By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – A former cotton textile mill along the banks of the Sugar River in downtown Claremont was transferred from state to city hands Wednesday for housing needs and might be an excellent example of ways New Hampshire can create more spaces for people to live, Gov. Kelly Ayotte said.

The Executive Council voted unanimously Wednesday to sell 17 Water St. to the city for $700,000, well below its assessed value at its meeting in the State House.

The structure, originally built in the 1830s most recently housed the state office of Health and Human Services but the state has no current need for it, said Charlie Arlinghaus, the commissioner of the state Department of Administrative Services.

He said Claremont wants the four-story structure with its 21,697 square feet of usable interior office or living space, collectively known as the historic Monadnock Mill #1 to build housing.

Gov. Ayotte said after the meeting that this is a great example of the sort of work the state can do with communities to find more housing. She said she wants to undertake an inventory of state properties that could be helpful in dealing with the state’s housing crisis.

Voters have said a lack of affordable housing is the state’s most pressing need.

Yoshi Manale, Claremont’s city manager, was not immediately available for comment.

Arlinghaus said the property was first looked at by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority for acquisition but in August, it indicated it did not wish to pursue acquisition. 

The state then commenced discussion with the city and came to terms because of “anticipated public benefits” from its intended renovation and reuse as part of a downtown redevelopment…

In the state, it is estimated that the number of available two-bedroom apartments is below one percent and that the state is behind in its needs for more such housing, as it is an impediment to job growth and business health.

CONTRACT FOR ARMED SECURITY AT THE NH HOSPITAL APPROVED

A two-year, $3 million contract to protect New Hampshire Hospital with armed security was approved as well by the council.

The contract with Vets Securing America Inc. of Texas will augment the State Office Campus Police Force at the hospital for the mentally ill and comes with recommendations following the events of Nov. 17, 2023, in which an unarmed security guard was killed by a former hospital mental health patient in the lobby. 

That assailant was subsequently killed by a state trooper on the hospital grounds.

The Department of Safety completed a comprehensive safety and security assessment and recommended the changes which will supply security and dispatch services to the office complex and change the policy of having unarmed security in the lobby. It does not change existing policy to not have armed guards inside the hospital area with patients unless there is an emergency.

For the past 19 years, the hospital and Department of Safety have had a memorandum of understanding to provide for security with the financial help of the hospital.

The evaluation following the death of Officer Bradley Haas determined that an enhanced security force would ensure the safety of staff and patients at New Hampshire Hospital.

Robert L. Quinn, commissioner of Safety said in his written request that the contract provides trained armed personnel in providing security coverage to the hospital.

There were four proposals received when the state put it out to bid and Vets Securing America was chosen.

The contract is effective now through 2026 and will include the option to extend for two one-year periods at the discretion of the state.

THREE CONFIRMED TO BOARD OF EDUCATION

On a 4-1 vote, the council approved three to the state Board of Education.

Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon, voted against the reappointment of Andrew Cline of Bedford, James Laboe of Hopkinton and Ann Lane of Durham to be on the board.

Liot Hill said while they may well be qualified she said she thought it is important for the board to be politically balanced and with these nominations she said “balance on the board is lacking.”

She said it is now weighted to Republicans.

OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS VERSUS INTERNAL STAFFING 

Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, continued to express concern that the state is spending money with out-of-state contractors rather than use state employees to provide services, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services where he was formerly the commissioner.

“The entire process is broken. We are not serving our seniors well,” he said.

Of particular concern were amendments to two existing contracts which increased price limitations by $2.5 million each.

One contract that did not pass was for Keystone Peer Review Organization LLC for continued administration of the pre-admission screening resident review and nursing facility level of care services. 

The other, that did pass, was with TBD Communications to continue determination and review of individual eligibility for disability benefits.

The state is in the midst of a hiring freeze and the DHHS has a vacancy rate of almost 15 percent.

ARVELO HONORED

Dr. Will Arvelo, executive director of Cross Roads House of Portsmouth, was honored for his service and contributions that “have left a lasting impact on our communities,” Ayotte said.

Arvelo thanked the governor for the proclamation and to Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, for her support of the social services on the seacoast that serve a vulnerable population.

The facility also runs a winter warming center.

Arvelo said about 500 people are annually served but there is a wait list.

“We are all aware that housing is the main issue,” he said.