February 18, 2011 - Colebrook Chronicle

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Corporate News Representative ior Martin Murray, Project Manager Laurel Communications Brown and Project Coordina- Don Chase, met with the tor boards of selectmen to pre- two what they called an sent on the project. As resi- “update” got wind of the planned dents they showed up in meeting, to get a look at the proposed force route—both preferred and the two alternates—through The Northern Pass team towns. the meeting were met with at and angry resistance to the loud anger that has built project—an the past few months into a over opposition group. The large showed a preferred route, maps first alternate and a second a alternate. in the day, Hydro- Earlier officials met with resi- Quebec in the towns along the dents Townships border Eastern the three potential entry where have been identified. A points session was held during public afternoon where residents the come in to view the maps could meet with officials from and There was also a Hydro-Quebec. meeting with a few Que- private landowners whose propertiebec are near the three entry into New Hampshire. points of those landowners is One Stream resident Richard Halls who is faced with both Thibault, preferred route and the first the route cutting across alternate land. Thibault’s property his both sides of the border spans both Hydro-Quebec and and Pass will need to ne- Northern with him for the right of gotiate way. described the private Thibault meeting as an advance look what the public would be at later in the day. “One seeing about the people from thing they do things Hydro-Quebec, than Northern Pass,” different Thibault. “Hydro-Quebec said to the people first before goes make the announcement of they route.” He said that one of the questions raised asked why the Hydro-Quebec use the doesn’t corridor through Ver- existing and the response, said mont was that “They can’t Thibault, this is a New Hampshire because customer.” described the preferred He as crossing a field that he route his wife, Pauline, own down and road from their house. “My the is also the first alternate, land the line is right smack in and of my house, in the middle front our field,” said Thibault. “One of the landowner’s from the Canadian of side owns a piece of land is 200 feet by 200 feet, and that will be a pole on that there he said. land,” said his concern is Thibault if the day should ever that, when he would like to sell come lots, he now can’t because building the pipeline is in the way. we got something (money) “Yes we have to live forever —but the pipeline. Down the with it hurts because we can’t road build anything there,” he ever And he sees the Northern said. project potentially removing Pass a wide swath of trees in his that he feels he woodlands ever be able to harvest won’t retirement,” he said. our Hydro-Quebec officials The not talking about purchase were offers for the line ease- yet, said Thibault. “It ments strictly a meeting to tell us was they wanted to cross and where they are going to have an- that meeting in April where all other landowners on all three the will be invited. They will routes listen to what the supposedly prefer and what landowners don’t like,” explained Thi- they “But if its anything like bault. the pipeline was built, when be treated much nicer by we’ll Canadian people. Portland the gave an insulting low offer Gas the property and the Cana- for offer was a fair offer, and dian’s time my father met with every he was paid for his time, them, with Portland Gas he whereas wasted hours with them just to negotiate.” trying the afternoon session, During several New Hampshire who opposed the residents Pass project met with Northern officials to talk Hydro-Quebec the project and look at about border crossing points. The the spoke with Hydro- Chronicle Project Manager Jean- Quebec Giroux, who explained Pierre the entry points were chosen that based on the request of the Northern Pass. “client,” Community Hydro-Quebec advisor Ginette Relations explained to the Chroni- Cantin that the company would cle a 300-kv DC trans- construct line about 75 km long mission 46 miles) plus two 600- (about converter stations in Val- mw just east of Windsor, Que- Joli, to convert the power from bec, to DC before it is transmit- AC down the line into New ted The actual source Hampshire. the hydro power comes from of northern Canada, where far the hydro dams are located. several A portion of the Quebec area includes maple study Christmas tree farms, a stands, and forest park and Mount bog Hereford. Quebec residents, the For siting of the route is ex- final in the summer of 2011. pected this side of the border, On and Clarksville residents Pittsburg listened on Monday night Project Coordinator Don while explained the locations Chase lengths of the lines in both and The preferred route and towns. alternate both cross from first Quebec/Halls Stream con- the and travel east toward nection Clarksville town line, where the route then goes through an the into the Washburn opening over Wiswell Road, the lands, hill behind the home of Al large (sometimes called LeBlanc Hill), across Rte. 145, Hurlbert then travels south across it Pond Road, south- Clarksville across Old