There will be
an American Red Cross Blood Drive held on Tuesday, January 13th at the
Pittsfield Elementary School on Bow Street from 3 to 8 p.m. sponsored by the
local Parent Teacher’s Organization. Child care will be provided.
The Red Cross is offering a special this month - “Give A Pint - Get A Pound”
of free Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee when you help save lives by donating blood.
The need is constant - the gratification is instant! Please consider coming
and giving blood at a time of year when needs are generally high and the
supplies are often low. In the new year “Be A Cheerful Giver.”
Meredith
Village Savings Bank Expands Recycling Program
In an effort to build upon its ongoing environmental initiatives, Meredith
Village Savings Bank recently expanded its recycling program. Employees are
now able to recycle glass, cans, plastic, magazines, newspapers and
cardboard while on the job at MVSB’s 11 offices and two administrative
buildings. The bank has been recycling paper for several years by contract
but until recently did not have a formal recycling program in place for
other materials.
“Many of our employees have been recycling these other items on their own
for quite some time,” said Alison Whynot, MVSB’s vice president of
facilities and chair of the bank’s Green Committee. “There’s always someone
looking to take home newspapers and magazines or cardboard boxes to help
friends and family move. However, as a bank, we felt it was important to
formalize this process and make it easier for staff members to recycle a
wider variety of materials at work.”
The expanded recycling program is just one of the ways the bank is looking
to become more environmentally friendly in its daily operations and in its
long-term outlook. The most notable of these initiatives is the construction
of an energy efficient office in Wolfeboro. The building, which opened for
business in October, features geothermal heating and cooling, a pervious
pavement parking lot to reduce harmful runoff, and other green elements.
In addition to the recycling program, the MVSB Green Committee is
implementing a plan to purchase more eco-friendly cleaning and office
supplies, reduce the use of paper, printers and other materials and
equipment, and encourage the bank’s 200-plus employees to be more green at
work and at home.
The bank has also launched an Energy and Environment Initiative aimed at
offering products and services to customers who are striving to be more
energy efficient and environmentally friendly. MVSB’s new Energy Solution
Loan provides financing for the installation of wood stoves, pellet stoves,
solar and geothermal heating, new windows, insulation and other products and
services that promote energy efficiency. The bank also offers electronic
banking services and accounts such as Mobile Advantage Checking, which
rewards customers with a higher interest rate if they opt for eStatements
instead of printed paper statements.
MVSB outlines these solutions and more (including tips for saving money on
home energy, groceries and auto fuel) on its new Energy and Ecology
Solutions web section (which can be found at
www.mvsb.com/energy/index.php).
“This is not a new concern for us,” said Sam Laverack, MVSB’s executive vice
president. “Meredith Village has been a longtime supporter of many local
environmental organizations and initiatives. Our economy in this area
depends heavily on the natural resources that promote tourism and outdoor
recreation. It’s clear to us that if we don’t take care of that resource,
we’re going to lose it.”
Gilmanton Fire
Rescue Service News December 2008
During the month of December, ninety-seven calls for emergency assistance
were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 20 medical emergencies, 2
motor vehicle fires, 5 mutual aid structure fires, 12 motor vehicle
accidents, 33 hazardous conditions, 25 service calls, and 5 alarm
activations. 27 of the calls were simultaneous responses. 18 mutual aid
calls were given to other communities and 9 mutual aid calls were received
from other communities.
Members participated in the following in-house trainings: TEMSIS, Ice/Cold
Water rescue awareness training. Also, Gilmanton participates in weekly
joint training with Barnstead Fire Rescue, both departments train on a
multitude of areas.
Many members worked long hours in December in response to the ice storm that
swept the region, in addition to local responses, Gilmanton proudly
participated in a “Task Force” response to send help to the Peterborough
area. Engine 3 with a crew of 4 was sent, the assignment lasted for
approximately 72 hours and during this time frame the company responded to
about 40 emergencies in Peterborough.
Safety Tip: The NH Fire Marshall’s Office is reporting over 30 deaths in
2008 due to either fires or carbon monoxide exposure. This number is the
highest since the 1970’s era. The majority of these deaths are a result of
smoke detectors either not being installed or not being maintained properly.
Please check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors regularly
and ensure they are functioning properly. Please make sure units have
working batteries and are clean and free of debris. If you would like to
schedule a free home inspection or have any questions, please feel free to
contact us at 364-2500.