NOTICE


WARNING ! – Ongoing attempts to by-pass and change the administrative functions and content of this blog ( generic "HACKS") has resulted in Substantial Reduction of normal access. Expectations of restricted availability and access will occur as these intrusions persist.

WATER !! WATER ? "Water"

Are you concerned/interested in Atkinson's water issue?
Visit the new water discussion forum.
http://www.just-goaway.com/
NEW PETITION ON FORUM
New Information and Updates Daily

Thursday, January 31

Why will this tower cost us $700,000??

Anonymous said...
Publius please accept this as an article submission.

First, off the record, please post this as anonymous for now but I will tell you (personal information removed on request). given the short time we have, I can be reached at 800-555-1212. I'm extremely concerned over the nearly $700K proposed for the communications tower. I knew they were planning this but the cost absolutely astounds me. I'm a Electronics Engineer by trade and I also have a lot of experience in the area of radio communications and commercial 2-way radio systems. For an area of 11 square miles, the proposed cost is beyond imagination. I plan to attend Saturdays session with a list of questions, but, it would really help if I knew more about the consultants study.

On Record.

There is Warrant Article, 2008-09, asking that $682,000 be appropriated for the communications tower.

I have no doubt there are dead spots in town where officers portables cannot reach the base station on Academy Ave and that this is a legitimate safety concern. However, for a town that only covers 11 square miles the cost to remedy this problem, based on limited description in the article, sees to be excessive.

There was an engineering study done that led to this proposal. I'm asking, has anyone seen this study, or better yet, have a copy. I'd like to know exactly what its conclusions were, and, why it will take nearly $700,000 to solve. Publis knows how to contact me. Thank you.

Do we get Value for money from our Police Dept.?

MAcciard said

Publius please accept this as an article submission, second part in the series.

Do we get Value for money from our Police Dept.?

As long as I have committed to try and make public these budget numbers, I will try to concentrate on the three or four largest budgets in town, Highway, police, fire, and possibly library. Hopefully this will engender more public discussion of where our tax dollars go.

HAMPSTEAD POLICE DEPT.
ADMINISTRATION
officers salary $451,675
custodial wages $3,553
police chief salary $23,528
medical insurance $61,539
dental insurance $5,261
life insurance $800
LTD insurance $800
STD insurance $1,200
retirement $40,000
legal expense $16,000
telephone expense $7,500
advertising expense $100
dues and subscriptions $300
general supplies $4,500
postage $400
equipment $25,300
uniforms $7,200
TRAFFIC CONTROL
communications $900
gasoline $22,000
vehicle repairs $7,000
radio $600
miscellaneous expense $700
WORKSHOPS/TRAINING
workshops and training $8,000
other compensation $1,000
SUPPORT SERVICES
cruiser replacement $27,000
other misc.expense $1,000
POLICE STATION
electricity $4,500
heat $3,000
repair and maintenance $10,000
OTHER POLICE FUNCTIONS
restitution $100
TOTAL POLICE BUDGET $735,855

Hampstead Police Dept. handled 11,400 calls making thier budget $64.55/call

ATKINSON POLICE DEPT.
ATKINSON POLICE ADMIN.
chief's salary $22,585
PT Officers pay $81,137
FT officers pay $195272
dispatch $43,505
school crossing guard $7,786
lt. salary $59,588
clerical $13,907
FT officers overtime $25,587
Insurance AD&D $87,130
fica $8,559
medicare $6,090
NH Retirement $30,342
legal services $20,474
dues/subs/memberships $1,850
mileage $250
EDUCATION/TRAINING
education and training $16,842
SUPPORT SERVICES
telephone $12,816
physicals $929
printing & binding $1,126
office supplies $7,062
postage $1,300
new equipment $8,736
uniforms $12,996
SPECIAL DETAILS
Town details $5,000
community service $2,256
POLICE BUILDING MAINT.
custodial $2,980
electricity $6,900
heat $3,082
general maintenance $591
household supplies $591
food $1,563
JUVENILE
juvenile officer $2,691
juvenile supplies $2,474
CRUISER MAINTENANCE
equipment repairs $2,729
cruiser gas $30,000
cruiser maintenance $10,870
cruiser lease agreements $5,605
new equipment $9,690
TOTAL POLICE DEPT. $752,892

Atkinson Police dept. handled 9726 calls in 2006(the last year we have numbers for?) it is unclear how many of those calls are for elderly affairs as both depts calls go to the same place. But 9726 calls makes their budget $77.41/call

SANDOWN POLICE DEPT.
Additional Duties $513
Ammo $1,200
Bereavement Leave $1,280
Books $941
Communications $4,100
Community Service $1,708
Cruiser Purchase $24,728
Call Back Hous $418
Details $20,000
Dues $250
Educational Incentive $3,766
Equip. Maint. $9,407
Equip. Purchase $10,900
Gasoline $19,000
Grievance pay $384
Health $1,100
Incremental sick days $3,821
Merit Pay $400
Overtime $20,692
Payroll $326,796
PT Holiday $1,959
PT Vacation $2,118
Photography $210
Prosecution $14,450
Shift Differential $6,334
Supplies $3,000
Telephone $3,500
Training $3,732
Trustee Lunches $1,716
Tuition Reimbursement $3,000
Uniforms $9,506
Vehicle Maint. $9,783
Witness Fees $6,000
TOTAL $509,325
Sandoown Police handled 10,500 calls; making their budget $48.51/call

