The Hooksett Banner ­ October 14, 2004

Renovations planned for Candia school No arrest in murder of Hooksett family This is one giant Jack-o-lantern Recycling warnings result in compliance Residents to consider use of educational aid	Are you interested in chatting about Hooksett issues? Want to help plan Hooksett's future? Check out the new Internet chat group begun by the master plan committee at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hooksett_chat/ Auburn has a similar group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburn/

Candia

Renovations planned for Candia school

$4 million to $5 million would add 22,000 square feet to Moore School, including gym

By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com

CANDIA ­ Moore School officials say a proposed renovation that would add approximately 22,000 square feet of new space would alleviate the current space crunch at the school, making room for special education programs, science labs and sports.

The preliminary plan, presented to the school board by Sumner Davis Architects the week of Sept. 26, calls for the addition of a 13,000-square-foot gym, and the expansion and reorganization of several existing classrooms.

SAU 15 Superintendent Armand LaSelva said the current estimate for the renovation lies between $4 million and $5 million. The state would contribute approximately 30 percent of the total cost in aid.

And given the current favorable interest rates, LaSelva said the time for renovation is now.

"If you do all of this, this facility will bring us well into the 21st century," he said.

School board Chairman Karen Smith said the current facility is not overcrowded, but lacks adequate space for special education classes, and over time small sections of the library have been carved out for their use.

And Title I reading teacher Gail Heller will soon be teaching six students in her classroom, which is only 90 square feet. "Can you imagine having three more students in there?" LaSelva asked during a tour of the school Oct. 6, when three students were busy working in the tiny space. The renovations would add grouped spaces for special ed classrooms and free up space in the library. "Kids need the space to be doing research and working on the computers in there," Smith said. "One of our main goals is to take back our library." According to Smith and LaSelva, another priority is the construction of a new gym that is large enough to host home games. According to the plans, the new gym would be built directly behind the current one, which would remain as the school's cafeteria. Officials also help to enhance the curriculum with the addition of science labs for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. "This is really something that we should be offering at the middle school level," Smith said.

TIGHT SPACES ­ Three Title I reading students study in teacher Gail Heller's 90-square-foot classroom, where there is very little room to move. Superintendent Armand LaSelva said there will soon be three more students added to this room, and that other special education classrooms in the school face a similar space crunch. (Jennifer Claise Photo)

Additionally, problems with the school's electrical, heating and ventilation systems would be repaired during the renovations, which LaSelva said could take about a year.

"To do this project as a whole is much better than simply patching areas one at a time," LaSelva said. "That's just not the most cost-effective approach."

The board has approved a facilities study committee that will be made up of school board members, a selectman and town residents, all who will be announced at the board's meeting Oct. 14. Smith said the board hopes to seek voter approval for the project at the March 2005 Town Meeting.

While Smith and LaSelva said they are optimistic, they know it will be difficult to convince taxpayers to support the proposed plan.
"We have to help people see what's in it for the community," said LaSelva, who added that the new °gym could be used as a performance center and to host town meetings.

"We're not looking at this like 'this is ours,'" he added. "This will be a community resource that I think will stand us in good stead given the population growth of our students and of the entire citizenry."

But while school board member Ingrid Byrd said she supports the idea of building a new gym, she can't stand behind the entire $4 million to $5 million proposal.

"It's a wonderful proposal if money were no object," Byrd said. "But this is not a need right now. There's a large dose of want here, and you can't always get what you want."

Byrd said that the school is not overcrowded, and that the current computer room could be converted into special education space, since the school has about 20 laptop computers that can be brought right into the classrooms.

"Why do we need to add this extra space that is not going to benefit the whole student body, since we aren't getting any new classrooms?" Byrd asked. "We simply can't afford it."

Hooksett/Manchester

No arrest in murder of Hooksett family

By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com

The state Attorney General's office and the Manchester Police Department are still investigating the grisley murder that took the lives of Tricia Doyle, 30, and her two children, Gillian Doyle, 4, and James Doyle, 2. The victims lived at 18 Helen Drive in Hooksett with husband and father Robert Doyle.

No charges have been filed and no one has been arrested for the murder. The bodies were found at about 9:05 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4. Autopsies by the chief medical examiner revealed that the cause of death for Tricia Doyle was a single stab wound, while the children died from multiple stab wounds.

The bodies were discovered at the home of Tricia Doyle's brother, Christopher Bernard, who lived at 61 Johnson St. in Manchester. Assistant Attorney General Jeffery Strelzin said the home has been very intricately examined by a team of investigators.

