New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signs executive Order streamlining veteran services ~ Courtesy Photo

Concord, NH – Today (Thursday) Governor Chris Sununu signed an executive order to initiate creation of one coordinated State operation for the provision of veterans services. The Governor was joined at the signing immediately after his State of the State address by guests David Meaney of the American Legion, Ray Goulet of the NH Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Paul Lloyd of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Ernest Sulloway of Disabled American Veterans.

“We must recognize a fundamental truth, that once a person signs those enlistment papers, they are a soldier for life,” said Governor Sununu.  “This executive order will bring coordinated veterans services under one roof in New Hampshire, which will bring resources together to streamline services for one simple goal: better outcomes for our veterans.”

The changes contemplated by the executive order will be a team effort involving Adjutant General Dave Mikolaities, the Veterans Council, the Office of Veterans Services (“OVS”), the Department of Health Human Services’ Bureau of Community Based Military Programs, and other Executive Branch officials and personnel.

The executive order directs the Adjutant General to develop and execute memorandums of understanding with both the Office of Veterans Services and the Bureau of Community Based Military Programs to provide for the streamlining and coordination of all veterans services provided by the State.  The memorandums of understanding will be executed within 60 days and fully implemented within 120 days.

Adjutant General Dave Mikolaities and OVS Director Bill Gaudreau also weighed in on the new executive order.

“New Hampshire’s veterans and their families will benefit immensely from having a single operation and point of contact for the services and benefits they have earned,” said Adjutant General Mikolaities. “I am grateful to Governor Sununu for his leadership and efforts on this issue, and the Adjutant General’s Department looks forward to working with the Office of Veterans Services and the Bureau of Community Based Military Programs to turn the Governor’s vision into a reality.”

“The Office of Veterans Services is excited to join the Adjutant General’s Department and the Bureau of Community Based Military Programs in this exciting and important initiative,” said OVS Director Bill Gaudreau. “The services provided by OVS will be greatly enhanced by this new coordinated effort.”

MADISON, NH – Madison Elementary School’s Mold problem has racked up quite a bill but they’re seeking a grant to help ease the burden.

According to the Conway Daily Sun the cost of eradicating the severe mold problem at the school cost approximately $1.3 million.

SAU 13 Superintendent Lou Goscinski told the Sun there is some good news when it comes to the cost, saying that the school is set to receive $400,000 through a grant from the state department barring approval by the Governor and executive council. Adding that they plan to apply for other grants as well to help with the costs of repair.

Goscinski also said that the school district is looking at a $1.3 million warrant article for the town to approve, but with the grant they’ll instead seek a $900,000 bond.

The school is currently in the process of repairing areas were damaged due to mold removal.

Luckily there have been no reported incidents of health impacts to students or teachers due to the mold.

In December a sink leak in one of the classroom closest resulted in water damage, which lead to mold in the area.

Goscinski said that as a precaution they had the whole school tested, which lead to the discovery that other locations had sustained water damage leading to more mold. School officials said they isolated and managed the contaminated areas according to the recommendations of Air quality management service Inc. with the assistance of Service Master Cleaners.

Goscinski said the Town Health inspector, Code Enforcement officer, as well as the State Officials were contacted when they discovered the problem.