Latest News
Anti-gun advocates are long on rhetoric & emotional…
To the editor,There are times when I read the letters of lib...
Federal support for fossil fuel industry far greater th…
To the editor,A recent letter ("Wind energy less economicall...
Gilford man picked to direct Laconia Housing Authority
LACONIA — A Gilford man with 25 years experience with the Ne...
Planning for first LHS chem-free after prom party under…
LACONIA – Members of Freedom Found — an empowerment group at...
A pillar of Gilmanton community killed in Tuesday's col…
ALTON — One of the two people who was killed in a head-on tw...
Cost of health insurance & reduction in number of teacher aids are main topics at Inter-Lakes school budget hearing
MEREDITH — A proposed $91,148 increase in health insurance costs due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the reduction in the number of paraeducators in the Inter-Lakes School District by six were the main topics of discussion at a public hearing on the school district's $20,998,543 proposed operating budget for the 2013-2014 school year, held last night at Inter-Lakes High School.
School board member Howard Cunningham of Sandwich said that a one-year collective bargaining agreement reached with the 80 members of the Inter-Lakes Support Staff Association will result in a net increase of approximately 3 percent in pay with each member receiving a 70 cent per hour increase, which coupled with a step increase amounts to a 90 cent an hour increase.
He said that the health care plan is designed to move the district toward compliance with a provision of the Affordable Care Act, which provides that the employees share of a health care plan the district provides can cost no more than 9.5 percent of that person's salary.
The Matthew Thornton plan which the district approved would cost $8,766 and the cost would be shared 50-50 between the school district and the employee. He said that the district will apply $3,100 of the Flex Med plan currently offered to lower its costs, but he expects that there will be another significant increase in future years as the district moves to full compliance.
Cunningham said the one-year agreement buys the district time and avoids civil fines of up to $2,000 for every employee in the district for non-compliance or $3,000 for every employee who requests a health insurance subsidy.
He said that all of the rules for the Affordable Care Act have not yet been written so that limiting the collective bargaining agreement to one year gives the district more flexibility in the future.
Asked later by Steve Merrill about how health insurance costs would be shared in the future Cunningham said that the district might bear as much as 85 percent of the policy costs.
Karen Sticht asked if the school board had considered reducing the hours for employees to just under 30 hours per week so that it wouldn't be liable for providing health insurance coverage Cunningham said ''we thought about our kids and decided that was too high a price.''
Sticht said she would rather see people working and that ''$90,000 would pay for a lot of people.''
The support association agreement is a separate warrant article which calls for spending $138,609 for the health insurance and wage increases.
Chris Mega questioned the board's rationale for reducing the number of special education paraeducators at Inter-Lakes Elementary School from 22 to 18 while retaining two teachers and for replacing two regular paraeducators at the high school with a certified teacher in a learning lab classroom.
Superintendent of Schools Mary Ellen Ormond said that the switch was designed to provide instruction directly to those who need it the most and was supported by board member Jack Carty, who said that it is the teacher, not paraeducators, who are responsible for classroom learning.
The proposed budget is up by $526,761 over last year, with over half of that, $297,072 due to increased retirement system contributions. Other major increases are $175,513 for salaries and $46,0076 for health and dental costs.
The district will also vote on a warrant article which would allow it to unassigned general funds of up to 2.5 percent a year of the total budget in a fund balance to be used for emergencies or to reduce the tax rate. If the new state law were in effect for this year's budget the district would be able to retain up to $466,000.
Mark Billings asked if there was a limit on how much could be retained in the fund balance over time and was told that the state Department of Revenue Administration monitors the fund balance and recommends that it be no more than 10 percent of the total budget.
School board member Howard Cunningham of Sandwich said that a one-year collective bargaining agreement reached with the 80 members of the Inter-Lakes Support Staff Association will result in a net increase of approximately 3 percent in pay with each member receiving a 70 cent per hour increase, which coupled with a step increase amounts to a 90 cent an hour increase.
He said that the health care plan is designed to move the district toward compliance with a provision of the Affordable Care Act, which provides that the employees share of a health care plan the district provides can cost no more than 9.5 percent of that person's salary.
