Talent and hard work make the WHS Three-Day CRASH effort sadly realistic

By Bernie Marvin

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Woodsville, NH – A three-day project produced last week by many dedicated people from around the area ended up as a life-like experience with a death-like result located adjacent to the Woodsville High School parking lot.

With superb play-acting right from the early morning opening scene, wailing sirens from responding emergency vehicles to an indescribably wild scene of two mangled vehicles, an assortment of emergency vehicles, medical personnel, and rescue responders poured onto the tarmac of Woodsville High School parking lot to go to work and hopefully save a life and reduce suffering of other souls involved in the madness of a seriously bad mock motor vehicle crash. The entire scenario was planned, set up, and executed with the same seriousness as a real crash.

In the mayhem playing out before more than 200 people, who included students, staff, parents, and members of the public, watched and commented on the work being done close to the observers' view. The action going on was described over the school's sound system by long-time medical responder and Emergency Medical Technician Richard Guy.

I can't count on both hands and feet times two the number of years EMT Guy has been at the scene of the Woodsville High School mock crash scenes from the past, but I know my first experience with this type of program was in the early 1980's, and he was there at the locus of the accident set-up for that school project at the old Butson's Supermarket parking lot.

That means that Mr. Guy and others of the Woodsville Fire Department and medical team have been doing this for a long time and have lots of experience with both the actual, fatal crash scenes and the fake crash scenes, like this one, as well.

Injured passengers in varying degrees of moulage (mock accident injury applications) in each crash vehicle were high school students who included Trent Alling, who was deceased as a result of his injuries, along with others who were injured, including Grace McLellan, Katie Houston, and Makayla Walker.

In the second involved vehicle, students suffering immensely realistic moulage injuries included Taylor McFarland, Maddie Monterosso, Jill Roy, and Eyrleigh Hambrick.

Woodsville Fire and Medical units arrived on scene at 8:30 sharp on the first day of the three-day program. The injured were cut loose from the wreckage and transported to Cottage Hospital by ambulance. The deceased student driver was transported from the scene in a Ricker Funeral Home hearse. Ensuring that proper legal requirements were intact, the Medical Examiner, in a role played by Haverhill Recreation Director Sherri Sargent, was on the scene.

Also, on scene for the one-hour action staging was Grafton County Attorney Martha Ann (Marcie) Hornick. She was on board later in production as the prosecutor who led the proceedings against the impaired vehicle operator that the deceased student was in.

With the shrouded body of the Alling student lying in plain view of the 200 observing students, the scene was solemn and remained so until the hearse had cleared the parking lot. But the sadness of that incident would be returned for Part Two, as creators at the school had also scheduled a full funeral for the deceased student at the Dr. John A. Bagonzi Community Building that was held the next day with flowers, music and testimonials, including an officiant Melissa Gould, pall bearers, and a visiting speaker, Derek Curtis of Groton, who had lost a child, Blue Mountain Union High School student "TC" Curtis, as a result of injuries suffered in an auto crash in 2018.

The Community and State partners who are assisting with the Mock Crash include: Haverhill Police Department, Grafton County Sheriff Department, Grafton County Attorney's Office, Ricker Funeral Home, Woodsville Cottage Hospital, Woodsville Emergency Medical Services, Woodsville Fire Department, AAA Northern New England, NH Liquor Commission, NH Department of Transportation Driving Toward Zero, NH Department of Highway Safety, Woodsville High School Band, Haverhill Recreation Department, JTB Towing and Recovery, Hatchland Farm, Copies and More, Private Citizens and WHS Students.

Day Two of the program opened inside the Dr. John A. Bagonzi Community Building, where the high school classes once again assembled to observe and some to participate in the funeral of the student killed in the mock fatal crash that played out before the students who gathered at the school's parking lot early the previous day.

Student and faculty pallbearers included Principal Hayden Coon, Teachers Robert Scianna and Glen Page, also Assistant Principal Matt Kelly, and students Maddox Furyes and Grace McLellan.

The casket, memorial photos, flowers, and signs were placed around the gym as seniors and staff made their entrance and took their seats in designated areas. An intermittent slideshow was held to commemorate the life of deceased student Trent Alling, with appropriate background music provided by Music Director Wright.

Opening the service was Derek Curtis, father of BMU student TC Curtis, who was killed in a vehicle crash in 2018. The students listened intently to his words as a father who had experienced the death of a child.

Student speakers were Grace McLellan, Josie Drake, and Mila Townsand.

Vocalist Mila Townsend sang Amazing Grace, as the vista of flowers and students marked the realistic setting of a memorial service for a student loved by friends and classmates, his short life snuffed out the previous day in a motor vehicle crash. Melissa Gould was an officiant throughout the program, something she does professionally with great feeling and love.

The service was closed with a reading and a poem recitation by Melissa. Pallbearers assembled once again to carry the casket out of the Community Building, and students returned to the Roundhouse with their teachers.

Teachers then facilitated discussions on the mock funeral they had just witnessed.

Day Three of the three-day event began at noon on Friday, May 1, 2026, and included a mock court trial, featuring Grafton County Attorney Marcie Hornick, Defense Attorney Amanda Jacobson, a Lead Assistant County Attorney, and Judge Tara Heater, a Deputy County Attorney.

During the court proceedings, students observed and heard the arraignment and bail hearing for the defendant charged in the staged mock crash scene. Also, they witnessed the trial proceedings, including witness testimony, evidence presentation, closing arguments, and the defendant's sentencing.

An important part of the program included the day's activities on the final day, Friday, May 1, 2026. It included large-group sessions on safe driving, reducing impaired and distracted driving crashes, a lunch period, and the mock trial from noon to 1:30 PM.

Assembled in the parking lot for student visits and discussions were AAA Northern New Hampshire and programs that included distracted-driving glasses, impaired-vision goggles, and a program by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission that included a golf-cart operation activity and impairment glasses.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation cargo trailer was set up alongside other outdoor stations for student access during student rotations. The program ended at 3 PM.

