January 16, 2009

TO: All Third District Cities and Towns
FROM: Executive Councilor Beverly Hollingworth

The Governor and Executive Council met on Wednesday January 14, 2009 in the Governor/Council Chamber at the State House in Concord, NH and considered an agenda of over 87 items.

The next scheduled Governor and Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 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 THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
Authorized to accept and place on file the report that the NH National Guard has gone through a process called transformation, which includes a major change in the way that the Army trains its soldiers and diversifies its missions. Included in this transformation is the closure of some of our state armories. These properties were deeded to the state on the express condition that when they are no longer used for military purposes, ownership of the property would revert back to the grantor towns. The Dover Armory is one of these facilities. Informational Item.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Authorize Surplus Distribution Section to retroactively amend a contract with Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties Inc., Concord, NH, to continue the coordination and distribution of the statewide surplus Emergency Food Assistance Program in an amount not to exceed $434,025. Effective January 1, 2009 through February 28, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

TABLED ITEM WILL BE RE-BID WITH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RFP. To authorize Surplus Distribution Section to enter into a service contract with the NH Catholic Charities d/b/a the NH Food Bank, Manchester, NH, to coordinate and provide statewide surplus food distribution for the Emergency Food Assistance Program in an amount not to exceed $522,000. Effective March 1, 2009 through July 31, 2011. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authorized Division of Forests and Lands to accept and expend $76,267 of federal funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency to be used to enhance protection of NH wetlands. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Authorized to establish an Environmentalist IV position, labor grade 27. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. (2) Further Authorized to accept and expend $99,200 in Federal funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency for purposes of funding the development of an Innovative Land Development Technical Assistance and Coordinated Permitting Project. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. Fiscal Committee approved.

Authorized to retroactively amend an Environmentalist IV position (previously amended by G&C on 4-9-08, item #42), from September 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. (2 )Further Authorized to accept and expend $101,433 in federal flow through funds from the Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to develop a fluvial erosion hazard program within DES. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. Fiscal Committee approved.

Authorized to establish an Environmental IV position in the Wetlands Bureau. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds. (2) Further Authorized to accept and expend $68,000 in federal flow through funds from DOT to provide for an Environmentalist IV during the construction of the widening of Interstate 93. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. (3)Further Authorized to enter into a memorandum of agreement with DOT to provide funding for the establishment of an Environmentalist IV position for the Interstate 93 expansion project. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2012. Fiscal Committee approved.

Authorized to amend a contract with O’Brien Oil Pollution Service Inc., (previously approved by G&C on 8-22-07, item #158), for oil spill protection strategy development and testing for the Great bay Estuary, by extending the completion date to August 31, 2009 from August 31, 2008. [This plan includes protection strategies for environmentally sensitive testing of the existing strategy for Little Bay and Great Bay has shown that its design is not capable of functioning at other than slack tide. (no current during the change between tide) Given the very strong tidal current conditions and the potential for oil spills to occur during any season or tidal stage, a strategy which can safely deployed during all tidal stages is imperative] 100% Oil Pollution Control Funds.

Authorized to award a grant to the Gundalow Company, Portsmouth, NH, to conduct an on-board environmental education series at locations in the Seacoast Region in the amount of $20,000. Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

Authorized to award a grant to the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation Inc., Portsmouth, NH, to conduct marine debris monitoring, reduction and education in the NH seacoast in the amount of $29,822. Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorized to accept and expend Other Funds in the amount of $40,166.26. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. [Source of funds: 100% Other Funds from the NH Department of Safety derived from the assessed entities, Seabrook Station and Vermont Yankee nuclear power plants.] Fiscal Committee approved.

Bureau of Homeless and Housing Services
Authorized to enter into an agreement with Merrimack Valley Assistance Program, Concord, NH, to provide supportive services, long term rental assistance and short term assistance to homeless, low income and very low income individuals who have HIV/AIDS and their families, in an amount not to exceed $940,530. Effective March 1, 2009 or upon G&C approval, whichever is later, through February 29, 2012. [Statewide] 100% Federal Funds.