The Matthew Thornton plan which the district approved would cost $8,766 and the cost would be shared 50-50 between the school district and the employee. He said that the district will apply $3,100 of the Flex Med plan currently offered to lower its costs, but he expects that there will be another significant increase in future years as the district moves to full compliance.
Cunningham said the one-year agreement buys the district time and avoids civil fines of up to $2,000 for every employee in the district for non-compliance or $3,000 for every employee who requests a health insurance subsidy.
He said that all of the rules for the Affordable Care Act have not yet been written so that limiting the collective bargaining agreement to one year gives the district more flexibility in the future.
Asked later by Steve Merrill about how health insurance costs would be shared in the future Cunningham said that the district might bear as much as 85 percent of the policy costs.
Karen Sticht asked if the school board had considered reducing the hours for employees to just under 30 hours per week so that it wouldn't be liable for providing health insurance coverage Cunningham said ''we thought about our kids and decided that was too high a price.''
Sticht said she would rather see people working and that ''$90,000 would pay for a lot of people.''
The support association agreement is a separate warrant article which calls for spending $138,609 for the health insurance and wage increases.
Chris Mega questioned the board's rationale for reducing the number of special education paraeducators at Inter-Lakes Elementary School from 22 to 18 while retaining two teachers and for replacing two regular paraeducators at the high school with a certified teacher in a learning lab classroom.
Superintendent of Schools Mary Ellen Ormond said that the switch was designed to provide instruction directly to those who need it the most and was supported by board member Jack Carty, who said that it is the teacher, not paraeducators, who are responsible for classroom learning.
The proposed budget is up by $526,761 over last year, with over half of that, $297,072 due to increased retirement system contributions. Other major increases are $175,513 for salaries and $46,0076 for health and dental costs.
The district will also vote on a warrant article which would allow it to unassigned general funds of up to 2.5 percent a year of the total budget in a fund balance to be used for emergencies or to reduce the tax rate. If the new state law were in effect for this year's budget the district would be able to retain up to $466,000.
Mark Billings asked if there was a limit on how much could be retained in the fund balance over time and was told that the state Department of Revenue Administration monitors the fund balance and recommends that it be no more than 10 percent of the total budget.
Last Updated on Thursday, 07 February 2013 04:17
Hits: 121
A pillar of Gilmanton community killed in Tuesday's collision in Alton
Written by Gail Ober
ALTON — One of the two people who was killed in a head-on two-car accident last near the Wolfeboro line Tuesday evening had served nine years on the Gilmanton Conservation Commission.
Alton Police Chief Ryan Heath confirmed this morning that Ferenc Nagy, 50, of Gilmanton was one of the two people who died in the crash. Mary Lovasco, 54, of Mirror Lake and her two dogs also died in the crash.
Nagy, a real estate agent from Wolfeboro, was remembered yesterday by the former chair of the Conservation Commission Nancy Mitchell as an avid outdoors man and hunter who strongly supported the conservation in town.
"He had an uncanny sense of humor," Mitchell said recalling Nagy as having a brilliant mind and the ability to "think outside the box"
"He contributed so much to Gilmanton," she said, adding he was an early and ardent supporter of the Gilmanton Year Round Public Library.
"He was a really, really nice guy," Mitchell said.
Heath said the crash occurred near the center line. Nagy was headed south, toward Alton, and driving a Chevrolet pickup and Lovasco was driving a Chevrolet Impala.
Alton Police and Alton Fire and Rescue were assisted by Wolfeboro Fire and Rescue, the Gilford Police, the Department of Transportation and the Belknap County Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.
On behalf of all the emergency personnel, Heath extended his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Alton Police Chief Ryan Heath confirmed this morning that Ferenc Nagy, 50, of Gilmanton was one of the two people who died in the crash. Mary Lovasco, 54, of Mirror Lake and her two dogs also died in the crash.
Nagy, a real estate agent from Wolfeboro, was remembered yesterday by the former chair of the Conservation Commission Nancy Mitchell as an avid outdoors man and hunter who strongly supported the conservation in town.
