- Details
- Written by Kat Roedell
- Category: Articles
2020 is a banner year, and even more so in Barrington where we are booming and growing as we mix history with the community. We at Barrington Town News believe that recognizing those businesses in the community that is growing and providing places of employment and enjoyment is important. With the rise in social entrepreneurship, giving back and the focus on building local community we took a look around our town and these were some of the businesses we saw were giving back. We’re certain there are other deserving companies – so if you would like to nominate one, and the reason why – mention it in the comments below, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For Service to the Community - Esther Sawyer CPA, LLC
In business for 20 years, this 2-year transplanted home-based business exemplifies partnership, giving back, and integrity. Esther and Chris Sawyer moved to Barrington because of the quality of life, and have focused on getting engaged in the community and their local church. Both are active in leadership in the American Legion, donate time to the Strafford County Homeless Center, participate in local fundraisers such as the Peepers race.
For Employment Opportunities – Turbocam International
This worldwide organization employs over 900 people and is still growing. It is the largest employer in New Hampshire – and has developed a culture of giving and developing bases for jobs and wealth development both in the US and in other nations.
For Wildlife Protection and Education – Wildlife Encounters and Ecological Center
Founded by Derek Small, Wildlife Encounters and Ecological Center introduces people to animals, through an educational program designed to teach and familiarize us with common animals and exotics. This company does more than its fair share in animal rescue and recovery and sports more than a few alligators to prove it. Money made from the educational programs often go into the rehabilitation of animals that have been mishandled in the past.
For Food and Enjoyment – Kozy’s Pizza
Kozy’s may have been around for twenty years, but in 2014 it got new owners and a fresh spin on pizza delivery. Last summer, it went through an expansion, opening a craft beer brewery, and now offers its own homebrews – from the cellar to the tap. Known as a local community gathering spot, they aim to continue building community one mug at a time.
For Connecting People and Pets – It Takes a Village Pet Care
Not only are Traci Bisson and her team running a quality pet care organization, licensed and accredited – they give back to the community and non-profit organizations through their dog walking club. This year they have dedicated proceeds from events to – Elder Pet in Durham, Mary’s Dogs of Northwood and Granite State Dog Recovery in Manchester. It Takes a Village Pet Care has been running since 2016, and growing and thriving as well as giving back.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Concord, NH – The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) reminds all motorists that choosing safe behaviors behind the wheel could save a life. While people’s preferences in the types of transportation they use differ, they all have one thing in common - everyone is a pedestrian. In 2020, there have been seven traffic-related fatalities in NH so far and two of those involved pedestrians.
“As a motorist, avoiding a pedestrian seems like common knowledge, but too many people are still paying with their lives,” said OHS Commander William Haynes. “Unfortunately, if there is a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle, the pedestrian is most likely to be the one killed or injured. Everyone is responsible for safety on NH’s roads.”
Drivers and pedestrians need to stay alert at all times while traveling. While driving, it can be tempting to pick up an electronic device or fiddle with the radio, but that choice could cost someone his or her life. As a pedestrian, wearing headphones or using a cell phone could lead to disaster if you don’t hear a car horn or miss a stop-signal at a crosswalk. It is important for pedestrians to wear visible clothing as well as use a flashlight or headlamp to light their path if walking at night. If your vehicle becomes disabled on the side of the road, stay in the vehicle, dial 911 and ask for assistance. Stay in your vehicle until assistance arrives.
In addition, 4-out-of-the-5 traffic-related fatalities not related to pedestrians, were a result of ejection. It is another reminder of how seat belts can save lives. NH has the highest unbelted fatality rate in the country so we want to encourage everyone, regardless of age, to buckle up - every trip, every time and in every position of the motor vehicle.
Both drivers and pedestrians should always follow the rules of the road, including not using electronic devices or driving/walking impaired, traveling the speed limit, and by simply buckling up. Everyone who uses NH’s roads has a duty to drive safely, which, in turn, helps everyone get to their destination unharmed.
