An Independent Weekly Newspaper





First Day of School


Excited Students Head Back in Both Hudson and Litchfi eld


you will set the world on fi re.” St. Catherine of Siena. The Reverend Gary J. Belliveau


arrived at St. Kathryn Parish in Hudson on December 9, 1993 at age 34, the youngest pastor in the Manchester Diocese. After almost 18 momentous years, Father Gary will preside over his last Masses as pastor in Hudson during Labor Day weekend and move on to his new assignment at Corpus Christi Parish in Portsmouth. When Father Gary came to St. Kathryn Parish, then located on Wason Road, his philosophy was to, “… continue to do outreach to the youth and young families but … to reconnect with the traditions of the Church.” Father Gary was sent with the plan to do what he could to build up the parish but also to realize that this church might merge with another or potentially be closed. “The G- Force,” as he was affectionately nicknamed, immediately got to work, concentrating fi rst on prayer and devotion time. In a short time, three moderately fi lled weekend services multiplied and became fi ve overcrowded Masses. Youth programs developed, and then evangelization and outreach efforts expanded.


Kindergartener Timothy Maghakian, Jr., decked out in his new kicks and full of anticipation and smiles waves goodbye to his mom


47 Ferry Street for Sale AGAIN


by Doug Robinson


Since placing the residential property located at 47 Ferry Street on the market in 2009 the Town of Hudson has seen little interest from any purchasers. The truth of the matter is that the voters of Hudson have already authorized the sale of the house on 47 Ferry Street to support and offset the costs associated with the building of the Rogers Memorial Library. The home had been used by


the Library Trustees to host their monthly book sales. Town of Hudson voters passed a warrant article, in 2009, approving the sale of 47 Ferry Street for the purpose of using the funds to support the building and/or ongoing budgetary needs of a new library. There were initial concerns about the property including the presence of asbestos, a leaking roof and maintenance fees. But the town repaired these issues. Despite the repairs, the town has not successfully sold or even rented the property. Selectman Roger Coutu could be heard during the meeting, while off camera yet still on microphone, state, “Get rid of it.” In an effort to receive income from this residence, Hudson Selectmen entered into an agreement with Central Realty, Nashua to act as a property management fi rm in an effort to rent the home. The recommended rental rate will be $1,500 or $1,600. But the town would still like to sell the home.


At the time of the rental, Central Realty has suggested that the town purchase a refrigerator, repair another roof leak, install a handrail for the basement stairs, repair tiles that are missing in the upstairs bath, remove items which are currently stored in the garage and remove or replace the carpet on the porch. The funds received from the rental will be deposited into the town’s “General Fund” stated Town Administrator Steve Malizia


Soon the small, sleepy parish began to come alive in many ways, all centered in spirituality and a desire to reach out to the wider community. Father Gary still remembers clearly, “… a very small but enthusiastic group of parishioners who were just waiting for someone to come to help fan the embers into fl ame. Eighteen years later, I am not only grateful to God but to that group of people who were here then and are here today who trusted this ‘kid’ pastor and enthusiastically jumped on the vision band wagon.” The results of parish wide


News


News Volume 22 Number 8 September 2, 2011 20 Pages Farewell to Father Gary


submitted by Laurie Jasper “Be who God meant you to be, and


Reverend Gary J. Belliveau


consultation, refl ection and discussion brought forth the appeal for new facilities in order to meet the needs of the growing parish and to be able to make future growth and development possible. In 1995, after much planning and praying, the parish embarked on “Project 2000: Going and Growing into the Future,” and the adventure of building a new church began. On August 12, 2000, the new St. Kathryn Church on Dracut Road was dedicated. Recently celebrating its 11th anniversary, St. Kathryn’s is even more beautiful than it was those fi rst


days, due to the care-fi lled additions and changes implemented by Father Gary. As gorgeous as the church is, Father Gary will be the fi rst to tell you that it is the people who are the church, and without those who give their time, talent and treasures, St. Kathryn’s would not be the vibrant community it is, even with Father Gary at the helm. As recently as a few Sundays ago, Father Gary reminded the congregation in his Homily that when visitors marvel and say this is a beautiful church, his reply is always, “yes and the building isn’t bad, either.” Father Gary and St. Kathryn’s parishioners observed the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the parish in 2008. In 2010, Father Gary celebrated his 25th jubilee of priestly ordination. As he refl ects on his pastorate, one of Father Gary’s greatest joys is how many have joined the Catholic Church through the outreach of the parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as well as how many inactive Catholics have returned through the Coming Home program. Other offerings include Bible studies, emphasis on adult education and faith formation, the expansion of religious education programs, the introduction and continuation of youth outreach through Workcamp, the Young Adults Ministry, the Lenten Confessathon, the Vocational Support Association, the Intercessory Prayer Ministry, the Environmental Steward Committee and the many social events that allow the community at large to join St. Kathryn’s including the annual Holiday Bazaar and Penny Sale which started in 1994. Father Gary is proud of what St. Kathryn’s does for its members on its own grounds but also of its outreach beyond itself, among these the adoption of a sister community in the Marshall Islands, Volunteer Day each month at the Nashua Soup


continued to page 9 - Father Gary Irene’s Damage


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47 Ferry Street property


At the August 23 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the board voted 5/0 in favor of selling the property, once again. In a memo written from Town Administrator Steve Malizia to the Board, he states, “Per the Board of Selectmen’s request, attached please fi nd a proposal for “Request of Sealed Bid” for the sale of 47 Ferry Street as well as the Assistant Assessors estimate of value for the property.”


According to the “request for sealed bids” 47 Ferry Street is a “single family, Cape style residence with three bedrooms, one and one/half bathrooms, and detached garage on approximately a one/half acre lot. The property is being sold ‘As Is.’”


Before the property was listed, in a memo addressed to the Board of Selectmen written July 29, 2011, “The Inspectional Department inspected the property and found numerous problems that would result in our recommendation not to rent this property at this time. These items listed would need to be corrected before we can let anyone occupy the house,” writes William A. Oleksak, Zoning Administrator, Town of Hudson: • Paint needs to be tested for lead


• Basement stairs and second fl oor do not have proper protection handrails


• Cannot access attic properly • Shingles on roof showing wear and curling


• Furnace and oil tank need servicing (Leak)


• Wood at the porch entrance is cracked and weak


• Paneling from basement (is a) fi re hazard


• Underground electric to garage needs replacing


• Chimney for the kitchen wood fi re needs to be inspected and certifi ed


• Garage…door needs replacing. • Dog house exterior door needs replacing


• Several electrical issues need to be addressed


In total, the Hudson Inspectional Services Department found 37 areas of concern with the rental of 47 Ferry Street, as identifi ed in their July 29 memo to the Board of Selectmen.


According to Oleksak, “These items listed would need to be corrected before we can let anyone occupy the house. Our recommendation is “not to rent this property.”


Highland Street / Library Street Highland Street


Wason Road


Bye


Mom!


staff photo by Marc Ayotte


staff photo by Marc Ayotte


staff photos by Len Lathrop


staff photo by Marc Ayotte


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