Three BHS singers share voices in All New Englands
BERLIN—Berlin High School students Nicole Foti, Georgia Poulin and Rebecca Sinclair recently took part in the All New England Choral Festive at Plymouth State University Nov. 1.
In addition, Foti has been chosen to sing in the Jazz Allstate festival which will be held at Pinkerton Academy in Derry in February. Auditions were in late October.
"This is a great accomplishment," said BHS Choral Director Rachel Carleson, of Foti's selection, "only eight from each voice part is chosen." Foti sings alto in choral music.
All three enjoy singing and sharing their talents in regional events. In addition, Poulin and Sinclair sing with the BHS special chorus, Shockapella.
"My mom says I've been singing since I was two," said Foti, a senior, who hopes to go to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Wherever she goes to college, she plans to major in conducting and composition.
Despite her mother's memories, Foti dates her singing to the age of ten when, she remembers, she shut herself up in her room with Fall Out Boy discs and memorized all their songs. Fall Out Boy is a punk band that originated in Willmette, IL, and that, in effect, broke up in 2009.
Sinclair, a senior, says she sings "second soprano, alto, whatever is needed. We have a small group (at BHS)." She grew up in Montpelier where in school "everyone had to sing in chorus." She also plays the violin. But really, she said, "My mom did all this. It's a family thing."
She also credits the former BHS Choral Director, Kristin Bushway, with inspiring her to take special interest in music.
Although she expects to keep on singing as long as she can, she hopes to major in microbiology in college.
Poulin, a sophomore, says she has been singing since junior high school in school groups. As good friends with Sinclair, Poulin heard about BHS chorus and Shockapella and decided to take part. Whatever music may be in her future, she would like to study to become a veterinarian.
They all hope to take part in the Classical Allstate Festival in April.
The next local concert for the BHS Chorus will be on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at the school
cutline: Berlin High School Choral Director Rachel Carlson (l) with three of her students who have and will be participating in allstate musical events. l to r: Carlson, Rebecca Sinclair, Georgia Poulin, Nicole Foti. (GAIL SCOTT PHOTO)
Last Updated on Monday, 12 November 2012 21:08
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School, county taxes raise rates in Randolph, Shelburne, and Milan
Written by Melissa Grima
ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY — Tax rates are on the rise in Randolph, Shelburne, and Milan, with school and county rates causing the bulk of the increases. Milan's rate continues to creep up towards $20 per thousand, and is set this year at $19.16. That is a $1.57 jump from the 2011 tax rate of $17.59. The increase is thanks to a close to $2 rise in the local school tax rate, which came in this year at $10.47. The county portion of the bill is up 26 cents to $4.30 per thousand, and the state education share rose 12 cents to $2.38. The only area of decrease came from the town's share of the bill, which dropped 63 cents to $2.01.
Randolph's tax rate also creeped higher, with the 2012 figure set at $15.98 per thousand — a $1.07 increase from 2011. In that town, the state education portion of the rate was the only one to drop, changing from 2011's $2.41 to $2.18 for 2012. Increases left the county rate at $4.66, local school portion at $4.61, and the town share at $4.53.
Shelburne saw more modest increases, totaling 82 cents, that left the 2012 tax rate at $15.32 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The town tax rate decreased from $3.24 to $3.13, but the local school rate increased 16 cents to $5.52. The state education rate saw a 23 cent rise to $2.40 and the county tax rate is up 54 cents to $4.27.
Randolph's tax rate also creeped higher, with the 2012 figure set at $15.98 per thousand — a $1.07 increase from 2011. In that town, the state education portion of the rate was the only one to drop, changing from 2011's $2.41 to $2.18 for 2012. Increases left the county rate at $4.66, local school portion at $4.61, and the town share at $4.53.
Shelburne saw more modest increases, totaling 82 cents, that left the 2012 tax rate at $15.32 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The town tax rate decreased from $3.24 to $3.13, but the local school rate increased 16 cents to $5.52. The state education rate saw a 23 cent rise to $2.40 and the county tax rate is up 54 cents to $4.27.
Last Updated on Friday, 09 November 2012 00:45
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Gorham tax rate up from $26 to $30 per thousand
Written by Melissa Grima
GORHAM — Increases in the school, and county portions of the tax bill have sent the tax rate per thousand dollars of assessed value up past $30 in Gorham.Gorham tax rate up from $26 to $30 per thousand
"It's gone up considerably, but I think that a lot of people are going to find that their bills aren't going up and in some cases are going down," said Town Manager Robin Frost. "Having said that, there are some that will go up," she added.