Follow NH OHS on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nh_ohs and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NHHighwaySafety/ Also, sign up for NH Alerts to receive emergency information via your mobile phones.
- Details
- Written by Kat Roedell
- Category: Articles
The owners of Esther Sawyer, CPA LLC, Esther and Chris Sawyer, are a pair of rising leaders in our community. Three terms come to mind when thinking of the Sawyers – Partnership, Integrity, and Giving Back. They started the business 20 years ago in Maryland, but 2 years ago when Chris retired from his job, they moved to New Hampshire and the business moved with them.
In Maryland where they both had great careers in the finance area, Esther worked for a private CPA firm and as a DC Government Auditor. This provides Esther with a detailed knowledge of the bookkeeping and auditing part of the business. Her Tax Preparation background started when she was in school to become a CPA. When she was doing a project on rental property tax returns for class, one of her cousins offered to give her a chance to practice on his taxes and from that, a home-based business was born.
Meanwhile, Chris worked for the IRS in many different areas including customer service, tax collection as a Revenue Officer, and in their Headquarters as an Analyst. Because of his job, he understands the ins and outs of all the codes and uses that knowledge now to help others with tax issues. When they first started their business Esther ran it, because getting paid to file tax returns would be a conflict of interest for Chris. However, Esther had a built-in advisor, so complex issues would be dealt with as a team effort – with Chris providing the resources and guidelines for problems that were tax-related. Throughout the years, while they both worked full-time jobs, Esther built up a clientele working the tax business part-time while Chris kept the household work done – sharing the raising of their child Xena.
Of the two, they have realms of expertise that they provide as services in and for their company. Chris - the reference guy, collections issues, and business startup consulting for their clients. He also is more technologically savvy so he helped build their website, manages their SEO and handles any internal computer issues they may have. Esther handles Auditing, Accounting and most of the complex tax preparation work. They also use their business to teach their daughter (who is now 16 and working on her dream of becoming a doctor), how to organize and manage a business.
Their first client in New Hampshire had over 12,000 dollars in taxes in arrears and penalties and was going to have to pay that amount because he had received some misinformation from his original CPA. Chris did the research and wrote a letter to the NH Dept of Revenue requesting a reasonable cause penalty abatement. Then he just billed the client for the time taken to write the letter – because he was unsure of the result. The client was so happy just about the letter that he gave them a tip for helping out. The gentleman received a letter within six weeks that his penalty abatement request was approved in full.
Because of their interests in helping their community, the couple is active and involved in several activities and groups in the area. Chris is a Navy veteran, so both give back by being active in the American Legion. Chris is the Finance Officer, and Esther is the president of the American Legion Auxiliary. The couple is also active in their church, engaged in local fundraising events, and even work with the homeless and those in recovery.
They also give back by providing free tax services (on a limited basis depending on need), offering friends and family discount, and a 20% discount for First Responders and Veterans. Give them a call for any tax-related questions.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
New Hampshire's 2.6% preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2019 was ranked sixth lowest in the nation, tied with Hawaii and Virginia, based on data released this morning by BLS.
Lowest were:
South Carolina --- 2.3%
Utah --- 2.3%
Vermont --- 2.3%
North Dakota --- 2.4%
New England states -- seasonally adjusted:
Vermont --- 2.3% -- lowest (tie)
New Hampshire --- 2.6% -- 6th lowest (tie)
Massachusetts --- 2.8% -- 11th lowest
Maine --- 2.9% -- 12th lowest (tie)
Rhode Island --- 3.5% -- 26th lowest (tie)
Connecticut --- 3.7% -- 31st lowest (tie)
Highest rates:
Alaska --- 6.1%
Mississippi --- 5.7%
District of Columbia --- 5.3%
https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/
For additional Economic and Labor Market Information, please contact ELMI at (603) 228-4124 or via e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Page 39 of 77