Pelham - Windham News 12 - January 28, 2011


Fifth Graders Honor Town Landmark through Mural


Students Jude, Niko, and Mikey listen closely to the instructions of Artist-in-Residence Rob Rossel


by Doug Robinson The fifth grade class at Windham Center School is working with the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program to create a beautiful ceramic mural that will be completed during the next few months.


Center School Art Teacher Lynn


Middleton stated that all 209 fifth grade students, as well as staff members, are participating with building a mural that will be completed during April vacation. “We are working with Rob Rossel of Symmetry Tile Works from Epping, as he is an Artist-in-Residence. He and his team are working with the kids, teaching them how to take the clay and create a beautiful mural, which will last for years. When completed, the large mural will commemorate the 151-year-old oak tree which was cut down when our gym was built in 2000.” The artist residency provides participants with direct, hands-on experiences with working artists and an opportunity for a professional artist or artists to work in an educational, community or healthcare setting. The intent of artist residencies is to enrich and support arts programs, not to supplant or furnish a substitute for services more appropriately provided by trained arts educators. An artist residency encourages students and community members to understand the role of the artist in contemporary society, to engage in the creative process, and to think critically about the arts. The residency design allows the artist to involve students, teachers, and community members through a variety of arts activities-


workshops, classroom activities, master classes, public performances, or exhibits, and allows some time for the artist to do his or her own work, according to the NH State Council on the Arts. The Windham School System selected Symmetry Tile Works, as they have demonstrated their ability to create “hand-made tile that celebrates beauty, nature, and sustainability. For a decade, we have been able to uphold this mission through our unique art tile. We see all projects as a serendipitous opportunity to share our vision with others,” states Symmetry Tile Works. Symmetry Tile Works “emphasizes ecological responsibility and sustainability. From our use of recycled clay and glass to eco-friendly surface treatments, Symmetry Tile Works is fueled by nature itself. Our native and indigenous textures emphasize this mentality. Symmetry Tile Works thrives on its participation in local communities throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast area. We have created numerous local ceramic tile murals that depict and integrate nature and the community itself. These murals are densely patterned with local plant life, sea life, and landmarks. The result is nothing short of stunning.” As the children create their tile masterpieces from the imprints of


Tis will be the design of the mural of the tree under construction by the 209 fifth grade students


shells, alligators, leaves, ferns, and shaping tools, they, together, are creating the mural of the tree that stood for over a century— tile by tile. And like the tree, their creation will last for centuries as well. After the clay tiles designs have been completed, Symmetry Tile will bake the tile to set the design. During the week


by Barbara O’Brien Among the warrant articles that Windham


New Tax Exemptions Being Proposed in Windham Article #17 refers to exemptions for the


voters will be considering this year are five that pertain to tax exemptions for property owners. The first of these warrant articles (#14) pertains to solar energy system exemptions. According to this proposal, a property owner who installs solar heating, cooling, hot water or a solar electric system shall be entitled to an exemption that is equal to the increase in assessed property tax value caused by the system installation. If there is no increase in the assessment, there will be no exemption granted. This exemption is allowed by State statute. The Windham Board of Selectmen, as well as the town’s tax assessor, Rex Norman, are recommending it.


Article #15 refers to wind-powered energy systems. According to the proposed warrant article, a property owner who installs any wind-


powered device that supplements or replaces electrical power being supplied to that household or business will be entitled to an exemption equal to the increase in assessed property tax value caused by the system’s installation. If there is no such increase in valuation, no exemption shall be granted. The selectmen and the tax assessor are also recommending Article #15, which is also allowed by State statute. Article #16 pertains to wood-heating energy


systems, including any wood-burning appliance designed to operate as a central system to heat the interior of a building. The amount of the exemption will be equal to the increase in assessed property tax caused by installation of the system. If there is no increase in valuation, no exemption will be granted. This proposal is also allowed by State statute and is being recommended by the tax assessor, as well as selectmen.


American History Essay Contest Offered to College Students


submitted by The American College of History and Legal Studies An essay contest on American history open to community college students in New England is being sponsored by the American College of History and Legal Studies in Salem. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize; the second-place winner, $500; and the third-place winner, $250. Entrants must be enrolled in an Associate Degree program. Entrants can select any topic they choose related to U.S. history, but must limit their submission to 1,000 words or less, according to Maureen C. Mooney, Associate Dean of the new college, located at One Stiles Road. Entries must be submitted by 3 p.m. on February 1 and winners will be determined by February 20. Submissions can be about any topic relevant to American history. Sample essay topics might be: • Compare the modern “Tea Party” movement to its Revolutionary War era ancestor.


