with Doug at the New Hampshire Motor Speed-
Kevin Michael Presley passed unexpectedly on Jan. 28, ing built a cabin in Maine. His family was everything to him. way in Louden, NH as well as the White Mountain Motor-
2021 in Athens, Maine, where he resided for the last two Kevin was loved and will missed by so many. sports Park in Woodstock, NH. Shelly loved the ocean and
years. Kevin was born May 22, 1965. There will be no services at this time and a Celebration of her dad’s camp at Maidstone Lake. She was happiest with
He was predeceased by his parents Life will be held at a later date. knitting needles in her hands, playing with dogs, and enjoy-
Fredrick and Cecile Presley, brother ing her granddaughter.
Fredrick Presley Jr. and wife Susan Shelly Jean Farnsworth Survivors include her husband: Doug Farnsworth of St.
Presley. Shelly Jean Farnsworth, 71, of St. Johnsbury, VT passed Johnsbury; two sons: Derek and wife, Beth, of Tilton, NH,
Kevin is survived by his brother away on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Dartmouth Hitchcock and Geoffrey of St. Johnsbury; a sister: SaraBeth Willis and
Timothy Presley of Littleton, N.H., Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. husband, David, of Barnet, VT; one grandchild: Kiera Eve;
long- time partner Heather (Westo- Shelly was born in St. Johnsbury on January 7, 1950, to the and many foster children.
ver) Peters, his three children Clinton late Dean and Carolyn (Clough) Reed. She attended Arling- Shelly was predeceased by her stepmother: Yvonne Reed.
Ness, wife Skylar and daughter Harper ton and St. Johnsbury schools graduating from St. Johnsbury There will be no services at this time.
of Penacook, N.H., Destiny Esposito, Academy, Class of 1968. She also received her Business De- Donations can be made in Shelly’s name to SAD-SAC, c/o
husband Angelo and three sons Caid- Kevin Presley gree from Pierce College for Women. On November 5, 1972, Caledonian Record, P.O. Box 8, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.
en, Brayden, and Eli of Littleton, N.H., Shelly married Douglas Farnsworth and the couple shared 48 Memories and condolences may be shared with the family
and Ayla Presley of Bethlehem, N.H. Along with many aunts, years together raising two sons and fostering a number of at www.saylesfh.com
uncles, cousins and friends. other children.
Kevin was a talented carpenter and a hard-working father.
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10 The Record Thursday, February 4, 2021
LRH Races Clock To Administer “At about noontime on Friday, we had worked with the staff future, said Superchi.
to be able to pull the names of patients whose appointments “My plan is to send an email to DHHS [the New Hampshire
Hundreds Of Vaccines were canceled because of the scheduling error that happened Department of Health and Human Services] and Perry Plum-
with VAMS [the Vaccine Administration Management Sys- mer, who has been coordinating vaccinations throughout the
LITTLETON — Staff members at Littleton Regional Health- tem],” she said. “We got the list at about noontime on Friday and state, to let them know how it went,” she said. “We feel strongly,
care were in for a marathon weekend on Jan. 30 and 31. had four people making calls to 8 p.m. Friday night. By Friday with our setup this weekend, that we can easily vaccinate 1,000
The previous week, as the COVID-19 vaccinations began to night, we had 280 patients scheduled, and called the last 43 pa- people in a single day. We will put it out there that if they have
be rolled out for the thousands of area residents in Tier 1B, the tients for Saturday to fill those last slots. On Saturday afternoon, extra doses, we will make it happen. We know how important
hospital was notified it was going to receive additional doses, we started making calls for the Sunday slots.” this is to the community.”
more than 400 of the Pfizer vaccine, from state stockpiles. The last patient was vaccinated just before noon on Sunday. Logistically, LRH is set up well.
It was great news, but not without a challenge – the extra vac- “Everybody pulled together,” said Superchi. “On Saturday, Used this weekend was the entrance off of Hilltop Road that
cines had to all be administered before the weekend was over or we had four lanes of patients, 80 patients in each lane scheduled has two lanes where patients can pull right up to the carport
they would otherwise expire. throughout the day, from 8 to 4. Greeters were directing patients area. The whole upper parking lot was used for patients to park
After quickly assembling drive-up vaccine clinics for Satur- to the lane they were assigned to.” during the post-vaccination observation.
day and Sunday, and braving some bone-chilling temperatures, An act of generosity arrived from just a few miles away. The state is hoping to have those in Tier 1B, which includes
LRH won the race. The Littleton Freehouse Taproom and Eatery donated pro- people 65 and older and those with two or more underlying
“It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Koren Superchi, pane heaters that were put in the parking lot, where LRH staff medical conditions that put them at severe risk, vaccinated by
vice-president of LRH’s patient care services, said on Sunday, members were observing patients during the observation period the end of February.
