New Hampshire Town and City Magazine: November/December, 2020

November/December 2020

TownandCity N E W

H A M P S H I R E

A PUBLICATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION

In This Issue:

Resilience

The Power of Resilience and How to Build It at Your Workplace..........10 2020: The Year of Connected Healthcare....................................................12 Key Steps for Staying Healthy During COVID-19......................................15 The Rise in Behavioral Health Concerns Due to COVID-19 and Where to Find Help..................................................................................18 Connecting to Care Without Leaving Home...................................................32

This information is for institutional investor use only, not for further distribution to retail investors, and does not represent an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any fund or other security. Investors should consider the Pool’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Pool.

This and other information about the Pool is available in the Pool’s current Information Statement, which should be read carefully before investing. A copy of the Pool’s Information Statement may be obtained by calling 1-844-464-7347 or is available on the NHPDIP website at www.nhpdip.com. While the Pool seeks to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money investing in the Pool.

An investment in the Pool is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Shares of the Pool are distributed by PFM Fund Distributors, Inc., member Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (www.finra.org) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) (www.sipc.org). PFM Fund Distributors, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PFM Asset Management LLC.

Contents Table of

Volume LXIII • Number 6

November/December 2020

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A Message from NHMA’s Executive Director

5 Happenings 9 Upcoming Events 38 NHARPC: Innovations in Community Engagements 42 Tech Insights: Virtual City Hall: How to Digitize Your Paper Forms in 5 Steps 44 Legal Q&A: Alternates Alternatively 47 This Moment in History 47 Name That City or Town 48 HR Report: Surviving the Pandemic Together 50 Court Update 52 2020 Index of Featured Articles Centerspread: 2020 Annual Conference promotion.

This year’s theme is Resilience.

10 12 15 18 32 35

The Power of Resilience and How to Build It at Your Workplace 2020: The Year of Connected Healthcare

Key Steps for Staying Healthy During COVID-19 The Rise in Behavioral Health Concerns Due to COVID-19 and Where to Find Help Connecting to Care Without Leaving Home

You Flushed What Down the Toilet!?!

Cover: Resilience, the theme of the 2020 Annual Conference.

New Hampshire Town and City Magazine Staff Executive Director Editor in Chief

Margaret M.L. Byrnes Timothy W. Fortier

Contributing Editor Margaret M.L. Byrnes

Becky Benvenuti

Natch Greyes Production/Design

Evans Printing Co.

Official Publication of the New Hampshire Municipal Association 25 Triangle Park Drive • Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Phone: 603.224.7447 • Email: nhmainfo@nhmunicipal.org • Website: www.nhmunicipal.org New Hampshire Municipal Association Phone: 800.852.3358 (members only) NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY (USPS 379-620) (ISSN 0545-171X) is published 6 times a year for $25/member, $50/non-member per year, by the New Hampshire Municipal Association, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. Individual copies are $10.00 each. All rights reserved. Advertising rates will be furnished upon application. Periodical postage paid at Concord, NH 03302. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY serves as a medium for exchanging ideas and information on municipal affairs for officials of New Hampshire municipalities and county governments. Subscriptions are included as part of the annual dues for New Hampshire Municipal Association membership and are based on NHMA’s subscription policy. Nothing included herein is to be construed as having the endorsement of the NHMA unless so specifically stated. Any reproduction or use of contents requires permission from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Address correction requested. © Copyright 2020 New Hampshire Municipal Association

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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New Hampshire Municipal Association

B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S

As of March, 2019

Shaun Mulholland - Chair City Manager, Lebanon

Jim Maggiore - Vice Chair Selectman, North Hampton

Lisa Drabik - Treasurer Asst. Town Manager, Londonderry

Rick Hiland - Secretary Selectman, Albany

Laura Buono Town Administrator, Hillsborough

Butch Burbank Town Manager, Lincoln

David Caron Town Administrator, Derry

Conservation Commission, Holderness

Shelagh Connelly

Phil D’Avanza Planning Board, Goffstown

Jeanie Forrester Selectman, Meredith

Stephen Fournier Town Manager, Newmarket

Elizabeth Fox Asst. City Manager, HR Director, Keene

Meredith Hatfield Councilor, Concord

Bill Herman Town Administrator, Auburn

Neil Irvine Selectman, New Hampton

Pamela Laflamme Community Development Director, Berlin

Cheryl Lindner Chief of Staff, Nashua

Patrick Long Alderman, Manchester

Harold Lynde Selectman, Pelham

Conner MacIver Town Administrator, Barrington

Judie Milner City Manager, Franklin

Donna Nashawaty Town Manager, Sunapee

David Stack Town Manager, Bow

Eric Stohl Selectman, Columbia

David Swenson Selectman, New Durham

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www.nhmunicipal.org

A Message from the

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 TOWN & CITY ADVERTISERS Avitar Associates CMA Engineers Drummond Woodsum DTC Lawyers Dubois& King, Inc. HealthTrust, Inc. HEB Engineers Kemp Consulting, LLC Interware Development Melanson Mitchell Municipal Group, PA Municipal Technology Systems Municipal Resources, Inc. NH Municipal Bond Bank PFM/NH Public Deposit Investment Pool Preti Flaherty Primex3 Roberts & Greene, PLLC Tighe & Bond, Inc. Underwood Engineers Upton Hatfield Vachon Cluckay & Company, PC

certified public accountants

experience counts We know New Hampshire governments.

Your needs come first at Vachon Clukay & Company, PC, so we’ve structured ourselves to fulfill all of your service needs.We provide the following services: Auditing Accounting Support and Training Advising Personalized “Team” Service Expertise in How Your Organization Operates Computerized Forms Operational Management Studies

We want want to to be part of your We your team. team.

For contact: For personal attention contact: Robert L. Vachon, CPA CPA Jarad Vartanian, 608 Chestnut St. • Manchester, NH 03104 Phone: (603) 622-7070 Fax: (603) 622-1452 www.vachonclukay.com

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NHMA

Executive Director Margaret M.L.Byrnes

I

t’s hard to believe that this is the last issue of Town & City in 2020—that the end of this challenging and historical year is right around the corner. I imagine we are all ready to say good-bye to 2020 and ring in a New Year.

However, we must recognize that the pandemic, and everything that flows from it, will continue to be with us.

But I don’t say that with a tone of despair—quite the opposite. Although COVID19 has taken so much, this challenging year has also given us the gift of resilience.

According to Google, “resilience” is “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” In the last nine months or so, you may not have always feel very resilient, but you have been. The constant barrage of challenges and issues that have been presented to local leaders created an incredible opportunity to problem solve, work together, and support our communities. At NHMA, we continue to be impressed by what local government has been able to do this year—but not at all surprised!

And that’s why there is no better theme for this year’s annual conference than— you guessed it— Resilience! Like most things in 2020, our annual conference will not be quite the same, but it will be full of the same informative and educational content our members come for year after year. Over a three-day span, attendees will have access to over 40 educational sessions, a virtual exhibit hall, two incredible keynote speakers, and more, on our virtual platform, Whova. Check out on our annual conference spread in the center of this issue and go to our annual conference website (https://www.nhmunicipal.org/nhmas-79th-annual-conferenceand-exhibition) to learn more and register. We hope to “see you” there!

Although we are ready to put this year behind us, the lessons we learned and the obstacles we overcame will always be with us. We mourn those we have lost, and we recognize that there is a sense of fatigue and anxiety about the future due to all that is going on in the world Warmest regards, and in our country. Let us channel our resilience, rise above the division, and lead with a collaborative and supMargaret M.L. Byrnes, NHMA Executive Director portive spirit and an open mind. NHMA looks forward to continuing to support you in 2021 and beyond!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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Drummond Woodsum WELCOMES Two Attorneys

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Drummond Woodsum’s attorneys are experienced at guiding towns, cities, counties and local governments through a variety of issues including: • • • • • • •

Municipal bonds and public finance Land use planning, zoning and enforcement Ordinance drafting Tax abatement General municipal matters Municipal employment and labor matters Litigation and appeals

We use a team approach – small groups of highly specialized attorneys that work together to offer clients the counsel and support they need, precisely when they need it. It’s an efficient way to practice law. It’s also extremely productive and cost effective for our clients.

Learn more about what our municipal group can do for you at dwmlaw.com.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

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HAPPENINGS bursement data projected through the GOFERR reimbursement deadline of October 15, 2020. The expenses anticipated to be incurred through October 15 by those who reported will greatly exceed the GOFERR MRF allocated grant amount by approximately $19 million dollars. In addition, total expenses anticipated to be incurred through December 30, 2020, would exceed the GOFERR allocated grant amount by more than $26 million dollars.

NHMA’s COVID-19 Financial Impact Follow-up Survey Results!

The results of NHMA’s Follow-up COVID Financial Impact Survey are in. The report will be used to provide state and federal officials with an update of actual and projected expenses, revenue shortfalls, and delinquencies causing cash flow issues and budgetary impacts among New Hampshire municipalities. Revenue losses are projected through December for all revenue types, with the greatest impact in planning, building and other permit fees, recreation, parking and solid waste disposal. On a positive note, motor vehicle revenue, the second largest revenue source for most municipalities, is reported as having the smallest percentage decrease thus far. Tax delinquencies in January and thereafter remain a significant concern should we experience a

Download Your 2021 Calendar Today!

second wave of the pandemic impacting the re-opening process causing a further economic downturn.

This survey was issued July 27 and was due August 11, 2020 in followup to the initial membership survey completed on April 20 when 127 municipalities responded. The results represent the responses of 52 of the total 234 New Hampshire towns and cities. The data is reported as of period ending: July 31, 2020. The survey also looked at numerous categories of COVID-related expenses incurred during the first 5 months of the pandemic March 1 to July 31, as well as their projected expenses for the next 5 months through the December 31 federal deadline of CARES Act funds.

We also requested GOFERR reim-

Go to the Legal Services section on NHMA’s website (www.nhmunicipal. org) to download your 2021 Important Date Calendars which detail important dates and deadlines for March and May traditional meetings and March, April and May SB2 meetings, as well as a general calendar.

2020 General Calendar 2021 General Calendar 2021 Traditional (March) Town Meeting Calendar 2021 Traditional (May) Town Meeting Calendar 2021 SB2/Official (March) Town Meeting Calendar 2021 SB2/Official (April) Town Meeting Calendar 2021 SB2/Official (May) Town Meeting Calendar

www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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HAPPENINGS from page 5

NHRS Certifies 2022-2023 Employer Contribution Rates

NHMA MEMBERS ONLY: Download Your 2020-2021 Municipal Officials Directory Today!

The 2020-2021 New Hampshire Municipal Officials Directory is in and ready for you to download for free (but only if you are a municipal official from a member municipality).

The Directory is a comprehensive resource (in convenient, searchable and clickable PDF format) for cities and towns and other local governments in New Hampshire. The 2020-2021 Directory is updated to provide a current listing of municipal officials in each of the 13 cities and 221 towns throughout the state.

The success of this publication relies upon the information provided by city and town officials to NHMA each April and May. The assistance of these individuals is greatly appreciated. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, it is important to note that some information unfortunately may have changed since publication.

This publication is made possible through the support of advertisers. NHMA wishes to thank our advertisers for their tremendous support.

If you are a municipal official from a member municipality, please download your free digital Directory today!

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As mandated by state statute, the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) Board of Trustees certified the employer contribution rates for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 at its meeting on September 8, 2020, formalizing the draft rates reported last month. The new rates must be implemented for Earnable Compensation paid on or after July 1, 2021, effective through June 30, 2023. The most significant factor in the new rate increase was a reduction in the as-

sumed rate of investment return from 7.25% to 6.75%. Other rate factors cited by NHRS were the adoption of updated post-retirement mortality assumptions and a reduction in the payroll growth factor. NHRS has posted a FAQ: 2019 Actuarial Experience Study document which provides answers to some common questions regarding the revised actuarial assumptions and the impact these assumptions will have on future employer contribution rates.

