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Town Council Down to Final Candidates for Top Post
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"How will you engage in the community?" Derry Rail Trail Alliance president and citizens' panel member Erich Whitney asked candidate Keith Hickey, Merrimack town manager, who advanced to the next round of interviews with the council. Also selected to meet with the council Friday - and still in the running after those interviews were complete - were John Anderson, town manager in Boothbay, Maine, and James Thomas, West Warwick, R.I., town manager.

Following the council interviews, the field was narrowed further.

"At this point, it looks like two will be invited back for more interviews," said Donald Jutton, president of Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) of Meredith, the company hired to assist with the hiring process. MRI had narrowed the more than 100 applicants to the six who were chosen to meet with last week's panels.

Jutton is recommending the council invite its two top candidates back for one-on-one interviews, but said three remain in the running, should the council have difficulty reaching consensus on which of the two should be offered the position.

Asked how many candidates he thinks remain in the running for town administrator, Councilor Joel Olbricht said two stand out. "Of those two, we could end up with a great town manager," he said.

Still, Olbricht noted that feelings for a candidate can change in a second meeting under different circumstances.

"The one-on-one interviews are more relaxed," he said. "You see people in different lights when you get them on their own."

Members of the citizen's panel were Craig Bulkley, Betsy Burtis, Paul Dionne, Mark Grabowski, Christina Hitchcock, Andrew Manuse, David McPherson, Doug Newell, John O'Connor, Frank Santiago and Whitney. The first three interviews were held between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center, with candidates also rotating through interviews with a panel comprised of town employees Larry Budreau, Human Resources; Frank Childs, Finance; Joanie Cornetta, Transfer Station; Mike Gagnon, Fire; Chuck Hemeon, Emergency Management Services; Janice Mobsby, Finance; Elizabeth Robidoux, Planning; Vern Thomas, Police; and Mike Willinsky, Fire.

A third panel, comprised of previous and current town administrators and managers from outside Derry, as well as Councilors Kevin Coyle and Janet Fairbanks, who were be unable to attend the council's 8:30 a.m. meeting July 23, also interviewed candidates.

Manuse said that overall, serving on the panel was "a great experience," and he thinks the panelists' opinions were seriously considered by MRI.

Councilor David Milz said after the council interviews that the quality of the candidates was very good.

"We decided going in, we are going to pick nothing but the best for Derry," he said. "And that's what we are doing."

Jutton said the panelists all asked "good questions," and that "the council is going about (the process) very deliberately, which is the right way to go."

Coyle, who hopes the council will complete the process in the next couple of weeks, said he was "very happy with the people that (were) interviewed," but believes one candidate stood above the rest.

"I'm looking for somebody who is a dynamic personality, not another run-of-the-mill administrator," he said.

Milz said he would like a decision before the council's next meeting, Aug. 3. That would require a non-public meeting where all members agree on one favorite candidate.

But Fairbanks, who said she was also pleased with the process and "happy with the candidates who had risen to the top," thinks the council should take its time coming to a final decision, noting that the town has Stenhouse in the job until October.

"Each (candidate) brings something different. I would like to see someone that's going to move Derry forward," said Fairbanks, who would be content with either of the two being considered for the position. "We need someone that's going to energize and galvanize Derry. A go-getter."

Current Derry Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse earlier this year announced his intention to retire.

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Abutters, Planning Board Pose Questions on Walmart Design
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Jon Brodeur, managing engineer for Doucet and Associates, said the gated emergency access road to the rear of the building, requested by the fire department and to be closed to public traffic, was part of the original design for a proposed supercenter in 2008. Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse said the designers chose that location because there is a dedicated right of way, which dates back to the 1950s, that once converted will look more like a path than a road. He recommended Brodeur's team work with the fire department to install a road that meets their requirements and does not affect the neighborhood.

"We can take a look at that," Brodeur said. "We'll work with the town to come up with a solution that is most preferred."

The Walmart Supercenter is to be built at the Ashleigh Drive intersection with Route 28, across the street from Walmart's present location.

Gary Lynch of 7 Heritage Lane also expressed concern with the design in regard to runoff into the wetlands at the rear of the proposed building, noting the potential for broken bags at the outdoor home and garden center.

"It needs to be considered," Lynch said. "Is the design of that area going to sustain mishaps of broken bags? Where does that water go?"

Brodeur told the board it's against the company's policy to store fertilizers and chemicals outside the garden center's seasonal box, an indoor portion. As part of its recommendations, the board agreed with Lynch that Walmart should seriously consider the threat of polluted runoff from the parking lot and shopping center to the wetlands.

Walmart architect Gabriel Massa assured the board the company is committed to constructing a green building, noting its proposed use of a daylight harvesting system, which adjusts the brightness of lights inside the building depending on the amount of natural light coming into the building, a white membrane roof to manage heat, and water-saving appliances that are expected to conserve up to 1.5 million gallons of water a year.

The planning board voiced a few concerns of its own after the proposed design was presented by Walmart representatives, with a significant amount of time dedicated to discussion of the building's aesthetics. Chair David Granese said he would like to see a building more in the style of the Walmart Supercenter in Epping. Member David McPherson agreed, noting he would like to see more New England style accents in the exterior design.

