A news round-up from the Town of Henniker, NH |
Wednesday August 19, 2020 |
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To Mask or Not to Mask?
That is the question asked in countless emails I’ve received. Of those emails, half demand a local mask mandate while the other half are equally adamant against one. Without a doubt, the issue of mask-wearing has become political and, as my inbox shows, our community, our state and our nation are divided.
We are in the midst of a health pandemic the likes of which none of us have ever experienced in our lifetimes. Is it any wonder there is confusion and frustration over what each of us should be doing to protect ourselves and those around us? Only adding to this confusion is how inundated we all are with conflicting information.
At the outset of this pandemic we committed to a health-first policy that relies on the expert advice of health professionals and those tasked with managing our state and county COVID-19 response.
The voluntary wearing of masks was and remains one of the safety guidelines we strongly support and highly recommend.
Q: What can citizens best do to protect themselves?
Social distancing is key and if safe spacing is not an option, wear a mask. In social situations it’s particularly important to be vigilant in social distancing, with mask protection highly recommended.
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So I ask you this....
Mask Up Henniker: Why Not?
To wear or not wear a mask has become a divisive topic in communities across the nation, including our own. At the August 11, 2020 Select Board Meeting the Board discussed whether they wanted to introduce an Emergency Mask Ordinance. Even the Board voted not to make mask wearing mandatory; the Board believes and encourages all to wear a mask!
The good news is we all have the same goal of having a safe community, so instead of focusing on the "Why" of mask-wearing that may cause dissension, Mask Up Henniker hopes to generate a community rally call with all of us instead thinking, "Why Not?"
August is Mask Month. In order to keep businesses, churches, and schools open, all of us in Henniker need to come together and do more to reduce the rates of infection. We have a long tradition of strong community values and acting in concert to protect the most vulnerable among us. Now is the time to honor and emulate that tradition.
Appropriate social distancing, frequent hand washing, and wearing a mask in public are simple ways to make our community safer. Let's each commit to do our part to minimize risk for others by embracing these vital guidelines.
Whatever your why, we can all work together for a safe Henniker.
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If you know of others who might benefit from reading "Henniker Happenings" and the ongoing COVID-19 information and resources the Town provides as relevant information becomes available, please pass this email along. It's possible to sign up to receive them directly on the Town of Henniker web page at https://www.henniker.org/general/page/sign-non-emergency-alerts. or use cell phone to join, text HKNEWS to 22828 to get started.
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TOWN HALL Q&A WITH NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE AND HENNIKER OFFICIALS ON PLANNED REOPENING OF NEC |
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Did you miss the Town Hall Meeting with Henniker and New England College? Don't worry we have a video of the conversation. To watch a replay of the Zoom conversation please click here .
Working collaboratively, Henniker and NEC held a Zoom Town Hall Q&A session with NEC President Michele Perkins, Vice President Wayne Lesperance, the Henniker Select Board Chair Kris Blomback, Vice Chair Tia Hooper, Selectman Peter Flynn, Selectman Leon Parker, Selectman Scott Osgood and Henniker Police Chief Matt French to discuss and answer questions from the Henniker Community surrounding the planned reopening and resumption of NEC classes/operations this fall. Mr Devine moderated the session, the majority of which was dedicated to answering questions posed by Zoom callers.
A thank you to the hard working team at NEC for their willingness to schedule this session for the broader Henniker Community.
The link above will allow anyone who missed the forum but would like to watch at their convenience to do so.
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HENNIKER BEAUTIFICATION ALLIANCE |
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The Henniker Beautification Alliance did such a wonderful job with the town's barrels this year! We can't thank them enough. I wonder what they have in store for us in the future? If you are interested in helping this group, they are a sub group of the Henniker Chamber of Commerce and are always looking for help!
THANK YOU HENNIKER BEAUTIFICATION ALLIANCE!!!!!