Please note when comparing depts. that both Hampstead and Sandown purchased cruisers adding $25k+ to their budgets that Atkinson does not have. Also note the differences in Gas 19k for Sandown, 22k for Hampstead both of which have more roads to patrol, equal or greater population, far more business, than Atkinson, yet Atkinson spends $30k.

Wednesday, January 30

Do we get Value for money from our Fire Dept.?

MAcciard said

Publius please accept this as an article submission, second part in the series.

Do we get Value for money from our Fire Dept.?

As long as I have committed to try and make public these budget numbers, I will try to concentrate on the three or four largest budgets in town, Highway, police, fire, and possibly library. Hopefully this will engender more public discussion of where our tax dollars go.

HAMPSTEAD FIRE DEPT.
ADMINISTRATION
Secretary Salary $7,500
Salaries-Call $56,650
Salary-Custodial $3,605
Salaries- FT Firefighters $168,000
Salaries- Board of engineers $20,600
Salary- Chief $43,855
Salary- shift coverage $8,000
Medical Insurance $40,250
Dental Insurance $2,500
Life Insurance $425
LTD Insurance $800
STD Insurance $800
Retirement $26,000
Telephone $4,200
Advertising $100
Dues & Subscriptions $6,500
General Supplies $3,000
Computers/office machines $5,500
Custodial Supplies $500
Book and periodicals $150
FIREFIGHTING
Forest Fires $2,000
Fire Alarm $3,000
Vehicle Repair-Fire/rescue $25,000
Mileage expense $2,000
Hose and fittings $5,000
Equipment- Fire $6,000
Equipment- Rescue $3,500
Dress Uniforms $2,500
Protective clothing $9,000
Pressure Hydrant $8,000
Dry Hydrant $2,500
Medical Supplies $5,500
Hydrant Maintenance $5,200
INSPECTION/PLANNING
Fire Prevention $2,500
TRAINING
Training- Fire $5,000
Training- Rescue $5,000
SUPPORT SERVICES
Dispatch $38,912
Commuications $10,000
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Physical Exams $3,000
Misc. Medial Expense $500
Hepatitis B shots $500
FIRE STATIONS AND BUILDING
Electricity $8,000
Heat $8,000
Repair and Maintenance $15,000
TOTAL $574,547
Hampstead Fire Dept. responded to 939 calls, making thier budget $611.87/call

ATKINSON FIRE DEPT.
FIRE ADMIN
Chief's salary $8,955
Officers $83,659
Clerk $4,864
Custodial $2,400
Insurance(AD&D) $2,136
FICA $6,043
Medicare $1,413
Retirement $600
Telephone $4,250
Electricity $7,000
Heat $4,000
New Hydrants $13,500
Dues/Subs/Memberships $2,000
Hazmat District $5,000
Office Supplies $2,500
Postage $300
Education/conferences $10,000
FIRE FIGHTING
Truck Mainentance/Labor $1,500
Hydrant Mainenane $2,500
Minor Equipment $3,000
Gas & Oil $3,500
Truck Mainenance $35,000
Chemicals $1,600
New Equipment $14,000
Food $1,000
Uniforms $10,000
FIRE PREVENTION/INSPECTIONS
Fire Inspectors $20,600
FICA $1,277
Medicare $298
Printing & Binding $600
TRAINING
Instructional Materials $1,500
COMMUNICATIONS
Minor Equipment/other repairs $7,000
Truck Lease $62,392
MEDICAL SERVICES
Physicals $2,500
Medical Supplies $4,500
TOTAL $331,369

Note that Atkinson has a truck lease of $63,000 that the other towns do not.
Atkinson Reponded to 543 calls. Making their budget $610.27/call

SANDOWN FIRE DEPT.
RESCUE ACCOUNT
Equipment Maintenance $3,500
New Equipment $5,000
Health $600
Supplies $4,500
Training $4,500
Membership Reimburse $13,000
FIRE ACCOUNT
Communications $1,800
Dues $5,600
Equip. Maint./Repair $4,200
Fire Prevention $1,800
Forest Fires $500
Gasoline/Diesel $3,600
New Equipment $27,000
Payroll Fire Chief $46,405
Personnel Reimburse- Fire Chief $3,000
Personnel Reimburse- Engineers $4,800
Personnel Reimburse- Fire Fighters $7,000
Supplies $1,400
Telephone $1,000
Training $5,000
Vehicle Maint./Repair $4,500
TOTAL $148,605

Sandown Fire Dept. answered 308 calls making their budget $482.48/Call

Hope this helps.

