We support the efforts of the East Derry Village Improvement Society (EDVIS) to purchase and renovate the Upper Village Hall. The group's proposal is a shining example of residents taking an active role in improving the standard of living in their community.
Built in 1876, the Upper Village Hall has a rich history, during which time it has been used for many purposes. It's been Derry's Town Hall, a meeting place for the Grand Army of the Republic, as well as home to the Nutfield Grange and the Taylor Public Library. It has also seen use as a community center.
In recent years, this proud lady has fallen on hard times and there has been much discussion over how the building should be used, if at all. The Town Council went so far as to establish a $10,000 fund to pay for the possible demolition of the building.
However, it appears that razing the hall will not be necessary, thanks to the EDVIS. The group would like to purchase the building for one dollar and fund its renovation. Once repaired, the group would like to open the building for use as a function hall and community center. Such a restoration project will be expensive. However, the EDVIS boasts a membership well equipped for a major fund-raising drive.
The EDVIS proposal will not only help to preserve a piece of Derry history, it will create functional meeting space for local organizations, many of whom presently use the over-crowded Marion Gerrish Center.
The Town Council should approve this proposal and provide the EDVIS with whatever support it can.
Take action, move on
The office of New Hampshire Atty. Gen. Kelly Ayotte has determined that the controversial comments made by town councilors Brad Benson and Brian Chirichiello regarding resident Maureen Rose did not rise to the level of criminal conduct.
This does not come as a surprise to anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the law.
However, councilors Janet Fairbanks and Kevin Coyle have asked that the council conduct its own investigation into the matter.
We feel such an investigation would be waste of time better spent on the more serious issues facing the community.
Benson has already admitted that he made inappropriate comments to Chirichiello, which hinted at contacting Rose's employer to either try and get her fired or, at the very least, to try to exert pressure to silence her criticism of the council. Benson has acknowledged publicly that the comments were wrong and he has apologized to Rose.
Chirichiello, while arguing that the comments were misinterpreted, does not dispute what was said.
What is left to investigate? The facts are known.
The council is well within its power to sanction Benson and Chirichiello for their conduct. They could be censured or even removed from the council.
While we do not feel that the conduct of these councilors warrants removal, we do feel that a public censure is needed. The Town Council needs to take this opportunity to confirm the level of conduct that is required of its membership.
This vote should be taken at the next council meeting. Then it will be time to lay the issue to rest, move on, and focus on devising a strategy to steer Derry through the looming economic disaster.
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