03/31/2020 Dover, NH- This afternoon, during an emergency meeting of the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) Executive Committee, the decision was made to suspend all fixed route service, and Route 7 On Demand, effective the end of business today, March 31. The decision was not arrived at easily, but it was felt it was the only one that could be made. The suspension will remain in place until May 4 and may be extended if the pandemic conditions warrant. "Our organization is extremely saddened with the decision that had to be made, but it is the best for the safety and health of our employees and passengers," said Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director.   For individuals who have purchased monthly passes for the month of April, COAST staff will work with customers individually to reimburse them for their monthly pass purchase.   COAST will continue to operate paratransit services for those individuals who qualify under the various programs of this type that COAST operates (ADA, Portsmouth Senior Transportation, Community Rides, and accessible rides for Ready Rides). New applicants for these services will continue to have their applications reviewed for eligibility as normal.   The service day for paratransit services will be from 5:15am to 6:00pm, Monday - Friday. There will be no service on Saturdays. COAST asks that riders consider limiting their trips for only purposes deemed essential. Costs for paratransit services will use the same fare structure as typical.   Future updates on COAST operations will be communicated through social media, DoubleMap app, on our website, and through the media.       City of Somersworth Brenda Ann Breda, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Robert M. Belmore

Mills Administration Takes Steps to Support Personal Care Workers, Maine Seniors in Response to COVID-19

March 30, 2020

Actions will accelerate benefits for personal care workers and residents who are home-bound

Governor Mills and Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Jeanne Lambrew announced today that the Administration is accelerating pay increases for personal care workers and expanding access to meals for older Mainers who are home-bound because of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Maine DHHS will accelerate MaineCare (Medicaid) rate increases that are designated to support pay raises for personal care workers, including personal support specialists, home health aides, private duty nurses, and other professionals who care for Maine’s older residents at home. Starting April 1, 2020, providers will receive rate increases that will allow them to fund pay raises for approximately 20,000 personal care workers, instead of on July 1, 2020 as previously approved by the Legislature.

“As COVID-19 continues to impact our state, we know our older residents and those who need personal care are at particular risk,” said Governor Mills. “To ensure everyone in Maine, especially our most vulnerable residents, have the care they need, we are expediting measures to support them and the dedicated workers who care for them as this pandemic continues.”

“It’s more important now than ever to ensure that older Mainers and those with disabilities can receive the care and nutritious meals they need at home,” said Commissioner Lambrew. “We’ll continue to act to support Maine seniors and personal care workers as Maine responds to COVID-19.”

The Legislature previously ratified this rate increase for the next State fiscal year, but in order to support these workers and their clients in response to COVID-19, DHHS has authorized using existing funds to begin all payment rate increases in the supplemental budget early.

The accelerated payments for personal care workers follow the Mills Administration’s earlier action to financially support Maine’s compassionate, quality long-term care providers, through an extraordinary circumstance allowance for nursing facilities announced last week.

Additionally, Maine has received $800,000 through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to support meals for older Mainers who are home-bound, and more federal funding is expected through future allotments. This is especially important at a time when the Governor encourages all Maine to people to stay home. DHHS expects to be able to provide its local partners with this support in the coming days. Meal delivery volunteers will knock at the door of each home and then step back to ensure that the meal is received while maintaining physical distancing.

Governor Mills Signs Executive Order to Fast Track Free Online Job Training at Maine’s Community Colleges

March 30, 2020

Order allows for greater flexibility to train workers online for critical jobs needed to address the effects of COVID-19

Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order allowing Maine Quality Centers (MQC) to swiftly address the changing demands in Maine’s job market due to widespread economic disruption caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Governor Mills’ order suspends certain restrictions, on an as-needed basis, on job training funds managed by the Maine Community College System’s MQC program. Suspending those restrictions, such as eligibility and employer matching funds, gives the MQC program more flexibility to rapidly provide free online training to people who have been displaced by the recent effects of COVID-19.

“Maine’s Community Colleges have always played a critical role in providing training and skills to strengthen our workforce. With the State battling COVID-19, that work is more important than ever,” said Governor Mills. “This Executive Order provides our Community College System with the flexibility it needs to enhance their workforce development efforts and help fill vital jobs, such as those in the health care field, as quickly as possible.”

“We are grateful the governor acted decisively so that Maine Quality Centers can get to work immediately, training people online to meet the incredible, sudden demands of our changing economic landscape,” Maine Community College System President David Daigler said. “So many people have lost their jobs because of COIVD-19. But overnight there is a huge demand for workers in certain jobs, such as medical assisting and pharmaceutical technicians. We need to give people the training and skills they need to step into those jobs as quickly as possible.”