Town Officials "claim" taxpayers groups charging, no substantiation.

As reported in the Eagle-Tribune today, Fleeing Town Administrator Russ "shoot the messenger" McAllister "claimed" that two women came in to pull their tax cards so that Mr. Leon Artus, of Atkinson Taxpayers for Fair Evaluations, who supposedly knocked on their doors could make money by helping them with their abatements!

Now if any of you have had Mr. Artus help you with an abatement, you would know that he never asks for anything! He never charges for his help! Nor have we found anyone who will say that he did charge them.

Is it coincidence that three days before a deliberative session in which we are going to debate 5 warrant articles petitioned and submitted by Mr. Artus, all of which place demands, and are at odds with the board of selectmen's views, one of which calls for the elimination of the town administrators position, The very same town administrator, aided by one of our illustrious selectmen divulge to a newspaper reporter, in a way which can not be verified, that they "heard" that This very same antagonist of theirs, is CHARGING people for help?

Is it coincidence that they claim that these two "women", they can't remember who they are, We have so many residents; They cant remember where they lived, cant look at a print list to see what tax cards were printed in the last 14 days? They cant produce a single person who will back up their slanderous story, yet, we are supposed to believe them over someone who has gotten tens of thousands of dollars back for residents of this town with no gain to himself?

This is just another example of the low brow, underhanded, dispicable partisan political shoot the messenger tactics of this board of selectmen under the leadership of Mr. Sapia!

Have you ever noticed they never debate the issue, they instead slander, and demean the messenger?

When are we as a town going to send these people packing and take our town government back?

We have spent the last three years in court over just this sort of behavior! This has never happened before in the towns 234 year history!

And it is time for it to stop!

Tuesday, January 29

Could Tonight's meeting be Illegal?

Toonight is the night for the moderator ans the selectmen's meeting to "discuss" the petitioned warrant articles.

The only problem is that this meeting is not posted either inside or outside the town hall, nor is it posted at the library, or at the Academy.

How can our elected officials have a public meeting without 24 hours posting in 2 public places as required by law, or in the case of a "public hearing" 7 day posting in a newspaper of general circulation in the town, as required by law?

Yes, I know what you are thinking... That means that Atkinson has almost NEVER had a legal public hearing, and that is true, but what can you expet with this board?

Town Administrator McAllister has resigned!

Although it has not been announced yet, and although this blog does not yet know the date effective, It has been heard in the Village Store, and the Town Hall that Mr. McAllister tendered his resignation Monday evening!

This Blog wonders how that will square with Jack's statement that the selectmen and Mr. McAllister will have something to say at town meeting! One wonders why, the seletmen have no authority at deliberative session other than to answer questions put to them by the people. And Mr. McAllister is not even a town resident and therefore should have no opinion.

Either way it is an interesting development.

Saturday, January 26

Do we get value for money from our Highway dept.?

MAcciard said

Publius please publish this as an article submission, I will try to submit these for both Police and Fire as well;

I notice alot of you are asking if our road agent, and our highway dept. is a good value? or should we go to a full time highway dept. with town owned equipment?


Do we get value for money from our Highway Dept.?

Here are the results of a study I did on that issue when I chaired the budget committee. I compared the highway budget for Atkinson, Sandown, and Hampstead, and then tried to break it up by $ per mile of road for an accurate comparison. This is the same exercise I did year in and year out for Highway, Police, Fire, and Library, to see if we were getting "bang for the buck".

THESE ARE ALL 2007 BUDGET NUMBERS


HIGHWAYS AND STREETS- HAMPSTEAD, NH.


Highway Labor $23,690
Road Agent Salary $20,188
New Equipment $10,000
Paving & Reconstruction
Engineering Support $4,000
Paving & Reconstruction $250,000
Cleaning and Maintenance
Contract Labor/Equipment $50,000
General Supplies $6,000
Patch Material $600.
Culverts $1,000
Street Signs and Markings $13,000
Tree Trimming/Brush Cutting $10,000
Fuel for Equipment $2,000
Snow and Ice Control
Telephone $300
Communications $3,000
Installation plows/sanders $3,000
Leased Equipment $1,000
Contract Labor/Equipment $185,000
Equipment Repair $8,000
Salt $85,000
Sand $6,000
Other Supplies $5,000
Town Garage
Electricity $4,500
Heat $2,000
Repair/Maintenance $4,500
Garage Cleanup $2,000
TOTAL $699,778.00

