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nhvillagernewspaper.com September 14, 2018 The Villager 7
Readers' Forum DISTRICT SAU #34

PUBLIC NOTICE
HILLSBORO-DEERING AND WASHINGTON
Noise nuisance in Hillsborough In 1986 Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Emergency Response Act (AHERA). In response
To the Editor: written in the town by laws.
The spokesman at a recent selectmans meeting, Jonathan I disagree with the 10:00 time for shooting guns. (Many) to this law, the Hillsboro-Deering and Washington
M. Daley, was very professional and accommodating Citizens generally work hard during the day and deserve a School buildings were inspected to identify any as-
and I thank him for allowing me to express my concerns quiet time after they come home, have dinner, play with the bestos building materials. The law further requires
regarding the noise caused by the shooting of guns in my kids, etc.. Relaxing, reading the paper, is something they the development of a Management Plan, based upon
neigborhood on Jefferson Drive. earn and should have without gun noise. Certainly the time the fndings of the inspection.
Below are some things I would like to mention concerning limits should also take into account that sight is restricted by
the meeting: darkness before dawn and after 10:00 PM. Another way to The school districts of Hillsboro-Deering and Wash-
A lady (I assume a town employee) that attended say this is “ IT’S DANGEROUS”. ington are required to notify the public of the avail-
the meeting and sat with the other (only 1) selectman *I told him that one of the officers under his authority ability of the AHERA Management Plan which
commented on the fact that I did not know specifically who told me while answering a complaint (I have called 3 times identifes areas having asbestos-containing materi-
was/were doing the “shooting” that I am protesting against to protest the shooting for prolonged periods of shooting) als and how these materials are being maintained in
and made a point of stating that it is necessary for the police that he could not do anything to make the shooting stop but a safe manner. A copy of the Management Plan is on
to know who specifically is doing the late night shooting that he would stop by (I told him the location) and ask the fle for review at School Administrative Unit #34,
and that the onus was on me to find out their names. I ask shooters to be mindful/respectful of their neighbors. They 78 School Street 3rd f., Hillsboro, NH. Copies of
specifically if the onus was on me - she said yes. She also continued to shoot for another 3.5 hours after I spoke with
mentioned that she was not from this town and could not the officer. the individual building inspection reports are on fle
know some things concernig this issue. I feel that since she * I told the officer (see above) that about 3 years ago I had in the Facilities Director’s offce in the Hillsboro-
is not a selectman/select person, policeperson or lawyer, she visited the area of shooting and met the person (I assume a Deering Elementary School. Hillsboro-Deering
should have kept quiet on this issue. shooter and owner of the house) and that he seemed like a Middle School, Hillsboro-Deering High School and
Although I know many of my neighbors, I do not know nice person. The shooting at that time seemed reasonable Washington Elementary School, being of recent
the shooters/ residents in question. I feel that if the onus is and not a problem. construction, have been certifed as containing no
upon me to tresspass through the woods at night to listen/ The chairperson for the selectmen said he would get the asbestos building materials.
