By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – The state’s Executive Council approved a land transfer in Conway that one councilor called an “insider” deal, rejected a contract for TASERS at the prisons, approved a $9 million contract for behavioral crisis intervention and approved funds for new conservation land in New Boston, among other business Wednesday.
It also got an update on suicide prevention measures on Portsmouth bridges after a devastating week last week involving three suicide incidents.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte and council also honored those who make community colleges, support for those in need and ahead of Mother’s day, attention to postpartum health.
Ayotte and the five-member council also enjoyed some music from the Pinkerton Academy Instrument Ensemble before getting down to business.
‘INSIDER’ DEAL ALLEGED FOR FORMER CONWAY BYPASS LAND SALE
For $22 million, years ago the state purchased land and buildings to develop a Route 16 bypass around the sometimes congested North Conway main street, but the plan was dropped, leaving the state with 155 properties that were acquired for the road project.
They have no use to the state and about 15 are now sold, state officials said.
But it is the way the state is going about selling them that has Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, concerned.
She opposed a deal on the council table which passed 3-2 to sell 90.35 acres on the east side of Stark Road in Conway to Shawn and Caitlin Baldwin for $235,000.
Stevens noted one of those two buyers is a municipal employee and the sale price is well below what the state paid, $727,000.
Commissioner of Transportation Bill Cass said he was not aware of the fact that Shawn Baldwin works for the town.
She said there was no real estate listing of the property though the town was given a right of first refusal.
“It’s not a good optic,” she said. “What triggers engagement of a realtor? We are giving this away,” Stevens said.
She has also voiced previous concern for sale of about six acres at the airport in Rochester for a courthouse when she said the state had a seven-acre right-of-way parcel that would have done just fine and also expressed concern about the sale of a 30-acre tract in Concord to an abutter which was not listed.
After the meeting Stevens said Baldwin is a Conway Police Officer. She said she drove by the property and saw stakes in the ground.
She asked Cass about what the state has done to market these lands for sale.
“My concern is insider knowledge. I don’t think it is fair,” she told Ayotte and the council and the commissioner.
Cass said: “I did not know it was a town employee. From the department’s perspective I don’t think there is insider knowledge or preferential treatment,” noting the couple are abutters.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HELP
In a 3-2 vote the council approved a $9.1 million contract with ProtoCall Services of Portland, Oregon. Voting against it were Executive Councilors David Wheeler, R-Milford, and John Stephen, R-Manchester.
Councilor Stevens supported it in the majority and before the vote offered congratulations to Katja Fox, director of the division of behavioral health within DHHS for the 33 percent reduction in drug overdose deaths in the state this past year.
“It’s working,” she said.
She also noted the importance of the contract with NH Rapid Response Access Point as a centralized crisis operation center that acts as a unified point of entry providing statewide access for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
It is anticipated that 60,000 will be served in the next two years through this contract.
Wheeler wanted to table the contract to wait on what the Senate does on funding on the budget.
Ayotte said there was no need as it is predicated on the money being there.
“This is in my budget,” she said.
Ayotte also was backed in her assessment by Attorney General John Formella.
CONTRACT FOR TASERS AT PRISON FAILED
On a vote of 4-1, the Executive Council rejected a contract to provide TASERS for the prisons and support for the next 10 years.
Councilor Wheeler said the previously tabled contract for TASER Energy Weapons for the Department of Corrections is too expensive and he would not support it.
The contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ is for 10 years of equipment and support for $2,099,998.84.
He said this is $10,000 per TASER.
Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon, who had moved to table the contract on April 23, asked Corrections Commissioner Helen Hanks a number of questions related to technical aspects of the weapon and its use. Liot Hill was the only councilor to support the contract.
Councilor Stephen said he has been told the level of TASER is not necessary in a prison setting.
Hanks said there are conflicting opinions about that.
TRAMWAY UPDATE
On Friday the effort of replacing the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway will meaningfully resume when two of the engineering bidders go on site to see the structures that would be replaced, Sarah Stewart, the Commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources told the council.
She called it “tram 3.0” as the previous efforts have all come in way more expensive than anticipated. She said there could be an option to salvage some of the concrete and reduce the overall costs.
The state currently has $26 million set aside for replacement of the iconic cable system in Franconia Notch State Park, but Stewart noted it is a moving target as it is part of the capital budget process.
SUICIDE PREVENTION SIGNS GOING UP ON PORTSMOUTH BRIDGES
Councilor Stevens asked Commissioner of Transportation Cass what the state is doing to mitigate suicide after saying the Seacoast area was devastated last week by three suicide attempts involving Portsmouth bridges.
Cass said the department is in discussion with Seacoast community leaders on getting up signs that people can call 9-8-8 to get help https://988lifeline.org/get-help/.
Cass said the last he heard the state was getting signs fabricated and locations laid out on two bridges “so that will be happening.”
NEW BOSTON LAND ACQUIRED
The council approved $559,304 to acquire and protect 294 acres in New Boston with the Piscataquog Land Conservancy using the Aquatic Resources Management grant funding.
It is known as the Great Meadow-Follansbee project and involves wetlands and multiple vernal pools. The land will be open to hunting and fishing and public recreation.
PROCLAMATIONS
May 4-10 is Maternal Mental Health Week.
As many as one in five young mothers suffer mental health challenges, Ayotte said while reading the proclamation.
“Nothing happens without mothers,” the governor said ahead of Mother’s Day this coming Sunday.
May is Community College Month.
Ayotte also honored community colleges for their efforts to serve more than 10,000 high school students last year for early college credits. She said over 5,600 college credits were earned, noting it puts students on an accelerated path to college and career.
Community Action Program Month
CEOs of the state’s five community action programs from around the state attended the council meeting and were honored for their work to empower people to be self-sufficient.
And she recognized its 60th anniversary.
Decorated combat veteran Col. Woody Groton, who has served since 1983, is retiring and the governor honored him for his service.