Jan. 31. “We vaccinated 425 people. It was amazing. On Satur- following the administering of their vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine requires a second shot a few weeks after
day, we did 323 patients and today 102.” “They were huge hits,” she said. “They definitely cut down the first.
Dozens of staff members put in the work, with 24 administer- on the cold and wind. It’s always windy at LRH.” “We are going to make sure the state knows we are here,”
ing vaccines on Saturday and 15 on Sunday. For their vaccine, the patients were more than grateful. said Superchi. “We have a perfect spot to really do a mass vac-
“We found out on Wednesday that the doses were available,” “The response from the community was phenomenal,” said cination clinic. Our plan is to do this again in three weeks to get
she said. “We said yes, absolutely, we’ll take them.” Superchi. “Patients were so thrilled. I think it’s a step of hope for patients their second doses.”
Superchi said she admits that a few moments later she real- them. For patients who qualify in Phase 1B, they are so fearful Ed Duffy, LRH’s chief medical officer and executive
ized the magnitude of another challenge – finding enough staff of contracting COVID, and having this was a first step toward vice-president, was also buoyed by the outcome of this week-
members to administer the doses. protection for them. Patients were moved to tears, tears on the end.
“I sent an all-staff email about 4 o’clock on Thursday after- phone, and many in tears getting the vaccine. For the staff, it “Big success!,” he said. “It was very cold, but everyone, LRH
noon,” she said. “By 8 a.m. Friday morning, we had more than made it all worth it.” staff and patients, were in great spirits … If we get more vaccine
enough people. The staff response was incredible.” Community members, too, as they drove up for their vac- we will do more. We will do whatever it takes to get the vaccine
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Despite everyone knowing it was going to be a cold weekend, cines, brought LRH workers gifts of homemade cookies, dough- we are given into the arms of our community. Whatever it takes.
particularly on Saturday, staff members said they would serve in nuts, chocolates, and coffee, as well as hand warmers and toe We have asked for more extra doses and hope we will get them.”
whichever role was needed, said Superchi. warmers. In an update, LRH officials said they are hopeful they will
Heeding the call were clinical, administrative, laboratory, “There was just an outpouring of support from the patients be able to work through the list of those affected by the sys-
facilities, and human resources staff members as well as those coming to get vaccinated,” she said. tem scheduling error last week, which canceled appointments
from other areas, a wide cross-section of clinical and non-clini- This past weekend’s vaccination clinics were very much a for some who had made them, and add additional vaccination
cal personnel agreeing to work wherever needed. trial run, and what was learned and assembled will be a model clinics soon.
The next task was contacting patients. in the event the hospital receives similar additional doses in the
News Briefs Disposal Unit (bomb squad), and NHSP Troop F.
A search warrant of Woodham’s residence in Conway turned
psychiatrist who evaluated her, the Conway Police Department,
the New Hampshire Department of Safety, the state bomb squad
Continued from Page 7 up electronic devices, including three laptop computers that had that was called in to handle the explosive devices found, the
Google search terms such as “gas tank bomb” and “leaky fuel Grafton County House of Corrections, and several law enforce-
he deliver an enclosed letter to the male victim, said Hornick. line car explosion,” said police, who added that no other users ment officers.
During her arraignment in June 2019, prosecutors said were known to use the computers and electronic devices. She has also filed a defamation lawsuit against The Caledo-
Woodham’s arrest was part of larger investigation that includes Also allegedly found inside the bag during her June arrest in nian-Record at the court in Conway. The newspaper responded
federal law enforcement and the state bomb squad and it was a Franconia were a bottle of Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Kill- with a motion to dismiss and a countersuit for legal fees.
cooperative effort between the state fire marshal’s office, federal er, hydrogen peroxide, hypodermic needles, rubber gloves, WD- At the U.S. District Court of the District of New Hampshire,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Conway 40, a digital camera, a plastic bottle with unknown liquid, and a Woodham filed court actions against the GCHOC, NHDOS,
Police Department, New Hampshire State Police Explosives plastic bag with white powder in it with the word “Oxy” written Franconia police, the male victim.
