February 1, 2008

TO:         All Third District Cities and Towns

FROM:   Executive Councilor Beverly Hollingworth

The Governor and Executive Council met on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 in the Governor/Council Chamber at the State House in Concord, NH and considered an agenda of over 90 items.

The next scheduled Governor and Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday February 13, 2008 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.

OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING
          Authorized to amend a sole source contract with Strafford County Community Action Committee Inc., Dover, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 9-19-07, item #7), for the Fuel Assistance Program by increasing the amount by $454,744 from $1,383,580 to $1,838,324.  Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds. The Fuel assistance Program is also Known as LIHeap Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program the funds are used to support eligible NH residents, especially the working Poor, elderly and disabled citizens who are in need of assistance to help pay for heating cost this winter season. 

OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
          Authorized Major Daniel P. Desautels, Raymond, NH, be nominated for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, NH Air National Guard.  This officer meets all prerequisites for this grade, having been found to be physically, mentally, morally, and professionally qualified.
          Authorized to accept and expend additional federal funds in the amount of $100,000 from the federal government (National Guard Bureau) as part of the five-year Federal-State Master Cooperative Agreement to cover the cost of overtime for snow removal and emergency repairs at Pease Air National Guard Base.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  Overtime costs for the NH Pease Air National Guard Base operations shall be reimbursed 100% by the Federal Government.  Fiscal Committee approved. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
          Authorized to amend a sole source contract with Woodard  & Curran Environmental Services Inc., Portland, ME, (previously approved by G&C on 8-22-07, item #159), for engineering services to complete a 5-year review for the Keefe Environmental Services Hazardous Waste site, by increasing the amount by $50,000 from $3,998,714 to $4,048,714.  Effective upon G&C approval.
The Keefe Environmental Services Hazardous Waste site is in Epping NH and is on the federal superfund National Priorities List since 1983.
           Authorized to amend an agreement with the Lamprey River Watershed Association Inc., Lee, NH, by modifying Exhibit C to allow the LRWA to employ a part-time employee of the DES project coordinator for the Assessment of Physical Factors Affecting Water Quality in the Lamprey River project.  Effective upon G&C approval. The approved grant agreement involves work  in the Lamprey River from the headwaters of the Lamprey River in Northwood to the McClellen Dam in Newmarket..  The river is listed as impaired due to E coli and low dissolved oxygen readings.  The sources of the impairments are unknown.
             Authorized to retroactively enter into a memorandum of agreement with the University of NH, Office of Sponsored Research, Durham, NH, in the amount of $60,000 to carry out activities to implement portions of the NH Estuaries Project Management Plan.  Effective January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.  100% Other Funds. The NH Estuaries Project is an effort involving federal, state and local governments non –governmental organizations, business and the public to improve the environmental quality of the State’s estuaries.  The focus is water quality, land protection, habitat restoration, shellfish resources and education.   The total costs are budgeted at $184,000.00.   UNH under this agreement contributes $60,000,  DES will contribute $124,000.00 in funds through cash and in kind services.
           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.  The project will improve water quality in the Cocheco River.
 #37            Authorized Town of Newington’s request to conduct necessary repair/reconstruction at the Newington Town Landing, including: reconstructing the existing deteriorated boat ramp by replacing deteriorated surface with concrete planks; repairing in-kind existing granite seawall, including cutting back in one section of eroded fill extension in the upland tidal buffer zone, and resetting all existing granite, and; installing of new rip-rap to stabilize and protect eroded and undercut natural shoreline and to prevent further erosion and loss of mature trees critical as habitat for wintering bald eagles.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    Bureau of Elderly and 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.  This includes Newmarket Recreation Department Sunrise Sunset, Newmarket Senior Activity Center; $2,500; Portsmouth Housing Authority; Portsmouth Senior Citizen Center; $2,500; Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels Program, Inc. and Exeter Senior Center, $2,500;  Salem Council on Aging, Salem Senior Center, $2,500 and the Town of Chester, $2,500.
#42          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. 
The purpose of this requested Action is to provide disaster assistance to elderly residents of Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford Counties who are at risk of losing their homes as a result of the April 2007 severe weather events.
