May 20, 2009

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

The Governor and Executive Council met on Wednesday May 20, 2009 in the Governor/Council Chamber at the State House in Concord, NH and considered an agenda of over 136 items.

The next scheduled Governor and Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday June 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the Governor/Councilor Chamber at the State House, Concord, NH.

NOTE: ITEMS FROM 5/6/2009 SUBMITTED BY THE BUSINESS FINANCE AUTHORITY (BFA)
At this meeting no vote was taken for reconsideration of the two items as all parties, including BFA, are working with the Attorney General to resolve the issues.

The following authorized items might be of interest to District Three constituents.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Authorized to amend a cooperative agreement with the University System of NH (previously approved by G&C on 8-13-08, item #48B), in the amount of $25,650, utilized in support of the enforcement of underage drinking laws, by extending the end date of May 31, 2009 to May 31, 2010. 100% Federal Funding. In a previous action on August 13, 2008 the Governor and Council approved the original Cooperative Project Agreement, which would expire May 31, 2009. The approval of this request will complete the requirements for extending these funds and allow UNH to fund UNH Area Alcohol Task Force project to include increased enforcement patrols, controlled party dispersal initiatives, compliance checks to reduce underage drinking on campus.
Authorized to enter into sub-grants with the agencies as detailed in letter dated May 6, 2009, in the total amount of $248,152 from the FFY 2007 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, which provides funding for programs to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. (2)Further Authorized to enter into new-sub-grants with the agencies as detailed in letter dated May 6, 2009 in the total amount of $286,050 from an earmark in the Federal Community Oriented Police Services Program, which provides funding for programs to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authorized Division of Parks and Recreation to enter into a contract with the Nottingham Police Department, Nottingham, NH, for security coverage and traffic control at Pawtuckaway State Park for July 4 & 5, 2009, in the amount of $3,750. 100% Park Funds.

FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
Authorized to amend a Cooperative Project agreement with the University of NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-21-06, item #83), for mapping and characterizing salt marsh soils in Strafford County, by changing the end date from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Under this agreement, UNH researchers are in the process of mapping and characterizing salt marsh soils in Strafford County. The funds for this award are 100% federal.
Authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Bear-Paw Regional Greenways, Deerfield, NH, for the purchase of a conservation easement on the Southeast Land Trust of NH property (60.56 acres) in Epping, Raymond and Nottingham, NH, in the amount of $40,000. (2)Further authorize to accept an executor interest in the conservation easement held by Bear-Paw Regional Greenways on the Southeast Land Trust of NH property (60.56 acres) in Epping, Raymond and Nottingham, NH. Effective upon G&C approval through September 30, 2009. 100% Federal from the Landowner Incentive Program.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Authorized an Original Loan agreement with the City of Portsmouth, in the amount of $5,000,000 to finance the construction of an upgrade to the existing surface water treatment facility. Effective upon G&C approval. 79% Federal, 21% Capital (General) Funds.
Authorized to enter into a sole source Cooperative Project Agreement with the University of NH, Office of Sponsored Research, Durham, NH, for conducting energy efficiency projects on behalf of the DES Pollution Prevention Program for $15,000. Effective upon G&C approval through December 31, 2009. 100% Federal Funds.
Authorized Donna Brown Revocable Trust’s request to reconstruct an existing timber pier on pilings, including a section which is attached by a hinged ramp landing on a float with an added section of shoreline frontage on Sagamore Creek in Rye. In addition, stone armor underlain by filter fabric will provide needed shoreline stabilization.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of Minority Health
Authorized to amend a sole source agreement with Richard Hunt, Littleton, NH, (previously amended by G&C on 9-17-08, item #59), to provide consultation and technical assistance, by increasing the price by an amount not to exceed $20,000 from $55,500 to $75,500, and by extending the completion date from August 31, 2009 to June 30, 2010. 100% Federal Funds. Due to the efforts of Mr. Richard Hunt over the past three years, health care is being addressed in an organized and culturally competent manner among the Native American tribes in NH. Mr. Hunt has assisted in the development of effective preventive health education, positive programs for at risk youth with a focus on drugs, alcohol and self-esteem, and early detection of prevalent diseases among Native American communities. Native American tribes suffer from higher instances of cardiovascular disease, alcohol abuse and substance abuse, and mental health issues. The US Census data for the year 2005 reports that there are 8,296 Native Americans residing in NH. The health of these individuals has begun to improve as tribes work collaboratively in addressing health care issues for their members. Richard Hun t is leader in the Abenaki Nation of NH. He has worked in the mental health field since 1974. His professional experience is varied and includes work as a former mental health and substance abuse clinician for White Mountain Mental Health and Developmental Services and as GED instructor for the NH Employment training Program. He is a well-known artist and illustrator.
Division of Child Support Services
Authorized to enter into a sole source agreement with NH Department of Employment Security, Concord, NH, to provide unemployment compensation intercept, and parent locator services which are related to child support collection activities in a total amount of $107,000. Effective July 1, 2009 or upon G&C approval, whichever is later, through June 30, 2011. 66% Federal, 34% General Funds.
Authorized to enter into a sole source agreement with the NH Department of Employment Security, Concord, NH, to provide New Hire reporting services which are related to child support collection activities in a total amount of $338,362.87. Effective July 1, 2009 or upon G&C approval, whichever is later, through June 30, 2011. 66% Federal, 34% General Funds.
Authorized to retroactively amend a sole source Cooperative Project agreement with the University of NH of the University System of NH, Durham, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-25-08, item #167), to allow completion of all requirements of an economic analysis of NH’s Child Support Guidelines, by extending the completion date from March 20, 2009 to June 30, 2010, and by adjusting the encumbrance between fiscal years. 100% Other (Incentive Income) Funds. The services have been provided statewide with public forums conducted in Manchester, Keene, Portsmouth and Littleton, NH with interviews conducted with members of the NH Bar Association.
Division of Public Health Services
Authorized Bureau of Prevention Services, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Section, Breast and Cervical Cancer Program to exercise a contract renew and amend option with Trustees of Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 6-13-07, item #174), to provide an administration center for the provision of breast and cervical cancer screening tests and case management services, by increasing the price by $614,120 from $599,120 to $1,213,240, and by extending the completion date to June 30, 2011. 55% General, 45% Federal Funds. These funds will be implemented on a state wide basis.
Division of Public Health Services
Authorized Bureau of Prevention Services, Nutrition and Health Promotion Section, to exercise a contract renew and amend option with Avis Goodwin Community Health Center, Rochester, NH (previously amended by G&C on 6-4-08, item #143), to provide Women, Infants and Children commodity supplemental food program and farms’ market nutrition program nutrition services, by increasing the price by $357,307 from $634,371.71 to $991,678.71, and by extending the completion date to June 30, 2010. 99.7% Federal, .3% General Funds. The service area is Strafford County.
Bureau of Developmental Services
Authorized Special Medical Services Section to enter into an agreement with Southeastern Regional Education Service Center Inc., Bedford, NH, to provide feeding and swallowing services to children with special health care needs, for a total of $340,433. Effective July 1, 2009 or upon G&C approval, whichever is later, through June 30, 2011. 68% General, 32% Federal Funds. These funds will be implemented on a state wide basis.
Bureau of Behavioral Health
Authorized to enter into an agreement with Mental Health Center for Southern NH, d/b/a CLM Center for Life Management, Derry, NH, to provide mental health services in an amount not to exceed $40,770. Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. 96% Federal, 4% General Funds. The communities to be served include: Atkinson, Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Newton, Pelham, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown and Windham.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorized a grant renewal option for University of NH, Institute on Disability (previously approved by G&C on 11-28-07, item #146), to reform and improve pre-service personnel preparation and in-service professional development systems in the areas of literacy instruction, positive behavior interventions and supports, and secondary transition supports for students with emotional/behavior challenges in an amount not to exceed $500,000. (2)Further Authorized the payment for services rendered and approved in lieu of withholding 25% of the total value of the contract. Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. 100% Federal Funds.
Authorized a grant renewal option for Southeastern Regional Education Service Center Inc., Bedford, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 10-31-07, item #124), to reform and improve pre-service personnel preparation and in-service professional development systems in the areas of literacy instruction, positive behavior interventions and supports, and secondary transition supports for students with emotional/behavior challenges in the amount of $499,495.32. (2)Further Authorized unencumbered payment of said grant with internal accounting control. Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. 100% Federal Funds.
These funds will be implemented on a state wide basis.
Authorized a grant renewal option to the Southeastern Regional Education Service Center Inc., Bedford, NH (previously amended on 6-4-08, item #166), for on-site evaluations for programs designed for children and youth with disabilities in an amount not to exceed $748,968.12. Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. 100% Federal Funds. These funds will be implemented on a state wide basis.

