A news round-up from the Town of Henniker, NH
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F
or many, Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer and gatherings with family and friends. It feels different this year as traditional spring and summer activities have transformed during the COVID-19 emergency. Regardless, I hope you each had a chance to honor those that gave their lives in service to our country.
On May 1st, Governor Sununu announced Stay At Home 2.0. We almost have a month behind us and businesses and individuals are adapting to the new guidelines and rules. I know businesses are working hard to navigate all of the things they have to do to safely open and continue their services. We’re working through some of those same issues as we start to reintegrate the Town’s workforce as safely as possible. It’s not easy. As you all know, there is a lot of conflicting information out there. Face coverings are a great example of that. They aren’t like oxygen masks that will just fall down from the ceiling when you are supposed to use them, you have to use your own good judgement based on individual situations. For me, it’s when I can’t maintain 6 feet of physical distance or I’m entering a space where that seems unlikely.
In Town business, a few things have happened since the last newsletter you might be interested in:
- The Governor has authorized $32 million to municipalities to cover COVID-19 related expenses incurred from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. These amounts have been allocated and made available based on 2018 population figures from the Office of Strategic Initiatives. The Town of Henniker is authorized up to $117,263 for COVID-19 expenses. This is in the form of reimbursement for money that has been spent. The Select Board has voted to apply for this grant and reimbursement of funds.
- The Select Board has voted to pass a new Zoning Permit (page 4) to replace the current Building Permit. In addition they have passed an amendment to Ordinance Chapter 25, the fees associated with this permit. To see the new fees please click here.
- Town Meeting is still scheduled for June 6th.
The past two weeks I talked to many community members who are either totally done and exasperated by the stay home order OR are loving being home and the new pace of their lives. I’m more in the first camp and ready to connect with my friends and co-workers in a non-virtual way. If you’re out and about this weekend, remember that the most important things you can do to stay healthy are to keep physical distance and wash your hands frequently.
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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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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Returning employees to the workplace will not be as simple as announcing a reopening date and carrying on business as usual. To protect the health and safety of our employees and citizens, the Town of Henniker will implement a phased-in approach to return employees to the work environment and in its opening of Town facilities to the public. This phased-in approach will take place during May and June. This three-phased plan will be carefully implemented to ensure the health and safety of all team members and the public. These plans may need to be modified based upon public health data or the extension of Emergency Order #16, but are scheduled to occur as follows:
Beginning May 26, 2020
- The town will cease utilizing staggered shifts and telework for all employees.
- Town Offices will remain closed to the public. We encourage the public to continue to use remote payment options, including our website, pay by phone, or the Town outdoor drop box at 18 Depot Hill Road.
- All meetings and conferences with external parties will continue to be held remotely. Required on-site meetings will only be held with employees following social distancing and using adequate PPE based upon the location and area of the meetings.
- All Town public meetings will continue to be held remotely via technology.
- No Town sponsored events will occur*
Beginning June 1, 2020
- Town offices will re-open for scheduled appointments ONLY. The public will be allowed into the building for these appointments following the enhanced safety protocols.
- Customer service employees that are not behind glass will wear a protective face covering while at their respective counters. Employees behind glass may opt to wear a protective face covering at their preference.
- Signs will be posted at entrances to these facilities that individuals experiencing any symptoms of Coronavirus or any other transmittable illnesses should not enter the facility but may call 603-428-3221 to conduct business.
- Meetings with external parties can occur, but proper social distancing and masks must be worn.
- The Board of Selectmen will begin meeting together again with the June meeting cycle. That said, if individual members of the Board are uncomfortable in attending a public meeting due to level of risk, the Board could continue the use of technology for hybrid modeled meetings which would include a combination of in-person and remote attendance via technology. We will continue to use technology to include the public at this time.
- Public events scheduled for June will be allowed to proceed on the following conditions:
- Event diagrams be expanded to encourage distancing and spacing between vendors and spectators.
- Signs installed at the entrance of events encouraging social distancing and that individuals that are sick or exhibiting signs of illness do not attend.
- Increased sanitation, including handwashing stations.
- Eliminating high-touch areas, such as bounce houses, face painting, games, etc.
- Allowing these events subject to the Governor’s Emergency Order #16 has been lifted or amended.
- The Town will begin accepting applications for private events at Town facilities. Each application will be required to provide information on public health options, increased plans on sanitation, and plans to cut down on overcrowding.
Beginning June 15, 2020
- Henniker Town Offices will open back up to the public. We will continue enhanced safety protocols.
Beginning July 1, 2020
- The Board of Selectmen will begin holding public meetings again without technology for the July meeting cycle. This is contingent on the Governor’s Emergency Order #16.
*The one exception to public events will be the Henniker Farmers Market. As this event provides food opportunities to the public and has an economic benefit to local farmers, the Town will allow this.