At the mock crash produced recently at Woodsville High School, Woodsville Fire Department rescue crews work to free injured students trapped in a wrecked vehicle. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Injured Woodsville High School student is loaded into a Woodsville ambulance, after being freed from a crashed vehicle during a school-wide mock accident, funeral, and court trial awareness exercise held at the school over April 29, 30, and May 1, 2026. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

During the funeral services staged for a victim of a mock motor vehicle crash at Woodsville High School, pallbearers bring in the coffin of student Trenton James Alling for funeral services at the Dr. John A. Bagonzi Community Building. From left to right, seen are Teacher Bob Scianna, Maddox Furyes, Principal Hayden Coon, Teacher Glen Page, Grace McLellan, and Assistant Principal Matthew Kelly. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

At trial on the third day of the WHS Crash program, defendant Taylor McFarland, a Woodsville High School student, at center, listens as Grafton Country Attorney Marcie Hornick, at right, and defense lawyer Amanda Jacobson, argue the charges leveled against McFarland. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

New Model A club forms for Northern NH and NE Kingdom

By Bernie Marvin

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Lisbon, NH – A newly chartered Model A club has been formed for New Hampshire’s North Country and Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The club’s membership has been accepted by the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA).

The new club held its first meeting earlier in April, which marked the official launch of the club that will be serving the Granite and Green Mountain States’ Model A enthusiasts. The Northern Valley A’s, a 501(c)7 social club was created to bring together owners and admirers of the 1928–1931 Ford Model A. The club plans to host seasonal tours, informal gatherings, technical troubleshooting sessions, and showcase the vehicles at community events in the area.

“We are excited to build a friendly, local community around these cars. Model A owners are invited to join us as we explore back roads, share knowledge, and keep these historic vehicles on the road,” said Club President Eric Zaharee.

Club members are anxiously waiting for the weather to warm as bit and hopefully the final mud will dry, and members can drive their vehicles. The group will be holding monthly meetings through October. Members are planning each month but there are no trips in the schedule, yet.

If you live in the area and own or are restoring a Model A, you are welcome to connect with the club and participate in upcoming activities. For more information or to get involved, contact the Northern Valley A’s at northernvalleyas@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook facebook.com/NorthernValleyAs.

A long line of Model A vehicles lined up in front of the Mount Washington Hotel during a recent club meeting of the Worcester County Model A Club. The trip was arranged by members of the Northern Valley A’s Club, a new club in the North Country. Courtesy photo

Soil Scientist Joe Homer Talks About Sugar Hill Dirt

By Bernie Marvin

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Sugar Hill, NH – Soil Scientist Joe Homer is well known in these parts of the North Country because of his long-time work with soil. He recently presented his "Let's Talk Dirty" program at the Carolina Crapo Building.

Joe has served as the New Hampshire State Soil Scientist for the USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service. He retired after more than 33 years of service with that organization and has performed and managed mapping and fieldwork throughout New England, with additional work in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oregon, and Minnesota.

He has also served as a field soil scientist, soil survey project leader, and assistant state soil scientist in New Hampshire. He is the author of the Grafton County and Coos County Soil Survey reports and has conducted hydric soils and wetlands identification and delineation for the USDA in New Hampshire, and has trained other federal and state agency staff, as well as New England consultants.

Joe's speech in Sugar Hill was for the Sugar Hill Improvement Association, and according to those who were there, it was an engaging and informative talk. Joe explored the fascinating world beneath their feet, mainly soil. He spoke on how soil forms and why it plays a crucial role in agriculture, environmental health, and climate resilience. Attendees said they gained a deeper understanding of why healthy soil matters to everyone.

Joe brought his years of experience in soil science and environmental education to the crowd. His approachable style and passion for the subject make complex scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable for audiences of all ages.

The event was open to the public and was underwritten as a part of the Carolina Crapo Education Fund. It was established by Henry Crapo in honor of his wife, Carolina, shortly after the Sugar Hill School burned down in 1948. The Sugar Hill Improvement Association administers the funds for projects identified to better the Town of Sugar Hill.

The Carolina Crapo Trust Fund also provides book awards for students pursuing their education or training, in addition to bringing speakers to the town. There was no fee to hear soil scientist Homer speak.

Soil Scientist Joe Homer presented a program on the benefits of soil’s role in food production, and strong soil conservation. Courtesy photo

Cottage Hospital's Donate Life Week Featured Two Important Events

By Bernie Marvin

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Woodsville, NH – Cottage Hospital has been observing Donate Life programs for the past 10 years, usually by raising a special Donate Life flag out in front of the hospital on Swiftwater Road, then later in the week or month, a different special event would be observed.

This year they raised the Donate Life flag in the usual robustly breezy April noon time program and for their second event, they held a special red maple tree planting across Swiftwater Road on the rolling lawns of the Rowe Building, where a group of Cottage Hospital employees gathered around while CEO Holly McCormack placed the first shovel full of loam onto the tree's root ball, to the cheers of those watching.

This commemorative tree planting honored hospital staff and community members who have given or received gifts of life through the donation program that is so popular throughout the nation.

According to hospital officials "The tree stands as a symbol of hope, strength and the lasting impact of generosity, because, like a red maple tree, strength (and trees) come in all sizes. We all look forward to watching this tree grow alongside our organization, rooted in giving and a reminder of the lived forever connected through a program of donation."

According to Cottage Hospital, New England Donor Services, the federally designated nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation across the region, presented donor participation awards to hospitals that go above and beyond in supporting donor awareness and education. Recipients are selected based on their dedication to best practices, collaboration, staff engagement, and meaningful efforts to increase public understanding of organ and tissue donation. This includes initiatives such as educational programs, community outreach events, and awareness campaigns designed to inform and empower individuals to register as donors.

According to Cottage Hospital Community Relations Director Kuba Kubkowski, assisting CEO McCormack with the program and organizing the Donate Life events at the hospital was Quality Director and Donate Life Liaison Kelly Hussey.

It was a busy time at the hospital as they celebrated Donate Life programs. National Donate Life Month and hospital programs reminded the community of the tremendous impact of organ, eye and tissue donations and the power of giving the gift of life.

During the week, Cottage Hospital held its annual Donate Life flag raising, which brought the staff together in a meaningful show of support, they said. As part of the special moment, they also wrote messages of hope, filling each of them with gratitude, remembrance and encouragement for those whose lives have been touched by donations.

They offered that "we are so grateful to our staff who took the time to come out, reflect, and stand together in support of this important cause. Their compassion and commitment help keep hope growing in the community."

One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. Behind every donation is a story of hope, resilience and strength shown by the community for those waiting on a transplant list, it can mean more time with loved ones and more moments that truly matter.

They said that at Cottage Hospital they recognized Donate Life month to help educate the community and shine a light on the lifesaving impact of donations. They noted it is time to learn, reflect and honor the individual and families whose decisions have made a lasting difference. Together, they recognized the power of giving, and their lives were forever changed because of it, they said.

