Mar152010

Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries

A word from the New Hampshire Fire Marshall:

The time has come to turn ahead our clocks to daylight savings time. That brings up another important item, State Fire Marshal Bill Degnan reminds everyone to change their smoke detector batteries, when you change your clocks this Sunday.

Approximately 80 percent of home fire deaths in New Hampshire this past year resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. The recent fatal fire investigation in Candia reveled that there was no operational smoke detector.

Smoke alarms are electronic devices and have a life expectancy per the manufacturers of approximately 10 years. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing and replacement of these life saving devices. Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning device available. Because fires grow and spread so quickly, having a working smoke alarm and residential fire sprinkler system in your home can mean the difference between life and death. If a home fire occurs, smoke alarms cut your chances of dying nearly in half.

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Mar152010

Maxine Wright of Londonderry

Maxine Alberta (Skinner) Wright, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with the Lord on March 12, 2010 after suffering a stroke at Manchester, NH. She was 98 years old.

Born June 8, 1911 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Maxine and her parents, Mabel (Rand) and Frank Skinner, emigrated in 1927 to Wellesley, MA. Maxine was a graduate of Wellesley High School.

While at work in 1931, Maxine met and soon married Charles Wright of Natick. They raised 3 children during the Great Depression and WW II years. After several moves in the New England area, the Wrights built a ranch home in Sherborn, MA residing there for 27 years until retiring to Mashpee on Cape Cod. They returned to West Natick in 1998. After Charles’ death in 2001, Maxine came to live with her daughter Janet Clark, in Londonderry, NH.

During the 1960-1980 period, the couple enjoyed many summer camping

trips throughout New England, traveling crosscountry and in Canada to see family in Alberta, British Columbia and California.

Maxine was a loving wife and mother, a talented pianist and soprano soloist. She performed in various churches including Fiske Methodist Church in Natick, Pilgrim Church in Sherborn, and with the Mashpee Community Singers. She also was a Founding Member of the Clef Club in Framingham, MA. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Maxine is survived by sons Norman Wright of Temecula, CA, Ronald and wife Polly Wright of Natick, MA, and daughter Janet (Wright) Clark of

Londonderry, NH. She leaves 10 grandchildren: Stephen and wife Sheila Wright, Thomas Wright, Dale Wright, Gary and wife Dolores Wright, Cynthia (Wright) and husband Brian Doherty, all of Orange County, CA. Also, Shelley (Wright) and husband Richard DiNatale of NC, Pamela (Wright) Specht of SC, Dana and wife Joyce Wright of Houston,TX, Carlene (Wyckstrom) and husband Richard Norton of Hooksett, NH, Kenneth and wife Michelle Wyckstrom of Fort Worth, TX, and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Maxine will be held on Tuesday, March 16th at 11:00 o’clock at the Londonderry Methodist Church on Mammoth Road in Londonderry, followed by refreshment and fellowship at the Robie House in Londonderry, NH. A private burial service will be held at a later date in Pine Hill Cemetary, Sherborn, MA. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a contribution to Mt. Carmel Rehab & Nursing Center, 235 Myrtle Street, Manchester, NH 03104, where Maxine lived for the past two years.

Visit the Peabody Funeral Homes website to leave a condolence note or view others.