The search in the house ended late on Saturday, Oct. 9, after many long days. The Johnson Street neighborhood is quiet again, no longer packed with cruisers and strung with police tape. Strelzin said now they are examining other evidence, and many materials have been sent to the state laboratory for further examination. The police continue to conduct interviews of people who knew the family.

About three hours before the bodies were found by Manchester Police Officer Richard Ell, Bernard, 35, was taken to Elliot Hospital after apparently trying to take his own life by running into traffic on Interstate 93. Witnesses reported he was hit by many cars before a dump truck, driven by David Briand of Hudson, sent him to the hospital with head injuries.

Bernard was listed in good condition during his stay, and was released on Wednesday, Oct. 6. The Union Leader reported that Bernard was transported to New Hampshire Hospital, a state psychiatric facility, due to violent behavior that put himself and others at risk.

Police have not said if the apparent suicide attempt is linked to the murders. Information has been very limited due to the ongoing investigation, leaving neighbors and family members searching for an answer and trying to cope.

Neighbor and friend of the Doyles, Brent Gagne, said his family is in shock. Gagne has children the same age as the victims, and struggled to break the news to his 4-year-old.

"We were really close," Gagne said. "We did everything together as adults and the children played together. Tricia was a good friend that is gone for my wife. My kids have lost their playmates."

For now, Gagne said, he will exercise his patience and wait for the police to do their work.

"We'll let the police come and decide what happened," Gagne said. "We are doing the best we can. It's really up and down ­ more like peaks and valleys."

Hooksett

This is one giant Jack-o-lantern

By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com

Trick-or-treaters always enjoy seeing carved pumpkins, but this year local children are in for a special treat. Hooksett's unofficial first giant pumpkin will be carved for the Halloween season ­ all 617 pounds of it. Stephen Huppe was introduced to giant pumpkin growing a few years ago when a grower brought his plump pumpkin to be displayed at Demers Garden Center in Manchester, where Huppe works. Huppe's third year growing has harvested his hugest pumpkin yet, but he still intends to increase his pumpkin pounds. "It is a lot of work during the summer months because you have to care for the pumpkin constantly," Huppe said. "But it pays off in the end when people walk up and see how huge it is." Huppe said he plants his giant pumpkin seeds in May. Once the pumpkins start growing, he chooses the biggest and fastest-growing pumpkin to pursue, cutting off the others so the chosen one can get enough energy and space. "It takes up the whole 1,000 feet," Huppe said. "Then I cater to it all season long."

GREAT PUMPKIN ­ Stephen Huppe sits next to his biggest pumpkin yet. The 617-pounder is possibly Hooksett's biggest pumpkin. Huppe started growing giant pumpkins three years ago, and is still trying to master the art and get his pumpkins even bigger. A member of the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association, Huppe may have won the 55th spot out of about 90 pumpkins that weighed in at the Topsfield Fair on Oct. 1. (Devon Cormier Photo)

Fortunately for Huppe, he can get a forklift into his yard to pick up the pumpkin so he and his friends don't have to carry the 617-pounder to a truck themselves. Lifting giant pumpkins risks cutting the fragile skin ­ and risks breaking the backs of its lifters.

Because Huppe's yard is heavily wooded, he had to cut down many trees to get the 1,000 square feet a giant pumpkin requires.

However, the more sun a pumpkin gets, the bigger it gets. A cool August, which is prime time for pumpkins, and the shade from his trees has been hindering his pumpkin growth, Huppe said.

Huppe hopes to cut down more trees in his yard because his pumpkin was only putting on about 20 pounds a day in August, when many giant pumpkins pack on 40 to 50 pounds a day in the last month of growing.

Last year, Huppe's 8-year-old son joined him in his new hobby. The little boy has grown a 142-pound pumpkin for the Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta and Weigh-off, Oct. 16 and 17, and he hopes that this year's plump pumpkin will weigh in at around 250.

Huppe said it takes a lot of work, but the key to growing giant pumpkins is quite simple.

"It is supposed to be fun," Huppe said. "That is the key in growing these. We are going to carve it up before Halloween. Last year the pumpkin was only about 225 pounds, but when the kids come by trick-or-treating, their faces just glow."

Huppe will save his pumpkin seeds for next year and possibly swap some with other growers to cross-pollinate. When the pumpkin has been carved and shown off, he will throw it into this compost pile for next year's pumpkin patch ­ or field.

