March 4, 2009

FROM: JOHN D. SHEA, Executive Councilor

Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting March 4, 2009, that might be of interest to District Two constituents.

The next scheduled Governor and Council meeting will be held in The State House in Concord, New Hampshire on Wednesday, April 1, 2009.

OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING
Authorized to enter into a retroactive contract with Lutheran Community Services of NH Inc., Concord, NH, to provide direct services to NH refugees in the amount of $27,276. Effective October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL
Authorized to receive additional General Funds from funds not otherwise appropriated in the amount of $415,000. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% General Funds. Fiscal Committee approved. Additional funding in the amount of $415,000.00 is needed to cover costs associated with the constitutionally mandated on-going costs associated with indigent defense representation.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Authorized a Working Capital Warrant in the amount of $390,000,000 to cover expenditures for the Month of April 2009. (2) Further Authorized a Working Capital Warrant in the amount of $400,000,000 to cover expenditures for the Month of May 2009. (3) Further Authorized a Working Capital Warrant in the amount of $400,000,000 to cover expenditures for the Month of June 2009. (4) Further Authorized to amend a Working Capital Warrant previously approved by G&C on 1-14-09, by increasing the amount by $667,250.74 bringing the total amount to $400,667,250.74.
Authorized to enter into a contract with Snowden Associates/SCI, Portsmouth, NH, to provide executive search services in an amount not to exceed $27,500. (To recruit candidates for State Controller positions) (Vacant for two years) Effective upon G&C approval through March 31, 2010. 100% General Funds.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Authorized a resolution permitting the State Treasurer to negotiate the sale and issue of general obligation bonds to refund outstanding bonds to produce net present value debt service savings of at least three percent of the par value of the refunded bonds. (Interest rates are at such levels as to permit the Treasury to refund (or refinance) approximately $30 millions in bonds issued in 1998.)
Authorized to accept, on behalf of the State, a donation in the amount of $250. (The gift, which was made by Dr. Vick Van de Poll to the State of New Hampshire, was made as both a gesture of appreciation for the Governor’s ongoing efforts and commitment to a balanced budget and as a personal contribution to help offset the current revenue shortfall.)

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, MARKETS & FOOD
Authorized to accept and expend additional funds in the amount of $40,491 for Transfers to Other State Agencies to fulfill the scope of work with NH Department of Environmental Services. (2) Further Authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the NH Department of Environmental Services to purchase lab equipment necessary for analyzing pesticide samples in the amount of $40,450. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authorized to accept and expend $9,238.86 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency via the State Office of Emergency Management in order to reimburse eligible expense for mitigating wind-related damages suffered on public lands in Belknap and Rockingham counties during the July 24, 2008 tornado. 100% Transfer – FEMA Funds.

NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
Authorized to hold a Hunter Education Volunteer Recognition and Training Seminar on March 21, 2009 in the amount of $10,145. (2) Further Authorized to purchase volunteer recognition awards for a cost not to exceed $1,708 to be presented to volunteer instructors at this event. (3) Further Authorized to pay C.R. Sparks Restaurants Inc. $8,437 to provide facilities, morning refreshments and a lunch buffet for the Hunter Education Volunteer Recognition and Training Seminar at the C.R. Sparks Event Center in Bedford, NH on March 21, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.
Authorized to enter into an Off Highway Recreational Vehicle Law Enforcement contract with the Manchester Police Department to provide OHRV enforcement for a total of $5,400. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 3009. 100% Other (OHRV) Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division for Juvenile Justice Services
Authorized to accept and expend carryover balances from the previous fiscal year from the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the amount of $416,517. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Division of Public Health Services
Authorized Bureau of Community Health Services, Rural Health and Primary Care Section to enter into an agreement with Steven Youngs, DO, Penacook, NH, to receive reimbursement for payment of educational loans through the State Loan Repayment Program in an amount not to exceed $75,000. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2012. 100% General Funds.
Authorized Bureau of Community Health Services, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Section, to exercise a contract renew and amend option with Concord Hospital Inc., Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 5-16-07, item #107), to provide voluntary, confidential HIV counseling, testing, and referral services and STD testing and treatment, by increasing the price by $46,220 from $46,220 to $92,440, and by extending the completion date to June 30, 2011. Effective upon G&C approval. 51% Federal, 49% General Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorized to accept, budget and expend grant funds received in the amount of $916,879.88 from the US Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Washington, D.C., for the Enhanced Assessment Instruments Grant, to help build more effective procedures and materials for the meaningful assessment of students; including students with limited English proficiency and students with disabilities. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized to enter into a sole source contract with the Institute on Disability, University of NH, Office of Sponsored Research, Durham, NH, to complete dropout prevention grant work entitled Achievement for Dropout Prevention and Excellence II, in the amount of $435,723. Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Authorized Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to accept and expend Legislative Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $67,865.75. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. (2) Further Authorized Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Town of Epsom, to replace a culvert, which will increase capacity and allow a higher volume of water to flow through, for a total of $47,793.75. Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2010. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to accept and expend Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $212,515. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. (2)Further Authorized Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to award funds to the Town of Epsom, for a total amount of $207,813 for implementation of projects identified through the evaluation of natural hazards. Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized to make unencumbered payments to reimburse local public safety and health organizations for the actual costs of participating in series of public health emergency preparedness exercises in May 2009 at a cost not to exceed $57,500. Effective May 1, 2009 through August 29, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.  

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorized Bureau of Rail & Transit to enter into an agreement with Contoocook Valley Transportation Company, Peterborough, NH, to develop and implement a volunteer driver program providing accessible transportation to people with disabilities in the eastern Monadnock region in the amount not to exceed $55,000. Effective upon G&C approval through February 28, 2010. 100% Federal Funds.

The Governor nominated the following individuals from District Two to State of New Hampshire Boards and Commissions

Michael P. Connor, Pembroke, NH, Director: Division of Plant and Property Management: Department of Administrative Services
Kelly A. Ayotte, Concord, NH Attorney General
Ignatius MacLellan, Bow, NH Community Development Finance Authority
Cleve P. Kapala, Hopkinton, NH, Connecticut River Valley Resource Commission
Richard C. Jackson, Rochester, NH, Skyhaven Airport Operation Commission

Over 300 citizen appointments are confirmed annually for citizens to serve on various state agencies, boards and commissions. Commissions, advisory boards and other similar bodies are continually being created or eliminated by state statute. For the most accurate listing of current boards and commissions visit the Red Book at http://www.sos.nh.gov/redbook/index.htm.Representing 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.

Please Note:

The Governor and Executive Council have been taking their regular council meetings into the communities during the summer season. This gives the community an opportunity to see their government in action.

In recent years we have held our meetings at:
Berlin Middle School
Charlestown Student Conservation Association
Franklin City Hall
Manchester Community College Library
Manchester Division of Children, Youth and Families
Merrimack at the John O’Leary Adult Community Center
Newport Opera House
Peterborough Town Offices
Plymouth State University
Wentworth Coolidge Mansion, Portsmouth, NH

If any business, educational institution, historical site or other community facility would like to host an official Governor and Executive Council meeting this summer in District Two please contact me at 603-847-9008.

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/.