Category: News

Lead protection

Manchester’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen recently approved the creation of a Lead Exposure Prevention Commission. According to a press release, the commission’s mandate includes developing strategies to prevent childhood lead poisoning, assessing existing ordinances, recommending changes and providing regular updates to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The commission will evaluate its progress annually, work with city departments on lead-related issues and suggest necessary funding for its recommendations. Comprising 12 members, the commission will include Manchester residents or city employees, representing the Manchester Health Department, the Manchester School District, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, medical professionals, landlords and nonprofit partners. The group is expected to submit reports biannually and will hold public meetings. The city of Manchester contains an estimated 30,000 dwelling units built before 1979 when lead-based paint was banned. From 2016 to 2020, 465 children in Manchester registered blood lead levels above the state’s current action level. The city has received over $18.4 million from the HUD since 2002 to address lead issues, with 1,170 units using this funding for remediation.

Historic sites

The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources has added four properties to the State Register of Historic Places, according to a press release. These include Claremont’s Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and Rectory, characterized by its Eastern Orthodox Christian architecture and an 1840s brick Green Revival style house; the Grasmere Schoolhouse #9 and Town Hall in Goffstown, a Queen Anne style building constructed in 1889 with two schoolrooms and an auditorium; the Hampstead Congregational Church from 1861, a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles, known for its community significance; and the Joshua Hill House in Stratham, a 1725 two-story timber-framed structure featuring Georgian architecture with Federal details. Visit nh.gov/nhdhr.

Human library

Goffstown Public Library will host its fifth Human Library on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. According to a press release, the event gives visitors an opportunity to engage in direct conversations with “human books” — individuals from diverse backgrounds willing to share their personal stories and challenge societal stereotypes. With narratives spanning from experiences of homelessness to life as a police officer or surrogate mother, these 20-minute dialogues aim to humanize diverse experiences and diminish prejudices. The Human Library, originating in Denmark in 2000 as a response to societal violence, has since spread to more than 70 countries. “We are very excited to be hosting our fifth Human Library and once again be part of this ever-growing global movement, with events being hosted around the world,” Dianne Hathaway, Director, Goffstown Public Library, said in the release. “Being a vehicle for the public to explore the humanity of different lifestyles or belief systems and choices is part of our job. To be able to do that through face-to-face interaction makes it all the more meaningful.” For the latest on the Human Library project’s global activities, visit humanlibrary.org.

Five-star rating

Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester has earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which reviewed over 4,500 hospitals across the country. According to a press release, CMC stands out as one of only three New Hampshire hospitals to receive this top rating and is among 483 hospitals with such a distinction nationwide. CMS’s ratings are based on five quality areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. “I am extremely proud of our team for their dedication to quality care for each and every patient,” Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Tanner said in the release. “The five-star rating system allows patients to easily determine which hospitals are high-performing to make a more informed choice for themselves or their loved ones. As CMC is the only New Hampshire five-star hospital in the Greater Manchester region, patients should feel comforted that they can receive high-quality, compassionate care right in their community.”

New name

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has announced a name change for its Office of Federal Compliance. Effective Sept. 1, it will be known as the Office of Access, Opportunity, and Compliance (OAOC). According to a press release, the revised name aims to better capture NHDOT’s efforts in promoting inclusivity, opportunity and adherence to state and federal regulations. “Our values align perfectly with the principles represented by the new name,” Larisa Djuvelek-Ruggiero, Administrator at the OAOC, said in the release. “The Office of Access, Opportunity, and Compliance represents our unwavering commitment to creating a level playing field for all employees, contractors, and stakeholders in the transportation sector.” Visit dot.nh.gov.

Concord Hospital Trust is set to host a Moonlight Gala on Sept. 21, at the Barn at Bull Meadow in Concord to fundraise for new technology at the Payson Center for Cancer Care, according to a press release. The primary goal is to support the acquisition of a new linear accelerator for the Payson Center, which diagnoses over 1,300 individuals with cancer annually. The Foss Family Foundation and J. Daniel Davison have pledged a $50,000 matching gift. Major sponsors include Concord Imaging Center, Sulloway & Hollis and several others. For more information or ticket purchase, visit ch-trust.org.

After closing its previous location in June, the Goodwill store in Hooksett has reopened in a newly renovated space half a mile away at 1328 Hooksett Road, according to a press release. With over 12,000 square feet, the new space includes a “Handpicked” section featuring standout items like designer jeans and KitchenAid mixers. The store will not, however, be accepting donations, and donors are directed to the Manchester or Concord stores.

Students of Bedford Academy, a private STEAM-focused elementary institution in Bedford catering to preschool through grade 5, are excelling academically, testing 1.7 years above national grade level norms in math and literacy. According to a press release, every student scored above national averages in key subjects.