NHMA Offers Customized “On-Demand” Training Services During Times of COVID-19 for Only $350!

Thanks to COVID-19, we’re doing things a little differently with our “On-Demands” training. Instead of having a legal services attorney travel to your city or town, we’re now offering “On-Demands” as virtual presentations via the GoToWebinar platform.

Attendees would log in to the training profrom the comfort of their home or ONDEMAND gram office and attend virtually, with the ability to ask live questions of the presenting attorney.

Please contact us at legalinquiries@nhmunicipal.org for more information!

NHMA will offer this alternative method of training on a date and time that would be suitable for your board and staff, and you could always invite surrounding member municipalities to participate and contribute to the total cost. The cost is only $350.00.

If interested, please Download Fillable PDF On-Demand Order form on NHMA’s website (www.nhmunicipal.org) and follow instructions.

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

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Evergreen Farm Offers 30 Foot-tall Balsam Fir as Holiday Tree to Interested City or Town

Evergreen Farm in Kingston, New Hampshire has been growing choose-and-cut Christmas Trees since 1985. This 30+ foot-tall Balsam Fir was never chosen as a Christmas Tree and is now much too tall for any residential application. It is time for this beautiful tree to make room for new trees in the plantation, so Evergreen Farm is offering to donate it to a New Hampshire city of town that can give it a good home this holiday season. The chosen municipality will be responsible for cutting the tree and removing it from the Farm.

If interested, please give Glenn Coppelman of Evergreen Farm a call at 603.772.5355 (land), or 603.770.5355 (cell). Glenn can also be reached via email at gcoppelman@gmail.com.

State Releases 2020 Forest Action Plan Forest Resources Plan was written by a committee appointed by Gov. Sherman Adams in 1952. In 1981, the state codified this tradition by passing the “Forest Resources Planning Act,” RSA 220 (recodified in 1996 to RSA 227-I) req

According to the introduction of the New Hampshire Forest Action Plan – 2020, for over 60 years New Hampshire has been evaluating and assessing the needs of the state’s forests. The first New Hampshire

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The 2020 New Hampshire Forest Action Plan is the state’s sixth statewide forest assessment and plan. It is a revision of the New Hampshire Statewide Forest Resources Assessment and The New Hampshire Forest Resources Strategies, both published in 2010. The 2020 plan reflects the input provided by individuals and groups within the New Hampshire natural resource community and from the public, and review of existing plans and assessments.

The Plan is a comprehensive assessment of forest-related resources and a suite of 42 recommended strategies and 159 associated actions to address issues, opportunities and program priorities, regardless of ownership. The 2020 plan combines the two separate 2010 Assessment and Strategies documents into a single document.

The 235-page Plan was prepared by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Forests and Lands protects and promotes the values provided by the state’s trees, forests, and natural communities.

One may view the full report here: https://www.nh.gov/nhdfl/documents/nh-draft-sfap-sept-2020.pdf

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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REPRESENTING MUNICIPALITIES Land Use

Labor & Employment

Environmental Law Administration & Finance Bankruptcy

Assessment, Abatement and Tax Collection

SHAPING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR OVER 100 YEARS Concord 603.224.7791

Hillsborough 603.464.5578

Peterborough 603.924.3864

Portsmouth 603.436.7046

law@uptonhatfield.com | www.uptonhatfield.com

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

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Upcoming

For more information or to register for an event, visit our online Calendar of Events at www.nhmunicipal.org. If you have any questions, please contact us at nhmaregistrations@nhmunicipal.org or 800.852.3358, ext. 3350.

Events NOVEMBER

NHMA’s COVID-19 Call for Municipal Officials 12:00 noon, Thursday, November 5 NHMA’s COVID-19 Call for Municipal Officials 12:00 noon, Thursday, November 12 79th VIRTUAL Annual Conference and Exhibition 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Wednesday, November 18 79th VIRTUAL Annual Conference and Exhibition 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Thursday, November 19 79th VIRTUAL Annual Conference and Exhibition 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Friday, November 20 Thanksgiving Day (NHMA Offices Closed) Thursday, November 26 Day After Thanksgiving Day (NHMA Offices Closed) Friday, November 27

DECEMBER Christmas Day (NHMA Offices Closed) Friday, December 25 Please note that due to rapidly changing conditions in light of COVID-19, please visit NHMA’s website @ www.nhmunicipal.org frequently for the most up-to-date event and training information. Thank you.

Asset Management Coastal Facilities Energy Infrastructure Land Development Resiliency Transportation Water Resources 177 Corporate Drive Portsmouth, NH 03801 603.433.8818

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Offices throughout the Northeast and a new Portland, ME location

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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The Power of Resilience and How to Build It at Your Workplace

By Laura McCarthy, HealthTrust Communications Specialist “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” That was the message New England Patriots Wide Receiver Julian Edelman posted on Twitter on November 16, 2015, shortly after he broke his foot during a game. Fast forward to the next season: Edelman made a historic catch during Super Bowl LI that helped the team win their fifth Super Bowl; two years later, on February 3, 2019, Julian Edelman led the Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl title and was named MVP of the game.

Such is the power of resilience, a term Merriam Webster defines as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.” Many people think resilience means being able to “bounce back” from adversity, but it’s more than that; it’s also the ability to learn from difficult experiences and to grow and improve your life, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Julian Edelman may embody resilience, but everyone is capable of it – and the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. In fact, accepting others’ help and using the resources available to you are key strategies for staying resilient during challenging times.

The COVID-19 pandemic has called on all of us to summon our inner strength, use the resources available to us, and work together as communities to move through this crisis and come out the other side stronger, wiser and hopefully more optimistic. Here, from the APA, Harvard Medical School, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are some tips for helping you and your employees stay resilient during these challenging times and create a supportive, strong, healthy work environment for all.

9 Tips for Building a Resilient Workplace • Communicate! Keep an open dialogue with your employees about how the pandemic is affecting them and

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their work. Inform them of any updates to their benefits, and make them aware of tools including telemedicine programs (such as Anthem’s LiveHealth Online), Employee Assistance Program services, and online resources available through their coverage provider for support and medical help if they need it. For more information about connected care, see the articles on page ?? [Cross-ref to Anthem article and Ashley’s article].

• Stay connected. In a recent article in the journal World Psychiatry, researchers at Yale University School of Medicine noted that positive social support can have a buffering effect on physiological stress responses, possibly lessening the impact of stressful events on physical and mental health. If COVID-19 restrictions mean you can’t connect in person, you can stay in touch through phone calls, email, text messages, mailing letters or cards, video chat, and social media. Online meeting programs such as Zoom and GoToMeeting not only help get work done, they also allow co-workers to reconnect with each other while staying socially distanced.

• Be informed but know when to unplug. It’s important to know the facts about COVID-19 and share information with your employees about protecting themselves and others, but don’t overdo it. Constantly watching for the latest updates and grim pandemic statistics can make anyone feel sad and overwhelmed. Remind your employees to take breaks from media to do something they enjoy for a while instead.

• Gain a sense of control through a daily routine. During uncertain times, the predictability of a daily routine can be comforting. Whether they’re working at home or going to your workplace, your employees may be missing their regular routine; encourage them to establish new habits such as setting a regular bedtime and wake time, turning on their computer at the same time each morning and

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off at the same time each afternoon, building in brief breaks during the day to stretch or walk, scheduling certain times of day to respond to emails, etc. Such routines can provide a sense of control and accomplishment, important for staying resilient.

in your community (such as those available through the Granite State United Way or www.volunteernh. org). Sharing opportunities to help others with your staff can be a bonding experience, help your employees feel connected, and help make your community stronger.

• Maintain good health habits.

Staying as healthy as possible is especially important now. Making time for regular exercise, preparing healthy foods, and following health recommendations for vaccinations and preventing the spread of germs are all steps you and your employees can take to stay strong and resilient.

For four key strategies for staying healthy during this pandemic, please see page ??? [Cross-ref to Taylor’s article].

• Share resources. If you suspect an employee might be struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use or other issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, refer them to your Employee Assistance Program, or other resources available to them. If you belong to a HealthTrust Member Group that offers medical coverage, your employees can access mental health services through the LifeResources Employee Assistance Program (800.759.8122). HealthTrust covered employees also have access to the Aware Recovery Care program, for up to 52 weeks of treatment for substance use disorders from a multidisciplinary team. For more information: 844.AwareRC

• Go outside! Spending time outdoors, either being physically active or relaxing, can be rejuvenating, spirit-raising and help encourage a positive outlook. It’s easier to social distance outside, too; you can connect with others while minimizing your risk of catching COVID-19.

• Focus on the positive and practice mindfulness. Mindful journaling, yoga, and other spiritual practices like prayer or meditation can also help people build connections and restore hope, which can prime them to deal with situations that require resilience, according to the APA. Focusing on positive aspects of your life and the things you’re grateful for, even during personal trials, can help you remain optimistic.

• Lend a hand. Helping others improves your sense of control, belonging, and self-esteem – all keys to staying resilient. As an employer, you can help your employees help others by informing them about volunteer or charitable opportunities www.nhmunicipal.org

(603.769.8463), www.awarerecoverycare.com. For more information about behavioral health resources available to your employees, please see the article on page ?? [Cross-Reference to Lisa Maloney’s article].

Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” The coronavirus is unique.

None of us has faced this exact situation before, but by working together and using the resources available to us we may just emerge from the COVID19 pandemic more resilient as individuals, and safer, smarter and stronger as a society.

Laura McCarthy is HealthTrust’s Communications Specialist.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended to be informational and does not constitute professional health advice or an endorsement of the resources mentioned.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/mental-health-non-healthcare.html https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/how-to-help-families-and-staff-build-resilience-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ https://ethics.harvard.edu/files/center-for-ethics/files/20schoolsduringpandemic2.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780285/ https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/documents/bh-covid19-resources.pdf https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/index.htm

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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2020: The Year of Connected Healthcare

By Ashley Dennis, HealthTrust Wellness Advisor

O

nline or telephonic medical care? Virtual appointments? Physician access to real-time glucose readings?

Digital tools that allow us to meet healthcare needs without face-to-face contact have become essential in the year 2020. With the outbreak of COVID-19, patients are seeking healthcare in nontraditional ways due to fear of potential exposure to the coronavirus at doctors’ offices and limited in-office appointment availability. Telehealth, also known as “connected care” can be an appropriate, helpful and cost-effective form of care for many situations. The key is understanding how connected care can be an important healthcare option to have, and knowing how and when to access this type of care.

What is Connected Care?

Connected care refers to any type of electronic communication, whether by computer, tablet, phone, or other device between a patient and a provider. While this type of care is not new, its adoption by patients and healthcare providers has been slow. The COVID-19 pandemic has put it in the spotlight and helped it gain more popularity among patients and providers alike. Barriers to accessing care virtually are fading, making it easier for patients and healthcare providers to engage in their healthcare even though they aren’t physically going to an office or clinic. Connected care can help improve access to care, reduce cost of healthcare services, and improve continuity of communication between patients and providers.

What Types of Virtual Visits are Available?

Many types of connected care services and programs are now available. Virtual appointments, patient monitoring programs, electronic medical records and patient portals are

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all examples of how providers and patients can engage with each other in a virtual setting. Here are some ways these online and telephonic appointments may be beneficial when face-to-face options are limited.

Visit with your doctor. Some doctors’ offices offer telephone or video visits for patients to visit with their own doctor or practitioner. Typically this type of visit works well when a patient/provider rapport has already been established, for services like follow-up visits, monitoring visits for an ongoing chronic condition such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or visits for minor illnesses or ailments.