"He had an uncanny sense of humor," Mitchell said recalling Nagy as having a brilliant mind and the ability to "think outside the box"
"He contributed so much to Gilmanton," she said, adding he was an early and ardent supporter of the Gilmanton Year Round Public Library.
"He was a really, really nice guy," Mitchell said.
Heath said the crash occurred near the center line. Nagy was headed south, toward Alton, and driving a Chevrolet pickup and Lovasco was driving a Chevrolet Impala.
Alton Police and Alton Fire and Rescue were assisted by Wolfeboro Fire and Rescue, the Gilford Police, the Department of Transportation and the Belknap County Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.
On behalf of all the emergency personnel, Heath extended his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Last Updated on Thursday, 07 February 2013 04:08
Hits: 704
Police make 13 drug-related arrests on Wednesday morning
Written by Gail Ober
LACONIA — In an early morning drug sweep yesterday, city police working with the Belmont Police, the Attorney General's Drug Task Force, and the U.S. Marshal's Service arrested 13 people on warrants for a variety of drug charges.
The arrests, according to Capt. William Clary were done between 6 and 7:30 a.m. and most of the warrant stemmed from investigations conducted by the newly created drug unit at the Police Department.
Polce did not allege a connection between any of the 13 people arrested.
Arrested in yesterday morning's sweep were Robert Rama, 20, of 72 Batchelder St. for one count of possession of marijuana; Ryan Tuckett, 32, of 328 South Main St. Apt. C for one count of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute; and Betsy Page, 54, of 371 Union Ave #3 for one count of sales of a controlled drug, marijuana, in a school zone.
Also arrested was Ronald Steele, 19, of 111 Warren St. with one count of possession of marijuana; Bradley Swinton, 66, of one count of possession of a controlled drug, marijuana, with intent to distribute and Sarah Smith, 26, of 103 Blueberry Lane #24 for conspiracy to sell a narcotic drug — crack cocaine.
Stacey Gates, 37, of 24 Arlene Drive in Belmont was charged with one count of sale of a narcotic drug — heroin — and one count of criminal liability for conduct of another — aid in sale of heroin. Elisabeth Gates, 35, also of 24 Arlene Drive in Belmont was charged with one count of sale of a narcotic drug — heroin.
Kerry Defeo, 26, of 20 True Road in Meredith was charged with one count of transporting sales of a narcotic drug in a motor vehicle — oxycodone; Alisha Morgan, 32, of 296 New Hampton Road in Franklin was charged with three counts of sales of a narcotic drug — cocaine, and William Butler, 32, of 16 Drake Road in New Hampton was charged with one count of possession of heroin, one count of possession of Suboxen and one count of possession of Gabapentin.
Garrett Brue, 19, of 64 Summer St. in Laconia was charged with one count of conspiracy to sales of a narcotic drug — oxycodone and Nicholas Ross, 27, of 55 Hacket Hill Road in Belmont was charged with one count of sale of a narcotic drug — oxycodone.
All of the above were released on personal recognizance bail and given court dates.
"The Laconia Police Department will continue to aggressively investigate drug crimes in the city," Clary said.
Lt. Richard Mann of the Belmont Police said he was glad to assist the Laconia Police and the other agencies involved in the investigations and arrests and his department will also continue to aggressively pursue drug activity in town.
The arrests, according to Capt. William Clary were done between 6 and 7:30 a.m. and most of the warrant stemmed from investigations conducted by the newly created drug unit at the Police Department.
Polce did not allege a connection between any of the 13 people arrested.
Arrested in yesterday morning's sweep were Robert Rama, 20, of 72 Batchelder St. for one count of possession of marijuana; Ryan Tuckett, 32, of 328 South Main St. Apt. C for one count of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute; and Betsy Page, 54, of 371 Union Ave #3 for one count of sales of a controlled drug, marijuana, in a school zone.