Higher end homes did not decrease at the same rate as the average house and some even increased in value, Frost explained.
The NH Department of Revenue Administration set the town's tax rate at $30.33 per thousand dollars of assessed value. That is a $3.53 increase from 2011, much of which can be found in the local school portion. That piece of the tax rate went up from $9.58 to $12.02, a change of $2.44. The state education portion is up 41 cents and the county tax increased 88 cents over last year as well. The town portion of the tax rate — used to support municipal services and administration — was the only segment of the rate to see a decrease, dropping 20 cents from the 2011 rate.
School officials had estimated an anticipated increase of $1.18 per thousand in March, but that was prior to any revaluation. SAU 20 Superintendent Paul Bousquet said he believes the loss of valuation in town, from $308 million to roughly $273 million, contributed to the rate increase.
Because the town was recently revalued property owners may be uncertain about what to expect in their tax bills. A home that was valued at $100,000 last year, and remains valued at $100,000 after the revaluation would see an increase in their bill of $353.
However, the town saw an overall decrease in residential values totaling $25 million. This means many homeowners could pay less. A home valued at $125,000 in 2011, but valued at $100,000 in 2012 would see a tax savings of $317 on this year's total bill as a result of the new rate combined with the decrease in taxable value.
The DRA had set the tax rate for 135 municipalities across the state as of Nov. 7, and Gorham was not alone in its better than $30 rate. Three other cities and towns had tax rates in excess of $30.
Here's a look:
Claremont — 2012 tax rate $34.37/thousand; town valuation $789,261,498; population 13,355; tax commitment $26,942,935
Lisbon — 2012 tax rate $32.41/thousand; town valuation $111,658,048; population 1,595; tax commitment $3,590,893
Derry — 2012 tax rate $30.48/thousand; town valuation $2,331,939,161; population 33,109; tax commitment $70,628,053
Gorham — 2012 tax rate $30.33/thousand; town valuation $273,677,600; population 2,848; tax commitment $8,113,190
"It's gone up considerably, but I think that a lot of people are going to find that their bills aren't going up and in some cases are going down," said Town Manager Robin Frost. "Having said that, there are some that will go up," she added.
Higher end homes did not decrease at the same rate as the average house and some even increased in value, Frost explained.
The NH Department of Revenue Administration set the town's tax rate at $30.33 per thousand dollars of assessed value. That is a $3.53 increase from 2011, much of which can be found in the local school portion. That piece of the tax rate went up from $9.58 to $12.02, a change of $2.44. The state education portion is up 41 cents and the county tax increased 88 cents over last year as well. The town portion of the tax rate — used to support municipal services and administration — was the only segment of the rate to see a decrease, dropping 20 cents from the 2011 rate.
School officials had estimated an anticipated increase of $1.18 per thousand in March, but that was prior to any revaluation. SAU 20 Superintendent Paul Bousquet said he believes the loss of valuation in town, from $308 million to roughly $273 million, contributed to the rate increase.
Because the town was recently revalued property owners may be uncertain about what to expect in their tax bills. A home that was valued at $100,000 last year, and remains valued at $100,000 after the revaluation would see an increase in their bill of $353.
However, the town saw an overall decrease in residential values totaling $25 million. This means many homeowners could pay less. A home valued at $125,000 in 2011, but valued at $100,000 in 2012 would see a tax savings of $317 on this year's total bill as a result of the new rate combined with the decrease in taxable value.
The DRA had set the tax rate for 135 municipalities across the state as of Nov. 7, and Gorham was not alone in its better than $30 rate. Three other cities and towns had tax rates in excess of $30.
Here's a look:
Claremont — 2012 tax rate $34.37/thousand; town valuation $789,261,498; population 13,355; tax commitment $26,942,935
Lisbon — 2012 tax rate $32.41/thousand; town valuation $111,658,048; population 1,595; tax commitment $3,590,893
Derry — 2012 tax rate $30.48/thousand; town valuation $2,331,939,161; population 33,109; tax commitment $70,628,053
Gorham — 2012 tax rate $30.33/thousand; town valuation $273,677,600; population 2,848; tax commitment $8,113,190
Last Updated on Friday, 09 November 2012 00:45
Hits: 424
CAP close to finalizing funding for Angel-Guardian energy improvements
Written by Barbara Tetreault
BERLIN – Tri-County Community Action Program is close to finalizing a $622,000 funding package that will allow the agency to make needed energy efficiency improvements to the former Angel-Guardian building.