Cottage Hospital CEO, Holly McCormack, third from left, was assisted by several hospital employees in a special Donate Life tree planting last week to observe the National Donate Life program. The red maple tree was planted on the side lawn located at the hospital's Rowe Building, across Swiftwater Road from the hospital. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Wildcat Microschool takes First Place in Rube Goldberg competition

By Bernie Marvin

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Wildcat Microschool members of the Rube Goldberg competition that came away from their recent competition in Manchester, NH with a First Place. They were also awarded First Place with the Best Costumes Award. They have advanced to the national competition that will be held in New York City. At right is Wildcat teacher Laura Sjolander. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Haverhill, NH – The Wildcat Microschool youngsters of the kindergarten through 4th Grade came home with the First Place Rube Goldberg Competition Award recently. They also came home with the Rube Goldberg Spirit Award for being Master Contraptionists.

A Rube Goldberg Master Contraptionist, often referred to as a Contraption Master, is an expert who specializes in designing and building Rube Goldberg machines. These are highly complex devices that use a series of interconnected chain reactions to accomplish a simple task in a comically indirect way.

The Rube Goldberg competition for students in New Hampshire is known as the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. It challenges students from grades K-12 to build complex machines from everyday objects that perform a simple task in the most unusual way possible.

The team traveled to Manchester, NH, on March 28 to compete in the Regional Rube Goldberg Competition. The Rube Goldberg Competition emphasizes the importance of problem-solving through STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, especially for young children.

Early exposure to STEM helps students build problem-solving skills, creativity, collaboration skills, persistence, and determination. Through hands-on learning experiences, students discover that failure can sometimes lead to even greater success!

This was an exciting event where students displayed their contraptions-themed "Wildcat Zoo." They dressed as zoo members, presented an educational skit on energy transfers, and ran their hand-built contraption to open a box.

The Wildcat teachers and students learned about the program through a parent whose children participated in the Rube Goldberg Contraption Camp at the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, VT.

After learning about the cool opportunity, students started their work. They have developed their knowledge of energy, engineering, electricity, and collaboration as they have worked to solve problems with creative, innovative solutions. Their final contraption consisted of about 15 chain reactions, including erosion, electrical transfer, and air. They have been creating their masterpieces for about three months.

The team will be competing next in New York City, as a result of the award they won in Manchester. This upcoming trip marks an important milestone for many of the students, as it will be their first opportunity to travel out of state for an academic competition. Students have been preparing their designs, testing ideas, and learning how different parts work together to achieve a final goal. Their hard work and dedication will be showcased alongside teams from schools across the region.

The Wildcat Microschool students were very excited to announce that their team took First Place in the regional competition and won the Rube Goldberg Spirit Award (Master Contraptionists)—also the best costumes award and the creative materials award —without marbles or dominoes.

The team will advance to the National Competition in New York City! The team has been fundraising for this event and held their fundraiser on Saturday, April 11, at the Woodsville United Methodist Church. There, they hosted a superb spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. All funds raised will be used to help with travel expenses and experiences for the students in NYC.

Seeing the children involved in their Rube Goldberg project is hard to explain to viewers new to the world of Rube Goldberg contraptions. Chain reactions of energy going every which way, and at the end of the line, a different contraption will open a box.

Parent Jean Alexander discovered the Rube Goldberg program during one of their annual demonstrations at the St. Johnsbury Fairbanks Museum. Gean has been instrumental and immensely helpful with the entire program at Wildcat, says teacher Laura Sjolander, who works closely with the kids on their STEM subjects.

Each participant had a specific job with the Rube Goldberg effort. Some of the children The Bridge Weekly spoke with included Elizabeth, who was an Investigator. She said, "She learned a lot by going to the rube Goldberg contest."

Avery said, "If you messed up. You would find out how to fix it. I fixed some wrong things."

Carson said, "Just be patient, especially with your team." Neal was an Interventionist. If the ball doesn't go down right, I fix it. Kept it running." Ethan was "really excited to be there. It is a worldwide competition and fun."

Some of the Wildcat Microschool Rube Goldberg competition team members are shown working with their winning contraption that won the team a First Place and moved them on to the national competition in New York City. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Little Rivers holds Legislative Town Hall session in Fairlee

By Bernie Marvin

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Attending a recent Vermont Legislative Town Hall at the Fairlee Town Hall were, left to right, Representative Michael Tagliavia, Representative Rebecca Holcomb, Senator John Benson, and Representative Jim Masland. Standing at right is Little Rivers Health Care CEO Andrew Barter who offered opening remarks and also moderated the meeting. Barter said the health care organization, based in Bradford, plans to hold similar forums across their service area. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Fairlee, VT – The Little Rivers Health Care, with offices in Bradford, Wells River, East Corinth, and Newbury, sponsored another Legislative Town Hall meeting at the Fairlee Town Hall on Monday, March 30, 2026.

This is not an unusual effort for the Bradford-based health care center, as it remains a busy site across its four locations, with high growth. For instance, between 2016 and 2021, Little Rivers Health Care experienced a 78 percent increase in patient visits, prompting major expansion efforts.

The recent legislative session in Fairlee was scheduled for a one-hour program and included local Vermont legislators and area residents. Legislators there included Representative Michael Tagliavia, Orange 1 District; Representative Rebecca Holcombe, Windsor-Orange 2 District; Senator John Benson, Orange District, and Representative James Masland, Windsor-Orange District 2.

Offering a welcome and making opening remarks to the attendees was Little Rivers Health Care CEO Andrew Barter at 9 AM. About 20 residents attended the session. Fairlee Select Board member Peter Berger also offered other remarks.
CEO Barter told The Bridge Weekly at the conclusion of the Fairlee Town Hall Legislative Session that he and the staff were "very pleased with the turnout and the level of engagement. The discussion reflected strong community interest in access to care and the future of local health services, which is exactly what we hoped to foster."

The programs:
Little Rivers Health Care has created an active schedule of public programs, including Town Hall sessions and advocacy and formal testimony, according to information available on their website and during the meeting.

The programs address a wide range of subjects, from rural healthcare challenges such as access to care and rising healthcare costs. About an hour was scheduled to hear from legislators who offered a summation of bills and legislation that are now or have been under consideration for action in Vermont.

Those four legislators concentrated their comments on several different subjects that headlined the meeting, including health care access and the workforce, housing and land use, education funding, and the State of Vermont budget and investment priorities.

