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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 09 March 2020

Barrington residents will be voting for electing Town officials on Tuesday, March 10^th, 2020, including two Select Board members, a Trustee of Trust Funds, a Cemetery Trustee, three Library Trustees, a Town Moderator, and a Supervisors of the Checklist. There are only two candidates running for the Select Board, and the ballot asks for you to vote for not more than two, so it’s pretty much guaranteed that George Bailey and Jim Saccoccia will become Select Board Members for the next three years. Patricia Gingrich is the only candidate running for Trustee of Trust Funds, so it is most likely that she will win, as well as Rick Walker, our Fire Chief, for Cemetery Trustee.

For the Library Trustees, there are two separate sections to vote for the three open positions. One section asks to vote for not more than two between the following three candidates: George Bailey, Karolina Bodner, and Lindsey Maziarz. The remaining category for Library Trustee only has one candidate, Karen Lee Towne, who will likely win since there is no one running against her.

There is also only one candidate running for Town Moderator – Ronald St. Jean, who will likely win the two-year term. There is also only one candidate running for the Supervisors of the Checklist – Nilda T. Janelle, who will likely also win her six-year term.

There are 21 articles up for a vote tomorrow, including the heated debate about the New Library, which will be decided based on the outcome of Article 03, which reads:

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,239,877 (gross budget) for the construction of a library and community center, including but not limited to building construction, site work, architectural fees, engineering, permitting, inspection, furniture, commissioning and other expenses to occupy the building, and to authorize the issuance of not more than $3,998,877 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Select Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon. The remaining $241,000 required for the project will come from the Barrington Library Foundation. [3/5th (60%) Majority Required]. Note: This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #5, the operating budget article. This article is recommended by the Select Board 3-0. This article is recommended by the Advisory Budget Committee 3-2. This article will have no impact on 2020 property taxes but there is a commitment to make payments in future years which will increase property taxes in those years approximately $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value or $93 per year on a $300,000 property.”

Article 15 is also a very important issue, which would allow the city to discount the taxes of a home with a solar installation at its full value, rather than the $5,000 limit under State law. It reads:

To see if the Town will vote to modify the provisions of RSA 72:61-64 inclusively, which provide for an optional property tax exemption from the property’s assessed value, for property tax purposes, for persons owning real property, which is equipped with solar energy systems intended for use at the immediate site. Such property tax exemption shall be in the amount equal to 100% of the assessed value of qualifying solar energy system equipment under these statutes. This article would replace the existing $5,000 solar exemption. [Majority Vote Required]. This article is recommended by the Select Board 3-0. This article is recommended by the Advisory Budget Committee 4-1.

Article 22, which was submitted by Rep. Matt Towne, would urge the New Hampshire General Court to appoint an independent redistricting commission that draws the new district maps in a way that does not rely on partisan data such as election results or party registration or favor particular political parties or candidates. This would avoid gerrymandering in New Hampshire, so that when districts are drawn after the 2020 Census, they don’t favor a specific political party simply by their boundaries.

Article 20 is a petition to prevent nuclear war, by calling on the United States to lead a global effort to prevent nuclear war by renouncing the option of using nuclear weapons as a first-strike capability, ending the sole, unchecked authority of the President of the United States to launch a nuclear strike, by taking U.S. nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert, canceling the plan to replace the entire U.S. arsenal with more advanced nuclear weapons, and actively pursuing a verifiable agreement among nuclear-armed states to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.

There are 11 appropriations articles that would have no impact on 2020 property taxes. Article 05 would set the default budget to $7,300,847. If defeated, the default budget will remain at $7,167,887. Article 06 would appropriate $2,000,000 for the purpose of replacing the bridge on Greenhill Road over Isinglass River, and to accept $1,600,000 from the State of New Hampshire. The remaining $400,000 would come from the unassigned fund balance and would not raise taxes.

