NH State Representative Steven Smith

I felt the need to respond to a letter dated April 27 by Kathleen Eames of Charlestown regarding redistricting because it contained so many errors. As background, you should know that we have very tight constraints on what we are allowed to do when redistricting. It was generally agreed that Sullivan County was the most challenging. We are required to be within 10% total deviation of “perfect population” for the state plan. This means that when you divide the total state population by 400 (the number of Representatives), you need to be within roughly 5% over or under in each county. We can not cross county lines because the Representatives from a county also comprise the County Delegation. Districts must also be contiguous.
Sullivan County had two large changes in this census that made keeping the old districts impossible. Claremont lost significant population in one ward, and Grantham gained significant population. These two large items put the current districts out of compliance with the federal one man one vote standard. Adjusting for this affected very other district in the county.
Ms. Eames stated that the data used was not made publicly available. Census data is publicly available. If she is talking about some other data, you should know that House Democrats submitted the plan for Sullivan County. We simply accepted it. Questions as to its creation should go to members of that party. Having said that, census data and information regarding our redistricting process is, and has been, available at the House Special Committee on Redistricting Website or http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committee_websites/Redistricting_2021/default.aspx
Article 11 of the NH Constitution does not require that “each town with the minimum population to have its own representative”. Part 2 Article 11 states “When the population of any town or ward, according to the last federal census, is within a reasonable deviation from the ideal population for one or more representative seats, the town or ward shall have its own district of one or more representative seats. The apportionment shall not deny any other town or ward membership in one non-floterial representative district.” We are, however, not permitted to violate federal law to accomplish this. The plan that I submitted would have kept Claremont as it is today, and Charlestown would have still had its own Representative. Unfortunately, deviating that far from the right population number put the state plan over 10%. It was decided to not proceed with a plan likely to be challenged in state and/or federal court. The NH Supreme Court addressed this issue in 2012 making it clear that properly proportioned districts took priority over the 2006 amendment Ms. Eames referenced. It also stated that being under 10% deviation was critical. You can read it yourself at https://www.courts.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt471/files/documents/2021-08/2012061redistricting.pdf
In closing, realize that House Democrats submitted the plans for Sullivan County Representatives and Sullivan County Commissioners. Republicans accepted those plans over the Republican plans. It is a bit disingenuous for a political party official to try to cry partisan foul now. Sulivan County’s plan was truly bipartisan.

Rep. Steven Smith, Charlestown, Deputy Speaker of the NH House
Vice Chair, House Special Committee on Redistricting

Charlestown Route 12 Repair Update – April 19, 2022

Dear Elected Officials for Charlestown, Walpole, and Claremont: 

Last Wednesday evening NHDOT Assistant Commissioner Bill Cass and Project Manager Jason Ayotte attended the Charlestown Selectboard meeting.  Jason Ayotte presented an overview on the Charlestown Rt. 12 repairs:  what caused the road closure, the prior plan, why the prior plan was not workable, and the plan going forward.  Assistant Commissioner Cass and Project Manager Ayotte answered a variety of questions, including the location of drainage, availability of materials, and the construction schedule. 

We do not believe it would be safe for public use of the road during construction and it would hinder the work.  However, at the request of the Police Chief, the Department and contractor will provide emergency access for emergency vehicles during off-hours of construction.

The immediate repair is underway. The contractor, Casella, has remobilized and ordered the necessary materials, with some materials being delivered to the site last week.  Casella was back on site and working yesterday, April 18, 2022.  It is anticipated the work will take 6 weeks.  With no weather delays, the road should be reopened by the end of May 2022.  

As previously stated, the immediate repair is an interim, subject to the same conditions and issues that cause the road to be closed.  Additional drainage work is planned, which will improve conditions to some degree.  DOT will continue to monitor the roadway while the alternatives analysis is being done to determine a long-term solution. This long-term solution will be the future Ten Year Plan project.