Little Rivers Health Care is a not-for-profit, community-based, federally qualified health center. They are dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive primary care for individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay, in accordance with specific federal guidelines. Little Rivers Health Care works hard to meet the community's unique health needs, with a special focus on the medically underserved.

According to their online information, their service area includes the Vermont towns of Bradford, Chelsea, Corinth, Fairlee, Groton, Newbury, Norwich, Orange, Ryegate, Strafford, Thetford, Topsham, Tunbridge, Vershire, Washington, West Fairlee, and neighboring towns of border communities in New Hampshire.

Among many community legislative programs, town hall sessions are included, similar to the one held on Monday, March 30, 2026. These events allow community members to hear from and question local legislators on regional issues. Participating legislators often include regional personnel, such as those who were at the front of the room in the Fairlee Town Hall, to speak to visitors.

Discussions held usually center on health care affordability, housing challenges, and the future of community health in rural Vermont. And there is regular participation by Little Rivers Health Care leaders in the Vermont Legislative Day, where they visit the State House to meet with lawmakers, often alongside the Bi-State Primary Care Association, to advocate for the vital role of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). 

The staff at Little Rivers Health Care also provides expert testimony to the Vermont Legislature on specific public health initiatives, such as Food as Medicine, where Clinical Quality Director Maureen Boardman and other staff have testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee regarding the Little Rivers Food Farmacy, which uses nutritious food to manage chronic diseases. Also, 3SquaresVT Advocacy, with Little Rivers Health Care, is participating in 3SquaresVT Awareness Day to help legislators understand the impact of food access programs on the local community. 

Little Rivers Health Care also participates in broader state legislative initiatives designed to stabilize and improve rural health: Blueprint for Health, a state program that funds "Self-Management" workshops (such as those for diabetes or chronic pain) and integrates mental health services into primary care.
And also, the Stabilization Program: Little Rivers Health Care has been part of discussions and reporting regarding state-funded sustainability approaches for community providers facing financial pressures.

20 years of growth:
Little Rivers Health Care has a dynamic history and was founded in 2003 by a group of citizens and healthcare leaders who wanted to maintain the medical services needed in the rural areas they now serve.
Little Rivers Health Care included several local practices in its family, one of the first being the Wells River Clinic, which was originally opened in 1951 by Dr. Harry Rowe. As the business expanded from its base office in Bradford, offices in East Corinth and Newbury were added over time.
In 2022, they launched a dynamic major capital campaign, "People you know, the care you trust," which sought $6.2 million for facility expansions. They recently celebrated 20 years of service in the area and completed extensive renovations at the Bradford clinic, with additional dental and health access centers in Wells River, which opened in 2025. As of 2024, the center has provided nearly 45,000 patient visits to over 7000 community members, and Little Rivers Health Care employs over 100 people.
CEO Barter said that Little Rivers Health Care plans to hold similar forums and to rotate locations across their service area to ensure broader community participation."

NH Legislative Event Held At Cottage Hospital

By Bernie Marvin

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Cottage Hospital CEO and President Holly McCormack, DNP, RN, speaking at right, addresses a gathering of government and municipal officials recently at the Cottage Hospital Legislative Breakfast. The popular event is held annually and offers an opportunity for the hospital to discuss up-to-date programs and figures with legislators.                   The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Woodsville, NH - Cottage Hospital President and CEO Holly McCormack, DNP, RN, told a gathering of legislators and officers of the New Hampshire Hospital Association that the renowned health magazine Becker’s Healthcare recently named Cottage Hospital as one of the top 150 places to work in the field of medicine.

In her opening remarks for the legislative breakfast held at the hospital on Monday, March 9, 2026, she offered that she had been employed at the hospital for the past 16 years, with her being at the top post of the hospital that was established back in the early 1900’s for the past five years.

She told her guests at the early morning event that the hospital was a very special and unique place. It was an independent critical access hospital, and it is the largest employer in the community, with approximately 200 employees with benefits and a total of 300, which includes a per diem staff.

She reported that the hospital, although faced with a negative 16 percent operating margin, had to recruit a local permanent workforce in place of a temporary travel workforce that the hospital had been relying on. By investing in local talent, the hospital reduced the travel labor costs by 118 percent and restored the continuity of care for the patients. The changes made a significant difference to the fiscal year bottom line last year.

CEO McCormack cited many instances of government requirements being placed on her hospital. She said each day the hospital is required to provide more and more resources to manage the regulatory requirements, reporting and administrative tasks associated with caring for our patients.

“It takes more than a village to care for rural America,” she said, “but it starts here with the help of each of you at the town, state and federal level.  Your attendance here this morning demonstrates your support.  We will keep fighting for the privilege of caring for our community. We ask for your support in protecting cost-based reimbursement, strengthening workforce, and reducing the administrative barriers that pull caregivers away from patients.  Our vision is simple, a rural healthcare system where everyone, no matter their age, income or zip code- can access high quality care close to home,” she said in closing.

Also speaking at a legislative breakfast were President of the New Hampshire Hospital Association Steve  Ahnen; Vice President of the State Government Relations Board of the New Hampshire Hospital Association Ben Bradley; Special Assistant for Projects and Policies for Senator Jeanne Shaheenís office Chuck Anderson; New Hampshire District 1 Senator David Rochefort; Executive Councilwoman Karen Liot Hill and Haverhill Town Administrator Tom Galinat.

Life Transition Services: A story of growth and commitment to clients, employees, and community!

By Bernie Marvin

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LTS staff include, left to right Jennifer Dougan (Team Coordinator), Kelsie Morrison (Office Manager), Katelynn Pike (Finance Manager), Denise Ferrari-Diresta (Nurse Trainer), Dan Cheverie (Team Coordinator), Syvanna Roderick-Kilduff (Housing Coordinator), David Fullerton (Residential Manager), Morgan Maerder (Employment Specialist), Jeff Maerder (Executive Director/Founder) and Shelly Binford (Program Director). The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Woodsville, NH - North Haverhill resident Jeffrey Maerder, Founder and Director of Life Transition Services (LTS), recently purchased the former USDA Field Office building on Swiftwater Road in Woodsville. He is now operating from this centrally located and versatile site.
LTS, in its 20th year, is a provider of specialized support for students and adults with intellectual and mental health challenges. "Whether individuals need residential support in one of our staffed residences or family care in a community home setting, LTS provides individualized services that improve our clients' quality of life and independence," Maerder said during a recent interview with The Bridge Weekly.