ATKINSON HIGHWAY DEPT.
Road Agent- Summer $17,220
Road Agent- Winter $17,220
Health Ins. $16,239
Fica $2,135
Medicare $499
ENGINEERING
Telephone $3,182
Oth. Prof. Serv.-Engineer $10,000
Electricity $1,327
Heating Oil $3,000
Educational Conferences $500
Legal Notices $1,360
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Labor- Summer $28,470
Labor- Winter $28,470
Fica $3,530
Medicare $826
Radio Maintenance $500
Equipment Repairs $8,000
Minor Equipment/Sm. Tools $1,272
Gas & Oil $6,958
Truck Lease $9,200
Gravel/ Summer $9,000
Loam/ Summer $1,500
Patch Material $120,000
Culverts $4,000
Sealers $6,000
Other Materials- Summer $2,060
Catch Basins $3,000
Stone $1,800
Minor Equip/ Summer $1,300
Equip.Rental/Summer $2,000
Line Painting $13,000
Contrat Labor/Equip. Summer $30,000
Tree Removal $8,000
SNOW AND ICE CONTROL
Minor Equip./ Winter $7,600
Salt/ Winter $52,000
Sand/ Winter $3,000
Cutting Edges/ Winter $3,000
Contract Labor/ Winter $100,000
TOTAL $527,168

SANDOWN HIGHWAY DEPT.
Cold Mix $2,100
Equip. Rental $1,500
Equip. R&M $2,000
Equip. Purchase $10,000
Gasoline $15,000
Materials $2,000
Payroll $125,572
Salt $74,821
Sand $7,500
Signs $1,200
Supplies $4,500
Tree Removal $2,000
Vehicle Maint. $6,200
Plowing $106,428
Seminars $200
Officer Details $4,100
TOTAL $365,121
PAYROLL DETAIL
Road Agent $23.18/hr. $49,696
Asst. Road Agent $15.86/hr.$34,013
Laborer#1 $15.45/hr. $33,119
Laborer#2 $10.94/hr. $8,774

Now if you look at the salary, payroll, and contract labor lines, that is where you will notice differences. Sandown's total is somewhat misleading because the budget committee pulled the requested $120,000 for paving out of the budget and put it all into a warrant article.

Saturday, January 19

New Year, Electioneering Again!

Here is the Law;

Section 659:44-a
659:44-a Electioneering by Public Employees. – No public employee, as defined in RSA 273-A:1, IX, shall electioneer while in the performance of his or her official duties or use government property, including, but not limited to, telephones, facsimile machines, vehicles, and computers, for electioneering. For the purposes of this section, ""electioneer'' means to act in any way specifically designed to influence the vote of a voter on any question or office. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Source. 2003, 172:2, eff. June 18, 2003.


Now appply this to the selectmen's proposed "special meeting" to discuss citizen petitioned warrant articles, 5 days before deliberative session.

1.) This will not be a meeting of the "Legislative Body". It will be a selectman's meeting. What is the difference you may ask; the difference is that at town meeting the selectmen have no official authority, they are merely residents. All authority at town meeting lies in the hands of the moderator. Another difference is that these warrant articles can not be changed, or ammended, only discussed.
2.) This meeting will not stop discussion of these articles on town floor! Therefore it will acomplish nothing.
3.)The selectmen will control the format, location, and therefore discussion of these articles.

What this all boils down to is the selectmen are, once again, using the forum of the selectmen's meeting, to discuss, and deliberate on issues demanded by the citizens to be included in the warrant, five days, hence!

They will use Cable TV, to broadcast this "discussion" to the town. Does ANYONE seriously think that this does NOT fall within the definition of Electioneering, cited above?

Three years ago we had 31 warrant articles on the ballot, never had the need for this type of pre meeting.

in 1998, John Kiley brought in 8 or 9 citizen petition warrant articles, we did not need this type of special discussion session.

So What has changed this year?

Could it be because for the first time we have a board of selectmen that have exhibited a blatent disregard for the law and the will of the voters FOR THE ENTIRE THREE YEARS OF MR. SAPIA'S TENURE?

Could it be that the current board, and our unofficial 4th selectmen do not like these particular warrant articles and wish to undermine their activism?

Could it be that for the first time the people have a forum to speak out, and because of the heavy handed manner in which the powers that be conduct business, feel the need to do it Anonymously, and like the Soviet Union in 1988, they can not find out who the critics are, and therefore can not smear them, and this angers them greatly? Could this be an effort to draw advoates out into the open where they can be identified and harrassed?

Opinions please!

The Time is now!

Welcome to another new contributor under the Publius byline

Anonymous said...
PLEASE PUBLISH AS AN ARTICLE

THE TIME IS NOW – WE HAVE THE POWER

It is no secret that our town government is broken. It is no secret that many many many residents are now up in arms for change. It is no secret how or who brought the town to its knees. It is no secret that we the people have the power to change these things and move forward.

1. REPLACE JACK-remove this bullying egomaniac. No longer allow him to have a voice. Support one candidate and don’t split the vote.
2. RETIRE PHIL-He can no longer intimidate, bully or harass on an official level if he is put out to pasture where he belongs.
3.
4. REPLACE FRANK-someone any one run for moderator. To think that he continually tries to orchestrate OUR deliberative session so that he can get home for supper is beyond ridiculous. This is the resident’s only opportunity to be a voice, whether 5 people or 500 people show up…..we have the right to deliberate.

*** Editors Note: Point #3 was edited only because this issue is currently under ballot.***

TAKE A STAND

Deliberate February 2nd
Vote March 11th

Friday, January 18

And the Issue is?