Maine Quality Centers is working closely with workforce training professionals at all seven of Maine’s community colleges across the state to develop and implement free online training programs. MQC is coordinating its efforts with the Department of Labor and other workforce agencies for the recruitment and screening of participants in the new online programs.

Governor Chris Sununu Announces Extension of Business Tax, Interest and Dividend Payment Deadlines

Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu announced that the State will be extending business tax payment deadlines to June 15 for 98% of New Hampshire small businesses. The State will also be extending interest and divident payment deadlines to June 15 for 98% of interest and dividend taxpayers.

Additional information from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration can be found in the DRA press release and in the DRA Technical Information Release.

New Hampshire Boosts Unemployment Benefits, Federal Government To Pay

Concord, NH – Today, following the critical efforts and guidance of the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, Governor Chris Sununu signed the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus [CARES] Act agreement which provides New Hampshire with 100 percent funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to support benefit payments to people receiving unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are making every effort to provide assistance to families who are out of work during this time so that they can focus on what is most important – caring for their families and protecting their health by staying home," said Governor Sununu. "Over the past few weeks, New Hampshire's Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Deputy Commissioner Richard Lavers have been working closely with my office and our federal partners to address some of the most pressing issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. By signing this agreement today on behalf of the state of New Hampshire, the U.S. Department of Labor will fund the growing number of unemployment recipients in our state and help the unemployment trust fund to remain solvent through this crisis."

The Federal CARES Act provides the following enhancements to the benefits available under Governor Sununu's Emergency Order #5:

• Granite Staters affected by COVID-19 currently drawing from the State's Unemployment Insurance fund will in many instances be shifted to the Federally funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. We are still awaiting Federal guidance on this and will provide more detail as received. All claimants will not need to take any new, additional actions, and should continue to file as they have been through the standard state mechanism.
• For those eligible under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, there will be an increase of the minimum weekly benefit amount from $32/week to $168/week, which includes people earning less than $15,500 during their base period.
• An additional $600 per week to be added to an individuals weekly benefits for all weeks claimed starting this week — 100% federally funded.
• Extends the length of time a person can receive benefits by 13 weeks, totaling 39 weeks — 100% federally funded.

The Department of Employment Security has been hard at work in anticipation of these changes in order to be able to pay these additional benefits as soon as possible.

Please review the department's website at WWW.NHES.NH.GOV for updates as to when to expect to start receiving these benefits. Individuals can file for benefits by going to the department's website or by calling the Unemployment Assistance hotline at (603) 271-7700.

March 30, 2020

Dear Community and Chamber leaders,

During this challenging time for all of us, Eversource is providing several measures that will lessen the financial hardship on all our customers, including small businesses—the backbone of our communities.

In addition to postponing customer disconnections for non-payment and assisting customers with financial programs to help pay their bill, Eversource is also providing extended payment arrangements for small business customers. 

In normal operations, small business customers get up to three months for bill payment arrangements. To support small business customers through the COVID-19 crisis, Eversource is offering a $0 down payment and a 12-month payment arrangement, with the first payment not due until June 1.

The reliability of our essential service has never been more important than it is today during these uncertain times. With many people working from home, and students studying remotely, customers are increasingly relying on electronic devices to accomplish their goals.

Throughout the health crisis, be assured that Eversource is taking strict personal and public safety measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while also performing essential tasks to ensure all our customers have a safe and reliable energy system.

Essential work is that which maintains or improves the condition of our energy system to ensure safe and reliable service to customers. Examples include replacement of electrical lines, poles, and other equipment; installation of automated switches that speed restoration of customers following an outage; new utility connections; vegetation management along electric lines; and work mandated by law or regulation or as required by regional electric grid operator ISO-New England.

During this time, we are rescheduling all planned outages, as well as routine non-outage, service-related work inside residence or business.

Eversource is proud to be part of the communities we serve, and we are committed to serving all our customers during this difficult and uncertain time.

Best,

 

Penelope McLean-Conner

Sr. Vice President & Chief Customer Officer

 

3/27/2020

Dear Customers,

This is to clarify that "construction," and "home improvement," businesses are exempt from Governor Sununu's Stay At Home Order commencing at midnight tonight through May 4.  As such, we are open and continue to follow all protocols for sanitizing and social distancing, we are receiving our mill-work, and we continue to accept projects in homes that are not under quarantine. 

For those already scheduled, we will see you then.  Otherwise, we will be scheduling work already in Q shortly or, be waiting to hear from you. 

