A news round-up from the Town of Henniker, NH
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For the past three months, I’ve been writing you a letter to keep you connected and informed through the pandemic of COVID-19. Starting today, this letter is shifting to a whole community focus. While I will continue to share important milestones about COVID-19, specifically up to date information on reopening and long-term recovery.
The last two weeks have been extremely painful. Like many of you, I’m experiencing a full range of emotions and struggling to hold deep sadness, anger, fear, grief, and regret. My heart aches for George Floyd’s family and for all people of color who live every day with the fear that they, or their family, will be called names, be beaten, or killed based on the color of their skin. While I feel a deep sorrow and the heaviness of the exact moment we are in, I’m committed to staying in these feelings while leading us in a direction that addresses systemic racism and bias in our community and organization.
If you are not aware, I grew up in a "Law Enforcement Family." My father was a Police Chief and dedicated more than 50 years to the profession. I did follow in his footsteps, starting at the age of 19 as a Police Officer; I worked in the law enforcement profession until 2014.
Allow me to share a few general statistics about American police: There are about 800,000 police officers in a country of 329,000,000 people;
more than 50% of the police departments in our country are small (like
Henniker); a police officer dies in the line of duty every 53 hours; there are
50,000 – 55,000 assaults on police officers every year and 10% of those officers leave the profession as a result.
While I can ponder and question the incidents that are occurring around us, I want to assure everyone that in speaking with our Police Chief, there will always be transparency and accountability on the part of your police department. Police Officers are taught from the beginning they are a leader in a community;
Police Officers are your neighbors and friends
. Woven into that fabric is the belief that each person is to be treated with dignity and respect. Our Police Department makes those promises every day and they are not hung up with the uniform at the end of a shift, it is their way of life.
Joe
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If you know of others who might benefit from reading "Henniker Happenings" and the ongoing COVID-19 information and resources the Town provides as relevant information becomes available, please pass this email along. It's possible to sign up to receive them directly on the Town of Henniker web page at
https://www.henniker.org/general/page/sign-non-emergency-alerts
. or use cell phone to join, text HKNEWS to 22828 to get started.
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July 15, 2020 at 6pm at the Henniker Community School.
We want to thank everyone who came out to Town Meeting on June 6, 2020. Your patience, support and understanding was amazing. We had our fair share of technical difficulties, and we appreciate everyone for working with us.
Since we adjourned to a new date (JULY 15 @ 6pm) we will continue with the warrant
articles at that point.
Thank you again!
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HENNIKERHELPS
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis that has disrupted our local, national, and worldwide economy. This disruption is creating significant financial hardships and potentially lasting economic impacts that affect Henniker residents, businesses, and nonprofits. To assist in overcoming the financial and emotional challenges many are experiencing now and, in the weeks, and months ahead, a number of programs and services are already in place or being implemented by the Town of Henniker. These measures are being coordinated with federal, state, and private efforts, and provide economic support and financial relief to all residents, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 crisis and in need of assistance.
Henniker HELPS (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) is a comprehensive and continually updated list of programs, services, and assistance available to the community during these difficult times.
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The Town of Henniker is taking a phased approach to reopen facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic with guidelines in place for the health and safety of staff and the public. As of Monday June 1, several town facilities are open by appointment only. These appointments include the Town Clerk's Office, Assessing Department, Zoning and Planning Department, and the Town Administrator's Office. To help make this easier you can make your appointment online by clicking
here
.
Steps taken to protect he public and staff include face coverings by all in public areas, the installation of sneeze guards, hand sanitizer stations, and increased sanitation of town facilities.
Residents are still encouraged to utilize
online services
whenever possible. These online services include vehicle registration renewal, dog licenses, vital statistics, zoning applications, abatement and tax cards. We still also have a drop box at the front entrance of Town Hall if you prefer.
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EMERGENCY ALERTS
SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS FROM THE TOWN OF HENNIKER
NH Alerts is an automated notification system the town & state can use to call up to 60,000 phone numbers per hour with a recorded message.
This includes public safety notices issued by the Town of Henniker & the State of New Hampshire as well as severe weather warnings directly from the National Weather Service. The single enrollment portal allows you to enroll in both the Town of Henniker's and the State of New Hampshire’s emergency notification system.
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UPDATE FROM NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
If residents, downtown businesses, or property owners have feedback they would like to share with the Town and NEC to review and consider, please email Executive Assistant Jean Eaton at
[email protected]
who will share these with both Administrator Devine and President Perkins and their respective teams. This effort is not intended to create an active dialogue as the volume of ongoing correspondence and time limitations will not permit. It will be reviewed and thoughtfully considered.
Below please find the fall opening plans and a letter from President Perkins.
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VOTER REGISTRATION IN HENNIKER
Election officials in Henniker would like to congratulate John Stark students who are about to graduate and invite them to consider registering to vote this summer.
Many states, including New Hampshire, are encouraging voters to vote absentee this fall because of the pandemic. If you are registered in Henniker, you can vote in person in the fall without standing in line to register or you can vote absentee here whether you are staying in Henniker or going away to college. We would like to encourage you (and anyone else who has moved to Henniker and not registered yet) to register soon and then request your absentee ballot later if you should decide to vote that way.
