[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6347165,"mediaKeyId","2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193","parentId",2245943,"title","At-a-glance: Somersworth council passes winter moratorium amendment, approves tax‑deed hold and several time‑sensitive items","audioSeconds",1659,"startMs",1989000,"endMs",3648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193&start=1989&end=3648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193/thumbnail_1989000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6347165/New-Hampshire/At-a-glance-Somersworth-council-passes-winter-moratorium-amendment-approves-taxdeed-hold-and-several-timesensitive-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347165-0722c4a9767c420d8d8c4527e0d801a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391296&Signature=Lovc5zkvYY535kH0OJDHuO9dsHvcru0KX9yUYFMc69Y64Fxo1og285ugz07BeCD0QwzuXMVRqETK6ThtII1n4uYa87jPcCeXtVsZlo~sffosZkq7NqssQcuza1dsXfHkgNdv4JNMwfPJc~5F1ETgUj-db6l7kqq~I1sVa61oX0QPSkJDfEhS1Nem9NxzIBKODhGTU68e~UtTKN4Y7oNP-rZgfUKPnurJzqEmxTd-m9XIh9eB0-JKc8bpfdBVdNbxJQa8zD0xu4M9ntLyqW3H5DJsXEfM8rdEWXIBfkm0seD2KikY636FX0-I9i8UsGjFZp-GG3~EwNjIvspWpQwzdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Somersworth NH","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Somersworth City Council completed several formal votes Monday night and scheduled hearings or first readings on other measures. Key actions and outcomes are summarized below.

Ordinance adopted — winter excavation moratorium (Ordinance 14‑25): The council adopted Ordinance 14‑25 to amend Chapter 12 (streets and sidewalks) concerning winter excavations, prohibiting excavation in the city’s right‑of‑way from Nov. 15 through April 15 with a city‑manager waiver authority; the ordinance passed on roll call.

Tax deed hold (Resolution 33‑25): The council voted to instruct the tax collector not to accept tax deeds on certain properties on Wexford Lane and Blackwater Road because of buried debris and potential unknown cleanup costs; Resolution 33‑25 was adopted on roll call.

Hazard mitigation grant (Resolution 38‑25): The council authorized the city manager to accept a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program grant from the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The award is $11,249 with an in‑kind match of $3,750. Councilors suspended rules for a second reading and voted to adopt the resolution.

Special state election request: The council voted to request the secretary of state’s assistance to schedule a special election to fill the vacant District 12 state representative seat (the vacancy resulted from a candidate moving out of the district). The motion passed on roll call; Councilor David A. Witham recorded a “no” vote citing costs and staffing impacts for local polling places.

Appointments: George Gilmette was appointed to the Planning Board for a three‑year term; five nominees (Maureen Jackman, Jessica Paradis, Peter Hood, Donald Austin and Todd Marsh) were approved to the Ethics Commission for three‑year terms. All appointments were approved by voice vote.

Consent calendar: The consent calendar was adopted by voice vote.

First readings and items to come back: Ordinance 15‑25 (revisions to Chapter 13, dog definitions and at‑large rules) and multiple water‑main project resolutions (Resolutions 34‑25, 35‑25, 36‑25 and 39‑25) remained at first reading and will be scheduled for public hearings at the next regular meeting on Feb. 18.