Visit with a web-based program doctor. Web-based visits with doctors other than your primary care provider are also available through services like LiveHealth Online. Typically, services offered through web-based programs are appropriate for minor illnesses or perhaps for the same reasons you might use a walk-in clinic. Ailments such as conjunctivitis, minor skin rashes and sinus infections are examples of reasons you may use a program like LiveHealth Online. If prescriptions are necessary, some web-based doctors are able to order prescriptions that can be filled at a patient’s local pharmacy.

Virtual behavioral health visits. Accessing care from a counselor, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist remotely (using a resource such as LiveHealth Online) can allow an individual to seek help from the comfort and privacy of home. There has been a shortage of in-person appointment availability with mental health professionals in recent years.

Access to in-person counseling has become even more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many people are experiencing increased anxiety and depression. For these reasons, online behavioral health visits have become an important option for care.

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Nurse lines or call centers: Some programs offer a question and answer format with on-call nurses. This type of service may be a good idea if you are contemplating what level of care to access. Will your symptoms require a virtual doctor’s visit, an in-person urgent care visit or are they severe enough for a visit to the emergency room? Nurse lines are typically free and can be helpful with answering some health related concerns, especially when it is after hours at your doctor’s office.

What makes virtual visits attractive to patients and providers?

Accessing visits virtually provides an array of benefits for both patients and physicians, especially during a pandemic.

connected blood monitors (like those used for diabetes management programs such as CVS Transform Diabetes Care®), mobile applications, and more accessible patient portals make it easier for providers to effectively care for and communicate with patients without face-to-face contact.

What barriers do patients and providers have with virtual visits?

Although online medical visits offer a wide array of benefits, there are chal-

lenges that may deter patients and providers from going virtual. According to the Mayo Clinic, some medical conditions and symptoms require an in-person examination for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Virtual visits do not offer the option of listening to a patient’s lungs or examining an internal injury. Reliance on patient self-reporting and the doctor’s ability to frame questions in a way to draw information is imperative with virtual visits. Additionally, individuals can vary in terms of their comfort

Connected Care Options for HealthTrust Member Groups Is your town or city a Member of HealthTrust? If yes, you and your covered employees have access to the connected care options below.

Convenience. Programs such as LiveHealth Online offer medical and behavioral health visits 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, from wherever a patient has a webcam.

LiveHealth Online: www.livehealthonline.com Visit with a licensed, board-certified medical doctor without an appointment anytime, 24/7 from anywhere you have a webcam, or for behavioral health needs, schedule an online visit with a licensed psychologist/therapist or board-certified psychiatrist..

Time savings. About 37 percent of New Hampshire’s residents live in rural areas; for them, the closest doctor may be an hour or more away. Virtual visits save time by removing the commute to and from a doctor’s office and by removing barriers like finding childcare before your appointment and shoveling the car out of the driveway in the winter!

Anthem 24/7 NurseLine: 800.544.1901 Speak to an experienced registered nurse—day or night, any day of the week—to discuss symptoms you’re experiencing, medications and side effects, reliable home treatments, when to see your doctor and when to go to the emergency room, and more. The nurses can also provide information about support groups and wellness resources that may help you.

All calls are confidential.

Avoiding exposure to germs. Circumventing in-person doctor visits may reduce potential exposure to COVID19, influenza, colds and other viruses, making virtual visits more attractive, especially for those with comorbidities and compromised immune systems.

Up-to-the minute information.

Follow-up virtual appointments and monitoring for individuals with conditions like diabetes and COPD may become increasingly more popular as www.nhmunicipal.org

LifeResources Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 800.759.8122 Your LifeResources EAP is a one-stop, multi-service resource available 24 hours every day to help you manage stressful situations and stay in charge of your life. Access free services including counseling sessions, consultations with a lawyer or financial expert, help finding childcare or eldercare, and much more.

CVS Caremark Transform Diabetes Care: 800.945.4355 Manage your diabetes better! CVS Caremark Transform Diabetes Care® is available at no cost to individuals who are taking prescription medication for the treatment of diabetes and who are enrolled in a HealthTrust medical plan with CVS Caremark® prescription coverage. Participants have the option of using a connected free Livongo blood glucose meter.

Grand Rounds: 855.633.8341 Expert second opinions, treatment decision support, referrals to local experts for in-person visits.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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CONNECTED HEALTHCARE from page 13 level with technology and with New Hampshire’s large rural population, many residents have limited access to internet, computers, smart phones and tablets, making connecting virtually with doctors seem daunting to some.

Another barrier of virtual healthcare according to the Mayo Clinic is care continuity. Since, these providers are not directly connected to your primary care provider, doctors may end up with an incomplete medical history for patients. As a patient, ensuring diligence with relaying information about visits from web-based on-demand telemedicine programs with your doctor is an important piece of successful virtual care.

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Connected care options like virtual medical visits, behavioral health visits and nurse call centers are popping up more frequently, especially with the outbreak of the coronavirus. People are seeking alternative avenues for accessing medical care while hoping to remain unexposed to COVID-19.

Virtual medicine is a valuable option, however, it is still in its infancy and we have a lot to learn to make virtual medicine attractive for all. There is great potential in the future of tele-

medicine and only time will tell, but 2020 may give connected care the jumpstart it needs for this evolving avenue of healthcare access.

Ashley Dennis, RD, is a licensed, registered dietitian and a HealthTrust Wellness Advisor.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended to be informational and does not constitute professional health advice or an endorsement of the resources mentioned.

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4147743/ https://healthinformatics.uic.edu/blog/5-ways-technology-is-improving-health/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/telehealth.html https://www.nhpr.org/post/depth-covid-19-and-telemedicine-nh#stream/0 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/states/new-hampshire https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1130

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

www.nhmunicipal.org

Key Steps for Staying Healthy During COVID-19

By Taylor Bowse, HealthTrust Wellness Advisor

S

taying healthy is especially important now during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to following recommendations to prevent contracting and spreading the coronavirus, it’s vital to stay as healthy as you can so you are best able to fight the virus should you be exposed to it.

Taking steps to stay active, eat nutritious meals, minimize stress, and follow guidelines regarding hand washing, face covering and social distancing will help you to stay healthy and avoid exposure to the coronavirus, colds, flus, and other contagious illnesses. Here are four key strategies for staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, from sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mayo Clinic, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Stay Mentally Strong Pandemics can be stressful, and fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children, according to the CDC. Learning to cope with stress and anxiety is an important part of taking care of your mental health. Practicing mindfulness exercises can improve your ability to regulate emotions and decrease stress, anxiety and depression, allowing you to think more clearly, improve your mood and self-esteem and possibly enhance your relationships. You can practice mindfulness through meditation, breathing exercises or simply being in the moment when you are doing certain activities. Another way to stay mentally strong is by making sure to carve out time for yourself by taking a bath, reading a book, writing in a journal, or doing other stress-reducing activities you enjoy.

If your workplace offers HealthTrust medical coverage, employees and their family and household members can

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access mental health resources including free counseling sessions and helpful online resources through the LifeResources Employee Assistance Program (EAP). They can call 800.759.8122 or log in to their account on HealthTrust’s Secure Enrollee Portal and click on the LifeResources button to access the EAP website. If you have a different medical coverage provider, contact them to learn more about EAP resources available to you.

Eat Better What you eat and drink can affect your body’s ability to prevent, fight and recover from infections, according to the WHO. The food you consume fuels you and provides you with energy to do daily tasks and stay well. Eating healthy can reduce your risk of chronic disease, weight gain and improve your mood.

• Read food labels. Note the serving size and calories and consume reasonable portions.

• Eat foods that are nutrient-dense, such as lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.

• Avoid highly processed foods like chips, candy, crackers, and cookies that are high in calories and low in nutrients.

Consume foods as close to their natural state as possible, and choose low-sodium versions of packaged foods such as soups, frozen dinners, and canned vegetables.

• Choose snack foods rich in fiber and protein; this combination helps keep you feel fuller longer than sugary foods will. Examples include a tablespoon of peanut butter on whole-grain crackers; a sliced apple with 1-2 ounces of cheese; a yogurt with fresh fruit.

• Keep healthy options visible by having a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter instead of a candy dish, for example, or having celery and carrot sticks available with a hummus dip.

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KEY STEPS from page 15 • Plan and prep ahead. Plan healthy meals and snacks ahead of time to prevent impulse buying and eating.

Chop your vegetables for the week on Sunday evening for salads you can put together quickly after a work day.

Move More!

Physical activity is an important part of everyone’s life. The WHO reminds us that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many of us are restricted in our movements, it is even more important for people of all ages and abilities to be as active as possible. Regular physical activity benefits both the body and mind. It can reduce high blood pressure, help manage weight and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. It also improves bone and muscle strength and increases balance, flexibility and fitness. Regular physical activity can

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also be a way to stay connected with family and friends. Here are a few tips from the WHO: • Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Take movement breaks and get up and walk, dance or do anything that gets you moving. Even a short break from sitting, by doing 3-5 minutes of physical movement, such as walking or stretching, will help ease muscle strain, relieve mental tension and improve blood circulation and muscle activity.

• Try to set up a physical activity routine. If your gym is closed or you just can’t seem to get there, learn ways to work out at home or get outside when the weather is nice.

• Get moving with your friends and family. You can practice social distancing while walking, running, biking, hiking and enjoying many outdoor activities. Take a group walk, participate in an online work-

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

out or find other creative ways to move and socialize. If you are part of a HealthTrust Member Group, Enrollees in a HealthTrust medical plan can participate in the Slice of Life program which includes personal and group challenges to encourage healthy living while connecting with others.

Help Prevent the Spread of Germs The following guidelines from the CDC can help reduce the spread of COVID-19: • Keep your hands clean. Washing your hands with soap and water for a least 20 seconds especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing can reduce the spread of germs.

The CDC recommends washing your hands before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, after using the restroom, after leaving a public area, after handling your

www.nhmunicipal.org

mask, after changing a diaper, after caring for someone sick, or after touching animals or pets. If soap is not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol; cover all surfaces of your hands and rub together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible. These are easy access points for germs to get into your body and infect you.

• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick. If a family member is sick, try to maintain at least six feet between the person who is sick and other household members. Outside your home, always try to put six feet of distance between yourself and others who don’t live in your household to reduce the chances of being exposed to someone infected.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. You can spread COVID-19 to others even if you don’t feel sick. The mask

is meant to not only protect you but others, too. Wash your hands before putting on your mask, put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin, and make sure you can breathe easily. Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when you cannot stay six feet apart.

loved ones, but for the safety of your community.

Taylor Bowse is a HealthTrust Wellness Advisor.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended to be informational and does not constitute professional health advice or an endorsement of the resources mentioned.

• Monitor your health daily by being aware of symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Take your temperature if symptoms develop. If you are sick, stay home except to seek medical care. You know your body better than anyone else and you know if something is not right.

Sources:

Taking care of yourself is important throughout your life, but now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it takes on new significance as we all try to contain the spread of the virus. It is everyone’s responsibility to stay as healthy as you can, not only for yourself and your

Basic Nutrition (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

7 Benefits of Regular Physical Exercise (Mayo Clinic) Get the Facts about Coronavirus (CDC) Importance of Good Nutrition (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services) Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids (American Heart Association)

Healthy at Home – Healthy Diet (WHO) Coping with Stress (CDC) Q&A: Be Active during COVID-19 (WHO)

PROBLEM SOLVING It’s our strong point

civil & environmental engineering www.underwoodengineers.com www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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The Rise in Behavioral Health Concerns Due to COVID-19 and Where to Find Help

By Lisa Maloney, LifeResources Account Manager

S

ince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stayat-home efforts that began in March, and the ongoing reopening and return-to-work/school initiatives, there has been a multitude of changes in the landscape of our work lives, our home lives, and our communities. The smallest to the most profound changes and losses brought about by this virus have caused an uptick in people’s stress levels and mental health concerns.