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The Davis-Woodman-Durgin Post 78 Henniker American Legion would like to thank the Henniker Beautification Committee for graciously restoring the Memorial plaques naming Rush Road and Hall Avenue for Henniker veterans PVT George W. Hall and PFC Duglas B. Rush both who made the supreme sacrifice in a Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines during World War II. The plaques were originally installed in May of 1947 and were restored by Morgan Murdough and Bill Lustig of Morgan's Signs and Sign-a-rama. They were restored to their original quality and Post 78 is very thankful and proud to be an active part of the Henniker Community working together. |
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HENNIKERHELPS
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis that has disrupted our local, national, and worldwide economy. This disruption is creating significant financial hardships and potentially lasting economic impacts that affect Henniker residents, businesses, and nonprofits. To assist in overcoming the financial and emotional challenges many are experiencing now and, in the weeks, and months ahead, a number of programs and services are already in place or being implemented by the Town of Henniker. These measures are being coordinated with federal, state, and private efforts, and provide economic support and financial relief to all residents, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 crisis and in need of assistance.
Henniker HELPS (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) is a comprehensive and continually updated list of programs, services, and assistance available to the community during these difficult times.
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COVID-19 and the Town's Repsonse
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire now at 6,921
On Thursday, August 13, 2020, DHHS announced there have now been 6,921 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Ongoing infections include the following New Hampshire counties; Rockingham (1,712), Merrimack (472), Belknap (119), Cheshire (103), Sullivan (44) and Strafford (363) counties.
Community-based transmission continues to occur in the State and has been identified in all counties. Most of the remaining cases have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or are associated with an outbreak setting.
NH DHHS Announces Potential Community Exposures Connected to Positive Cases of COVID-19 At Windham Crossing Life Church – August 7, 2020
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is investigating a potential outbreak of COVID-19 associated with individuals who have attended events hosted by the Windham Crossing Life Church, located at 122 North Lowell Road, Windham, NH. This includes a YouthStorm, Inc. camp event in Windham, NH on July 16 - 18th. To date, 16 persons with COVID-19 have been identified with connections to the church community. The public should not attend events related to the Windham Crossing Life Church over the next week while DHHS investigates these illnesses further.
Any individuals who attended events associated with Windham Crossing Life Church since July 10th may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should observe for illness and seek testing. In partnership with Windham Crossing Life Church, DHHS is offering a testing event for persons who may have been exposed. The testing event will be held on Monday, August 10th, 2020 from 5 – 7pm. To register for testing at this event, please call 603-271-5980 on Saturday or Sunday between 8am and 4pm.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend non-healthcare professionals wear disposable gloves to combat the coronavirus. They say the only time you should wear disposable gloves is when you are cleaning your home or caring for someone who is sick.
But non-healthcare workers are still wearing disposable gloves in public, and that can be a problem. Without the proper guidance, gloves can do more harm than good. Unless you have experience removing disposable gloves and discarding them in the garbage, you may contaminate your hands and increase the risk of the spread of germs.
Do gloves protect me from infection?
The coronavirus spreads through droplets in the air. The primary way it enters the respiratory tract is when people inhale droplets that carry the virus. A smaller proportion of cases happen when someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their face.
Gloves provide a physical barrier between your hands and your shopping cart, your car steering wheel, door handles, and other common touch points. But ultimately, gloves don’t provide full protection against the virus.
If you touch your face with a contaminated gloved hand, it’s possible that the virus can enter your respiratory tract. You can also get infected by failing to properly remove your gloves.
If germs are stuck to the gloves after you’ve gone grocery shopping and you transfer germs to your steering wheel or door handle and then your face, you can get infected.
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MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES FROM COVID-19
The mental health consequences of COVID-19 can be described as the 'fourth wave' of the pandemic, and are projected to result in the greatest and most enduring health footprint.
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SUPERVISOR OF THE CHECKLIST
The Henniker Supervisors of the Checklist will be in session on August 27, 6:30 - 7:00 pm for voter registration.
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A REMINDER: IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO REMOVE OR DEFACE POLITICAL ADVERTISING
Under RSA 664:21, the legislature has established a civil penalty of up to $1000 per violation for removing, defacing, or destroying political advertising on private property. It takes a lot to put one's name forward for elective office. Stealing their election signs is not only not right, it’s against the law.
