City of Nashua Public Works Division is celebrating Public Works Week, from Saturday, May 19-26, 2012, with local events, facility tours, and a drawing contest for City of Nashua students. The Public Works Week Kickoff will take place from 12 noon to 4 pm this Saturday at Holman Stadium. The Public Works Division welcomes all City of Nashua residents.

For more information on Public Works Week, please log onto the City of Nashua web site at www.nashuanh.gov. If you are interested in taking part in the City-wide elementary school drawing contest, with “What Public Works Means to Me” theme, please see the information link below. One winner from each grade level, kindergarten to grade 5, will win a set of four tickets to a Silver Knights baseball game in Holman Stadium.

The Nashua Board of Education approved last night the hiring of three principals, two at the elementary school level and one at the middle school level. Superintendent Mark Conrad welcomes Jennifer (Oates) Scarpati, Assistant Principal at Hampstead (NH) Central School, as the new Principal at Amherst Street Elementary School; Michael Harrington, Assistant Principal at Nashua High School North, as the new Principal at Fairgrounds Elementary School; and Lynne Joseph, Interim Principal at Pennichuck Middle School as Principal at PMS.

Amherst Street Elementary School: Jennifer Scarpati has strong ties to the Nashua School District, where she taught grades 2, 5, and 6 at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School. Ms. Scarpati brings a wealth of experience to Nashua from her six years at Hampstead Central, where she also served as ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Coordinator and Homeless Coordinator. Ms. Scarpati earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Boston University, and a Masters of Education in childhood risk and prevention at Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She also earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Leadership and Learning from Rivier College, and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in leadership and policy studies at the University of New Hampshire.

Fairgrounds Elementary School: Michael Harrington initiated his career in education in Nashua, and brings both teaching and administrative experience to his new role. As you may remember, Mr. Harrington served during the 2010-2011 school year as Interim Assistant Principal at Bicentennial Elementary School, where he previously taught fifth grade for eight years. Mike was a presenter to the evaluation committee in 2009 and 2010 when Bicentennial Elementary School was an “ED”ies Elementary School of the Year finalist.

Mr. Harrington earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a Bachelor of Science in social science from Keene State College in 2001. He also earned a Masters Degree in educational leadership from New England College in 2010.

Pennichuck Middle School: The Pennichuck community knows Ms. Joseph well. Ms. Joseph joined PMS staff in 2007 as Assistant Principal, and spent 2010-2011 at Nashua High School North as Assistant Principal, before returning to Pennichuck to step up in Paul Asbell’s absence this year. As you know, Mr. Asbell continues to make progress in his recovery from a stroke last summer and has decided to retire in June to focus on his good health.

Ms. Joseph, a former art and computer teacher, leads the PMS staff in providing a supportive school culture and rigorous learning environment to better prepare our young learners for high school. Ms. Joseph was a member of the PMS team that was awarded a NELMS (New England League of Middle Schools) Spotlight School in 2010, and the District can count on Ms. Joseph to carry on the award-winning, good work that continues at PMS.

In 1987, Ms. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in art education at Notre Dame College, a Masters in Education in curriculum and instruction from Lesley College (Cambridge, MA) in 1995, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in administration and supervision from the University of New Hampshire in 2004.

S I T E D E S C R I P T I O N :
The former Mohawk Tannery, located at Fairmount Street and Warsaw Avenue, operated from 1924 to 1984. During its 60 years of operations, the Mohawk Tannery, also known as Granite State Leathers, produced sludge and acidic residues from the tanning process, much of which was disposed of on site. The privately owned property has been vacant since 2006, and has been severely impacted over the years by vandalism and fire.

C O N T A M I N A N T S O F C O N C E R
In an effort to make the former tannery property safer for the community, the City has budgeted funds to demolish the buildings. The first step in the process is to remove and dispose of the asbestos containing materials in the buildings prior to demolition. A licensed abatement contractor has been hired and will begin work in April. Workers wearing respirators will remove asbestos containing material and transport it to the Four Hills Landfill for proper disposal. Proper wetting of materials to prevent the release of asbestos fibers will be utilized, and air monitoring will be performed to ensure a safe work area. The abatement is expected to take three weeks.

W H A T T O E X P E C T
Once the abatement is complete, a demolition contractor will begin the demolition of the buildings and the clearing of the site. The demolition materials will be recycled if possible or transported to the Four Hills Landfill for disposal. The demolition is expected to take two weeks once the demolition is approved.