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Mar142010

Londonderry Breaking News for 2010-03-14

  • Event Reminder: Entries must be postmarked before tomorrow's date for Duck Stamp Contest! http://tiny.cc/A9axp #
  • Don't forget to Spring Ahead at 1am! Did you read the origin of this in Londonderry? Check out Richard Holmes Story! http://tiny.cc/Ujf3k #
  • At the southerly end of Mammoth Road PSNH will be needing a LPD detail for a extended time to service the lines. 9:28pm #
  • PSNH is on scene in South Londonderry and has met up with LFD. Time 9:23pm #
  • Most of South Londonderry has no power wind storm bringing down trees on primary wires. LFD has contacted @PSNH to report open breakers #
  • Breaking News: Oakridge has fires on the @PSNH Lines from the LPD now in that area. 9:04 #
  • Breaking News:Pole Fire and sparking wires at Sparhawk and Falcon, power out in the area, LFD responding 8:54pm @PSNH three large flashes #
  • South end of Londonderry is out of power @PSNH LFD has tree burning on wires near Windham Line. LFD continuing to monitor. #
  • Breaking News:LFD enroute to the area of 24 Mammoth Road for a utility pole fire, Caller indicates he can see it on fire from his deck. 8:26 #
  • Breaking News Update: In the area investigating 3:01 p.m. Outside Fire found 201 Pillsbury 3:05 p.m. Permit suspended high winds 3:09 p.m. #
  • Breaking News: ENG3 Responding in the area of Pillsbury & High Range for a Possible Outside Fire. Time out 2:58 p.m. #
  • Breaking News Update: Illegal Burn located at 16 Meadow Dr. Homeowner extinguishing at 2:33 p.m. #
  • Breaking News: ENG2 Responding in the area of 25 Holly Ln for an Illegal Burn. Time out 2:27 p.m. #
  • Budget passed amended 25,770,562 #
  • From the floor of town meeting, article #15 up 11:45am still being debated … Vote fail yes 65 no 180 blank 1 #
  • Article 10 FAILS yes 78 no 220 blank 1 this is the executive union fact finder #
  • The administrative fact finder PASSED we had the vote correct but the outcome wrong. From town floor of town meeting. 11:20am #
  • Article 9 Administrator fact finder fails 159 yes 142 no one. Blank 1 #
  • Town meeting article 5 pass. Budget moved to end. Art 7 pass (trucks) Art 8 patrolmen wins 238 to 42, now going over admin assoc. No.9 #
  • Town meeting opens at 9:20 presentations start at 9:30 large group in hall. Voters still streaming in. Come down and vote! #
  • Weather, NWS issued a Flood watch through Monday at 7am and a High wind watch through today at 4pm for Londonderry and the region. #
  • Breaking Town Meeting News from the floor of Town Meeting starting at 9am Exclusive from Londonderry Hometown Online News! #
  • Breaking News:LPD is responding to Shaws according to reports 8-12 picketers blocking people from entering market, threatening shoppers 8:09 #
  • Good Morning! This is town meeting day. Starts at 9am this morning at LHS Cafe. 1/3 of your taxes today, 2/3 was school on Tuesday. 30M$+- #
  • LFD responding to Stonehenge and Perkins Road for a report of flares in the roadway. Time out 5:43pm #
  • TOWN MEETING, 30.5M$ will be spent Saturday AM starting at 9. Please come, view the last 3 days for relative stories! http://bit.ly/LDnhUS #
  • Shaws Picketers showed up yesterday at 3:45pm, back today entrances to Apple Tree Mall. Methuen warehouse, about 310 workers UFCW Union 791 #
  • UL Newsstand:Quiet budget cycle to conclude tomorrow;Councilors say the town manager exceeded budget goals they set at beginning of proccess #
  • Breaking News:Rockingham Road and Seasons Lane, MVA with Injuries LPD and LFD en route. time out 4:36 K2 on scene req LPD expedite code 3 #
  • UL Newsstand:Making spring a bit more beautiful;Volunteers take over the annual effort to spruce up the town. #
  • UL Newsstand:Town attny weighs in on workforce housing;Bart Mayer unit-per-building density reduction OK as long as dev don't pay the price. #
  • LPD is en route to Market Basket to get a Chihuahua that was found in the parking lot. 11:37am #
  • Breaking News:LFD determined the wire is no hazard but it is across the trail to Adams Pond. LFD will also be doing training in area 11am #
  • Breaking News:LFD en route to Mack's Apples Stand (no the ice cream stand is not open) for wires down across the street near the pond. 10:37 #
  • Breaking News:LFD & LPD en route to Route 102 near 7-11 MVA unknown PI Time out 6:14 LFD, LPD on scene 6:14pm no injuries reported. #
  • Did you get Mack's Apples Retweet on Robins? We tweeted about robins groundhog day, ever see Robin Cam? http://bit.ly/RobinCam Video too! #
  • Event Reminder: March 15, deadline for Duck Stamp Contest. Send in entries now!! http://tiny.cc/A9axp #
  • UL Newsstand;Council, unions trade accusations of dishonesty;Voters at Saturday's town Meeting will have their say on a fact-finder's report #
  • UL Newsstand:Londonderry Voters approve charter commission. New Faces;Tom Dolan and John Farrell win seats on the Town Concil #
  • Exclusive Londonderry Online News, the BLANKS have been added to unofficial results. http://bit.ly/2010E A view into the soul of a election! #
  • ELECTION Results are complete! We published them from the floor of Election Hall this year. Thanks to LHS for HOT Spot! http://bit.ly/2010E #
  • Standing room only in the gym. Listen to WLLO 102,9 for radio results. As they happen. #
  • 7:30 3,140 is the voter count. 30min to go. #
  • Traffic Lights are not cycling correctly reported to LPD by driver. They are checking on them right now 5:49pm Keep on Voting Londonderry! #
  • Election News at 5pm we are up to 2,300 voters of the 17,050 registered voters in Londonderry. Polls open until 8pm tonight #
  • Election News:1850 voters at 3:45 looks like a good day (for a change) at the Town and School Elections. #gaymarriageNH Vote #
  • Event Reminder: Support the NH Troops. Moore Mart Breakfast 7:30 AM Tomorrow. Grappone Center, Concord. http://tiny.cc/oyFYE #
  • LPD trying to get people to park at Londonderry Polls, traffic backed up to Mammoth. No way to get cars in, no one exiting too. E2010! #
  • News from the Polls,voters may be confused, Article 3 on Town & School Ballot. School= Support Staff Union, Town= Gay Marriage 1,435 at 2:10 #
  • LPD (our LMS SRO) directing traffic to help the students out of school on voting day. Photos of the polls this morning http://bit.ly/9cHfWz #
  • News from the Polls, Parking is tight until school gets out. It appears a Bigger turnout due to #GayMarriage Vote 1,300 voters at 1:30pm #
  • Vote 2010 update, at 10pm we were at 600 voters so far. LFD EMT are en route for an elderly woman that has fallen. 10:18am #
  • Sarah Rogers family is on Today Show, the site lighting up with traffic story onhttp://tiny.cc/gpI36 comments may be slow, till event ends #
  • Event Reminder: Applebees makes donation to LHS Band, 20% of bill! Grab post-voting lunch/dinner today! http://tiny.cc/on0uc #
  • Election 2010 at 8am the vote count is 300 voters, it was picking up as we left. "Film" is in the soup, link to images at our next report. #
  • Polls Opened at 7pm Remember to vote today. We will keep you updated on the traffic and number of voters throughout the day. #
  • "You can't make this up"… A person from Phili is at the USair ticket counter that fell in Phili is in need of the LFD "for a fall" 10pm #
  • Event Reminder: Tuesday Night at Applebee's, 20% of bill gets Donated to LHS Band. Great place for post-voting dinner!! http://tiny.cc/on0uc #
  • Motor Cycle, left the scene, looks like he or she was not in need of service. Weather Sunny and 54 degrees, sap is falling so did rider… #
  • Motor Cycle Accident rptd by SRO Just north of the middle School on Mammoth Road Unknown injuries, he dumped it but is up. LFD & LPD enroute #
  • Insight Technology Car Fire is extinguished, Engine 1 asking for fire inspector. Like to listen in to the action? http://tiny.cc/LDscanners #
  • LFD searching for care fire can not find it at #3 Found car and call back from 911 caller 9 Akira Way working CAR FIRE on scene 1:29pm #
  • Breaking News:Engine 1 LFD en route to 3 technology drive for a CAR FIRE Insight Technology, unknown location in parking lot time out 1:19pm #
  • Phones are also out with LFD receiving trouble alarms, they are on scene at 12:03 investigating. (typical of power outages) #
  • Breaking News:The middle school has lost power at noon today, it is thought to be isolated, the School Resource Officer is checking area #
  • UL Newsstand:The branding of Londonderry hits the Web at last;Marketing campaign:A new tool in the town's economic development effort… #
  • Site is experiencing 30 times normal traffic due to news services looking for info on LHS teacher story. Comments may take longer. #
  • LondonderryNH.net info, due to spike in traffic some temporary changes have been made. Performance should be ok, due to http://tiny.cc/MUco0 #
  • LFD arrived, Head on into Power pole down. No PI 4 people. The wires are holding up the top of the pole. #
  • Breaking News:MVA in the area of St. Jude's, Vehicle vs. Pole pole is reported to be on top of the car. Rescue, Engines, Medic time out 2:41 #
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Mar142010