Here is to a safe and healthy journey through these trying times.

Yours most truly,

Tony Wold, President 

We Are Here To Help Your Small Business Things are changing rapidly and we will be updating you as we know more; stay tuned!   We here in the New Hampshire District Office want to support you during these challenging times. We have extended our business hours to accommodate the telephone and email inquiries from our small businesses until 7 pm each weekday and have office hours on Saturday from 9am to 3pm,  so please call us at 603-225-1400 or email us at NewHampshire_DO@sba.gov with any questions.  We are continuing our daily webinars each weekday at 9am and 2pm info here , and we will have virtual office hours on Saturdays at 10am and 2pm that you can access thru our Skype login  here or by calling (202) 765-1264 meeting # 522409519. As for the news, at this point we know what you know – something big is on its way.  Each business will need to decide for itself if it wants to pursue a disaster loan application at this time or if waiting for more news is preferred.  Applying for a disaster loan will not mean a business won’t be eligible for or cannot apply for other forms of assistance once they are available; and they do not have to accept or close on any loan that is offered.  Economic Injury Disaster Loans: As you know, we have a state-wide declaration in effect making these loans eligible.  The online application has been revamped and is available again.  Businesses interested in applying, should visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/, click ‘Apply Online’ and follow the instructions on downloading the necessary forms and uploading them to the secure link provided. UPDATE: The disaster loan website it’s up, it’s running and it’s accepting applications.  That’s the good news. Even better, a confirmation will appear after submitting your documents via the Box widget that the application has been received.  If you want to check in on the application status, you can call 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Breaking News In response to the COVID-19 National Emergency, the SBA Express Bridge Loan (EBL) Pilot Program has been modified and the term extended. The EBL Pilot Program is designed to supplement the Agency’s direct disaster loan capabilities and authorizes SBA Express Lenders to provide expedited SBA-guaranteed bridge loan financing on an emergency basis in amounts up to $25,000 for disaster-related purposes to small businesses located in communities affected by Presidentially-declared disasters while those small businesses apply for and await long-term financing (including through SBA’s direct Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, if eligible). Check our Lender List for SBA Express Lenders Stay Tune for New Developments                                          ********IMPORTANT*********** Some people are trying to scam others in SBA’s name. There is no immediate deadline for an EIDL application in fact you have until December 31, 2020 to file and it does NOT cost anything to apply, get the papers together, no credit card is needed, etc.  If you are asked for any of these STOP, do not continue it is a SCAM.

Resource Partners Assistance Free assistance with reconstructing financial records, preparing financial statements and submitting the loan application is available from any of SBA’s partners: Small Business Development Centers -NH SBDC SCORE Center for Women and Enterprise -CWE Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers or for more information  We have the up-to-date information and    for all the most recent events in NH Follow us  @SBA_NH

An update to our community. As we continue to see new cases of COVID-19 in New Hampshire, today we'd like to share more information about new ways to get care and new ways to lend your support.  COMMUNITY HOTLINE   Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's new COVID-19 Community Hotline will serve as a nursing triage phone line for those who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have general COVID-19 questions.    The COVID-19 Community Hotline is accessible by calling (603) 609-6000.   Operating Hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00.p.m.   Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   Depending on your symptoms, the Hotline nurses may direct you to the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Respiratory Illness Clinic outside of our Emergency Department at 789 Central Avenue. The clinic is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.    This Respiratory Illness Clinic is meant for patients experiencing moderate COVID-19 symptoms, such as severe coughing, fever (above 100.4), chills, and a general feeling of malaise or fatigue that prevents you from getting out of bed or off the couch. Those at high-risk for experiencing these COVID-19 symptoms include people who are age 70 or older, with severe lung disease (asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, emphysema, etc.), severe heart disease, those on dialysis, among others.    Please note that patients experiencing a medical emergency should always call 9-1-1.

HOW YOU CAN HELP We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the community support we have received. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time and resources to create masks by hand, donated other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), meals to our staff, or offered support in other ways.  We continue to receive messages from community members asking how they can help and we have provided a couple of avenues for this below.  Messages to our Care Team Our staff has been working around the clock to make sure the community is safe while giving personal care and attention to every patient. Sometimes the greatest gift our staff members can receive is a “thank you” from a patient or family member. We are asking the community to share words of encouragement and appreciation for our tireless and dedicated staff. Please feel free to share your thoughts via email at comrelations@wdhospital.org or by commenting on Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Facebook page. Donating Medical Supplies We are turning to our community to ask for its help in donating urgently needed medical supplies, such as masks, hand sanitizer, non-latex gloves, and digital thermometers. Donated items can be dropped off at the hospital's main entrance (across from the parking garage), Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The address is 789 Central Avenue in Dover. Read more about our supply needs.  Wentworth-Douglass Emergency Response Fund If you don't have medical supplies to donate but would like help, please consider making a gift to the Wentworth-Douglass Emergency Response Fund. Your gift truly makes a difference during these unprecedented times. For more information about the fund, please call the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation at (603) 740-2687.

