Amy Hicks a hero at Laconia DPW for work with geographic information system
Written by Roger Amsden
LACONIA — The city's Public Works Department recently met an Environmental Protection Agency mandate that it have the entire city sewer collection system digitally mapped by the end of 2013.
The mandate has been in effect since 2009 under new EPA regulations which made all municipalities in the Winnipesaukee River Basin regional sewage treatment facility co-permittees along with the state.
Laconia was able to meet that requirement nearly a year ahead of the deadline thanks to the work of Amy Hicks, a part-time employee who has been with the department since 2008 and has developed an in-house geographic information system (GIS) which has mapped not only the city's sewer system but it's water system as well.
GIS is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data and City Manager Scott Myers says that it is an increasingly important management tool for local governments and will see even wider application in the future.
''It provides the ability to get all the information on sewer, water and tax maps together in an easy to use format and there are a lot more uses for this technology in areas like planning, assessing, police, fire and recreation,'' said Myers,
Assistant Public Works Department Luke Powell, who along with Hicks gave a presentation to the City Council Monday night on the city's GIS efforts, said the city realized a substantial savings by doing the work in-house.
''We hit a gold mine when we got Amy,'' said Powell, who said Hicks has been able to put together the hardware, software and data which provides instant and easy access to information which previously took hours to track down.
''It's been very useful in managing our system. If there's a problem we can pinpoint it right away,'' Powell said.
He noted hat the city has 75 miles of sewer main, including 18 miles of gravity sewer lines over 110 years old, many of which are six-inch clay sewer lines built before the 1920s.
Powell said that in the near future the city may also be required to map its storm water system, which he said the city is fortunate in that those who designed and built the city sewer and storm drainage systems in the late 19th century kept them separate, avoiding problems which cities like Manchester are now having to deal with.
Hicks said that the present system will need a great deal of refinement before it is useful for all city departments. She said that currently she has to transfer information from the Water Department to the GIS database at Public Works by use of a flash (thumb) drive.
Myers said that ultimately the city's GIS will most likely need to be a satellite based or ''in the cloud'' so that it can be accessed remotely from tablet computers and even cellphones by city employees from multiple locations with different levels of security based on user capabilities and responsibilities.
Council members and Mayor Michael Seymour all expressed enthusiasm for the GIS system and the many uses that city departments will find for it.
NOTES: The council approved the sale of the former Laconia Police Department building at 51 Church Street to WBIN Media for $1. The purchase and sales agreement calls for the new owner to make at least $300,000 in improvements to the building and to use it for at least five years as a radio and television broadcast studio. Bill Binnie, owner of WBIN Media, plans to move WLNH radio from Gilford to the new location and to spend around $800,000 on turning it into a broadcast studio. . . . . . The council approved creation of a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district for the Weirs, which allow increased tax revenues generated by property improvements to be dedicated for use only in the TIF district area. It is the city's third TIF district. The other two are downtown Laconia and Lakeport. . . . . . The council approved by a 4-1 vote, with Ward 4 Councilor Brenda Baer opposed, a $1 million bond issue for the Huot Career Center/Laconia High School renovation project. The bond will help the city school district receive 40 percent in state building aid for a portion of the $16.8 million school building and renovation project which is not eligible for the higher 75 percent reimbursement rate for the vocational education portion. . . . . . The mayor and council praised the work of City Manager Scott Myers in his first 18 months on the job and approved a 5.2 percent pay raise which brings his salary to $100,000.
The mandate has been in effect since 2009 under new EPA regulations which made all municipalities in the Winnipesaukee River Basin regional sewage treatment facility co-permittees along with the state.
Laconia was able to meet that requirement nearly a year ahead of the deadline thanks to the work of Amy Hicks, a part-time employee who has been with the department since 2008 and has developed an in-house geographic information system (GIS) which has mapped not only the city's sewer system but it's water system as well.
GIS is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data and City Manager Scott Myers says that it is an increasingly important management tool for local governments and will see even wider application in the future.
''It provides the ability to get all the information on sewer, water and tax maps together in an easy to use format and there are a lot more uses for this technology in areas like planning, assessing, police, fire and recreation,'' said Myers,
Assistant Public Works Department Luke Powell, who along with Hicks gave a presentation to the City Council Monday night on the city's GIS efforts, said the city realized a substantial savings by doing the work in-house.
