Hudson Litchfield News 1-13-2017
Hudson Litchfield News 1-13-2017
Hudson Litchfield News 1-13-2017
Litchfield~Hudson
News
Hudson~Litchfield News
Volume 28 Number 27 January 13, 2017 12 Pages
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Editors Note: This is the fourth in a series on the opioid crisis and how its being addressed locally.
by Dave Morin
The drugs turned a former Nashua High
School cheerleader and straight-A student into an
unrecognizable addict.
This tragic tale is very real. A longtime Nashua
family has lived it. For more than a decade,
these parents have struggled to regain the loving
and vivacious daughter they once knew.
The Hudson~Litchfield News has been
fortunate enough to speak with first responders
and medical professionals to get an inside look at
the community effects and response to the heroin
epidemic, but what is the impact on this local
family as their daughter
battles addiction?
It is devastating for
any parent to watch their
teenager change and fall
into the dark world of
drug dependence. Bill,
as he will be called for
this story, had a daughter
who will be referred to as
Emily. During Emilys senior
year, Bill started to notice
a change for the worse:
hanging out with the wrong
crowd, grades dropping,
and showing disinterest in
school activities. Emilys
enthusiastic personality
had dimmed. It began with
prescription drugs such
as Percocet, with Emily
snorting the drug. Her need
to be high continued to
grow as she progressed to
using heroin.
I cant understand how
my daughter who had the
whole world in her hands
turned out this way, said
Bill. The drugs have also
affected my life, finances,
job performance and have
left permanent wounds on
my family.
When heroin became
the drug of choice the
behavior change became
very evident. Emily would
remain awake for days at
a time. The family then
Amanda Wetmore is surrounded by Memorial players
began to notice things
but still goes to the hoop for two points.
missing from their home,
a friendship ring Bill had
continue to page 10 for full story
given his wife when they
were dating, the parents
wedding rings and other
family heirlooms. These
cherished possessions had been stolen and
estimate increase is $282,018 and the 2018traded for cash to buy drugs. When Bill would
2019 estimated increase is $293,644. As this
question Emily on her addiction and the missing
was recently passed, the tax rate impact is still
items, she would always deny, deny, deny.
being calculated.
Next came the dealers and injecting the
Voting: As the budget committee has not yet
heroin into her veins with needles. On several
seen the contract, this article was not voted on.
occasions, Bill found Emily standing in a
This vote will take place after the budget hearing
hallway at home swaying back and forth in an
on Jan. 12.
unresponsive trance. He videotaped these events
Article 3 Placeholder Article, no further details
to show his daughter what the drugs were doing
at this time
to her.
Article 4 Special Services Coordinator
The trust Bill once had in his daughter and the
Summary: Raise and appropriate $92,885.21
thoughts of her one day being married, having a
as salary and benefits for a new special
family and living happily ever after faded away.
services coordinator position to support the
He struggled with the constant fear of Emily
special services director and Special Services
falling to the deadly consequences of heroin and
Department. Estimated tax rate impact $.10
not surviving the next day.
Voting: The budget committee voted 8-0-0 to
Emily finally came to the realization that
recommend the warrant article. This article is a
she was addicted to heroin and agreed to
top priority for the school district.
seek treatment. Bill and his wife immediately
began researching treatment centers to
continue to page 5 - Litchfield Budget
January Means
Basketball
Courtesy photos
submitted by
Presentation of Mary
Academy, Hudson
The junior high
students at the
Presentation of Mary
Academy had a very
smart visitor this week.
Nicole Ouellette from
Philips Healthcare
in Andover, Mass.,
is a test engineer
specializing in
ultrasound. She
presented the
students with the ins
and outs of STEM
--Science, Technology,
Engineering and
Mathematics-- as
this is believed to
be the future of the
Test engineer Nicole Ouellette presents to the junior high students.
Nicole Ouellette, with some of the PMA junior high students, explains what STEM is all about.
economy.
Ouellette
interested in engineering. You can never start too young to develop your interests,
explained to the students that math is the most powerful tool to an engineer as it helps breakdown
said Nicole. PMA recently implemented a Lego Club for kindergarten through grade three. Summer
problems with different variables. The potential engineers of the future were fascinated by the different
camps for Lego League are also offered during July at the school and are always very popular.
examples of ultrasound transducers that were passed around the audience. Of course, all audience
Principal Sister Maria Rosa said, STEM education is a hot topic in the education world. You have to
participation was rewarded with a Smartie candy!
always keep your curriculum up to date and keep your students interested.
Ouellette concluded with the encouragement of joining Lego Leagues if students thought they may be
Accolades
Emily Hagenow and Sara Kierstead of Litchfield and Cody Knapp
and Lauren Weber of Hudson achieved the Deans List at Belmont
University for the fall semester.
