> Town works with the state to protect our wildlife

To the Editor:

A public hearing was held on July 14, 2016, to present the town’s con­ceptual plans to construct recreation fields along Heron Pond Road to the Planning Board, Conservation Com­mission and residents.

During the meeting, we discussed the demand for the fields, the need for cooperation among all project stake­holders, the rare and endangered spe­cies in proximity to the fields, and our commitment to construct the fields in an environmentally sensitive manner to protect the species and habitat. We discussed fence barriers around the perimeter during construction, potential alternate habitat for the species, site walks during construc­tion and our belief that we could balance the needs of our community with concerns for the environment/ species. We also stated that we had al­ready contacted New Hampshire Fish & Game and DES to set a meeting to discuss the plans and work together to establish best practices to protect the identified species.

We met with New Hampshire DES and Fish & Game in Concord on July 20 and on-site at Heron Pond Road and the Com­munity Lands on July 26. The meetings were cor­dial and constructive. As a result, our Alteration of Terrain permit applica­tion has been amended to include the following best practices that were recommended on Aug. 8:

1. A wildlife biologist will be on-site to search all areas immediately prior to removal of veg­etation.

2. Remove all vegeta­tion prior to manipulat­ing soils on-site.

3. Install barrier (silt fence) around entire site so that snakes can’t enter site during construction.

4. Search interior of barrier prior to begin­ning construction each day and remove wildlife trapped within fenced area.

5. Stop work if hognose snake is seen at any point and call NHFG immedi­ately.

6. Do not use erosion control netting that includes welded plastic component.

7. Do not create deten­tion basin with stumps that trap wildlife.

8. Avoid using curbing on roadways.

9. Provide educational materials and training to all construction staff to assist with identification of hognose snake, Bland­ing’s and spotted turtles.

Town staff is sensitive to the environment, the rare and endangered spe­cies, and the needs of the community. Our contin­ued goal is to strive to­ward a balance between our community needs, environmental conserva­tion and preservation.

The support from DES and New Hampshire Fish & Game is appreciated, and demonstrates that development, protection and conservation can be achieved by working proactively and collab­oratively.

Mark Bender

Milford town administrator

Milford alumni donate to Share

To the Editor:

The student alumni classes from 1972 to 1993 planned and hosted an organized outdoor reunion event on Aug. 6, 2016, that was held at Knight Farm in Amherst. With the help of local businesses donat­ing gift cards, coupons and services for raffle prizes, MASHstock 2016 raised $3,000 for Share NH.

We would like to thank the following establish­ments and friends for their donations and help­ing us make our event a success.

Amherst Country Club, Hayward’s Trading Post, Amigos Mexican Cantina, Jade Dragon, Achille Agway, Longhorn, Bar One, Lull Farm, Barley & Hops, Mi Jalisco Restau­rante Mexicano, The Barn Restaurant at Hitchiner, Milano’s, Bravo Pizza, Milford House of Pizza, The Chocolate Fanatic, The Pasta Loft, Earth­ward Natural Foods & Co-op, Sake House, Foodee’s, Sal’s Pizza, Frederick’s Pastries, The Shoe Box, The Garden Party, Tire Warehouse, Hair Cottage, Toadstool Bookshops, Hairforce, Union Coffee Co., The Happy Butchers, Union Street Grill.

And a special thanks to the following for their product donations:

Lisa Van Houten De­Beradinis, Vincent Hors­mans, Nancy Lee Sampo, Pete VonIderstine.

Thank you again and see you next year!

Millicent McMorrow

MASHstock activities/ fundraising director

www.mashstockllc.org

Candidate fights for schools, teachers

To the Editor:

As a retired teacher and lifelong member of NEA-NH, I’ll be voting for Jeanne Dietsch for state Senate in District 9 be­cause I know Jeanne will fight for good schools and for keeping the state’s promises to our students and our teachers.

She’ll work to restore teachers’ freedom to actu­ally teach, give our youths a top-notch education, restore state aid to schools to help lower property taxes and honor the com­mitments the state has made to retired educators. I’ve known Jeanne for over 20 years, and I know she’ll be there for us.

As a retired economics teacher, I believe Jeanne will be a strong senator for us because of her experi­ence starting businesses and creating good-paying jobs here in New Hamp­shire. As an experienced business person, Jeanne understands that you can’t cut your way to prosper­ity. In fact, new research from the Economic Policy Institute highlights how budget cuts at the federal level, far from helping the economy, have actually weakened the recovery and slowed job creation after the 2008 recession.

It’s time to change direction. There’s a say­ing that goes, "Private investment follows public investment." It’s time to make those public investments – in our students and schools, in our communications pathways (like high-speed internet) and in fixing our red-listed bridges. These investments will create jobs directly and will spur private businesses to make new investments that create even more jobs. That’s a win-win for our businesses, our schools and our future.

Jeanne Dietsch knows how the economy works and she knows how to create these win-win propositions. This retired economics teacher will be voting for Jeanne on Sept. 13 and Nov. 8 – I hope you’ll join me.

Greg Scerbinski

Peterborough

Support Boys & Girls Club auction

To the Editor:

The community’s participation is needed to make the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s annual Auction Fundrais­er a success.

For over 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley has been in the forefront of youth development in our community, with a par­ticular focus on providing opportunities for young people from disadvan­taged economic, social and family circumstances. On Saturday, Nov. 19, the Boys & Girls Club will hold their 16th annual Auction Fundraiser at its facility located at 56 Mont Vernon St., in Milford. This will be the first event held in our brand new gymnasium!

Proceeds from the event support programs to help the club to continue our mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to be great today and reach their full potential as pro­ductive, caring, responsi­ble citizens tomorrow. You can help by sponsoring the event, donating an auction item or service, advertis­ing in our program and/or attending the event.

Your advertisement or sponsorship will reach over 250 influential members of our commu­nity attending the event. Sponsors will also be thanked at the event, in donor communications and future press releases. Donated items or service will be attractively dis­played and given appro­priate acknowledgement during the evening. Dona­tions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. This is a wonder­ful way to publicize your business, be a part of the Souhegan Valley commu­nity and have an impact of the lives of our youths.

With the addition of our new gym and teen center, your support is needed more than ever. Help us provide programs for the children who need us most with your support and donations. We sincerely appreciate your support of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley; together we can make our commu­nity a better place to live, work and raise a family.

More information is on­line at www.svbgc.org/ auction, or by contacting Kate Ratta at kratta@svbgc. org or 672-1002, ext. 12.

Nancy Amato

Helen Leach

Allise de Smet

Board members and auction co-chairs

Boys & Girls Club

of Souhegan Valley

Auction Committee