Hudson - Litchfield News September 2, 2011 - 3


Hundreds Run 5K for Zach Te runners are off!


by Marc Ayotte If you happened to drive past Alvirne High School last Friday, August 26, around 6 p.m., you noticed that the parking lot was jammed full of cars and people. The people represented yet another outpouring of community-wide support for Zach Tompkins, the young boy who tragically passed away in March of 2010, from a rare genetic heart defect at the tender age of 11. Mike and Necole Tompkins, Zach’s parents, were not expecting to match last year’s turnout of 737 runners; as a result they were elated with the turnout of 505 runners who came from not only Hudson, but also several surrounding towns. Prior to the start of the race, Necole


Alvin Osaw of Enterprise Bank presents a sponsorship check to Nick, Zach’s brother and Necole, Zach’s mother


Joe Donnelly of Dracut, MA, is across the finish line in 17:05, the first to finish for the second year.


Tompkins read a poem in memory of Zach, that touched the hearts of all who stood in respectful silence: “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven, when the love of our lost ones, pours through and shines down upon us, to let us know they’re happy” – author unknown. The second annual 5K Fun Run was another huge success in the fundraising efforts that are being held to make Zach’s dream become a reality. As a member of the Hudson-Litchfield Bears football team, Zach’s passion for the game gave him a vision of having a sports complex in the town of Hudson, for all to enjoy. This race and other fundraising efforts are being held to finance the construction of a new youth football and baseball stadium to honor the memory of Zach Tompkins. In a show of football team unity, members from the Nashua Elks Crusaders, Pelham Razorbacks, Nashua North Titans, and Tyngsborough (MA) Raiders appeared in Bronco country to run the race and show their support. The tremendous financial backing and emotional support that Hudson residents, as well as the police and fire departments, have consistently shown for the completion of this project, will ultimately be for the greater good of all future athletes in the area. The 5K was emceed by the kind folks at 92.5 FM ‘The River,’ who were very generous in their support of the event by donating air time for promotional announcements as well as providing banner ads. Another major contributor to


continued to page 7- 5K for Zach Litchfield School Vote Set for September 21 by Lynne Ober


Debate erupted at the Litchfield School Board meeting after the state legislature voted to change the education funding formula and allow affected school districts to hold a vote to accept additional funds. The Litchfield School Board under the direction of Superintendent, Dr. Elaine Cutler, discussed directions and decided to hold a community forum to gather public input and has now made a decision on how they will proceed. The proceedings will be very different from the normal winter Deliberative session followed by a March vote. The school district will hold both the vote and the deliberative session on the same day. First there will be a deliberative session where residents can discuss and made amendments to warrant articles and then the vote will follow the deliberative session. Both will be held on September 21. School Board Chairman John York pledged that the school board


would go “above and beyond” to get information out to the public. However, school board member Jason Guerrette was concerned that residents would be confused by the unknown process or might not understand the process. The board decided to wait until September because many residents might be on vacation and those without children might not return until early September. Since the board also plans to hold a public hearing, they set the public hearing date for Wednesday, September 7 with the deliberative session and vote following two weeks later on Wednesday, September 21.


At the public hearing the board plans to discuss all of the proposed additions and changes to the budget. Some of the funding is new and some will “beef up” what Cutler called


underfunded lines at the community forum. At the community forum the board had also asked for an additional $251,000 to pay retirement costs, but after discussion about the status of that request and changes made during the reform of the pension system done by the legislature last session that item has been dropped. York said the board is also reviewing some of the other items that may also be paid from existing funding approved during the March vote. Although the School Board during the community forum proposed adding about $1 million in district personnel and services back to the budget and giving about $800,000 back to the taxpayers, that request has changed dramatically. According to York much less than $1 million will be asked for additions - in fact that amount might be more than cut in half. As the board discussed items at their last board meeting, they were discussing a presentation of only $450,000 to be added to the budget and that would leave approximately $1.3 million to be returned to the taxpayers to offset the tax rate. The largest line items include


continued to page 7- School Vote


We Clean The Asphalt • Trim The Edges • Fill The Cracks • Apply The Sealer NEIGHBORHOOD


DEAL!!


Group Discount of 20% for


3 or more houses


NORTHEAST SEALCOATING 603-880-4503


FREE NO HASSLE ESTIMATES!


www.northeastsealcoating.com Over 17 Years Serving The Area! $89


When Quality and Price Matter Call


Northeast Sealcoating Call About our Best Price Guarantee!


31st Only with coupon, Repairs extra. Best Price Guaranteed Running out of time- need a helping hand? Errands By Kelly e


•Doctor Visits •Pet Care •Airport Transportation •Shopping -Grocery or Special Occasions •Elderly Service/Care/Companionship/Visits •Mobile Notary, Dry Cleaning, Car Services •Bank/Post Office Errands, plus much more!!


Let Kelly help you regain control! kelly.goddu@yahoo.com


(603) 490-7759 Kelly Goddu - Owner Prices starting at


CLASSES HELD WEEKLY IN: Nashua and Hudson NH, Westford and Pepperell MA


Charlie


Outdoors with


Chalk


Hunt Within Regulations


For hunters headed afield this fall, the Boone and Crockett Club offers ways to help keep the public on our side. Hunting is allowed today because the vast majority of hunters through the ages have respectfully followed laws, regulations, safety rules and high ethical standards known as fair chase-the sporting pursuit and taking of native free-ranging game species in a manner that does not give the hunter improper advantage. Continue the tradition. America’s system of conservation and wildlife management is the most successful ever developed. It works only because of funding from hunters. Spread the word. Respect the customs of the local area


where you’re hunting, including the beliefs and values of those who do not hunt. This season, make every attempt to take a youngster hunting.


If you already hunt with your son or daughter, invite one of their friends to come along. Technology is a wonderful thing until it replaces the skills necessary to be a complete hunter. If it seems gratuitous, leave it at home. Always ask permission before hunting private land. Respect


landowners. Tread lightly, especially on public land. ATVs have their place-on roads and trails. If you pack it in, pack it out.


Charlie Chalk can be reached at outdoorswithcharlie@areanewsgroup.com


Whether destined for the stage or the boardroom, Drama Kids builds confidence, speaking skills, and acting skills in young people and teenagers, ages 5–17.


Our programs are fast paced and fun!


ENROLLING NOW! 603-880-9540 www.dramakids.com


Need a doctor?


(L to R): Primary Care of Hudson – Melissa Duxbury, MD; Robert Zinnes, MD; Ryan M. Kramer, MD; Eleanor Bueno, DO; and Paula Paciulan, APRN.


We’re in your neighborhood!


Call on us for convenient, family-centered care.


Primary Care of Hudson 300 Derry Road, Hudson, NH 03051 Phone: 603-886-3979


n Largest provider group in Hudson. n Early morning and evening appointments available.


n Take advantage of our on-site Behavioral Health, Sports Medicine, Laboratory, X-ray and Rehabilitation Services.


To learn more, call HEALTHMATCH at 603-577-CALL or visit www.snhmc.org. Proudly affiliated with


Southern New Hampshire Medical Center


Photos by Len Lathrop


expires 9/15/2011


a


W Y


H h n


n


o


Call


u


d


n


r


e


t


ed


x


a


e


n


a


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20