One Pandemic, Many Different Experiences As a colleague of mine says, “We’re all in the same storm, but we’re in different boats.” That is, the impact of the pandemic differs for each person and family. Some individuals may be only minimally impacted; they are able to work remotely, they are healthy, and the most significant change for them might be that they eat out less and see fewer friends and family.

Others have felt the deeper sting of the pandemic: Some have lost loved ones during this time and were unable to be at their side in their final moments; others have lost their livelihoods and are struggling financially, and some have worked throughout the pandemic but in constant fear of catching the virus at their workplace. Childcare and other resources are less available; social isolation for some may mean being trapped with an abusive spouse/partner or parent.

Regardless of which “boat” you find yourself in, all of us are vulnerable to heightened stress and/or mental health issues during such a challenging time. Your mental health is part of your overall well-being. It impacts how you feel, the way you act, and how you think. It plays a role in how well you cope with your stressors, how you relate to others and the decisions you make in difficult times. Stress related to COVID-19 can involve worry and fear about your own health and that of loved ones. It can disrupt eating and sleeping patterns, cause difficulty concentrating, make you shorttempered with those around you, compromise your physical health, and impact your mental health.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

COVID-19’s Far-Reaching Impacts At LifeResources Employee Assistance Program (EAP), we have seen firsthand the impacts of this pandemic on mental health here in New Hampshire. We have been experiencing an increase in calls from people seeking counseling support for anxiety, depression, and strategies for stress management.

Some callers are concerned about interpersonal dynamics in their family or with their co-workers. Some callers indicate that family tension has developed just because of their limited interactions with others outside their home/family, or strife in the home or neighborhood resulting from differing opinions and practices on mask-wearing and social distancing. We have seen an increase in calls from individuals concerned about returning to work as they witness inconsistent messaging and adherence to health and safety protocols. In other instances, individuals who are calling LifeResources seek help simply to improve their mental well-being and enhance their personal growth.

These increased requests for help reflect a nationwide trend that ongoing worry and stress related to the pandemic are having a negative impact on people’s mental health. Anxiety and depression are on the rise, as are substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thinking, according to recent Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls. Isolation and social distancing, loss of social supports, economic upheaval, grief, ongoing uncertainty, and other factors can often push people beyond their ability to cope in healthy ways. Individuals with pre-existing mental health concerns (bipolar disorder, clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, etc.) are especially vulnerable to the current climate of stress.

Where to Find Help If you or someone close to you are living with mental health issues and you notice a worsening of symptoms, it is im-

www.nhmunicipal.org

There are also many good national resources available to anyone, including those listed on this page. Remember, no matter what “boat” you’re in, help is only a phone call, text, or mouse click away.

financial and legal help, and resources for juggling work/life challenges are also available.

portant to seek help. LifeResources EAP is available to employees (fulltime and part-time), and retirees of Member Groups that offer HealthTrust medical coverage as well as their household members and dependents up to age 26. They can call the EAP at 800.759.8122 to be connected to a licensed counselor by phone, video or in person. They can also access online resources through the EAP’s robust, frequently updated website by logging in to their account on HealthTrust’s Secure Enrollee Portal and clicking on the LifeResources button. Services for

For employers, the EAP offers management trainings as well as trainings they can provide to their staff on subjects including stress and resiliency, workplace health and safety, and overall wellness.

Employers at HealthTrust Member Groups that offer medical coverage can log in to their account on the Secure Member Portal to access the LifeResources Training Catalog for a full list of trainings available.

Lisa Maloney, M.A., is an Account Manager at LifeResources Employee Assistance Program.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended to be informational and does not constitute professional health advice or an endorsement of the resources mentioned.

Keep These Resources Handy!

Find a health care provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health: • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:1-800-662HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889 and Treatment Services Locator Website (SAMHSA) • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Centers • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Mental Health Treatment Resources

Get immediate help in a crisis: • Call 911 • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522 • National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453 • National Sexual Assault Hotline https://rainn.org/: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or https://hotline.rainn.org/ online RAINN Online Chat • Administration on Aging https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/About/Index.aspx The Eldercare Locator https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/About/Contact_Info/Index.aspx: 1-800-677-1116 TTY Instructions: Access local relay service or dial 711. Instruct the Relay Operator to connect to Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 • Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or text: 8388255 • Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they text HOME to 741741. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. For more information go to https://www.crisistextline.org/.

• SAMHSA Suicide Prevention • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Suicide Risk Factors and Warning Signs • Five Action Steps for Communicating with Someone Who May Be Suicidal https://www.bethe1to.com/

www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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By maintaining strong relationships and delivering a high level of personalized service and expertise, we provide the know-how it takes to meet the ever-changing requirements of the municipal environment.

We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the benefits of our relationship-based approach and share insightful information about the municipal environment.

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Martin Bellovoda VP, Government Banking 603-621-5801 martin.bellovoda@peoples.com ©2020 People’s United Bank, N.A. | Member FDIC |

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For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Financial solutions for government entities.

TD Bank Government Banking We provide solutions to meet the operational needs of government entities, while making the most of taxpayer dollars.

To learn more about our solutions, connect to tdbank.com/governmentbanking or contact your Government Banking Relationship Manager, Keith Pike (603) 228-9162 or keith.pike@td.com John Weston (603) 229-5732 or john.weston@td.com

TD Bank, N.A.

Drummond Woodsum is proud to be a sponsor of NHMA’s 79th Annual Conference

Don’t miss Drummond Woodsum’s speakers and hot topics: Wednesday, November 18th 1:00 PM | Basics of Municipal Borrowing Presented by Huddy Grandy, Greg Im, and Steven Whitley 2:30 PM | Hot Legal Topics in a COVID-19 World Presented by Christine Fillmore and Keriann Roman

Don’t forget to visit our VIRTUAL BOOTH! We look forward to seeing you online!

Thursday, November 19th 10:30 AM | The Impact of Right to Know on Employee Discipline Presented by Mark Broth and Anna Cole (joined by Cordell Johnston, Government Affairs Counsel, New Hampshire Municipal Association)

dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941

2:30 PM | Build a Better Public Meeting Presented by Christine Fillmore

For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

DELIVERING EXPERTISE TO MEET CO XPERTISE TO COMPLEX NEEDS TheMEET Citizens Government Banking team provides the expertise, ser

solutions toEXPERTISE help state and local government reach theirNE pote DELIVERING TO MEETentities COMPLEX DELIVERING EXPERTISE Banking team provides the expertise, services and TO MEET COMPLEX NE Our dedicated Relationship Managers help clients uncover opportun DELIVERING EXPERTISE TOtheMEET NE local government entities reach their potential.

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Christine Therrien Senior Vice President Christine Therrien Senior Vice President 603.634.7174 Senior Vice President 603.634.7174

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© Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Citizens Commercial Banking is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

LEX NEEDS LEX NEEDS LEX NEEDS

For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Working Together to Support New Hampshire’s Communities A large portion of the content for this issue of Town & City Magazine was created for you by HealthTrust and two of our vendor partners, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and LifeResources Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

We have each contributed articles to help ensure our Member Groups and other New Hampshire public employers are aware of important resources available to them and their employees during this challenging time.

At HealthTrust we deeply value our long-standing collaborations with Anthem, LifeResources and our other vendor partners such as CVS Caremark®, Northeast Delta Dental, and Onlife Health. Each organization contributes unique resources that together add up to the comprehensive coverage, innovative programs and exceptional services HealthTrust is proud to provide to the people who protect our families and keep our communities safe, strong and running smoothly.

This year has shown us the remarkable things we can achieve when we all work together. It’s heartening to be reminded of that, but then again, at HealthTrust we’ve always known that’s true.

800.527.5001 | www.healthtrustnh.org

Medical and Prescription Drug | Dental | Benefit Advantage FSA and HRA Services | Disability and Life Slice of Life Wellness Program | LifeResources Employee Assistance Program | LiveHealth Online SmartShopper | Grand Rounds

For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Serving the Needs of New Hampshire Municipalities for Over 30 Years

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Municipal Resources, Inc.| Municipal Technology Systems 603.279.0352 | info@mrigov.com www.mrigov.com For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s

Wedne

$75 for 3

T THANK YOU SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS (as of 10.07.20)

Auctions International Inc. BMSI BS&A Software CAI Technologies CheckmateHCM Citizens Bank, Commercial Banking CMA Engineers, Inc. Cohos Advisors Competitive Energy Services Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella, PLLC Drummond Woodsum Freedom Energy Logistics Granite State College Harriman HealthTrust Interware Development Co, Inc. M.E. O'Brien & Sons, Inc. Municipal Resources, inc.

National Safety Council of Northern New England New England Document Systems NH Government Finance Officers Association NH Municipal Bond Bank Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) People's United Bank, N.A. Ricoh USA, Inc. TD Bank TFMoran, Inc. Three Bearings Fiduciary Advisors, Inc. T-Mobile Perks TSEdigitalvoice UNH Technology Transfer Center (T2)/ NH LTAP VC3 Vision Government Solutions WSP USA

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

Get insp gain skills

For d

Questions?

www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s 79th VIRTUAL Annual Conference and Exhibition Wednesday, November 18 through Friday, November 20, 2020

$75 for 3 days of training, networking and fun! What a deal!

The location will be virtual, but the fun will be real!

MEMBER RATE: $75.00; $65.00 if you pay electronically NON-MEMBER, AFFILIATE RATE: $110.00; $105.00 if you pay electronically • Live keynote presentations • NHMA’s ever popular Legislative and Court Updates •

Access to pre-recorded sessions •

Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall

• Opportunity to be social and network with attendees, sponsors and exhibitors • Access to handout materials from all sessions — up to 60 days after the event

Resilience

Get inspired, learn something new, connect with municipal colleagues, gain skills and bring this newfound knowledge back to your city and town!

For details, visit www.nhmunicipal.org under Calendar of Events.

Questions? Call 800.852.3358, ext. 3350, or email NHMAregistrations@nhmunicipal.org.

www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Do you know what to do if your organization is faced with a cyber-attack?

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Call 1-800-698-2364 and speak with one of our experienced Claims Representatives to report any suspected cyber incident.

At Primex3, we consider our members to be partners in developing sound Risk Management strategies. If you need help developing an Incident Response Plan, or have any other cyber training needs, please reach out to us.

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For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NHMA’s Virtual Annual Conference and Exhibition November 18—November 20, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Advance in Your Public Service Career Get College Credit for Your Professional Training

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Earn Your Degree at Granite State College College transfer credits aren’t limited to what you earned in the classroom. Granite State College has pre-approved a range of law enforcement, firefighter, and EMT training for college credit. This is an advantage that will help you get even closer to getting the credits you need to complete your bachelor’s degree!

Save $350 in Fees We are waiving the $350 Prior Learning Assessment fee for new students who transfer in their pre-approved public service training.

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For updated information, please visit the NHMA website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

www.nhmunicipal.org

1-855-GSC4ALL

Has Your City or Town Ordered NHMA’s Right-to -Know Law Book Yet? Order Today

If not, it’s time to order NHMA’s new reference guide for public officials when confronted with the numerous legal issues surrounding New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law.

“Must-have” reference guide for every city and town !

Only $55 for Members $95 for Non-members

nt

e ernm oov g w La n w e n p Right-to-K omo pshire’s ide Nt ew Ha a gu

MUST HAVE

Includes Top Ten Compliance Tips Public Meeting & Governmental Records Posters Is it a Meeting Flow Chart Remote Participation Checklist And More!

The Right-to-Know Law (RSA Chapter 91-A) affects every aspect of local government in our state. Every board, committee, commission, and sub-committee in every town, city and village district in New Hampshire must comply with this law.

As a result, all local officials and employees must understand the law and their responsibilities regarding both public meetings and governmental records.

