A news round-up from the Town of Henniker, NH |
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Our Community Must Tell the Real Story
In the past 10 months, the Town of Henniker has made a concerted effort to improve and expand its communications both within the organization and with members of our community.
There are many important projects and vital daily operations going on with the Town of Henniker, and we understand that it is difficult for community members to keep up with everything. Often, major construction projects get a lot of attention because of their effect on our daily routines. Bigger projects like the resurfacing of our downtown or paving on Western Ave capture the community's attention, for good reason. But there are countless other projects and decisions that may be less obvious but are just as significant to the everyday operation of our municipal government.
More than ever, it is vital that our community is properly informed.
We are also sharing information in a host of other ways. We are utilizing social media to provide information to the community. We are trying to keep information flowing for everyone, to better educate our community. This bi-monthly newsletter continues to grow; you can easily subscribe at henniker.org. This is another small way we are trying to communicate information to the residents of Henniker.
In the past few months, the Town has held numerous public town hall events. They have all been held virtually because of COVID-19. Some of the topics included weekly updates on COVID-19, meetings with the Small Business Association, events with New England College, and increased collaboration with SAU 24.
All of these methods of communication have one thing in common: accessible and available information. Our goal is to provide as much information as possible in as many different formats as possible to reach the widest audience possible.
And yes, we know there is more we can do to help the residents of our community remain educated about Town projects and events and be involved in the civic process. As public employees, we accept that we answer to the members of our community. In fact, we embrace that responsibility. Despite ill-informed opinions otherwise that you may read online or elsewhere, our community is at the forefront of every decision we make. We have openly and repeatedly chronicled every decision made.
At the Town, we know it is our obligation to provide accurate information, and we remain committed to doing that in as many ways as we can. But just as we accept our responsibility, those seeking information have responsibility, too. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to accept that obligation. Our goal is to increase civility and accountability in discussions about Town topics, both in-person and online.
You, as community members, can help us accomplish that goal. Whether or not you are aware of it, your role is vital in maintaining and improving the spirit of our community. As part of that role, I ask these things:
Remember that Henniker is a great town. Are there things that can be improved? Absolutely. Has the town gone through difficult years? Of course we have. Are we perfect? No town is. But don't believe the naysayers. There are countless progressive and positive things happening in our community. As the Town Administrator of Henniker, I do not shy away from criticism. Criticism can play a key role in helping us identify and make improvements. But the criticism must be factual. It must be truthful and based on reality in order for it to be taken seriously or be effective in moving the conversation forward.
Be skeptical of claims on social media. Again, just because someone writes a negative comment about the town or our community on social media or some other public platform doesn't mean it's true. If you question an online claim or statement about the town or a town-related project, find out for yourself. Henniker.org is full of contact information for Selectmen, department heads and other Town employees. Ask, and we will answer.
The truth is out there. The spread of misinformation will likely continue among a few vocal critics; do not be afraid to call them out and shine a light on the falsehoods when you read them. Henniker is full of hard-working people who take great pride in their community, their school system, their businesses, their homes and themselves. As individuals, we choose to move forward to make Henniker a better place to raise our families. As a community, we cannot let the naysayers tell our story; the truth is too important.
Joe
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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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The New Hampshire Secretary of State has a new website with everything you need to know about voting during COVID-19. Visit their website at https://sos.nh.gov/ or utilize the following links:
The graphic below from the NH Secretary of State Facebook page details the process for voting absentee.
Please be sure to allow enough time to mail your ballot or hand deliver it to the Town Clerk's Office. ***IMPORTANT: do not use the mail slot at Town Hall.
The Town Clerk's Office is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. You can also contact them at (603) 428-3240 or [email protected]
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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 UPDATES FROM NEC
Active COVID-19 Cases
There have been no new cases since August 26. As of September 3, all students who previously tested positive have been cleared and have resumed on-campus learning.
The following link will provide you with updates from New England College
Below is a response from the Town on August 22, 2020
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The Town of Henniker welcomes students back |
COVID-19 Schools Dashboard
The Schools dashboard shows COVID-19 data for schools and their surrounding communities. Select a specific county using the map on the left. This selection will display county-level COVID-19 activity and cases in every school in the county. This includes college information. For more information you can download New Hampshire's COVID-19 guidance for educational institutions.
