HAPPENINGS Public Works Employees are Now First Responders!
The Clock Doc!
Governor Chris Sununu recently signed SB 325 into law, formally recognizing public works employees in New Hampshire as first responders! This makes New Hampshire only the second state in the country (after Mississippi) to formally and directly recognize public works employees and their role as first responders! Taken directly from the legislation: “First responders” means state, county, and local governmental and nongovernmental emergency public safety fire, law enforcement, public safety telecommunications or dispatcher, emergency response, emergency medical services providers including hospital emergency facilities, emergency management, public health, clinical care, public works, and other skilled support personnel, such as equipment operators, that provide immediate support services necessary to perform emergency management functions. Congratulations to the New Hampshire Public Works Association who worked long and hard in advancing this important new law. It is important for all of us to recognize public works employees as first responders since they are responsible for emergency management and protecting, operating and maintaining critical infrastructure in our cities and towns.
Phillip D’Avanza, the “Clock Doc,” was recently showcased on New Hampshire Chronicles. Phil has spent over 40 years keeping the clocks that dot the centers of many towns in New Hampshire ticking. Phil has served as a NHMA Board of Director for many years and currently serves on the planning board in the Town of Goffstown. Learn more about Phil and his clock business here: https:// www.wmur.com/article/nh-chroniclekeeping-the-clock-in-the-tower-ticking/39789369#.
ATTENTION MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS – Signs on State Roadways Shari King, Supervisor of Outdoor Advertising at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation’s (NHDOT) Bureau of Traffic, is reaching to all town boards and/or departments with an update below on the rules and regulations regarding signage on state roadways. RSA 236:72 prohibits off-premise signs adjacent to a controlled route (any highway that is part of the turnpike system, interstate system or federal aid primary (FAP) system) without a permit. Not all state roadways are FAP, but applicants should check with our department (Bureau of Traffic) to find out if the roadway they are proposing a sign on is. If the State does control the road, applicants would need to apply for a permit before installing the sign. RSA 238:24 prohibits signs on Scenic & Cultural Byways. Again, the business or sign owner should contact the Bureau of Traffic to determine whether the road is a designated Scenic & Cultural Byway. RSA 236:88 prohibits signs from being located in the state right-of-way. This applies to all state roadways no matter their designation or rating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shari King at 603-271-8122 or shari.king@dot.nh.gov. If you would like a copy of the rules and regulations regarding signage on New Hampshire roads, please send Shari an email requesting same. www.nhmunicipal.org
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