''We hit a gold mine when we got Amy,'' said Powell, who said Hicks has been able to put together the hardware, software and data which provides instant and easy access to information which previously took hours to track down.
''It's been very useful in managing our system. If there's a problem we can pinpoint it right away,'' Powell said.
He noted hat the city has 75 miles of sewer main, including 18 miles of gravity sewer lines over 110 years old, many of which are six-inch clay sewer lines built before the 1920s.
Powell said that in the near future the city may also be required to map its storm water system, which he said the city is fortunate in that those who designed and built the city sewer and storm drainage systems in the late 19th century kept them separate, avoiding problems which cities like Manchester are now having to deal with.
Hicks said that the present system will need a great deal of refinement before it is useful for all city departments. She said that currently she has to transfer information from the Water Department to the GIS database at Public Works by use of a flash (thumb) drive.
Myers said that ultimately the city's GIS will most likely need to be a satellite based or ''in the cloud'' so that it can be accessed remotely from tablet computers and even cellphones by city employees from multiple locations with different levels of security based on user capabilities and responsibilities.
Council members and Mayor Michael Seymour all expressed enthusiasm for the GIS system and the many uses that city departments will find for it.
NOTES: The council approved the sale of the former Laconia Police Department building at 51 Church Street to WBIN Media for $1. The purchase and sales agreement calls for the new owner to make at least $300,000 in improvements to the building and to use it for at least five years as a radio and television broadcast studio. Bill Binnie, owner of WBIN Media, plans to move WLNH radio from Gilford to the new location and to spend around $800,000 on turning it into a broadcast studio. . . . . . The council approved creation of a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district for the Weirs, which allow increased tax revenues generated by property improvements to be dedicated for use only in the TIF district area. It is the city's third TIF district. The other two are downtown Laconia and Lakeport. . . . . . The council approved by a 4-1 vote, with Ward 4 Councilor Brenda Baer opposed, a $1 million bond issue for the Huot Career Center/Laconia High School renovation project. The bond will help the city school district receive 40 percent in state building aid for a portion of the $16.8 million school building and renovation project which is not eligible for the higher 75 percent reimbursement rate for the vocational education portion. . . . . . The mayor and council praised the work of City Manager Scott Myers in his first 18 months on the job and approved a 5.2 percent pay raise which brings his salary to $100,000.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 03:58
Hits: 335
WOW Trail seeking part-time executive director to help speed up development
LACONIA — After operating for over 12 years as an all-volunteer organization, the WOW Trail is now seeking an executive director to help fulfill its mission and objectives. With the very popular Lakeport to downtown section now in place, and the engineering design for the next section (downtown to Belmont) now underway, the group believes the time is right to add some fuel to their efforts.
"We have a very committed group of volunteers and board members" explained Allan Beetle, a board member since inception. "I think everyone wants to see faster progress on fulfilling our mission to build nine miles of trail through Laconia and connect to the county wide trail from Meredith to Franklin".
The WOW Trail has enjoyed tremendous popularity with residents and businesses in Laconia, said Beetle. "Phase I, which brought heartfelt criticism by concerned neighbors to city officials, has been a very pleasant surprise to most. An area that was once a trail of broken bottles and debris has been replaced by beautiful murals and flowers. According to Laconia Police, crime and illegal activities in the immediate area are down substantially."
A recent Economic Impact study conducted by Belknap Economic Development Council concluded that the WOW Trail would bring an estimated 152,000 users out on the trail annually, with 38,000 of those coming from outside the area, generating nearly $1.8 million in new visitor spending.
The WOW Trail conducted its own user count last year and reported, based upon actual counts, an average estimate of over 40,000 users per year on just the Phase I section. The WOW Trail is included in the City of Laconia's Master Plan citing improving tourism, decreasing traffic congestion and improving the quality of life.
"For all of these reasons — the economic impact, the health benefits, the quality of life reasons — we want to speed up the process and we need help to do that" explains Beetle.
"We have a great track record and recognize that bringing an executive director on board will allow us to expand upon this success," explained Diane Hanley of the WOW Trail Board. The board estimates the position will be 20 hours per week and the ideal candidate is a community-connected individual with strong organizational and communication skills. A full description of the position is available on the WOW Trail website, www.wowtrail.org. Interested persons may direct questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
"We have a very committed group of volunteers and board members" explained Allan Beetle, a board member since inception. "I think everyone wants to see faster progress on fulfilling our mission to build nine miles of trail through Laconia and connect to the county wide trail from Meredith to Franklin".