Also arrested was Ronald Steele, 19, of 111 Warren St. with one count of possession of marijuana; Bradley Swinton, 66, of one count of possession of a controlled drug, marijuana, with intent to distribute and Sarah Smith, 26, of 103 Blueberry Lane #24 for conspiracy to sell a narcotic drug — crack cocaine.
Stacey Gates, 37, of 24 Arlene Drive in Belmont was charged with one count of sale of a narcotic drug — heroin — and one count of criminal liability for conduct of another — aid in sale of heroin. Elisabeth Gates, 35, also of 24 Arlene Drive in Belmont was charged with one count of sale of a narcotic drug — heroin.
Kerry Defeo, 26, of 20 True Road in Meredith was charged with one count of transporting sales of a narcotic drug in a motor vehicle — oxycodone; Alisha Morgan, 32, of 296 New Hampton Road in Franklin was charged with three counts of sales of a narcotic drug — cocaine, and William Butler, 32, of 16 Drake Road in New Hampton was charged with one count of possession of heroin, one count of possession of Suboxen and one count of possession of Gabapentin.
Garrett Brue, 19, of 64 Summer St. in Laconia was charged with one count of conspiracy to sales of a narcotic drug — oxycodone and Nicholas Ross, 27, of 55 Hacket Hill Road in Belmont was charged with one count of sale of a narcotic drug — oxycodone.
All of the above were released on personal recognizance bail and given court dates.
"The Laconia Police Department will continue to aggressively investigate drug crimes in the city," Clary said.
Lt. Richard Mann of the Belmont Police said he was glad to assist the Laconia Police and the other agencies involved in the investigations and arrests and his department will also continue to aggressively pursue drug activity in town.
Last Updated on Thursday, 07 February 2013 05:01
Hits: 984
Selectmen back away from attempt to split Gonyer's job into 2
GILFORD — Although last night's Deliberative Session of Town Meeting was sparsely attended, those who were present rose against the Board of Selectman's attempt to split the position of Town Clerk-Tax Collector into two separate positions.
Leading the onslaught was former Police Chief and Town Administrator Evans Juris, who said the article was "absolutely unnecessary" and in his opinion it was nothing but a "power play" to usurp the authority of the elected Town Clerk-Tax Collector.
Juris also challenged the board to produce the minutes of any discussion about the split of the position saying from what he has read there has been no public discussion of why they want the position split.
The article, if passed would change the elected position of Town Clerk-Tax Collector into one elected town clerk and one separate tax collector who would be appointed by the selectmen. At the end of the deliberative session, selectmen met and changed their recommendation to 3-to-0 against passage although it was the board who initially added it to the warrant.
Selectman Vice Chair Kevin Hayes told the meeting the warrant article was "housekeeping" and that its passage would make certain the office of Town Clerk-Tax Collector runs smoothly in the event that anything happened to the existing office holder.
Hayes also said he has no personal issues with Town Clerk-Tax Collector Denise Gonyer or her office and emphasized that it would be his position that if the article passes, the appointed Tax Collector would be the same person as the elected Town Clerk.
As to Juris's request for minutes, Hayes said the discussions were held in a non-public session and the minutes were sealed because the discussions were personnel related.
Selectman John O'Brien said that his reason for wanting more control over at least the tax collector's portion of the office was because a study commissioned by the board to determine if there was adequate personnel in the office said that the office does things that are not done in other towns.
He said those "extras" cost money and the selectmen have been trying to reduce the overall cost of government but are powerless to control the functions and duties of the Town Clerk-Tax Collector.
Gonyer said those "extras" were boat registrations that bring about $53,000 in annual revenue to the town.
There were also several attempts to amend the article, including a lengthy discussion prompted by Mark Corry and seconded by Budget Committee member Kevin Roy to change the wording such that the article would only go into effect if the current Town Clerk-Tax Collector resigned, retired or lost the election.
After Moderator Peter Millham (Town Moderator Sandy McGonagle was ill and appointed Millham to run the meeting in her absence) held a private discussion with Town Counsel Robert Ciandella, they both explained that state law provides specifically for what happens should a town choose to split the position and the motion ran contrary to state law.
Corry and Roy withdrew their motion.