Litchfield residents Patrick Curtin and John Curtin, Jr., a senior and
sophomore from Merrimack College respectively made the Deans List
for the fall semester of 2016.
Keene State College announced that 1,400 students have been
named to the fall Deans List, including the following residents. From
Hudson: Kyra Burns, Caitlin Calhoun, John Callahan, Noah Drouin,
Kathryn Gillum, Jacob Huggins, Stephanie Jones, Paige MacIntosh,
Marissa Milley, Rachel Norton, Michael Pease, Katherine St. Jean and
Emma Stalker. From Litchfield: Alexandria Cardinal, Kelly Chaisson,
Madeline Mahoney, Trevor Perigny, Ashley Rollend and Emily Thorpe.
Christopher Jeffery of Hudson has been named to the Champlain
College Deans List for the fall semester.
Lasell College has announced the Deans List for outstanding
academic achievement during the fall semester. Among the students
named to the Deans List are: Alyssa Huggins and Caitlin Ernst of
Hudson and Jessica Pascucci of Litchfield.
Paige Bryson of Litchfield is one of more than 650 Lebanon Valley
College students named to the Deans List for the fall semester.
Bryson, a graduate of Campbell High School, is pursuing a Bachelor
of Arts degree in English.
enforce.
As the selectmen headed into non-public session, all the
selectmens remarks were centered primarily on wishing the
citizens of Hudson a Happy New Year, however, Selectmen
McGrath mentioned that she could not support the new fire station
on Lowell Road, but would not speak out against it at Wednesdays
budget public hearing or at deliberative the second Saturday in
February. As Selectman Coutu mentioned, he would like the
budget committee to remove $19,000 earmarked for the Nashua
Regional Planning Committee as he felt they dont do much for
Hudson. McGrath reminded him that the selectmen had voted
to expend those funds and that he should not speak against it as
she is not speaking out against the fire station despite her personal
feelings. Chairman Luszey explained that Coutu could speak as he
saw fit as long as he was speaking for himself and not for the board.
The selectmen went into non-public session. On Wednesday,
Jan. 11, the Hudson~Litchfield News contacted the Town
Administrator Malizia to get the results of the non-public meeting.
Malizia explained that, on Sept. 20, in a arbitration appeal as
part of the union contract that former Fire Captain Kevin Grebinar
appealed his termination and that the Board of Selectmen will
comply with the arbitrator ruling and reinstate Fire Captain
Grebinar.
It was also mentioned that two Step 2 grievances were denied
and a new firefighter was hired, and that firefighters Kevin Blinn,
Dennis Haernick and Todd Berube were all promoted to lieutenant.
The Hudson School Board has formally announced that Mr. Lawrence Russell, current Director of Special Services in the
Hudson School District, and Mr. Steven Welford have been selected as finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools.
This announcement is the culmination of a comprehensive search conducted by the Hudson School Board with the
assistance of the New Hampshire School Boards Association. The announcement of the finalists is a result of many hours
of reviewing application materials, interviewing semi-finalist candidates, and carefully assessing the qualifications of
candidates in relation to the leadership profile determined by the Hudson School Board.
The Hudson School Board will be conducting final interviews on Wednesday evening, January 18. The board
contemplates making a final selection shortly after the final interviews are complete.
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One Community....
by David S. Morin
Quick thinking from a resident at 15 Gillis St.
limited the damage to his home after fire broke out
on a rear deck. Hudson firefighters were called to
the home just after 2 a.m. for the report of a house
fire.
Captain Al Dube, first to arrive at the address,
reported smoke showing from the rear of the twostory duplex. Upon investigating the rear of the
home Captain Dube found that the occupant had
removed all the burning siding and items on the
deck by hand containing the spreading flames.
Firefighters quickly extinguished any remaining
fire limiting damage to the exterior wall and deck.
Crews worked for about one half hour ensuring the
flames had not spread into the walls of the home.
Both units suffered minor smoke damage and no
injuries were reported.
While firefighters worked
the buildings occupants
and their pets sat in running
vehicles to stay warm in the
Actual Patients
Firefighters evaluate the occupant who pulled the burning siding from the home,
stopping the spreading flame
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Ongoing
Are you looking for a church home?
Visit us at the First Baptist Church of
Hudson, 236 Central St., and feel the
warm welcome. Sunday Worship Service,
10:30 a.m.; Sunday School, 9:15 a.m. On the
First Sunday of each month we serve communion
and have a time of fellowship and refreshments
after Worship Service. Food Pantry for Hudson
residents, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Game Night every third Friday of the month starting
with Pizza at 6 p.m. See us on Comcast Cable
Ch. 20 Sundays at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more
information, visit www.firstbaptisthudson.com or
call 882-6116.
