January 30, 2008

FROM: JOHN D. SHEA, Executive Councilor

January 30, 2008 Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting, January 30, 2008,that might be of interest to District Two constituents. The next scheduled Governor and Council meeting will be held in the Executive Council Chamber, State House, Concord, NH on February 13, 2008.

OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING

Authorized to amend a sole source contract with Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties Inc., Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 9-19-07, item #9), for the Fuel Assistance Program by increasing the amount by $365,034 from $2,373,087 to $2,738,121. Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2008. 100% Federal Funds.

Authorized to amend a sole source contract with Southwestern Community Services Inc., Keene, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 9-19-07, item #6), for the Fuel Assistance Program by increasing the amount by $571,554 from $1,715,481 to $2,287,035. Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2008. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Authorized to continue a 30% salary enhancement for position #19851 Chief Pharmacist, LG 30 and positions #19848, #19553 and #12997 Pharmacist, LG 27, also, to continue an hourly rate enhancement of 30% for four part-time temporary Pharmacists. Effective retroactive to September 18, 2007 through September 17, 2009. 100% General Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Authorized to retroactively amend a Local Source Water Protection grant to the Milton Water District, Milton, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 3-8-06, item #49, amended on 6-27-07, item #106), to complete a project to date to September 30, 2008 from December 31, 2007.

Authorized to approve a Supplemental Loan Agreement with the City of Rochester for construction of the Homemakers Sewer Extension in the amount of $341,373.13. Effective upon G&C approval.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services

Authorized to provide Senior Wellness Programming Initiative grant awards as detailed in letter dated January 9, 2008, in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per grant award to twenty-three senior centers and the NH Association of Senior Centers for a total of $60,000. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008. 100% General Funds.

Authorized to amend an existing sole source agreement with Southern NH Services, Inc., Manchester, NH (previously amended by G&C on 1-16-08, item #96), to provide elderly residents with disaster assistance grant funds for recovery activities associated with the April 2007 severe weather event. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

Division for Juvenile Justice Services

Authorized John H. Sununu Youth Services Center, accept a ping-pong table with a total approximate value of $180 from Francia Rennie of Allenstown, NH.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Authorized to enter into a contract with Ellen Phillips, New Durham, NH, School Improvement Coach, to provide technical assistance in English Language arts and/or reading to selected schools and districts to raise student achievement to meet state performance targets, in an amount not to exceed $15,000. (2) Further Authorized to exercise a renewal option on this contract for up to two additional fiscal years, subject to the contractor’s acceptable performance of the terms therein and pending legislative approval for the next biennium budget. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008. 100% General Funds.

Authorized Division of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation to enter into a contract with Strafford Learning Center, Somersworth, NH, to provide dropout prevention services in twelve NH communities in an amount not to exceed $200,474.64. (2) Further Authorized to make advanced monthly payments for services provided under the terms of the contract. (3) Further Authorized to withhold 10% of the contract total instead of the 25% withholding provision of the contract price. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% General Funds.

Authorized to accept and expend grant funds in the amount of $770,000 from the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs to improve instruction and achievement in eligible districts. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008. 100 % Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

The following persons from District Two were nominated by Governor Lynch to State of New Hampshire Boards and Commissions

Nancy C. Kyle, Pembroke, NH Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism
John D. Hutson, Bow, NH Postsecondary Education Commission
Eileen Thayer Bartlett, Epsom, NH Occupational Therapy Governing Board
Mark W. Tetreault, Epsom, NH Fire Standards and Training Commission
David F. Foster, Northfield, NH Compensation Appeals Board

Represents the cities and towns of Acworth, Allenstown, Alstead, Andover, Antrim, Barnstead, Bennington, Boscawen, Bow, Bradford, Brookfield, Canterbury, Chesterfield, Chichester, Concord, Danbury, Deerfield, Deering, Dublin, Epsom, Farmington, Francestown, Franklin, Gilmanton, Gilsum, Goshen, Greenfield, Hancock, Harrisville, Henniker, Hill, Hillsborough, Hopkinton, Langdon, Lempster, Loudon, Marlborough, Marlow, Middleton, Milton, Nelson, New Durham, Newbury, New London, Northfield, Northwood, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Rollinsford, Rochester, Roxbury, Salisbury, Somersworth, Stoddard, Strafford, Sullivan, Surry, Sutton, Unity, Walpole , Warner, Washington, Weare, Webster, Westmoreland, Wilmot, and Windsor.
For additional information on the cities and towns in this district, go to www.nh.gov/municipal/.