RYE CRISP
Water demand escalating
Special home-heating safety clinic on July 1
'Further study' for school funding and port control
Librarians get 'red-carpet treatment' in Spain
Single-stream recycling in offing?
Staff of Rye Reflections
FRUITFUL MONTH
Bursting forth of flowers in May was no better exemplified than by cherry blossom trees. (Jim Cerny photo).
Issues regarding water
move to front and center
The Seacoast took a licking when it came to water the past month.
First, it was learned that demand for water in Seacoast-area communities is expected to grow by 50 percent between now and 2025, mostly for home use.
Second, red tide has returned to coastal waters, causing the state to halt shell fishing until toxin levels are reduced, and no one is guessing how soon that might be.
Third, concern, but not alarm, has been expressed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) over amounts of pharmaceuticals and personal-care products (PPCPs) affecting the quality of drinking water. This is an issue being monitored nationally as well as in this state.
DEMAND Rye was one of 16 area communities that formed the basis for a recently-released comprehensive study by the U.S. Geological Survey, prompted by concern over future availability of ground water. Use of water was estimated at 26.3 million gallons per day the past five years, but is expected to be 40 million by 2025. A 36 percent increase in population in the region from 1980 to 2000 was cited as a major cause. Included in the findings was the fact that on average individuals use 75 gallons per day normally, but in the summer that number jumps to 92 gallons. The N.H. Department of Environmental Services assisted in the study. Click here for the full text.
RED TIDE The fishing industry was further set back by the news on May 8 that "red tide" was detected in blue mussels collected from the Isles of Shoals and the Hampton/Seabrook Harbor. "It's too soon to know how severe this algae bloom will be, or how long it might last," said Chris Nash, shellfish program manager for the DES. The N.H. Fish and Game Department has set up a clam-flat status site or you can call 1-800-43-CLAMS for changes in the open/closed status of shellfish waters.
PPCPs Lots of state and federal attention is being given the occurrence of PPCPs in the environment, effects on health and the management of waste disposals. In short, according to Tom Burack of DES, "we can no longer have the attitude of 'flush it and forget it.'" Click here for guidance on proper disposal. Information on how to test your well may be obtained at www.des.nh.gov/pdf/well_testing.pdf.
As fuel costs rise so do safety concerns
A special clinic on home-heating safety has been rapidly organized by fire and building-code officials in the region. It will be held Tuesday, July 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Bethany Congregational Church, 500 Breakfast Hill Road, Greenland.The sky-rocketing cost of fuel has consumers seeking alternatives or efficiencies that require attention to safety measures. Thus, a group of experts has been mobilized to answer questions regarding the installation of stoves and other steps. Available at the clinic will be heating contractors, wood stove dealers, pellet stove dealers, chimney cleaners, representatives from oil and gas industries as well as local building and fire inspectors. "If we save one life, this session will be well worth it," said Rye Fire Chief William (Skip) Sullivan. For more information, contact Chief Sullivan at 964-6411 or Hampton Fire Prevention Officer Jon True at 929-1919 or Rye Building Inspector Susan Labrie at 964-9800.
Calm after two storms
It'll be a long time before the second shoe drops on the stormy issues of school funding and control of the port in the wake of lengthy debate in the N.H. Legislature and public airings at forums in Rye and New Castle. This year, after all was said and done, a lot had been said but little had been done.On school funding, the Legislature turned down the governor-pushed constitutional amendment but complied with a court ruling by passing a $940 million bill to define an adequate education and establish a cost-per-pupil (base of $3,450). The legislation that passed was contained in Senate Bill 539. Towns will receive the same state aid in 2010 and 2011 that they'll receive this year, and, at least until 2012, there will be no "donor" towns. Two commissions were set up to study plans for aid, accountability and distribution in the future.
On the port, a bill to give complete control of the Port of New Hampshire to the Pease Development Authority (PDA) ended up in "further study". Key provisions the ability to hire/fire the director and the right to negotiate port leases over seven years would have supplanted control by the Governor and Executive Council. Opponents praised the PDA's operation of the Tradeport but expressed concern about the PDA extending its power tentacles without being accountable to the voters.
And so, the issues of school funding and port control are on vacation temporarily.
PERSONALITY PARADE
Sworn in as Rye Fire Lieutenant was Charles Gallant, having his badge pinned on him by wife Kelley at May 19 Selectmen's meeting.
After 27 years of service to Rye, Jane Ireland is retiring as Town Clerk on July 31. One of her last public acts was this swear-in.
Theres trouble brewing at the Black Widow Agency. But fear not. Author Felicia Donovan has brought back her computer literate lady detectives. Meet Felicia:
- mother of two
- a computer expert in the field of law enforcement technology
- is currently working at a local police department in New Hampshire as a civilian Information Systems Manager
- has assisted the FBI on cases relate to digital photography
- successful author who created the Back Widow Agency, a serial book, staffed by characters Katie, Alexandria, Jane and Margo.
Librarians Tricia Quinn and Pam Woods experienced a bit of magic of their own when they were invited to Spain two weeks ago to get a little red-carpet treatment for their starring roles in a movie about a rural library. The mini-documentary, "Magic Happens", had its debut in Albecete, having been written, staged and produced by Carmela Sainz de Baranda while she was studying in the U.S. "The whole town came out to greet Carmela," said Quinn. Side trips included Madrid, Chinchilla and Toledo Rye's Briana Bronzetti and Emily Sellers were members of the N.H. Seacoast Volleyball U-14 Elite team that won the N.E. championship on May 4 in Foxboro, Mass. With Selectman Joe Mills voting against, Victor Azzi was re-elected to a four-year term as commissioner of the Rockingham Planning Commission Durham Senator Iris Estabrook, who was in the thick of the school funding turmoil this year, won't be running for re-election. Before moving to the 24-member Senate two years ago, Estabrook served three terms in the New Hampshire House Atty. H. Alfred Casassa of Rye Beach has been elected to the Society for the Prevention to Animals board.
Overall winner Lily Layman
Suited to a T
A t-shirt logo contest in conjunction with the Safe Routes to School program was held in Rye with Lily Layman coming out on top. The drawings expressed the pupils' interpretation of what Safe Routes means to them. Each grade winner has been given a t-shirt emblazoned with Lily's logo.Further information on the Safe Routes to Schools program may be read at the N.H. Department of Transportation website.
Winners per grade:
Elizabeth Reed, Grade 1
Trinity Zola, Grade K
Maya Brann, Grade 3
Haley Dewsnap, Grade 2
Heidi Toomey, Grade 5
Shanley King, Grade 4
KRISPY KRISPS
- With Selectman Craig Musselman recusing himself, Rye has agreed to an analysis of single-stream recycling, described as "a process where mixed recyclable materials are collected and transported in a single container for transport to a recycling facility where the materials are sorted and processed into various marketable recyclable materials." See further description in minutes of the May 1 meeting on the Town website.
- Slight revisions were agreed to for the interim East Coast Greenway route through Rye at a May 5 Selectmen's meeting, to wit: Going north on Ocean Boulevard (Route 1A), turn left on Central Road, bear right onto Cable Road and turn left back onto 1A; go around Rye Harbor to straightaway, taking next left onto Washington Road; right on Brackett, turning right onto Parsons into Marsh and coming out at Wallis Sands Beach and back on 1A; stay on 1A except for a side-path along Odiorne Point and turn right onto 1B toward New Castle. Click here for revised map. Rye representative Dave Hickey (at right) described the background of what has been termed "the Urban Appalachian Way".
- Rye Selectmen have voted to eliminate the word "Extension" from addresses on Cable and Myrica Roads as well as making Maple Drive part of Willowbrook Avenue and deleting Highland Avenue in order to comply with E-911. No numbers were changed.
- The 25-year-old Hampton Cinema Six has announced it will close, probably toward fall, because of economic and movie industry changes. A retail pharmacy may replace the complex next to the Galley Hatch Restaurant.
- Rye has a new Italian restaurant, the "Villa Fresca Ristorante", serving lunch and dinner at The Rosewood on Route One (150 Lafayette Road, just north of Washington Road).
- Renewal of Rye's 20-year agreement to have its sewage treated in Hampton will have to be approved by the Town Meeting (previously was Selectmen). The agreement runs out in October, 2009.
- ReserveAmerica found lots to like in Rye in its sixth annual "Top 100 family Campgrounds" guide: Top 25 Amazing Spots Rye Harbor State Park; Top Park Beaches Wallis Sands; Top 25 Romantic Spots Rye Harbor State Park. Perhaps we should stop there to leave time for swooning.
- Currently Webster at Rye is having an exhibit of work by artist Judy Curtis of Hampton who has about a dozen paintings on exhibit in the solarium. Her paintings will be there until the end of June. The exhibit is open to the public.
- Also at Webster at Rye (below), Roland Goodbody and Gerry Duffy read "You are Old, Father William" to residents on May 18, while readers Anne Rehner and Bill Burtis and cellist Kristen Miller look on. The performance was one of five "Surprised by Joy" presentations at area retirement homes. The project was organized by Portsmouth poet laureate Elizabeth Knies and is sponsored by the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program. A free performance for the general public will be presented on Sunday, October 26, at 2 p.m. at the Portsmouth Public Library.
Food for the soul and food for the body. The Rye Driftwood Garden Club held its annual Plant and Bake Sale on May 16 and 17 at 485 Wallis Road in Rye and had plenty of both. (Judy Palm photo)
Tokyo Miss
Lone Dinghy
Eager Beaver (Judy Palm photos)
June, 2008
| WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK | RETURN TO SECTION |
Copyright © Rye Reflections 2008. All rights reserved.