County Road, west then south to the connec- and at the Stewartstown town tion In total, there are 1.74 line. in Pittsburg and 3.55 miles in Clarksville, and the miles crossing location of the border preferred route is preliminary miles north of the New 0.6 border. Hampshire/Vermont three routes will be provided All to the Dept. of Energy, is hosting a series of environmental which scoping meetings month. (The Colebrook next is scheduled for Satur- meeting March 19, from 1-4 p.m. at day, Elementary School.) the of the most breathtaking views in the North Country can be seen from Grandview Drive off of Old One Road in Clarksville. If built, the Northern Pass Transmission line will fill the skyline just the County side of the road shown here as the powerlines roll down to Clarksville Pond Road and Route 145 other on up over Hurlbert’s Hill to Pittsburg beyond. Charles Jordan photo. and selectman Merrill Pittsburg asked Chase when will Dalton Northern Pass route be the in. Chase answered that locked is “behind us in Hydro-Quebec routing study.” Laurel their added, “This is our proposed Brown route and it may change. will the final route be When will be at the end of the known process.” She explained permitting that the Dept. of En- will listen to all the concernergy raised and come back to Northern Pass with a list of the to be considered. “The things impacts are not environmental only thing of concern—they the are concerned with social, also and historical im- cultural she said. pacts,” asked by selectmen When McKeage if the Northern Brendon Pass project was looking at into using the Vermont all Chase said, “We are not Route, at going into Vermont looking we would have to come because the pipeline; and we across set up to do business in aren’t Selectman Bing Vermont.” responded, “I think you Judd study it more. I think it better be looked into.” should values following Property construction of the trans- the line was of big concern mission residents attending the Pitts- to meeting. “These route are burg through woodlands— primarily we would have a lower value. so if a value goes down, other And owners will have to property more,” said resident John pay whose farm and forest Amey, are part of the second lands route. alternate to one woman’s Responding about why is Northern question buying foreign electricity, Pass Murray responded, “No Martin ‘needs’ the energy—we one more ‘renewable’ energy. need of the power produced here All New Hampshire is sold elsewhere; in Seabrook sells else- we are trying to lessen where; more expensive fossil fuels, the produce carbon emissions.” which are putting all of this “We and angst into something effort isn’t even for us,” said resident that Cindy Lou Amey. “We pur- power from 68 hydro facilities, chase small and not so small,” Murray. “There is an incredible said demand to lower car- the Chronicle, Congressman with Bass explained that, fol- his election last Novemberlowing he began to hear from his about the project. constituents purpose of my tour, “The started in Salem and which in Pittsburg, was to reac- ended myself with the district quaint to talk about every conceiv- and issue,” said Congressman able “The issue of the North- Bass, Pass was dominating,” he ern “In Coos County, in Graf- said. County, and in the city of ton which is also in his Franklin,” district. to the Northern Pass, As the Congressman, he is said to listen to his constitu- trying “Understand that I did ents. hear anything about this not until mid-November, so project am attempting to listen to as I different individuals and many as I can to find all the groups facets about this complex various and very important deci- being made,” he said. “I sion up three or four criteria,” to put if a project should move decide “Is the project consis- forward. with my interests in promotintent New Hampshire’s clean, energy needs; is it renewable for the energy needs of good Hampshire; will it positively New impact the economy; will have a negative environmental it impact or an undue impact on the environment,” negative said Congressman Bass. trying to figure out where “I’m project is in this criteria.” this said he learned the notice He intent for the project was of filed on Friday, Feb. 11, being that public meetings would and held in the state for comments be on the scope of the envi- and the impact statementronment There are five meetings Colebrook meeting will be the on Saturday, March 19, held 1-4 p.m. “I think the DOE from will take, if I’m judging process about 18 to 24 correctly, to be completed. Then months NEWS OF THE VIDEO FOR FEB. 18, 2011 WEEK Northern Pass continues The be the major headline story to the North Country this week. in Monday, we traveled just On the border the East Hereford, above Que., for an open session by Hydro-Quebec presented They discussed representatives. end of the project, including their the use of the word “client” referring to the branch of the in south of the border. project in the evening, Pittsburg Later and Clarksville learned of preliminary and alternate the proposed for this length routes the Northern Pass, which of more questions and brought heated opposition. increasingly Charlie Bass Congressman in on the Northern weighed after a visit to the North Pass