REMINDER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SYMPTOMS... If you are experiencing common symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever or cough, please CALL your primary health care provider first or the WDH Community Hotline (603-609-6000). For your safety and the safety of others, please do not come to an urgent care clinic or emergency room unless you have been instructed to do so.  The availability of timely and accessible testing for COVID-19 continues to be a concern. To preserve supplies so we can best serve those most in need, the hospital will ONLY test individuals who meet specific testing criteria. We will update the community if that changes   Remember that we can all do our part to help slow the spread of transmission by practicing good public health habits, including maintaining social distancing, washing hands frequently, and staying home if you are sick.  Please visit our Coronavirus Updates page for more detailed information.

March 27, 2020

In response to the extraordinary generosity of Maine people, businesses, and organizations looking to help during these challenging times, Governor Janet Mills today launched a new online resource, coronavirus.maine.gov/mainehelps, to outline ways in which Maine people can support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The kindness and generosity of Maine people during this challenging time is nothing short of inspiring. I want to thank all of you for stepping up with innovative solutions to ensure your neighbors and fellow citizens have what they need,” said Governor Mills. “This resource will help those looking to lend a hand and encourage more Maine people to target their skills, resources, and time in the most effective and safe ways to do the most good for our state.” 

The new resource, which will be updated regularly, outlines four predominate ways Maine people can address immediate needs: 1) financial assistance; 2) health care and medical assistance; 3) small business assistance; and 4) connections with family, friends, and neighbors. 

Extending Financial Support:

The Governor is encouraging people to direct financial support to the state’s nine United Ways, which administers local relief funds for COVID-19 to support critical needs such as food and shelter. Details about those funds are available at: unitedwaysofmaine.org/covid. 

“These funds are a concrete way for people in Maine to donate to the county or counties that they wish to support,” said Joleen Bedard, executive director of the United Way of Androscoggin County and president of the United Ways of Maine. “Mainers are generous, and the United Ways of Maine greatly appreciate their support as we respond to the emergency needs of people in our community.”

The Governor is also encouraging Maine people to look to the Maine Community Foundation, which is distributing grants from a statewide emergency response fund to regional and community-based nonprofits, area agencies on aging, community action programs, homeless shelters, and food pantries that are responding to COVID-19. Details are available at: mainecf.org/initiatives-impact/COVID-19-response/ 

“While all Maine people are responding to challenges from COVID-19, for some it is a matter of actual survival,” said Steve Rowe, president of the Maine Community Foundation. “If ever there was a time to help our vulnerable neighbors, this is it.”

Supporting the Health Care and Medical Response: 

• The Governor is encouraging Maine people to donate certified medical supplies, like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), through THIS ONLINE FORM. While Governor Mills deeply appreciates Maine people who have volunteered to make masks, the Maine CDC is not recommending that health care providers use donated homemade masks at this time because they may not meet certification standards.
• The Governor is encouraging medical providers and public health professionals with requisite medical experience to volunteer through MaineResponds.org.

• The Governor also encourages Maine people to donate blood via the American Red Cross of Maine, which is experiencing a critical shortage of blood donations.

Supporting Local Small Businesses:

• Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy, and COVID-19 is taking a serious toll on them. The Governor encourages Maine people to safely support local businesses through efforts like PayitForwardMaine while being mindful of crucial physical distancing guidelines and using online transactions or pickup and delivery services.

Mainers Connecting With Mainers:

• Most importantly, Governor Mills encourages all Maine people to ensure the COVID-19 epidemic does not also become an epidemic of loneliness, as the imperative of physical distancing to combat the spread of this virus keeps families, friends and neighbors apart for extended periods of time.

While keeping physical distance is paramount, now is the time to strengthen and renew social bonds with friends, family and community. Make a phone call. Use video tools, like FaceTime or Zoom, to have face-to-face conversations. Connect on social networks to engage with your community and identify businesses or other services you may need or wish to support.

For additional information and resources, and to stay informed on the latest updates on Maine’s response to COVID-19, visit http://coronavirus.maine.gov/