Now
Saturday, January 14
Hudson Boy Scout Troop 20 is excited
to announce its annual Christmas Tree
Pick Up. For an $8 donation Scouts will
pick your tree up at your home and properly
dispose of it. Your donation will be used to help
fund Troop activities such as camping, merit
badges and leadership programs. To schedule
your pick-up contact Lyn Brock at (508) 560-0790
or [email protected] with your name,
address, phone number and which day you would
like your tree picked up. Have your tree out front
with your donation taped to it or your front door.
Its that simple! Your donations are a critical part of
our ability to provide a quality Scouting program
for local youth. We thank you for your support.
4th
7th
3rd
Saturday, January 28
Fourth Saturdays is the Free Family Film
Festival at the Rodgers Memorial Library
see family friendly films. Today at 1 p.m.
see the animated film that shows what pets
are up to when their humans leave. See films on
our big screen, snacks will be served. Call the
library film line at 816-4535 or check our events
calendar rmlnh.org/events for details.
8th
Wednesday, January 18
The Litchfield Senior Citizens Group
will meet at 12 p.m. at the Community
Church on Charles Bancroft Highway. The
speaker will be Michael Cross who will
discuss The Science of Chocolates: The Perfect
Indulgence. A luncheon of homemade soups will
Litchfield
Jan. 5: 2-7 p.m., Campbell High School,
1 Highlander Ct.
Happenings Across
the River
8th
15th
Nashua
Jan. 19: 2-7 p.m., Nashua Elks Lodge,
12 Murphy Dr.
Jan. 5: 2-7 p.m., Elks Lodge,
120 Daniel Webster Hwy.
Sunday, January 15
Our nation has just endured a
challenging and divisive election and
Area News
Group
[email protected]
Editor in Chief:
Len Lathrop
areanewsgroup.com
Graphic Designers:
Rachel Denton - Lead Designer
Diane Stangroom
Laurie Warren
Jeff Rodgers
Special Contributors:
Ruth Parker
Dave Morin
Rich Lascelles
Reporters:
Tom Tollefson
Lynne Ober
Jay Hobson
Kaylee Murphy
Doug Robinson Laurie Jasper
Your Hudson~Litchfield News is delivered weekly to every home and business in each town. If you do not receive your paper please let our office know at 880-1516
eaders
Seeking Nominations
Obituaries
Everylifetimehasastory
Courtesy photo
Obituaries
2 column
Everylifetimehasastory
Obituaries
3 column
Everylifetimehasastory
Obituaries
tuaries
and her husband Bruce, and Jim Bernard and his wife Susan; 15
grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law,
Terri and Jack Butler of Las Cruces, N.M.; her sisters-in-law, Dibby
Fortier of Nashua and Jane Fortier of Avon Park, Fla.; her special
friends, Jay Barrett and his family and Patti Houston and her family;
and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visiting hours will be held at the Davis Funeral Home, One Lock
St., Nashua, on Friday, Jan. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Kathryn Parish, 4
Dracut Rd., Hudson, on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. Friends are
invited to attend and asked to gather at the church. Interment prayers
and burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are
asked to consider a memorial donation in Lucilles memory to either
the American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, PO Box
7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001 (www.lung.org), or the American
Heart Association/American Stroke Association, PO Box 417005,
Boston, MA 02241-7005 (www.heart.org).
Everylifetimehasastory
submitted by
Thomas,
Triangle
a graduate
Credit Union
of Suffolk
Triangle
University
Credit Union
in Boston,
has promoted
is currently
Rebecca
pursuing a
Thomas to
Master of
assistant vice
Business
president of
Management
eCommerce.
degree at
Thomas has
Harvard
successfully
University.
managed the
Prior to
eCommerce
joining
Rebecca Thomas
effort at Triangle
Triangle, she
for the past five
played a critical
years where she and her team
role in retail service and
are responsible for the credit
marketing strategy, both for
unions website, online and
brick and mortar and online, for
mobile banking, social media
13 years.
and email campaigns.
Rebecca is also a regionally
Ms. Thomas is a pivotal part
and nationally awarded artist
of our online and technology
and writer, and, in her spare
services. She has spearheaded
time, advocates for the Greater
numerous and various projects
Nashua Humane Society.
that provide our membership
For more information, contact
with online banking
Triangle Credit Union at 889conveniences, said Triangle
2470 or visit trianglecu.org.
Credit Union CEO/President
Maurice Simard.
4 column
5 column
www.firstbaptisthudson.com
"Best kept secret
See us on Comcast Cable ch. 20 Sundays at 9AM and 6PM
that is right
in plain sight."
236 Central St., Hudson, NH 882-6116
lifetime.
Care
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a
t
n
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D
l
a
Exception tire Family
n
for The E
www.hudsondentalnh.com
603-889-8499
Contact us at
880-1516 or visit
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