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August 12, 2026

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R:\Linda Harris\Commissioners\2026 Minutes\0812.docx 
 
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COÖS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING 
Coös County Administrative Offices 
34 County Farm Road – Stewartstown, NH 
August 12, 2026 
 
Present: Commissioners Thomas Brady, Raymond Gorman and Robert Théberge; County 
Administrator Mark Brady; Superintendent of Corrections Ben Champagne; Director of Finance 
Carrie Klebe; Nursing Home Administrator Louise Belanger; Nursing Hospital Administrator 
Ashley Hodge; Assistant Finance Manager Christine Labelle; HR Coordinator Morgan DeBlois; 
County Treasurer Sue Collins; Sheriff Keith Roberge; Deputies Bert Vondohrmann, Karyssa 
Lachance, Jennifer Lemoine; Chief Michael Matson; Captain Adrian Reyes; Jim Richardson; 
Katy Easterly Marley, Executive Director & Rebecca Boisvert, Director of Community 
Development; Bob Gargano, Town of Gorham; Administrative Assistant Linda Harris and 
members of the public. 
 
 1. Chairman Brady called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone. The 
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nursing Home Administrator Louise Belanger.  
 
 2. Approval of the Agenda.  A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by 
Commissioner Théberge to approve the agenda.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 3. Approval of the Minutes of July 17, 2026, meeting, as distributed.  A motion was made by 
Commissioner Gorman seconded by Commissioner Théberge to approve the minutes of 
July 17, 2026, meeting.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 4. Approval of Payrolls & Disbursements for July and authorization during the month of August to 
meet all payroll obligations and pay all other obligations due during the month: A motion was 
made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to approve the 
Payrolls & Disbursements for July and authorization during the month of August to meet all 
payroll obligations and pay all other obligations due during the month.  The motion was 
approved 3-0. 
 
 5. Correspondence.  The following correspondence was presented to the Board: 
• 
An email was received from Mike Waddell resigning from the Coös County Planning 
Board and the Nash Stream Advisory Committee.  A motion was made by 
Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to accept the resignation 
with regret.  The motion was approved 3-0.  Commissioner Gorman requested a letter 
from the Board, signed by the Board, thanking him for his years of service.   
• 
A letter from Don Lacasse, Town of Gorham, requesting an appointment to the Coös 
County Zoning Board of Adjustment.  The item will be placed on the September agenda. 
 
 6. Other Business: 
 
a. Capt. Adrian Reyes presented the Division of Forests and Lands Expenditures for the 
period January – June 2026. 
 
 
b. Jim Richardson – Unincorporated Places Hazard Mitigation Overview  
• 
Adoption of the Coös County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026.   

 
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Mr. Richardson stated that Coös was the first county with a Hazard Mitigation Plan in 
New Hampshire.  Once adopted he will submit the plan to FEMA.  This will allow the 
county to apply for grants.  Commissioner Gorman read the following: 
 
CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION 
COÖS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 
 
 
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE COÖS COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 
 
 
WHEREAS, Coös County has historically experienced severe damage from natural hazards and it 
continues to be vulnerable to the effects of those natural hazards profiled in this plan, resulting in 
loss of property and life, economic hardship and threats to public health and safety; and 
 
 
WHEREAS, Coös County has developed and received approval pending adoption from the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026 under the 
requirements of 44 CFR 201.6; and 
 
 
WHEREAS, public and committee meetings were held between October 28,2024 and September 10, 
2025 regarding the development their Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026 and 
 
 
WHEREAS, the Plan specifically addresses hazard mitigation action items and Plan maintenance 
procedure for the unincorporated areas of Coös County; and 
 
 
WHEREAS, the Plan recommends several hazard mitigation actions/projects that will provide 
mitigation for specific natural hazards that impact the unincorporated areas of Coös County with 
the effect of protecting people and property from loss associated with those hazards; and 
 
 
WHEREAS, adoption of this Plan will make Coös County of eligible for funding to alleviate the 
impacts of future hazards; now therefore be it 
 
