Welcome to Lyman
NOTICES and ITEMS OF INTEREST
INVENTORY OF TAXABLE PROPERTY FORMS
The Board of Selectmen voted last fall to discontinue using the PA-28 Inventory of Taxable Property forms. They felt the cost to prepare, mail, and process the returned inventories was not worth the small amount of new information gained each year.
Keep in mind that building permits are required for ALL new construction, modifications to dwellings, additions, decks, porches, barns, woodsheds, garages, sheds, etc. If you remove a building, you must also notify the town so your valuation can be adjusted.
NEW TOWN CLERK HOURS - EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2008
Monday and Wednesday 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday 8:00 am - 1:30 pm
Monday evening by appointment
Town Offices are closed Tuesday and Friday.
2007 PROPERTY TAX RATE = $19.14
- $6.42 Town Rate
- $9.17 Local School Rate
- $2.15 State School Rate
- $1.40 County Rate
DHHS INFORMATION ON NOROVIRUS
What is Norovirus?
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastrointestinal (stomach and digestive) illness. Norovirus infection occurs occasionally in only one or a few people or it can be responsible for large outbreaks, such as in long-term care facilities.
Who gets Norovirus?
Norovirus infects people of all ages worldwide. It may, however, be more common in adults and older children.
How does someone get Norovirus?
Norovirus is spread from person to person via feces, but some evidence suggests that the virus is spread through the air during vomiting. Good hand washing is the most important way to prevent the transmission of Norovirus. Outbreaks have been linked to sick food handlers, ill health care workers, cases in facilities such as nursing homes spreading to other residents, contaminated shellfish, and water contaminated with sewage.
What are the symptoms of Norovirus?
Serious illness rarely occurs. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Diarrhea may occasionally accompany vomiting. Fever is usually low grade or absent. Infected people generally recover in 1-2 days.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The incubation period for Norovirus is 1-2 days.
How is Norovirus infection diagnosed?
Laboratory diagnosis is difficult but there are tests that can be performed in the New Hampshire Public Health Lab in situations where there are multiple cases. Diagnosis is often based on the combination of symptoms and the short time of the illness.
What is the treatment for Norovirus infection?
No specific treatment is available. People who become dehydrated might need to be rehydrated by taking liquids by mouth. Occasionally patients may need to be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids.
How can Norovirus be prevented?
While there is no vaccine for Norovirus, there are precautions people should take:
- Wash hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom and after changing diapers
- Wash hands with soap and warm water before preparing or eating any food
- Cook all shellfish thoroughly before eating
- Wash raw vegetables before eating
- Dispose of sewage in a sanitary manner
- Food handlers with symptoms of Norovirus should not prepare or touch food
- Health care workers should stay home if they have symptoms of Norovirus.
For specific concerns about Norovirus, call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease Control Section at 603-271-4496 or 800-852-3345 x4496. For further information, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov or the NH Department of Health and Human Services website at www.dhhs.state.nh.us.
DHHS INFORMATION ON STAPH INFECTIONS
What is a Staph skin infection?
Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) bacteria are commonly found on the skin of healthy persons. A Staph skin infection can be a pimple, rash, boil, or an open wound. Staph infections often begin with an injury to the skin. Symptoms of Staph infection may include redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness of the skin. Sometimes it does not cause any problems; sometimes it causes minor infections, such as pimples or boils. If left untreated, it can cause serious skin infections or worse.
How do Staph skin infections spread?
Staph lives on skin and survives on objects for 24 hours or more. Staph can rub off on the skin of an infected person onto the skin of another person during rigorous skin-to-skin contact. Or, the Staph bacteria can come off of the infected skin of a person onto a shared object, and get onto the skin of the next person who uses it. Examples of commonly shared objects include towels, soap, razors, and athletic equipment.
How can I prevent myself or my family members from getting infected?
Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Keep cuts and scrapes clean with soap and water. Avoid skin contact and sharing personal items with anyone you suspect could have a Staph skin infection. When using protective gloves to the treat infected area, remove and dispose of properly; wash your hands with soap and water after removing them. Do not share personal items with other persons who might have skin infections.
What should I do if I think I have a skin infection?
Consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you think you have a skin infection. Early treatment can help prevent the infection from getting worse. Be sure to follow directions from your doctor or healthcare provider closely, even when you start to feel better. Not taking all of your pills may lead to stronger, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
If I was told by my healthcare provider that I have a Staph skin infection, how do I keep others from getting infected?
- Keep the infected area covered with clean, dry bandages. Pus from infected wounds is very infectious.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after changing your bandages or touching the infected skin.
- Regularly clean your bathroom, kitchen, and all other rooms, as well as your personal items.
- Wash clothes and other items that become soiled with hot water or bleach, when possible.
- Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying them also helps to kill bacteria in clothes.
For specific concerns about Staph skin infections, call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease Control Section at 603-271-4496 or 800-852-3345 x4496. For further information, refer to the Centers for Staph Skin Infections, 129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301 800-852-3345 www.dhhs.nh.gov; Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov; or the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website at www.dhhs.nh.gov.
DHHS ENCOURAGES NH RESIDENTS TO GET A YEARLY FLU VACCINE
The annual influenza (flu) season is about to start and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is encouraging all residents to consider getting immunized against the flu, especially those who are at increased risk of complications from the flu. Influenza results in about 36,000 deaths annually and 200,000 hospitalizations.
"DHHS has just started shipping vaccine to providers for children who are served under our immunization program," said Nicholas Toumpas, Acting Commissioner. "It's important for people to know that there is enough flu vaccine this year, and we are encouraging people to get vaccinated."
Influenza is a very serious disease of the lungs, nose and throat. The illness is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Typical flu symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches.
The flu season can last from October through May, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are encouraging people to be vaccinated whenever they can, even if it is after the initial push in October and November. The vaccine is available in the traditional shot form for people six months of age and older. Flu vaccine in a nasal mist form is available for people aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant.
"It is important to understand that the vaccine itself does not give you the flu," said Mary Ann Cooney, Director of Public Health. "It is especially important that certain targeted groups be vaccinated for their own safety, however other groups, such as health care providers, should receive the vaccine to protect others. If you won't do it for yourself, get vaccinated for someone you care for or about."
The at-risk groups that should receive a flu vaccine every year are listed below:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age or older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, heart disease, or are immune compromised
- People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu should also be vaccinated every year, including:
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
- Healthcare workers
Those who should not be vaccinated are:
- People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination
- Children younger than 6 months of age (the vaccine is not approved for that age group)
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
For more information on influenza and the vaccine, contact the NH Immunization Program at 800-852-3345 ext. 4482 or 603-271-4482 or the Communicable Disease Surveillance Section at 800-852-3345 ext. 0279 or 603-271-0279. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov. For more New Hampshire information, visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov. To find out a flu clinic close to you, visit www.flucliniclocator.org or www.findaflushot.com, which are run by the American Lung Association.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
This website is intended to be a way for Lyman residents to get information about
the town and foster a sense of
community within the town.
The navigation bar along the left-hand side of the screen lists the main topic
categories currently available and allows you to easily find information. You can
always return to the home page by clicking on the website address in the upper
left-hand corner of the screen.
The first section of the navigation bar contains links to pages that concern the
town government. Here you will find names and positions of elected officials,
office hours for the Administrative Assistant and Town Clerk, meeting minutes,
and other information.
There are various email links on the detailed pages of the site and also
a link to the webmaster on every page, both in the upper right-hand corner
of the screen and at the very bottom of the page.