Lavoie, who thought he was unfairly cut off during his appeal to the board for discussing the merits of building another Walmart when one already exists across the street, an argument Granese noted digressed from the topic of the building's proposed design, said the board spent too much time discussing the appearance of the building and ignored concerns of abutters.

"It's like they were representing Walmart," he said. "It seemed like they have already made their decision."

But the board did make other recommendations to Walmart with the intention of protecting neighbors. Member Jim MacEachern suggested, with other members in agreement, that the engineers and architects consider removing even more of their required parking spaces, contingent upon a variance, and plant a row of trees to enhance the buffer between the shopping center and a neighboring apartment complex. Vice Chairman John O'Connor also requested the store commit to not displaying products for sale outside the building, as the Route 28 Walmart frequently does now.

With the design laid out and recommendations made, one question remained on everyone's minds that Granese said he had to ask: What will happen to the old Walmart?

Representative Peter Imse of Sulloway and Hollis said although it remains undetermined what business will be moving in, it is Walmart's policy to find a new tenant as quickly as possible, once one of its buildings is vacated.

"That property will be maintained until it is transferred, of course," he said. "We can make that part of the approval process."

Brodeur told the planning board that his team will be taking the board's and abutters' recommendations to heart, saying "we will have answers to all the questions we've taken notes on" prepared for the site plan review, which the team is to schedule with Director of Planning George Sioras.

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Derry's Catherine Dion - 109 Years of Age and Counting
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She has had two children, five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, an impressive family tree. With her on her 109th birthday were four of her grandchildren, including Proulx of Derry, with whom she lived for six years before entering the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center this past May. Two other granddaughters and a grandson and a great-grandson, along with an assortment of nieces and nephews and their spouses, gathered to help her celebrate with many of the residents of the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center.

Ellen Eldridge, director of marketing and admissions at the center, said her dad was having a fine time playing the piano for the occasion and everyone was pleased with the balloons and the general festive air.

Dion credits her long life to the "luck of the draw." Proulx said she has always enjoyed good health and to this day has had no major illnesses.

"She credits living this long to hard work and prayer," Proulx said, adding "she has always been a spitfire. When she came to live with me, it took some doing to convince her I was the boss. She has always held strong family values and believed in hard work, and that is how she has always lived. "

The gifts for the birthday girl were piled on the table and Dion was obviously enjoying the celebration and being in the spotlight. Clutched in her gnarled hand was the Boston Post Cane, a treasured badge of honor of which Dion is especially proud.

