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Pelham~Windham News


Pelham~Windham News Volume 9 Number 50 June 29, 2012 16 Pages New Pelham Fire Station Breaks Ground


by Marc Ayotte With the concept of a new Pelham Fire Station a hot topic, spanning over nine years worth of debate and procedural delays, it seemed only fi tting that the ground breaking ceremony for the town project would take place on an abnormally scalding, 90 degree morning. The fi re station, which is being constructed on a parcel of land adjacent to the Village Green, the Pelham Public Library and bordering Marsh Road, has a completion target date of April 9, 2013. With several town and state offi cials in attendance for the momentous event, Pelham Fire Chief Jim Midgley took to the podium. The Chief acknowledged State Senator Chuck Morse, Hillsborough County Attorney Dennis Hogan, County Commissioner Sandra Ziehm, members of the Pelham Board of Selectmen, and Hillsborough County Sheriff James Hardy. In his 33rd year of law enforcement and running for re-election in September, Hardy, a Pelham resident said; “it’s great to see them starting construction of the fi re station - it’s been needed for years.” “Our journey began nine years ago in 2003 under then Chief E. David Fisher, who is with us today” said Midgley. “This is a great day for the Pelham Fire Department and it marks the beginning of a new future being built for our town’s fi re and EMS service,” added Chief Midgley. Refl ecting upon the trials and tribulations of how the existing fi re station came to be, Midgley said; “forty years ago in April 1972, Chief Mansfi eld stood upon the ground of the current fi re station at their ground breaking and I’m sure uttered similar words.” In mentioning that the entire process has faced many obstacles, including changing administrations within the fi re department as well as a signifi cant down turn in economic conditions, Midgley commended members of the community


Involved in the new Pelham Fire Station ground breaking ceremony are (from left to right): Bill McDevitt,


Board of Selectman Chair; Ed Gleason, Vice Chair, Board of Selectman; Selectman Bob Haverty; Selectman Doug Viser; Selectman Hal Lynde; Fire Chief Jim Midgley; Tom Gaydos, Town Administrator


for their role in the progress; “this last March, with an overwhelming majority of support at the poles, the project was approved.” Midgley proceeded by thanking specifi c individuals for their signifi cant contributions; among them, Selectman McDevitt for his consultation and persistence, as well as Selectman Gleason for his continued lobbying and efforts to keep the project “front and center in the public eye while he was chairman.” Midgley continued by thanking the budget committee for the “years of support and innovative ideas.” In specifi c recognition of the efforts revolving around consultations, drives and meetings


Midgley said of Town Administrator Tom Gaydos; “most people have no idea what goes on behind the scenes of a project of this scope.” Selectman Hal Lynde in addressing the 64 percent voter approval back in March said that “we owe this to the voters.” After the designated few, who had shovels in hand for the ceremonial ‘dirt-tossing,’ gave it their best one-pitch forward for the cameras, Pelham Capital Improvement Program Committee member Bill Scanzani chimed in with some timely jocularity; “keep digging – the foundation has to be a lot bigger than that.” In a fi nal salute to the townspeople and others


Back in back and white: Former PFD Chief E. David Fisher and current Pelham Fire Chief Jim Midgley symbolically share a shovel during the ground breaking ceremony for the new Pelham Fire Station; since 2003, both Fisher and Midgley have strived for community approval of a new fi re station to serve the community


involved in the project, Midgley closed by saying, “this groundbreaking also demonstrates the perseverance and commitment that the department and town offi cials have to the community. Together, we have improved the delivery of Fire and Emergency Medical Services for future generations.”


Dedication Ceremony at Cutler-Spalding Conservation Area


T e sign that was installed for the dedication, but will be put into storage until the construction in that area is complete.


by Lynne Ober On Saturday, June 23, The Pelham Conservation Commission held a dedication for the Cutler- Spalding Conservation Area. Commission Chairman Paul Gagnon welcomed everyone to the dedication ceremony. Gagnon recounted the history of conservation land in Pelham. The Frederick Cutter Merriam and Cutter Woods properties (not to be confused with the Cutler- Spalding property) were purchased fi rst. This area preserved 147 acres off Sherburne Road and made the addition of the Cutler-Spalding property very appealing. Gagnon told the crowd that when he was asked about the dedication, he didn’t know how to make that happen because access to the Cutler-Spalding property is not easy, but will be easier in the future. A new development off


Spalding Road will provide an access road to the planned parking area. When e-mails started to arrive about the Cutler- Spalding area dedication, Gagnon contacted Pelham Planning Director Jeff Gowan and learned about the new development that will abut the area. Gagnon contacted the developer, who not only granted access through the construction area, but also helped clear the access road to the property and allowed Gagnon to set up the dedication ceremony. “We wouldn’t have been here today without that cooperation,” said Gagnon.


Recalling the original plan that the Conservation Committee developed, Gagnon told the audience that the goal was to protect 25 percent of land for future generations. He explained how experts had


reached that percentage and then talked about the work of the Conservation Commission as they examined Pelham’s parks, trails and private property that was in green space. He said the town needed to protect a total of 5,000 acres to reach the goal of 25 percent of Pelham’s property. “There is no doubt that the drop in real estate values helped the Conservation Commission,” stated Gagnon, “but we were also helped by the voters who approved a $3 million dollar bond.” Gagnon talked about keeping land in someone’s memory and that both wetlands and ponds are valuable to protect. “So far we have protected 700 acres; the current use fund is expended and we have $1.6 million left in the bond.”


continued to page 5 - Dedication Ceremony


The Wheels of Windham DI Car Show Parks at Windham High


by Andrew Belliveau On Saturday, the Wheels of Windham DI Car Show was held at


Windham High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many cars glistened in the parking lot as spectators perused the several different makes, years, shapes, and sizes. Car owners stood next to their cars and awaited conversation with curious spectators. The spectators were encouraged to vote for their favorite cars. In addition to the cars, a Windham fi re truck was available for


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View past issues and our other papers online.


Our office will be closed on June 28th There is no newspaper on July 6th


Two “Race Car” offi ce chairs by Luxvelocity.com.


The Hudson-Litchfield News is going on vacation! though July 8th


T ree Oldsmobile hoods popped to allow the spectators to see the engines.


people to go inside and look around. Also on display was a set of ”Pit Stop Furniture” by Luxvelocity.com. This furniture was a unique set of race car seats made into offi ce chairs. The event was a fundraiser for the Windham Destination Imagination program to offset the cost of the students entering the DI Global Finals. This will be the second time the Windham DI program has competed in the Global Finals. The excitement of the volunteers and students at the event showed


and we will return on July 9th . Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!


A 1971 ‘Cuda 340 was one of the many antique cars on display.


their passion for DI. The leader of the Windham DI program, Terri Pessinis, commented on the educational value of the program: “DI is great because it is well-rounded and incorporates many different skill sets, such as the fi ne arts.” The event ended with the awarding of trophies. Two large trophies


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were awarded to the “Best in Show” and “DI Choice.” Several smaller trophies were awarded to everybody else, who placed third.


The Pelham-Windham News is going on vacation! Our office will be closed on June 28th


though July 8th There is no newspaper on July 6th


and we will return on July 9th . Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!


.


Staff photo by Lynne Ober


staff photos by Marc Ayotte


Staff photos by Andrew Belliveau


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