Welcome to another contributor under the Publius byline

Peace In Atkinson said...
Publius: Article Submission

AND THE ISSUE IS?

Why do people try to discredit those who speak out or ask questions about the practices and decisions by our town officials? These personal attacks do nothing for the level of discourse in this town. If people have factual information to add to the conversation, that is welcomed. But please stick to facts. Slanderous attacks do nothing but make everyone look bad. Have we sunk so low that we can't openly and honestly discuss issues affecting our town? Do we have to be so far entrenched in our positions that it is impossible for us to consider others perspectives?

The discussion is about issues. Not personalities or people.

There seems to be a pattern of people making claims that someone has a "vendetta" or they're being "vindictive" or have a "personal conflict" or question a motive saying "Is it personal in nature?" Those being attacked get defensive, voices get louder and the whole message is lost and everyone suffers.

This is no way to communicate. I would ask us all to pay close attention to the negative, personal attack kind of behavior and stick to the issues. We have much to fix in this town and we can only make progress when we raise the level of discourse and discuss the issues.

THE ISSUE IS.....discussing the issue, not the people.

Thursday, January 17

Selectmen Judge Citizen Petitions on the "motivations of the petitioner" Poppycock!

Mr.(oh, we can only hope) Sapia, is quoted in the Eagle-Tribune today as stating that in regards to citizen petitioned warrant articles that we must consider the motivations of the petitioner!

Well, Mr. Sapia, the warrant article in question, one to eliminate the position of Town Administrator, replacing it with a selectmen's clerk, was signed by 106 petitioners! Evidently Mr. Sapia's evident clairvoyance extends to the goals and motivations of all 106 petitioners!

Try this one on for size, Jack, This will blow your mind....

MAYBE, these 106 RESIDENTS are sick and tired of seeing what was a genuine desire to help our town become more efficient deteriorate into a body of FOUR selectmen, one of which was hired not elected. MAYBE, we are sick and tired of going into OUR town hall to request information, and being treated as if we are an inconvenience, we never get that from Linda and Rose by the way, MAYBE we are sick of hearing how rude our hired gun is to the women who work in town hall, MAYBE we are sick of seeing the selectmen complain about the actions and inactions of our town administrator, yet fail miserably to exercise ANY supervisory authority, and reprimand or counsel him. Come to think of it, MAYBE we are sick of seeing our selectmen over-supervise ELECTED OFFICIALS, like the town clerk and the road agent, over which they, by law, have NO, AND LITTLE AUTHORITY, and under-supervise people who mistreat resident regularly, like our town administrator, and police chief. Maybe we are just sick of selectmen who try to do everyone elses jobs, while neglecting their own.

Tuesday, January 15

Another S.N.A.F.U.?

MAcciard said...

Publius, please accept this as an article submission.

Another S.N.A.F.U.?

I finally had time to watch the budget committee public hearing, and I was surprised to see that they did not discuss, and disclose any of the petitioned warrant articles! I know there is at least 1 petitioned warrant article submitted that is a "money warrant article". Yet they did not discuss this.

RSA 32:5 clearly states;

32:5 Budget Preparation. –
I. The governing body, or the budget committee if there is one, shall hold at least one public hearing on each budget, not later than 25 days before each annual or special meeting, public notice of which shall be given at least 7 days in advance, and after the conclusion of public testimony shall finalize the budget to be submitted to the legislative body. Public hearings on bonds and notes in excess of $100,000 shall be held in accordance with RSA 33:8-a, I. Days shall be counted in accordance with RSA 21:35.
II. All purposes and amounts of appropriations to be included in the budget or special warrant articles shall be disclosed or discussed at the final hearing. The governing body or budget committee shall not thereafter insert, in any budget column or special warrant article, an additional amount or purpose of appropriation which was not disclosed or discussed at that hearing, without first holding one or more public hearings on supplemental budget requests for town or district expenditures.

This would mean that the article can not be legally placed on the warrant, as it was not discussed at the public hearing.

RSA 39:3 also states;

39:3 Articles. – Upon the written application of 25 or more registered voters or 2 percent of the registered voters in town, whichever is less, although in no event shall fewer than 10 registered voters be sufficient, presented to the selectmen or one of them not later than the fifth Tuesday before the day prescribed for an annual meeting, the selectmen shall insert in their warrant for such meeting the petitioned article with only such minor textual changes as may be required.

This compels the town to insert the warrant article. Now RSA 39:3 also states that the right to have an article inserted SHALL not be infringed upon by the provisions of RSA chapter 32, and THAT may be the town's way out of this mess, But someone should surely look into why this wasn't presented at the budget committee public hearing. It could be that Russ did not give the committee all of the warrant articles as has happened the last two years, I don't know, but these types of issues should not happen.

Does Atkinson NEED a 120' Communications tower in BEautiful Town Center?