Go to NHMA’s online store at www.nhmunicipal.org/shop to order your reference copy today!

www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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Connecting to Care Without Leaving Home

By Lisa Guertin, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire

F

rom inside our homes, medical needs continue. Headaches, coughs and fevers—and of course, stress and worry about COVID-19. But as the need for physical distancing continues, and with many individuals reluctant or unable to physically go to a physician’s office or urgent care center, many are turning to alternative sources for care.

We have been urging providers and members to utilize telehealth more and more over the last several years. It is not surprising that virtual care has surged during this pandemic, and based on the successful growth we have seen, it’s safe to say virtual care will be a bigger part of health care delivery going forward.

Five months into this pandemic has already taught us many learnings: it has provided additional data showing the impacts of disease are not the same on everyone; we can be more agile in the face of rapidly evolving situations; and there are better ways for payers and care providers to safely deliver care, improve access and address health equity. Here are a few health care trends that will change the landscape of the care delivery system.

The Growth of Telehealth The longer this pandemic goes on, the more people seem to be comfortable with alternative ways of accessing care. The increased use of telehealth has shown us a clear path to scaling cost-effective ways for the safe delivery of care to those who need it. As Chris Jennings, a former health care adviser to the Obama and Clinton administrations, put it in a May 19, 2020 STAT article, “People are now seeing this model, which we thought would take years and years to develop. And it’s probably been accelerated by a decade.” Many are finally realizing: why go to the doctor’s office when you don’t have to?

Here’s a little perspective: In April and May, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members in New Hampshire had 42,000 telehealth visits, which was nearly four times the number of visits in March; in March, they were nearly 33 times the number of visits in January and February. Telehealth usage has exploded and has shown we can deliver care in a more efficient, consumer-friendly way.

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Telehealth is not a new phenomenon in 2020. For years, payers and providers have worked to better integrate telehealth into their plan offerings and practices because of its convenience and potential for cost savings. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s parent company, Anthem, Inc., launched a telemedicine service called LiveHealth Online in 2013 to provide a convenient, non-emergency care access point for both members and nonmembers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While we have seen usage of LiveHealth Online grow steadily over the last seven years, usage increased exponentially during the pandemic. LiveHealth Online surpassed 1 million visits in early April across the country and demand continues.

We have also been working with our provider partners in New Hampshire to support their efforts to expand telemedicine offerings because that means more access to care for our members. We are allowing telephonic-only encounters for most specialties and we are covering a greater number of services that have been traditionally suited for in-person visits, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

We recognize people still need access to these services, and a number of these providers would be struggling financially if coverage for these virtual visits did not exist.

Another field where telehealth and virtual care is making a huge impact is in behavioral health. Prior to the pandemic, behavioral health services were predominately conducted face-to-face in an office or the individual’s home. Now, providers are embracing telehealth as a solution for continuing care while individuals physically distance at home. In addition, consumers are turning to virtual solutions for substance use disorder treatment through options such as virtual medication assisted treatment, virtual peer support groups, and in-home recovery programs. While virtual care may not be right for everyone suffering from substance use disorder, it is helping to bridge gaps and create additional options for treatment.

®

There are many benefits to telehealth: it is expanding access to care for those in rural areas and has the potential to address disparities across socioeconomic divides; individuals who may not have accessed care at all for important con-

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ditions are now using telemedicine to check in with their providers; and it is changing the way behavioral health providers deliver care.

We are committed to removing barriers to care and leveraging technology to support consumers through this unprecedented time. We have quickly evolved our virtual care benefits to meet the new demand as consumers are staying home and practicing social distancing.

Digital Tools to Take Control of Your Health Prior to the pandemic, Anthem was embarking on a transformation to better utilize advanced technologies in our digital platform to create a simpler and more personalized health care experience for the consumer. We have been making significant investments in strategically important capabilities

Now, that work has accelerated as we work proactively to address issues with COVID-19 to bring the power of human connection directly to an individual’s living room through digitalfirst capabilities.

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In addition, we partnered with a number of organizations to make it easier for both members and nonmembers to access online resources such as family caregiver support via ianacare’s free app, mental health resources via PsychHub, and social services via Aunt Bertha.

For example, through an arrangement with CareMarket, Inc., we made available to our members a COVID-19 symptom checker on Sydney Care, an app powered by AI. The symptom checker allows users to quickly

and safely evaluate symptoms, assess their risk of having COVID-19, and connect directly to a board-certified doctor via text or video. So far, there have been more than 82,000 COVID19 assessments via the Sydney Care app. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield also deployed a COVID-19 testing site finder on our website, anthem.com, and introduced Anthem Skill via Alexa to members of our commercial medical and dental plans that allows members to take actions such as ordering prescriptions and quickly accessing some of their health and dental plan benefit information.

such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), clinical integration, and provider collaboration, thereby simplifying health care for those we serve and strengthening the impact we have on the health care ecosystem. That means employers and their employees can own their health data and benefit from the use of AI as we provide them with actionable insights in real time to drive engagement and outcomes.

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CONNECTING FOR CARE from page 33 We have also created several digital tools that employers can use to inform their workplace decisions and help formulate a return-to-office strategy.

Anthem, Inc. released the Sydney Care app that has a Daily COVID-19 Check In, a survey intended to aid companies in assessing an individual’s readiness to enter the workplace on a daily basis.

To help evaluate risks in the community, Anthem, Inc., CloudMedx, and TM developed C19 Explorer, a tool that aggregates real-time COVID-19 data to present trends and predictions for communities across the nation to assess readiness to reopen, plan next steps, and respond to potential changes. Check it out at c19explorer.io.

This crisis has made clear that telehealth and virtual care will continue to

be a key component of how and where care is delivered going forward. By combining technology with expertise and compassion, we can help redefine the future of care to improve lives and the health of our communities.

Lisa Guertin is the president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, the largest insurer in the state.

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You Flushed What Down the Toilet!?!

By Anthony Drouin, Administrator: NHDES Residuals Management Section Jason Randall, Superintendent: Plymouth Village Water and Sewer District Raymond Gordon, Administrator Wastewater Treatment Facility: NHDES Winnipesaukee River Basin Program

D

o you remember the toilet paper apocalypse at the beginning of the pandemic? Ever since toilet paper stopped being readily available, we have been finding more wipes and other hygiene products marketed as “flushable” clogging sewer pipes, pumps, septage hauling equipment and wastewater treatment systems. Municipalities of all sizes are reporting their sewer systems being overwhelmed by materials not designed to be flushed. These materials should be placed in the trash and not disposed or discharged to the sewer system.

You might be thinking, “But when I flush the toilet they disappear, so they are definitely flushable.” This is not the case. Just because they “disappear” from a toilet, does not mean they “disappear” forever. These products will ultimately end up in the trash and sent to a landfill. So why not just place them in the trash in the first place? Unlike toilet paper that will rapidly lose its strength when wet and break into tiny pieces during the flushing action, most “flushable” products are made of non-woven fabric. They hold together as they are designed to and do not break down like toilet paper. Once flushed, “flushable” wipes and other non-flushable materials will then combine with other items in the sewer system and create massive clogs, or make their way to a pump station where they get lodged or tangled in the pumps. This is where wastewater and pump truck operators respond at all hours of the day, night, weekends and holidays to unclog the pipes, pumps and treatment or septic systems, costing municipalities and, ultimately, their tax and rate payers. No one wants to deal with these problems and pay these adwww.nhmunicipal.org

ditional costs, so why do we keep using these products and flushing them?

The wipes industry is projected to reach over $30 billion in 2020. Manufacturers have found a large, growing market for these wipes by simply changing the size, texture, design and infusing lotion; creating thousands of new products. The problem municipalities face is how to cover the cost and unanticipated downtime when sewer collection systems and wastewater treatment equipment are impacted from wipes being flushed.

Photo taken in December of 2016, Tim Pelletier with NHDES WRBP removes a sewer snake made of wipes, rags, sanitary products and paper towels from the sewer system that serves the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Clogs such as this occur on a regular basis from people flushing inappropriate items.

Disposable wipes often used within the bathroom are poorly labeled or not even labeled at all. Some products will advise the user to “dispose of properly,” while others will use tiny text informing the user that they “should not flush these products.” The worst of these products will claim their product is flushable without any scientific testing to ensure their compatibility with your septic or sewer systems. These products will often state that the user should “only flush one or two” wipes at a time. Whether it’s one wipe or many wipes, they still collect and clog pipes and pumps. So while you may not use these types of wipes, other people in your community could be. People have always flushed products that cannot be treated by sewer or septic systems, such as dental floss, paper towels, cigarette butts, tampons, condoms and cotton swabs. Our wastewater treatment systems are not designed to pass, treat, or even remove small quantities of these items. Have you ever seen the work it takes a wastewater operator to remove these combined wipes from equipment NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

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DOWN THE TOILET from page 35

be able to avoid costly repairs.

or the sewer system? Visit https://www. municipal.org/town-city-magazine to watch video. It is a very time consuming, expensive, unnecessary, and a very dirty job that can be easily prevented by properly disposing of wipes in the trash.

Recently, we were able to speak with Jason Randall, Superintendent at the Plymouth Sewer and Water District Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Jason and his operations team have seen an uptick since the pandemic started with the problems associated with wipes and other non-flushable items being flushed down toilets. When discussing the nonflushable items with Jason, his message to us was, “Our operators see everything that is flushed down the toilet. Everything!”

The Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP), a state-operated sewer system serving portions of the New Hampshire Lakes Region communities, frequently sees wipes, rags, sanitary products and paper towels. Ray Gordon, Administrator, says, “While grinders and screening help manage the daily flow of these products, situations still occur that require manual cleaning of the sewer line.”

Tim Pelletier, WRBP Maintenance Section Supervisor, can be seen in the photo removing a “sewer snake” of wipes, rags, towels and sanitary products from their 60-inch sewer interceptor going to their regional wastewater treatment facility located in Franklin, NH. A flow meter in the manhole of this 60-inch pipe allowed these products to cling and wrap around its cable to build this “sewer snake” of these non-flushable products.

“Our 14 pump stations also are affected and occasionally pumps get clogged and need to be taken apart to remove products that are causing the problem,” Gordon said.

During the spring of 2020, a pump at their North Main pump station was jammed with these non-flushable products and the impeller was damaged while extracting wipes, forcing the WRBP to repair a $15,000 part.

WRBP staff is currently working on ways to get the message out to its 10 member communities; by continuing to educate the public, they may 36

Photo taken in March 2020, Tim Pelletier with NHDES WRBP shows off a broken impeller ($15,000 repair) that was damaged while extracting wipes and rags from its North Main Pump Station in Laconia.

His team has been spending some time in their largest pump station in the District, removing wipes and rags that are clogging the pumps. The main purpose of a pump station is to keep the wastewater moving through the sewer system straight to the wastewater treatment plant for further treatment.

When one of these pumps becomes clogged, a sewer back up can occur, causing sewage to back up into the streets and exposing the public to untreated pathogens and contaminants.

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Jason and his team are finding an increase of PPE, like facial masks, being flushed down toilets into the sewer collection system. They have also seen an increase in cotton swabs and other hygiene products that should not be found in wastewater.

This increase in non-flushable items is screened out at the influent receiving area of the wastewater treatment facility as best as possible, and disposed at

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

a landfill. Some products make their way through screening and can be found floating in the primary clarifier (settling) tank along with scum (fats, oils, greases) and some food waste.

This material is skimmed and loaded into a trash cart for disposal. Currently, the Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Facility is disposing of approximately 6 yards (standard sized commercial trash load) of trash and screened material from the treatment and collection system per week. Unnecessary maintenance time and trash disposal is becoming very costly for the District, as this material mixed with grit, sand and other debris in the sewer system is not easily separated, dewatered or dried. Extra weight equals extra cost; which can be avoided by having the user throw away (in the trash) the non-flushable items at the source of use (the bathroom or kitchen).

At one pump station servicing the commercial area of the District, wastewater operators manually rake the www.nhmunicipal.org

avoid potential sewer overflows. Additionally, municipalities could face enforcement action from the EPA if too many sewer overflows occur from wipes.