Candia

Recycling warnings result in compliance

By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com

After sending out more than 160 warning letters to town residents who failed to sort their trash as specified by the town's solid waste ordinance, Selectman and Recycling Center Supervisor Gary York said he has seen a sharp increase in compliance.

"Everybody's got the word now," said York. "I've had people calling saying that it's about time we're doing this, and people have come up to me with small items, wanting to be sure they're doing the right thing."

And it's easy to see how doing the right thing at the recycling center could be confusing. For example, there are specific areas for cans, glass, cardboard, mixed paper, electronics, textiles, scrap metal, tires, batteries, compost and wood, in addition to the regular trash that can be burned in the incinerator.

That's a lot to remember, York admitted, but he said it is worth it.

"We're talking taking care of the environment and saving tax dollars here," York said.

After taking over as supervisor, York stepped up enforcement of the ordinance, directing attendants to search through bags suspected of containing items that should be recycled. Those in violation first receive a letter of warning, then are fined or given the option of performing community service.

But the sudden aggressive enforcement caused a frenzy in the small town. Some residents were angered by the letters, arguing that more education should have been given first. Rumors spread about heated verbal spats at the recycling center, as did talk of the "dump Gestapo."

Candia Police Chief Michael McGillen said the department is even investigating a threat to burn York's house down, which was allegedly overheard at the recycling center.

"We don't know if the person was serious, or if they were angry and just said something stupid that they shouldn't have," McGillen said.

But York said he took the threat seriously.

"When I was discussing it with my wife, my daughter overheard me and asked if she needed to worry about someone trying to burn the house down when she is sleeping," York said. "It is unconscionable to me that someone would make a comment like that just because they're not recycling."

While sorting his glass items at the recycling center Thursday, Oct. 7, Palmer Road resident Bob LeDuc said he supported York's efforts to enforce the ordinance.

"He's only enforcing rules that have been in place for years," LeDuc said. "Gary and I don't agree on everything, but I do back him up on the enforcement."

LeDuc said he comes to the recycling center each week, and doesn't find separating his trash to be a hassle.

"Of course, I'm retired, so I have more time to do that," he added.

But one town resident approached York later that day, upset by the warning letter he received for throwing away a soda can and some sheet rock.

"It was too harsh," said the man, who did not want to be identified. "But I want to give them a chance to straighten things out before I say anything else."

Some aspects of the enforcement remain unclear. For example, York said he's not sure what would happen if a resident refused to pay a fine, and McGillen said he wondered if the police would be expected to be involved.

"Legal avenues exist, but it hasn't come up yet, so I really can't answer that," York said.

Auburn

Residents to consider use of education aid

By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com

The Auburn School Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 27, about using extra money the school district received. School board members hope to use the money to purchase land for a new school. Residents are urged to attend.

The New Hampshire Department of Education estimated this year's school aid to be at $1,269,276 when the budget was given to voters last spring. The education grant came in at $1,819,002, which is $549,726 more than anticipated.

School board Chairman Elaine Hobbs said Auburn Village School, which holds a little over 600 children in grades 1 through 8, is just too overcrowded. Three modular classrooms sit out back. However, Hobbs said the school board has been searching for land to build a new school for years to no avail.

Manchester Water Works owns about a quarter of the land in Auburn, taking up most of the large tracts of land that look promising. Other sites have been found to be inadequate, but Hobbs is hoping to pull something together by March, when voters will decide what to do with the money.

"I think there are many people in town who are aware that we need a new school," Hobbs said. "This would really be a nice first step. There are a couple of sites being looked at, but there has been no major progress."

The school board met with the Auburn Budget Committee on Thursday, Sept. 30. The budget committee voted 4-2 to put a question on the March ballot, asking voters if they want to put the money in an account for a new school. However, they did have some reservations.

Budget committee Chairman Lewis Theos said his biggest concern is that residents may not realize that the extra cash can be used to reduce property taxes.

"I think that eventually we are going to need a new school," Theos said. "If we have the money and people already paid their tax bills, that's great. But I want people to know this money could be used to reduce their property taxes so the people of the town can decide, not the budget committee."

Theos said he hopes that residents go to the special School District Meeting so they understand how the unexpected school aid can be used. If voters put it into an account for a new school at that meeting, it will remain there even if there isn't any land to purchase, and can't be used to offset taxes.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Auburn Village School gym.

FASTEST PIE-EATER ­ Six-year-old Abigail King of Candia proudly displays the first-place pie-eating trophy. (Karen Braynard Photo)