The City has also been working closely with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) to make the site safer for the neighborhood and to develop an approach for cleaning up the existing contamination with the ultimate goal of future redevelopment of the site. This summer the EPA and DES will be investigating the undeveloped, 15-acre southern parcel of the site. The objective of this investigation is to collect sufficient soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment samples to determine what portion of the southern parcel, if not all, has been unimpacted by historical operations from the Tannery. Those areas of the southern parcel that are not contaminated may then be proposed for removal from EPA’s National Priorities List to which the entire 30-acre site was proposed in 2000. This will allow the EPA, DES, and the City to focus efforts on the remaining contaminated areas in an attempt to eventually clean up and bring the site back into productive reuse.

K E Y C O N T A C T S :
M I K E J A S I N S K I
U. S . EPA P r o j e c t Ma n a ge r
(617) 918-1352
jasinski.mike@epa.gov

R O D N E Y E L L I O T T
U. S . EPA Commu n i t y I nvo l veme n t Co o rd i n a t o r
(617) 918-8372
elliott.rodney@epa.gov

S T A T E C O N T A C T S :
R O B I N M O N G E O N
NH DES St a t e P r o j e c t Ma n a ge r
(603) 271-7378
robin.mongeon@des.nh.gov

D E B C H I S H O L M
Ci t y o f N a s h u a
(603) 589-3074
chisholmd@nashuanh.gov

G E N E R A L I N F O :
T O L L – F R E E C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E
1-888- EPA -7341

L E A R N M O R E A T :
www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/mohawk

A regular meeting of the Nashua City Planning Board will be held on Thursday, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium, 3rd floor, 229 Main Street. The Planning Staff will be available at 6:30 p.m. to answer any questions the Board or Public might have concerning the following proposed agenda.

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Approval of Minutes – April 12, 2012
D. Communications
E. Report of Chairman, & Committee, & Liaison
F. Executive Session

OLD BUSINESS – CONDITIONAL / SPECIAL USE PERMITS
None

OLD BUSINESS – SUBDIVISION PLANS
None

OLD BUSINESS – SITE PLANS
None

NEW BUSINESS – CONDITIONAL / SPECIAL USE PERMITS
None

NEW BUSINESS – SUBDIVISION PLANS
1. Eric Parent, Alfredo Reyes, John Spofford, and 125 Chestnut Street, LLC (Owners) - Application and acceptance of proposed lot line relocation plan. Properties are located at 117-129 Chestnut Street and 5 Nevada Street. Sheet 98 – Lots 22, 23, 24, 25, & 40. Zoned “RC” Urban Residence. Ward 4.

NEW BUSINESS – SITE PLANS
2. Sky Venture New Hampshire, LLC (Owner) – Application and acceptance of proposed extension of site plan approval to permit the construction of a 9,974 square foot, two-story addition to the existing building, with associated site improvements. Property is located 1-3 Poisson Avenue. Sheet A – Lots 191 & 193. Zoned “HB” Highway Business and “GB” General Business. Ward 8.
3. SAT Sr. Limited Partnership (Owner) Autozone, Inc. (Applicant) – Application and acceptance of proposed site plan amendment for changes to previously approved plan.  Property is located at 313 Amherst Street. Sheet G – Lot 52. Zoned ”GB” General Business and “RC” Urban Residence. Ward 2.

OTHER BUSINESS
1. Review of tentative agenda to determine proposals of regional impact.
2. Referral from the Board of Aldermen on proposed R-12-31, authorizing the acquisition of land and buildings at 25 Crown Street (Map 25, Lot 1 and Map 23, Lot 1) for a park and ride facility and a related lease of that property.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
None

NONPUBLIC SESSION
The Planning Board will need to make a motion to enter into a Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3, II (e) for consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the public body.

NEXT MEETING
May 3, 2012

ADJOURN

WORKSHOP
None

Download today’s ““The Nashua Hour” with Alderman Mark Cookson

Or subscribe via iTunes

Topics & Guests:

• Nashua Police Chief John Seusing, Nashua Police Department
  • Overtime Budget Request before the Board of Aldermen
  • Goals for Police Department
• Ovide Lamontagne
  • Education Funding
• Great American Downtown Executive Director Rebecca Dixon
  • Taste of Downtown
    • June 6, 2012 6-9p
    • Online tickets for the Taste of Downtown Nashua go on sale April 13th at the early bird rate of $25. Tickets go on sale in downtown locations April 18th.  Please note that the ticket price will increase to $30 on May 1st.
  • Farmers Markets
    • Every Sunday June 3 – October 21 Main Street Bridge

Superintendent Mark Conrad announces that he is recommending Jennifer Seusing, principal at Nashua High School South, as the new Assistant Superintendent for the Nashua School District. He will present his recommendation to the Nashua Board of Education Human Resources Committee on Thursday, April 12, 2012.

We know Mrs. Seusing as someone whose integrity, leadership, and management skills serve the District well. As Assistant Superintendent for Accountability and Assessment, she will work closely with senior administrators and principals, providing insight and support for student achievement at the same time providing coordination of local assessment programs, and analysis and interpretation of assessment results. In addition, Mrs. Seusing will lead secondary principals, assistant principals, and program directors and coordinators with high expectations for performance and accountability.