Ending: The meeting closed with routine council and manager reports and the council adjourned; several items will return on Feb. 18 for public hearings and final votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somersworth NH, City Council Meeting - 02/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At Monday’s meeting the council adopted an amended winter moratorium ordinance, voted not to accept tax deeds on two properties, approved a hazard mitigation grant and moved forward with a special‑election request. The council also confirmed several appointments and held first readings on other ordinances.","taxTitle","Somersworth City Council, Somersworth City , Strafford County, New Hampshire","taxId",76002,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6347168,"Somersworth moves forward with Main Street water‑main replacement; multiple contracts and a bond are scheduled for public hearings",1077,1525000,2602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193&start=1525&end=2602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193/thumbnail_1525000.jpg","/articles/6347168/New-Hampshire/Somersworth-moves-forward-with-Main-Street-watermain-replacement-multiple-contracts-and-a-bond-are-scheduled-for-public-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347168-d4127cacb17b8be14b503036d0486e18/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391296&Signature=ccjTpR2oPoj6jmAQmUQLuTKk~7tntTVMG84xETZkLqN5KkDHf3T~l1isnlpFERiZUcDLa1bAvr7nxThEQoneDbhudTBQxF6nuyEZZarOAMfxE-BzsnP7fm0RxgY1A2k3f2eMxWwOu6C~VtxVGp3rLZSh-EYhTN1p2-ebWCv0oSnaECsGjsKLmJ2yoOtW449SCep9QlKrFt6Xp1xnkXA5v0r-tRcDpGyDKIENd7ByMn7LrunAfSU6l0vcUv0ix7Wg7GSK7KEHjtqc2MpxvBtM5oMi8moCv1yfI~3dW7sCx6BLpZ7vri9oIy~4oYlaDi4MAGRLGk~RBfQ6CkbuueSWiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somersworth City Council received first readings Monday on several items that together fund and authorize replacement of the Main Street water main, and related water‑main design work on Indigo Hill Road and Old Rochester Road.

City staff and the Finance Committee reported they recommend three separate contractor or consultant contracts and a bond to pay for the project. The items read into the record include: an amendment to Beta Group, Inc.’s contract for contract administration and construction inspection; an award recommendation to GVC Construction of Lunenburg, Mass., to perform the Main Street replacement; and a borrowing authorization for the project under the Municipal Finance Act. Staff also presented a separate recommended contract with Wright‑Pierce Engineers for design services on Indigo Hill Road and Old Rochester Road.

Key figures and status: the finance committee recommended amending Beta Group’s contract for $171,040 with a contingency of $8,960 (total not to exceed $180,000). Staff recommended awarding the construction contract for the Main Street water‑main replacement to GVC Construction for $1,572,417 with a recommended contingency of $157,241 (not to exceed $1,729,658). The council packet and staff presentations ask that the council authorize borrowing up to $1,909,658 for the full project, which covers the water main, paving, contract administration and ancillary costs. Separately, staff recommended contracting Wright‑Pierce Engineers for engineering and design services on Indigo Hill Road and Old Rochester Road for $110,000 plus a $10,000 contingency (not to exceed $120,000). All of these items were presented at first reading and will return for public hearings at the council’s next regular meeting on Feb. 18.

Why it matters: Finance and public works officials told the council there was competitive bidding for the construction contract (seven bids received) and that the project will require bonding under the Municipal Finance Act. The work will include replacement of the water main along Main Street from Indigo Hill Road to Nato Street and associated road paving and inspection services. The council’s vote to schedule public hearings follows charter requirements for bond approval and ensures residents can comment before final approvals.

Next steps: The council left the resolutions at first reading and set public hearings for the next regular meeting, when final votes on the Beta contract amendment, the construction contract award to GVC Construction, and the bond authorization will be considered.