The N.H. Community Development Finance Authority Advisory Board has approved an almost $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. NHCDFA Communications Director Kevin Flynn said the board approved the application on Oct. 18. It will go before the Governor and Executive Council for final approval in about a month.
CAP Deputy Director Peter Higbee said he is confident the executive council will look favorable on the CDBG, given that it has been recommended by NHCDFA staff and approved by the advisory board.
The CDBG is the final component of a $622,000 package of funding that will be used to renovate the 1912 building to cut energy costs and allow Tri-County Community Action Program to continue operations there. In addition to the CDBG, Berlin Better Buildings has allocated $150,000 to the project and the Retail Merchants Association is providing $75,000.
The city council in April voted to allow CAP to apply for the CDBG through the city’s eligibility. While initially, CAP sought a $500,000 CDBG to make energy improvements to five of its buildings, Higbee said the application was revised to focus solely on the Angel-Guardian building because it better met the grant’s criteria of serving low to moderate income individuals. The three-story building houses CAP’s Senior Meals, Head Start, Service Link, and Adult Daycare programs.
The building is expensive to operate. Higbee said it uses over 14,000 gallons of fuel oil annually. With state and federal funding tight, Higbee said CAP is looking to reduce costs.
The money will be used to weatherize the building and improve ventilation. A drop ceiling will be installed on the top floor to allow the agency to install insulation there. The current windows will be replaced with energy efficient ones that will actually look close to the building’s original windows in appearance.
The biggest expense will be installing three wood pellet boilers to significantly cut heating costs. Higbee said he likes the fact that money spent on wood pellets will stay in the local region. The oil boiler will remain to provide added heat during the coldest winter periods.
Once the executive council approves the CDBG, Higbee said CAP will move quickly to get the project underway. He said there are tight spring deadlines for the expenditure of the Retail Merchants and Berlin Better Buildings funds.
“We have a very aggressive time schedule,” he said.
He said CAP will go out to bid for a general contractor and hope to get construction underway in early January.
The N.H. Community Development Finance Authority Advisory Board has approved an almost $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. NHCDFA Communications Director Kevin Flynn said the board approved the application on Oct. 18. It will go before the Governor and Executive Council for final approval in about a month.
CAP Deputy Director Peter Higbee said he is confident the executive council will look favorable on the CDBG, given that it has been recommended by NHCDFA staff and approved by the advisory board.
The CDBG is the final component of a $622,000 package of funding that will be used to renovate the 1912 building to cut energy costs and allow Tri-County Community Action Program to continue operations there. In addition to the CDBG, Berlin Better Buildings has allocated $150,000 to the project and the Retail Merchants Association is providing $75,000.
The city council in April voted to allow CAP to apply for the CDBG through the city’s eligibility. While initially, CAP sought a $500,000 CDBG to make energy improvements to five of its buildings, Higbee said the application was revised to focus solely on the Angel-Guardian building because it better met the grant’s criteria of serving low to moderate income individuals. The three-story building houses CAP’s Senior Meals, Head Start, Service Link, and Adult Daycare programs.
The building is expensive to operate. Higbee said it uses over 14,000 gallons of fuel oil annually. With state and federal funding tight, Higbee said CAP is looking to reduce costs.
The money will be used to weatherize the building and improve ventilation. A drop ceiling will be installed on the top floor to allow the agency to install insulation there. The current windows will be replaced with energy efficient ones that will actually look close to the building’s original windows in appearance.
The biggest expense will be installing three wood pellet boilers to significantly cut heating costs. Higbee said he likes the fact that money spent on wood pellets will stay in the local region. The oil boiler will remain to provide added heat during the coldest winter periods.
Once the executive council approves the CDBG, Higbee said CAP will move quickly to get the project underway. He said there are tight spring deadlines for the expenditure of the Retail Merchants and Berlin Better Buildings funds.
“We have a very aggressive time schedule,” he said.
He said CAP will go out to bid for a general contractor and hope to get construction underway in early January.
Last Updated on Friday, 09 November 2012 00:45
Hits: 605
