NH State Representative Steven Smith

Route 12 Update

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Rep. Steven Smith

From NHDOT:

On Friday September 19^th we sent out plans and bid documents to the six contractors that responded to our initial outreach and met on site to review the scope of work. Bids are due back this Friday 9/26. Once the lowest bidder is selected, we will work with them to complete contract paperwork with goal of getting to G&C for approval, outside possibility of a late item on 10/1, but no later than 10/15 G&C.

As we’ve met with contractors and developed more detail plans there is more refinement now on scope, magnitude, and timeframes. With regard to traffic control, we will be maintaining alternating one-way traffic under signal control, as it has been all summer, throughout the work. There will be barrier set along the centerline where barrels are now and work will be done behind barrier staring at the bottom of the slope and working back up allowing maintenance of traffic as it has been to continue until the work is complete and two lane traffic fully restored.

Our goal is still to get it done before or as early in the winter as we can. Original estimates to do the work were 8 – 10 weeks. With refinement of details and quantities, our construction personnel are estimating it may be 15 – 16 weeks extending into winter or bumping to the spring. We’ll have to see when we get bids what the contractor can do but certainly it would be our goal to restore to two-lane traffic before the depths of winter if they can. The alternating one-way traffic as currently exists will be maintained throughout construction which will avoid/minimize travel impacts.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Tim

Timothy Boodey, P.E.

NHDOT – Division of Operations

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Never Forget

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Rep. Steven Smith

It doesn’t seem like 24 years ago. I remember it pretty vividly. I was at work in Lebanon when the news reported that a plane hit the World Trade Center. My first thought was that it wasn’t the first time a plane hit a building in Manhattan. It was strange for hit to happen these days with advanced air traffic control and no fog. Then, the second plane hit. It was clear then that this was not an accident. As the day unfolded, and air traffic was grounded, the silence was strange. I never noticed how common it was to see planes in the sky, until they were gone.

People rose up to be their best selves that day and in the days that followed. Differences were largely set aside so looking for survivors and cleaning up could go on. It’s too bad that it takes tragedy to make us be those people.

This is Tim Duffy. He was off work that day, but then suited up and went towards the destruction that everyone else was trying to get away from.

People did heroic things, and some died doing them. Never forget their sacrifice, their bravery, and their excellence.

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Secretary Rollins Announces Reinvigorated Farm to School Grants Supporting American Farmers and Children

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Rep. Steven Smith

(Washington, D.C., September 10, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delivering on its commitment to support child health and American agriculture by opening applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. Through this grant opportunity, USDA will invest up to $18 million in farm to school projects that connect farmers to USDA’s child nutrition programs through local food procurement, agricultural education, school gardens, and more.

New this year, USDA reimagined the Farm to School Grant program, implementing several improvements, including streamlining the application, removing barriers to innovation, and emphasizing partnerships to give small family farms the best chance at success.

“Yesterday at the MAHA Report announcement, alongside Secretary Kennedy, we announced one of the key actions USDA has already taken to contribute to making our children healthy again – Farm to School Grants. These initiatives are one of the best ways we can deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to children, while also strengthening local agriculture,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “These grants will open new doors for small family farms, expand access to healthy food in schools, and inspire the next generation of Great American Farmers. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is proud to streamline this program, so it works better for families, farmers, and communities across our nation. Putting America’s Farmers First starts with putting our children first.”

Since the Farm to School Grant program’s inception in 2013, USDA has awarded a total of $100 million to more than 1,200 Farm to School Grant projects across the country. This year’s grants represent the largest total amount USDA has offered in Farm to School Grants in a single year.

Farm to School Grants support projects that:

Incorporate more unprocessed, locally sourced foods into meals served at school, summer sites, and/or by child care providers;
Provide producers training on procurement requirements and food safety standards to protect child health;
Integrate agricultural education into career and technical programs to support the longevity of America’s agricultural legacy;
Encourage increased consumption of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables; and more.

This grant opportunity is open to state and local agencies, Tribes, child nutrition program operators, small- to medium-sized agriculture producers, groups of agricultural producers, and nonprofits. Detailed information about eligibility and application requirements can be found in the request for applications. Applications close on December 5, 2025.