Well, the Answer to that question depends upon who you ask. Last year at deliberative session we all heard Lt. Baldwin yell at us about the amount of crime in Atkinson, which we civilians know nothing about. We also heard him tell us that our officers put their lives on the line every time they put the uniform on, because they have only one officer on any given shift, and no back up. He said that Salem and Methuen and the like always had backup. Lt. Bladwin told us that the proposed 180' tower was "absolutely necessary" as half our town had little or no communications, and that it would be "FREE"! Selectmen Sapia told us that it was a "life safety issue" and that it "won't cost a dime"!

Mr. Acciard pointed out that "even if the cell company built the tower, the $538,000 of equipment was a cash expense, that would be offset by $25,000/yr. lease, but that it would take 22 years to recoup our investment, and THAT AIN'T FREE!"

So what is the truth?

Well, the truth is that Atkinson does not have a transmission problem. The truth is that the Vehicles have 90-100% coverage in town. The Problem is that the shoulder radio's do not have the power to reach the station in some areas.

This is a problem that is solved by plaing "Repeaters" around town to bounce the signal back to the station. Another truth is that ALL DIGITAL REPEATERS DO THE SAME JOB! A Repeater on a tower, does the same job as a repeater in the truck of the car! It just cost 30 TIMES AS MUCH!

Mr. Murad of our communications committee said that Vehicle repeaters "don't work"! With all due respect to Mr. Murad, that is nonsense! Vehicle repeaters are used by 3825 polie and fire depts, aross the country, including ALL 50 STATES STATE POLICE FORCES, THE FBI, AND THE PRESIDENTIAL DETAIL OF THE SECRET SERVICE!!! But Acording to Mr. Murad, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Sapia, they are good enough for Atkinson. Did you get that? They are good enough to protect the President of the United States, but not the Town of Atkinson! Ridiculous!!!

What they also are failing to tell you is that a Vehicle Repeater is a unit the size of a car stereo amplifier that bolts in the trunk of a cruiser, and costs $1,300-$1,800.00/ unit, and can be removed and put in a new vehicle just like the lights and radios.

We have 8 police vehicles(plus 3 elderly) and 8 fire vehicles! You could put vehicle repeaters, INSTALLED in all 16 vehicles for under $35,000. Not $500,000-$750,000 like the powers that be want to spend on their permanent phallic memorial to their monumental egos.

Go to the Motorola website! Google Police digital vehicle repeaters, lots of valid information there. Part of our problem is that twice now our committees have started with the premise that we NEED a tower, and worked to fulfill that. The consultant actually TOLD the tower committee that vehicle repeaters "WOULD WORK, BUT THAT ISN'T THE BEST WAY TO GO FOR AN AFFLUENT TOWN LIKE ATKINSON!!! So that is the same as saying "Yes, we can solve your problem for under $60,000.00 but you can afford to spend so much more" I know you WANT the Cadillac, but you can AFFORD the Rolls Royce and it is so much more elegant!

Sunday, January 13

Selectmen/ Town Administrator lose the Town money in Highway Block Grant!

This blog has recently learned that the Selectmen and the Town Administrator have FAILED TO FILE A ROAD REPORT WITH NHDOT, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS!!!! This filing is MANDATORY under state law, and is used in determining the amount of money the town will receive in it's highway block grant from the State!

This means that the Selectmen and the Toan Administrator's negligence has resulted in the town receiving LESS MONEY THAN WE WERE ENTITLED TO!!! When asked about this we were told The Town Administrator tried to blame this on the Road Agent! Make no mistake this is a SELECTMEN RESPONSIBILITY, NOT THE ROAD AGENTS!!! He has no authority to sign anything on behalf of the town. In years past this task was done by Jane Cole, when she worked in the selectmen's office, and Elaine Woodbury, since the advent of Russ McAllister, and Jack Sapia, and Fred Childs, and Phil Consentino, as selectmen, this lawful duty has lapsed costing the taxpayers of Atkinson, potentially thousands of dollars. This is because the Highway block grant is based upon the mileage of town road. Why do we have a town administrator if these basic functions are not getting done? His job costs this town at least $80,000/yr. and for what? And where were the selectmen, when this was brought to their attention? Did they reprimand the Town Administrator? NO!, They joined him in trying to blame the Road Agent from what we heard.

Thursday, January 10

Elderly Affairs car Clocked at 84 mph??? Isn't that illegal?

Thank you to another new contributor under the Publius byline!

PUBLIUS: ARTICLE SUBMISSION

Atkinson Community Transport clocked at 84 MPH !!

My Fellow Atkinson Taxpayers:

Today, January 10, 2007 at approximately 10:10 AM, one of the
"Atkinson Community Police Senior Transport" vehicles was clocked at 84 MPH while traveling south on Route 93, just south of Manchester.