     Division of Public Health
          Authorized Bureau of Disease Control and Health Statistics, Food Protection Section to reclassify position #42885 Licensing and Evaluation Coordinator, salary grade 20 to Program Specialist III, salary grade 23.  85.5% Federal, 14.5% General Funds.  This position will work with NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management and NH Fire Academy to educate emergency managers and fire personal about food safety concerns during emergencies.
          Authorized Public Health Laboratories, Radiochemistry Laboratory Unit to enter into a sole source agreement with Canberra Industries Inc., Meriden, CT, to provide repair, maintenance and support of the Canberra radiochemistry analyzer in an amount not to exceed $63,450.  Effective upon G&C approval through thirty-six months.  100% Other (utility assessments) Funds. 
The public Health Laboratories Radiochemistry Laboratory, collects and analyzes environmental samples in the vicinity of the Vermont Yankee and the Seabrook Station Nuclear Power plants as well as other locations through out the state. In the event of a radiological emergency at ether nuclear power plant, the Radiochemistry Laboratory would assume the lead role for the coordination and analysis of environmental samples in New Hampshire.  This contract is vital to the health and safety of NH citizens.
          Authorized Bureau of Prevention Services; Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Section; Strategic Prevention Framework Program, to enter into an agreement with the NH Minority Health Coalition, Manchester, NH, to support and conduct assessment and evaluation tasks for the SPF Program in an amount not to exceed $330,000.  Effective upon G&C approval through November 30,  2009.  100% Federal Funds.  State wide the first priorities is to decrease overall alcohol consumption alcohol dependence and abuse the second priority id to decrease overall alcohol consumption and binge drinking among 18-35 year olds, and to decrease underage alcohol use among high school and college age students
     Division for Children, Youth & Families
          Authorized to retroactively pay a subscription fee to Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, to access the Center for State Foster Care and Adoption Date service, in the amount of $20,000.  Effective January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.  100% Federal Funds. 
State wide the goals are to prevent neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and adults –to prevent inappropriate institutional care; and to secure admission or referral for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
          Authorized to exercise the renewal option to grant funds to NH ATECH Services, Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 2-7-07, item #91), to improve educational outcomes for students who are blind and visually impaired, in an amount not to exceed $49,950.  Effective February 7, 2008 through February 6, 2009.  100% Federal Funds. This is a statewide program.
          Authorized to exercise a renewal option and grant funds to the NH Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 4-18-07, item #82), to improve educational outcomes for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.  Effective April 18, 2008 through April 17, 2009.  100% Federal Funds.  This is a statewide program
          Authorized Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning to enter into a contract with NH-JAG, Manchester, NH, to provide dropout prevention alternative education services in an amount not to exceed $107,640.   (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.  The purpose is to assist pupils in successfully completing high school by providing alternative options.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
          Authorized, as detailed in letter dated January 15, 2008, the college name changes within the Community College System of NH as approved by the Board of Trustees.  NHCTC Stratham will be renamed Great Bay Community College.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
          Authorized Bureau of Highway Design to amend a contract with The Louis Berger Group Incorporated, Manchester, NH, East Orange, NJ (previously approved by G&C on 8-9-06, item #110), for the preliminary engineering design for the replacement of the I-95 Turnpike System bridge over the Taylor River in Hampton Falls and Hampton, by extending the completion date from January 31, 2008 to June 30, 2008.  This amendment is to extend the project completion date to allow additional time to complete the Dam Feasibility  I-95 Bridge and Environmental studies and conduct a Public Hearing for the project.

Special Note: It was with regret that the Executive Council accepted the resignation of Donald S. Hill as Commissioner for the Department of Administrative Services. Commissioner Hill is retiring after 31 years of state service. 
The Executive Council will be conducting Public Hearings on Tuesday,
February 12, 2008   beginning at 1:30 for the nomination of Thomas G. Cooper for Marital Master, Family Division and Peter Bornstein as Associate Justice of the Superior Court.  The Hearings will be conducted in the Executive Council Chamber, State House, Concord, NH.

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

Mark Bodi, Portsmouth, Chairman: State Liquor Commission Chairman
Lawrence Yerdon, Portsmouth, Advisory Committee on Travel & Tourism

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/.