The Goffstown Edge

Parent Volunteer Wanted for Elementary Building Committee in Goffstown

The Elementary Building Committee is looking for a parent volunteer to serve on the committee.  Over the next two years, the committee will be looking at renovations and addition projects at Maple Avenue and Bartlett Elementary schools in Goffstown.  The volunteer should be familiar with the building's needs and be available to meet twice a month.  If you are interested or for details, contact Leslie Doster at 497-3550, Suzanne Psyzka at 497-3330, or David Bousquet at 623-8088.

Volunteers Wanted for Educational Farm at Joppa Hill

The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill in Bedford has an immediate need for volunteer milkers, feeders and stall cleaners in their dairy barn.  The following shifts are when they need coverage - Monday morning feeding, Wednesday evening milking, Thursday night on-call, Friday night on-call, Saturday night on-call, or Sunday on-call
 
To volunteer contact Lin L'Heureaux at lin.efjh@comcast.net, (603) 472-4724 or Jess Edwards at queenytractor@gmail.com, (603)521-4259


UpReach Therapeutic Riding Center Seeks Volunteers

The UpReach Therapeutic Riding Center in Goffstown seeks volunteers to help in sessions by leading the hourse or walking/jogging alongside, providing support as needed.  Volunteer training sessions are scheduled for Friday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Monday, June 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.  A horse-handling clinic is also offered Saturday, June 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. Volunteer training is a prerequisite for this program  For more information, call 497-2343 or e-mail lauren@upreachtrc.org

Goffstown Rail Trail Work Day

Hello Rail Trail fans,

Our next Goffstown Rail Trail work day will be Saturday, August 15.  Due to limited space at the work site, we will meet at the front of the Shaw's Plaza parking lot (near the Subway) at 8:30 am.

We will be revisiting the rock cut area where we worked a couple of years ago (see photos here and here) to address some erosion that has been happening since then.  The work will primarily be spreading some gravel, and clearing out the drainage ditching.  Work gloves and sturdy footwear are recommended.  If you have a shovel or wheelbarrow to bring along, that would be helpful.

Please email if you have questions, and thanks for your support.

P Lowell Von Ruden
Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail
www.GoffstownRailTrail.org

Support efforts such as this by joining the FGRT.  Membership starts at only $20, and your contribution is tax deductible!  See our membership page at www.GoffstownRailTrail.org/join.html

Goffstown CERT News

Great article about Goffstown CERT

Participants from L to R are as follows
Helene Bureau, Pat Stagno, Susan Jutras, John Moore and Pat Bergen

Goffstown Fire Dept. Hosts Red Cross Blood Drive

The Goffstown Fire Department hosts Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, July 21, 2009

1pm – 6pm @ 18 Church St. station.

The Goffstown Fire Department will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 1pm – 6pm Church Street Goffstown NH.
Donors are needed! Please help save a life and donate blood!

Every Donor will receive a coupon redeemable for a Half Gallon of Friendly’s Ice Cream

Center Woods Elementary School in Weare Needs Volunteers Saturday!

Center Woods Elementary School has raised the money for a new playground. Thanks to everyone who has helped us in raising the funds. Part of our contract for the new playground includes the installation being done as a community project. We are planning to construct the playground  Friday, July 24,Saturday July25, and Sunday July 26th. We will need volunteers to help dig, move sand, put together the equipment, mix cement  build our playground. Meals will be provided for all of our hard working volunteers. Work will start at 7 am and continue until dark each day.  If anyone can help  for any part of the days ,please call the office at 529-4500 or e-mail us at Sharon.fudala@sau24.org. Please help and thank you.

Pat MacNeil
Nurse
Center Woods Elementary School
pat.macneil@sau24.org

Goffstown Library Looking for Youth Volunteers

Goffstown CERT Chain Saw Training

  “Timber” and “Tree Falling” echoed numerous times while Goffstown CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) put their chainsaw training to the
test. Following three hours of classroom instruction, the team walked out to a wooded parcel for hands on chainsaw cutting with technical instruction. By the time the training was over, any participant who wanted to was able to experience first hand how to fell a tree or cut fallen wood.

On Saturday, May 30th, 2009, twenty CERT members met at the Transfer Station where the Goffstown Department of Public Works hosted the training by offering a garage set up with tables and chairs for the
classroom instruction time. The class, taught by Brent Beebe of Plymouth NH, was sponsored by NHLGC, the town’s insurer for medical and risk management. CERT Director Susan Jutras explained the large turnout and interest in the chain saw training class: "Back in July 2008 an EF2 Tornado touched down and affected nine towns in NH. Volunteer NH contacted Goffstown CERT to assist in clearing fallen trees that were obstructing the roads. A half dozen CERT members gathered chainsaws to head down to Deerfield to help with cutting trees only to be told we needed to be certified for liability purposes. Goffstown CERT held this chainsaw training so that the 20 or so members that attended the training will received their certification so the next time we get called upon, we will be ready."

During the morning session instruction time, the CERT members consisting of 11 men and 9 women, learned about the personal protection that is strongly recommended for tree cutting. The chainsaw that would be used that day was taken apart to show how to adjust the chain, clean the bar, sharpen teeth, oil and grease it, clean and change the air and fuel filters, and what fuel to use.

After a luncheon provided by NHLGC, CERT members trekked out to fell a large dead pine tree behind the Transfer Station. That was the opportunity to witness what the films and Power Point demonstrations of the morning explained. After determining where to drop the tree and the size of the wedge cut, the instructor cut the tree while others watched in earnest. The tree fell where as anticipated, amid a round of applause from onlookers. CERT members then  practiced bore cuts and
cut down a trees. Each member who took a turn donned chaps, leather gloves, safety glasses, and a hard hat with face shield and ear protection. Every tree or cut attempted was completed safely and accurately under the tutelage of the instructor. “I learned a lot of new things today. I’ve had experience cutting trees but I learned a few new pointers” said Butch Brodeau. John Moore, who practiced bore cuts on a stump and cut down a tree, explained “I learned some new safety tips. It was a very good class.”.

Goffstown CERT members are continually learning new ways they can help their neighbors and serve their community. They have been fulfilling requirements from Homeland Security to complete more FEMA on line courses, along with local training such as Shelter Management from the Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross. For more information about Goffstown CERT, visit their website at: www.GoffstownCERT.org.

-Contributed by Meridith Suitor, CERT Team Member

For more great CERT photos, visit DaveSuitorPhotography

Ad Hoc ADA Advisory Committee in Goffstown

New Committee to be Established
Ad Hoc ADA Advisory Committee
The Goffstown Board of Selectmen has authorized the establishment of an ad hoc ADA Advisory Committee of three to five members, and welcomes ADA Committee members to participate. This advisory committee is charged with evaluating ADA access to town facilities, programs and services and providing recommendations for improvements on a short, mid and long term basis. These findings are to be submitted by October 1, 2009 to the Administration Office and presented to the Board of Selectmen at their October 5, 2009 meeting. This timeline will provide an opportunity for the Board of Selectmen to consider any budgetary impact prior to concluding the 2010 Selectmen Budget.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, then please complete a volunteer application form available online and submit to the Administration Office by May 22, 2009. If you have submitted an application in the past few months for another committee and would like to serve on this committee, then just call 497-8990 x100 to activate your application for this committee. Thank you!
Sue Desruisseaux
Town Administrator