Pelham - Windham News December 10, 2010 - 3
Christmas Party for Kids Has So Much to Give by Robyn Hatch
Coco Early and Associates presented another incredible Kid’s Christmas Party at Windham High
School last week. This year, the party ended up being close to 650, with an estimate for next
year already of over 1,000. With plenty of toys and candy canes for all, huge prizes were also awarded, such as a stereo system, a flat-screen TV, electric drums, a portable CD player, a scooter, a remote vehicle, footballs, a Play-Doh kit,
basketballs, and even a desktop computer—the grand prize. For many of these kids, this is their only Christmas—the smiling faces could be seen everywhere. Santa Claus arrived by fire engine, and his friend, the Grinch, could be seen close by. Food and snacks were plentiful, with a huge cake made by Klemm’s Bakery to satisfy any sweet tooth.
MISSING Santa with Cassian Castillo and Sophia LaPointe Cassian Castillo and cousin Sophia LaPointe (Salem)
1 Year Old Sheltie Named Riley If Found Please Call
603-475-6501 Or 603-216-5781 Te Grinch amd his over-sized heart spread holiday cheer Te magnitude of Klemm’s beautiful cake
Haley and Connor Brice
Vivian, 2, and Lilliana, 4, with mom Plan to Streamline Town Assessment Website Voted Down by Barbara O’Brien
It’s budget preparation season in towns and cities across New Hampshire, and Windham is no exception. As the days dwindle down and 2011 waits on the horizon, department heads are coming forth with items not included in next year’s proposed operating budget. One of the officials who recently met with selectmen is Town Assessor Rex Norman. In coming to the November 29 board meeting, Norman was hoping he would be able to convince selectmen to make his Website more convenient for residents, as well as for those thinking about moving to or locating a new business in Windham. Unfortunately, though, only four selectmen showed up for the meeting and the final vote ended up with a 2 to 2 tie, resulting in the defeat of Norman’s proposal. During his presentation, Norman offered three options. The first option, which would maintain the status quo using existing CDM Web Hosting (2005 Edition), would add Vision Web Hosted Assessing Data for a total cost of $5,200; $2,300 more than is currently being budgeted. Option 2 would upgrade CDM’s Web Hosting to the 2010 Edition, plus add Vision Web Hosted Assessing Data for a total cost of $8,100 ($2,800 additional cost). Option 3 would replace the existing CDM Web Hosting with Vision Appraisal GIS at a total cost of $4,200 ($1,300 additional cost above what is budgeted).
Norman explained that the Vision Appraisal system is “more application-friendly than the current Website.” Vision hosts all of New England and New York, Norman added, including 41 towns in New Hampshire, each of which has at least the basic Vision Appraisal program. Norman said that he was recommending that Windham go with Option 3, which would eliminate the existing CDM Website and go strictly with Vision Appraisal. “This would be the best bang for the dollar,” he told selectmen. Town Administrator David Sullivan said there were two questions to consider in making a decision on changing the Website. First, Sullivan asked, “Do we want to have all this information available to the general public?” and second, “Do we want to have two companies involved [CDM Web Hosting and Vision Appraisal]?” Norman said he had decided to approach selectmen only because of the large number of requests from residents for more accessible online information regarding assessments. The current Website is already five years old, Norman said, stating, “This is antiquated in terms of computer programs.” “A new program would be much more user-friendly; a valuable service for residents,” he said.
“I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has asked me,
‘Why don’t we have Vision Appraisal online,’” Norman told selectmen. “If I did, it could have been paid for by now.” According to Norman, Vision Appraisal provides more specific information on each property in town, as well as a sketch of that property. “This allows residents to make comparisons to other properties,” he explained. There would be frequent use by those looking to relocate to Windham, Norman said. “People would be able to fine-tune online searches,” he added. Selectman’s Chairman Charles McMahon agreed with Norman,
saying that Option 3, going strictly with Vision Appraisal, was “the right thing to do.” McMahon said he thought Option 3 was very cost-effective and would provide a great resource for $1,300. Selectman Roger Hohenberger disagreed with Norman and McMahon, saying he feels the proposed program “might be delving too much into residents’ property.” “I feel we already have what’s needed,” Hohenberger stated. Selectman Ross McLeod also supported initiating the new
program. “$1,300 is good, short money to encourage those interested in locating in Windham,” McLeod said. Information Technology (IT) Director Eric Delong also stood up for Norman’s recommendation. “Vision Appraisal is a slimmer and trimmer and easier way to display and manage town data,” he commented. When all was said and done,
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however, none of Norman’s three proposed options passed the selectmen’s muster. Voting in favor of budgeting for Vision Appraisal were Selectman McLeod and McMahon. Voting in opposition were Selectmen Hohenberger and Breton. Selectman Galen Stearns did not attend the meeting.
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Centerpoint Community Church Christmas Celebrations
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Dec. 17 & 18, 7 PM @ West Congregational Church, Haverhill MA Dec. 19, 7:00 PM @ Centerpoint
101 School St., Salem, NH
www.centerpointsalem.org
Dec. 24, 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service All are welcome
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Dec.19, 10:00 AM Christmas Sunday Worship Christmas Musical Journey to the Manger
Dec. 9, 7:00 PM Christian School Concert
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603-893-9191
Delivering over 37,000 copies
Delivering over 37,000 copies
to homes weekly
Read by over 100,000 people
Hudson~Litchfield News Pelham~Windham News Salem Community Patriot
to homes weekly Read by over 100,000 people
Hudson~Litchfield News Pelham~Windham News Salem Community Patriot
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