 
RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners: 
 
 
1. The Plan is hereby adopted as an official plan encompassing the unincorporated areas of Coös 
County; 
 
 
2. The respective officials identified in the mitigation strategy of the Plan are hereby directed to 
pursue implementation of the recommended actions assigned to them; 
 
 
3. Future revisions and Plan maintenance required by 44 CFR 201.6 and FEMA are hereby 
adopted as a part of this resolution for a period of five (5) years from the date of this resolution; 
 
 
4. An annual report on the progress of the implementation elements of the Plan shall be presented 
to the County Commissioners. 
 
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to 
adopt the resolution as read.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 

 
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Commissioner Gorman thanked everyone who put in the hard work to accomplish this 
project.  The County Administrator noted that the genesis of this project was the erosion of 
the riverbank in Wentworth Location. 
 
 
c. Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) (9:30 a.m.) 
  
 
Katy Easterly Martey, Executive Director & Rebecca Boisvert, Director of Community 
Development. 
 
 
 
Ms. Easterly Martey began by providing on overview of the Federal Rural Health 
Transformation & Go-North Program. 
 
 
 
Strategic Goals of Rural Health Transformation: 
• 
Make Rural America Healthy Again 
• 
Sustainable Access 
• 
Workforce Development 
• 
Innovative Care 
• 
Tech Innovation 
 
 
 
Go-North Program Priorities: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sixty (60%) percent of the Total NH Award was contracted by five entities in New 
Hampshire: 
• 
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) 
• 
Foundation for Healthy Communities 
• 
University System of NH 
• 
Community College System of NH 
• 
Community Behavioral Health Association 
 
 
 
Go-North received 40% of the Total NH Award. 
 
 
 
Ms. Boisvert reviewed the Rural Community Health Infrastructure Program (RCHIP). 
 
Initiative# 
NH Initiatives 
RHT Goal 
Alignment 
Summary 
1 
Rural 
Population 
Health  
Make Rural 
America Healthy 
Again 
Make rural NH healthier through evidence based,  
outcomes-driven interventions to improve diseases  
prevention, CDM, behavioral health and perinatal care 
2 
Rural 
Healthcare 
Access  
Sustainable 
Access, 
Workforce 
Development 
Create sustainable long-term access to care for rural  
residents through transformational care models and  
partnerships that allow rural facilities and clinicians to work with primary care, 
specialty care, and EMS providers to coordinate operations, sharing technology 
and resources  
3 
Rural Workforce 
Recruitment 
and Retention  
Workforce 
Development 
Attract train and retain highly-skilled healthcare workforce in NH by 
strengthening recruitment and retention of current healthcare workers and 
providing opportunities for new entrants to the healthcare workforce 
4 
Rural Health 
Technology  
Tech Innovation 
Adopt innovative technologies to modernize care delivery in rural communities 
to promote efficiency, data security, and access to digital health tools by rural 
facilities, providers, and patients 
5 
Rural Financial 
Solvency  
Sustainable 
Access, 
Innovative Care 
Develop innovative care models to improve health outcomes, coordinate care, 
and promote flexible payment arrangements 

 
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The focus of budget period 1 (March 2026 – September 2027): 
• 
Expand service capacity in communities 
• 
Reduce barriers to care 
• 
Support integration of primary care, behavioral health, and long-term care 
• 
Enable adopt of telehealth, data systems and team-based care models. 
 
 
 
Budget period 1 eligible entities: 
• 
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Look-alike 
• 
Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) 
• 
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Providers 
• 
County-run Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities 
 
 
 
County-run Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities are considered high priority: 
• 
Restoration or renovation of existing space to bring beds back online 
• 
Reconfiguration of units to support short-term rehabilitation or transitional care 
• 
Facility improvements that support care coordination, including space for discharge 
planning or case management 
• 
Renovations that improve physical layout, accessibility, and patient movement 
within the facility 
• 
Integration of space supporting remote monitoring or coordinated care functions 
 
 
 
Ms. Easterly Martey stated that two projects from the County were submitted for 
consideration.  Coös WS was determined to be eligible.  Applications will be re-
submitted for scoring and are due by September 1, 2026.  Award letters will be going out 
around November 1, 2026. 
 