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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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TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY
Town of Henniker Highway Department 2020 Roads Program Improvements
We will begin construction on Western Ave in the upcoming weeks. Please be advised KA Stevens, the construction company working on the job, will be closing the road daily from Cote Hill Road to the Hillsborough line. Please plan accordingly.
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HENNIKER HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT JOB OPENING
TRUCK DRIVER/LABORER
JOB DESCRIPTION: Performs responsible work as part of the Highway crew or independently.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports directly to the Highway Superintendent or the Highway Foreman.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Operates all of the department’s equipment as directed.
- Winter storm maintenance, plows snow, and removes ice.
- Performs routine repairs and maintenance on all town-owned streets and bridges.
- Performs manual labor and heaving lifting.
- Performs routine maintenance and repairs on department equipment.
- Installs and maintains culverts and drains.
- Constructs roads and bridges.
- Operates power and hand tools.
- Attends training to keep current on modern construction and maintenance technology, as well as safety practices.
- Practices safety for self and others.
- Performs any other tasks of the department as directed.
- Available for call-out to meet emergency situations (pager).
- Maintains effective relations with the public and co-workers.
EQUIPMENT USED:
- Backhoe
- Front-end Loader/Plow & Wing
- Motor Grader
- Dump Truck/Front & Wing Plows
- Salt & Sand Spreader
- Sidewalk Plow/Blower
- Other heavy equipment as needed
- Two-way Radio
- Light Motor Vehicles
- Hand and Power Tools
ENVIRONMENT:
Inside: 10% of the time
Outside: 90% of the time
PHYSICAL EXERTION AND OTHER CONDITIONS: Ability to perform strenuous physical work under varying and adverse weather conditions.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid NH Commercial Drivers License, Class B, with Air Brake endorsement.
OTHER TRAINING, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of one-year experience in vehicle and equipment maintenance and operation; any combination of education and experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
QUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma. Must live within 30 minutes from the town garage
Incumbent will be subject to drug and alcohol testing requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation, which include but are not limited to pre-employment and random testing.
Salary Range $17.37 - $19.59
For additional information regarding the Truck Driver position, please contact Highway Superintendent Leo Aucoin at 603 428-7200.
Submit your application to Henniker Selectmen's Office, 18 Depot Hill Rd., Henniker, NH 03242 or email your application to [email protected].
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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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September 15, 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 September 10th.
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SAU 24 UPDATES
2020-2021
See the Decision Matrix updated SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 that shows the Henniker district in the yellow zone in Community Spread (2-9 cases per 100,000).
This indicates we should be able to open as planned on September 9.
AM Arrival and PM Dismissal by Car from Henniker Community School
Thank you for bringing your child to school via family transportation. To accommodate the large number of students arriving by car we have put together a staggered arrival and departure plan. Coordinate your arrival time for your oldest student.
Morning arrival will be from 7:50-8:10. Students will arrive, walk on the green pathway to the appropriate entrance, and proceed directly to their classroom. We have extended the green pathway to allow more cars to pull up at once. Please do not drop your student off until 7:50 when staff will be outside along the green pathway to help facilitate arrival.
We ask that older students arrive first and younger grades later as younger students may need assistance exiting car seats. If possible please install your child’s car seat on the right side of the car.
We ask parents to remain in their cars, HCS staff can assist with car doors if needed.
As your child exits the car they should follow the green walkway to one of the two main entrances:
Students in grades 5-8 will enter the main office entrance and go directly to their classroom.
Students in grades K-4 will enter the double door of the white building and go directly to their classroom.
AM Drop off times:
7:50 Grades 7-8
7:55 Grades 5-6
8:00 Grades 3-4
8:05 Grades 1-2
8:10 Kindergarten
We’ve put up signage for students and classroom teachers will meet their students at the classroom door daily. We will also have staff members in our hallways for students who need help finding their classrooms. Putting the sticker we sent home with back to school letters will help us to greet your student by name and help them get where they need to go. Thank you for that.
Dropping off only 6th-8th Graders? Cars with only 6th-8th grade students are welcome to skip the car loop.
You can use the five parking spots on Western Ave. in front of the town library or the library parking lot. We have extended the green pathway in the back to the library parking lot so you can pull up alongside the parked cars and let your student out. Students dropped in these areas should enter the school from the bus loop area into the 7-8 Hallway or the 5-6 Courtyard door.
Afternoon Dismissal to Cars:
Afternoon dismissal will be from 1:50-2:10 PM. Pick Up Patrol (PUP) has a new staggered dismissal feature we will be utilizing.