on it. Because Woodham has declared an economic hardship, law-
While being booked, Woodham allegedly told Franconia Po- suit filing fees, totaling in the thousands of dollars, were waived.
lice Chief Mac Cashin that she was stalking the male victim
because she was having a hard time dealing with the emotions Legislation Seeks To Compel
of the situation and felt she needed to go to the house to process
her feelings. Utilities To Be More Transparent
Dismissed on Jan. 12 were 18 criminal charges that included
felony counts of criminal threatening, drug possession (heroin In their years-long fight against utility companies regarding
and crack cocaine), possession of an infernal machine (for al- the valuations of their properties, towns in the North Country
legedly planting a chemical reaction bomb or similar device on are again becoming active and are now supporting legislation
the fire escape of Littleton courthouse), and false report of ex- that seeks to compel greater transparency through mandatory
plosives as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking, contempt of reporting.
court, violating a restraining order, resisting arrest, and criminal The objective is to arrive at an accurate and fair assessment
trespass. of all utility properties that does not short towns on property tax
Established
1901
Since her incarceration, Woodham, acting as her own attor- revenue.
ney, has sued various state and county departments and individ- Revived after being tabled in the New Hampshire Senate last
uals in federal and superior courts (Grafton and Carroll), alleg- year, is a House of Representatives bill that would establish a
ing violations of civil rights and defamation. committee to study the requirements of reporting by utility com-
At the superior court, she sued the two victims (for defama- panies of information required for property valuation under New
tion, in both Carroll and Grafton superior courts), the first state See News Briefs, Page 11Thursday, February 4, 2021 The Record 11
News Briefs To help end or reduce the number of tax abatement lawsuits,
municipalities worked to get passed House Bill 700, which be-
“They are names people trust and use,” said Hornick.
But companies will not make threats, and a threat is an indica-
Continued from Page 10 came law in 2019. tor that the call is not legitimate, she said.
It sets a valuation formula of 70 percent original value and 30 Within the last month, calls from concerned residents to the
Hampshire RSA 72, the statute on property liable to taxation. percent net book value to be phased in during a five-year period Grafton County attorney’s office have increased, and Hornick
The prime sponsor of House Bill 410 is state Rep. Troy Mern- that began in 2020. has directed them to their local law enforcement.
er, R-Lancaster. “They are hitting people who are elderly and people who are
On Thursday, state Sen. Erin Hennessey, R-Littleton, was also not elderly,” she said.
contacted by Littleton town officials, who asked for her support. Woman Dies In Northumberland Fire Unfortunately, some have already fallen victim.
“This bill [previously House Bill 1237 in the 2020 legislative “There have been scams that have tricked people locally,”
session] came out of the House unanimously and died in the NORTHUMBERLAND — A 70-year-old woman died from said Hornick.
Senate and didn’t have a hearing,” she said. “This is trying to smoke inhalation in a house fire on Friday, Jan. 29. Police in Littleton regularly receive calls from residents.
make sure utility companies provide that information to proper- Janet B. Deforrest was identified as the victim and her death “We receive emails and contact from citizens, sometimes
ly assess property values.” was ruled accidental. forwarding an email, asking is this a scam, which 99.9 percent
Among the other towns that have concerns about the valua- Another person escaped the fire and was transported to a local of them are,” said Littleton Police Chief Paul Smith. “It’s been
tion of utilities and their communities not getting a fair shake on hospital as a precaution, according to the state Fire Marshal’s prevalent for the last decade, but I would say in the last three or
property assessments are Monroe and Gorham, said Hennessey. office. four years they really ramped up their activities … Scams are so
On Jan. 22, Littleton Town Manager wrote to the House leg- The fire at 89 Old Village Rd. was first reported shortly after prevalent these days that we always provide fraud information
islative subcommittee to ask for its support, saying “there are 6 a.m. and first-arriving crews arrived to find the two-and-a-half on our web site.”
dozens of communities affected by this issue.” story building was consumed by fire. Residents are advised to never give their personal information
“The problem to be addressed is simple,” he said. “A number The cause remains under investigation but N.H Fire Marshal to anyone over the phone and to anyone who contacts them or
of public and private electric generation and high voltage trans- Paul Parisi issued a reminder about maintaining wood-burning emails them, he said.