Mrs. Seusing is a longtime employee of the Nashua School District, with a record of accomplishment at both the elementary and secondary levels. Mrs. Seusing started her career in 1990 as a second grade teacher and then a sixth grade teacher at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, and from 1998-2001 served as Assistant Principal at Nashua Senior High School. From 2001-2005 she served as principal of Dr. Norman W. Crisp Elementary School before moving to her current position as Principal at Nashua High School South. Mrs. Seusing earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Rivier College and Masters in Education from the University of New Hampshire.

Download today’s ““The Nashua Hour” with Alderman Mark Cookson

Or subscribe via iTunes

Topics & Guests:

• Dick Gagnon, Access Nashua
  • Do you support Public Access in Nashua?  If so, let your Mayor and Board of Aldermen hear from you by clicking here.
• NH State Senator Gary Lambert, District 13
• Oscar Villacis, Untouched Talent ::: Unveil your art & soul!
  • Facebook ::: Twitter
  • Related article
    • A Long Journey Home For Oscar Villacis

Visit the Giant Carnival, April 5-15, 2012, at Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst Street, Nashua.

UPDATE: The carnival officially opens Friday at 6 p.m., correcting misinformation we received about opening night. Disregard the April 5 date on the discount coupons, available through Fiesta Shows website and Facebook pages. Carnival hours: Friday: Opens 6 p.m; Sat. and Sunday: Opens Noon Mon. – Thursday: Opens 6 p.m. Pay one price wristband nights: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

The Nashua Parks & Recreation department sponsored “Giant Carnival” opens Friday, April 6, 2012 through Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst Street, Nashua NH 03064.

The Giant Carnival at the Holman Stadium opens weekdays at 6:00PM, Saturday & Sunday at 12:00 Noon. Partial proceeds from the event will benefit the Nashua Parks & Recreation Department.

Unlimited Ride Specials:
Tuesday: 6pm – close; $20 with coupon or $25 without
Thursdays: 6pm – close; $20 with coupon or $25 without
Sundays: 4pm – close; $20 with coupon or $25 without

You can save $5 on an unlimited rides wristband with the discount coupon, available here on our site, or you can go to www.facebook.com/fiestashows and print more coupons.

Download today’s ““The Nashua Hour” with Alderman Mark Cookson

Or subscribe via iTunes

Topics & Guests:

• Mr. William Walton, University of Aberbeen, Scotland — Senior Lecturer Centre for Planning and Environmental Management · School of Geosciences
• The YMCA of Greater Nashua’s Jay Maiona, Chief Volunteer Officer, & Jen Melker, Director of Development, discuss the Strong Kids Campaign – what it is and how you can participate!

A regular meeting of the Nashua City Planning Board will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium, 3rd floor, 229 Main Street. The Planning Staff will be available at 6:30 p.m. to answer any questions the Board or Public might have concerning the following proposed agenda.

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Approval of Minutes –March 15, 2012
D. Communications
E. Report of Chairman, & Committee, & Liaison
F. Executive Session

OLD BUSINESS – CONDITIONAL / SPECIAL USE PERMITS
None

OLD BUSINESS – SUBDIVISION PLANS
None

OLD BUSINESS – SITE PLANS
None

NEW BUSINESS – CONDITIONAL / SPECIAL USE PERMITS
None

NEW BUSINESS – SUBDIVISION PLANS
1. Nashua Assembly of God Church (Owner) NJC Realty Holdings, LLC (Applicant) - Application and acceptance of proposed conservation subdivision to create 30 residential lots and 1 conservation lot with associated site improvements. Property is located at 91 Farley Road. Sheet I – Lot 47. Zoned “R30″ Suburban Residence. Ward 1.

NEW BUSINESS – SITE PLANS
2. Katherine Sweeney (Owner) Rais-Prol, LLC (Applicant) – Application and acceptance of proposed amendment to residential site plan for minor changes which include granting an easement to the City. Property is located at 3-5 Wellman Avenue. Sheet 58 – Lot 14. Zoned ”RA” Urban Residence. Ward 2.

OTHER BUSINESS
1. Review of tentative agenda to determine proposals of regional impact.
2. Referral from the Board of Aldermen on proposed R-12-20, appropriating $650,000 for the purchase of land for the Division of Public Works at 836, 844 and 848 West Hollis Street (Map D, Lots 84, 85, and 86) and authorizing the acquisition of that property.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
None

NONPUBLIC SESSION
The Planning Board will need to make a motion to enter into a Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3, II (e) for consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the public body.

NEXT MEETING
May 3, 2012

ADJOURN