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Commissioners press for progress on CDBG project, discuss Dartmouth gift and energy proposal
Summary
In other business, commissioners warned Southwest RPC to accelerate a Community Development Block Grant project or risk county action, discussed a reported $6.7 million Dartmouth‑Hitchcock gift for EMS capacity, and agreed to hear but vet a proposed Cheshire Power energy project for financial impacts.
Commissioners used routine business time on Oct. 16 to review several countywide items: a slow-moving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project overseen by the Southwest Regional Planning Commission (RPC); a reported large gift to Dartmouth‑Hitchcock; and interest from a developer about a potential energy project.
Chair reported that county staff had pressed Southwest RPC to accelerate project deliverables tied to a $1 million community development award and told RPC leaders that the county might recommend withdrawal of support to the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) if progress did not resume. Staff said RPC named a dedicated individual to move the project forward and will provide monthly reports to the commission.
Commissioners also discussed a public report that Dartmouth‑Hitchcock received a $6.7 million private donation intended to bolster ambulance/DART capacity. Local EMS stakeholders raised concerns about whether new resources might change regional service patterns; county staff said there were no plans for Dartmouth‑Hitchcock to divert existing local EMS business.
Separately, commissioners agreed to meet with representatives of a proposed energy project (referred to in discussion as Cheshire Power) but asked for clarity from the developer about whether the proposal would interfere with existing third‑party energy contracts or shift per‑kilowatt costs for county ratepayers. Commissioners said they would not move forward before receiving precise financial and contract information.
Other routine items included discussion of county website redesign and acceptance of the weekly manifest and Oct. 9 minutes; the commission adjourned after those votes.