mission companies that own property in New Hampshire refuse appliances and chimneys. He also advised people to keep path- One scam is the “grandmother scam,” in which a caller, get-
to report sufficient, or even any, information on an annual basis ways to all exits clear, both inside and outside homes. ting a date of birth from someone who is the age of a grandpar-
for their existing property and new property located or being ent, will make a call to say a grandson or granddaughter is in
built in our communities. Often, new property escapes property
taxation for a number of years as we struggle with these com-
North Country: County Attorney jail out of state and they need to send bail money immediately,
he said.
panies to provide an inventory and original cost so that we can Warns Residents Of Phone Scams Scammers will take advantage of those with memory deterio-
properly and accurately tax the property.” ration and can be successful when making several hundred cold
The current total town-wide valuation in Littleton is $748 As the state deals with unemployment fraud based on stolen calls a day or week, said Smith.
million, about a quarter of which is made up of utility properties. identities, county attorneys and local police in New Hampshire Another scam is to say someone has a check for $40,000 wait-
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
The deficiency in reporting impacts revenues for towns, vil- are receiving an increasing number of calls from residents saying ing for them, but they first need to send $5,000 for a processing
lage districts, counties, and school districts, all of which must be they’re being contacted by telephone scammers seeking money. fee, he said.
made up and paid for by the rest of the taxpayers in those towns, “They’re trying to scam people left and right,” Grafton Coun- Alerted sometimes by family members, Littleton police have
counties, and school districts, said Dorsett. ty Attorney Marcie Hornick said on Friday. “I’m surprised at headed off checks at the post office sent by residents in various
“The solution is simple,” he said. “Non-reporting companies how far-reaching it is and how they’re contacting local people.” scams, said Smith.
shall be made to comply or be barred from taking an appeal. Our She offered advice to residents - “If it sounds too good to be “Unfortunately, a lot of people fall for these and it’s sad,” he
community is and has been one of those affected because of the true, it is. Call your local law enforcement because they are on said. “We will have loved ones bringing in their family members
non-reporting of millions of dollars of property by New England the watch for these kinds of things because there are so many and asking us to tell them, ‘this is fake. this is fake.’ If it sounds
Power Co. [a subsidiary of National Grid] and New England incidents of it. And if it sounds too horrible to be true, same too good to be true, it is.”
Electric Transmission.” thing.” Callers will often spoof telephone numbers and can make it
If HB 410 is made law, the committee shall study and report Hang up and call the police. look like a local number.
as to whether legislation is recommended regarding the form The modus operandi by scammers is to contact people and Some have spoofed an Internal Revenue Service caller ID to
and content of reporting by utility companies of the value of say they are calling from any number of businesses and brands, demand payment or the local police will arrest them, he said.
utility transmission and generation properties. trusted ones such as Best Buy or its Geek Squad Services or Rite “The IRS will not send a sheriff or local enforcement or any-
The committee’s findings and any recommendations for pro- Aid, said Hornick. body to come arrest you,” said Smith. “They will never call you
posed legislation would be submitted no later than Nov. 1. They can call or leave a message saying there was a subscrip- on the telephone and demand payment.”
HB 410 is currently in the House Science, Technology and tion error, more money was put in their account than intended Before any IRS payment is required, the issue would have
Energy Committee, and is expected to be out of committee by and they need to send a check for a certain amount of money,
March 11. said Hornick. See News Briefs, Page 12
A committee hearing is scheduled remotely for Monday. “They might start threatening someone if someone doesn’t
In recent years, North Country towns have emerged winners pay it,” she said. “Some people are so busy and are caught off
in other fights against big utilities.
In June, the New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals,
guard that they may in fact pay without thinking things through.”
Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has also left many
Eliminates
Eliminates high
for the second time in five years, rejected an argument by Ever- people even busier and an easier mark, said Hornick. heating
heating bills.
bills.
source Energy and other utilities that their property valuations Like identity theft unemployment fraud, which in New
in some New Hampshire towns should be about half or even
one-third of what they are being assessed at.
Hampshire and other states is mostly perpetrated by those in
other countries using personal information, the telephone fraud
Up tto
o
$
IInstant
2500*
nstant R
Rebate
ebate
The companies stood to gain millions of dollars annually impacting local residents comes in large part from the big data The
The Classic EEdge
dge is the per
perfect
fec
e t ccombination
ombination
through property tax reductions. hacks during the last decade that resulted in the gathering of performance
of p erformance and value
value
While largely victorious in the BTLA decision, some towns, personal information.
like Littleton and Lancaster, spent tens of thousands of dollars “This is a piggyback to that,” said Hornick. • Easy tto
o operate
operate and easy tto
o main
maintain
tain
fighting multiple years of tax abatement lawsuits filed by Ever- And these recent telephone scammers, too, are likely living EPA-Certified,
PA-Certified, clean-bur
• EP clean-burning
ning
source. in another country. • Stainless
Stainless models
models available,
available, ask about
our T
Titanium
itanium SSeries
eries
The BTLA, however, agreed with the towns, and in its deci- The decade of data breaches included hacks into retail chains,
sion said the utility companies did not provide sufficient credi-
ble appraisals or evidence to support their arguments.
credit reporting agencies, and banks, and that personal informa-
tion separates the kind of fraud from what occurred before to APPALACHIAN
The utilities sought to employ the net book method of valua-
tion to reduce their assessments.
what is happening now.
Telephone scammers often use the names of brands or busi-
SUPPLY
Although Eversource said the property tax savings would be St. Johnsbury, Vt. • 802-748-4513 Outdoor
Outdoorr W
Wood
ood Furnace
Furnace
nesses that were picked up in the stolen personal information
passed on to ratepayers, the company offered no guarantee that from people who might have had or have accounts with the com- *Instant rebate of $2,500 off of select in-stock Central Boiler
outdoor furnace models, available at participating dealers
CentralBoiler.com
CentralBoilerr.c
. om
ratepayers would see a decrease in their rates. panies or did business with them, she said.
only. Savings shown is on an E-Classic 1450 model. See
dealer for details. 16-301112 The Record Thursday, February 4, 2021
Super Cites Challenges Of Sustaining “Our team is working exceptionally hard,” he said. “Peo- and families, he said.
ple are being flexible. The more we are doing this, the more “It’s an ongoing process of trying to identify and respond
Classroom Learing Amid COVID we hear how important it is to keep kids in school. Even to students that are struggling,” said Hart.
CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control] says you need to Hurley said she wants to know who is overseeing the stu-
LITTLETON - After more than 40 students and four do your best to keep kids in school. But that is not without dent assessments at the high school and asked if it’s been
coaches went into a 10-day quarantine following the posi- challenge. We are starting to see a fray on the edge of staff determined where students will be academically next year.
tive COVID-19 test of a high school athlete around Jan. 22, and this marathon of trying to keep this going. We are mak- Hurley said her daughter is a high school senior and she
the Littleton School District continues to sustain traditional ing it work so far, but it’s not without some pain.” wants to know if her daughter will be ready for college .
learning, but not without hardships. As the schools work to keep students and staff members “We are missing something here and I’m hoping the dis-
Littleton schools resumed traditional, full classroom safe during the pandemic, one parent voiced concerns about trict is taking a look at this to analyze this and make sure
learning on Jan. 14, after two months in all-remote learning. students falling behind from the coronavirus-prompted we are not falling behind,” she said. “We really need to
“We’ve had over the last couple of weeks a couple of changes to education. concentrate on the academics of these kids for the future.
cases of COVID,” SAU 84 Superintendent Bill Hart said Parent Heidi Hurley asked with everything happening in This can really hurt these students in the future.”
during Monday’s Littleton School Board meeting. “The the school system since the spring of 2020, how the super- Hart said Hurley makes a great point and said he’s had
biggest impact is the residual impact of people under con- intendent has been measuring student progress for the past conversations with a secondary team.
tact tracing having to quarantine.” year to ensure that there is an accurate picture of student The district’s job, he said, is to present students in the
Most of the central office staff had to quarantine for 10 performance that also indicates how SAU 84 is measuring most advantageous way it can.
days following exposure, and the central office reopened on up with other school districts around it. Hart said he continues to stress to parents that the context
Monday after a week of being closed, he said. Some Littleton High School students have not had math of education for this year has changed, that has to be identi-
Keeping a sufficient number of teachers has also been classes since last March, she said. fied in the school system, and teachers and counselors need
difficult. “Across the district, the teachers and administrative staff to look at what comes next for students and learning.
“We do have some challenges with coverage,” said Hart. are continuing to go through the assessment process that we “We are not shortchanging any of our students,” he said.
“One of the big challenges, despite efforts, has been to re- would normally have,” said Hart. “We have been looking “We evaluate them and that has to be adjusted for the very
cruit and retain substitutes. That’s been a difficult thing to at assessment programs to determine some of the challeng- different environment we are in. As we move forward this
do.” es. There are challenges, and we all know there would be, second semester, we will work together to make sure that
Hart said he has thoughts about addressing that, but it connected to online learning and the students’ and staff’s not only our students are getting the best education they
might have some negotiations impacts and he would like ability to move into that type of environment.” possibly can, but their grades are a reasonable reflection of
to first discuss it with the school board in a non-public ses- As some students drop behind, teachers, teams, and guid- how they’re progressing within this very challenging envi-
sion. ance counselors at the schools are working with students ronment.”
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
News Briefs through northern Vermont they can make a reservation to charge
their EV in Littleton through an app that is projected into their
Continued from Page 11 vehicles or phones while driving, he said.
The total cost is an ongoing yearly fee.
gone to a court proceeding a number of times, he said. “The Level 2 we are doing as part of a software package is
In emails, one way to pinpoint a likely scam is if the emailer $2,400 a year and you get an annual fee that includes mainte-
uses bad grammar, said Smith. nance, upkeep, and networking,” said Dorsett.
Online Classes & Although callers are generally from out of the country, there-
by making prosecution near impossible, scams should still be
The town will also generate some revenue from those plug-
Small Business Grants reported to police, he said.
ging in.
“At minimum, we will break even, and it will be a service to
The FBI is overwhelmed by scams, but pieces of information bring more people to town,” said Dorsett. “It’s also going to be
The Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) given to the FBI and law enforcement could one day result in the a benefit to Thayers Inn, and they can tell their guests there is a
in Bethlehem, NH has been helping small business identification of perpetrators, he said.
owners for over 25 years.
secured charging station right next to the hotel and they can park
Smith’s rule to avoid being a victim is simple - “Don’t ever overnight and get a full charge for the morning.”
give anybody information unless you contact them.” The station has two parking spaces, and the town has asked
FEBRUARY ONLINE CLASSES AT WREN
Thayers if it wants to sponsor one of the spaces.
• Pinterest for Your Small Business (2/9)
• Introduction to Photoshop (2/11)
Town Installs First Municipally-Owned In exchange, Thayers could have an advertisement at the
space stating something like “Powered by Thayers Inn,” which
• iPhone Product Photography (2/17) Electric Vehicle Charging Station would also be another source or revenue for the town, similar
• Putting Your Professional Face Forward: to the Littleton companies that participate in the bagged park-
An Artist’s Take (2/18) LITTLETON — The future is now, and it’s in Littleton. ing meter program around the holidays, with the bags reflecting
• Looking at Your Google Analytics (2/24) This week, the town installed its first municipally-owned their company names, he said.
electric vehicle (EV) charging station. “It’s still a public space, but it would have their emblem on
ONLINE SHOPPING SERIES In addition to serving a new and increasingly popular kind it,” said Dorsett.
• Part I: Pick Your Online Shopping Portal (2/16) of vehicle, town officials said the new station should draw even Level 2 stations fully charge EVs in a few hours.
• Part II: Shipping Options for Your Online more visitors, those who drive EVs, to Littleton. “A charge also has no issues with malware and this is a secure
Store (2/23) “It’s pretty cool system, networked into electric vehicles and one with a secure connection to the company,” said Dorsett.
charging apps,” said Town Manager Andrew Dorsett. “Electric The new station is in ChargePoint’s CT4000 family, the
Would you like to take these classes for FREE?
vehicles can reserve it while en route from Canada or wherever.” company’s latest generation of commercial charging stations,
We are actively recruiting for new CDBG* grant
The Level 2 station, manufactured by ChargePoint, one of the which feature instructional videos for use, are multi-language
recipients.
largest providers in the industry, was installed along Thayers in English, French or Spanish, have a touch-button interface that
Lane between Thayers Inn and the Bank of New Hampshire. functions in all kinds of weather, and have 24/7 driver phone
LEARN MORE: wrenworks.org “We put it in motion well before COVID, but there were quite support.
CONTACT: hello@wrenworks.org a few delays because of COVID, but we finally got it installed,” It is a universal device that charges all types of EVs.
said Dorsett. “This is one of the only networked ones in the Installing the ChargePoint Level 2 on Thayers Lane was JA
*WREN’s CDBG (Community Development
area.” Corey Electric, of Littleton, an authorized EV charging station
Block Grant) program is made possible thanks Although the U.S.-Canadian border is currently closed be- installer.
to HUD, the NH CDFA, and Grafton County.
cause of the pandemic, many people from Montreal and Que-
bec enjoy visiting the North Country, and when they’re driving
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