The company was founded in 2006, and since then, Maerder and his employees have been working with many different types of clients, providing a wide range of services. LTS is an agency that works with high-risk individuals to assist them with their everyday living needs. Maerder says one important mission they have is to build meaningful connections for people in the community.
He notes that "Every life has meaning and a contribution to make, that a life without purpose is bankrupt of meaning." He said he truly believes that the purpose of life is a purposeful life, and that one of the main goals of his company is to find worthwhile employment for his clients because " LTS believes that employment connects you to your community, and your contribution provides you dignity and respect, a place in this world.

LTS is a successful enterprise that has outgrown locations and moved several times over the years but with this move to Swiftwater Road they are confident they have found a home that will provide for their needs for the next generation.
The Owner and Founder is well-spoken, especially when articulating his company's goals. During our interviews, he spoke at length about the history and mission of LTS and his understanding that a life without purpose conflicts with nature and human design. Each of us has a desire to know that our life counts, has connection to others, a place to belong and is making a contribution to the community. Employment is a gateway to finding our place.

In 2006, Life Transition Services began working with young adults in high school, helping them discover their interests, providing opportunities for successful experiences, and giving them a basis for a new identity, one that is productive and connected to their community. Two years later, in 2008, LTS began working with adults throughout New Hampshire.
He said the seeds of the mission for LTS came to him while he was in Alaska waiting for the fish to run, and he could get work on a boat or at an onshore wild salmon cannery. "I realized that there is something far worse than being penniless and that is being bankrupt of purpose. Living a life of purpose that focuses on employment while taking responsibility is central to Life Transition Services as a result."

LTS has grown steadily since they set up their first office in 2006. However, the core mission of LTS remains from those Alaska fishing days, and that, for its clients, living a life of purpose that focuses on employment and responsibility-taking remains central to LTS.
LTS has had several offices over the years from a one-bedroom apartment in North Haverhill to a rental on Bridge Street in Woodsville and most recently at The Old Pine Mill in North Haverhill. LTS moved into The Old Pine Mill at the end of 2008, a custom-designed (by Alan Leete) "office" space. In 2010, Heidi Lyman put the Old Pine Mill up for sale; Maerder Property Management, LLC formed and purchased the property, which housed LTS for the next 15 years.

Towards the end of 2025, the old USDA building, which was currently owned and occupied by Northern Human Services, had interest in downsizing and selling the building on Swiftwater Road. Northern Human Services (Mark Vincent) reached out and contacted LTS about purchasing the building on Swiftwater Road in Woodsville. By December 1, 2025, Maerder closed on this building and began extensive renovations by local contractors.

LTS moved into 250 Swiftwater Road on January 12! The new building has a dedicated resource space called the "Lodge" for students and adults to work on independent living and employment skills. In addition to all this, the building has 26 climate-controlled storage units that Maerder Property Management, hopes to open for public rental at 250 Swiftwater Road in Woodsville in late spring. Also, he noted that the old office space at 60 Pine Mill is currently being renovated into two new two-bedroom apartments.

Program Director Shelly Binford told The Bridge Weekly that LTS supports each individual in all areas of life to help them be a part of their community.
Whether LTS was initiating medical support, such as finding a primary care physician or dentist, developing social and recreational connections, employment development, independent living, including budgeting and shopping, or residential support, are all part of what LTS does towards helping everyone achieve a life of their choosing.

LTS provides these supports to adults throughout New Hampshire as well as working with area schools, supporting those students both in school and in the community.
Having worked with schools throughout the Upper Valley from Windsor and Rivendell to BMU and Caledonian, LTS is currently working with Woodsville, Oxbow, and Lisbon High Schools. Binford said that 95 percent of the students graduate with a job of their own.
During the interview David Fullerton, Residential Manager, said that, "We guide each of our individuals to their highest levels of independence, never doing for them what they are capable of doing themselves and teaching them what they might not currently know. LTS has had clients who have moved on to become nurses, get married, and have families, and who are no longer receiving services.

Binford noted that each client at LTS is brought through an employment development curriculum. The employment curriculum includes the client taking an opinion test to determine an interest profile. "Based on each individual s interest profile, we coordinate job tours with local employers in their identified field of interest.
Finance Manager, Katelynn Pike noted that LTS employs Life Coaches and Home Providers, stating that both are the backbone of the company. Without their tireless efforts and support, positive changes in the client s lives would not be possible! The Life Coach provides guidance and meaning to the client s workweek while the Home Provider opens their home and creates the bedrock that we all need for a good life - a good home!

Maerder said The goal of LTS is for everyone to live a Good Life, one that is empowered, responsible, connected and productive."
In addition to the 40 Life Coaches and 18 Home Providers, the office personnel at this new location include Founder and Director Jeff Maerder; Program Director Shelly Binford; Finance Manager Katelyn Pike; Office Manager Kelsie Morrison; Residential Manager David Fullerton; Nurse Trainer Denise Ferrari-DiResta; Housing Coordinator Syvanna Roderick-Kilduff; Team Coordinator Dan Cheverie; Team Coordinator Jennifer Dougan; Employment Specialist Morgan Maerder, and Head of Security Raven.
The website is ltsnh.org.

LTS staff members standing is Katelynn Pike (Finance Manager) with Kelsie Morrison) Office Manager) seated. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Busy at work at LTS on Swiftwater Road in Woodsville, NH are left to right, Syvanna Roderick-Kilduff (Housing Coordinator, Jennifer Dougan (Team Coordinator), Shelly Binford (Team Coordinator) and Dan Cheverie (Case Manager). The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

ROBERT LAWRENCE SALON AND SPA: WOODSVILLE’S ONE-STOP SHOP FOR SELF-CARE AND WELLNESS IN THE NEW YEAR

By Trish Griswold

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Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa is Woodsville’s hub for self-care and well-being. They offer a vast array of beauty products and therapeutic services including hair, nail, and skin care. Bridgid Risteen, Hillary Deschamps, and Cassandra Lemieux (pictured L-R) are three of the salon’s five licensed cosmetologists. TBWS/Trish Griswold

WOODSVILLE, NH - Each new year presents an opportunity to reflect on the past and set meaningful intentions for the future. While many New Year’s resolutions are centered around eating better and exercising more, the licensed professionals at Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa in Woodsville understand that living a happy, healthy lifestyle also includes self-care and personal wellness.