Ending: The council advanced the project to the public‑hearing stage but did not adopt any bond or construction contracts at Monday’s meeting; staff emphasized the items were vetted by the finance committee and will return with formal votes after the required hearings.","Councilors received committee recommendations and first readings for engineering and construction contracts and a borrowing authorization to replace the Main Street water main. Contract awards and a bond appropriation were presented for public hearing at the council’s next regular meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6347170,"Somersworth OKs phased payments to Stewart’s Ambulance to preserve 24/7 paramedic coverage",1874,942000,2816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193&start=942&end=2816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245943-7828babbea2d43e715a05defbd77f193/thumbnail_942000.jpg","/articles/6347170/New-Hampshire/Somersworth-OKs-phased-payments-to-Stewarts-Ambulance-to-preserve-247-paramedic-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347170-41d8582c8f5113cc50aca632ed8eb69b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391296&Signature=Y1u9Iz5SyAOYSVzRnowFJB00ZWzf-Tw8JrgI5ZlZfSRWw-MGCMA30tzFnsrCT3oD8A8jhSFBhYJPeaRPlJN7nf2YfJED~qfp7XkY0TOZP6cCZJqdDnLerzIFdrno90Tzlqcso69wd0~8zJ~eKb7LHXz0HJQANpmzAuMz7un6ugWu4ZOvr-ptXcPyNzYCTxDWQHyzXUEROIOlBMytzgf7yeay7jihBjfKT52pmunRX~podGn5yJP6RQ0~ITHegemkTi7HaaWkDWphB5g~EfLCJLWO4NwArOF-fiyt5cnQj8NZTxesJrI7e2Jmmod6gjlRfXfabZBYuqbOXVKdM9XDrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somersworth City Council voted Monday to amend and extend the city’s contract with Stewart’s Ambulance Service, authorizing phased municipal payments to sustain 24-hour paramedic-level ambulance coverage and extending the contract through June 30, 2030.

Councilors said the change responds to industrywide financial pressures that have made it difficult for private ambulance providers to operate without municipal support. Councilor Kenneth S. Vincent moved adoption of the resolution; Councilor Martin Pepin seconded. The motion passed on roll call.

The council packet and presentations described a four‑year phase-in of municipal support beginning July 1, 2025. The amendment calls for an initial payment of $65,000 starting 07/01/2025 and step increases in later years that incorporate the consumer price index; the parties also negotiated a five‑year term with the right to extend the agreement by three additional years.

Why it matters: Council members said the city has received paramedic-level coverage from Stewart’s without municipal payments for years, an arrangement they called an anomaly statewide. Councilor Vincent summarized a broader industry problem: insurers and network reimbursement practices have left many private ambulance services unable to fully recoup costs, and some services statewide have ceased operations. He said the city had enjoyed “a bargain deal” for many years and urged support to preserve local coverage. “We got a bargain deal. We’ve had a bargain deal for years,” Vincent said during debate.

Council discussion emphasized tradeoffs and timing. Several councilors, including Councilor David A. Witham and Councilor Pepin, said the contract amendment is less costly than alternatives discussed in committee, such as switching to a fire‑department–run EMS service, which councilors estimated would carry multi‑million‑dollar staffing costs. Councilor Goodwin voted against suspending council rules to take the resolution up immediately but voted in favor of the final adoption. Councilor Goodwin said she had concerns about the speed of the process and public opportunity to comment before a financial decision was finalized.

Stewart’s representatives attended the meeting and answered committee questions earlier in January. Vice President Chris Hogan, Executive Chairman Jason Van Ethan and board member Paul Robitis described rising personnel, supply and operational costs and said some private ambulance providers are exiting the market. Councilors said the amended contract includes termination provisions: Stewart’s may terminate under contract with notice, and the city retains an exit period as well, which councilors cited as a safeguard.

The council also noted that the contract and the new line item will appear in the upcoming municipal budget process and public hearings, giving residents another opportunity to weigh in on long‑term funding.

Ending: With the adopted amendment, the city will provide phased financial support to Stewart’s Ambulance Service to maintain the current level of emergency medical coverage while retaining contractual exit options and oversight through routine budget hearings.","The Somersworth City Council voted to amend and extend its contract with Stewart’s Ambulance Service, approving phased municipal payments over four years and extending the agreement through June 30, 2030, after committee review and a citywide discussion about EMS funding and insurance reimbursement challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At-a-glance: Somersworth council passes winter moratorium amendment, approves tax‑deed hold and several time‑sensitive items

Somersworth moves forward with Main Street water‑main replacement; multiple contracts and a bond are scheduled for public hearings

Somersworth OKs phased payments to Stewart’s Ambulance to preserve 24/7 paramedic coverage