Pelham - Windham News | January 20, 2012 - 7 Meet Pelham’s SRO Brian Kelly


by Diane Chubb In March 2011, residents in Pelham voted in support of


having a full-time school resource officer (SRO) in town. As of September 2011, Officer Brian Kelly has taken on this role. Pelham previously had an SRO, Officer Mike Marshall.


However, he left the department in 2007 to take a patrol officer position in Lowell, MA, where he grew up. The SRO position ended up absorbed into patrol to meet the significant increase in calls for service in the patrol division. “This was a very difficult decision,” says Pelham Police Chief


Joe Roark. “However, at the end of the day our primary mission is the protection of the life and property of the citizens of Pelham and to that end we felt we needed the extra officer to bolster our first responding patrol units.” Since then, the Pelham School Board has been working to get the position reinstated and funded. It was finally approved by voters in March 2011. “I am very excited to have the SRO back in the schools,” says


Roark. “The ability of have a constant contact for school staff and students is invaluable. The consistency allows us to develop better relationships with the stake holders in the school as well as being able to create an early warning system for chronically problematic students with the idea early intervention is most successful.” Officer Kelly grew up in Connecticut, near Hartford. His dad


was a police officer, but Kelly had no intentions of following in his footsteps. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he laughed. Kelly went to Endicott College for business, and after school, obtained a job in the steel industry. After a while, he determined that the position was not for him. “I realized how little I was doing to help others. So I made the


change.” Kelly met his wife at college, and recently got married. Because her family lives in the area, they settled in a neighboring town. “I love New Hampshire. The people are very friendly, open and willing to share,” he says. “I didn’t really notice this kind of


Committee Vote


Denies Pelham Its Own Representatives


by Diane Chubb The special committee on redistricting released its decision regarding redistricting, and Pelham remains grouped with Hudson in electing local state representatives. Pelham’s own representative Shaun Doherty is continuing to fight this decision. Pelham has been grouped in with Hudson and Litchfield in electing its state representatives to Concord since 2002, creating a “super district.” Thirteen representatives have been elected at large, meaning that the top 13 vote getters, either Democrats or Republicans, were declared winners of the seats. For Pelham, this has meant almost no representative from Pelham. Shaun Doherty has been the most recent resident to secure a seat. In 2006, New Hampshire voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the state constitution to ensure that communities with enough population - 3,291 residents - “shall have its own district of one or more representative seats.” The changes under this amendment are being applied now, for the first time, as part of the redistricting process that occurs every 10 years following the U.S. Census. According to census population numbers, there are 152 towns and city wards in New Hampshire with enough population to deserve their own representative district. However, the redistricting plan that emerged from committee denies 59 of these towns its own representative. Pelham is among these towns, which has sufficient population to support 4 representatives. The bill, which was recommended by the House Special Committee on Redistricting, voted 12-5 in favor of a proposal to redraw New Hampshire’s 103 House districts and 400 House seats in a way that combines Pelham and Hudson as one district. The vote was along straight party lines. Many Democrats have complained that the redistricting proposal,


drawn up by Republicans, is strictly partisan. After all, it is a Republican dominated committee that has pushed the bill through without the usual 30-day comment period. “This Republican and many others in the legislature strongly oppose the plan,” says Doherty. “It is an issue of common sense vs. lawyers, not Republicans vs. Democrats.” Hudson representatives Shawn Jasper and Lynne Ober, both Republicans, also oppose the current plan. “The persons who worked out this redistricting plan seem to have placed more emphasis on some sort of specialized math rather than on common sense,” said Doherty. “Ideally, I would like to see a redistricting plan that guarantees four seats for Pelham and seven for Hudson.”


“On the 27th December, with Representative Doherty’s concurrence, a formal letter from the Board was issued to all members of the House expressing our frustration at the proposed plan,” stated Pelham Board of Selectmen Chair Ed Gleason. “After issuance of our letter, I have talked to, or received favorable responses from nine representatives, who not only sympathize, but share our frustration with the current leadership’s approach,” he said. “Representative Parison from New Ipswich indicated in his response to our letter that he is also ready to offer a revised plan which would provide four representatives for Pelham. Among others, Mayor Gatsos of Manchester and Democratic Leader Terie Norelli have also expressed displeasure and are expected to push for revision.” On Tuesday, January 3, Doherty appeared at the


Pelham Board of Selectmen’s meeting to update them on the situation. He informed the board that he will be pushing for an amendment to the bill, vowing, “I will not support this legislation unless Pelham is given adequate representation.” Obviously, we are frustrated and just a little miffed that we don’t have someone locally we are familiar with as a resident of Pelham (where they can be seen and approached) or who has a vested interest in Pelham,” added Gleason. While we appreciate those members from Hudson who are accessible and have expressed a willingness to talk to us and attend our meeting ,upon request, it’s not the same as when local citizens can personally meet its representatives at Hannafords, Walgreens, etc., to express their views.” The New Hampshire Senate is scheduled to hold a hearing on its own version of a redistricting plan on January 11, with a Senate vote on January 25. If the plan is not modified, Gleason has indicated that the Board plans to forward a formal request to the Governor asking he veto any plan which does not provide local representation.


BOS member Bill McDevitt suggests that residents contact the local state representatives. Their names and home addresses can be found at http://www. gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wmlresults. aspx?town=Pelham.