 
 
The County Administrator noted that the application that is due by September 1, 2026, 
will not have an identified site. Donna Lane is working on the application.  He said the 
site must be identified by the end of October, with work beginning by Spring of 2027. 
Ms. Easterly Martey expects the requests to be made through two budget periods.   
 
 
 
Lynn Dorman, Stewartstown resident, asked if this could be discussed further with a 
concerned group who wants to save the West Stewartstown nursing hospital. 
 
 
 
Lynn Dorman handed copies of tax maps and property tax cards on the West 
Stewartstown properties and Colebrook property and asked why the county would put 
a new facility on an acre of land in Colebrook when it owns so much property in W. 
Stewartstown 
 
 
 
Commissioner Gorman said he understands the timeline, that steps are being followed, 
and the county is being transparent. 
 
 
 
The County Administrator added that technical assistance grant is being used to hire 
experts that will determine what is the most viable location for the nursing home and 
the decision will be made that is in the best interest of the county and its taxpayers.  He 

 
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noted that the county cannot please everyone since residents of Colebrook or West 
Stewartstown will be upset with the decision.  
 
 
d. Report of RFQ Responses.  The County Administrator reported that the deadline was 
Friday, August 7, 2026.  There were eight responses which were reviewed and four were 
selected for interviews on Tuesday, with one respondent declining to be interviewed.  A 
final decision will be made on Thursday, August 13th.  A motion was made by 
Commissioner Théberge, seconded by Commissioner Gorman to authorize the County 
Administrator to move forward with a contract once the review committee has decided.  
The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 
e. Budget Transfers.  The following budget transfers were presented to the Board for 
approval: 
 
 
 
Coös County Nursing Hospital: 
TRANSFE
R 
FROM/TO 
ACCOUNT 
ORG 
ACCOUNT 
OBJECT 
ACCOUNT NAME 
JUSTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER REQUEST 
AMOUNT 
To: 01-01-4412 
1000 
Director of Nursing Salary 
Acting Administrator stipend 
$3,500.00 
From: 01-01-4411 
1000 
Administrator's Salary 
Money in account 
($3,500.00) 
To: 01-01-4411 
6000 
Dues/Licenses/Subscription 
Increase costs of dues/Administrator costs 
$1,100.00 
From: 01-01-4411 
1000 
Administrator's Salary 
Money in account 
($1,100 00) 
 
 
 
Coös County Nursing Home: 
TRANSFER 
FROM/TO 
ACCOUNT 
ORG 
ACCOUNT 
OBJECT 
 
ACCOUNT NAME 
 
JUSTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER REQUEST 
 
AMOUNT 
To: 02-02-4422 
2000 
Health Insurance 
Employee changed from Opt out to family plan 
& HSA payment 
 
$32,690.00 
From: 02-02-4413 
2000 
Health Insurance 
Money in account 
 
(S32.690.00) 
To: 02-02-4423 
5000 
New Equipment 
Purchased machine for Outpatient Therapy 
 
$5,200.00 
From: 02-02-4413 
5000 
New Equipment 
Money in account 
 
($5.200.00) 
 
 
 
County Administration: 
TRANSFER 
FROM/TO 
ACCOUNT 
ORG 
ACCOUNT 
OBJECT 
 
ACCOUNT NAME 
 
JUSTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER REQUEST 
 
AMOUNT 
To:
03034130 
1005 
DOC Advisor 
Professional Service 
 
$10,000.00 
From:
03034150 
3001 
Professional Services 
Transfer for Advisor 
 
($10.000.00) 
 
 
 
Coös County Sheriff’s Department: 
TRANSFER 
FROM/TO 
ACCOUNT 
ORG 
ACCOUNT 
OBJECT 
 