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ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION |
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Residents wishing to vote in New Hampshire who are concerned about participating in person due to COVID-19 may register to vote, and vote, by absentee for the 2020 elections. Find more information on the State of New Hampshire’s website. Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (603) 428-3240 or via email at townclerk@henniker.org with any questions.
REGISTERING TO VOTE/REQUESTING ABSENTEE BALLOTS - Frequently Asked Questions
The New Hampshire Primary Election is on September 8, 2020. If you haven’t registered to vote and would like to participate in the Primary Election you can register at the Town Clerk’s Office. We are open 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday (Except Thursdays). The last day to register before the Primary is August 31, 2020.
If you are unable to come in, or are not comfortable coming into the office, contact us for an Absentee Registration Packet.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What do I need to bring to register to vote?
A. You will need to bring proof of identity, age, residency and citizenship.
Examples: a driver/non-driver ID for identity and age, a bill, bank statement,
or lease for residency and a birth certificate or passport for citizenship.
Q. What if I don’t have all the proofs necessary?
A. It is always best to bring actual documentation but Affidavit Forms are available for you to sign.
Q. What is my ward number?
A. Henniker does not have wards, you may leave this blank or mark it with “X”.
Q. I already sent in an old form do I need to fill out a new form?
A. No, both forms are acceptable.
Q. Where do I get the absentee request form?
A. They are available at the Town Clerk’s Office or on our website
www.henniker.org under Town Clerk/voter information.
Q. Is there a deadline to request an absentee ballot?
A. There is no set deadline to request an absentee ballot; however, you need
to allow enough time for our staff to receive the request, for us to send the
ballot to you and for you to get it back to us to be processed.
Q. When do you have to receive my ballot back?
A. If you are returning your ballot in person, the last time we can receive it is
between 3:00pm-5:00pm on September 7th, the day before the election. If
returned by mail we must receive it by 5:00pm, Election Day, September 8th.
Q. If I was undeclared before requesting my ballot, how do I change back to
undeclared?
A. If you were undeclared, a change of party form will be included with your
ballot. Complete the form and return it with your ballot.
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TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY
Town of Henniker Highway Department 2020 Roads Program Improvements
The Highway Department is going to be replacing culverts on Patterson Hill in preparation of it being paved later this summer. Expect delays!
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ROADWAY MOWING UNDER WAY
The roadside mowing program has begun and will continue through August. This program will include mowing ALL class V roads. Mowing will include a minimum of 8-10 feet of horizontal mowing from the edge of pavement. Additional mowing may be required in intersections and corners to obtain and maintain a line of sight.
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Please contact Highway Superintendent Leo Aucoin at 428-7200 for more information. |
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UPCOMING TOWN HALL CLOSURES
TOWN OFFICES CLOSED SEPTEMBER 7 FOR LABOR DAY
The Henniker Town Clerk will be open from 3:00 – 5:00 PM on September 7 only for the purpose of accepting absentee ballots for the September 8, 2020 State Primary.
TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE CLOSED DURING SEPTEMBER 8 STATE PRIMARY
The Henniker Town Clerk's Office will be closed on September 8 for regular business.
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August 20, 2020 at 7:00pm - The Azalea Park Committee will be meeting at Azalea Park. Please follow this link for the agenda:
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September 1, 2020 at 6:15 pm -The Henniker Select Board will hold a regular scheduled meeting at the Henniker Community Center. The agenda can be found here and will be posted on Thursday August 27th.
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SAU 24 Continuous Learning Plan
2020-2021
Community Update
August 7, 2020
Over the last week, the SAU 24 school boards met and approved plans for 2020-2021. Specifically, the boards approved a decision-making matrix that articulates the factors that will cause the districts to move from face-to-face instruction to remote instruction.
The models that will be developed to provide face-to-face instruction.
September 9 as the first day of school for students.
Decision-Making Matrix
We are planning for a whole year and need systems and structures that are responsive to the evolving situation. The decision matrix provides a structure for the decision to shift from face-to-face to remote and potentially back again. Contributing factors in any decision to move to remote learning include: community spread rate, positive cases within the school community, staffing, ability to secure protective and cleaning supplies, student absenteeism, and community compliance with protective measures (mask-wearing, screening procedures). We will regularly communicate where each school falls on the matrix.