This was witnessed and clocked by a NH resident, Ed Naile, who phoned in his eyewitness account of the incident as it occurred. Ed stated the license plate number was G15388. There were two occupants in the vehicle, a "little old lady" and a driver described as "a large, fellow with a large head and thick neck" (sorry, no offense intended,
just conveying the description). Ed stated they were traveling at
such a high rate of speed, he had a hard time just keeping up with the Community vehicle to clock them. Ed also said he thought it was a police car but then noted it had no lights. And he said both occupants looked fine so there didn't appear to be any apparent
emergency. Ed pulled up along the vehicle and said they both looked
at him and seemed OK. He stopped following at the weigh station.
Hopefully, they made it back to Atkinson without incident.

Why should Atkinson residents care? Well, what if they crashed? We don't like the idea of seeing residents unnecessarily exposed to potential serious
injury/death. Not to mention the open-ended liability to the town
perhaps in the millions of dollars. Reckless driving using town vehicles is inexcusable. Especially with one of our elderly residents in the vehicle. Our "Community Officers" are not certified police officers. Reality is they are part of the Elderly Affairs transportation program, are giving rides and are paid an hourly rate for doing so. This is how one of the 11 cars under our police budget is put to use. We still haven't figured out why we need 11 police cars in Atkinson. And oh, by the way, the insurance for all these vehicles does not appear in the PD budget - so taxpayers are not provided with an accurate depiction of the total cost of our police budget (no "Truth-in-Budgeting").

Ed Naile is willing to testify to what he saw and can be reached on
his cell phone at 603-831-2031. Feel free to call him.

Last month our PD lost a gun. Before that they crashed two police
cars in the PD parking lot. The Chief has been sued twice and received numerous complaints. All of these within the past year.

You can read the actual lawsuit documents, complaints and news articles posted at www.AtkinsonTaxpayers.org. There is also an ongoing investigation by NH Police Standards and Training. All these incidents add up to increased injury risks, higher costs, higher insurance rates and more legal fees that are passed on to all town residents and
taxpayers.

In our opinon, the Atkinson PD is broken. Does someone have to be
injured or killed before we fix it?

Atkinson Taxpayers Association
www.AtkinsonTaxpayers.Org

Opinons and editorials posted at the Atkinson Reporter Blog:
http://atkinson-reporter.blogspot.com/
index.html

"....a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a
superficial appearance of being right...."

Thomas Paine
Feb. 14, 1776
Author of "Common Sense"

January 10, 2008 1:20 PM

Monday, January 7

$10,000. to be donated to the Family of Corporal Lapham for Medical Expenses!

Thank you to another new contributor under the Publius byline.

Publius: ARTICLE SUBMISSION

Atkinson Police Department Donations Fund

At the January 7 Selectmen's meeting at 7:30 PM, a resident is on the agenda to request the town make a $10,000 withdrawl from the Atkinson PD Donations account to be made payable to the family of Officer Lapham, who had to be revived last week and nearly didn't make it.

The precendent has been set for the use of these funds for such purchases as:

- Refrigerater for the Atkinson PD station
- Seniors Fall Scenic Bus Tour
- Seniors Christmas luncheon
- Verious medical equipment and medical supplies
- Flashlights
- Oil and electric bills for needy individuals

All of these requests are itemized every week in the meeting minutes on the Town Website

http://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/

Select "Selectmen" and "Selectmen's Meeting Minutes"

Here is a quote from the Dec. 3 Meeting minutes for a disbursement from the PD Donations account:

"Chief Consentino addressed the Board relative to a request to withdraw funding in the amount of $2,968 from the PD Donation account. The items to be funded are listed below.

- New Dentures
- Toolbox
- Snow Tires
- Writing Bench for the PD Bathroom
- Postage
- Siren set-up for a cruiser

OK, I have to say I found the need for a Writing Bench for the PD Bathroom somewhat humorous.

It seems to me there is no clear, consistent and dedicated use of this money by our PD and that past precedents clear the path for our Selectmen to make such a donation to a needy member of the Atkinson PD and one of Atkinson's finest officers.

The warrant article creating this fund does not clearly limit the use of this money so it appears it can be given to Officer Lapham. I think it puts to very good use of funds that in the past have purchased some needed items and some really not so needed items. Given the life and death situation, this falls into the "needed items" category.

This is a town owned asset controlled by the Selectmen. It currently holds over $20,000. I think it is a great idea to use less than half of these funds to help out Officer Lapham and his wife and 2 young children who had to endure Christmas without their father. Time is of the essence and our Selectmen should approve this idea very quickly at tonight's meeting.

Friday, January 4

Petition Signers Needed

Publius,
Would you please allow this to be published asap?

I need 25 signers for each of two warrant article petitions so they can go on the Town Meeting ballot.

Both warrant articles deal with strengthening the legal protection of the Atkinson Water Withdrawal Control Ordinance which was over-whelmingly passed by 2/3's of Atkinson's voters at Special Town Meeting.

1. The first warrant article petition: The environmental lawyers who drew up the original Ordinance for N.H. towns have submitted three amendment/additions to that original ordinance which make it more legally defensible from any court challenge.

2. The second warrant article petition: Also gives Atkinson's Water Withdrawal Ordinance additional strength and buttressing by making it also an Atkinson Health Ordinance, which Selectmen are enabled by N.H. RSA to do as part of their "managing the prudential affairs of the town."