Clogged Screening Equipment at the Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Facility

screen twice per week, lugging out 5 gallon buckets full of non-flushable items, (averaging 70 pounds of material per week) up a stairwell to be placed in a truck and disposed of in a trash bin. Plymouth wastewater operators have investigated these discharges using a homemade portable screen that can be deployed in a manhole, and have located and notified the sources.

Plymouth indicates that it finds disinfectant wipes and paper towels as the bulk of material raked at this station; likely due to an increase in disinfecting in response to the pandemic. While this is an important practice for communities and business to take during this pandemic, it is very important for businesses and their subcontracted cleaning services to understand these sewer impacts, and to throw away the wipes and paper towels in the trash can.

“People assume when they flush the toilet, [the wipes] are gone, never to be seen again,” says Jay Pimpare, regional pretreatment coordinator at EPA Region 1 (New England). “But 15 feet, 20 feet, 2,000 feet, 3,000 feet... somewhere along the line, it has a strong potential to clog.”

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When a clog occurs, it can cost the municipality thousands or even millions of dollars to deal with it. Municipalities are required by the EPA to maintain their sewer system and to take any other actions necessary to

Mass of combined wipes from the Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Facility

To help prevent the impacts from “flushable” wipes, cities and towns have two possible solutions: 1) purchase equipment that can better handle wipes and other materials, or 2) educate the public on “What to Flush” and see the message put to action. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has created some basic educational materials for New Hampshire municipalities to use in order to educate citizens on what can be flushed. These are available upon request.

One thing is clear: Education of the impacts these wipes are creating for municipal wastewater treatment systems is direly needed. Each municipality, with assistance from the Residuals Management Section of NHDES, will need to determine how to best reach their community members. This is not a role many of our wastewater operators have expected to play, and assistance is needed from town management. Our mission is to inform the public that these wastewater systems are designed for the “3 P’s” (PEE, POOP AND PAPER). The alternative is to build a system to handle the new types of products being flushed, but this would be significantly expensive.

Ultimately, the users have to make a change in how they dispose of these wipes, and make sure they end up in the trash can rather than the toilet.

Anthony Drouin is the Administrator for the Residuals Management Section for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Wastewater Engineering Bureau. Anthony can be reached at 603.271.2818 or by email, anthony.drouin@des.nh.gov.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS

This segment is another in a series highlighting NHARPC’s efforts to provide education on planning-related topics.

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Innovations in Community Engagement

By James Vayo, Shayna Sylvia, Nancy O’Connor

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itizen engagement in municipal, regional, and statewide planning processes is an ideal expression of people’s desire to make their communities better. From citizen’s forums, public hearings and local voting opportunities, to surveys and community-based activities, the engagement opportunities vary depending on the project. With one idea uniting them all, these engagement methods are designed to involve residents and align decision-making with the needs of people who live, work, and play in the community. To set the stage for successful outcomes, planners need to identify outreach strategies early on in their projects and plan for meaningful citizen engagement throughout the entirety of the process.

Relative to the role of regional planning commissions, certain planning realms like transportation, come with legal mandates for public engagement. To ensure outreach and engagement goals are met, it is important for planners to go beyond the minimum of legal mandates for public engagement and develop relationships with community partners, leverage overlapping interests in the project; design fun and interactive activities; and use new technology and innovations to enhance the outreach process.

While outreach and engagement strategies have changed over time with advancing technologies, traditional in-person approaches are still used frequently for a variety of projects and municipal processes.

With that said, the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly and substantially altered public engagement activities. Public entities have had to think outside the box when designing community involvement. Online forum tools like ZOOM and Microsoft Teams, as well as, survey platforms like SurveyMonkey, provide planners, municipal staff, volunteers, and agency partners a variety of approaches to engage stakeholders in the decision-making process.

SRPC Staff at the Somersworth National Night Out Event for its Pathways to Play project.

heavily on in-person outreach to inform the City of Dover’s Culture and Recreation Master Plan Chapter update. While both digital and face-to-face approaches were used, 740 of the 1,200 citizens engaged with the project were in-person participants.

SRPC created innovative activities to engage adults and children. For youth engagement, staff created a “design your dream park” sticker activity”, which was showcased at Dover’s Downtown Trick or Treat event. This included an 8.5 x 11 template and 20 different activities symbolized by iconized stickers where children could identify their favorite activities to include in their dream park. As a result, the commission received feedback from 150 children.

Creative Regional Planning Commission Engagement

Staff also created a feedback loop, where they used input from previous events to inform and engage individuals at later outreach opportunities. Early on, SRPC staff asked project participants what type of public art they would like to see in Dover, and where. Once a list was created, staff used photoshop to create renderings of what this art could look like, and brought these to an Art Walk event. Those participating in the Art Walk were invited to share their thoughts about each rendering. The community provided strong positive feedback to seeing the visuals of their ideas brought to life through the renderings.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff from Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) relied

When the Town of Goffstown engaged SNHPC to assist with their Master Plan update, commission

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

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ments where people can grow and thrive equitably, regardless of age. As initially conceptualized in the grant application, the project planned and heavily depended upon in-person outreach activities. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift in that approach, especially considering the target population’s risk level.

Photoshop rendering of a mural on the back of the Ear Craft Music building in Dover, NH.

staff set out coordinating with town staff and local event organizers to ensure they could participate in Goffstown’s Old Home Day event. Planning commission staff set up a tent with visioning activities, oral surveys, and distributed postcards with links to an online survey in order to ensure a broad spectrum of community members were engaged in the effort. Commission staff made sure to include activities for residents of all ages, including children. A table with Legos and other toys was set up under a tent to provide entertainment for children.

The playing children provided an opportunity for parents and guardians to engage in the Master Plan activities.

In another project, SNHPC used a hybrid model in approaching outreach for a project known as the Manchester Transit-Oriented Development Plan. This included a combination of Facebook, email newsletters, and an interactive project website platform called CoUrbanize as a method for garnering online participation. This engagement method helped set the stage for in-person techniques later in the project. One such technique was as a role-playing game used to envision future uses of the project area. During the role-playing activity, participants were asked to assume the role of different people who would live and work in the project area. They were then asked to prioritize transportation investments that would best serve their www.nhmunicipal.org

character’s needs. The activity allowed participants to put their own priorities aside for a moment and consider how different investments may affect the choices of other potential community members based on their lifestyle and life stage. The result was a more focused approach to investment priorities that were a compromise of needs, where participants noted that their choice might go against their own priorities but make sense for the future inhabitants of the project area.

Engagement in a Post-Pandemic World In what is often described as a “new normal”, planning staff, volunteers, or the public are unable to attend public events, hold in-person focus groups, or knock on doors to garner public opinion. This is leading to an increasing reliance on virtual means of citizen engagement. While this has presented new opportunities for some, such as increased attendance at public meetings now being held online, it has also excluded a part of the population who lack internet access. Planners are now asking the questions; how do we connect with those who do not have internet access, how do we reach our senior population who may not have experience with technology?

SRPC, in partnership with Greater Seacoast Community Health, recently launched a project to foster environ-

As a result, staff are exploring innovative methods to engage residents. New approaches include hosting limited contact methods like surveys or openended questions at supermarkets, the post office, doctor’s appointments, and through in-home care providers.

Focus groups with seniors or youth that are already in proximity to each other such as in a senior living facility or at a summer camp can link facilitators with audiences via ZOOM. This offers the opportunity to hear from larger groups, encourage larger discussions, while mitigating health risks.

Art as a form of input presents another COVID-safe opportunity wherein participants create pieces in their own space that are then combined to create a mural. One such means to do so includes distributing stamped postcards to different locations that pose a question to be answered either with words or a drawing. Contributors mail their postcards to the planning commis-

SNHPC Staff at Goffstown Old Home Day.

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ments, memos, reports, presentation slides, maps as well as the final plan.

The online archiving component of the plan will prove an effective way to build trust with community by demonstrating transparency in the decision-making process. When the project is complete, the plan will remain documented and publicly available indefinitely, making the project website a reference for future efforts.

INNOVATIONS from page 39 sion staff to compile and display, or to create a gallery wall at their respective location.

Other approaches include having a paper survey delivered with Meals on Wheels or given to passengers who are using COAST’s demand response transit service. Respondents can complete a survey while in the car on the way to the store or to a medical appointment. Equally, a short survey could be given at the end of a telehealth or in-person doctor’s appointment; a great opportunity to talk with older populations.

Noted earlier, SNHPC took a digital approach to innovative outreach for the Manchester Transit-Oriented Development Plan. The project team used a tool known as the CoUrbanize’ to share a “comments map” for the study area and gather public input. In doing so, the community was able to assist the planning effort by identifying the areas of interest within the project area. The comments offered a portal for the project team to engage citizens on an individual basis, within a public forum of the website.

This allowed participants to ask questions in a similar way that they would during an inperson meeting. This proved valuable to the planning process. The COVID pandemic quickly impacted daily life for many and presented a risk to the project’s planning process.

This virtual engagement provided resilience to the overall outreach effort and remained an effective engagement tool as COVID impacted the state.

These digital tools were further strengthened by reaching audiences that do not traditionally engage in the planning process.

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Manchester Transit-Oriented Development Plan Online Comments Map.

The Manchester project will soon end, but the interactive website will continue to provide a valuable resource to the community as an online archive for all planning documents and public outreach. Materials to be archived for public access include all public com-

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

The above examples highlight the crucial role public engagement plays in planning. Without it, planners would be working in a void creating the opportunity for misunderstanding of the need and vision of communities as a whole. Getting out in public, either virtually or in-person, is a fulfilling component of this work for planners. Planners are constantly working to learn and create new engagement opportunities that allow the maximum amount of people to influence decision-making process for planning initiatives. The aim is to create a greater sense of community through the outreach process, and to encourage the conversation to continue beyond funding deadlines or plans. Creating something dynamic and sustainable keeps members of the community interested in the process, and instills ownership, belonging, and equity. Moving forward we can expect to see our regional planning commissions use fun and interesting outreach strategies to continue the community conversation in New Hampshire’s towns and cities.

James Vayo is Project Manager with the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission.

Shayna Sylvia, Communications and Outreach Planner, and Nancy O’Conner, Equity and Engagement Planner, both work for the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. www.nhmunicipal.org

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Tech

Insights

By John Hey

Virtual City Hall: How to Digitize Your Paper Forms in 5 Steps

W

hat if you could improve your residents’ experience while reducing your costs?

In this time of social distancing, everyone is rethinking how to provide services. Digitizing forms, online permitting, and paperless licenses aren’t new. For years, cities and towns of all sizes have been investigating and investing in online forms to streamline operations and improve service. With the pandemic forcing everyone to reflect, it’s a great time to explore the benefits your city or town could gain from moving more services online.

But how do you start? It may seem overwhelming at first, but there’s a simple way to try it without major investment.

Pick one area or department to start with and follow this 5-step process.

Step One – Identify Paper Form Opportunities Not every form is an ideal choice for your first exercise in digitizing the process. To identify a strong opportunity, you need to balance ease of change with impact.

Start by compiling a list of your current forms. If that’s too broad, pick one department or area and create a comprehensive list within that smaller team. Then ask these questions: • Is it highly used – daily, monthly, annually?

• Does it require payment?

• Once submitted, how many steps and people are involved in the process to finalize it?

• Does the form contain sensitive information that requires special data security?

If you can find a highly used form that doesn’t require payment and has only a few steps and/or people involved in the process to finalize it, you’ve identified a prime candidate.

Step Two – Explore Tools and Options It may be tempting to dive into using an online form builder you already have or quickly add one to your website. However, this is a really important step to ensure the long-term success of this digitizing forms initiative.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

Work with your IT department or partner to vet out some options and focus on these attributes: • Is the form builder easy for a non-technical person to use?