In the meantime, I will continue to send updates.  Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

My Best,

Kathy

Kathleen Mulcahey-Hampson

Legislative Liaison

Senior Hearings Examiner, NHDOT

LCHIP provides grants for helping to maintain our treasured landmarks and historic buildings. An informational webinar will be held on April 18. Thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who maintain the treasures of New Hampshire. ~ Steve

From LCHIP:

In April we welcomed Cassie Bernyk to the LCHIP team as our Operations Coordinator.   Cassie, whose friendly voice will be answering phones at LCHIP, is tasked with keeping the entire LCHIP operation running smoothly and efficiently – quite a job!  Welcome, Cassie!

April kicks off the official start of LCHIP’s annual grant cycle. On April 18^th we’ll host our webinar for new (or repeat) grant applicants – providing an overview of our grant programs, and an introduction to LCHIP’s grant management system. To register (required) contact Cassie Bernyk at Officemgr@lchip.org or 603-224-4113. 

Those planning to seek LCHIP funding in 2022 should also note that Letters of Intent are due May 18^th.  Organizations invited to apply will be required to submit full proposals by June 22, with funding decisions announced in mid-November. More information on LCHIP’s 2022 grants can be found here. 

Best,

Paula Bellemore

Executive Director

OVERVIEW

Since 2001, LCHIP has proudly awarded $54 million dollars to 364 organizations in 179 communities across New Hampshire to conserve and preserve New Hampshire’s most important natural, cultural and historic resources. In 2022, LCHIP will be accepting applications from eligible applicants for natural resource acquisition, historic rehabilitation, and historic preservation planning grants.

Preservation Planning Grants
To support the study of eligible historic resources.

Historic Rehabilitation Grants
To support the restoration or rehabilitation of eligible historic resources.

Natural Resource Acquisition Grants
To support the permanent protection of ecologically significant lands.

2022 GRANT ROUND SCHEDULE

Grant Round Opens	May 1, 2022
Letter of Intent Due	May 18, 2022
Applications Due	June 22, 2022
Funding Decisions	Mid-November 2022

ELIGIBILITY

An organization applying for LCHIP funding must be either a municipality or other political subdivision of the state of New Hampshire, or be a publicly supported nonprofit corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) of the Internal Revenue code. Other interested parties may partner or work with an eligible organization or government entity but may not apply directly through LCHIP.

New in 2022! A representative from the applicant organization must attend a 2022 LCHIP Grant Orientation Workshop prior to submitting a proposal. Workshops will be delivered via Zoom webinar, and are recorded and available for viewing at your convenience. 

Webinar: Monday, April 18, 2022 at 10am.  Please email Cassie to RSVP: officemgr@lchip.org.

Program-specific eligibility requirements are described in the following guidance documents:

• Preservation Planning Grant Eligibility Self-Assessment Tool
• Historic Rehabilitation Grant Eligibility Self-Assessment Tool
• Natural Resource Grant Eligibility Self-Assessment Tool

APPLICATION PROCESS

New in 2022! Letters of Intent and Proposals must be submitted through LCHIP’s grant portal. Access to the grant portal will be available by May 1, 2022.

Prospective applicants must submit a Letter of Intent through LCHIP’s online grant management portal describing the project for which they intend to seek LCHIP funding. LCHIP staff will review the information provided for compliance with LCHIP’s eligibility criteria. All eligible projects will then be invited to submit a complete proposal.

The proposal includes the application and several required attachments which are submitted through LCHIP’s online grant management portal. Detailed instructions on how to complete the application and additional guidance materials are provided within the portal.

A Review Panel comprised of experts in various elements of natural- and historic-resource conservation will review all proposals and conduct site visits to project sites in order to gain a better understanding of each project. The Review Panels provide recommendations to the Board of Directors, which is responsible for making the final funding decisions.

Each organization receiving an LCHIP award is required to enter into a Project Agreement with LCHIP. The Project Agreement summarizes the obligations of the Grant Recipient and LCHIP, and outlines the project’s scope, structure and purpose as understood by LCHIP. To accept an LCHIP Award, an authorized representative of the recipient organization must sign and return the Project Agreement by the established deadline.

If a proposal is not funded, a representative of the applicant organization will be invited to meet with LCHIP staff to discuss the project and proposal. The goal of these meetings is to assist applicants to identify ways in which the project or proposal could be strengthened in the future. There is no prohibition against resubmitting an improved proposal for the project in future LCHIP grant rounds.