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River keeps name, for now

WARREN—An attempt to informally rename the Baker River its original Abenaki name of Asquamchumauke was defeated after town meeting voters deadlocked on the proposal. In an 18-18 vote on March 13, Warren residents could not approve the article on the town meeting warrant that would change the name of the river in Warren to Asquamchumaukee […]

Community engagement sought for new district

BRADFORD—As part of its ongoing effort to involve the community, the Oxbow Unified Union School District will form a committee or committees tasked with that purpose. The road there has had a few bumps. OUUSD officially formed on July 1, 2019, merging three former districts with oversight of three distinct school campuses. But the merger […]

O’Meara seeks release from probation

CHELSEA—There was a court hearing last week on a woman’s request to be discharged from probation after a 2007 fatal car crash on Route 5 in Newbury. Former Wells River resident Kristy O’Meara was convicted of gross negligent operation with death resulting after the car she was driving collided with another car driven by Christina […]

Haverhill voters veto town meeting

NORTH HAVERHILL—After Haverhill residents rejected provisional election procedures on Saturday, town officials said they will not ask for a special meeting and instead rely on the 2020 operating budget for the remainder of the year. Australian ballot voting took place on March 13 for the annual town meeting. And while municipal elections conducted under article […]

Oxbow sets budget vote

BRADFORD—A budget was approved on March 10 by members of the Oxbow Unified Union School District’s school board for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. The $17,171,968 budget and several other articles will be decided by Australian ballot by Bradford and Newbury voters on April 13. Polls will open in each of the […]

Piermont pans park, OKs road bond

PIERMONT—Voters passed a $464,000 road reconstruction bond, but nixed a proposed recreation park on Route 25C. Approximately 37 people attended the March 13 in-person town meeting to decide the fate of 18 warrant articles. Over an hour was spent in discussion of article 2 proposing a $464,000 reconstruction of Indian Pond, Lily Pond, and Bedford […]

Residents continue questions on detention center

NEWBURY—As Newbury awaits an official permit application to open a juvenile treatment facility on Stevens Place, residents and state officials met for a second time last week via Zoom to discuss lingering apprehensions. The central topic became: Why Newbury? What other locations were considered for this facility and why was this Orange County town deemed […]

Marker request denied in Murray disappearance

HAVERHILL—New Hampshire officials have denied a request to erect an official state highway marker at the roadside where Maura Murray was last seen in February 2004. The decision came just one week after the “blue ribbon” memorial tree at that location was cut down. It has been over 17 years since Maura, then a 21-year-old […]

New park mulled for tax sale property

PIERMONT— On March 13, voters will decide whether to pass article 16 and develop less than an acre of land, formerly known as the Veilette property, into a community park. Located at 239 Route 25C, the property is deemed an ideal spot for recreation and picnic use. According to Piermont Selectboard Chair Colin Stubbings, the […]

Selectman proposes river name change

WARREN—Of the 28 articles listed on Warren’s town meeting warrant, it is number 25, changing the name of the Baker River to Asquamchumauke River, which is unusual. The Baker has long held the name Asquamchumauke although it may not be a well-known fact. Asquamchumauke is an Abenaki word which means salmon spawning place. In a […]