The WOW Trail has enjoyed tremendous popularity with residents and businesses in Laconia, said Beetle. "Phase I, which brought heartfelt criticism by concerned neighbors to city officials, has been a very pleasant surprise to most. An area that was once a trail of broken bottles and debris has been replaced by beautiful murals and flowers. According to Laconia Police, crime and illegal activities in the immediate area are down substantially."
A recent Economic Impact study conducted by Belknap Economic Development Council concluded that the WOW Trail would bring an estimated 152,000 users out on the trail annually, with 38,000 of those coming from outside the area, generating nearly $1.8 million in new visitor spending.
The WOW Trail conducted its own user count last year and reported, based upon actual counts, an average estimate of over 40,000 users per year on just the Phase I section. The WOW Trail is included in the City of Laconia's Master Plan citing improving tourism, decreasing traffic congestion and improving the quality of life.
"For all of these reasons — the economic impact, the health benefits, the quality of life reasons — we want to speed up the process and we need help to do that" explains Beetle.
"We have a great track record and recognize that bringing an executive director on board will allow us to expand upon this success," explained Diane Hanley of the WOW Trail Board. The board estimates the position will be 20 hours per week and the ideal candidate is a community-connected individual with strong organizational and communication skills. A full description of the position is available on the WOW Trail website, www.wowtrail.org. Interested persons may direct questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 03:49
Hits: 267
Northfield man charged with throwing knife & pot into Berlin prison yard
TILTON — An off-duty Belknap County Sheriff's deputy and an on-duty police officer arrested a Northfield man wanted for allegedly throwing a knife over the barbed-wire fence into the N.H. State Prison in Berlin.
Affidavits obtained from the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia Division said Vincent Bitetto, Jr., 26, of 16 Summer St. was spotted by Deputy James McIntire and Patrol Officer Steve Henry entering the lobby from the elevator at the Hampton Inn and Suites at 9:40 p.m. Monday night.
McIntire, who was in civilian clothes yelled at Bitetto to stop however he ran into the rear parking lot where he was subdued by Henry and McIntire.
Judge Jim Carroll ordered Bitetto held on $500 cash for resisting arrest and $15,000 cash for his actions as they relate to the prison. As of 5 p.m. yesterday, he had been transferred to the N.H. State Prison in Concord from the Belknap County House of Corrections.
Bitetto was wanted out of the 1st Circuit Court, Berlin Division for attempted delivery of contraband articles to prisoners. A warrant for his arrest was granted to N.H. State Police on February 22 and area police, including McIntire were aware of it.
According to affidavits submitted to the 1st Circuit Court and included in yesterday's proceedings, corrections officers learned some contraband was to be delivered over the fence into the yard on November 28, 2012 by a former inmate who had been released several weeks before.
A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Bitetto was released from Berlin on November 8, 2012 and was to remain on parole until yesterday. He had been incarcerated for possession of controlled drug.
Prison investigators began searching the recreation yard with cameras and noticed an inmate identified and Montgomery Proulx yelling from inside the secured yard to someone behind a warehouse that was about 30 to 40 yards away and across the perimeter road.
According to Associated Press account at the time, Proulx pleaded guilty in July of 2009 to selling 18-year-old Evan Schwager a Fentanyl patch that resulted in his death in May 2008. The drug is often prescribed for cancer patients. The New Hampshire Union Leader reported authorities said Proulx sold the patches to several people at an underage drinking party in Bedford. Schwager, a West High School senior, was found dead the next morning at his home.
Two chain linked fences covered with razor wire surround the prison. The exterior fence in 17 feet high and the interior fence is 15 feet high. Affidavits said minimum security prisoners are allowed to work at the warehouse in the area between the two fences but those prisoners were all returned and accounted for by 2 p.m.
Investigators saw Proulx allegedly pick up two packages and walk along the fence, dropping one of the packages by the handball court. A second inmate identified as Rocco Sfara allegedly kicked one of the packages. Sfara was sentenced on unknown charged out of Rockingham County and the N.H. prison finder Website shows he is eligible for parole on August 31, 2013.
Both men were isolated and held separately while the remaining inmates in the north wing were strip searched. Nothing was found on any of the inmates.