Models for face-to-face instruction
The overarching goal of our planning for face-to-face instruction is to bring as many students back to school for as much time as possible in a way that mitigates risk and prioritizes the safety of our students and staff.
Henniker Community School (K-8)
K-6 students will attend classes in the school building within cohorts of 16 or fewer students each day five days a week. Grades 7 and 8 will also come to HCS for classes each day. They will follow a 4-period schedule including ELA and math daily. Students will have Social Studies and Science in alternating quarters and UA or Spanish on a rotating schedule. The student day will be from 8:00-2:15.
John Stark Regional High School (grades 9-12) - The high school will have an alternating day hybrid schedule.
On Monday, all classes will be held remotely. Students will log-in to a synchronous (in real-time) session with each of their teachers.
On Tuesday and Thursday - Students with the last names A-K will be in the building and will attend classes with their teachers. Students with the last names L-Z will work independently at home on assignments.
On Wednesday and Friday - Students with the last names L-Z will be in the building and will attend classes with their teachers. Students with the last names A-K will work independently at home on assignments.
More specific information will be provided by the individual school principals over the next weeks.
SAU 24 Learn-at-Home
We will offer a Learn at Home program that families will be able to enroll in and remain part of the SAU24 learning community.
The offerings in the program exist along a continuum and what we will be able to offer in the first trimester will depend on demand and student needs. The program might evolve as the year progresses. We expect to be in the middle of the continuum when we start, with variations based on subject and grade level
- Core academic subjects, unified arts, and social-emotional curriculum provided.
- No teacher interaction.
- Asynchronous learning environment utilizing a learning management tool.
- Minimal teacher interaction.
- Blended synchronous and asynchronous learning environment.
- Increased teacher interaction, daily short synchronous meetings.
- Fully synchronous instruction in all subject areas provided by SAU24 staff.
- Significant teacher interaction, with daily synchronous classes and small group meetings.
K-6 will be different than 7-12, mainly due to certification requirements and the nature of high school electives. We are working on a solution 7-12 that would allow teachers to broadcast out from their classrooms, this will likely be a one-way video feed paired with asynchronous experiences.
The ability to move between the learn at home program and the in-person program also depends on the staffing model and the safety protocols in place. We anticipate, baring a significant change in family circumstances, that we will need a commitment through the first trimester.
We anticipate that we can offer a program that will afford families the opportunity to partner with us to design a program that meets the needs of their children, but may not be able to meet all of the desires of each family.
We are in the process of developing the Phase 1 Learn at Home details based on what we know we can offer regardless of how many students enroll. We will be holding an information session on Tuesday, August 11 at 5 pm and will ask families to make a decision by August 19. An enrollment form will be shared early next week.
Our planning is still in progress. We are making the best decisions we can with the information we have at the moment. As we get more information and implement our plans, we will inevitably need to reassess and retool. Please visit the SAU 24 Continuous Learning website for additional information and resources about our planning.
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TOWN INFORMATION DURING COVID-19
We are continuously updating our coronavirus web page with information and resources. You can access it here: Henniker COVID-19 Updates PDFs with information for residents and businesses are available via this link.
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FARMERS' MARKET
Henniker Community Market
Every Thursday 4 - 7 pm
Community Center Park
57 Main Street
Henniker
During these challenging times, more and more people are realizing the value and resilience of a local food system. We are committed to providing our community with access to locally grown food. Products will include certified organic fruits and vegetables, pasture raised pork, beef, lamb, and chicken, eggs, maple syrup, goat milk & yogurt, and soap.
Stay safe and see you at the market!
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DEER AND TURKEY SEASON
As fall gets closer so does hunting season.
Turkey season is as followed:
Fall Archery Season
One wild turkey of either sex may be taken by archery.
- Sept 15 - Dec 15: WMUs B-M
- Sept 15 - Dec 8: WMU A
- Registration: The fully feathered, intact turkey must be registered and sealed within 24 hours of the time of taking.
Fall Shotgun Season
New Hampshire has a 7-day fall shotgun turkey season only in WMUs D2, G, H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K, L, M.