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DOG LICENSE
A
ny dog 4 months old or older is required by N. H. law to have a current license. Any adult dogs new to you or new to Henniker should be licensed immediately with the Town Clerk. All licenses expire annually on April 30th. Owners must present a valid rabies certificate and proof of spaying/neutering, if applicable, at the time of licensing. Failure to follow this procedure by June 1st will result in a $1.00 penalty for each month the owner is delinquent. The fees are as follows:
- $9.00 Male/Female
- $6.50 Spayed/Neutered
- $2.00 Senior Citizen (65+ yrs. – first animal only)
- $20.00 for group (5+ dogs)
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MAIN STREET RELIEF FUND INFORMATION
Prequalification Due Date: May 29, 2020
The State of New Hampshire has authorized the allocation and expenditure of an initial $400 million in emergency funding from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund ("flex funds") to provide emergency financial relief to New Hampshire small for-profit businesses and nonprofits due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. However, in order to provide the most effective relief as quickly as possible, New Hampshire small businesses and non-profits desiring to obtain relief will first be required to provide information concerning their possible COVID-19-related lost revenues and receipt of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or any other federal relief. This information will be used to determine appropriate relief criteria and amounts to meet the needs of those deemed eligible, including whether the initial $400 million is enough or should be increased. All applicants must have its principal place of business in New Hampshire and must have generated less than $20 million in revenue during the 2019 tax year. In addition, healthcare, childcare, and agriculture businesses will not be eligible for the program, as those businesses are or will be addressed through other programs.
Submit Your Prequalification
HERE
.
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UPCOMING ZOOM MEETINGS
Select Board Meeting - May 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 994 0345 7824
Password: 649151
Dial by your location
1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 994 0345 7824
Password: 649151
Planning Board - May 27, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 913 5827 2055
Password: 953616
Dial by your location
1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 913 5827 2055
Password: 953616
Select Board Meeting - June 2, 2020 at 6:15 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 958 4119 6634
Password: 531131
Dial by your location
1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 958 4119 6634
Password: 53113
It is, of course, possible that we could encounter some technical glitches as we commence use of videoconferencing. We'll be doing our level best to enable the public to stay engaged. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Participants will be provided a means of communicating any technical difficulties so that officials can make every effort to remedy the issue in real time.
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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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HENNIKER'S VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
With COVID-19 we are working toward making Henniker Town Hall and municipal services as virtual as practical given limitations in technology, staffing, regulations, and funding. Most transactions with the Town are now being processed via the Internet, email, telephone. At this point, there are exceptions only for unusual urgent situations where in-person transactions are necessary.
You can find a wealth of information about every Town department at our website
HERE
. If you believe that you need to speak with a Town employee in person, please call the department first to discuss your situation. For board meetings including Select Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board we will be using remote live participation for board members, presenters, and members of the public. We will distribute the number code for people to call in.
Here is information about various Town departments. All phone numbers are area code 603.
Town Clerk-Tax Collector 428-3240
Assessing 428-3221 x 102
Planning, Zoning, Land Use 428-3221 x 101
Finance Department 428-3221 x 104
Police Department 428-3213
Fire Department 428-7552
Henniker Rescue 428-7552
Transfer Station 428-7604
Highway Department 428-7200
PLEASE SEE THE FULL LIST OF UPDATES
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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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HENNIKER
TRANSFER STATION
A Valid Henniker Transfer Station sticker is
REQUIRED
to use the facility.
The current color is
BLUE
dated
2020-2022 if you have an
Orange
or
Clear
sticker stop into the recycling building with your vehicle registration and $1.00
You
MUST
be a Henniker resident to obtain a sticker.
Please be aware the attendant will put the sticker on your vehicle.
We are pleased to announce that restrictions have been lifted from COVID-19, and as of June 1
st
the Henniker Transfer Station will begin excepting
all
recyclables. This includes:
- Corrugated Cardboard: NO waxed boxes also please flatten your boxes
- Mixed Paper: Includes junk mail & magazines, egg cartons, food/cereal boxes, phone books & paperbacks, office/school paper, newspaper. (Staples, paper clips & window envelopes are OK!)
What we accept for
plastics
has changed please take note (must be sorted)
- #1 PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) Plastic bottles & jars (any transparent clear, green or blue colored. Bottles are to be no larger than 2.5 gallons or smaller than 5oz)
- #2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene) Plastic Bottles (ay pigmented or unpigmented bottles)
Please be aware that there are people inside the windows sorting the recycling, so please do not toss items in, as someone could get hurt.
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CHANGE PARTY AFFILIATION
Need to change party affiliation? Believe it or not, June 2 is the last day to change party before the State Primary on September 8. On that day (Tuesday June 2) Supervisors are supposed to be available at the Town hall from 7:00 – 7:30 PM to accept any changes to the checklist, including new registrations and party changes. Details of that meeting will be forthcoming. If you believe you have changed your party (meaning you voted at the February primary or other recent primary and did change your party either that day or after), check the following website to be sure:
https://app.sos.nh.gov
. If you changed your party AFTER the town election on March 10 it may not show up, although the changes should have been made. If you made that change up through the day of the town election and that website does not show it, we definitely need to know. If you would like to make a party change before June 2, you may do so by calling the Town Clerk’s office between the hours of 8:00 and 4:30 on M-F. We are awaiting instructions from the Secretary of State’s office to see if these party changes can be made through the mail. As soon as we have official word on this, we will let you know.
Remember, if you come to the primary as Undeclared, you will choose which party you wish to vote that day. You may then return to Undeclared that day or any day after. However, you MAY NOT change party at a primary if you enter the polls as a Republican or a Democrat. There are always some people who forget to return to Undeclared after a primary (perhaps they voted absentee) and then are very unhappy the day of the next primary. There was some confusion about this at the Presidential Primary, but we hope to make sure everyone is aware of this well before September.
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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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