Dedicated to Securing A Truly Perfect Location for Goffstown's Future Kindergarten & Elementary Schools

EDITORIAL

Lockwood Makes False Public Claims - Again
Planning Board Meeting Just Latest Example

"There are good soils, it is fairly level, there will be minimal wetlands disturbance..." - (School Superintendent Darryl Lockwood, in a letter to the State Department of Environmental Services (DES) on 04-Feb-05)

As recently as July's 14th's Planning Board meeting, school superintendent Darryl Lockwood continued repeating claims he had made in a letter written to the state DES, stating that the Glen Lake site had minimal wetlands.  At the time he wrote that letter, no wetlands impact studies, noise impact studies, traffic impact studies or wildlife impact studies of any kind had yet been done.  Indeed, a site survey of the property was not begun until April.  Mr. Lockwood's claims to the State DES were baseless and ultimately false.  

Since that time, a site survey was finally conducted, revealing that over 50% of the proposed site directly impacts wetlands.  Indeed, the Goffstown Conservation Commission noted in its July 13, 2005 report to the Planning Board: "During the deliberative session, attempts to discuss the factual details were suppressed.  Voters did not receive the proper technical information about the site, and instead were given inaccurate information such as 'there are no significant wetlands'."  Yet Lockwood continues to repeat his claims, knowing full well that over 50% of the proposed site directly impacts wetlands.

He also stated again during July's 14th's Planning Board meeting that the Glen Lake site was never intended to be expanded to a future elementary school.  As such, consider the following:

    • Lockwood claims that "there are good soils".  
        This statement is false.  The Commission reported: "... it consists of shallow soil over ledge where water is moving down slope through the soil."

    • Lockwood claims that "it is fairly level"
        This statement is false.  The Commission reported: "There will need to be significant removal of material into a slope north of the building site..."
        Also, the Board of Selectmen had already notified Lockwood that the site had "steep slopes" - see letter from BOS to Lockwood, of 30-Sep-04.  

    • Lockwood claims that "there will be minimal wetlands disturbance"
        This statement is false.  The Commission reported: "More than half of the proposed site...would lie within the wetlands conservation overlay district...passed by the voters of Goffstown, and they were not informed that the proposed school site would be a violation of that setback."

    • Lockwood claimed that voters were never misled with claims of future expansion to an elementary school.
        This statement is false.  Take a look at the original concept plan.  Also, his own School District's February 2005 Newsletter states on page 3: "It has also been determined that when the time comes to expand it for an elementary school, the site is also suitable for that expansion with ample parking."  As we all know now, of course, the site does not even meet state requirements for a kindergarten, let alone an additional elementary school. 

    • Lockwood claims the Glen Lake site is identified for use as a school in the 1997 Master Plan.
        This statement is false.  Take a look at what the Master Plan says about the Glen Lake site.

    • Lockwood claims Goffstown could lose its funding to another school district.
        This statement is false.  The GRA contacted the Department of Education to learn the truth.

The GRA believes that the above statements, made prior to the town vote by Mr. Lockwood (and statements he continues to make), implied these vital studies had already been done, and misled both the state DES and the voters of Goffstown, thereby helping to bolster his attempts at securing NHDES and voter approval for the transfer.  Indeed, those statements were completely false, as subsequent studies and surveys have revealed (see Goffstown Conservation Commission memo of 7/13/05 on the Glen Lake Property).  

The GRA believes Mr. Lockwood has failed, and continues to fail, in his responsibility to the taxpayers to accurately convey the facts to the voters and the State DES, those facts being that prior to the town vote, he had no idea whatsoever as to whether or not the soils were good, the slopes were gentle or wetlands impacts were minimal.

Copyright©2005, Goffstown Residents Association.  All Rights Reserved.