Article 18 would allow keno games (gambling) in Barrington if passed. Article 12 would raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 towards the Tricentennial Celebration Expendable Trust, which would have no impact on taxes. There are also two similar articles regarding Service-Connected Disability Credits, in both Article 17 and Article 19, as follows:

Article 17

To see if the Town will vote to modify the provisions of RSA 72:35 for an optional tax credit of $2,550 for a Service-Connected Total Disability on residential property, with a plan for future incremental increase. [Majority Vote Required]. This article is recommended by the Select Board 4-0. This article is recommended by the Advisory Budget Committee 4-0. (BY PETITION)

Article 19

To see if the Town will vote to modify the provisions of RSA 72:35 for an optional tax credit of $2,550 for a Service-Connected Total Disability on residential property, with a plan for future incremental increase. This article, if passed, only takes effect if Article 17 fails to pass. [Majority Vote Required]. This article is recommended by the Select Board 4-0. This article is recommended by the Advisory Budget Committee 4-0.

Conner MacIver, in response to a question about the two similar articles, said this:

"One was a petitioned article; one was brought forward from the Select Board. They were amended at Deliberative Session to reflect the same amount."

To see the entire ballot, click here. To see additional voting information from the Town of Barrington, click here.

The Town Administrator did cite that the polling location will be following these guidelines to ensure safety in light of the Coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 08 March 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced two new presumptive positive test results for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

DHHS will hold a press conference on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 10:30 am at the Division of Public Health Services, 29 Hazen Drive in Concord.

One patient is an adult male from Grafton County who had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Hope Bible Fellowship at 114 Seminary Hill in West Lebanon, NH on March 1st at the morning service. Due to symptoms, this individual underwent testing at our public health laboratories today. The church has cancelled services and is working with NH DPHS to advise everyone who attended a coffee social at 9 AM or the worship services at 10 AM on Sunday March 1st to stay home and avoid contact with others for 14 days (through March 15th) and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone who attended the March 1 social or service and has developed symptoms of fever or respiratory illness should immediately stay home and distance themselves from household members and contact the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496 (after-hours: 603-271-5300).

Instructions for people to self-quarantine are available at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/documents/self-quarantine-covid.pdf. The second patient is an adult male from Rockingham County who traveled to Italy. Due to symptoms consistent with COVID-19, this individual underwent testing today at our Public Health Laboratories.

DHHS is investigating to identify and notify individuals who may have been in close contact with either individual.

“These new cases broaden our investigation and our public health team is working to try and prevent further community transmission,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. “It is important for anybody in our communities who may have fever or other respiratory symptoms to practice social distancing and stay home when ill. We continue to work with hospitals and community organizations to respond to this challenging global COVID-19 outbreak.”

DHHS conducted COVID-19 testing for both people today at the State Public Health Laboratories. Specimens from both patients will be sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing. The two patients are isolated at home and being monitored by public health staff professionals. DHHS is investigating to identify and notify individuals who may have been in close contact with either individual.

Because COVID-19, and all respiratory illnesses, are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, all people should take the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of influenza:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick
• Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  

For more information on COVID-19 in NH, please visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm. For the latest information from the CDC, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 08 March 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following summary of today’s press briefing.

On March 8, DHHS held a press briefing to discuss the two new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, one in Rockingham County and one in Grafton County. State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan and Beth Daly, Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control discussed the COVID-19 investigation in New Hampshire and steps residents can take to limit further spread of the coronavirus in the state.

Summary of Dr. Chan’s remarks

• Since Monday, March 2, the State Public Health Laboratories has conducted 47 COVID-19 tests. Approximately half of these were tested on Saturday, March 7.
• There are now four cases of COVID-19 in the State. The first two presumptive positive cases identified last week have been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results are currently pending for 5 tests. There have been 38 tests that were negative. Approximately 150 persons across the state are monitoring their health.
• The two most recent presumptively positive results will need confirmatory testing at the CDC. Both individuals are isolated and staying home. Household and close contacts are being advised to self-quarantine and stay home.
• These new cases broaden the COVID-19 investigation.
• These new positive detections will continue to raise concerns in our communities. Officials with the Division of Public Health Services are working with communities, hospitals, and public health partners to prevent further community transmission.
• The coronavirus can spread very easily from person to person, primarily through spread of respiratory droplets (e.g. coughing and sneezing) from a person who is infected.
• The primary driver of this global epidemic is people who are having symptoms and infected with COVID-19. People who have contracted the virus can spread it very early in the course of their illness when symptoms may be mild.
• Because of the way this virus spreads, people who are having flu-like symptoms such as fever, respiratory illness, or muscle aches should practice social distancing and stay home until symptoms end.
• DHHS will provide updates on the investigation, especially any new settings of potential exposure that needs public notification.