• Is American history repeating itself? • Choose a pre-Revolutionary War figure who is


still relevant today.


• How has the immigration of different ethnic and religious groups to this country contributed to America today?


• What can be done to prevent religious intolerance in our society today? To be considered, the essay must be double- spaced and typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font.


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Entrants must also submit a cover sheet that includes their name, phone number, e-mail address, mailing address, the community college they attend, their major(s), if known, and the year anticipated for graduation to obtain their Associate Degree. Essays and cover letters can be hand-delivered, mailed, or e-mailed to the ACHLS at mooney@achls. org. The American College of History and Legal Studies was created by the Massachusetts School of Law. The ACHLS is an affordable “completion” college offering the junior and senior years of undergraduate study toward a bachelor’s degree in history and legal studies. All classes exclusively use the discussion (not lecture) method of teaching. ACHLS offers an “Early Admission to Law School” program, whereby qualified students can combine their senior year of college with their first year of law school at the Massachusetts School of Law. To schedule a visit, request a catalog, or apply, visit www.achls.org, e-mail info@ achls.org, or call 458-5145.


blind. Norman said that there are currently five Windham residents of whom he is aware that would qualify for this exemption. This proposal would provide every resident who is legally blind, as determined by the Blind Services Program, Bureau of Vocation Rehabilitation, State Department of Education, with a $15,000 exemption each year, for property tax purposes. This exemption is allowed by State statute and is being recommended by Norman and the Board of Selectmen.


Article #18 pertains to an exemption for the


surviving spouse of any Windham resident who was killed or died while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or in any of the armed forces of any of the governments associated with the United States in the wars, conflicts, or armed conflicts or combat zones set forth by State


of February 14, students will be mixing and making the eco-friendly glaze, which will be applied to the tiles. “We will then take the tile back to our shop and fire up the tiles again to set the glaze. We will return to Center School during their vacation week to complete the installation of the mural on their wall,” stated Rossel.


statute. This exemption shall result in a $2,000 tax credit on the total amount of property tax due on the surviving spouse’s real and personal property, whether residential or not, in the same municipality where the surviving spouse is a resident. According to Norman, this is the maximum allowable exemption. Both Norman and the Board of Selectmen are recommending it. Norman said he was uncertain how many people would be eligible for this exemption, if the warrant article is approved in March. Registered Windham voters will have their


say on these warrant articles, first, during the Deliberative Session of Town Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, February 12, beginning at 9 a.m. at Windham High School and, again, on Election Day, Tuesday, March 8, when the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


NH Fourth and Eighth Graders Top Nation in Science Test


submitted by Colin Manning Governor John Lynch has announced that New Hampshire students led the nation in science test scores, continuing the state’s reputation as a national leader in education.


According to the results of the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP) exam, New Hampshire fourth graders were tied for first – along with Virginia, North Dakota, Kentucky, and Massachusetts – while New Hampshire eighth graders were second behind only North Dakota. “The latest test scores affirm that we in New Hampshire value education and we have some of the best schools in the country. While our schools have long been among the best in the nation, we


must continue working to make them even better,” Governor Lynch said. “The quality of education we are providing our children today will help determine the strength of our state’s economy for decades to come. We must continue our strong commitment to education to help ensure New Hampshire’s continued success.” In New Hampshire, 2,700 fourth graders and 2,600 eighth graders were selected to take the exam. For both grades, possible scores ranged from zero to 300. The national average for both grades was 149, with average score for New Hampshire fourth graders at 163, and the average for eighth graders at 160.


Junk Yard Ordinance Proposed for Town Meeting


submitted by Elizabeth Wood, Community Planner


In order to comply with the State requirements and to protect the health, safety, and visual quality of the Town, the Windham Planning Board is recommending an ordinance that would regulate junk yards. Per State mandate, the Town is the licensing authority for junk yards, yet it currently has no administrative process or guidelines by which to review a junk yard proposal, should it receive one.


By creating a junk yard ordinance, the Town


will have a set licensing process, requiring an applicant to gain approvals at a minimum of three public hearings and to renew the license every year. Strict criteria must be followed for those seeking to license their junk yard to ensure that there is minimal impact of the use on neighboring property owners and to those passing


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