February 13, 2008

TO:         All Third District Cities and Towns

FROM:   Executive Councilor Beverly Hollingworth

The Governor and Executive Council met on Wednesday, February 13, 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 March 5, 2008 at 9:00 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 Rockingham Community Action Inc., Portsmouth, NH, (previously approved by G&C On 9-19-07, item #4), for the Fuel Assistance Program, by increasing the amount by $500,111 from $1,840,597 to $2,340,708.  Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds.  

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES
          Authorized to award a Conservation Number Plate Grant in the amount of $5,284 to the Town of Barrington, for the Preservation of Vital Records and Town Records for Town of Barrington.  100% Other Funds. 

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
          Authorized to enter into a retroactive contract with JSL Outdoor Services LLC d/b/a Giant Landscaping, Manchester, NH, for snow plowing and removal services at NHES’s Local Office in the amount not to exceed $16,737.50.  Effective February 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.  100% Federal Funds. 

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
          Authorized to exercise a renewal option to a lease agreement with Strafford County Commissioners, Dover, NH, for the purpose of office space for the probation/parole office in an amount not to exceed $32,602.56.  Effective April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.  100% General Funds. 

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
          Authorized Division of Parks and Recreation to enter into a retroactive contract with N&H Orestis Enterprises LLC, Rye Beach, NH, for sanding and salting services at the Seacoast Region in the amount of $6,480.  Effective December 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008.  90% Park, 10% General Funds. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
          Authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Cobbetts Pond Improvement Association Inc., Windham, NH, for the purpose of milfoil control activities in the amount of $8,640.  Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2008.  100% Other Funds. 
          Authorized to accept and expend $59,000 in Federal funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency for public water system mutual aid development and assistance.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009.  (2)Further Authorized to enter into a contract with SEA Consultants Inc., Concord, NH, to promote water system mutual aid in the amount of $50,000.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds.  Fiscal Committee approved. 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
   Division for Children, Youth & Families
          Authorized to provide Licensed Plus quality child care awards in the amount of $40,735.50 to six Licensed Plus child care providers throughout the State of NH, as detailed in letter dated January 23, 2008.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds.  Licensed Plus incentive awards are made to all child care providers who meet the criteria for receipt of those awards. The quality rating system is a visible system for documenting standards of quality that will raise the awareness of providers, families and communities about the indicators of quality childcare.  This state wide program will include Salem Boys and Girls Club Preschool, Salem, NH in the amount of $902.02 and Strafford County Community Action Program, Farmington Child Care Center, Farmington, NH in the amount of $1,255.90
   Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services
          Authorized to amend an existing sole source memorandum of understanding with the Office of Energy and Planning, Concord, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #336), to provide energy assistance, by increasing the amount by $4,596.46 from $60,565.12 to $65,161.58.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009.  67% Federal, 33% General Funds.  This requested action will continue to support Energy assistance in the form of fuel oil, electricity, gas or wood in an amount up to $270.38 per senior household, for those individuals ineligible under the Federal Fuel Assistance Program.  This assistance is provided by the Office of Energy and Planning to enable low-income persons age sixty (60) and over throughout the state to remain in their homes. This proposal applies statewide.
          Authorized to amend a sole source an existing agreement with NH Legal Assistance, Manchester, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #326), to increase access to Legal Services by increasing the amount by $89,152 from $397,261.42 to $486,413.42, effective retroactive to September 30, 2007 through September 30, 2008.  100% Federal Funds.  The purpose of the requested action is to meet the following goals of The New Hampshire Senior Legal Access Network (NHSLAN) to increase access to pro bono and lowcost legal services for seniors in New Hampshire by developing a fully integrated, coordinated system that incorporates pro bono and reduced fee legal services provided by members of the New Hampshire Bar, in collaboration with the New Hampshire Bar Association, with the  services offered by NH Legal Assistance Senior Citizens Law Project (SCLP) and its advice line to ensure that all socially and economically disadvantaged seniors and particularly those seniors victimized by financial exploitation receive the legal help they need.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
          Authorized to enter into a contract with NH Project Learning Tree to provide technical assistance to improve the content knowledge of NH science teachers and to improve science instruction and learning in an amount not to exceed $64,130.  Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008.  (2 )Further Authorized payment for services rendered and approved on the basis of invoices which are supported by a summary of activities that have taken place in accordance with the terms of the contract, along with a detailed listing of expenses incurred in lieu of withholding 25% of the total value of the contract.  (3) 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.  100% Federal Funds.  In January of 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 became law.  Title II, Part B of this legislation authorizes a Mathematics and Science Partnership competitive grant program.  The intent of this program is to encourage institutions of higher education, local school districts, elementary schools, and secondary schools to participate in professional development activities that increase the subject matter knowledge and teaching skills of mathematics and science teachers.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
          Authorized Bureau of Highway Design to amend a contract with Clough Harbour & Associates LLP, Keene, NH (previously approved by G&C on 8-21-01m item #323), for the final design of the expansion of the Spaulding Turnpike from Exit 11 to Exit 16 in the City of Rochester, by increasing the amount by $670,392.58 from $6,664,656.95 to $7,335,049.53.  Effective upon G&C approval through August 27, 2008.  100% Turnpike Funds. 
          Authorized Bureau of Construction to amend a contract with Park Construction Corp., Fitzwilliam, NH (previously approved by G&C on 11-15-06, item #176), for the reconstruction of the NH 101/Winchester Street intersection and other improvements in the City of Keene, by increasing the contract amount by $50,000 from $6,816,989.80 to $6,866,989.80.  Effective upon G&C approval.  80% Federal, 20% State Highway Funds. 

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

William T. Kohut, Sr., Dover, NH, Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals
George Maglaras, Dover, NH, Equalization Standards Board
Glenn D. Normandeau, Portsmouth, NH, Executive Director for the Fish and Game Department
Elizabeth Castricone, Windham, NH,  Board of Managers of New Hampshire Veterans’ Home

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/.