ACCOUNT NAME 
 
JUSTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER REQUEST 
 
AMOUNT 
To:
03094211 
1002 
Deputy Special Details 
$20,000.00 
To:
03094211 
4000 
Other Supplies & Expenses 
$1,000.00 
To:
03094211 
3067 
Deputy OHRV Expense 
$1,000.00 
From: 
03094211 
3000 
Contracted Services 
($22 000.00) 

 
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Coös County Department of Corrections: 
TRANSFER 
FROM/TO 
 
ACCOUNT  
ORG 
ACCOUNT 
OBJECT 
 
ACCOUNT NAME 
 
JUSTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER REQUEST 
 
AMOUNT 
To:
03114230 
1001 
Sergeants' Salaries 
Unplanned retirement 
$30,420.00
From: 
03114230 
1111 
Retirements/Resignations 
($30.420 00) 
To:
03114230 
3040 
IT Hardware/Equipment 
Securus previous year invoice 
$28,000.00 
To: 
03114230 
3408 
Inmate Pay 
$1,000.00 
From: 
03114902 
5014 
Video Camera Security 
($25,000.00)
From: 
03114230 
3220 
Building 
Repairs/Maintenance 
($4,000.00) 
 
 
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to 
approve the budget transfers, as presented.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 
f. 
Second Reading/Approval of Public Comment Policy. 
 
Public Comment Policy 
Purpose  
The purpose of this policy is to ensure orderly, efficient, and equitable public participation during 
meetings of the Coös County Board of Commissioners, while allowing adequate time for all 
interested parties to be heard.  
 
Definitions  
For the purposes of this policy:  
 
 
Board: Refers to the Coös County Board of Commissioners.  
 
 
Chairperson: The presiding officer of the Board meeting, or their designee.  
 
 
Public Comment Period: A designated portion of a public meeting during which members 
of the public may address the Board on matters within its jurisdiction.  
 
 
Disruptive Behavior: Includes, but is not limited to, shouting, interrupting speakers or 
Board members, using profane or threatening language, or failing to yield the floor when time 
has expired or when ruled out of order.  
 
Right to Know Law: New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) Chapter 91-A, 
which governs public access to government meetings and records.  
 
Policy Statement  
The Board of Commissioners encourages public attendance and participation. To promote 
fairness, transparency, and a productive meeting structure, the following rules shall govern the 
public comment period (not a public hearing):  
 
1. One person speaks at a time (no interrupting), and no one speaks until recognized by the 
chair.  Public comment is time for members of the public to speak; it is not a “question and 
answer session” with the public body. 
 

 
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2. Speaking Time. Each member of the public who wishes to address the Board during the 
designated public comment period shall be restricted to three (3) minutes to speak. Speakers 
may speak for longer only if the Board agrees to extend the time for each speaker, and only to 
the extent that the Board approves the extension.  Individuals shall not be allowed to yield or 
donate their time to other individuals to circumvent the time limitation set forth herein. 
Individuals wishing to speak will not be allowed to address the Board more than once during 
the public comment session. 
 
3. Time Management. A timer or similar device may be used to monitor and enforce time 
limits.  
 
4. In accordance with RSA 91-A:2, each speaker must state their name for the record. In 
addition, each speaker shall identify their address and the subject matter or matters they will 
discuss. Speakers should address the issue(s) directly and as briefly as possible. Matters 
raised during public comment shall be limited to matters within the Board’s purview. 
Speakers who raise matters outside the Board’s purview may be ruled out of order. Examples 
of matters that may be ruled out of order include, but are not limited to, promotion of private 
businesses or products, disputes between private citizens, complaints about other County 
boards, and other items that do not implicate the County or matters within the Board’s 
purview. 
 
5. Respect and Decorum. Public speakers addressing the Board must conduct themselves in a 
civil manner.  Obscene, slanderous, defamatory, vulgar, disruptive, repetitious, disorderly, or 
violent statements will be considered out of order and will not be tolerated.  
 