According to Bridgid Risteen, owner of Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa, in 2016, when Everything But The Cook merged with The Party Store: An Affair To Remember, commercial space in Suite 2 at 91 Central Street became available. Her parents, Kevin and Liz Shelton, owners of the building, began the process of looking for new renters. Bridgid and her friend/personal stylist Cassandra Lemieux were interested in relocating closer to home. One conversation led to another, and a new business venture named in honor of Bridgid’s grandfathers, Robert Shelton and Lawrence Gilbert, opened in November of that same year.


Since then, the salon has grown to include five more practitioners: Kristy Odiorne, Carmen Graham, Carrie Vogt, Hillary Deschamps, and Mallari Young. They each have their own specialty areas and are self-employed, giving them the autonomy to make their own schedules; however, they share one common thread: a love for what they do. Their passion is unmatched, and their kindness and compassion are unwavering as they take great pride in being an integral part of each client’s journey toward improved self-care and overall well-being.


“Being a massage therapist, I feel strong empathy and intuition. It's about trust, being present, and creating connections with my clients,” licensed massage therapist Kristy Odiorne explains. “It reminds me daily of the power of human touch. Helping others feel better, both physically and mentally, is not just my job; it's a purpose that I am very blessed to share.”


For nearly a decade, Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa has been offering clients a vast array of options, adding new, innovative products and services along the way. They currently offer facials, waxing, ear piercing, spray tanning, manicures, pedicures, reiki, massage, lash lifts and tints, dermaplaning, red light therapy, and hair care for the entire family. Product lines include Loma, Paul Mitchell, Moroccan Oil, Matrix, Color Wow, Olaplex, Bain De Terre, Goldie Locks, Redken Brews, It’s a 10, Kenra, Wet Brush, AGlow, Keyano, Dermalogica, and Image Skincare.


However, the personal connections they have with their clients are what make Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa second to none. “This year marks 23 years of doing what I love, helping people, and making them feel heard and safe. My job is so much more than just body work or skincare,” Kristy emphasizes. “It's listening [to my clients] and explaining things in a way they understand. We talk through injuries and body mechanics, and I try to give them the tools to help facilitate movement and manage pain or stress…or maybe it's helping them learn to allow themselves to relax and leave all their worries and stress at the door.”


“When someone is having a crappy day and they sit down to either get their hair done or have a mani-pedi and then leave feeling so much better, it’s like a therapy session,” Cassandra adds. “Sometimes that’s what you need for your mental health.”


This premiere level of care and compassion reverberates throughout the salon, the community, and beyond as the professionals at Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa are actively involved in supporting local school groups, fundraising events, community organizations, and more. They network with Riverbend Career and Technical Center’s cosmetology program in Bradford, VT, offering a high-quality, hands-on apprenticeship experience to promising young cosmetologists.


Most recently, they assisted Brynn Bogie, an eighth grader at Blue Mountain Union School in Wells River, VT, with her science fair project focusing on “Which lasts longer - professional grade hair dye or box dye?” Bridgid donated hairpieces, professional-grade hair dye, foils, applicator brushes, and other supplies. She also spent time with Brynn at the salon, helping her learn the steps to conduct her experiment. “I couldn’t have completed my project without her,” Brynn explains, grateful for the resources and the opportunity afforded to her.


When asked to reflect on the success of her business, Bridgid says, “I like that we can be a resource and a hub for anyone. I love that it’s not the same every day. It’s always something different. Everyone’s personality is different. Everyone's hair is different. Everyone’s needs are different, and we’re always there for them, through the good times and the bad times.”


Author’s Note: Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa is open six days a week with walk-ins and same-day appointments available Tuesday through Friday. Hillary and Mallari are accepting new haircare clients, and Kristy is accepting new skincare clients. For more information about products and services, “like” them on Facebook, reach out via Facebook Messenger, or call the salon at (603) 747-3500. Online booking options are available for some stylists.

Kristy Odiorne specializes in massage therapy (Swedish, deep tissue, warm stone, reflexology, and cupping), facials, extractions, dermaplaning, dermabrasion, high frequency, skin care, spray tanning, red light treatments, lash lift and tint, brow tinting, and waxing. She is seen giving a facial massage to Laurie Dirienzo of Woodsville. TBWS/Trish Griswold

Sara Lang (seated) is a long-time client of Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa owner Bridgid Risteen. “It is a great example of a community business,” Sara says. “The reach of Bridgid’s salon isn’t just within the walls of this salon; it’s outreach and supporting community events. It in itself is a community. When you come here, you see people that you know, and there’s something here for everyone.”

Cosmetologist Cassandra Lemieux is the salon’s mani-pedi specialist. She offers shellac gel polish, gel overlay on natural nails, regular polish, and nail art in an assortment of colors, patterns, and styles.

A Sisterhood of Hope

By Trish Griswold

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According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., there are “more than 4 million current breast cancer survivors in the United States.” Erin Atkinson (L), owner of Gather Together Cafe, and her sister, Liz Gilbert Shelton, owner of An Affair to Remember: The Party Store and Everything But the Cook, are among them. TBWS Photo/Trish Griswold

WOODSVILLE - “The last words I ever wanted to hear from my daughters was, ‘I have cancer,’” remarks Marilyn Gilbert, mother of Elizabeth “Liz” Gilbert Shelton, owner of An Affair to Remember: The Party Store and Everything But the Cook, and Erin Atkinson, owner of Gather Together Cafe. “I was totally devastated, but once I got over the initial shock, my main concern was that they get the best treatment plan available.”

Through a routine mammogram conducted in 2008, Liz was diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, a form of breast cancer linked to hormone levels, such as estrogen, rather than inherited mutations and genetic predisposition. The then 45-year-old wife and working mother of three young adult children underwent surgery and an extensive treatment plan that included radiation twice a day for ten days followed by balloon breast brachytherapy and four rounds of chemotherapy.

“For me, my whole thing was, we need to take care of this. I wasn’t really emotional,” Liz recalls, but her husband, Kevin Shelton, was. “For the people not going through it, it’s the hardest. They’re treading water, not knowing what to do with themselves, and thinking, ‘What do I say? What do I do?’”

Looking back, Liz says that she can only remember crying once, and that was when a representative from Dartmouth Hitchcock’s Cancer Center called to schedule her first appointment. “The first time they said the word ‘cancer.’ That’s when it became real. The biggest thing was that I wanted to know what I did wrong. That was the only question I asked. Did I do something wrong? Did I not take care of myself? When, in fact, it had nothing to do with my lifestyle and my life choices. It was the luck of the draw.”