Residents with questions can contact Representative Doherty via cell phone at 860-2293 or by e-mail at shaun.doherty@leg.state.nh.us or through his Website at www.RepDoherty.com. Doherty also post updates on Facebook and Twitter: @RepDoherty.


behavior at home.” A part of the Pelham Police department for over four years,


Kelly sees himself here “for the long term.” Although he remains a Pelham Police officer, and is


available to respond to dire emergency calls, all of his time is dedicated to the schools in town. You won’t see him out on the roads, doing routine patrols, unless he has taken on an overtime assignment. Officer Kelly visits all three schools on a regular basis, and does programs with St. Patrick School. At the elementary school, he visits classrooms and creates that positive contact between the police department and the students. His visits to the Memorial School are about continuing those relationships, and assisting with disciplinary issues. As expected, much of Kelly’s time is spent at the high


school, where his role is more toward enforcement and discipline.


According to Chief Roark, “The SRO allows students to


interact with a uniformed police officer in a non-threatening environment which helps us to develop more trust and ultimately better community relations.” “Having a dedicated SRO also allows us react quicker to emerging trends amongst young people,” says Chief Roark. Indeed, some of these efforts are already paying off. He is very excited about the programs that he has planned for the students in Pelham. Before officially becoming the SRO, Kelly was involved in the DARE program for the fifth grade students.


“I can see that it has already had a huge impact,” says Kelly.


“The current sixth grade students are more aware of what is going on. We had an incident where a student was offered drugs. He informed an adult, who contacted us. We were able to find the individual selling the drugs and take action.” In addition to working with students, Officer Kelly is also running a series of programs for parents. Currently, he is presenting a series entitled, “Safely Navigating Middle School.” These programs include topics such as cyberbullying, Internet


Staff photo by Diane Chubb


Pelham’s Officer Brian Kelly is now the dedicated School Resource Officer in town. He visits all the Pelham schools on a regular basis and is a resource to parents and students alike.


safety, drugs and drug awareness. Officer Kelly is also certified as a drug recognition expert. That means he can evaluate a person to determine if they are under the influence of drugs, and which one of various categories of drugs.


“Pills are a big problem,” he says. Kelly explained that pills


are very popular, but unlike the effects of drinking, much harder to detect. Therefore, he completed the certification program, including hours of practical training. Parents seeking more information on this topic should contact Officer Kelly directly. To reach Officer Kelly directly, call the non-emergency line for the Pelham Police at 635-2411 or e-mail him directly at bkelly@pelhampolice.com.


Come Meet Us, Then Become Part of Us! Academy of Notre Dame


Elementary and Middle School Open House


In our supportive, multi-faith and culturally diverse environment, you’ll find: an academically focused Pre-K Program, music and art classes, a proficiency based Math REACH Program beginning in Grade 4, an introduction to computer learning starting in Grade K1, as well as


small class sizes and Before School and Extended Day options for Grades Pre-K - 8.


Come Take a Tour, Meet Our Faculty and Learn Why Our Students Scored in the Top 20% of All Schools Nationwide in English Language and Mathematics on the Stanford 10 (SAT 10)!


ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, JANUARY 22ND


GRADES PRE-K THROUGH 8, TRANSFERS WELCOME, TOO! & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH


Pre-register online at ndatyngsboro.org/elemopenhouse, by contacting the Admissions Office at 978.649.7611, Ext. 327, or at admissions@ndatyngsboro.org, or by scanning this code. Walk-ins also welcome.


180 MIDDLESEX ROAD, TYNGSBORO, MA 01879 NDATYNGSBORO.ORG


A Catholic, private school comprised of a co-educational Pre-K - 8 elementary and middle school and a college-preparatory high school for young women. Sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the Academy welcomes students of all faiths from cities and towns throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.


- NOON - 3 PM


Transfer your high-rate credit card for free.


VISA Credit Card Fixed for the first 6 months**


® • No balance-transfer fees.


• A low introductory APR that applies to ALL purchases, ALL cash advances and ALL balance transfers.


3.99%APR* Equal Opportunity Lender


• Your choice among CashBack Rewards, Travel & Gift Rewards, or a Low Fixed Rate. • No annual fee. • Consumer-advocate approval by NerdWallet.


Switch from a higher-rate credit card and apply for a Jeanne D’Arc VISA today.


*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. **After the first six (6) months from the account opening date, your rate will be based on the program you choose and your credit worthiness subject to a maximum APR of 15.99%. Rates as of 10/01/11 and are subject to change. Other fees and charges may include; Cash Advance Fee of 2.00% of transaction or $5.00 minimum, $50.00 maximum; Minimum Interest Charge of $.50; International Transaction Fee with currency conversion is 1.00% of the amount of your transaction in U.S. Dollars. Without currency conversion, fee is 0.8% of the amount of your transaction in U.S. Dollars. A $5.00 Membership Account required.


Lowell | Dracut | Chelmsford | Tyngsboro | Methuen – 978-452-5001 | 877-604-5328 | JDCU.com


The shares and deposits of this credit union in excess of NCUA limits are insured by the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation up to limits set by Massachusetts law.


Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and the phrase We Share a Common Thread are federally registered trademarks owned by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. we share a common thread


MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6 - 8


ELEMENTARY GRADES 1 - 5


PRE-K, K1 AND K2


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