NH COG approves $200,000 supplemental state grant for housing and solid‑waste work

At a special Jan. 29 meeting, the NH COG board authorized its executive director to accept $200,000 in supplemental Regional Service Grant (RSG) funding under Public Act 25‑1 for the remainder of fiscal year 2025–26.

The funding is a prorated portion of a newly available state allocation of about $400,000 annually for each COG under Public Act 25‑1. Rob, presenting the proposal, said the COG is seeking $200,000 retroactive to Jan. 1 and explained how the money would be split: "$100,000 for the affordable housing work and then a $100,000, which can be either done with MS4 stormwater work or MSW," Rob said. He added the COG must spend any requested funds by June 30 because, he said, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will not permit extensions: "We needed to really target what we think we're going to spend through June 30… If you don't spend it, do you have to return it? Yeah. It's what's gonna happen."

Why it matters: the statute creates recurring RSG funds that Rob said amount to "almost a 100% increase" in NH COG’s annual RSG allocation. The board’s acceptance allows the COG to hire or contract for capacity needed to comply with the statute and to carry out regional projects in housing and solid waste/recycling over the next 6–12 months.

Board members debated staffing and contracting options. Rista, who outlined program priorities and operations for housing and the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority (NRA), described two staffing approaches: a full‑time regional planner (combining housing and downtown/main‑street duties) and a separate 1099 contractor to support MSW tasks. She said consultants will still be needed for data, outreach and report preparation but argued a dedicated regional staff person would bring continuity and local knowledge that consultants alone could not: "I don't think we're gonna get the commitment and the dedication and the regional knowledge that we need to make these plans… I think really having that full time employee… is what we need."

Council members pressed staff on reporting and long‑term costs. Dan asked whether unspent funds could be carried over and whether reporting is required; Rob said OPM clarified there would be "no extensions available" and that the COG would "have to report annually" on supplemental funds. Another council member expressed concern about adding full‑time positions funded by a grant and asked who would absorb costs if the statute or funding changed; Rob said positions would be re‑evaluated if funding were no longer available.

The motion to amend the FY25‑26 budget and authorize acceptance and administration of $200,000 in supplemental RSG funds was moved by Dave, seconded by Denise, and approved after members voted via reactions. One member, Winstead, was recorded as opposed; the chair declared the motion approved. The motion’s language, read into the record, authorized the executive director to take necessary actions to administer and expend the funds in accordance with the grant requirements and Public Act 25‑1, including the use of funds to support additional staffing capacity.

Next steps and implementation details: staff said they will limit the FY25‑26 request to funds they reasonably expect to spend through June 30 and will include the full $400,000 in next year’s budget planning. The COG also discussed office space options and possible lease modifications to accommodate new staff; Rob noted an option to take over an additional 750 square feet on a third floor as part of future overhead planning. Staff said further details on staffing, consultant scopes, and a statement of work will be brought back to the board for follow‑up.

Outcome: motion approved (one recorded dissent); no additional votes were taken. The meeting adjourned at 11:33 a.m.