- When a car pulls in it will be greeted by a staff member who will read your car tag and notify your child’s classroom for dismissal. Pull up on the green path and staff will monitor your car loading and mark your child as dismissed when they load.
- Please place the “car tag,“ on the passenger side dashboard.
- We will dismiss following the same schedule as the morning. Again, families will dismiss with the oldest student in the family:
PM Pickup Times
1:50 Grades 7-8
1:55 Grades 5-6
2:00 Grades 3-4
2:05 Grades 1-2
2:10 Kindergarten
Example scenarios for a multi-age family:
Q: I'm the Cake family. I have a kindergarten, third, fifth, and eighth-grade students. Where do I go?
A: I use the main car loop drop off.
Q: I'm the Jones family. I have a sixth and eighth-grade student. Where do I go?
A: Western Ave in front of the library and the students can follow the green path or behind the Tucker Free Library to the parking spots. Students follow the green path to the 7/8 entrance.
Q: I am the Rose family. I have one kindergarten student. Where do I go?
A: I use the main parking lot drop off.
We ask for your patience, as this is new to all of us. If you need to pick up your child for an appointment, we ask you to leave yourself plenty of time. Your pick up should be no later than 1:30 PM.
Thank you for your continued support and patience while we work these things out.
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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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Keyser Pond: Improved, but advisory REMAINS
Tall Pines shore: Anabaena/ Chrysosporum @ 525,000 cells/ml
Deep surface: 225,000 cells/ml
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WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT JOB OPENING WASTEWATER OPERATOR
JOB DESCRIPTION: The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator assists other wastewater personnel under the direction of the Superintendent, in the operation and maintenance of the extended aeration, secondary treatment plant and collection system.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific responsibilities assigned to this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, controls, laboratory equipment, etc. at the treatment plant, pump stations and collection system.
- Operates grit removal, sludge dewatering and other plant associated equipment as directed.
- Maintains treatment plant and pump station grounds by raking, mowing, hedge trimming and snow shoveling.
- Tank cleaning and pumping, drying bed raking and shoveling and paint preparation and painting.
- Conducts inspections of the treatment plant and pump stations to ensure proper operation on assigned weekends and holidays, and/or those times scheduled by the plant superintendent.
- Knows, understands and practices safety techniques regarding the wastewater collection system, pump stations and treatment plant.
- Conducts grease trap inspections at local food service establishments including actual inspections and record keeping.
- Knows, understands and practices proper safety techniques used in the safe handling of hazardous chemicals used at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Performs other tasks as assigned by the superintendent or his/her designee.
EQUIPMENT USED: xxx
ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed under varied conditions involving some disagreeable factors such as climatic conditions, putrid odors and potentially dangerous and lethal gases.
PHYSICAL EXERTION AND OTHER CONDITIONS: Must be able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds. Physical effort is required in walking, standing and repetitious bending, stooping, climbing and lifting
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. A valid NH Driver’s License
2. State of New Hampshire Grade I Treatment Plant Operators Certificate (within one year from date of hire)
OTHER TRAINING, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: xxx
QUALIFICATIONS: Must be 18 years of age to operate machinery. High school diploma.
Salary Range $17.37 - $19.59
Submit your application to Henniker Selectmen's Office, 18 Depot Hill Rd., Henniker, NH 03242 or email your application to [email protected].
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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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TUCKER FREE LIBRARY
UPDATES
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With everything going on with the pandemic, it's important not to forget about food safety. Food poisoning sends 128,000 Americans to the hospital each year and 1 in 6 Americans will get food poisoning this year alone! However, food poisoning is preventable! We have a few food safety tips for you today to help you keep your home a food safe environment.
1. Wash fruits and vegetables but not meat, fish, poultry, or eggs. When washing meat, fish, poultry, or eggs you may introduce new bacteria.
2. Don't cross contaminate. Have separate cutting boards for meat, poultry, fish, and fruits/vegetables.
3. After cooking food, hold it at or above 140°F while waiting to serve.
4. Never leave perishable foods unrefrigerated for longer than 2 hours. The danger zone for perishable items is between 40°F and 140°F (keep perishable foods above or below these temperature levels).
5. Going off of the previous tip, never leave food to thaw or marinate on the counter. Defrost foods in the refrigerator or microwave and marinate foods in the refrigerator.
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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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