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Authorized Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to exercise a contract renew and amend option with URS Corporation, Salem, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 5-21-08, item#119), to design and implement a training program for state agencies in the development of Continuity of Operations plans, by increasing the price by $59,608 from $71,469 to $131,077, and by extending the completion date from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2009. 100% Federal Funds from the Department of Homeland Security’s “Emergency Management Performance Grant”.  This federally-funded contract amendment will assist HSEM by expanding by fourteen the number of state agencies receiving the training and technical assistance for the development of coordinated, integrated COOP plans using a uniform template. State agencies are directed to conduct COOP planning for emergency situations that significantly impact each agency’s ability to conduct its core functions. A COOP plan allows for the continuation of the essential functions of government departments or agencies during any incident of emergency that disrupt typical, normal operations. This can be on a short-term basis, like a power failure where having a backup capability van quickly resolve the situation. It can also be longer term such as in the case of a pandemic, major hurricane or earthquake type of event where services are impacted for several days or in some cases weeks, and may require relocation to an alternative facility. IN a COOP plan, agencies continue essential functions within 12 hours, and sustain essential functions for 30 days.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorized Bureau of Turnpikes to budget and expend additional revenue in the amount of $150,000 from the Turnpike Retained Earnings Fund for a professional services agreement for the operation of NH E-ZPass Customer Service Centers. (2) Further Authorized to amend a contract with ACS State and Local Solutions Inc., Washington, DC, for a professional services agreement for the operation of NH E-ZPass Customer Services Centers, by increasing the amount by $750,000 from $4,600,000 to $5,350,000. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2009. 100% Turnpike Funds. Presently, Portsmouth Walk-in-center is the first permanent site and the set up cost for this site is approximately $55,000.
Authorized the Commissioner’s Office to retroactively amend agreements with the Central NH, Southern NH, and Rockingham Planning Commissions (previously amended by G&C on 5-7-08, item #90), for conducting a comprehensive Community Technical Advisory Program, by extending the completion date from May 15, 2009 to December 15, 2009. No additional funding. This is a time extension only. In response to concerns about growth and development pressures expressed during the development of the Salem to Manchester 1-93 widening project the Department is conducting a comprehensive community technical advisory program (CTAP) to provide technical planning assistance to the 26 towns and cities in the area influenced by the widening of 1-93. Central NH Regional Planning Commission, Southern NH Planning Commission, Rockingham Planning Commission and Nashua Regional Planning Commission are the primary planning agencies for the 26 communities included in the CTAP effort. In order to address the issues as cost effectively as possible, efforts have been implemented through the regional planning commission (RPC) to take advantage of their resources and expertise.
Authorized Bureau of Bridge Design to enter into an agreement with HDR Engineering Inc., Boston, MA, for performing in-depth inspections, load ratings, and cost analyses of the Memorial Bridge, the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, and the I-95 High Level Bridge, all crossing the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME, in the amount of $2,737,439.26. 80% Federal, 20% Highway Funds.
Authorized Bureau of Turnpikes to exercise a contract renewal option with Waste Management of NH Inc., Hampton, NH, (previously approved by G&C on 1-24-07, item #127), for acceptance of rubbish delivered by Bureau of Turnpike vehicles in the amount of $19,600. Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. 100% Turnpike Funds.
#129 Authorized Bureau of Highway Maintenance, Well Section, to enter into a contract with Capital Well Company of Dunbarton, NH, for a 6-inch drilled well and pump on the property of Paul Muckerheide, Hampstead, NH, in the amount of $24,895. Effective upon G&C approval through October 2, 2009.
Authorized Bureau of Construction to enter into a contract with Northeast Earth Mechanics Inc., Pittsfield, NH, for cleaning and sliplining four 84” by 630” long corrugated metal pipes carrying Hodgson Brook under Interstate 95 in the City of Portsmouth and associated inlet and outlet work on the basis of a low bid of $1,283,870. (2)Further Authorized a contingency in the amount of $128,387 for payment of latent conditions, which may appear during the construction of the project. Effective upon G&C approval through September 25, 2009. 100% Turnpike Funds.

LATE ITEM:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorized the Dept. of Transportation to enter into agreements with Portsmouth and Hampton to provide services under the State-Aid Highway Program in providing funding and services necessary for construction a total of 2 projects involving Class I, II, and V highways through the municipal-managed process, effective, from the date of G&C approval though June 14, 2014. Funding in the amount of $1,752,000. 66% State-Aid Construction Funds, 33% local funds.

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

William Flanders, Hampton, NH to the Board of Hearing Care Providers
James R. Therrien, Hampton, NH to the Real Estate Commission

If you have interest in serving on any of the 300+ State Boards or Commissions please send a letter of interest along with a resume to Jennifer Kuzma in care of the Governor’s office and CC it to Councilor Hollingworth.

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/.