New research from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF), among others, indicates that “1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.” Given this startling statistic and her increased risk of breast cancer because a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) had been diagnosed, Liz’s younger sister, Erin, was vigilant about preventative care. A routine mammogram done a few years ago had detected calcification(s) in her left breast. This turned out to be a benign cyst; however, since certain patterns of calcification can sometimes be an early indicator of breast cancer, Erin paid special attention to the changes in her body.

During a routine self-exam in October of last year, Erin felt a 1.2-centimeter lump in her breast that turned out to be hormone-based breast cancer (different from but similar to Liz’s). Erin had a regularly scheduled physical a few days later so she purposely did not mention the lump to her primary care doctor. “I didn’t say anything to her to see if she felt it, and she did not. I said, ‘Did you, by any chance, feel that right there?’ She said, ‘I did not. I missed it.’”

Erin’s doctor scheduled a mammogram for later that week. “If she had not asked for the right side to have a special plate,” Erin says, “they would not have found [the lump] on a regular mammogram either. So, my cautionary tale is to be proactive. You know your body. Make sure you’re doing your self-checks. Thankfully, I caught it so quickly that it was very small.”

Erin underwent surgery, reconstructive surgery, and five weeks of radiation therapy. She is also on an estrogen suppressant that she will likely take for the next five years. “Because I already had time to process before I went to my primary care doctor and had the mammogram and the biopsy, I wasn’t upset. I wasn’t scared. I tend to have a pretty positive attitude toward health care. I felt like, ‘Okay, what is the next step? Let’s get this taken care of.’”

The physicians and other care providers at Cottage Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock’s Cancer Center, both Hanover, NH, and St. Johnsbury, VT, “jumped right in,” Erin says. They scheduled her appointments, presented her with comprehensive treatment plan options, and a smorgasbord of reading materials. Erin also sought genetic testing. “Unlike Liz, I wanted to check for my own son's sake because it could be a precursor to him, looking down the line at something like prostate cancer or if I had a granddaughter some day, but it was not genetically driven.”

Due in part to the 16-year gap between their diagnoses, Erin and Liz agree that, while their outcomes have been positive and nothing short of a blessing, they had drastically different experiences, from detection to coping strategies and treatment plans to side effects. Erin’s breast cancer was initially detected through a self-exam, while Liz’s was detected with a routine mammogram. The treatment options and side effects were also different. Liz suffered more intense symptoms, such as vomiting, while Erin’s side effects were minimal. Erin took a literary, methodical approach to processing her diagnosis, finding a sense of peace and camaraderie in talking with others, while Liz preferred a more private approach, relying on her sense of humor, friends, and immediate family.

Despite the disparities in their cancer stories, there is one common thread. The Gilbert sisters’ breast cancer journeys introduced them to a sisterhood founded on hope for survival and an unbreakable bond shared among countless women nationwide. “When you fall down, [our community] will pick you up,” Liz says, retelling the story of one customer who “popped her head in the door” at The Party Store after learning about Liz’s diagnosis and said, “‘I’m 10 years out.’ It’s them letting you know that you’ll be okay.”

Admittedly, the journey can be scary and overwhelming, Liz and Erin explain, but there is hope for survival. According to NBCF, when breast cancer is detected and treated at “its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.”

When asked if she had any advice for others, Erin replies, “Don’t jump right into thinking the worst. I have to have chemo. I’m going to lose my hair. Every single person’s cancer story is different, and your diagnosis is what drives your treatment so never, ever put off having a check-up because you’re afraid. As the saying goes, ‘Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.’”

Author’s Note: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to empowering women by raising awareness and promoting early detection. This article honors all women - past, present, and future - who have battled or will battle breast cancer in their lifetime. For more information about breast cancer research, contact your primary care provider, or go to nationalbreastcancer.org or komen.org.

“I am not defined by my cancer. I am stronger than it.” -Author Unknown

Loved Ones Honor Lloyd Steeves and Barbara Elliott in Upcoming Alzheimer’s Walk

By Trish Griswold

Barbara Elliott (L), a native of Orange, NJ, called Vermont her home for 43 years before her passing last December. She is seen in this 2022 photo, enjoying a boat ride with her husband, Steve, and their family on Martin’s Pond in Peacham. - Courtesy photo

WOODSVILLE, NH / WELLS RIVER, VT - “I get so sad thinking about what he is missing,” Chrissy Steeves remarks about her husband, Lloyd, who has been a resident at the Grafton County Nursing Home (GCNH) in North Haverhill, NH, since April. “It’s so unfair, and it happens to good people.”

Though Lloyd, affectionately known by his former students and colleagues as Mr. Steeves, began displaying early symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease much sooner, he was not formally diagnosed until 2018. Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia, is a neuro-degenerative disease marked not only by memory loss but also by difficulty thinking, concentrating, communicating, and performing daily tasks/functions. The severity, speed, and progression of symptoms, however, varies greatly depending on the individual. “People think they don’t remember things, but it becomes way more than that,” Chrissy explains.

Prior to his diagnosis, Mr. Steeves, who has always lived a healthy lifestyle and has no family history of Alzheimer’s Disease, was a beloved math/computer teacher and coach, devoted family man, and active parishioner/treasurer at the North Haverhill United Methodist Church.

According to Chrissy, Mr. Steeves grew up in Kensington, NH, and graduated from Exeter High School in 1961. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Plymouth State University, formerly Plymouth Teachers College, in 1965. That same year, Mr. Steeves started his first job as a primary teacher at Woodsville Elementary School. Seven years later, he began teaching middle-level math at Haverhill Academy but transitioned to Haverhill Cooperative Middle School (HCMS) when it opened in the late 1970s. Mr. Steeves retired from teaching in 2004, following a distinguished 39-year career in education. “People used to ask Lloyd why he didn’t go to 40 years,” Chrissy chuckles, “and he’d always [reply simply], ‘I didn’t want to.’”

Chrissy, who taught Home Economics and English/History alongside her husband at HCMS for many years, describes Lloyd as “a wonderful, caring, compassionate man who put his family’s needs ahead of his own. He loved his family. He loved his church. He loved his school, and he loved his students. He cared so much about every single student, and the kids really, really liked Lloyd. We would see them in Walmart, and they would always come up and say, ‘You were my favorite teacher.’”