He found the transmission Country. line to be the main is- of controversy among citizensue of his district. He dis- his thoughts regarding cussed plan. the Kiwanians held Colebrook annual Winter Carnival their and fun at the Colebrook antics Club. Country special feature of the video A week is a trip above the this to see French-Canadian border Jorane. The Cole- singer/cellist Chronicle had an opportunitbrook to sit down with the mu- before her performance. sician currently has the top- Jorane Francophone album in selling An extended interview Quebec. concert clip is also available and view on our special to Jordan —Thomas Editor Video Page 2 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, February 18, 2011 Northern Pass Bass (Continued on page 11) (Continued on page 6) (Continued from page 1) Chronicle Video www.colebrookchronicle.com “TheChronicleMusic” YouTube channel. scheduled for mid-March, and and sell in the future. “That was
on Wednesday approved cord forward with the pro- going The next step will be to posal. public hearings to listen to hold public, which will probably the in late March or early occur said Fish and Game Biologist April, Kent Gusterson in a interview yesterday. phone change in deer manage- This is said to be occurring in ment to manage the population order habitat of the deer, but and members of the Tea Party, some well as some Fish and Game as are not sure that this employees the right thing to do. Some is Party members say that a Tea antler restriction three-point nothing to do with popula- has or habitat management, tion everything to do with but deer” hunting. And that “trophy Fish and Game is outside of the powers it was granted. the a recent document written In the Tea Party members to was sent to the Chronicle which week, it states: if this proposal this passes, hunters will aban- the North Country and don to less regulated areas; move residents suffering from local unemployment, will staggering be able to put meat up for not and businesses which winter; on hunter tourism to fill the rely weeks each fall between five and snowmobile season, foliage suffer as a direct conse- will quence. said that there Gusterson a two-point restriction in was for the three previous WMU-A NORTHUMBERLAND SELECTBOARD Marcel Platt informed the Chief Selectboard Northumberland Monday evening that the on snow banks, before they large able to be moved, and the are on both sides of State parking by Groveton High School Street creates a one-lane literally This in turn, makes highway. for large vehicles like problems trucks and plows to get pulp through. has received a few reports He of vehicles parked in the which are getting clipped. area roadway is a state high- The and there is some signage way, the area in regards to park- in but the state has said that ing, signs do not belong to them. the said he is going to look Platt into the matter. Per- further the town ordinance needs haps, be tweaked, and/or changes to by the state. He has spoken made with the state’s Dept. of and is working Transportation, the issue with them. on Gauthier spoke to the Rob about the fire depart- board wanting to use the buildinment at 53 Brooklyn St. for train- purposes—not for a burn, ing for overall training and fire but training. The fire investigation has insurance, and department to 2010. The department years that it placed more pres- found on the older bucks, so they sure away with it for 2010. And did they did that, it raised when in the hunting commu- concern and the subject became nity They sent out a controversial. last fall asking the hunters’ survey their opinions and as a re- of that survey, have decided sult suggest a proposal for three- to antler deer. point overview of that survey The that 5.7 percent of the shows who took the survey hunters they hunted in WMU-A, a said of 3,753 hunters, but 13.9 total hunted in WMU-J2. percent 83.3 percent of the hunters And New Hampshire citizens. were success rate was 14.8 per- The And about 85 percent said cent. would shoot a deer smaller they a large antlered buck. And than percent said they would kill 37.5 legal deer, while 14.6 percent any preferred to kill large ant- bucks (six-point buck). lered percent of the hunters Fifty satisfied with the number were large bucks seen, and 58 per- of were satisfied in opportunitcent to kill a large buck. When if the hunters would support asked buck-aged structured man- when necessary, 27.7 agement they strongly favored it, said 19.5 said they strongly opposed and it, with varying degrees of in between. But when support if they would support it if asked buck-aged structured management the as not necessary, 17.3 town owns the property. the board approved. The residents present at Town meeting asked if the fire the could burn it. department said there are a lot of Gauthier to jump through to be hoops to do that. But a town resi- able said that it would save the dent money and get rid of an town It is open to the elements eyesore. and if someone gets hurt of it, the town could be because He suggested that the liable. board it up. town board signed the town The after slight changes in warrant were made. It is now verbiage for Town Meeting. Selectman ready Jim Tierney told the small at the meeting that on crowd 