Division of Child Support Services
Authorized to amend an agreement with ACS State and Local Solutions Inc., Washington, DC (previously approved by G&C on 1-11-06, item #52), for State Disbursement Unit Services, by increasing the amount by $2,832,250.20 from $3,921,577.04 to $6,753,827.24, and by extending the completion date of April 30, 2009 to June 30, 2011. [This request will authorize the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Support Services. (DCSS) to extend a contract with ACS State and Local Solutions, Inc., (ACS) to manage billing, collection, banking, check-writing, disbursement and electronic funds transfer services on a statewide basis as part of an automated child support receipt and disbursement system. ACS will continue to serve as DCSS’ federally certified State disbursement Unit (SDU). To obtain federal certification the SDU must meet established standards for data collection, privacy and physical security] 66% Federal, 34% General Funds. [Statewide]

Division of Public Health Services
Authorized Bureau of Prevention Services, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Section to retroactively renew a contract with The HUB Family Support Center, Dover, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #278), to provide substance abuse prevention services, by increasing the price by $31,814 from $31,814 to $63,628, and by extending the end date to June 30, 2009. Effective upon G&C approval. 100% Federal Funds.

BOARD OF PHARMACY
Authorized to enter into a sole source contract with University System of NH, Lee, NH, to expand the Get Ready NH program in the amount of $18,440. Effective upon G&C approval through August 13, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorized to enter into a sole source contract with the NH Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities Inc., d/b/a Parent Information Center, Concord, NH, to strengthen the partnership between schools and families through high quality professional development and materials in the areas of literacy, behavior and secondary transition services and supports for youth with disabilities and their families in an amount not to exceed $22,008. (2)Further Authorized payment for services rendered and approved in lieu of withholding 25% of the total value of the grant. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2010 with the option to renew for up to three additional fiscal years. 100% Federal Funds.
Authorized to grant funds to Strafford County Department of Corrections to assist in the operation of their approved career and technical education programs for male offenders in the amount of $19,530. Effective upon G&C approval through November 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

Authorized to grant funds to Strafford County Department of Corrections to assist in the operation of their approved career and technical education programs for female offenders in the amount of $17,864. Effective upon G&C approval through November 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.

Authorized Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired to enter into an agreement with NH Department of Transportation for vending services at the Seabrook Welcome Center facility on Interstate 95 for a period of two years. 100% Vending Revolving Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Authorized Division of Fire Standards & Training and Emergency Medical Services to enter into a sole source contract with Interstate Emergency Unit Fire Mutual Aid, Stratham, NH, to provide one Firefighter certification course in Rockingham County in an amount not to exceed $39,360. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Fire and EMS Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorized Bureau of Right of Way to sell a 1.99 acre parcel in Windham to Abaco Development LLC for $235,000 plus a $1,100 Administrative Fee. (2) Further Authorized to compensate Prudential Verani Realty from the proceeds of the subject sale in the amount of $14,100 for real estate services. Effective upon G&C approval.

Authorized Bureau of Right of Way to quitclaim to the Town of Salem, approximately 1,000 square feet of Raymond Avenue and additional right of way acquired for South Policy Street, which were acquired as part of the Salem-Manchester 10418-C project, with the understanding that once the construction.

Authorized Bureau of Materials & Research to execute three sole source Cooperative Project Agreements with the UNH Office of Sponsored Research, Durham, NH, for transportation research services related to construction materials and pavements in the amount of $257,755. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2011. [Research studies conducted by UNH for the Department have led to numerous innovations in the highway and bridge industry, including such successes as high performance concrete, improved pavements, alternative reinforcing for bridge decks, increased use of recycled materials, and rapid construction techniques] 80% Federal, 20% Highway Funds.

Authorized Bureau of Construction to enter into a contract with SUR Construction Inc., Rochester, NH, for roadway reconstruction and widening of the northbound barrel of the Spaulding Turnpike at Exit 12, on the basis of a low bid of $17,197,100. (2) Further Authorized a contingency in the amount of $859,855 for payment of latent conditions, which may appear during the construction of the project. Effective upon G&C approval through October 15, 2010. 100% Turnpike Funds.

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

John W. McSorley, Nottingham, NH, Equalization Standards Board
Joseph M. Miller, Durham, NH, Health Services Planning and Review Board

Please feel free to contact me with concerns or support for these individuals or any other issues you might have. B.Hollingworth@nh.gov or 926-4880

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/.