Cassie Manning, one of Mr. Steeves former students at HCMS, recalls that he was “very serious about computer skills, especially typing, which I’m grateful for now looking back because I type on a computer every day. I remember whenever he caught me peeking down or looking down, he would put the cardboard box in my hand so I couldn’t see it. Then I started to do better, and he would say, ‘See, I knew you could do it.’ The things he taught us were important, even if we didn’t realize it at the time. In class, he was a great teacher, but outside of class, we would always catch him joking or being silly, and that’s why he was respected in class.”

While Mr. Lloyd was educating middle schoolers in New Hampshire, across the Connecticut River in Wells River, VT, Barbara Elliott was busy teaching elementary school students at Blue Mountain Union School.

“Barbara was one of the kindest, most dedicated teachers I have ever known,” comments Mrs. Elliott’s dear friend and colleague, Nancy Perkins. “She made each of her students feel valued and loved, and they loved her in return. She not only taught academics and good citizenship, she stretched the minds of her students by inviting various community members into her classroom to meet her students and speak with them, sharing their talents and their interests. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of her students.”

Mrs. Elliott was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from Manasquan High School in 1963 and worked two full-time jobs, one as a waitress and one as a customer service representative at New Jersey Bell Telephone. She attended college classes in the evenings and on the weekends, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Monmouth University in June of 1970. Mrs. Elliott’s teaching career officially began in her home state of New Jersey, where she taught third, fourth, and fifth graders at Lakewood Elementary School for 11 years. During that time, Mrs. Elliott earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling as well as certification as a reading specialist. In the fall of 1979, Mrs. Elliott met her husband, Steve, on a blind date. They were married in June of 1981, and together, they made their home in Ryegate, VT.

Following a remarkable 40-year career in education, Mrs. Elliott retired from teaching in 2010; however, she continued to serve her community in countless ways, volunteering as a docent at the Vermont State House and the Wells River Welcome Center. Mrs. Elliott was also a devoted member of the Woodsville United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for decades. Many people have described her as “an angel on Earth” who greeted everyone, everywhere, with a warm, welcoming smile, a kind word, and nothing but love in her heart.

According to Steve, Mrs. Elliott began showing early symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2020. She passed away on December 14, 2024, following several weeks of end-of-life care. “I was fortunate to have been able to care for Barbara in our home for the length of her illness, but it was a mixed blessing,” Steve reflects. “I would never have been able to do it alone. She spent the last 5 weeks at home in hospice, cared for by Caledonia Home Health and Hospice. They are a very professional organization, and we are grateful.”

Both the Steeves and Elliott Families have registered teams in the 2025 Northeast Kingdom Walk to End Alzheimer’s in St. Johnsbury, VT, on Sunday, September 21st. Registration begins at 9:00 am, followed by a ceremony at 10:00 am. The walk is slated to begin at 10:20 am at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center located at 51 Depot Square. Former students, colleagues, friends, and community members are invited to join them. More information is available on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website at https://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=18968. Mr. Steeves’ team name is “NFP for the Fight,” and Mrs. Elliott’s team name is “Team Barbara Elliott.” All proceeds from the walk will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

“I see the St. Johnsbury Alzheimer's Walk, not as a chance to do some fundraising,” Steve says, “but rather as an opportunity to honor my wife's memory. I look forward to doing that with my family on the 21st.”
“Please remember the real me when I cannot remember you.” - Julie White

In 2022, Lloyd Steeves (L) and his wife, Chrissy, joined their family for a New Hampshire Fishercats Minor League baseball game at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. - Courtesy photo

Woodsville Water is Being Hauled to Wells River

By Bernie Marvin

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Woodsville, NH – Kevin Shelton, Fire District Administrator for Woodsville, reported to the Bridge Weekly this week that his district is providing water for Wells River residents to use.
This program was established recently after the early January 2025 fuel oil spill became a potential threat to the district’s 219 water users. Recent comments from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources indicated that a January 2025 fuel oil spill in Wells River, Vermont, near the village’s public water supply, has prompted monitoring by local and state officials.
The location of the spill, officials noted, was in the basement of the Evernorth-owned Baldwin Block, a mixed-use building on Route 302 in Wells River. They say approximately 600 gallons of fuel oil were spilled. As of April 2025, the agency reported that “while initial reports in February 2025 indicated no impact on the public water supply, oil was detected in the village test well in April 2025, raising concerns about potential threats to the public water system serving 219 customers.”
The agency noted that the potential risks involved indicate that fuel oil can contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources, potentially posing health risks to consumers. The long-term effects, they said, depend on the extent of contamination and the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. The spill could have long-term environmental consequences.
The Vermont spill program assesses the environmental impact of spills, oversees cleanup efforts, and enforces relevant regulations. Spills of hazardous materials, such as fuel oil, that reach the ground or water should be reported to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
The agency emphasized the importance of the public staying informed about developments related to this bill and being aware of any potential issues or warnings issued by local and state authorities. They advised the public to contact the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation or the Village of Wells River for the latest information on the situation.
Local Wells River District information was issued to the public two weeks ago by Wells River Village Clerk Mary Schilke in an “Urgent notice to all village water system customers request for voluntary water conservation measures” she outlined the situation describing that due to a spill of fuel oil in the vicinity of the villages well, the only water source, “there is a high potential for the well to be contaminated. In response, the village will discontinue using the well, effective Monday, July 21, 2025, and will commence bulk water hauling, utilizing tankers to transport water from the Woodsville Fire District to the village’s storage tank. This operation will be very costly, and for this reason, the village trustees are respectfully requesting that all water customers attempt to limit water usage during this emergency condition.” Her telephone number is 802-757-3401.
Ms. Schilke noted in her release that the contamination is an issue that is expected to impact the ability to use the well for an extended period of time, possibly years. The village, she said, is proceeding with actions to provide a longer term but is still working on temporary solutions.
“The village is also proceeding with actions to search for and drill a new well source that could possibly replace the existing well. Both of these options will take time to plan and implement, hence the need for bulk hauling in the immediate term, which may extend through the end of the year.”
Woodsville Fire District Administrator Shelton said that Wells River is receiving water from the Woodsville water system. “We have plenty of daily capacity to assist,” he said recently. The water shuttle trucks are receiving water through a hydrant at the Woodsville Community Field, which has a potable water connection and verified to have a chlorine residual.
He added that the residual must be present to ensure there is no danger from bacteria. It is added at the treatment plant and is monitored at several points in the system to ensure its presence, Shelton said.
He said that, to his knowledge, this is the first time that the Woodsville Fire District has provided emergency water services to Wells River. He said it is a unique situation, and with winter a few months away, the temporary solution will need to be modified.