Voter registration can be done in person at the town hall by appointment or absentee. If you come in person you will be asked to show proof of identification, age (18 by the September 8 election), citizenship (passport or naturalization papers), and domicile within Henniker. Affidavits may be signed in the absence of proofs. This may be done up until about 10 days before the election. To register absentee, please call the town clerk’s office (428-3240) and ask for the absentee registration packet. Read the instructions carefully. Make sure all forms in the packet are completed and signed (some need to be witnessed) before returning it with required proofs.
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TOWN INFORMATION DURING COVID-19
We are continuously updating our coronavirus web page with information and resources. You can access it here:
Henniker COVID-19 Updates
PDFs with information for residents and businesses are available via this link.
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UPDATES ON PANDEMIC RELIEF
Paycheck Protection Program:
Last Thursday, the Senate passed by unanimous consent, H.R.7010, Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020. The bill amends the small business provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) to the following:
- Extends the forgivable period from 8 weeks to 24 weeks or the end of the calendar year.
- Adds flexibility to the forgiveness ratio for non-wage expenses from 75% payroll and 25% non-payroll eligible expenses to 60% payroll and 40% non-payroll.
- Establishes a minimum loan maturity of 5 years for the remaining balance after the balance is adjusted for forgiveness. The CARES Act allowed the Treasury Department to set a maturity of up to 10 years; however, the Department set loans at only two years, which was not consistent with congressional intent and would have been very challenging to most borrowers.
- Extends the required period during which an employer may restore wages to December 31st.
- Allows borrowers to defer payments until they receive compensation for forgiven amounts. Those who don’t apply for forgiveness can have 10 months from the program’s expiration to begin making payments.
- Allows for PPP borrowers to also defer payroll tax payments including payment of principal, interest, and fees, until the date on which the amount of forgiveness determined under section 1106 of the CARES Act is remitted to the lender.
This bill does not allow for current PPP borrowers to receive additional PPP funding.
IRS:
Yesterday, the IRS issued a reminder that many low-income Americans who don't usually file tax returns can register for a payment by October 15th
HERE
.
Federal Reserve:
Yesterday, the Federal Reserve announced an expansion in the number and type of entities eligible to directly use its Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF). Under the new terms, all U.S. states will be able to have at least two cities or counties eligible to directly issue notes to the MLF regardless of population. Governors of each state will also be able to designate two issuers in their jurisdictions whose revenues are generally derived from operating government activities (such as public transit, airports, toll facilities, and utilities) to be eligible to directly use the facility. More information can be found
HERE
.
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STATE AID TO MUNICIPALITIES STILL ON TRACK
ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR SUNUNU – Welcome news for Henniker taxpayers
Towns and cities across NH have been understandably concerned about potential reductions to state aid and revenue sharing due to the pandemic. While we receive significantly less support from NH than in years past, further reductions would only represent additional downshifting of state responsibilities to local taxpayers.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) has been asking the same questions we have here in Henniker. Last Thursday, NHMA confirmed that the governor has no intent to make any reductions to state aid amounts. Additional information regarding state aid follows…
Meals and Rooms Tax (M&R) Distributions
RSA 78-A:26 provides a formula for distribution of M&R revenues to municipalities, which is based on the most recent estimated population numbers provided by the Office of Strategic Initiatives. The statute uses the prior year’s M&R collection as the basis for the distribution, with 40 percent of the tax revenue intended for municipalities, and includes the so-called “catch-up” provision to reach that level of municipal funding. However, as you may know, RSA 78-A:26 has been suspended by the state in nine of the past eleven years as part of the biennial state budget. Each year since 2017 the state has appropriated and distributed $68.8 million regardless of the amount of tax revenue received.
For the fiscal year 2020/2021 biennium, the state operating budget again includes an appropriation of $68.8 million each year for the meals and rooms tax distribution. This is a state general fund appropriation and is not tied to the actual amount of tax revenue the state receives. As such, and as confirmed by the governor, cities and towns will receive the same level of meals and rooms tax distribution in fiscal year 2021 (typically paid at the end of December) that they received last December, with minor adjustments due to updated population estimates used in the distribution formula.
Highway Apportionment Block Grants
RSA 235:23 and RSA 235:23-a provide for formulaic distributions of state road toll (gas tax) and motor vehicle fees to municipalities for various local transportation needs. Unlike the M&R tax distribution, these grants are based upon prior year state highway fund revenues. At this time, the state estimates fiscal year 2020 highway fund revenues to be under the revenue plan by an aggregate 7.5%. The state will provide an updated fiscal year 2021 highway apportionment block grant amount to each municipality upon the close of state fiscal year 2020 (i.e. after Jun 30, 2020).