My phone number is 362-4848 and I would be happy to bring the petitions by to anyone's house for their signatures.

I just found out that the warrant article submission deadline is Tuesday. I confess that I didn't realize that time was so quickly running out for getting warrant article petitions submitted. So I would very much appreciate your help.

Just call me and I'll swing by for your signatures. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Carol Grant

Thursday, January 3

ANOTHER LAWSUIT!!! And Again the taxpayers pay for personal attorneys

It was reported in the Eale Tribune today that the rumooured lawsuit in town does indeed exist. It has been filed in Rockingham Superior Court.

He is suing the Town of Atkinson, Philip Consentino, individually and not in any official capacity; John Sapia, individually and not in any official capacity; and Francis Polito, individually and not in any official capacity. And it was reported that evdently the selectmen have authorized the town's insurance company, to represent the three individuals as well as the town, as Primex's general counsel has filed an appearance on behalf of everyone. This would mean that, once again, the individuals are using taxpayer money to fund their own legal expenses.

The complaint reads like a novel, the similarities between this case and the Wayne Peak case accessible on atkinsontaxpayers.org, are amazing! Mr. Acciard is suing the individuals for slander, libel, and defamation, and the harm to his reputation in the community. He is suing the town for allowing all of this to happen in public. He alleges that the town had a duty and responsibility to protect his reputation in public meetings just as they do chief Consentino's.

The sad fact here is that none of this was necessary. We have to agree that Mr. Acciard gave the town ample opportunity to correct these situations, and they have done nothing. We have seen him on meetings repeatedly asking the selectmen to stop Phil's harrasment of him, and they have done nothing.

So this is another lawsuit that will cost all of us more money in legal fees and increased insurance premiums, and for what? So our selectmen and chief can continue to do what they want without regard for the taxpayers.

And this blog would like to know when they authorized the town to pay for their representation, and did Mr. Sapia discuss or vote on this? He should stay far away from this case being that he is being personally sued, but as our selectmen do most everything of consequence in non-public meetings, it is hard to tell what is going on. This blog's opinion mirrors Mr. Acciard's public statements last year, if it has to be done in secret, it is probably not in the taxpayers best interest.

Wednesday, January 2

Police want 6th full timer!

As reported in the Eagle-Tribune today, there will be a warrant article for a 6th full timer this year. According to the paper, quoting Chief Consentino, this is due to the resignation of Officer Fardella, and the illness of Officer Lapham. This leaves two full time vacancies that need to be filled, and there is apparently one part time vacancy as well.

Why haven't we heard the Chief come into a selectmen's meeting and ask to advertise to fill these positions? Why has the town been advertising to fill officer Fardella's position, without public knowledge or disclosure? And the Chief is quoted in the paper as saying he has found a replacement for officer Fardella, how did this happen? Oh wait... This blog knows how....NON-PUBLIC SESSIONS!!!!!

You see this board likes to conduct business out of the publics eye as much as possible! What our selectmen chairman doesn't seem to realize is that the decision to advertise to fill an open position is a public one, not for non-public session, not that they care. The actual debate about the relative merits of the candidates is a non-public subject, but the decision to advertise, and hire is a public purpose.

What this story fails to mention is that we currently have 20 part timers!!! 20!!! Why cant some of them work to cover the vacant shifts? They ARE on the payroll!, They do have uniforms, guns, and body armor. We have spent THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIER EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, PHYSICALS, AND SUPPORT, WHY CANT THEY WORK? If they cant do a full shift, have two of them split a shift! Fill officer Fardella's vacancy, and use part timers to fill officer Laphams, what is the problem? The problem is that the police dept. has wanted a 6th full timer for years, and this is the excuse to create the need. No other force in NH has 5 FT officers and 20PT officers!!! That is mismanagement of resources! But the dirty little secret here is that only 7 of those part time officers work regularly! The other 13 are like the chief's son, David, who puts in 12-20 hours PER YEAR!!!

Are we seriously going to believe that with 20PT officers we cant find 2 to fill one officers shifts? And how did one officer go over his hours, and another almost go over, with that many to choose from?

As usual there are a lot of questions to be asked here, but OUR board of selectmen will NEVER QUESTION THE CHIEF ABOUT ANYTHING!!!

Tuesday, January 1

Campaign Watch-Dog

We need to keep a closer watch on the campaigns for atkinson’s offices. Use comments to inform and report:

a. Sign activity, Removals

b. Mailings and circulars

c. News articles and letters

d. Telephone vote solicitation

Comments which neither inform nor report will be deleted and noted in comment section.

ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12

EDITORIAL-


A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.

One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.

A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.

One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.

One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.

In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.

It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.

Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.

In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).

In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).

EDITORIAL-


"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]

We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.

Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.

However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.

The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.

We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.

Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.

Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.

Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.

So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.

LETTER


"To All Atkinson Residents,

I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.

There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.

Thank You

Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:

John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States

Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "