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DES URGES WATER WELL CHECKUPS

March 7 to 13 is National Ground Water Awareness Week

Concord, NH – The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is encouraging everyone with a private well to inspect their well and test their water during National Ground Water awareness Week, March 7 to 13. Just like an annual inspection for your automobile and regular inspection of smoke detectors in your home, well inspection and testing is important for protecting the safety of you and your family.

Approximately forty percent of New Hampshire residents get their drinking water from a private well, but 20 percent of private wells in New Hampshire produce water that exhibit unhealthy levels of naturally occurring arsenic, and even more wells produce water with elevated concentrations of radon for which treatment is recommended. Wells that have not been properly maintained may produce water contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants. Inspecting your well and testing well water is the best way to make sure that your water is clean and safe to drink, but well owners often don’t have the right kinds of tests done or do not use accredited laboratories. DES’s well inspecting and testing recommendations can be found at www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/well_testing/wells.htm.

Recognize the Importance of Groundwater

During National Groundwater Awareness week, we should all consider the fact that nearly 98 percent of all the non-frozen freshwater on Earth is found in soil and bedrock underground. Groundwater is not only a critical source of water for drinking and other uses for 60% of the residents in New Hampshire, but also is the source of water in many streams, lakes, and wetlands during times of limited precipitation.

The New Hampshire Water Resources Primer informs New Hampshire’s citizens about groundwater, drinking water, water use and all of  the interconnected water resources in our state. This document also identifies the challenges faced in sustainably managing water resources. The New Hampshire Water Resources Primer is available on the DES website at www.des.nh.gov; under “Hot Topics,” click on “New Hampshire Water Resources Primer.”

Take Action to Protect Groundwater Resources

DES encourages municipalities to adopt local groundwater protection programs and to work with neighboring municipalities to protect shared aquifers. Several New Hampshire municipalities have groundwater protection initiatives on the ballot for their 2010 town meetings. For more information on what your community can do to protect groundwater, go to www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/ordinance.htm.

Concord,  NH  –  The  New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)  is  urging  New Hampshire residents not to eat salami that has been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.   A voluntary nationwide recall  has  been  issued  for  various  lots  of salami packaged under the Daniele  brand  name  as  well  as  certain lots packaged under the Dietz & Watson and Boar’s Head brand names.

To date, there has been one case of illness in New Hampshire linked to this outbreak,  an  adult  woman from Hillsborough County who is recovering from Salmonella  poisoning.   New Hampshire  health officials are continuing to work  with  the  U.S. Department  of  Agriculture,  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),  and  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on this investigation.

“Salmonella  is  a bacteria that is potentially deadly to people,” said Dr. Jose  Montero,  Director of Public Health  at  DHHS, “especially young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems. People should check their  refrigerators or freezers for any affected products and throw them away.”

Each  package  of  the  recalled  product  bears a label with establishment number  "EST.  9992" or "EST. 54" inside the USDA mark of inspection, which were  sold  at various stores throughout the State.    DHHS urges consumers to  review  the  recall information  to  identify  whether specific salami products are affected.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps  within 12-72 hours after infection.  The illness usually lasts from 4  to  7  days.   Although  most  people  recover without treatment, severe infections  may occur that may move to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

If  you  have  a recalled product, do not eat it; return it to the place of purchase  for  a  full refund, or dispose of it in a closed plastic bag and place  in  a  sealed  trash  can.   Consumers  with questions regarding the voluntary  recall should contact the Daniele International, Inc. Hotline at (888) 345-4160 or its PR contact, Levick, at (202) 973-1335.

For  more  information  about  this  recall  and  Salmonella visit the USDA website at http://www.usda.gov

www.fsis.usda.gov  or http://www.cdc.gov  ,  or  call the DHHS Division of Public Health Services, Communicable Disease Control Section at 271-4496 or

          The Town of Belmont would like to remind everyone that household trash should be placed at the curb no later than 7 am on the day of collection. We have a new Solid Waste Vendor, Waste Management, and their collection times may differ from those of our prior vendor. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. We would also remind anyone using hypodermic needles that they must be placed in an appropriate container for disposal. Please do not place them in your household trash unprotected.

        Attention all Belmont Sewer Users: Sewer Rates have been increased by $11.00 per unit per quarter effective for the 1^st quarter 2010 bill which will be mailed in mid-March. For those users who are billed for multi-units, the increase is per UNIT. For example your previous bill for 5 units would have been $125.00 per quarter; as of the rate adjustment your new bill will be $180.00.  Questions regarding the new rate can be directed to the Town Administrator’s office at 267-8300.

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is

announcing the activation of New Hampshire’s H1N1 Flu Public Inquiry Line.

DHHS is urging residents with questions about the H1N1 influenza virus, the

H1N1 vaccine, and any other questions related to H1N1 to contact 2-1-1 NH

by dialing 2-1-1.

