Desiree Fisk

The meeting involved several operational updates and actions. Finance Director Trombly requested and received unanimous approval to authorize a $20,000 rollover of funds for weatherization projects due to delays. The County Administrator reported on attending a Martin Luther King Breakfast and announced plans to testify against House Bill 1427, which proposes to limit municipal bonding authority. The group addressed the successful advocacy efforts that reversed the potential loss of a $4 million SAMHSA grant. The Commissioners also entered and exited a non-public session to discuss matters pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a).

The Commissioners meeting included multiple public hearings concerning Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications. Key discussions involved holding a public hearing and authorizing the submission of applications for Housing/Public Facilities, which included a proposed subgrant of $500,000 to Keene Day Care Center, Inc. for facility renovations, and Microenterprise Applications seeking up to $750,000 for the Hannah Grimes Center and the Small Business Development Center. A third public hearing was held regarding the Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance (RARA) Plan, which the Commission subsequently adopted. Additionally, the Director of IT provided a semi-annual informational report noting increased digital attacks but no security breaches, and the Commissioners approved the trade-in of the old DOC Prisoner Transport Bus for $3,300, waiving the bidding process. The County Administrator provided updates on leadership training, potential rate increases by Community Power NH, and pending legislation (HB 314).

The meeting agenda focused on departmental updates and scheduled items. The HR Director reported on the status of securing employment for foreign nurses, noting the varying stages of the process including Social Security number acquisition. County Administrator Coates updated the Commissioners on activities, including sending a letter to the Governor requesting collaboration to streamline nursing licensure for foreign nurses by exploring alternatives to the Social Security number requirement. The County Administrator also presented arguments against long-term state cost shifting, detailing the increased burden on local governments, particularly regarding Medicaid-funded long-term care and human services. Further updates included the receipt of a state grant for water assessment at Maplewood nursing home, and plans to relocate administrative offices for CCEMS into an existing house on site after modifications. During the session, the weekly manifests and minutes from January 7, 2026, were approved.

The meeting included departmental updates from elected officials and department heads. Key discussions involved approving the 2025 County capital expense rollovers totaling $691,025.83, covering various projects such as water treatment plant improvements, Maplewood equipment replacements, Sheriff equipment purchases, and DOC capital equipment (transport bus and bulletproof vests). The County Administrator provided an update on meetings with the Keene City Manager regarding a mutual aid program and meetings with Congressional staff to support bringing in foreign nurses. The Commissioners also held a non-public session to discuss matters pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c).

The Commissioners Meeting agenda covered several key updates and scheduled items. Departmental updates included the Superintendent's report on a new DOC inmate transport bus ready for delivery. The semi-annual report from the Cheshire County Conservation District detailed discussions on forest health, farm land conservation, pollinator health, drought impact, and the success of a bulk seed sale and equipment rental program supported by recent grants. The annual corporate compliance training, required by the OIG, focused on reducing fraud, waste, and abuse, addressing topics such as disaster preparedness, antibiotic stewardship, and the facility's transition from a five-star to a four-star rating due to federal changes. The Commissioners also discussed the high prevalence of dementia in Cheshire County. The County Administrator's report covered support for a deputy facing health issues, ongoing meetings with town Selectmen, plans to apply for regional grants for small businesses, the deadline for municipal tax payments, certification of an EMS training program, and ongoing leadership training development with the City of Keene.