- Fall Shotgun Season: Oct 12 - Oct 18, 2020
Deer Season Dates
- Archery: September 15 - December 15, 2020 (closes December 8 in WMU A)
- Muzzleloader: October 31 - November 10, 2020 Statewide
- Firearms: November 11 - December 6, 2020 (closes November 29, 2020 WMU A)
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Youth Deer Weekend: October 24 - 25, 2020
Deer and turkey must be registered at the closest open registration station within 24 hours. Registration must be made by the person who took the animal.
Call the location in advance to confirm that someone will be available to assist you.
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AUGUST IN YOUR GARDENS
You are actually fortunate, your garden is fortunate, and some pesky insects who may be around your garden are not so fortunate, if you have seen this Great Black Wasp enjoying nectar and pollen on your flowers. This wasp is harmless to people, unless you really are tampering with it or too close to its nest on the ground. It’s a solitary creature, so because it never has a whole hive or colony to protect, it is not aggressive. Great Black Wasps live all across the US, and until recently were not in the far northwest, but are seen there now. They are also seen in Quebec and Ontario in the last ten years. With Citizen Science and other research projects, the reasons for this northern movement are being analyzed.
And why are you lucky if you see this wasp living near you? Great Black Wasps have a voracious appetite for bugs that are devouring your plants this time of year and in to Autumn. They feed on grasshoppers, too, and swarms of cicadas that can be harmful. They have a bit of sci-fi characters in them, because they actually attack and render some insects useless, drag them back to their solitary nest, lay eggs in that comatose bug and as the young hatch, they eat the nest host. You might see sparrows or catbirds going after these wasps - they only do that when a wasp is carrying one of these half-dead bugs back to their nests, and they rob the wasp of the delicious meal for themselves. There’s quite a story to be written about these wasps in your yard and fields!
They are particularly attracted to milkweeds, and plants in the bean or wild carrot families, so you may see more of them around if you have those in your fields or property perimeters. If they have been attracted to another pollen-rich plant near your house and you feel threatened when they seem to swarm at you when you walk by, you don’t need to worry - they are not aggressive. At a time like this, they are watching for indications you are giving them that you might be a new landmark for them to locate this nest, or make one near it for convenience sake. If you have a nectar- or pollen-rich plant which they seem to be attracted to in a place you find inconvenient, you may consider transplanting it to a location you and the plant would be comfortable with, while keeping the Great Black Wasp happy to be at home on your property.
You can’t mistake this wasp for any other - it is pure black, with some iridescence on the folded wings, so it will look deep purple or midnight blue in some light conditions. There are no stripes or other marks like bees, hornets or other wasps have. The shape is very distinctive too, with such a narrow connection between body parts.
In 1749, John Bartram (nicknamed “Father of American Botany”) wrote about the Great Black Wasps and shared that info with the botanists of the time in London, where he also sent seed samples and even live plants back to England from his home in Pennsylvania. John Bartram is a whole story on its own, but knowing he researched the GBW and shared data about it with experts of the time in Europe should let you know you are not alone in being fascinated when you see one or more in your yard.
So knowing more about this wasp, or sphex pensylvanicus, may give you insights and lead you to want to learn even more about it. You may be familiar with the Kaufman Field Guide to North American Insects, or any of the revered Kaufman guides in the series, which now have updated versions with co-authors. The insect guide is co-authored with Eric Eaton. Check out the website www.bugeric.blogspot.com to read more in Eric’s distinctive writing style about this or other insects you are curious about. While you are at that site, check the various tabs at the top of the page, “Take Great Bug Pics” to get some outstanding tips, ideas and suggestions about how to do that! That segment of the site is designed for amateurs as well as professionals to use their cell phone cameras and keen eye for art, to greater advantages. The photos you see accompanying this column show a GBW from an overhead shot, so you see the coloration in sunlight and from the side, so you can recognize its distinctive shape. The pictures were not taken with any special lens, so you get an idea of how busy they were with their pollination process and not interested at all in the photographer!
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Joe
Joseph R. Devine, Jr - Town Administrator
Town of Henniker
a: 18 Depot Hill Rd., Henniker, NH 03242 USA
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