To the residents of Andover, Danbury, Salisbury, Warner, and Webster: It has been a very interesting eight months for those of us newly elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 2012. We woke up the morning after Election Day to the news that the Democratic Party had a comfortable majority of 221 of […]
As a resident of Andover for most of my life, I have always known that the spirit of volunteerism is strong in our community. Since assuming the position of Town Administrator, I have come to realize the scope of that commitment. There are too many people and positions to list, so I would like to […]
First, I want to thank all those of the community who provided assistance and acts of kindness following my recent adverse health episode – visitors at Franklin Regional Hospital, rides to and from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, casseroles, deserts, the singing card, visits from the AE/MS students, and many more acts of kindness, as I suddenly became […]
House reconvenes in September
An interesting fact of legislative rule is that a defeated bill cannot simply be reintroduced in the following year, without substantial changes. The Gaming Commission now meeting in Concord, with members appointed by the Governor, the Senate, and the House Speaker, is working to address some of the issues that caused the casino bill to […]
To the person who stole almost $30 in cash and siphoned a full tank of gas out of our car in our driveway at 24 Severance Road, I have a few things to say to you. I really hope you needed it more than we do. After just finishing cancer treatment, and after almost four […]
Bipartisan budget passes, Medicaid expansion fails
The 2014-2015 budget passed the New Hampshire House with 346 votes for and 12 against; it passed unanimously in the Senate. Everyone from Governor Hassan to former speaker Bill O’Brien claimed credit for the bipartisan vote, but the credit, no doubt, resides with New Hampshire voters who told us to stop bickering, avoid political grandstanding, […]
I want to publicly thank the Andover Fourth of July Committee for the really wonderful day they put together for all of us. It was one of several things that make me proud to be “from Andover.” I work at the Town Office, and the day before the Fourth we had several calls from people […]
For many years, the Highland Lake Protection Association (HLPA) has sold flares for the July 4th weekend “Flare Show.” It has been an important annual fundraiser, selling approximately 100 flares. Last year, a handful of HLPA members hired ChemServe, an environmental analyst recommended by the state, to analyze the ash created from the flares. The […]
Can the NH budget be reconciled?
Breaking News! June 21 – The House and the Senate have reached agreement on the budget. Medicaid expansion will not happen now, but a commission will study expansion and report later this year at which point we will get a chance to vote on it again. In great news, flood control payments were 100% restored […]
Send your concerns to the Beacon so we can compile a list.
Duncan Coolidge has written a letter to the Beacon about the possibility of a proposal for wind turbines on Ragged Mountain. (See his letter here.) If and when a wind turbine proposal arrives, what concerns will you want to be sure it addresses? Scenic values and a good financial deal for the Town are two […]