January 18, 2008

TO:         All Third District Cities and Towns

FROM:   Executive Councilor Beverly Hollingworth

The Governor and Executive Council met on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in the Governor/Council Chamber at the State House in Concord, NH and considered an agenda of over 220 items.

The next scheduled Governor and Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday January 30, 2007 at 10:00 AM in the Governor/Councilor Chamber at the State House, Concord, NH.

The following authorized items might be of interest to District Three constituents.
NOTE:
In a letter from Governor Lynch to the Speaker of the NH House and President of the NH State Senate regarding his recommendations to the ten-year Transportation Plan for 2009-2018 the Governor wrote that in addition to the projects recommended by the Executive Council as participants on The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT), he has added to the plan the first two pieces of construction for NHDOT Project 11238, the widening of the Spaulding Turnpike over the Little Bay Bridge and on the Gosling Road in Newington.  This project is recommended by DOT as the next highest priority for the turnpike system. As you may know, there are significant backups on the bridge, which is too narrow for break down lanes, causing daily safety concerns.  This addition can be funded by revenue from the toll increases approved by the executive Council on October 3, 2007.

OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
          Authorized Captain Amy L. Emanuel, Windham, ME, be nominated for promotion to the rank of Major, NH Air National Guard.  This officer meets all prerequisites for this grade, having been found to be physically, mentally, morally, and professionally qualified.

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES
          Authorized Division of Historical Resources to enter in to a contract with TMS Architects, Portsmouth, NH, for the condition report of the Old State House in the amount of $11,100.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds.  Explanation:  Build in 1758 in Portsmouth, NH; the Old State House was the seat of New Hampshire’s colonial government. Dismantled in 1836, one third of the building’s frame was removed to Court Street and survived after being converted into a townhouse.  In 1969, the State of New Hampshire purchased the building and moved it to Strawberry Banke Museum to await restoration. The structure was removed from Strawbery Banke Museum in 1989, a historic structures report was prepared, the building elements marked, placed into storage, and moved to Concord, NH.  This project is part of a two year-study of the Old State House, its value as a historical artifact and as a catalyst for heritage tourism in New Hampshire.