One-Time Grants to Municipalities and School Districts
The state operating budget contained funding for one-time grants to both municipalities and school districts. Both grant amounts are based on data from state fiscal year 2020, including the number of children who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The municipal grants are fixed at an aggregate $20 million, with funds going out under appropriation formula. The education grants are not fixed but are estimated to equal $62.5 million in fiscal year 2021. According to the governor, legislative action, not executive action, would be required for any changes to these state aid distributions.
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HENNIKER ELIGIBLE FOR $50,542 FIRST RESPONDER STIPEND FUNDS
The Homeland Security & Emergency Management has initiated a First Responder COVID-19 Stipend Program through the CARES Act Grant. To qualify an individual must be engaged in a first responder activity that requires them to interact, in person, with the public or to be out among the general public. Individuals are ineligible for this stipend if their role does not, in their normal course of business, require them to be in physical contact with the public. Payment is effective May 4, 2020 and valid through June 30, 2020. Members are only eligible for one first responder stipend payment per week.
The Town of Henniker is eligible for $50,542 of first responder stipend funds. This amount is based on $300/week for 8 weeks for full-time police and fire responders and then a partial payment for call firefighters. While these relief funds have been allocated to Henniker, action must be taken to receive the funds. Each local government must submit a signed First Responder Stipend Worksheet to be eligible for funds.
At the May 19, 2020 Select Board meeting, the Henniker Board of Selectmen authorized the acceptance and expenditure of CARES Act grant funds in an amount up to $50,542 for first responder stipends and authorized the Town Administrator to sign and submit the First Responder Stipend Worksheet to NH Homeland Security & Emergency Management on behalf of the Town of Henniker
.
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The Town of Henniker is working on upgrading our website. We would love to have more images of Henniker. Are you a photographer? Do you like to take pictures? If so please share some of your favorites with us to possibly be featured on the new website.
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FARMERS' MARKET
Henniker Community Market - NOW OPEN
Every Thursday 4-7 pm
Community Center Park
57 Main Street
Henniker
During these challenging times, more and more people are realizing the value and resilience of a local food system. We are committed to providing our community with access to locally grown food.
These vendors will be at the market:
Kearsarge Gore Farm, Warner
Terra Organics, Contoocook
Hop N Hen Farm, Henniker
Mink View Farm, Henniker
Elior Acres, Bradford
Abigail’s Bakery, Weare
Lucky 7 Farm, Washington
Products will include certified organic fruits and vegetables, pasture raised pork, beef, lamb, and chicken, eggs, maple syrup, goat milk & yogurt, and soap.
We encourage you to contact our vendors and arrange for pre-order if possible.
NH Community Seafood has CSF (Community Supported Fishery) shares available for pick up at the market. Support our local fishermen and eat the FRESHEST wild-caught fish and seafood all season! Learn more here:
http://www.nhcommunityseafood.com/what-is-a-csf
Stay safe and see you at the market!
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JOHN STARK GRADUATION
John Stark Regional High School seniors will hold graduation as a whole class on the football field at 10 AM on Saturday, June 13, 2020. The rain date is June 14. Students and two guests will be asked to arrive in one vehicle at an assigned time and will be directed to an assigned spot on the field. Graduates will remain in the assigned grid except when called to the stage to receive their diploma. Guests will remain in their assigned grid throughout.
Graduation will be live streamed on Fuelstream Live beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Please click on the link below to be redirected to the live streaming site.
Following the graduation there will be a parade led by Weare and Henniker Police Departments through Henniker and then back to Weare. At approximately 11:45 AM, the parade will leave JSR and travel north on Rte. 114 toward Henniker turning west on Grove St. and then south on Circle Street around the Henniker Town Hall. The parade will then turn south on Rte. 114 and head back to Weare.
Congratulations JSRHS Class of 2020!
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JUNE IS PERENNIAL AND POLLINATOR MONTH!
Wild lupines are the only larval food host for the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). Its caterpillars will eat nothing else. The Karner Blue is now found in parts of WI, MI, NJ, NH, and NY. Other butterflies dependent on lupines include the Northern Cloudywing, Gray Hairstreak, Henry’s Elfin, Painted and American Lady, and Orange Sulphur, but the plants also attract hummingbirds, bumblebees and other long-tongued pollinators. (Check out
www.wildflower.org
)
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RULES OF THE ROAD -- Bicyclists & Motorists
Safety is on all our minds as we use the road. We may think it's the other person who doesn't know what he or she is doing as they drive or cycle on our shared roadways, but do we, ourselves, really know what's what?
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has published a two-sided brochure that summarizes the rights and responsibilities of motorists and cyclists, as delineated and codified in the State statutes, the RSAs. This pamphlet has two sections, Bicycle Safety: What Every Cyclist Must Know and Sharing the Road: What Every Motorist Must Know. The brochure can be downloaded from the
NHDOT website on Pedestrian and Bicycle Traffic
.
Please do take the time to read the brochure before you next head out.
A key point to remember: It’s the Law -- Bicycles Are Vehicles. New Hampshire law says bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles.
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Joe
Joseph R. Devine, Jr - Town Administrator
Town of Henniker
a: 18 Depot Hill Rd., Henniker, NH 03242 USA
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