6. Comments Involving Personnel or Private Individuals. Public comments regarding 
individual County employees or private individuals, or any matter that may infringe on 
another person's right to privacy, will not be permitted during the public comment period. 
Such concerns should be directed to the Human Resources Coordinator or County 
Administrator during normal business hours.  
 
7. Enforcement. A speaker or speakers who do not follow these rules after being warned to do so 
by the Chair of the Board may be subject to one or more of the following actions: (a) requiring 
the speaker to yield the floor, (b) terminating the public comment period for that meeting, (c) 
taking a temporary recess, (d) demanding that the violating speaker(s) leave the premises, (e) 
seeking to have the individual removed by a law enforcement officer, or (f) any combination of 
the foregoing actions and/or such other actions as may be deemed appropriate by the Board. 
 
Implementation  
This policy shall be posted on the Coös County website and referenced at applicable Board 
meetings and copies available at Board meetings where public comment is being permitted.  
 
Legal Authority  
This policy is adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the Board of Commissioners and in 
accordance with RSA 91-A: 2 (Meetings Open to the Public), which requires that meetings of 
public bodies be open and accessible to the public. While public participation is not mandated by 

 
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RSA 91-A, this policy is intended to foster transparency and encourage informed public 
involvement. 
 
 
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to 
approve the Public Comment Policy.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 
g. Renewal of Legislative Solutions Contract.  A motion was made by Commissioner 
Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to authorize the renewal of the 
Legislative Solutions contract in the amount of $98,000 for 2026/2027. 
 
 7. Report of the Sheriff’s Department. 
• 
Sheriff Roberge introduced Deputy Jennifer Lemoine, the SRO for the school in 
Lancaster. 
• 
Deputy Vondohrmann distributed an updated report on the department’s activities. 
 
 8. Report of the County Administrator Mark A. Brady.  The written report that was submitted to 
the Board in advance of the meeting was as follows.   
 
  COÖS COUNTY 
 
a. Congratulations to Ashley Hodge who passed all the regulatory tests and is now the 
Nursing Home Administrator for the W. Stewartstown Nursing Hospital. 
 
 
b. Commissioner Gorman and the County Administrator attended a meeting of the Carbon 
Sequestration Programs Study Commission in Concord (agenda is attached). 
 
 
c. The County is reviewing the proposal from Grafton to host its male inmates.  The 
County has also had discussions with the State of New Hampshire Department of 
Corrections about housing the inmates at the Berlin Correctional Facility. 
 
 
d. The RFQ for a technical assistance advisor (engineering, architectural, and construction 
management) to determine the viability of potential sites that could utilize the Rural 
Transformation Healthcare Funds closed on August 7, 2026. There were eight 
submissions 
 
 
e. The County submitted a COPS Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request to the 
US Department of Justice for the Sheriff’s Department for $175,000 to be used for UAS 
and training, CSI interconnect hardware, P-25 compliant radios, and software that is 
compatible with statewide network. 
 
 
f. 
The County submitted a Health Resources and Services Administration CDS request for 
a retro-fit of the fire alarm panel and new generator (including acquisition and 
installation) for CCNH -Berlin. 
 
 
g. CCNH-Belin elevator bids were due by August 7, 2026.   
 
 
h. The BRIC Grant for Engineering and scoping has been updated for New Hampshire 
Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM), which was approved in July, and 

 
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moved to FEMA for consideration.  This is a nationally competitive grant and the 
adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan by the Commissioners is needed before FEMA 
can award a grant to the County. The County is not guaranteed an award. 
 
 
i. 
The US Senate's FY 2027 Continuing Resolution includes a provision that blocks OMB 
from finalizing its CFR Part 200 Uniform Guidance proposed rule through December 11, 
2026. It also closes the loophole where OMB could have rushed to finalize the rule right 
before the CR passes. The National Association of Counties (NACO) had been working 
with Senate offices over the last few weeks, and sent a letter to Sens. Thune, Schumer, 
Collins, and Murray urging the delay.   
 