• Is it ADA compliant?

• Does the form builder offer sufficient field flexibility?

• Are other municipalities using it?

• Does the software easily support payment processing?

• Does the form software integrate well with other applications?

There are several good options to choose from, so sometimes it’s about what fits your city or town the best. Cognito Forms is an example of one that we use regularly and is widely used by municipalities.

Step Three – Build the Digital Form You kept it simple in step one by identifying an easier form to create, so we’ll keep it simple in step three too. You’ll want to meet with the person or team who uses the form or is most affected by it. Whoever is receiving the form, approving the form, or storing the form should be in the room. You’ll walk through the process flow together, map out what steps are required, and what action needs to be done at each step.

You are then ready to build the simplest form to achieve those requirements. Keep in mind that you are always able to add to and improve upon the form later.

Then test it. Have staff members not involved in the process fill it out, have IT double check that the data is flowing through appropriately, and maybe even ask your neighbor to give it a try.

Step Four – Publish and Publicize Sometimes, teams think they’re done after the build phase.

But it’s vitally important that you alert the audience who regularly uses the form that a new, better way is available! www.nhmunicipal.org

Share this on your website, social media, newsletter, and any other communications that will reach your intended audience.

Make it easy to find this new, better digital form and highlight its value to your audience. Here are a few good examples of cities and towns that make it easy to find ways to engage with city hall online: • https://www.boston.gov/pay-andapply • https://www.cityofamericancanyon.org/government/virtual-cityhall • https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/ customer-service-central

Step Five – Analyze and Adjust You’ve told people to use it, but are they? What do they think about the form? You must continue to monitor the form to see if it’s being used at the rate you think is appropriate. It’s also likely you’ll identify outlier bugs and issues as real people begin using the form in different ways.

Appointing someone to be the owner of the form is a good idea. Charge that individual with regular monitoring of the form to ensure its most effective use. Understanding how the first exercise in digitizing your forms goes will be invaluable as you look to tackle your next project!

A Real-Life Case Study – Decatur, GA Decatur, GA is just outside of Atlanta and has a population of 23,000 residents. They’ve been investing in digitizing services for several years primarily because of the efficiency gains.

However, it’s naturally played a positive role in the city’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

Andrea Arnold, Decatur’s City Manager said, “The ability to automate multiple steps that would normally

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involve moving paper through the physical environment has been a tremendous time-saver and has allowed us to quickly shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Small Business Loan Program In order to support small businesses in its community as they struggled with COVID-19, Decatur quickly set up a temporary loan program to offer access to much-needed funds. They turned to VC3 to help put together a secure digital application process.

With the opportunity identified and a pre-existing tool in place, we began building the form. The requirements included the ability to upload documents, a defined internal user group, strict data security, and the ability to close off access to the form once the program ended.

The approval process for the form was fairly complicated with multiple people and several steps. VC3 automated the notifications and worked with Decatur to ensure the appropriate people were notified. Finally, the workflow also needed to be contactless internally as many of Decatur’s employees were working from home.

The result was an online form quickly created to support the business community in a time of crisis. Many businesses applied and took advantage of this needed support.

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erything was built on Cognito Forms and now the process is automated to move from person to person for approval.

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Visit www.vc3.com to learn more.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

43

Legal

Q and A Alternates Alternatively

By Natch Greyes, Municipal Services Counsel

A

lternates are a necessary, if often overlooked, part of most boards. When insufficient regular members of a public body are available to constitute a quorum due to absence or recusal, alternate members can step in and temporarily fill the gap in board membership. It’s a good practice to have board alternates appointed and be ready serve when needed.

Q: Do alternates take an oath of office?

Q: How do we know how many alternates are assigned to each board?

Q: Are alternates required to attend every meeting?

A: Generally, the statutes prescribe how many alternates are allowed for each board, as well as the selection process. For example, Planning Boards, Zoning Boards, Historic District Commissions, Heritage Commissions, Agricultural Commissions, and Housing Commissions all are allowed up to 5 alternates according to their respective statutes. RSA 673:6, 673:4, 673:4-a, 673:4-b, 673:4-c. .

A: Alternates are not required to attend every meeting, but it is good practice for them to try to attend all meetings.

What good is filling in when elected members of the board are unable to attend a board meeting, if the person filling in has no idea what the board has been working on? It is better practice for alternates to attend every meeting and be familiar with the issues on which the board has been working.

Other statutes provide for alternatives for other boards. For example, for libraries, RSA 202-A:6 and RSA 202-A:10 together inform that library trustees may have three alternates.

RSA 289:6 provides that the board of cemetery trustees “may recommend to the appointing authority the names of no more than 2 persons who may serve as alternate members on the board. The alternate members shall be appointed to one-year terms.” Under RSA 31:22 the select board can appoint 2 persons who may serve as alternate members on the Trustees of Trust Funds, who would be appointed to oneyear terms.

Q: At a board meeting are alternates considered just a member of the public except when serving in place of an elected trustee?

Q: How are alternates chosen?

A: Again, the statutes will specify. However, generally, either the board itself or the governing body (i.e. the select board) will chose alternates. If it’s the governing body, the board itself usually has a responsibility to nominate individuals for the position.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

A: Yes, RSA 42:1 states, in relevant part, that “[e]very town officer shall make and subscribe the oath or declaration as prescribed by part 2, article 84 of the constitution of New Hampshire.” That would include all alternates to boards as well as all regular members.

A: Alternates only fill in when elected members of the board are unable to attend a board meeting. See, e.g., RSA 202A:10. Therefore, they are not technically board members when not serving in place of a trustee, but keep in mind that the public may know that they are alternates and believe – wrongly or rightly – that they have some extra influence on the board as compared to the general public. There is nothing much that can be done about that, but boards should be careful to ensure that they take pains to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest. This could come up if an issue is debated with public input where an alternate not participating as a board member voices a strong opinion for or against the issue, the board decides to wait to vote on the matter until the next meeting, then, at the next meeting, the board finds that it needs to pull an alter-

www.nhmunicipal.org

nate from the audience onto the board to fulfill the quorum requirement.

The alternate who has not voiced an opinion is a better choice than the one who has voiced an opinion because, as NHMA constantly cautions, board members should try to limit expressing their opinions on matters pending before the board to board meetings.

While this may not be as big an issue on legislative-type matters, it is a serious concern for quasi-judicial matters where the two sides appearing before the board are entitled to an impartial arbitrator of justice.

use board may participate in meetings of the board as a nonvoting member pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 676:1. This provision was put into the law a few years ago was that some boards were allowing their alternate members to participate in land use board discussions, and there was disagreement about whether this was appropriate. At the legislature, no one could agree on what the rule should be, so it was decided to leave it to each board to put it in the rules.

Q: When can alternates speak or participate at a board meeting?

A: Alternates can vote only when they are serving in place of a full board member. Otherwise, there would be no difference between alternates and full board members.

A: Alternates who are participating as substitutes for board members who are not present are both literally and figuratively sitting in the seats of those absent board members. Therefore, they are entitled to the full rights of any other board member.

Q: What are the rules governing meeting participation by alternates on land use boards?

A: An alternate member of a local land

Q: When can alternates vote?

Q: Can an alternate be elected as an officer of the board?

Such as Treasurer or Secretary?

A: No. Alternates only serve when a full board member is absent. They cannot be an officer of the board because the full board may be present, in which case the alternate is not entitled to participate.

Q: Can alternates attend a non-public session?

A: A board may choose who to invite into nonpublic session entered into under RSA 91-A:3. While it is permissible for the board to invite non-board members, including alternates into nonpublic session, boards would be wise to consider whether that is appropriate. In most cases, it is best to limit nonpublic session to the then-existing board. (Note, of course, that disclosure of the discussion of nonpublic session by any officer of the municipality is a violation of the Oath of Office according to RSA 42:1-a, II and it would be proper for the municipality to file a petition in Superior Court to ask for the person to be dismissed from his/ her position as an officer of the municipality).

Q: Can an alternate serve on a board approved committee?

A: Committees created by a board are composed of whoever the board decides to appoint. Frequently, it is case that mixed committees, composed of board and non-board members, can assist a board. Therefore, it is perfectly permissible for the board to appoint non-board members, including alter-

If you’re not getting it, you’re not getting it.

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NewsLink gives you all the latest information on upcoming workshops, webinars and other training events.

The E-newsletter of the New Hampshire Municipal Association

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

45

LEGAL Q&A from page 45 nates, to the committee.

One thing boards should keep in mind, however, is that any board approved committee is subject to the Right to Know Law, RSA 91-A, and the board should take care to both inform the committee of the requirements of that statute and ensure that the committee is following that statute.

Q: Can an alternate “speak” for and/or represent the elected trustee board? Such as at a budget hearing, etc.

A: The board may appoint whoever it likes to represent it before other boards. The preference, of course, is a full board member, but there may be circumstances where that is not pos-

sible or advisable. If that is the case, it is perfectly permissible for the board to take a vote to appoint someone else, including an alternate, to speak for it before another board or committee.

Q: What are the steps to be taken to permit the appointment of alternates to serve on an appointed (not elected) local land use board?

A: RSA 673:6, I(a) governs the appointment of alternates to an appointed local land use board. It states “[t] he local legislative body may provide for the appointment of not more than 5 alternate members to any appointed local land use board, who shall be appointed by the appointing authority.”

Thus, the town meeting must authorize the select board to appoint alternates, and it may authorize up-to-5

alternates for an appointed land use board. Such authorization would have to come through a warrant article. For example, a warrant article approving the appointment of alternates to a Zoning Board of Adjustment would be worded as follows: To see if the town would vote pursuant to RSA 673:6 to permit the Select Board to appoint up to five (5) alternate members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Such an article would not be put on the official ballot (unless the town had adopted SB 2) and would appear on the warrant for the business meeting of your town meeting.

Natch Greyes is Municipal Services Counsel with the New Hampshire Municipal Association. He may be contacted at 603.224.7447 or at legalinquiries@ nhmunicipal.org.

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Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon, NH

46

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

www.nhmunicipal.org

— This Moment in NHMA History — 34 years ago…

NHMA’s Annual Conference drew about 400 municipal officials representing 106 member cities and towns. A total of 60 exhibitors participated and Stephen Merrill, then New Hampshire’s Attorney General, was a guest speaker at the Center of New Hampshire (now the Radisson Hotel Manchester Downtown) in Manchester.

Over the summer of 1986, 66 locally-elected and appointed officials from 42 member municipalities served on three NHMA legislative policy committees to produce 46 recommendations for the 1987-1988 Legislative Policy Proposals to be voted on by the membership. These policy recommendations help guide staff in advocating municipal interests in the legislature.

?

?

NAME

THAT

TOWN OR

CITY

? ?

www.nhmunicipal.org

Name the city or town in which this old meeting house resides.

Here’s some hints. It was a part of the Town of Boscawen until 1860, and the town takes its name from an American statesman. Need another hint? In 1733, King George II of England granted the seven-mile-square “Plantation of Contoocook” to John Coffin and 80 others, all from Newbury, Massachusetts. Still don’t have a clue?

The first settlers arrived in 1734 and it was the “outpost of civilization” with unbroken wilderness all the way north to Canada. In fact, according to town documents, it would be another 28 years before Warner was settled and 30 years before there were any settlements north of Salisbury.

When you have figured out the answer, email it to tfortier@nhmunicipal.org. The answer will appear in the January/February 2021 issue.

ANSWER TO PHOTO IN THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ISSUE: The photo on page 44 in the last issue of New Hampshire Town and City magazine is of the Town of Raymond’s town offices. The town that was once known as “Freetown” because it was exempt from the usual obligation of reserving its tall pine trees for masts in the Royal English Navy. Special thanks to Marshall A. Buttrick (Greenville) NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

47

The

HR

REPORT

Surviving the Pandemic Together Mark Broth, Esq. and Anna Cole, Esq.