Bill signing

Gov. Chris Sununu signed a number of bills into law on July 28, according to a press release, including SB 215, which aims to address the national shortage of nurses by allowing fully qualified individuals to join the workforce and contribute their nursing skills across various settings; SB 268, which allows for pre-hospital treatment and transportation for supporting K9 members of law enforcement, search and rescue and military operations, ensuring that the animals receive the necessary resources for their health and safety while serving and protecting the communities; SB 161, which aims to provide clean energy benefits to low-income families who have been particularly impacted by inflation and high energy costs, to facilitate a fair and equitable energy transition for all residents; and HB 249, which establishes regulatory standards for the pet insurance industry and allows restaurant owners to keep their companion dogs on the premises. Gov. Sununu vetoed one bill, according to the release; SB 42 would have allowed interest-free loans to be provided to individuals who received benefits they were not eligible for due to manipulating the system. In response to the veto, New Hampshire Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Deputy Commissioner Richard Lavers expressed appreciation for the governor’s decision, stating that it is crucial to discourage such behavior and uphold honesty and integrity in the program.

Help for kids

Granite VNA is reintroducing the “Helping Heal with Others” (H2O) program, providing support for grieving children ages 6 to 18 and their families. According to a press release, the monthly program offers coping skills and peer support, aiding children in experiencing and processing grief. Led by agency staff and volunteers, the sessions incorporate age-appropriate creative activities, pet therapy and stress management techniques to encourage healing. Concurrently, the program offers supportive sessions for accompanying parents and caregivers. A drop-in information session will take place on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Boys & Girls Club of Central NH in Concord. From Sept. 9, 2023, to June 8, 2024, H2O will run on the second Saturday of each month. The program is offered at no charge, and participants will receive lunch during each session. To register, call 224-4093, ext. 82822, or visit granitevna.org.

Consumer help

The New Hampshire Insurance Department’s Consumer Services Unit has released its statistics for Fiscal Year 2023, revealing a record-breaking recovery of approximately $6 million for New Hampshire consumers. Throughout the year, the unit processed 1,078 consumer complaint investigations, 4,086 assistance requests and 88 applications for external health review, according to a press release. The unit’s mission is centered around educating, navigating and investigating to assist residents with insurance-related issues. Consumers can contact the Consumer Services unit for assistance and guidance on insurance matters by calling 271‐2261 or by email at [email protected].

Dental assistants

Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) is addressing the community’s dental health concerns by partnering with the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center (HACTC) to offer scholarships for their new dental assisting program. According to a press release, the program is an online certificate program that provides hands-on work experience as dental assistant trainees with participating dental offices and aims to increase the local dental workforce and improve access to dental care. Students interested in the program can contact Aron Tomlinson at [email protected] or calling 802-359-4752.

Firefighter grants

The New Hampshire delegation, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, has announced more tha $700,000 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program funding for fire departments in rural New Hampshire towns, including Errol, New Hampton, Surry and Warren. According to a press release, the grants will be used to enhance the safety and training of firefighters and to purchase necessary equipment, such as a tanker vehicle, firefighter turnout gear, vehicle extrication equipment and firefighter breathing apparatus.

Certification

Joshua Mann, Chief of Operations, Radio Communications Maintenance for the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications, has achieved the Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) designation, a prestigious initiative aimed at elevating professionalism and recognizing excellence in the public safety communications industry. According to a press release, the program, established in 2016, consists of two 12-week online courses and a 10-day capstone seminar at APCO headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, focused on equipping participants with essential skills to lead organizations in the complex and ever-changing environment of public safety agencies

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) has announced the return of the Collaborative Regional Alliances for Farmer Training (CRAFT) of Farming for its fifth season. According to a press release, the program features on-farm workshops in summer and early fall, aimed at building farming skills and fostering community among local growers, aspiring farmers and consumers. The 2023 CRAFT season starts at Callie’s Creamery, an organic micro-dairy in Peterborough, on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. The workshop, focused on intensive rotational grazing and grassland management, is open to all, with free admission for farmers, farm workers and NOFA members, and a sliding scale fee of $5 to $15 for other attendees. Register at nofanh.org/craft.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) will begin work on a bridge replacement project on Route 107 in Deerfield at Freese’s Pond on Aug. 7. According to a press release, the work will require a full closure of the section for 30 days, with detours for southbound and northbound traffic. This is part of a larger $975,000 effort to replace the bridge, which is expected to be completed by Nov. 3, 2023.

The Upper Room in Derry is providing backpacks filled with school supplies for the new academic year. According to a press release, families enrolled in Upper Room programs can register to receive backpacks in late August. The organization is seeking donations of backpacks, folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, index cards and loose-leaf paper. Around 75 to 100 children will benefit from the annual backpack distribution day. Donations can be dropped off at The Upper Room’s front desk on Tsienneto Road until Aug. 21.