observe the shooting - I would be violating some law. big picture/talk to the Police Chief. I ask and he told me that
Also, if I did go to the houses in the area and ask, then I he would contact me after he was fully aware of everyones
could very well be perceived as a trouble maker and then a concerns. DISTRICT SAU #34
troublesome discussion would ensue. I feel that the police Although the Director of Zoning and Planning and I
and the town employed detective are best qualified to do thought initially that a noise ordinance could be written
the enquiry - after all, the residents of the 100 houses on the , petition created and signatures gathered (the onus once HILLSBORO-DEERING, WASHINGTON AND
street abutting the alleged shooting area pay considerable again would be on me). I mentioned that I had read the WINDSOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
(in my opinion) taxes to help solve these issues. Also, I add noise for Henniker, Deering, and Guilford and that I felt that
that few people would answer the question truthfully since the Guilford, NH ordance was less verbos, to the point and It is the policy of School Administrative Unit #34
it would put a spotlight on their lack of common sense and covered my intensions. She agreed and is working to modify - serving the Hillsboro-Deering, Washington, and
“respect for neighbors”. that ordance with the name “Hillsboro and any other items Windsor School Districts - not to discriminate on
Multiple shots (10 to 12 and many more at one time) necessaryand specific to Hillsboro. it could be presenteded the basis of age, gender, race, creed, color, religion,
are often fired. Last Friday night at 11:02 shots were fired at the town meeting for vote next March. The Police Chief marital status, sexual orientation, national ethnic
directly behind my house (More than 300 feet but definitely told me that the ordance would not origin, economic status or disability for employment
loud enough to wake me up. I have logged in 12:11 PM I am age 73 and have live most of my adult life in New in, participation in, admission/access to, or opera-
and 04:00 AM as well as the shooting times that woke me Hampshire. Have owned the property on Jefferson drive tion and administration of any educational program
and my Wife up. I have heard fully automatic weapons for 26 years. I understand completely that New Hampshire or activity. The District will not discriminate against
being fired and the Police told me that a special licence is is not an overly regulated state with many laws. However, 7
necessary for fully automatic weapons. I was also told that I settled here in part because of the respect people showed any employee who is a victim of domestic violence,
a “butt stock” gun sounds the same as fully automatic and for one another. Their common sense appealed to me. I have harassment, sexual assault, or stalking. This policy
the butt stock guns are allowed without license. Shooting traveled a lot and know that is not the case in many other implements the provisions of PL 94-142; Section
at a raccoon or coyote (attacking their farm animals) would states or countries. I know the “Live Free or Die” motto but 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title II of the
not require that many shots in very rapid sucession. Military I don’t think strict adherence to it is more important than Americans with Disabilities Act; Title VI or VII of
people aquainted with “emptying the gun clip or magazine respect for your neighbors. the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Educa-
by firing” in the middle of the night know it is disturbing note: I don’t know anyone willing to die for their right to tional Amendments of 1972; and the laws of New
and could reasonably bring back bad memories. shoot guns in the middle of the night for pleasure, hobby, Hampshire pertaining to non-discrimination.
I mentioned that I had talked with Police Chief O’Roark etc. (reference The motto).
and he said : Lawson Moore Where such discriminatory practices might now un-
* He had heard the shooting and that it sounded like a war Hillsborough intentionally exist, remedial steps will be taken to
going on sometime. I said that it often goes on for well over Big fans of Living History eliminate said practices. Inquiries may be directed
3 hours. to: Superintendent of Schools, SAU #34, PO Box
* He had to work with regard to the shooters and the State To the Editor:
Law to serve all citizens. I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know what 2190, Hillsboro, NH 03244-2190 (603) 464-4466;
* He asked if I knew the NH law regarding shooting and an amazing event that was coordinated this past weekend. or the Director of the Offce of Civil Rights, Depart-
I assured him that I did. It seems that the State law leaves This was the first time I attended with my family. We drove ment of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington,
much/most of the gun shooting law up to the towns. I’ve up from MA. All of the volunteers were so knowledgeable DC.
read them. At a time in the past, due to the common sense and eager to share the history. My kids and I loved every
prevalent in small towns, that was enough. That isn’t the moment. I was saddened to learn this would also be the last Title IX and Section 504 grievance procedures for
case now. year of the event. I truly hope this isn’t the case. This is employees’ or students’ complaints are available at
* He told me that the department chose 10:00 PM as the something that we would look forward to attending each year. each school or from the Superintendent of Schools
“cut-off” time for keeping music sounds, shooting, and Again, thank you for all of your efforts in coordinating and Offce, 78 School Street 3rd foor, Hillsboro, NH.
noise in general under control. He of course mentioned that putting together such a wonderful experience. The care and
holidays,etc. were given more free way with regard to the time the committee devoted to putting this together clearly Robert A. Hassett, M.Ed.
10:00 chosen time. I told him that I understood this “free shows. Hillsborough really is a hidden gem! Superintendent of Schools
way”. I never heard him say that a law regarding 10:00 was Maria Letasz & Family