Londonderry Teams to Compete in DI Challenges

Around 2,700 students, from more than 200 New Hampshire Schools and Community based organizations, per year compete in challenges put together by Destination Imagination. Beginning at the Regionals, with four events throughout the state of New Hampshire alone, teams then progress to the State Finals, this year in Nashua, then the Global Finals, in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they will face teams from across the world. Rather than encourage tough competition, the emphasis is placed on innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork. The teams can have up to seven members and can choose which challenge they would like to create a solution to.

From Londonderry, NH, thirteen teams will compete in the Regional Competition in Plaistow. The tournament will begin this Saturday, March 13, 2010, and spectators are welcome to cheer on the Londonderry Teams. Here are the teams to be looking for, and the challenges they have chosen:

High School Teams

  • Team O’Connor, with 5 Seniors, will challenge themselves with “DI rect DI posit”
  • Team Ferrara, with 3 Seniors, will do “Breaking News”
  • Team Melanson, a Junior and Freshman team, will compete in “DO or DI”

Middle School Teams

  • Team Brown and Team Daron will both compete in “Flip”

South School Teams

  • Team Greenwood will take part in “Weighty News”
  • Team Lynch and Team Isabelle will do “DI Bot”
  • Team Caputo will compete with “Flip”

North School Teams

  • Team Costello will challenge themselves with “Weighty News”
  • Team Moscoso will compete in “DI rect DI posit”
  • Team Melanson will do “DO or DI”

Matthew Thornton Team

  • Team Fitzgibbon (O’Connor) will compete in “Flip”

For more information about Destination Imagination, or a description of each challenge, visit DI’s website.

