NH State Representative Steven Smith

https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

“An Act making the 11th day of November in each year a legal
holiday”‘, approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. C , sec. 87a),
is hereby amended by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting
in lieu thereof the word “Veterans”.
Approved June 1, 1954.^

Charlestown Rt 12 Repair Update … November 5, 2021

Dear Elected Officials for Charlestown, Walpole and Claremont:

The big news is that the project will advertise today, Friday, November 5, 2021 and the bids will be opened on November 18, 2021.  The “Invitation for Bids” document is attached for your reference. 

The Department had planned to provide a one week bid period.  However, following the informational meeting with potential pre-qualified contractors, modifications were made to the project and the project start was delayed, resulting in different weather conditions from the outset.  Also, holidays are approaching,  Therefore, it is only fair to provide the contractors with two weeks to encompass the change in plans and weather before submitting bids (thus the advertising on 11/5 and the bid opening on 11/18).  

The Department plans to request pre-authorization from Governor & Council for a project dollar amount at the G&C meeting on November 22, 2021.  Then the Department will go back to G&C for approval of the contract award to the selected contractor.  

My Best,

Kathy

Kathleen Mulcahey-Hampson

Legislative Liaison

Charlestown Rt 12 Update … October 29, 2021

Dear Elected Officials for Charlestown, Walpole and Claremont:

As stated in Monday’s update, last week the Department addressed and responded to the Railroad’s comments.  The Department met with the Railroad on Monday (10/25) and resubmitted construction documents.  The modifications to the construction documents included more enhanced automated monitoring systems for the railroad tracks and soil nail wall construction, as well as soil nail wall details. The contractor will be required to install instruments to monitor any settlement in the embankment caused by excavation, as well as any deformation to the tracks. These systems will be automated and provide real-time alerts if there are any issues developing.

The Department met with the Railroad again yesterday, Thursday 10/27, to review some comments.  The Railroad continues to review the Department’s response to comments.  Although dealing with comments does not seem fast paced, the meetings and work with the Railroad have been productive.  The Department, the Railroad, and the Railroad consultant are all mindful of the need for the construction work to get underway and there is an ongoing cooperative effort. To illustrate the level of cooperation, the typical turnaround to receive comments for a normal project is 30-45 days for each submission; we’ve had 2-week turnarounds on the submissions for this project.

On a very positive note, we received the executed Agreement from the Railroad yesterday.  This Agreement is the last step necessary for the Department to seek Federal Highway (FHWA) approval of the project.  

My Best,

Kathy

Kathleen Mulcahey-Hampson

Legislative Liaison