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
          Authorized the Division of Parks and Recreation to enter into a contract with Samyn-D’Elia Architects, P.A., Ashland, NH, for design and engineering services for redevelopment of Hampton Beach State Park in the amount of $217,920.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  100% General Funds. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
          Authorized to accept and expend $511,917 in federal funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency for purposes of funding remediation efforts at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act sites.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds.  Fiscal Committee approved.  Explanation:  The funds being added at this time are the 90% Federal share for additional remedial work at the Savage well (aka OK Tool) Superfund Site in Milford and a transfer of reporting requirements to the State at the Keefe Environmental Services Superfund   site in Exeter.  EPA has requested that the State have its contractor prepare the federally mandated five-year progress report for the Keefe site.
          Authorized a Supplemental Loan Agreement with the Town of Hampton, in the amount of $4,582,256.88 to finance the construction of the Beach Area Interceptor.  Effective upon G&C approval.
          Authorized a Supplement Loan Agreement with the Town of Hampton in the amount of $1,731,411.05 to finance the Facility Plan Update and King’s Highway and Ocean Blvd.  Effective upon G&C approval.
          Authorized to enter into a sole source agreement with Air Chek Inc., Fletcher, NC, for radon test devices, in an amount not to exceed $18,000.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009.  50% Federal, 50% General Funds.  Explanation:[The EPA estimates that currently in New Hampshire, 92 lung cancer deaths per year are related to residential radon exposure; data collected through this on-going testing program suggest this estimate may be conservative.]  Rockingham County will be one of the districts served.
          Authorized to pay membership dues to the Association of US Delegates to the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, South Portland, ME, in the amount of $18,000.  Effective upon G&C approval.  49% Federal, 49% General, 2% Other Funds.  Explanation:  Membership provides New Hampshire with a voice in the discussion of important issues affecting the State’s coastal watersheds, provides access to hundreds of thousands of dollars for coastal restoration grants, and offers the opportunity to address coastal issues that affect New Hampshire from beyond our borders.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
   Office of the Commissioner
          Authorized Emergency Services Unit to accept and expend Other Funds in the amount of $64,268 awarded by the NH Department of Safety.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  Fiscal Committee approved. Explanation:  [The NH EPHT Program received an award in August 2006 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop an environmental health tracking system that serves the essential information needs of statewide stakeholders, including all municipal health departments, health officers, State agency programs, university researchers and general public.]
   Office of Medicaid Business and Policy
          Authorized to enter into an agreement with Public Sector Partners Inc., Worcester, MA, to provide staffing, consultation, recruitment and placement services in the amount of $360,258.75.  Effective upon G&C approval through January 17, 2010.  50% Federal, 50% General Funds.  Explanation:  The mission of the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, OMBP is to meet the health care needs of Medicaid-eligible pregnant women, infants, children, individuals with special needs, and low-income elderly and/or disabled persons, and to effectively manage the cost of providing these services State-wide.
   Division for Children, Youth and Families
          Authorized to award annual grants in State Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 in the amount of $240,000 to twelve NH Family Resource Centers for infrastructure sustainability in the amounts of $10,000.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009.  100% General Funds.   Explanation:  Family Resource Centers (FRCs) provide a variety of services to families from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic status.  Many of the services provided by FRCs reduce the likelihood of child abuse to support groups for divorced spouses that reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.  FRCs are geographically spread throughout the state and are very accessible, welcoming places for families to engage in supportive services, FRCs bring people together at the community level and work with families to address the everyday issues they face.  Interacting with one another, families gain a meaningful sense of community. Two Family Resource Centers in District Three are Portsmouth Families First of Greater Seacoast, and the Upper Room in Salem, NH
          Authorized to retroactively award six grants totaling $258,840 for the provision of Title I programs to the agencies as detailed in letter dated December 24, 2007, [Odyssey House, Hampton]  Effective November 15, 2007 through August 31, 2008.  100% Federal Funds. 
   Division of Public Health Services
          Authorized Maternal and Child Health Section to enter into an agreement with Mary Jane Sullivan, Hampton, NH, to provide technical expertise and to monitor the quality improvement activities of the NH Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program and Information Management System in an amount not to exceed $43,000.  Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2009.  100% Federal Funds. 
          Authorized Bureau of Community Health Services, Rural Health and Primary Care Section to enter into an agreement with Whitney Goode, Portsmouth, NH, to receive reimbursement for payment of educational loans through the State Loan Repayment Program in an amount not to exceed $35,000.  Effective upon G&C approval though June 30, 2010.  100% General Funds.  Explanation:  The State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) was established by the DPHS under the provisions of Chapter 410, Laws of NH 1994.  The purpose of the program is to increase the number of primary health care providers serving in the State’s health professional shortage area and in medically underserved areas.  Funds are available to recruit new primary care physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants, dental hygienists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, and marriage and family therapists into the state, and to retain existing providers in these categories. Whitney Goode is a licensed Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) working at Avis Goodwin Community Health Center, Dover, New Hampshire, which is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Attached is a copy of her Certificate of Licensure, resume and the employer’s (Avis Goodwin Community Health Center) Insurance Certificate.  The geographic area to be served is Dover, Strafford County, New Hampshire.
          Authorized Bureau of Community Health Services, Rural Health and Primary Care Section to enter into an agreement with Nii Norte Lokki, Dover, NH, to receive reimbursement for payment of educational loans through the State Loan Repayment Program in an amount not to exceed $35,000.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2010.  100% General Funds.  Explanation:  The State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) was established by the DPHS under the provisions of Chapter 410, Laws of NH 1994.  The purposes of the program are to increase the number of primary health care providers serving in the State’s health professional shortage areas and in medically underserved areas.  Funds are available to recruit new primary care physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants, dental hygienists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, and marriage and family therapists into the State, and to retain existing providers in these categories.
   Bureau of Medical Services
Explanation :The Division of Community Based Care Services engages medical consultants state wide  to provide a wide range of medical and related expertise for assessing, determining and reviewing applicant eligibility for program benefits under Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires medical consultants to be available in order to complete theses medical determinations. The Division of Community Based Care Services has chosen to utilize contracted medical consultants in these capacities in combination with four State employee positions. This was determined to be in the best interest of the State.
          Authorized Disability Determination Section to amend an agreement with Nancy M. Oglebay, Registered Nurse, Rumney, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 7-13-05, item #98, amended on 8-22-07, item #179), to function as a Disability Determination Reviewer by increasing the price by $1,782 from $82,104 to $83,886.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  50% Federal, 50% General Funds. 
           Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels Program Inc., Brentwood, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #362) to provide nutrition and transportation services, by increasing the amount by $171,455.03 from $2,565,450.04 to $2,736,905.07. Areas to be served include:  Congregate Meals, all Rockingham County out of 13 locations, HD/MOW Meals, Rockingham County, Supportive Services, Rockingham County, and Transportation in the Derry, Portsmouth, Salem, Exeter, Plaistow and Brentwood Area.   Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  61% Federal, 39% General Funds. 
     Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Child and Family Services of NH, Manchester, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #314), to provide Homemaker, Adult In Home Care, Home Health Aide and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Respite Care services, by increasing the amount by $121,214.95 from $1,446,002.74 to $1,567,217.69.  Service Areas include: Homemaker, HHA, Nursing, ADRD in Bedford, Goffstown, Manchester, Auburn, Candia, and South Hooksett. AIHC in Bedford, Goffstown, Manchester, New Boston, Weare Auburn, Candia, Chester, Derry, Londonderry, and South Hooksett.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  53% General, 47% Federal Funds. 
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Lamprey Health Care Inc., Newmarket, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #304), to provide transportation services, by increasing the amount by $76,761.72 from $372,383.28 to $449,145. This Requested Action will continue to support Transportation services that allow elderly and incapacitated adults to secure and maintain maximum independence and dignity. This amendment increased the reimbursement rare for Transportation and provides additional transportation unto to all of Rockingham County.  These increases reflect the budget approved by the New Hampshire Legislature for State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2008 and 2009.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  33% General, 67% Federal Funds. 
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Strafford County Community Action Committee Inc., Dover, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #321), to provide transportation services, by increasing the amount by $24,783.75 from $143,679.78 to $168,463.53.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  33% General, 67% Federal Funds.  This requested Acton will continue to support Transportation services that allow elderly and incapacitated adults to secure and maintain maximum independence and dignity. This amendment increases the reimbursement rare for Transportation and provides additional transportation units.  These increases reflect the budget approved by the New Hampshire Legislature for State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2008 and 2009 for all of Stratford County.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Somersworth Housing Authority, Somersworth, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #312), to provide nutrition services, by increasing the amount by $57,170.91 from $947,700.04 to $1,004,870.95. This Requested Action will continue to support Nutrition services that allow elderly and incapacitated adults to secure and maintain maximum independence and dignity.  This amendment increases the reimbursement rates for Nutrition services. These increased reflect the budget approved by the New Hampshire Legislature for State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2008 and 2009. Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  40% General, 60% Federal Funds. 
          Authorized to amend an agreement with PHA Housing Development, LTD, Portsmouth, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #351), to provide Adult Non-Medical Day Services, by increasing the amount by $68,193.36 from $240,736.08 to $308,929.44.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  49% General, 51% Federal Funds. 
          Authorized to amend an agreement with The Homemakers Health Services, Rochester, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #329), to provide Adult Group Day Care, Homemaker, Adult In Home Care, and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Respite Care services, by increasing the amount by $184,002.78 from $2,139,974.50 to $2,323,977.28.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  54% General, 46% Federal Funds.   This includes the Strafford County catchment area.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Area Homecare & Family Services Inc., Portsmouth, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #328), to provide Homemaker, Adult In Home Care and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Respite Care services, by increasing the amount by $268,976.79 from $3,032,118.64 to $3,301,095.43.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  55% General, 45% Federal Funds. 
This includes all of Rockingham County.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Rochester District Visiting Nurse Association, Rochester, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #318), to provide Homemaker, Adult In Home Care and Health Screening services, by increasing the amount by $18,794.79 from $337,831.38 to $356,626.17.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  52% General, 48% Federal Funds.  This contract services Barrington, Northwood, Nottingham and Dover, NH.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with VNA Home Health and Hospice Services Inc., Manchester, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #301), to provide Homemaker and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Respite Care services, by increasing the amount by $2,686.64 from $70,486.98 to $73,173.62.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  97% General, 3% Federal Funds.  This covers Windham, Candia, Chester, and Raymond, NH.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Strafford Network, Rochester, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-25-03, item #357, amended on 9-3-03, item #119, amended on 10-6-04, item #41A, amended on 6-22-05, item #357, amended on 12-7-05, item #78, amended on 12-12-06, item #130, amended on 6-13-07, item #342), to provide a cost of living increase for information and referral and assessment and counseling services, and to provide additional information and referral staff, and State Health Insurance Assistance Program services provided by the ServiceLink Resource Center of Strafford County, by increasing the amount by $45,490.37 from $1,145,271.40 to $1,190,761.77.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  39% Federal, 61% General Funds.  This covers the towns of: Barrington, Durham, Lee, Madbury and the city of Dover, NH.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Crotched Mountain Community Care Inc., Portsmouth, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-25-03, item #365, amended on 9-3-03, item #114, amended on 6-22-05, item #90, amended on 12-7-05, item #87 amended on 12-12-06, item #132, amended on 6-13-07, item #346), acting as fiscal agent to ServiceLink Resource Center of Rockingham County, to provide a cost of living increase for information and referral and assessment and counseling services, and to provide a additional information and referral staff, and to support Family Caregiver services, by increasing the amount by $95,992.04 from $1,317,914.66 to $1,413,906.70.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  27% Federal, 73% General Funds.  This covers Rockingham County.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with NH Association for the Blind, Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #325), to provide Low Vision services, by increasing the amount by $2,546.19 from $39,870 to $42,416.19.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  67% Federal, 33% General Funds.  This covers all eligible persons throughout the state.
          Authorized to amend an agreement with Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Inc., Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-27-07, item #303), to provide Communication Access services, Hearing Assistance Technology Orientation services and processing of DHHS interpreter invoices, by increasing the amount by $17,700 from $226,000 to $243,700.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  20% Federal, 80% General Funds.  These funds are to be used state-wide.
          Authorized to amend a sole source agreement with The Friends Program Inc., Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #335), to provide Foster Grandparent and Retired Senior Volunteer Program services, by increasing the amount by $9,458.05 from $148,055 to $157,513.05.  Effective retroactive to July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.  100% General Funds.  This service will include all of Strafford and Rockingham Counties.