Budget Committee member David Horvath was successful in getting the language "following the example of many town throughout the state removed" removed after Gonyer said that no other towns in the state, to her knowledge, had ever split the two positions.
On the contrary, she said, towns have been combining them to save money.
Budget Committee member Dale Dormody said he felt there was inadequate public discussion about what he considered to be a very big change to the town government and asked if selectmen could and would remove the article from the warrant.
Millham and Ciadella both said an article cannot be removed, however, the board did vote unanimously not to recommend its passage, after the Deliberative Session ended.
Exluding those who had to be there — like department heads, committee members and media — about 50 residents attended last night's session. There was little to no discussion about any of the other warrant articles except a petitioned Warrant Article 6 which would change the way the town administered the State Water Quality Protection Act.
The primary sponsor of the article, Everett McLaughlin, said the article was flawed and because he couldn't remove it from the warrant, asked that voters not support it.
Leading the onslaught was former Police Chief and Town Administrator Evans Juris, who said the article was "absolutely unnecessary" and in his opinion it was nothing but a "power play" to usurp the authority of the elected Town Clerk-Tax Collector.
Juris also challenged the board to produce the minutes of any discussion about the split of the position saying from what he has read there has been no public discussion of why they want the position split.
The article, if passed would change the elected position of Town Clerk-Tax Collector into one elected town clerk and one separate tax collector who would be appointed by the selectmen. At the end of the deliberative session, selectmen met and changed their recommendation to 3-to-0 against passage although it was the board who initially added it to the warrant.
Selectman Vice Chair Kevin Hayes told the meeting the warrant article was "housekeeping" and that its passage would make certain the office of Town Clerk-Tax Collector runs smoothly in the event that anything happened to the existing office holder.
Hayes also said he has no personal issues with Town Clerk-Tax Collector Denise Gonyer or her office and emphasized that it would be his position that if the article passes, the appointed Tax Collector would be the same person as the elected Town Clerk.
As to Juris's request for minutes, Hayes said the discussions were held in a non-public session and the minutes were sealed because the discussions were personnel related.
Selectman John O'Brien said that his reason for wanting more control over at least the tax collector's portion of the office was because a study commissioned by the board to determine if there was adequate personnel in the office said that the office does things that are not done in other towns.
He said those "extras" cost money and the selectmen have been trying to reduce the overall cost of government but are powerless to control the functions and duties of the Town Clerk-Tax Collector.
Gonyer said those "extras" were boat registrations that bring about $53,000 in annual revenue to the town.
There were also several attempts to amend the article, including a lengthy discussion prompted by Mark Corry and seconded by Budget Committee member Kevin Roy to change the wording such that the article would only go into effect if the current Town Clerk-Tax Collector resigned, retired or lost the election.
After Moderator Peter Millham (Town Moderator Sandy McGonagle was ill and appointed Millham to run the meeting in her absence) held a private discussion with Town Counsel Robert Ciandella, they both explained that state law provides specifically for what happens should a town choose to split the position and the motion ran contrary to state law.
Corry and Roy withdrew their motion.
Budget Committee member David Horvath was successful in getting the language "following the example of many town throughout the state removed" removed after Gonyer said that no other towns in the state, to her knowledge, had ever split the two positions.
On the contrary, she said, towns have been combining them to save money.
Budget Committee member Dale Dormody said he felt there was inadequate public discussion about what he considered to be a very big change to the town government and asked if selectmen could and would remove the article from the warrant.
Millham and Ciadella both said an article cannot be removed, however, the board did vote unanimously not to recommend its passage, after the Deliberative Session ended.
Exluding those who had to be there — like department heads, committee members and media — about 50 residents attended last night's session. There was little to no discussion about any of the other warrant articles except a petitioned Warrant Article 6 which would change the way the town administered the State Water Quality Protection Act.
The primary sponsor of the article, Everett McLaughlin, said the article was flawed and because he couldn't remove it from the warrant, asked that voters not support it.
Last Updated on Thursday, 07 February 2013 05:00
Hits: 230
More Articles...