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	Town Council Down to Final Candidates for Top Post continued from main page "How will you engage in the community?" Derry Rail Trail Alliance president and citizens' panel member Erich Whitney asked candidate Keith Hickey, Merrimack town manager, who advanced to the next round of interviews with the council. Also selected to meet with the council Friday - and still in the running after those interviews were complete - were John Anderson, town manager in Boothbay, Maine, and James Thomas, West Warwick, R.I., town manager. Following the council interviews, the field was narrowed further. "At this point, it looks like two will be invited back for more interviews," said Donald Jutton, president of Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) of Meredith, the company hired to assist with the hiring process. MRI had narrowed the more than 100 applicants to the six who were chosen to meet with last week's panels. Jutton is recommending the council invite its two top candidates back for one-on-one interviews, but said three remain in the running, should the council have difficulty reaching consensus on which of the two should be offered the position. Asked how many candidates he thinks remain in the running for town administrator, Councilor Joel Olbricht said two stand out. "Of those two, we could end up with a great town manager," he said. Still, Olbricht noted that feelings for a candidate can change in a second meeting under different circumstances. "The one-on-one interviews are more relaxed," he said. "You see people in different lights when you get them on their own." Members of the citizen's panel were Craig Bulkley, Betsy Burtis, Paul Dionne, Mark Grabowski, Christina Hitchcock, Andrew Manuse, David McPherson, Doug Newell, John O'Connor, Frank Santiago and Whitney. The first three interviews were held between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center, with candidates also rotating through interviews with a panel comprised of town employees Larry Budreau, Human Resources; Frank Childs, Finance; Joanie Cornetta, Transfer Station; Mike Gagnon, Fire; Chuck Hemeon, Emergency Management Services; Janice Mobsby, Finance; Elizabeth Robidoux, Planning; Vern Thomas, Police; and Mike Willinsky, Fire. A third panel, comprised of previous and current town administrators and managers from outside Derry, as well as Councilors Kevin Coyle and Janet Fairbanks, who were be unable to attend the council's 8:30 a.m. meeting July 23, also interviewed candidates. Manuse said that overall, serving on the panel was "a great experience," and he thinks the panelists' opinions were seriously considered by MRI. Councilor David Milz said after the council interviews that the quality of the candidates was very good. "We decided going in, we are going to pick nothing but the best for Derry," he said. "And that's what we are doing." Jutton said the panelists all asked "good questions," and that "the council is going about (the process) very deliberately, which is the right way to go." Coyle, who hopes the council will complete the process in the next couple of weeks, said he was "very happy with the people that (were) interviewed," but believes one candidate stood above the rest. "I'm looking for somebody who is a dynamic personality, not another run-of-the-mill administrator," he said. Milz said he would like a decision before the council's next meeting, Aug. 3. That would require a non-public meeting where all members agree on one favorite candidate. But Fairbanks, who said she was also pleased with the process and "happy with the candidates who had risen to the top," thinks the council should take its time coming to a final decision, noting that the town has Stenhouse in the job until October. "Each (candidate) brings something different. I would like to see someone that's going to move Derry forward," said Fairbanks, who would be content with either of the two being considered for the position. "We need someone that's going to energize and galvanize Derry. A go-getter." Current Derry Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse earlier this year announced his intention to retire. back to main news page _____________________ Abutters, Planning Board Pose Questions on Walmart Design continued from main page Jon Brodeur, managing engineer for Doucet and Associates, said the gated emergency access road to the rear of the building, requested by the fire department and to be closed to public traffic, was part of the original design for a proposed supercenter in 2008. Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse said the designers chose that location because there is a dedicated right of way, which dates back to the 1950s, that once converted will look more like a path than a road. He recommended Brodeur's team work with the fire department to install a road that meets their requirements and does not affect the neighborhood. "We can take a look at that," Brodeur said. "We'll work with the town to come up with a solution that is most preferred." The Walmart Supercenter is to be built at the Ashleigh Drive intersection with Route 28, across the street from Walmart's present location. Gary Lynch of 7 Heritage Lane also expressed concern with the design in regard to runoff into the wetlands at the rear of the proposed building, noting the potential for broken bags at the outdoor home and garden center. "It needs to be considered," Lynch said. "Is the design of that area going to sustain mishaps of broken bags? Where does that water go?" Brodeur told the board it's against the company's policy to store fertilizers and chemicals outside the garden center's seasonal box, an indoor portion. As part of its recommendations, the board agreed with Lynch that Walmart should seriously consider the threat of polluted runoff from the parking lot and shopping center to the wetlands. Walmart architect Gabriel Massa assured the board the company is committed to constructing a green building, noting its proposed use of a daylight harvesting system, which adjusts the brightness of lights inside the building depending on the amount of natural light coming into the building, a white membrane roof to manage heat, and water-saving appliances that are expected to conserve up to 1.5 million gallons of water a year. The planning board voiced a few concerns of its own after the proposed design was presented by Walmart representatives, with a significant amount of time dedicated to discussion of the building's aesthetics. Chair David Granese said he would like to see a building more in the style of the Walmart Supercenter in Epping. Member David McPherson agreed, noting he would like to see more New England style accents in the exterior design. Lavoie, who thought he was unfairly cut off during his appeal to the board for discussing the merits of building another Walmart when one already exists across the street, an argument Granese noted digressed from the topic of the building's proposed design, said the board spent too much time discussing the appearance of the building and ignored concerns of abutters. "It's like they were representing Walmart," he said. "It seemed like they have already made their decision." But the board did make other recommendations to Walmart with the intention of protecting neighbors. Member Jim MacEachern suggested, with other members in agreement, that the engineers and architects consider removing even more of their required parking spaces, contingent upon a variance, and plant a row of trees to enhance the buffer between the shopping center and a neighboring apartment complex. Vice Chairman John O'Connor also requested the store commit to not displaying products for sale outside the building, as the Route 28 Walmart frequently does now. With the design laid out and recommendations made, one question remained on everyone's minds that Granese said he had to ask: What will happen to the old Walmart? Representative Peter Imse of Sulloway and Hollis said although it remains undetermined what business will be moving in, it is Walmart's policy to find a new tenant as quickly as possible, once one of its buildings is vacated. "That property will be maintained until it is transferred, of course," he said. "We can make that part of the approval process." Brodeur told the planning board that his team will be taking the board's and abutters' recommendations to heart, saying "we will have answers to all the questions we've taken notes on" prepared for the site plan review, which the team is to schedule with Director of Planning George Sioras. back to main news page _____________________ Derry's Catherine Dion - 109 Years of Age and Counting continued from main page She has had two children, five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, an impressive family tree. With her on her 109th birthday were four of her grandchildren, including Proulx of Derry, with whom she lived for six years before entering the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center this past May. Two other granddaughters and a grandson and a great-grandson, along with an assortment of nieces and nephews and their spouses, gathered to help her celebrate with many of the residents of the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center. Ellen Eldridge, director of marketing and admissions at the center, said her dad was having a fine time playing the piano for the occasion and everyone was pleased with the balloons and the general festive air. Dion credits her long life to the "luck of the draw." Proulx said she has always enjoyed good health and to this day has had no major illnesses. "She credits living this long to hard work and prayer," Proulx said, adding "she has always been a spitfire. When she came to live with me, it took some doing to convince her I was the boss. She has always held strong family values and believed in hard work, and that is how she has always lived. " The gifts for the birthday girl were piled on the table and Dion was obviously enjoying the celebration and being in the spotlight. Clutched in her gnarled hand was the Boston Post Cane, a treasured badge of honor of which Dion is especially proud. back to main news page _____________________
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