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
          Authorized the Commissioner to create a Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Regulation in the Division of State Police and to transfer from the Division of Motor Vehicles to the Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Regulation in the Division of State Police personnel, budgeted revenues, expenditures, grant funds and equipment as detailed in letter dated December 31, 2007.  (2)Further Authorized, subject to approval above, ratify the December 7, 2007 action of the Director of the Division of Personnel reclassifying while preserving the base annual salaries of the Highway Patrol and Enforcement Officer positions of various ranks within the Division of Motor Vehicles to the newly created Regulatory Trooper positions.  Effective upon G&C approval.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
          Authorized to retroactively amend a contract with HNTB Corporation, Boston, MA, (previously approved by G&C on 1-10-07, item #108), to complete final design and interim mechanical inspections for the rehabilitation of the Memorial Bridge between the City of Portsmouth, NH, and the Town of Kittery, ME, by extending the completion from January 10, 2008 to June 30, 2008.
          Authorized to retroactively amend a contract with Strafford Regional Planning Commission, Dover, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 11-15-06, item #158, amended on 10-3-07, item #89), to carry out eligible planning activities, by extending the completion date from November 30, 2007 to March 30, 2008.  80% Federal, 20% Highway Funds. 
          Authorized Bureau of Construction to amend a sole source contract with Gove Construction Services Inc., Portsmouth, NH (previously approved by G&C on 5-2-07, item #142), for additional work associated with reconstructing the intersection of Sagamore Road/Elwym Road/Pioneer Road, also known as Foye’s Corner, by increasing the amount by $150,000 from $871,454.60 to $1,021,454.60.  100% Betterment Funds. 
          Authorized Bureau of Right of Way to release a Slope Easement in the Town of North Hampton to Carol A. Stover at no cost to either party.
          Authorized Bureau of Right of Way to release a Utility Easement in the Town of Newington to Granite State Gas Transmission Inc., at no cost to either party.
          Authorized Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance to enter into a Cooperative Project Agreement with the University of NH, Civil Engineering Department, Durham, NH, for the continuation of the Local Technical Assistance Program for a fee not to exceed $862,275.  Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2009.  The purpose is to increase town officials, road managers and highway crews knowledge of technology and management of safe, efficient and environmentally sound local roads and bridges.
          Authorized Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance to enter into agreements with the municipalities of Peterborough, Portsmouth, Salem and Swanzey delineating duties and responsibilities of both the State and the municipalities in providing funding and services necessary for completing a total of 4 projects involving Class I, II, IV and V (Municipally-maintained) Highways through the municipal-managed process.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2013.  80% Federal, 20% Local Match Funds. 
This includes a project in Portsmouth for the NH 1A bridge rehabilitation over Sagamore Creek Bridge No. 198/034 and in Salem for NH 28 to reconstruct intersection at Main Street and Depot Street including signals, and turn lanes.
          Authorized Bureau of Rail & Transit to enter into an operating agreement with Boston Express Bus Inc., Concord, NH, to provide intercity bus service between Manchester, Londonderry, Salem and Boston-South Station and to manage and operate bus terminals and associated facilities at Exits 5, 4 and 2 of Interstate 93 in an amount not to exceed $4,894,613.  Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2018.  80% Federal, 20% Highway Funds. 
The state will provide funding to Boston Express Bus, Inc to operate daily commuter bus service between Manchester and Boston with stops in Salem.

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

Frank W. Reinhold, Jr. Lee, NH to the Agricultural Advisory Board
John E. Lyons, Jr. Portsmouth, NH to the State Board of Education
Edouard L. Desrochers, Exeter, NH to the State Historical Records Advisory Board

Please feel free to contact me with concerns or support for these individuals or any other issues you might have.

Represents the cities and towns of Atkinson, Barrington, Brentwood, Chester, Danville, Dover, Durham, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Greenland, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Lee, Madbury, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Nottingham, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Rye, Salem, Sandown, Seabrook, South Hampton, Stratham, and Windham.
For additional information on the cities and towns in this district, go to www.nh.gov/municipal/.