Summary of Beth Daly’s remarks

• DHHS and healthcare partners have been preparing for this type of novel respiratory virus for many years. This includes planning for an influenza pandemic. These plans are readily adapted for COVID-19.
• Among the most important preparedness activities is ensuring the State’s capacity to identify a suspected case of COVID-19. DHHS has provided guidance to our healthcare providers on patient screening and triage in order to identify a potential case, isolate the person appropriately, and to inform DHHS. This system has ensured the ability to identify potential cases.
• There is also specific written guidance for long-term care facilities, schools and businesses to support COVID-19 preparedness. Businesses are encouraged to support their employees to stay home when ill.
• Working with our partners, we are planning for potential community transmission in NH. We continue to maintain daily communications with federal, state, and local partners to continue our preparedness and response efforts.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 06 March 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today is issuing the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19. DHHS will continue to issue COVID-19 updates each day to provide media and the public with current information about the State’s efforts.

What’s New

·  NH MMRS Supports State Efforts to Test People for COVID-19

On March 5, the Metropolitan Medical Response System, a highly-trained volunteer corps affiliated with DHHS, deployed to Lebanon to collect specimens from people determined to be potentially at risk for COVID-19. MMRS deployment was enabled by the Declaration of a Public Health Incident issued by DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette (see March 4 Daily Update). Specimens were collected from three community members for COVID-19 testing. MMRS is comprised of volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, EMTs, mental health professionals and non-medical personnel who provide medical support during public health events.

·  DHHS Guidance for People with a Family Member in Self-Quarantine

Household members such as family members, including children, of quarantined individuals are not required to quarantine. As long as they remain asymptomatic, they can leave the home and can go to public places like school and work. If the person being quarantined develops illness, household members must then also stay home on quarantine.

·  COVID-19 Testing Capability Expands

The State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) is now able to increase COVID-19 testing capacity after receiving additional testing supplies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The additional supplies will allow the PHL to test an additional 200 people who have been determined to qualify for testing in order be able to meet future demand for COVID-19 tests.

Testing capacity is also set to expand due to an announcement from Quest Diagnostics, the world’s largest diagnostic testing provider, that beginning Monday, March 9, it will make testing available to patients through their healthcare provider.

·  Federal Funding Bill for COVID-19 Response Approved by U.S. Senate

On March 5, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to provide $8.3 billion for COVID-19 response. Once the bill is signed by the President, the CDC will notify DHHS when the funding is available for NH. Information from the CDC on allowable uses of the funds is pending and the State will provide information on how the funds will be utilized to support the State’s and our communities’ response to COVID-19.

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report (updated March 6, 2020, 9:00 a.m.)

Total Number of Persons Tested	25
Number of Confirmed Case(s) 1	0
Number of Persons Being Tested (current, test pending) 2	3
Number of Persons Tested (current, presumptive positive) 3	2
Number of Persons Tested (closed, tested negative)	20

1 Includes specimens confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL).
3 Includes specimens that have tested presumptive positive at NH PHL and are in route to CDC for confirmatory testing.

DHHS continues to test for COVID-19 in the NH Public Health Laboratories. DHHS is updating its website every morning around 9:00 am to include a current summary of testing actions.

Previous Updates

·  DHHS Provides Update on Results of COVID-19 Testing at State Public Health Lab

·  Travelers from China, Italy, Iran and South Korea to Self-Quarantine after Returning to U.S.

·  U.S. House of Representatives Approves $8.3 Funding Bill for COVID-19 Response

NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive

Because COVID-19, and all respiratory illnesses, are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, residents should take the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of influenza:

·  Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)

·  Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

·  Wash hands frequently

·  Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick

·  Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva

·  Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm.