Cottage doc retires after 45 years

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WOODSVILLE—When Dr. Gerald Lyons Jr. stepped out into the gray morning of April 25 after signing off on his last scheduled shift at Cottage Hospital, he took with him 45 years of experience.
Wearing a surgical mask and carrying three bags, there was no fanfare as he walked away in the dim daylight. In the parking lot he was met by a handful of people and a few words were exchanged before he climbed into his black Ford pickup truck.
That has not stopped people from recognizing his efforts after a lengthy stint of practicing medicine in the area.

Distinctive logging company closes shop

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WEST NEWBURY—Who knew log cabins could be works of art?
They are when the materials are hand-picked, perfect specimens and cleverly put together by a skilled craftsman.
No cookie-cut, assembly line results for John Nininger, of West Newbury, who just might someday be referred to as the “log whisperer.”
As founder of the Wooden House Company, Nininger worked to make sure that each structure was different from the last. Now, however, he is ready to enjoy retirement and he has put up the company’s former headquarters in the Newbury Industrial Park for sale.

Former school burns in Wells River

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WELLS RIVER—A devastating fire ripped through an historic school building on Monday morning that has been a hub of village activity for nearly 150 years.
Firefighters from across the region converged on the old school building in Wells River before 11:30 a.m. to fight the blaze. Currently serving as a home, the building’s two residents and their five pets escaped without injury.

Board won’t seek removal of elections official

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WOODSVILLE—The Haverhill Selectboard will not demand the resignation of an elected supervisor of the checklist who was recently cited for electioneering.
As reported in last week’s edition, Regis Roy, a longtime supervisor of the checklist in Haverhill, was recently ordered by the New Hampshire Department of Justice to cease and desist from electoral interference after four witnesses told investigators that she lobbied voters at the polls during the ill-fated 2021 town meeting.

Protester, patriot honored in ceremony

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HAVERHILL—For the sake of history, a crowd of about 35 people gathered at Horse Meadow Cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
Next year is the Boston Tea Party’s 250th anniversary.
To honor the participants in that historical protest of Dec. 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is installing commemorative markers at the graves of those who are known to have participated.
Ebenezer Mackintosh’s grave now has one of those markers. Some of the other patriots’ graves are in Maine and Massachusetts.

Park projects get go-ahead

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BRADFORD—The Bradford Selectboard gave its approval to a pair of projects at Elizabeth’s Park that were briefly stalled due to potential legal issues.
Efforts have been underway for several months to develop a horseshoe pit and a dog park at Elizabeth’s Park. In June, however, questions were raised whether those projects complied with a stipulation in the property conveyance that the park be used for children’s activities.

Elections violation prompts call for resignation

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HAVERHILL—A longtime supervisor of the checklist has been censured by state officials for electioneering on town meeting day in 2021.
Regis Roy is the second public official who has been cited for violating state election laws during that town meeting. Woodsville Village Manager Kevin Shelton had previously been cited for electioneering after sending a promotional mailer.

AD goes back to part-time post

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ORFORD—Rivendell is looking for a part-time athletic director for the upcoming school year.
At the June 8 board meeting, Rivendell Superintendent Barrett Williams presented two proposals for the vacant post and asked for direction before making a hire.
Former athletic director Ross Convertino resigned in May. Over his five years in the district, the AD position expanded into a full-time job that absorbed transportation coordination and managing various uses of the school buildings.

Welfare dept. has new name

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WOODSVILLE—Haverhill’s municipal welfare department will now be called the public assistance department.
During a selectboard meeting on July 5, the board reviewed changes to the town’s welfare administration guidelines as proposed by welfare administrator Valerie Morse and town manager Brigitte Codling.
Morse said the guidelines have not been updated since 2014 and the revisions were largely based on a state model.

Groton to reach out for police help

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GROTON—Selectboard members said last week that they will solicit assistance from the Caledonia County Sheriff’s Department to provide some patrolling services in town in response to complaints about speeding in the village.
At the town meeting in March, voters rejected a $30,543 contract with the Caledonia County Sheriff’s patrolling services when they voted down the budget. Many residents said they wanted a civilian constable who performed law enforcement activities.