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December 31, 2009

Battles waged, milestones achieved

Derry's top stories for 2009

By Julie Huss

The year 2009 brought many issues to light in Derry including ways the town should handle its residents' livestock and animals, and also if and when a town plow should tend to certain roads deemed "private" vs. "public."

The Derry Town Council also had moments where residents confronted officials over personalities, behaviors, and town business, all in the course of community government and ways Derry deals with its people, businesses, and land.

Here is a sampling of some of the year's most prominent stories, focusing on the business of doing things, the people behind the decisions, and the everyday instances where people gave of themselves, did a good deed, celebrated a new beginning, mourned a loss, or questioned what was going on.

Derry woman celebrates a milestone

It's not every day one living legend celebrates a milestone with another.

But for Cecilia Pfaff, a resident at Derry Health and Rehabilitation Center, celebrating her 105th birthday last January was a special day, made even more special by an appearance by Derry's own "Elvis" performed by Stan Anderson, Jr. Pfaff, a resident of the health facility, sat smiling in a special place of honor during a birthday party surrounded by family, friends and center residents

Since her birth on Jan. 26, 1904, the woman has seen a lot — two world wars, the Great Depression, natural disasters, many presidents, monumental strides in medicine and technology, and decades of movements in history too numerous to count.

Pfaff's story is full of strong ties within her immigrant history. Her German parents — father Franz and mother Marie — came to New York to begin a new life, eventually meeting and marrying and raising a family of seven children.

For Pfaff, another year came, giving her a special honor, wishes for continued good health, and plenty of great music.

Public vs. private roads

The Town Council said yes this year to a road ordinance giving homeowners on private roads a chance to petition the town for public road status.

Council voted 5-2 in favor of the ordinance, giving private road citizens a temporary means for petitioning the town to give their roads town services and maintenance.

Under this proposed ordinance, a private road could become public after 100 percent of the residents living there signed a petition and sent it to the Town Council. Once signatures are verified, the petition will go before the Planning Board and then back for a recommendation and final say by the council.

The issue of public versus private roads and town maintenance of those roads is decades old.

"The town has come out with different policies on this over the years," Councilor Neal Wetherbee said. "By what we are laying out in this ordinance, we are essentially doing what we've done forever, maintaining what already exists."

Many residents voiced concerns that the private/public road issue was just taking too long to figure out. Councilor Kevin Coyle said the ordinance would help gets things done.

"At some point we've got to put an end to this and this is it," Coyle said.

Derry Olympian takes on world

The trio of shiny medals around her neck gently jingled together as Erika Goldsby moved and snuggled warmly in her electric blue athletic jacket. Two silver and one bronze - for Goldsby, it's a collection of awards for a remarkable showing on the world stage.

Goldsby was one of four New Hampshire athletes chosen to represent the United States at the ninth annual Special Olympics World Games, held last winter in Boise, Idaho. Goldsby won three medals for her performance in the snowshoe competition, going up against thousands of other Special Olympians from more than 100 countries in a 10-day wintery sports adventure.

Being chosen to represent the Granite State was quite an honor for the young Olympian, a member of Derry's Timberwolves Special Olympics team. Goldsby began participating in Special Olympics as a high school student at Pinkerton Academy.

The Timberwolves, sponsored by Derry Parks and Recreation, are a pivotal group making up the fabric of the department, showing successes in sporting events all year long, and offering friendship and support for each other at the same time.

For Goldsby, traveling to Idaho to meet athletes from all over the globe was a chance of a lifetime.

Etz Hayim synagogue opens

The new Etz Hayim Synagogue was officially dedicated in spring of 2009 and filled to capacity with supporters and community members all wanting to show their respect and welcome for the new building and its families. The new synagogue stands adjacent to the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, a congregation playing a key role in the newest chapter in Etz Hayim's journey and spiritual life, sharing its space with the local Jewish community and eventually selling a piece of property for Etz Hayim's building plans.

Etz Hayim Rabbi Louis Rieser said the new building was a dream come true for his synagogue families and it was a time for celebration and appreciation for all those who helped make the dream a reality.

"It will be a place individuals can come for contemplation and for play, for art and culture and education, for community and comfort," Rieser said. Church of the Transfiguration Rev. Sue LeSueur said Etz Hayim and her own congregation shared 14 years of not only the same physical space, but also shared a unique interfaith relationship formed through common ground and a respect for each other's differences.

"We have shared not only a unique relationship, but a rare one," LeSueur said. "The tree of life will grow where you are planted here."

Livestock ordinance put in place

Neighborhoods in Derry might have seemed a bit quieter in 2009 since the town council approved its new livestock ordinance.

New regulations were put in place to keep animals safe on properties while not annoying the neighbors.

"This issue has been a hot potato in this town the last few years," Derry's planning director George Sioras said.

The issue of handling livestock and animals on residential properties came to light when a neighborhood on Squamscott Avenue became a fowl battleground when people complained about a family's perky roosters, saying they were too noisy and causing a neighborhood nuisance.

After several hearings and meetings, the final draft of the livestock ordinance came before town council on Aug. 11 and was unanimously approved.

With regulations in place to control what animals can live where in town, planners said they are happy the work is done.

Local woman takes on council

Maureen Rose had her day at town council meetings several times in 2009, taking on the council and voicing her opinions and feelings about an incident she felt was innapropriate.

After allegations surfaced about councilors Brad Benson and Brian Chirichiello allegedly conspiring to get Rose fired from her job, the council announced it would move forward to officially find out what happened.

Council Chair Richard Metts announced an investigation with the attorney general's public integrity office would proceed to handle the allegations put forth by Rose.

Both men apologized to Rose, but many community members called for the two councilors to step down.

An investigation followed with the state attorney general's office and its public integrity unit, and no criminal wrongdoing was noted. Metts also issued his own public reprimand of the two councilors for their behavior. Metts said he felt the two had been punished enough the last several months, and felt his reprimand and the findings at the state level were enough to justify the end of this story.

"Both recognized the error of their ways," he said.

Metts read a public reprimand for the two councilors and council voted to enter the document into public record.

Derry forms a charter commission

Voters came out in June and approved a measure to form a charter commission in town.

By a vote of 742-588, voters decided to start a commission to study Derry's way of doing business.

The plan to revisit the charter commission began after members of the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers gathered more than 500 signatures on a petition to go forward with Tuesday's special election. Nine citizens were elected to serve on the newest charter commission and given the task of studying Derry's government and making recommendations on whether or not to change the town charter. Charter commission work is nothing new to Derry. In 1985, Derry changed from a Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting-style of government to a mayor and Town Council. In 1993, the mayor form of government was abolished in favor of a Town Council and professional town manager. In 1995, a charter commission tried to change Derry's form of government to a city, but the proposal was turned down by voters by a 3-to-1 margin.

The charter commission has met regularly since being elected.

Town Council severs ties with DEDC

The Derry Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) severed ties with the town this year, attempting to restructure its operations and remain afloat.

As a result, the independent organization laid off all paid staff members, including executive director, Jack Dowd.

The DEDC came before town council in 2009 several times, hoping to gain financial backing to keep the organization moving along, but eventually pulled out of its plan to seek money from council. Members of the DEDC approached the council in March to ask for the short term financial boost to help the organization continue its mission to encourage economic development in town and promote Derry as a desirable place to live and work. DEDC board of directors president Craig Bulkley told council the group had done a lot of successful things in its almost 20-year history.

DEDC members had asked for $20,000 for the short term to help the group get through the year and continue its mission to encourage economic development in town and promote Derry as a desirable place to live and work.

Calvary Christian School closes its doors

The Christian-based private school, at 145 Hampstead Road in East Derry, was affiliated with Calvary Bible Church and served students from area towns in grades K to 12. Founded in 1970, Calvary Christian School offered students a college preparatory education, based in strong faith and religious values and teachings.

School officials said the school worked hard to make ends meet, but with lower student numbers and other economic woes facing the school, the decision was made to close. Parents rallied to try and come up with a way to keep the classrooms running, but in the end, the school closed, citing economic problems and with only approximately 110 students enrolled at the time.

Derry woman receives Boston Post Cane

She was born on Prince Edward Island and came to the states after a squabble with her father. Only 18 years old at that time, Catherine Dion didn't want anyone to tell her what to do. That independent spirit took the woman far in life.

Dion, 108, celebrated her long life in 2009 and was named Derry's oldest resident and the recipient of the Boston Post Cane.

Born on July 26, 1901, Dion's long life has included two marriages, two children, and many years living and working in the Lawrence and Andover, Mass., areas. She worked in textile mills, cleaned homes, and went on to be someone who loved the outdoors, hard work, and family values.

"And I never told anyone how old I was," Dion recalled. "I didn't look my age."

Pinkerton moves forward with freshman building

Pinkerton Academy's board of trustees decided to move forward with the new freshman building plan at the Derry high school. The plan had been put on hold due to the struggling economy, but now officials decided the time was right.

Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2010 with scheduled opening set for the fall of the 2011-2012 school year.

The new energy-efficient building will offer freshmen students a chance to make their Pinkerton experience more intimate and personalized. Focuses of the building will include space for the core classes like English, math, science and social studies, plus added space for computers, meeting space, and other specialized rooms.

"This new building represents a great deal of deliberation and thought, and will be used for multiple purposes, will help resolve many issues, and will take advantage of today's opportune conditions," said Pinkerton Board of Trustees head Harry Burnham Jr.

Town goes ahead with Route 28 widening project

The town council approved the investment of a 20-year tax increment finance, or TIF, bond to widen and improve the area of Route 28 from Tsienneto Road up to the Londonderry town line. The $5.8 million project is part of the town's hopes of spurring on economic development and growth in that area and bringing more business to town, thus helping lower the town's tax rate.

Construction on the project is slated to begin sometime in 2010.

East Derry residents celebrate Upper Village Hall victory

A group of citizens earned the right to breathe new life into one of the town's most historic buildings.

Members of the East Derry Village Improvement Society (EDVIS) came before the town council requesting the chance to purchase the Upper Village Hall in East Derry and were successful.

The hall, located in the historic district of East Derry near First Parish Congregational Church and Taylor Library, has been empty since 2005.

Built in 1876, Upper Village Hall, with its unique architecture and towering height, was once Derry's town hall. It also served as meeting space for the Grand Army of the Republic, Nutfield Grange, and also housed the Taylor Library for several years. Add in community dances, meetings, and political rallies, and Upper Village was a prime spot for residents to gather.

EDVIS members are currently on a mission to plan the restoration work and bring the hall back to life and help continue its role as a major part of the East Derry landscape.

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