W

e are all in this together. Establishing and maintaining an effective and cooperative relationship between labor and management is important in the best of times. By any measure, we are not in the best of times. As the pandemic drags on into the fall and winter months, it is important that we continue to recognize the benefits that can be reaped from positive labor/management relations. This is especially true given changing circumstances created by the pandemic and the impact of governmental actions intended to keep us safe.

One of the pillars of effective labor/management relationships is communication. Through respectful communication, many employers learn that employees and their union representatives share many of the employer’s goals and objectives, which can often lead to better informed and happier work environments even during times of stress and anxiety.

One topic that often benefits from advanced discussion is workplace safety rules. In general, employers have the authority to adopt workplace rules, so long as the rules are not in conflict with any express provision of a collective bargain-

ing agreement. Over the last several months, the majority of New Hampshire employers have instituted new or modified existing workplace safety rules intended to address the risks posed by COVID-19 and to implement state and federal safety guidelines. Some of those rules may have been first discussed and proposed through a Joint Loss Management Committee, composed of both management and labor representatives. However, in response to the urgency of the moment, many employers have unilaterally implemented safety rules. Even though well intentioned, unilaterally adopted rules are sometimes met with resistance. Some of this might be avoided if employers inform union leadership of the intent to implement new or changed rules and the purpose underlying those rules. Importantly, employers should consider giving union representatives an advanced draft copy of the rules and invite them to meet and confer with management before the rule is implemented. These advanced conversations provide the employer with the opportunity to explain the basis for the rules and the factors that the employer is balancing – which are commonly a mix of operational concerns, financial concerns, and safety/best practice concerns. Most, if not all, of these concerns are

SUBSCRIBE To order New Hampshire Town and City magazine, call 800.852.3358, ext. 3339. $25/members • $50/mon-members

48

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

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likely shared by the employees’ representatives. Employers are often pleasantly surprised to find that employee representatives share many of their safety concerns, understand the need to maintain operations, and are just as invested in reaching a mutually satisfactory way of addressing safety-driven concerns. Union representatives may help employers understand and anticipate employee concerns, identify areas where proposed rules might be improved, and alert the employer to an unintended consequence of the contemplated rule. When union representatives have had the opportunity to provide input into a safety-driven rule, they are more likely to support its implementation.

Of course, circumstances are not always that ideal. A union may object

to new or changed rules on both substantive and procedural grounds, arguing that the rules should be the subject of bargaining. In those circumstances, an employer may need to decide whether the immediate safety considerations outweigh the risk of potential grievances or unfair labor practice charges. And even if a dispute cannot be avoided, an employer who engages with employee representatives before implementing new or changed rules, may be able to narrow the issues and avoid misunderstandings that may unnecessarily undermine a rule before it even gets off the ground.

As we all push forward beyond six months of the pandemic, we must rely on each other and our shared goals and objectives to see us through. Ongoing communication with employees and

their representatives is vital to furthering positive workplace culture in the face of unanticipated challenges.

Mark Broth and Anna Cole are members of Drummond Woodsum’s Labor and Employment Group. Their practice focuses on the representation of private and public employers in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. This is not a legal document nor is it intended to serve as legal advice or a legal opinion.

Drummond Woodsum & MacMahon, P.A. makes no representations that this is a complete or final description or procedure that would ensure legal compliance and does not intend that the reader should rely on it as such. “Copyright 2020 Drummond Woodsum. These materials may not be reproduced without prior written permission.”

Employment Law Hotline A Free Service to NHMA Members Drummond Woodsum labor law attorneys are available to provide legal advice on matters including Title VII, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, employee discipline, sexual harassment, wrongful termination and age, sex and race-based discrimination.

The Employment Law Hotline is available at no charge and Drummond Woodsum labor law attorneys will provide up to 1/2 hour of FREE legal advice per employment issue.

Got an employment issue?

Before you act, call 603.623.2500 or email at ehotline@dwmlaw.com.

www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

49

Court

Update

By Stephen C. Buckley, Legal Services Counsel and Natch Greyes, Municipal Services Counsel

Now available online:

October 2020 Secretary of State Shall Forward Absentee Voter Registrations Forms Directly to Applicants and Can No Longer Refer Voters to City or Town Clerks, American Federation of Teachers v. Gardner, Hillsborough County Superior – Northern District Case No. 216-2020-CV-0570, 10/02/2020

August 2020 New Hampshire Supreme Court Affirms Discontinuance of a Road by a Town Pursuant to RSA 231:43.

Bellevue Properties v. Town of Conway, New Hampshire Supreme Court Docket No. 2019-0302, 08/25/2020

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

12/10/18 3:43 PM

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National League of Cities Hosts VIRTUAL 2020 City Summit 2020 has been a year like no other. Your leadership has been like no other.

NLC invites you to take part in their immersive program that includes informative panel discussions, keynotes and fireside chats, as well as engaging workshops and opportunities to network with your peers. You will be joined virtually by hundreds of other participants from all across the county.

Registration is now open.

If interested, visit NLC’s website: https://citysummit.nlc.org.

www.nhmunicipal.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

51

New Hampshire Town and City

2020 Index of Featured Articles Affiliate Member Spotlight New Hampshire City and Town Clerks’ Association....................................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 39 Northeast Resource Recovery Association.....................................................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 32 Animal Control Officers Association of New Hampshire.............................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 30 Up Close and Personal “Connor MacIver, Town Administrator, Barrington”....................................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 31 “Dr. Tracey Hutton, Town Administrator, Northfield”.................................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 32 “Cheryl Linder, Chief of Staff, Nashua”........................................................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 27 “Pam Laflamme, Community Development Director, Berlin”.....................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 29 “David Witham, City Councilor, Somersworth”..........................................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 30 Budget and Finance Understanding Federal Funding for COVID-19..........................................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 10 Governance Dairy of a First-Time Moderator..................................................................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb......................... 8 A Closer Look at the New Laws Governing Town Meeting & Election Postponement................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 14 Traits of a Good Moderator..........................................................................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 18 Energy Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Empowers Municipalities to Take Control of Their Energy Costs...............................................................................May/June...................... 8 Community Leaders Join Together to Develop Community Power New Hampshire..................................................................................................................May/June.................... 13 Moving Toward a More Decentralized Electric System.................................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 16 Improving the Resiliency of New Hampshire’s Buildings.............................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 18 What Every New Hampshire Town & City Needs to Know About Solar Energy Today..............................................................................................................May/June.................... 24 HR Report “Department of Labor Announces New Overtime Rules Effective January 1, 2020”...................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 38 Cadillac Tax Repealed and Other Employer ACA Penalties on the Rise!......................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 22 “Proposed “”Card Check”” Union Election Bills - Historical Context for an Old Proposal”........................................................................................................May/June.................... 34 Workplace Safety in the COVID-19 Era......................................................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 36 The Returning Workforce to Mandate or Not to Mandate..........................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 40 Surviving the Pandemic Together.................................................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 48 Internet Technology Six Questions Your Organization Should be Asking About the Dark Web...................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 40 Doing More and Spending Less with Cloud Computing.............................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 26 Is Your IT Ready to Support Remote Work? 4 Questions to Ask................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 26 What Does a Long-Term Remote Work Strategy Look Like?.......................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 30 Top Six Mistakes When Cutting IT Costs....................................................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 34 Virtual City Hall: How to Digitize Your Paper Forms in 5 Steps.................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 42 Land Use and Environment The State of Recycling Markets in New Hampshire.....................................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr........................ 8 You Flushed What Down the Toilet!?!..........................................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 35 Wellness The Power of Resilience................................................................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 10 2020: The Year of Connected Healthcare....................................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 12 Key Steps for Staying Healthy During COVID-19......................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 15 Rise in Behavioral Health Concerns Due to COVID-19..............................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 18 Connecting to Care Without Leaving Home...............................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 32 Legal Questions and Answers It’s That Time of Year: Election Time...........................................................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 34 Stop Plowing that Private Road!...................................................................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 28 Using Revolving Funds for Energy Efficiency Projects..................................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 32 “Money, Money, Money”..............................................................................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 32 Masks and Other Requirements...................................................................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 36 Top COVID-19-Related Legal Inquiries......................................................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 20 Alternates Alternatively.................................................................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 44 Legislative NHMA Gears Up for 2021-2022 Legislative Policy Process.........................................................................................................................................................Jan/Feb....................... 26 It’s Never Too Early to Submit Policy Suggestions........................................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 18 Update on Legislative Policy Process.............................................................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 28 Miscellaneous A Census Complete Count Will Benefit Everyone in New Hampshire........................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 15 Barbara Reid Retire! Over 30 Years in Public Arena.....................................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 22 Planning and Local Land Use The Importance of Continuity of Operations Planning...............................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 14 Don’t Go it Alone: How Public-Private Partnership Power Local Government Innovation.........................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 18 Grassroots Broadband Coalition Launched..................................................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 16 Drought Restrictions During State or Federally Declared Drought..............................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 30 Using Sewage to Fight Pandemic: Municipalities Find an Early Warning with Wastewater Monitoring......................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 32 Public Safety Reopening Libraries During the Pandemic...................................................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 21 Londonderry Town Hall Plan to Re-Open to the Public..............................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 26 NHARPCs Report New Hampshire: No Longer a Special Place to Call Home?........................................................................................................................................................Mar/Apr...................... 32 Rail Trail Planning in New Hampshire.........................................................................................................................................................................................May/June.................... 36 Regional Planning in a Time of Crisis...........................................................................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 38 Broadband is More Important Than Ever.....................................................................................................................................................................................Sept/Oct..................... 10 Innovations in Community Engagement.....................................................................................................................................................................................Nov/Dec..................... 38 NLC Report COVID-19 - Please Contact New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation..................................................................................................................................July/Aug...................... 40

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NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN AND CITY

www.nhmunicipal.org

Statement of Ownership Management, and Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C. 2685)

New Hampshire Town and City (Publication Number: 379-620) is published bi-monthly (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec) at the New Hampshire Municipal Association, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord, NH 03301. The editor/managing editor of New Hampshire Town and City is Timothy Fortier and the publisher is the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Annual subscription price is $25.00 for members, $50.00 for nonmembers.

Date of filing: September 30, 2020. Statement of Ownership is published in the November/December issue.

Extent and Nature of Circulation:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

a. Total number of copies (Net press run) 2,375 b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail) 1. Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated 2,058.0 on Form 3541 (Include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser's proof copies, and exchange copies) 2. Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 317.0 3541(Include paid distributioon above nominal rate, advertiser's proof copies, and exchange copies) 3. Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales -------Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPSÂŽ 4. Paid Distribution by Other Class of Mail Through the -------USPS (e.g. First-Class MailÂŽ) c. Total Paid Distribution (Sum of 15b, (1), (2), (3), and (4)) 2,375 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) 1. Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County 50.0 included on PS Form 3541 2. Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies 10.0 included on PS Form 3541 3. Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes -------Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail) 4. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail -------(Carriers or other means) e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 60

2,307

(Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4))

f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c, and 15e.) g. Copies not distributed h. Total (Sum of 15f and g) i. Percent paid and/or requested circulation (15c/15f x 100) I certify that all information shown above is true and complete.

Timothy Fortier Editor

2,435 20 2,455 97.536%

1,990

317

--------------2,307 50 10 --------------60 2,367 20 2,387 97.465%

25 Triangle Park Drive Concord, NH 03301

Periodical Postage Paid at Concord, NH

Thank You, HealthTrust Members!

Caring. Resilience. Heart. The things that matter in times like these. Working together makes us all stronger and we deeply appreciate all you do to keep New Hampshire’s communities safe. Thank you for the honor of serving your Member Group by providing the coverage, programs and services you and your employees need. All of us at HealthTrust wish you and your employees a joyous, healthy holiday season and new year.

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