April 3, 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, April 1, 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 15, 2009- 10:00AM.

BUSINESS FINANCE AUTHORITY
Authorized to hold a Public Hearing to approve an award of a State Guarantee under RSA 162-A:13 with respect to a loan from Woodside Capital Partners IV, LLC to Pittsfield Weaving Company, Inc. or new company to be named, in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Action will Authorized a Resolution under RSA 162-A:18 to determine the financing will serve a public use, provide public benefit and is within the policy and authority of the Act.
Authorized to hold a Public Hearing with respect to the financing of an industrial facility by the Business Finance Authority for Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership located in Northfield, New Hampshire. Action will Authorized a Resolution under RSA 162-I:9 to determine the financing will serve a public use, provide public benefit and is within the policy and authority of the Act.

OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING
Authorized to accept and expend American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in the amount of $23,218,594 from the US Department of Energy, for the Low Income Weatherization program. Effective upon G&C approval through March 31, 2012. 100% Federal - ARRA Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Authorized the Working Capital Warrant reporting expenditures of $314,290,584.51 for the Month of February, and the balance of $85,709,415.49 be lapsed.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Authorized to issue a warrant from funds not otherwise appropriated and the State Treasurer to issue checks in the amount of $302,300.72 to the rightful owners of abandoned or unclaimed funds.

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES
Authorized Division of Library to budget and expend prior year unexpended Library Services Technology Act Funds in the amount of $274,324. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Authorized to conduct a two-day advanced conference scheduled for May 14-15, 2009 entitled the Fifteenth Statewide Conference on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Stalking to be held at The Yard Restaurant, Manchester, NH, at a cost not to exceed $53,217.50 for up to 425 attendees. This amount will be paid in part from registration fees, paid by up to 191 attendees (234) through June 30, 2009. 31% Agency, 69% Federal Funds. (2) Further Authorized to accept and expend registration fees for the two-day advanced training conference above, in the amount of $85 from each of an estimated 191 participants, for a total amount not to exceed $16,235, to help defray the cost of the conference and facility expenses. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Agency Income. (3) Further Authorized to enter into an agreement with the Yard Restaurant in an amount not to exceed $40,518.50 for necessary conference facilities and food services for the conference above. Effective upon G&C approval through May 31, 2009. 40% Agency, 60% Federal Funds.

NEW HAMPSHIRE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
Authorized to enter into a retroactive agreement with Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Inc., Salem, NH, for full service maintenance coverage of one Konica Minolta color and Konica Minolta one black and white copier/printer with accessories in the amount not to exceed $83,000. Effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Authorized to accept and expend funds made available through the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act Grant in the amount of $174,754 to increase awareness and prevention of Prison rape and sexual misconduct within the NH corrections facilities. (2) Further Authorized to transfer grant funds in the amount of $64,399.63 within a budgeted federal grant entitled “Prison Rape Elimination Act” for the purpose of increasing awareness and prevention of Prison rape and sexual misconduct within the NH Corrections facilities. Effective  upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized to enter into a sole source contract with NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Concord, NH, for victim services for NH State inmates who are survivors of sexual assault in the amount of $20,000. Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2010. 100% Federal Funds.

LIQUOR COMMISSION
Authorized to accept and expend NH Liquor Commission “Last Drink Survey” funds totaling $11,817.14 from the NH Highway Safety Agency through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Effective upon G&C approval through September 15, 2009. 100% Transfer Funds.
Authorized to amend a contract with Northeast Door Corporation, Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 8-22-07, item #92), for automatic door repair and replacement services at various liquor store locations throughout NH, by increasing the price from $255,277.50 to $360,276, an increase of $104,999.10. Effective upon G&C approval through August 31, 2010. 100% General Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authorized Bureau of Trails to amend contracts with the snowmobile clubs (previously approved by G&C on 12-3-08, item #25), for winter trail grooming and plowing by increasing the amount by $137,124.50 from $1,527,566.41 to $1,664,690.91. Effective upon G&C approval through May 1, 2009. 100% Trails Bureau Funds.
Authorized Division of Parks and Recreation to name the Moose Lookout Shelter located on The Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail, approximately four miles in on the Pillsbury Ridge in Washington, NH, the “Steve Galpin Shelter at Moose Lookout.”

FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
Authorized to accept and expend $567,353 in Landowner Incentive Program Funds from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the purpose of habitat conservation and restoration for species of conservation concern. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Authorized to amend a memorandum of agreement with Fish and Game (previously approved by G&C on 6-25-08, item #129), to complete the reconstruction of Alton Power Dam in Alton and Perkins Pond Marsh Dam in Weare on a force account basis, by extending the completion date from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2011. 100% Other Funds.
Authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the NH Lakes Association Inc., Concord, NH, for the purpose of milfoil prevention activities in the amount of $123,333. Effective upon G&C approval through May 31, 2010. 100% Lake Restoration Funds.
Authorized Oil Fund Disbursement Board to budget and expend prior year carry forward funds in the amount of $310,000 for the purposes of gasoline ether cleanup. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Gasoline Ether Funds.  Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized to accept and expend $196,880 in federal funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency for purposes of funding retrofits of on and off-road diesel equipment. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of Business Operations
Authorized to amend a sole source agreement with Northeast Record Retention LLC, Hooksett, NH, (previously amended by G&C on 5-21-08, item #81), to provide storage of paper records, by increasing the amount not to exceed $60,000 from $335,541.44 to $395,541.44, and by extending the completion date from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010. 34% Federal, 66% General Funds.
Office of Medicaid Business and Policy
Authorized to accept and expend additional unrestricted revenue in the amount of $3,202,468. (2)Further Authorized the transfer of general funds in the amount of $3,202,468 and accept and expend federal matching funds in the amount of $3,205,670.47. Fiscal Committee approved.
Division for Children, Youth & Families
Authorized to enter into an agreement with the University System of NH, Granite State College, Durham, NH, for Early Child Care Tuition Assistance in an amount not to exceed $300,000. Effective July 1, 2009 or upon G&C approval, whichever is later, through June 30, 2011. 100% Federal Funds.
Bureau of Homeless and Housing Services
Authorized to accept and expend $100,000 from the State Treasurer, from funds available to support the provisions of the Housing Security Guarantee Program. (2)Further Authorized to amend a contract with Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties Inc., Concord, NH (previously amended by G&C on 6-25-08, item #178), for homeless assistance services by increasing the price by $100,000 from $988,178.82 to $1,088,178.82. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% General Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Division of Family Assistance
Authorized to modify Food Stamp Program eligibility criteria to increase participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program,  by creating categorical eligibility for families with children with income below 185% of the federal poverty level. Food Stamp benefits are 100% federally funded and are not a budget line item within the DHHS – DFA appropriation. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
New Hampshire Hospital
Authorized to increase for recruitment and retention purposes the Pharmacist and Chief Pharmacist classifications hourly rates by 30% retroactive to November 21, 2008 through November 21, 2010. G&C approved a 30% increase on February 7, 2007, item #82, for a period of two years through November 21, 2008 at an estimated cost of $71,356. 70% General, 30% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorized to exercise a renewal option to grant funds to the NH Assistive Technology Center, Concord, NH, (previously amended by G&C on 1-30-08, item #68), to improve educational outcomes for students who are blind and visually impaired in an amount not to exceed $49,950. Effective upon G&C approval through February 5, 2010. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Authorized Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to enter into grant agreements with the towns as detailed in letter dated February 24, 2009, in the amount of $30,000 for the purpose of preparing Federal Emergency Management Agency approved updated local multi-hazard mitigation plans. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.  This includes $5,000 for Chichester, NH and Pembroke, $4,000.
Authorized Division of State Police to accept and expend an $18,946.37 grant from the NH Highway Safety Agency entitled “NH State Police DWI Patrols” for the purpose of conducting sobriety checkpoints in an effort to combat the DWI problem throughout the State. Effective upon G&C approval through September 15, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorized to accept and expend federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in the amount of $135,700,000 for various state transportation projects. Effective upon G&C approval through February 17, 2012. ARRA Funding. Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized Bureau of Rail and Transit to budget and expend revenue in the amount of $494,651 and anticipated revenue in the amount of $255,349 from the Special Railroad Fund for maintenance and repair of active State-owned railroad lines. (2)Further Authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $750,000 for maintenance and repairs to active state-owned railroad lines. Effective upon G&C approval. 100% Other (Special Railroad) Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.
Authorized Bureau of Right of Way to sell a State owned homestead on a 0.21 acre parcel of State owned land improved with a historic single-family residence located at 431 Main Street in Keene to George Xanthopoulos for $160,000 plus $1,100 Administrative Fee. (2) Further Authorized to compensate Better Homes and Gardens / The Masiello Group & Associates from the proceeds of the subject sale in the amount of $8,000 for real estate services. Effective upon G&C approval.

LATE ITEMS:
OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING
Authorized the Office of Energy and Planning to enter into a SOLE SOURCE contract with Strafford County Community Action Committee, Inc of Dover NH in the amount of $2,282,440.00 for the Weatherization Assistance Program effective upon G&C approval through March 31,2012. 100% Federal Stimulus Funds. ARRA Funds.

OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING
Authorized the Office of Energy and Planning to enter into a SOLE SOURCE contract with Southwestern Community Services, Inc of Keene NH in the amount of $2,601,788.00 for the Weatherization Assistance Program effective upon G&C approval through March 31,2012. 100% Federal Stimulus Funds. ARRA Funds.

OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING
Authorized the Office of Energy and Planning to enter into a SOLE SOURCE contract with Community Action of Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc of Concord NH in the amount of $3,661,355.00 for the Weatherization Assistance Program effective upon G&C approval through March 31,2012. 100% Federal Stimulus Funds. ARRA Funds.

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

Daniel St. Hilaire, Esq, Concord, NH, Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals
Carolyn W. Baldwin, Gilmanton, NH, Historical Resources Council
Gregory W. Wallace, Francestown, NH, Postsecondary Education Commission
Kevin Cash, Rochester, NH, Public Employee Labor Relations Board
J. David McLean, Rochester, NH, Public Employee Labor Relations Board

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.

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/.