An Independent Weekly Newspaper


Hudson~Litchfield News


Selectmen and Fire Chief Discuss Open Issues


by Lynne Ober


Shortly after the March 2011 election Litchfield Town Administrator Jason Hoch reported to selectmen about stipends being paid to Litchfield’s Road Agent and the Fire Chief. According to the March 14, 2011 minutes, Hoch reported, “In reviewing the costs associated with the positions, the Fire Chief stipend of $3045 annually is equivalent to 2.26 hours per week at the current hourly rate of $25.94 and the Road Agent stipend of $913 annually is equivalent to 0.82 hours per week at $21.52 per hour.” When these two positions are reviewed in light of what the stipends pay for and the work that needs to be done, one can easily see that neither position could function effectively within those small windows of time. Hoch went on to say that the previous year the Road Agent had actually earned $43,522 and the Fire Chief earned $27,948 which are much lower than for


Hudson~Litchfield News Volume 22 Number 4 August 5, 2011 16 Pages Hudson Rec Fishing Derby at Benson’s


surrounding towns and Hoch reported that both salaries “trend below market averages for positions in similar sized towns.”


One on-going problem is that selectmen and residents need and want more communication from the fire chief and in the past Fire Chief Thomas Schofield readily admits he communicated more. “I just switched jobs and haven’t been on top of my A game and just haven’t communicated as much.” Schofield said starting a new job had taken more time than he anticipated and that while he likes to talk, he “just shut up. I didn’t know where to turn and it was wrong of me.” As with most situations there are numerous sides. At the time that Schofield’s new job was consuming more of his time, leaving him fewer hours to volunteer to the town, Selectmen, who had been running the town of years


continued to page 14- Open Issues


Hudson Selectman Approve Street Names Within Benson Park


by Doug Robinson Those who walk, jog, bike, picnic, and meander through beautiful Benson Park, will soon see the addition of the street signs. Benson Boulevard, Memory Lane, Shady Lane, Wilderness Walk Garden Walk and Alligator Alley are only a few of the designated names given to the various paths.


“It is quite confusing when


you get in there,” commented Benson Park Committee President, Harry Schibanoff. “The roads criss-cross all over that play and it is very difficult and hard to give directions to various parts of the park.”


Benson Park Committee members worked with the Hudson Highway Department, Hudson Police Department, and the Hudson Fire Department in the naming of the streets. Careful review was needed to make sure that the streets, paths, and roads within Benson’s Park were not duplicate names of street names already in use in Hudson.


In addition to the naming


of the various paths, a map of the streets will be incorporated into the current brochure, thus enabling all who visit the park the ability to self-direct their visits.


by Tom Tollefson Last week, Hudson children baited their fishing hooks and


packed their tackle boxes for the Hudson Recreation Department Summer Program’s second annual fishing derby. Joe, aided by his friend Julia, won the bragging rights to biggest fish with an 11/2 pound small mouth bass. “I reeled it in and she cast it,” Joe said.


Calvin 7, took second place, while Justin 10, took third. Jocelyn 9, caught the most fish with four and Calvin, 7, placed second with two. “We cut worms in half and threw them in and fish just kept coming,”


Jocelyn said. “My sister’s friend showed us where to fish and she had caught a lot of fish there last time.” One of the main rules of the competition was that any fish caught must be released back into the wild at the pond at Benson’s Park. “My family likes to catch fish and release them instead of eating them. We eat only fish from the store. I like catching and releasing so doing this with the Rec is a good thing,” Sam, 8, said about the competition.


Jordan, 6, holding up her fish


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Jocelyn, 9,reeling in her fish The counselors also enjoyed the fishing derby and the program’s


overall day at Benson’s, one of Hudson’s most famous historic sites. “The competition was a great success - the kids had a blast, even those who didn’t happen to catch anything had a great time. It’s


Sam, 8, and Dylan, 8, posing with their fish


one of the kids favorite activities at Bensons and a tradition we hope to continue,” said Hudson Recreation counselor Amanda O’Donaghue.


‘Team New England’ Heads to World Series Hudson All-Stars Change Name and Colors


by Marc Ayotte Hey Matt, what did you do this summer? Ah, not much - just went to Maryland and competed in the Cal Ripken Major World Series. Just imagine being a 12 year old ball player and being able to say that. Well, as Aerosmith would say; “Dream On, Dream until your dreams come true …” And for the Hudson U12 All-Star baseball team, the Dream Is On! On August 11, a dozen twelve year old boys along with their three coaches will board a Southwest plane and fly from Manchester to Baltimore, MD, to represent their town, state, region and country, as one of only 16 teams left in the world, competing for the Cal Ripken Major Championship. Back in May, this all-star team was selected prior to the conclusion of the town’s youth league regular season. A short 10 weeks later, the cohesive collection of diamond talent, find themselves on center stage of the biggest sports event in youth baseball. And to the credit of the coaching staff, each team in the Hudson youth league U12 division is represented on this highly-


Te Team celebrates after winning the New England Regional Tournament in Dover


achieving All-Star team. The Hudson U12 team whose notoriety was arguably contained to within the NH borders, now finds itself in the sweet sixteen of the Cal Ripken World Series, with the likes of International powerhouses Japan, Korea, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The Hudson All-Stars, compliments of the Cal Ripken organization will be undergoing a complete wardrobe make-over. They will no longer be attired as the maroon maulers who destroyed opponents on the road to Aberdeen, MD . Nor will they be known as the Hudson All-Stars. The transformation of garb and name will be reflected in the new uniforms of navy blue jerseys and white pants in addition to now being referred to as ‘Team New England’. The journey to Aberdeen began when


Te Team at the Hudson Youth Baseball All Star Game. Front Row L-R: Dan Malizia, Hunter Burton, Noah Bellomo, Jack Brown, Stephen Berry, Nick Boudreau. Second Row L-R: Mike Simard, Jacen Hudson, DJ Lamothe, Dan McCrystal, Tyler Christiansen, Matt McKinley


Hudson Old Home Days August 11, 12, 13 & 14


Don’t miss it! Held at Alvirne “Hills” House, Route 102, Derry Rd


third year manager Brian McKinley and friends entered the District Tournament that was held in Rochester. Although the tournament was a double elimination


continued to page 14- Team New England


Photo compliments of Debbie McKinley


Photo compliments of Debbie McKinley


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