 
 
The bottom line is that no new Uniform Guidance rule can take effect before December 
11, which buys time to keep working toward a permanent fix. 
 
 
 
In terms of next steps - NACO wants to keep the pressure on, so this survives to 
becoming law. Specifically, they are asking county leaders to:  
 
• 
Reach out to their US Senators - thank them for including the provision and urge 
them to support passage of the CR. 
 
• 
Reach out to their US Representatives - encourage them to support the Senate's 
CR language once it comes to the House. 
 
UNINCORPORATED PLACES 
 
a. Tax lien redemptions were received from taxpayers in Millsfield and Odell. 
  
 
b. Applications for Reimbursement to Towns & Cities with State & Federal Lands were 
completed, signed and emailed to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue 
Administration (DRA) (Equalization). 
  
 
c. The Coös County Zoning Board of Adjustment received two variance applications.  The 
Public Hearings have been scheduled for September 3, 2026, at 6 p.m. Errol Town Hall. 
  
 
d. The tax collector submitted to the assessors’ pickups for general assessing. 
  
 
e. The PILT distribution for National Forest lands was submitted to the DRA for 
Equalization. 
  
 
f. 
The tax collector requested MS-1 extension from the DRA. 
  
 
g. The Planning Board will meet on August 11, 2026, and the next scheduled meeting is 
September 15, 2026, at the Resource Center in Lancaster at 4:30 pm. 
 
 9. Report of the Superintendent of Corrections Ben Champagne.  The written report that was 
submitted to the Board in advance of the meeting was as follows: 
 
 

 
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10 
HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS 
2 
 
PRETRIAL 
 
13 
NH STATE PRISON INMATES 
0 
OTHER COUNTY INMATES 
2 
TOTAL IN FACILITY 
17 
ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM 
0 
WORK RELEASE PROGRAM 
0 
FURLOUGH 
0 
HELD AT OTHER FACILITIES 
HOC= HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS 
PT= PRETRIAL 
GRAFTON DOC:4 PT FEMALES, 1 HOC FMALE, 1 PT MALE  
STRAFFORD DOC: 1 PT MALE 1 PT FEMALE NHSP: 1 HOC MALE, 1 PT MALE  
SPU: 1 PT MALE ROCKINGHAM DOC:1 PT MALE  
CHESHIRE DOC: 1 HOC MALE, 1 PT MALE MERRIMACK DOC: 1 PT MALE 
TOTAL POPULATION  
32 
AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION JULY 
16 
MALE DAYS SERVED IN FACILITY JULY 
501 
FEMALE DAYS SERVED JULY 
211 (15 FEMALES) 
FEDERAL INMATE DAYS JULY 
0 
TOTAL INMATES BOOKED JULY 
32 
TOTAL INMATES RELEASED JULY 
37 
 
 
a. The percentage of Opioid Use Disorders (OUD’s) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD’s) 
among new intakes continues to be high: 88% of new inmates were identified as having 
an OUD/ SUD during the month of July.  
 
 
b. Superintendent Champagne had a meeting with Kevin O’Neil from Medusind on 
August 10, 2026, to learn about opportunities under the Medicaid 1115 waiver program. 
Medusind works with counties to access revenues for certain medical services for the 
inmate population.  
 
 
c. Superintendent Champagne reports that a meeting has been scheduled with the member 
towns of the Coös County Recycling Center on August 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Coös 
County Administrative Office building. This meeting will serve to provide updates on 
operations and provide options for the towns in the event the department of corrections 
cannot provide inmate labor to the program. 
 
 
33
26
22
20
19
19
23
16
29
23
22
26
35
39
40
32
0
10
20
30
40
50
Dec-25
Jan-26
Feb-26
Mar-26
Apr-26
May-26
Jun-26
Jul-26
2026 POPULATION STATISTICS
AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION IN FACILITY
FACILITY BOOKINGS
TOTAL CUSTODY AT MONTH END

 
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10. Report of the Berlin Nursing Home Administrator Louise Belanger.  The written report that was 
submitted to the Board in advance of the meeting was as follows: 
 
 
a. Current Census: 80. Occupancy Rate: 80%.  SNF 5.  Private Pay 11.  Medicaid Pending 
20.  
 