Please feel free to comment on this story!

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Mar142010

Robert L. Gannon of Londonderry

Robert L. Gannon, 85, of Londonderry, NH died Thursday March 11, 2010 at his home. Mr. Gannon was born in Yarmouth, ME on July 20, 1924, son of the late Lewis A. and Phyllis B. (Smiley) Gannon. He had resided in Londonderry for the past eight years, formerly living in Liberty, ME and previously Londonderry. Mr. Gannon served with the US Army during WWII and was a purple heart recipient. During the late 1940’s and early 1950’s he played basketball in Derry, NH with the Derry Jets. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lodge #44 F & AM, and the American Legion Lester Chase Post 9, both of Derry and the Disabled American Veterans. While a member of the Derry Rotary Club, he was Past President and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award.

He is survived by his wife, Beth L. (Ingalls) Gannon of Londonderry, two daughters, Linda A. Venne and her husband David of Poland, ME, Judy Evans and her husband Charlie of Londonderry, three grandchildren, Lori and Mark Evans, and Nathan Venne. He is also survived by two cousins, William S. Gannon and Elizabeth Blunk.

Following cremation, a Memorial service will be held Saturday March 20th at 1:30pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH. Family will receive friends from 12:30 pm to 1:30pm prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made the the VA Medical Center, 718 Smyth Road, Manchester, NH 03104.

Visit the Peabody Funeral Homes website to leave a condolence note or view others.

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Mar132010

With Sadness, Body Located Of Sarah Rogers, 29 – Barrington, NH

MARCH 13, 2010

It is with deep sadness to report that Sarah’s body was located this afternoon, Saturday, March 13, 2010, 1/2 mile from where her vehicle was found near Clinton, Maine. The Medical Examiner has confirmed her identity. Preliminary reports indicate hypothermia as the cause of death. No signs of foul play were present. She was located by residents who searched their property and discovered signs of Sarah and telephoned the Maine State Police. The family of Sarah Rogers would like to thank everyone who prayed and helped look for their loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Sarah leaves behind her husband, Frances “Fritz” Coloumbe and two year old son, Elias.
Sarah will be missed by many. Please feel free to sign the guest book at www.findsarahrogers.com

Memorial arrangements will be announced at a later time.

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Mar132010

Here We Go Again ?

Birds lost power for 30 minutes (8:45pm to 9:15pm)…………..here’s hoping we can move away from the town budget and back to some more fun with Watty.  Or better yet, let’s hope Watty doesn’t have to come around at all.  Update from town meeting I’m still a looser……….and thanks Brian for not having a secret plan.

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Mar132010

Londonderry Town Meeting 2010

Town Meeting opened at 9:20am and ran through 1:40pm today. In the end 318 voters made about $30 million dollars in decisions on how much and in some cases how the Town’s money will be spent from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

Londonderry, New Hampshire Town Meeting Pan

Article Number Yes No
Article No. 5 Expendable Maintenance Trust Fund $200,000 Pass
Article No. 6 Fiscal Year 2011 Town Operating Budget $25,913,414 (moved to the end of the meeting)
Article No. 7 Capital Reserve Funds to Replace Ambulances, Highway Equipment, Fire Trucks and Highway Trucks Total $375,000 Pass
Article No. 8 Ratify AFSCME 3657 Patrolman’s Union

FY11 $160,739

FY 12 $318,344

FY 13 $483,789

Pass

238

42
Article No. 9 Ratify the Londonderry Administrative Employees Fact finder Report

FY11 $117,852

FY12 $236,320

Pass

159

142
Article No. 10 Ratify the Londonderry Executive Association Fact Finder Report

FY11 $25,180

FY12 $50,138

FY13 $75,981

78 Fail

220

Article No. 11 Authorize a special Meeting on cost items for Article 8 N/a
Article No. 12 Northwest Fire Station $163,456 to add to the $1.655 Million ARRA Grant from the fund balance Pass
Article No. 13 Capital Reserve Fund for Pillsbury Cemetery Expansion

$210,000 from the fund balance.

Pass
Article No. 14 Fund Special Revenue Accounts

Sewer $2,686,076

Cable $371,052

Police Detail $447,183

Total $3,504,311

Pass
Article No. 15 Appropriation of Land Use Change Taxes to the Conservation Fund and General fund. (By Petition) 80% to General Fund, 20% to Conservation, now 100% to conservation 65 Fail

180

Article No. 6 Fiscal Year 2011 Town Operating Budget $25,913,414
Amend #1 by TC down 25K to get to 2% tax rate increase Pass
Amend #2 down $222,832 to make up for both unions wining (withdrawn) N/a
Amendment #2 117,852 to make up for middle Management fact finder winning. Pass
Article No. 6 Fiscal Year 2011 Town Operating Budget as amended $25,770,562 168 63
Article 16 Other Business
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