21, at 6 p.m., there will be Feb. bond hearing on the purchase a the town hall (see adjacent of BUILDING TOWN ON WARRANT PURCHASE Feb. 3 at the Northumberland On Budget Committee hearing with the town, public committee reviewed the the on the town warrant, articles will be presented to the which voters in March. registered of these articles asks One the answer was 28.9 approve, for 3-point restriction percent 33.9 said one buck bag while The survey then asked, limit. many would continue to how the same area no matter hunt restriction was placed on what 72.2 percent said they deer, and 12.6 percent said would., would hunt some where they else. asked why this re- When was only being proposestriction for WMU-A. Gusterson POLICE PITTSBURG Wednesday evening, On Police were called to Pittsburg motor vehicle accident on the a side of Ben Young Hill in north Clarksville. Kelley of Clarksville Shawn driving a Ford Windstar was north on Rte. 145 when he van the highway, went over the left and the van embankment landing on its roof. He flipped, transported to UCVH by was 45th parallel EMS for treat- the of his injuries. The vehicle ment to be totaled. appears Police Chief Richard Pittsburg Lapoint was assisted by the State Police, the Colebrook N.H. Police Dept. and U.S. Patrol. The Pittsburg Border Dept. was on scene until Fire NORTHUMBERLAND POLICE Feb. 11, Northumberland On arrested Kevin Sheehy, police it has been the one place in said state that has an objective the its plan to try to maintain in bucks. He also said that older proportion of yearlings has the above 50 percent and go- been up. ing realistic expectation as One result of this change is that a percent of yearling bucks 83.2 be protected. Because of would Hampshire lower produc- New and development, it tivity also protect older bucks would of Groveton on a Connecticut 51, warrant on violations of a fugitive from justice for being to comply with failure of release.” He was “conditions on $20,000 cash bail and held to the Coos County transported of Corrections. He will be House until a probable cause held is completed or a gover- hearing waiver from Connecticut is nor’s to transfer him to presented Connecticut. that day, Wanda Later 37, of Stratford reported Marsh, someone had cut her brake that while parked in Groveton. line is under investigation. This following day, Anthony The 24, of Groveton was Marsh, with an unregistered charged An investigation is also vehicle. for the possible alteration underway of a plate. Wheeler, 43, of Pamela was arrested for DWI Groveton day later after an officer one her off the road in her found well, resulting in 48.1 percent as of all antlered bucks being from legal harvest. protected buck aged structure man- But methods are too nontraditionaagement to be acceptable, or inappropriate for implementation simply in New Hampshire, the Fish and Game website. states this proposal was implemented, If it would start in the police were called to a motor vehicle accident on the north side of Ben Young Hill in Clarksville Pittsburg on Wednesday evening. Shawn Kelley of Clarksville came down the hill and hit an embankment. Ford Windstar landed in the snow on its roof. Kelley was taken to UCVH and treated for his injuries. His Charles Jordan photo. on Rte. 3 near the vehicle Vt., turn. She was Guildhall, released on $750 personal later bail and a court recognizance was set for March 16. date Hedberg, 22, of Ashley was arrested on the Groveton day on a warrant for pro- same sale of alcohol to minorshibited A March 16 court date set. was also conducted eight Police vehicle stops during the motor week of February with two first cited with speed summons, being three warnings for non- and three warnings inspection, defective equipment. for FISH AND GAME N.H. Feb. 16, at approximately On p.m., Joan Thompson, 74, 1:30 Epping was injured in a of crash. The accident snowmobile on trail 131 and 20 in occurred police were called to a two-vehicle accident near the Spa Restaurant in West Stewartstown on State afternoon. More information was not available at press time. Charles Jordan photo. Wednesday Friday, February 18, 2011 The Colebrook Chronicle Page 3 Three-Point (Continued from page 1) fall of 2011, Gusterson said. Police, EMS Reports strongly opposed, and 19.3 were approved. And 32 per- strongly were against it if this plan cent state wide, with 17.3 per- was were for it. When asked cent age-structured manage- which ment they would most strongly Town Northumberland Police —Charlotte Sheltry the vehicle was removed. (Continued on page 7) story). —Charlotte Sheltry (Continued on page 8)
Page 1: photo: Laurel Brown of PSNH talks w
Page 5 and 6: desecration planned for one of nort
Page 7 and 8: note: Dick Richards (Editor’s the
Page 9 and 10: graders at Canaan Elementary school
Page 11 and 12: stage in Saint-Camille: Jorane perf
Page 13 and 14: Harrison and his team of horses gav
Page 15 and 16: students in Colebrook spent the out
Page 17 and 18: 60 people enjoyed the St. Georges C
Page 19 and 20: She is survived by her Royce. Peter
Page 21 and 22: construction emphasizing Quality sa
Page 23 and 24: Ashlynn Parkhurst in the middle of

February 18, 2011 - Colebrook Chronicle

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