Alton Selectboard says police chief’s financial problems none of its business By Gail OBer
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
ALTON — Selectmen issued a formal statement to the press yesterday saying the town of Alton is not investigating Police Chief Ryan Heath’s non-payment of property taxes. “The Chief’s personal financial difficulties are not public business and do not affect the Chief’s job performance,” said the Selectboard in a four-paragraph press release squeezed through so many legal filters that nary a drop of substance remained. Selectmen also said, in response to unspecified queries, that “there are certain members of the public who feel that they should know the details of everything that happens in the town,” however, the “citizens of Alton have to realize that the Town Administration legally must put the rights of its employees above a member of the public’s individual desire to know what is happening.” “Therefore,” it continued, “the Town Administration will not provide a detailed response to an article but the public can be assured that the town’s interest(s) are being fully and completely protected, that the administration is following the law as it relates to the rights of its employees and that if and when any matter being considered can legally be released to the public, it will be.” Selectmen were ostensibly respond-
ing to a Right-to-Know request from The Daily Sun to look at the monthly check register to determine if Lt. Richard Vanderhoof was on a paid administrative leave — he is — and to learn if the town has entered into any contract with a private or quasi-private agency to “study” the police department — it has, through town Attorney James Sessler. However, the amount he is authorized to spend and where it is being spent is still unknown. The Right-to-Know request also asked for contract information relating to Town Prosecutor Melissa Guldbrandsen because she is a candidate for the position of Belknap County Attorney and, at some point, was also Heath’s personal attorney. The information provided was that her firm was hired as a subcontractor in late January of 2010 and the town has budgeted $54,000 for 2011 for her contract. Information provided from the Town of Alton tax collector and verified with Belknap County Registry of Deeds shows tax liens of $7,099 for 2008 and $7,830 for 2009 on five Cynthia Lane properties owned by Heath’s limited liability company Ryan Heath, LLC. Heath’s five properties are tangled in the web of last year’s collapse of a Meredith mortgage company (FRM) and are being litigated through a bankruptcy trustee appointed by the federal government.
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Wednesday, February 16, 2011 — Page 7
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UNIONS from page 2 ican Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the national union representing all non-federal public employees, which was founded in 1936 in Madison. But the election of Walker, an outspoken conservative, last November and the GOP’s seizing of control of both legislative chambers set the stage for a dramatic reversal of Wisconsin’s strong labor history. Walker’s plan would make workers pay half the costs of their pensions and at least 12.6 percent of their health care premiums. State employees’ costs would go up by an average
of 8 percent. The changes would save the state $30 million by June 30 and $300 million over the next two years. Unions could still represent workers, but could not seek pay increases above the Consumer Price Index unless approved by a public referendum. Unions also could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized. Local police, firefighters and state troopers would retain their collective bargaining rights. In exchange for bearing more costs and losing leverage, public employees were promised no furloughs or layoffs.
Gilford Zoning Board of Adjustment Notice of Public Hearing Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Gilford Town Hall 47 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH 03249 Conference Room A 7:00 P.M. The Gilford Zoning Board of Adjustment will meet on Tuesday, January 31, 2011 to hold a public hearing to consider the following application(s): 1. Samantha Jewett & Brian Connelly — Variance request pursuant to Article 5, Section 5.1.4. Side Setback and 5.1.5 Rear Setback, of the Gilford Zoning Ordinance to allow a small addition to an existing residential dwelling unit to “square off” a corner and construct a new breezeway with garage. The proposed construction will place the house addition in the side setback 12 inches and 3 feet into the rear setback and the proposed garage will encroach 3 feet into the rear setback. The property is located on Tax Map & Lot #223455.000 located at 57 Varney Point Road Left in the Single Family Residential Zone. File #Z11-02. 2. Other Business 3. Minutes for January 31, 2011. 4. Adjournment.
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