 
 
July 2026 Census Data: Admissions 1.  Deaths 1.  Discharges 1.  Transfers out 6.  
Transfers in 6.  Average daily census is 78.1%. 
 
 
 
Year to Date: Admissions 29.  Deaths 10.  Discharges 14.  Transfers out 30.  Transfers in 
28.  Average daily census is 78.2%. 
 
 
b. Open Positions: RN/LPN: 548 hours, 13.7 FTEs.  LNAs: 1868 hours, 46.7 FTEs.   
 
 
c. Agency/Travel Staff: RN: 2 (96 hours/week), LPN: 4 (192 hours/week), LNA: 10 (480 
hours/week).  Utilizing NHES, Indeed.com, County Website, and occasionally the Local 
News Papers for advertising of open positions. 
 
 
d. COVID-19: Currently there are no confirmed cases for residents or staff. 
 
 
e. Nursing Home Administrator was pleased to announce that Ashley Hodge has passed 
her National, State, and Core exams for her Nursing Home Administrator’s license and 
received her license on July 29.  Ashley started her position as Nursing Hospital 
Administrator on August 1.  NHA Belanger will continue to work at the Nursing 
Hospital approximately 2-3 days per month.   
    
 
f. 
Facility Assessment: This assessment is updated yearly by the NHA and is reviewed 
during the annual Medicare/Medicaid recertification survey.  Administrator Belanger is 
updating the Berlin facility assessment, and Administrator Hodge is currently working 
on the Nursing Hospital facility assessment. 
 
 
g. HealthPro Heritage, rehab provider, is actively working on setting up outpatient rehab.  
All purchased equipment that was needed has been received.  Staff are working with 
First Atlantic, our billing company, to ensure we have the appropriate set up for 
collections. Update: New forms were needed, HealthPro Heritage has now provided.  
The Business office is currently being set up to access insurance providers in order to do 
prior authorizations and inquire about specific coverage for clients. 
 
 
h. AFSCME: No further information is available regarding follow-up on mediation. 
 
 
i. 
Sunshine Committee: Hosted an Ice Cream bar for all staff on July 10.  We also had a 
raffle of three gift certificates to a local restaurant.  The event was enjoyed by all.   
 
 
j. 
QAPI Meeting: QAPI meeting was held on July 21.  Focus areas are based on our most 
recent Medicare/Medicaid recertification survey results.  We are reviewing services for 
wound care, that would be provided at the nursing home at no cost to the facility, 
currently residents are transported to Lancaster to see a provider.  A contract with 

 
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12 
Northern New England Wound Care is being reviewed for Berlin and West 
Stewartstown.  
 
 
k. Podiatry services are no longer provided at the nursing home.  Residents needing 
services must now be transferred to the providers’ office. We are looking into other 
podiatry providers that may want to visit the facility to provide care.  
 
 
l. 
CDBG Grant: November 11, 2025, we were awarded the CDBG grant for the elevators at 
CCNH-Berlin.  I am currently waiting for updates from Pam Urban Morin to begin the 
project. 
 
 
m. Paperwork was completed for another CDBG grant on February 27.  This is related to 
our walk-in freezer and walk-in refrigerator in the dietary department, and HVAC 
systems for the resident areas. No updates are available at this time.   
    
 
n. Meetings/Committee Reports: 
 
• 
NHAC Nursing Home Affiliate – no meeting in July. 
• 
NHAC Executive Committee – Monthly via zoom. 
• 
Medicaid meeting with DHHS – Monthly via zoom.  
• 
Commissioner meeting July 8 and July 17.  
• 
Delegation meeting July 20. 
• 
Safety meeting July 6.  
• 
Medical Solutions – on site visit with agency account managers on July 30.  Nursing 
Hospital staff also attended (NHA, DON, Staff Development and Restorative 
Nurse/Quality Assurance Nurse).   
 
