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Pelham~Windham News


Volume 8 Number 17 November 12, 2010 14 Pages


Windham Center School Student’s Reading Gets“Silly”


by Doug Robinson Center School students were recently rewarded for their reading efforts of this past summer, as they collectively surpassed their reading goal of 2,010 books during the summer break. Each summer, Center


School students are challenged to read books, and should they surpass their reading goal, they are invited to participate in a fun “stunt,” as described by Windham’s Library Specialist, Joel Burdette.


Students of Windham’s Golden Brook School recently participated in their “fun stunt,” during which they made toilet- paper mummies of their Principal and Assistant Principals as their reward


Utility Appraisal Could Mean More Tax Revenue for Windham


by Barbara O’Brien The Town of Windham could


gain considerable taxable value through an updated appraisal of all utility-owned property. That is the contention of Tax Assessor Rex Norman. According to Norman,


utility property within the town boundaries is currently under- valued by what he estimates to be about 50 percent. This property includes that owned by Public Service of New Hampshire, Granite State Electric, New England Power, Tennessee Gas, and Pennichuck East Utility (water company). Norman said that the last


Principal Becht and Assistant Principal Bates stand “point blank” as six individual students cover them with silly string


for exceeding their summer reading goal. Center School students also exceeded their goal to read in excess of 2,010 books during the summer months. As a collective group, Center School students read over 2,400 books during the summer. Their “fun stunt” celebration involved the participation of the top-six reading students of Center School to cover both Principal Kori Becht and Assistant Principal Kathryn Bates with silly string. Winning students surrounded the principals and unloaded their cans of silly string on both educational leaders until their cans were empty. Principal Becht then grabbed a can of silly string of her own, and began to shoot back at her “fun stunt attackers.” Students looking on cheered with glee and enthusiasm at the good fun being had by all. “This is good fun. They have earned this stunt and I am


happy to participate,” stated Principal Becht. “I am really proud of the reading that these young students have accomplished over the summer. To read over 2,400 books during the summer is a great accomplishment.”


(4th and 5th grade winners not provided by press time)


Winning third-grade students Emily (37 books read), Katherine (70 books read), Rachel (67 books read), and Amanda (42 books read) celebrate the moment with both Principal Becht and Assistant Principal Bates


time a full appraisal was done of these utility properties was 15 years ago, in 1995. This appraisal was done by George “Skip” Sansoucy, who Norman described as the “go-to person” in New England for undertaking this task. Whatever updates have been done since 1995 were based solely on annual reports issued by the utility companies. These reports were verified by the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Assessment (DRA), Norman explained. In addition, Windham must


appraise all property now owned by FairPoint Communications (formerly Verizon). This property was previously exempt, but is now taxable as of April 2011. A new State Law was enacted earlier this year that allows municipalities to tax these properties.


Utility property in Windham


is currently assessed at $15,315,000. According to Sansoucy, who did the 1995 appraisal, the Town could expect to double this value on all utility property, if a new appraisal were to be completed. “In the worst-case scenario,” Norman said, “we should still see an increase in assessed value of this property.” Adding in FairPoint, alone, is forecast to add $7 to $10 million of new value, he added. “The best-case scenario,” Norman continued, “would mean adding an additional $300,000 in revenue, based on the current (2010) tax rate.” Sansoucy estimates


that the cost of appraising all of Windham’s utility property, including FairPoint Communications, would run about $40,000. “Just adding FairPoint would almost pay for the appraisal,” Norman stated. “Without a utility appraisal, Windham will continue to rely on the existing data, values and limited support from the DRA for utility valuation assistance,” he said. Town Administrator David


Sullivan said, if the money were spent up front, the town “would garner a large benefit in the long- term.” “It would be wise to have it


done,” Sullivan said. “It’s well worth the risk.” Rather than just going with Sansoucy’s firm, however,


continued to page 5- Utility Appraisal


Tigers Cub Scouts at the Pelham Fire Station


Common Man Hosts Annual Breakfast Benefit


by Robyn Hatch The Common Man and the Windham Fire Department proudly presented The 10th Annual Community Breakfast, with all proceeds to benefit New Hampshire Muscular Dystrophy Association and Windham’s Helping Hands, Inc. This event, which was held at the Common Man Restaurant in Windham,


included a delicious buffet breakfast, a huge silent auction, and many raffles. With an unbelievable draw, everyone in attendance got to eat quickly with an incredible, home-cooked breakfast, a chance at many unbelievable raffles, and a morning of fun and good cheer.


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Firefighters Bob Horne, David Johnstone and Andrew Cardwell. Back row: Kyle Cook, Paul Michado, Nikolas Snyder, Jason Chubb, Rachel Chubb, Kevin


Keleshian, John Keleshain. Bottom row: Benn Zimmerman, Patrick Menuti, Luis Ricardo Negron “Jr”, Jackie Keleshian, and Jack Hamlin.


Windham’s Helping Hands members Kathy Merchel, Sue Gerstenberger, Patti Provenianio, Al Pappalardo and Cathy Pappalardo


Gary Kurgan, Lieutenant Scott Delaney, Bob Taylor and Paul Fisher at the Juice Bar


submitted by Deb Zimmerman, Pack 25 Cub Scouts On Thursday, November 4, the newest Den to the Pelham Pack 25 Cub Scouts, enjoyed their visit with the Pelham Firefighters. Bob Horne, David Johnstone, and Andrew Cardwell greeted and spoke with the group about the importance of fire safety, including a plan during a fire emergency. All the scouts understood that 911 was the most important phone number to remember when and if they needed to call in any emergency. However, Firefighter Horne stressed that in addition they should know their own phone number and address along with the basics of operating a phone. A very good tip for the youngsters! The most exciting part of the visit for these inquisitive 6 year olds


was of course getting to try on firefighter equipment and climbing in and out of the several fire trucks, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles. The fire station visit was the first of the year as well as their first stop on the “Tiger Rank Trail” which will end, after completing five Achievements, with each scout receiving their Tiger Badge. Any grade school aged boy who is interested in joining scouting


may contact Pack 25 Cubmaster Randy Cook at ran.cook@comcast. net.


Thanks to all of


my Salem/Windham Constituents


that voted for me. I love my job!


Scott Zins - an early breakfast lover


Danielle and Jeff Cole, Cooks for this event


Erin Fehlau (WMUR-TV9) with her handsome boys


staff photos by Robyn Hatch courtesy photo


staff photos by Doug Robinson


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