A search of the yard turned up four packages and guards learned they were intended for Stefan Gauthier, 25, formerly of Bristol. Gauthier is eligible for parole, according to the Department of Corrections, in June of 2014. He has multiple convictions out of multiple counties for theft, forgery, being a habitual offender, disobeying police, and drug possession.
One of the packages contained tobacco, one containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and a third containing a "five dollar" knife used for hunting that's about three or four inches long.
Investigators traced a number of phone calls from the prison to Bitetto and two women associated with him who live in Tilton and Northfield respectively.
Affidavits said one of the women allegedly told police she drove Bitetto to Berlin and that he had "multiple" small packages wrapped in black tape with him. On the drive, she told Northfield Police that Bitetto told her he was going to throw them over the fences into the court yard.
She said she dropped him off just south of the Berlin prison and picked him up later. She also said Bitetto told her he thought the prison staff was looking for him.
She confirmed the packages were for Gauthier.
Affidavits obtained from the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia Division said Vincent Bitetto, Jr., 26, of 16 Summer St. was spotted by Deputy James McIntire and Patrol Officer Steve Henry entering the lobby from the elevator at the Hampton Inn and Suites at 9:40 p.m. Monday night.
McIntire, who was in civilian clothes yelled at Bitetto to stop however he ran into the rear parking lot where he was subdued by Henry and McIntire.
Judge Jim Carroll ordered Bitetto held on $500 cash for resisting arrest and $15,000 cash for his actions as they relate to the prison. As of 5 p.m. yesterday, he had been transferred to the N.H. State Prison in Concord from the Belknap County House of Corrections.
Bitetto was wanted out of the 1st Circuit Court, Berlin Division for attempted delivery of contraband articles to prisoners. A warrant for his arrest was granted to N.H. State Police on February 22 and area police, including McIntire were aware of it.
According to affidavits submitted to the 1st Circuit Court and included in yesterday's proceedings, corrections officers learned some contraband was to be delivered over the fence into the yard on November 28, 2012 by a former inmate who had been released several weeks before.
A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Bitetto was released from Berlin on November 8, 2012 and was to remain on parole until yesterday. He had been incarcerated for possession of controlled drug.
Prison investigators began searching the recreation yard with cameras and noticed an inmate identified and Montgomery Proulx yelling from inside the secured yard to someone behind a warehouse that was about 30 to 40 yards away and across the perimeter road.
According to Associated Press account at the time, Proulx pleaded guilty in July of 2009 to selling 18-year-old Evan Schwager a Fentanyl patch that resulted in his death in May 2008. The drug is often prescribed for cancer patients. The New Hampshire Union Leader reported authorities said Proulx sold the patches to several people at an underage drinking party in Bedford. Schwager, a West High School senior, was found dead the next morning at his home.
Two chain linked fences covered with razor wire surround the prison. The exterior fence in 17 feet high and the interior fence is 15 feet high. Affidavits said minimum security prisoners are allowed to work at the warehouse in the area between the two fences but those prisoners were all returned and accounted for by 2 p.m.
Investigators saw Proulx allegedly pick up two packages and walk along the fence, dropping one of the packages by the handball court. A second inmate identified as Rocco Sfara allegedly kicked one of the packages. Sfara was sentenced on unknown charged out of Rockingham County and the N.H. prison finder Website shows he is eligible for parole on August 31, 2013.
Both men were isolated and held separately while the remaining inmates in the north wing were strip searched. Nothing was found on any of the inmates.
A search of the yard turned up four packages and guards learned they were intended for Stefan Gauthier, 25, formerly of Bristol. Gauthier is eligible for parole, according to the Department of Corrections, in June of 2014. He has multiple convictions out of multiple counties for theft, forgery, being a habitual offender, disobeying police, and drug possession.
One of the packages contained tobacco, one containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and a third containing a "five dollar" knife used for hunting that's about three or four inches long.
Investigators traced a number of phone calls from the prison to Bitetto and two women associated with him who live in Tilton and Northfield respectively.
Affidavits said one of the women allegedly told police she drove Bitetto to Berlin and that he had "multiple" small packages wrapped in black tape with him. On the drive, she told Northfield Police that Bitetto told her he was going to throw them over the fences into the court yard.
She said she dropped him off just south of the Berlin prison and picked him up later. She also said Bitetto told her he thought the prison staff was looking for him.