“People have questions about the H1N1 virus and the status of the supply of

H1N1 vaccine. We are activating the public inquiry line because we want to

be sure people have access to good information are getting answers to their

questions and are taking the proper steps to prevent the spread of the

virus,” which is why we are activating the public inquiry line,” said Gov.

John Lynch.

“We understand that people are concerned about H1N1, particularly with the

delay in vaccines being made and shipped from private manufacturers. But we

want to assure the public that the vaccine will be coming,” said DHHS

Public Health Director Dr. José Montero.  “We want to encourage everyone,

in the absence of the vaccine, to take common sense preventative measures

to avoid becoming sick with H1N1 or any other illness.  This includes

washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth when you cough or

sneeze, and staying home from work or school if you are sick.”

DHHS has been working with 2-1-1 NH, (a program of United Ways of NH in

partnership with Public Service of NH, The State of NH and Exeter Hospital)

to be ready to respond as the State’s public inquiry line for all questions

regarding H1N1 influenza.  Initially the public inquiry line will be open

for H1N1 related questions from 8 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday.

For more information on H1N1 flu, visit www.dhhs.nh.gov or the Centers for

On October 3rd the Belmont Bandstand Centennial Celebration was held.  Residents, Visitors and State Officials enjoyed music and a replica cake provided by students of the Lakes Region Community College.  The Boy Scouts provided a Color Guard during the celebratory ringing of the Belmont Mill bell.

Note and recipe cards featuring four of Belmont's historic and special places, printed from original ink drawings by local artist Christine Fogg, will be introduced at this year's Old Home Day, Saturday, August 8.  The project marks a 40th anniversary year effort to bolster the non-profit organization's fundraising for local preservation. Featured sites include the 1792 Province Road Meeting House, listed in the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places; the bell tower of the village's 1833 Belmont Mill; Gale School, built in 1894 and the Town Bandstand, currently marking its centennial year.

Historical Society president Suzanne Roberts commended Mrs. Fogg for her time and creativity in developing the first-time project. "Belmont has many special places, stories and traditions and we're all delighted that Chris has captured these first four so beautifully," she said. "It's a wonderful way to celebrate the Society's fourth decade and these outstanding local treasures."

The original detailed, line art sketches are printed on quality paper, and offered as note cards with envelopes and recipe cards. Framed copies are also available. Town Historian and a founding Belmont Historical Society member Wallace Rhodes, helped with the project, verifying the historical background included on the new product. Prices range from $4. to $12. for various quantities and all proceeds will support Belmont preservation efforts.  

Following Old Home Day introduction, cards may be purchased at Carignan Watch Company at 141 Main Street in Belmont Village, and further information is available at Belmonthistory@gmail.com or calling 524-8268. For a complete Old Home Day schedule, which celebrates Belmont's farming heritage this year, see the Town website at www.belmontnh.org

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

On April 10, 2009, 2 plumbing-related code amendments were approved by the State of New Hampshire Building Code Review Board.  They are:

1.    Appendix C  Gray Water Recycling Systems of the 2006 International

Plumbing Code of New Hampshire.

2.    Appendix O  Gray Water Recycling Systems of the 2006 International

Residential Code for One- and Two- Family Dwellings of New Hampshire.

Please check with your local code enforcement office regarding permits, inspections and local code requirements.

NOTE:  A permit is required by the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to discharge gray water in or onto the ground from a Subsurface Landscape Irrigation System.  Contact DES at 603-271-3503 for information.

Belmont Historical Society Opens 40th Anniversary Year:

First 2009 Meeting is Friday, January 23 - 7:00 p.m.

The Belmont Historical Society marks a milestone in 2009, celebrating its fourth community decade. This 40th anniversary year will be led by two local citizens who helped found the organization, Suzanne "Sue" Roberts, a retired educator and longtime regional activist, and Wallace Rhodes, Town historian and driving force behind the award-winning Belmont Mill adaptive reuse effort, throughout the 1990s. Mrs. Roberts was elected president, and Mr. Rhodes, who also chairs the Belmont Heritage Commission, will serve as vice president. Additional officers this year include Brenda Paquette, a Town staff member and avid collector of local memorabilia, and Jane McLetchie, continuing as treasurer. Directors continuing terms include Linda Frawley and Diane Marden. Also elected a director was Magnus McLetchie, most recent society president.

The Friday, January 23 meeting at the Belmont Mill, 7:00 p.m. will spotlight the founding years, with recollections presented by Roberts and Rhodes. Additionally, program dates and topics will be established for the next months. As traditional, both meetings and membership of the Belmont Historical Society are open to all. For further information contact belmonthistory@gmail.com or visit http://belmonthistory.googlepages.com/home

Annual individual dues to the Belmont Historical Society are $10. and $15. for families.

Kindly send checks payable to:  Belmont Historical Society % Jane McLetchie, Treasurer  180 Dutile Road, Belmont NH 03220

Other gifts of photographs and local memorabilia are always appreciated, and photos can be scanned and returned. Monetary donations are always welcome, and deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.