News from the NH Department of Transportation

Announcements – November 18, 2022

Winter Weather has Arrived!

• Please prepare your car (ice scrapers, wiper fluid, snow tires), buckle up, slow down, and give yourself extra time to get where you are going. 
• Please check the weather and road conditions before you head out to work, shopping, or holiday travels. The New England 511 Traveler Information System website provides real-time traffic and weather information and can alert users via text or email to issues on roads throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont (See http://newengland511.org/, the My511 section). 

Employment Opportunities

The State of NH Department of Transportation, Bureau of Right of Way, is currently seeking qualified candidates for the following full-time position:

• RIGHT OF WAY AGENT I-III (Concord, NH): Job ID# 27575

To negotiate for purchase of real property for the Department of Transportation and other State Agencies as a Right-of-Way Agent. Provides technical guidance and relocation assistance in accordance with the Federal Uniform Relocation Act and State laws for all displaces and items affected by transportation projects. This position is expected to perform these accountabilities with minimum guidance.

Preferred experience: Knowledge of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Act of 1970, as amended.

To review job descriptions, minimum qualifications and to apply, please visit https://das.nh.gov/jobsearch/. The State of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

In addition to voting for me (hopefully) and other elected positions, there will be two questions for voters to weigh in on.

The first would eliminate the position of Register of Probate. There are good arguments for and against. If you vote no, please consider contacting your State Representatives about restoring some of the duties of this now largely ceremonial position.

The second is a question that is asked every ten years. Bear in mind, that a convention can only propose amendments. Those amendments still have to pass in the normal fashion.

Two ballot questions await voters on Election Day – here’s what they mean  

State of NH Emergency Energy Assistance

$35M in funding for emergency energy assistance for New Hampshire residents now available to help with high energy prices this fall and winter.

New Hampshire residents are seeing higher energy bills due to the current high energy prices. Energy markets worldwide are volatile, and the higher prices we are seeing are the result of an energy supply crunch brought about by increased energy usage as the economy recovers from the COVID pandemic, uncertainties in supply stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine, and growing inflation. 

Although these factors are out of our control, the State of New Hampshire has recently adopted legislation to provide emergency energy assistance to qualifying households. The State of New Hampshire will provide this assistance through the local Community Action Agencies. 

Who Is Eligible?

Households with incomes between 60% and 75% of the state median income may qualify for:

• A one-time credit of $450 for heating assistance.
• A one-time credit of $200 on electric bills.

Households with incomes below 60% of State Median Income may be eligible for assistance through:

• Fuel Assistance Program – provides benefits to qualified New Hampshire households to assist with heating costs.
• Electric Assistance Program – provides eligible customers with a discount on their monthly electric bills.
• Gas Assistance Program – provides eligible customers with a discount on their natural gas winter heating bills.

How to Apply

To apply for assistance or to learn more about the application process, households should contact their local Community Action Agency to set up an appointment.

75% New Hampshire State Median Income Guidelines

Income eligibility based on family size and gross annual income.

• For a family of 1, a maximum gross annual income of $48,711 
• For a family of 2, a maximum gross annual income of $63,699 
• For a family of 3, a maximum gross annual income of $78,688 
• For a family of 4, a maximum gross annual income of $93,676 
• For a family of 5, a maximum gross annual income of $108,664 
• For a family of 6, a maximum gross annual income of $123,653 
• For a family of 7, a maximum gross annual income of $126,463 
• For a family of 8, a maximum gross annual income of $129,274