She confirmed the packages were for Gauthier.
Last Updated on Thursday, 28 February 2013 20:08
Hits: 750
Big drops in enrollment in Sandwich & Center Harbor mean more of Inter-Lakes tax burden falls to Meredith
Written by Adam Drapcho
MEREDITH — When voters from Sandwich, Center Harbor and Meredith come together on March 6 for the Annual Inter-Lakes School District Meeting, they'll be asked to approve a proposed operating budget of $20,998,543, a budget that is 2.75 percent greater than the current one. How those voters will be affected by that budget will depend on which town they're from. Taxpayers in Meredith will see their tax bill increase as a result of the new budget, should it pass, while those in Center Harbor and Sandwich will see a decrease in the school portion of their tax bill, despite the proposed increase.
The difference is due to the formula followed since 1961 to divide the cost of operating the school district between three member townships. The formula balances a town's portion of costs, as measured by what percentage of the overall student body comes from each town, with a community's ability to raise the funds, as determined by a town's total property assessment relative to the other towns in the district. According to materials made available by the district office, both of these factors declined for Center Harbor and Sandwich, while Meredith saw both its total valuation and enrollment increase.
Student enrollment, in the cost-sharing formula, is measured as average daily membership (ADM), calculated over the course of an entire school year. Center Harbor's ADM declined from 124.13 in the 2010-2011 school year to 104.27, a drop of 16 percent. Sandwich's ADM declined by 17 percent, from 154.76 to 128.36. Meredith's ADM, however, went from 809.84 to 849.52, a gain of 5 percent.
Property assessments followed a similar pattern. Center Harbor's total property valuation sustained a modest decline of one percent, falling to $412,837763. Sandwich's assessment fell to $438,429,229, a decline of 9 percent. Meredith property increased in value by about 5 percent, to $1,848,418,481.
With approximately 68.5 percent of the total land value in the district, and with 78.5 percent of all Inter-Lakes students, Meredith taxpayers will bear 73.5 percent of the cost of operating the district's schools next year, while this year the town is responsible for only 70.4 percent. Center Harbor's burden will drop from 13.5 percent of the budget to 12.5 percent.
Sandwich taxpayers will pay 14 percent next year, while last year they funded 16.1 percent of the district budget.
According to the district's analysis, Meredith residents will see the school portion of their tax bill rise by $78.90 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. Center Harbor taxpayers will see a decrease of $11.03 for every $100,000 of property, while Sandwich's decrease will be $49.98. These numbers do not include additional expense that would be incurred with the passage of special warrant articles.
The difference is due to the formula followed since 1961 to divide the cost of operating the school district between three member townships. The formula balances a town's portion of costs, as measured by what percentage of the overall student body comes from each town, with a community's ability to raise the funds, as determined by a town's total property assessment relative to the other towns in the district. According to materials made available by the district office, both of these factors declined for Center Harbor and Sandwich, while Meredith saw both its total valuation and enrollment increase.
Student enrollment, in the cost-sharing formula, is measured as average daily membership (ADM), calculated over the course of an entire school year. Center Harbor's ADM declined from 124.13 in the 2010-2011 school year to 104.27, a drop of 16 percent. Sandwich's ADM declined by 17 percent, from 154.76 to 128.36. Meredith's ADM, however, went from 809.84 to 849.52, a gain of 5 percent.
Property assessments followed a similar pattern. Center Harbor's total property valuation sustained a modest decline of one percent, falling to $412,837763. Sandwich's assessment fell to $438,429,229, a decline of 9 percent. Meredith property increased in value by about 5 percent, to $1,848,418,481.
With approximately 68.5 percent of the total land value in the district, and with 78.5 percent of all Inter-Lakes students, Meredith taxpayers will bear 73.5 percent of the cost of operating the district's schools next year, while this year the town is responsible for only 70.4 percent. Center Harbor's burden will drop from 13.5 percent of the budget to 12.5 percent.
Sandwich taxpayers will pay 14 percent next year, while last year they funded 16.1 percent of the district budget.
According to the district's analysis, Meredith residents will see the school portion of their tax bill rise by $78.90 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. Center Harbor taxpayers will see a decrease of $11.03 for every $100,000 of property, while Sandwich's decrease will be $49.98. These numbers do not include additional expense that would be incurred with the passage of special warrant articles.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 05:30
Hits: 282
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