At the meeting, the County Administrator and the Nursing Home Administrator 
reported that the nursing home currently has 20 residents who are Medicaid pending 
and are not receiving payment from the state.  The state is currently restructuring and 
notified the Nursing Home Administrator that they would not resume monthly 
meetings until October.  Representative Tremblay became involved with the issue, and 
the state will now meet in September, however the state will only go back three months 
should a second Medicaid application be needed.  The need for a second application is 
common; most families have a difficult time obtaining all the information required for a 
Medicaid application to be approved. Once approved, the full amount due to the county 
is not paid, but only for the last 3 months.  The County Administrator noted that this is a 
cash flow and balance sheet issue with the auditors requesting balances be written off 
after a certain amount of time. 
 
11. Report of the West Stewartstown Nursing Hospital Administrator Ashley Hodge.  The written 
report that was submitted to the Board in advance of the meeting was as follows: 
 
 
a. Current Census: 59, Occupancy Rate: 88.1% based on a bed count of 67.  Private Pay 13.  
Vermont Medicaid 11.  NH Medicaid 29.  Medicaid Pending NH 5.   
 
 
Medicaid Pending VT 1 
 

 
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13 
 
 
July 2026 Census Data: Admissions 4.  Deaths 3.  Average daily census is 57.90 
 
 
 
Year to Date Totals: Admissions 23.  Deaths 19.  Discharges 1.  Average daily census is 
56.05 
 
 
b. Open Positions: RN open FTEs 10.9 --LNA open FTEs: 27.2. Currently we have 9 agency 
LNAs and 3 agency LPNs.  
 
 
c. Covid-19: No cases reported at this time. 
 
 
d. Nursing Home Administrator: continues to work at the Nursing Hospital one to two 
days per week. 
 
 
e. Nursing Hospital Administrator: All federal and state exams were passed; license was 
issued on July 29.  The Nursing Hospital and Nursing Home administrators will 
continue to work closely together to ensure continuity across both nursing homes.  
 
 
f. 
Facility Assessment: This assessment is updated annually by the Nursing Home 
Administrator (NHA) and is reviewed during the annual Medicare/Medicaid 
recertification survey. Administrator Hodge is updating the Nursing Hospital facility 
assessment. 
 
 
g. Sunshine Committee: Staff are working on getting more involvement in the sunshine 
committee Staff are planning to meet mid-August to brainstorm some ideas for 
fundraising. 
 
 
h. Activities Department: Kara Marquis, Activities Director, has expressed interest in 
bringing back the much-loved annual craft fair. An advertisement has already been 
posted, and there has been an overwhelming response from community vendors 
expressing interest in participating. 
 
 
i. 
North Country Rural Health Transformation: We are in the RFQ phase.  
  
 
j. 
QAPI and the QAA: Committees continue to meet as scheduled addressing any new 
issues that may have been brought to our attention. Other areas of topic include Abuse 
Prevention, Pressure Injury Prevention, Medication Storage, room audits, resident 
weight loss/gain issues, resident behaviors affecting others, depression symptoms, and 
infection control practices.   
 
 
k. Meetings/Committee Reports: 
• 
Commissioners July 17 
• 
Delegation July 20 
• 
QA July 24th 
• 
Med Solutions account managers at CCNH in Berlin July 30 
 
12. Report of the Director of Finance Carrie Klebe.  The written report that was submitted to the 
Board in advance of the meeting was as follows: 

 
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14 
 
a. The fuel oil and propane bids were presented to the Commissioners to review and 
discuss.  The Board reviewed the proposed bids and refused the #2 fuel oil bids.  
Commissioner Gorman questioned why the proposed LP gas bids for West 
Stewartstown and Berlin are the same when the County owns the tanks in Berlin.  The 
Board asked the Director of Finance to request new bids for #2 fuel oil for the September 
meeting and to verify the LP gas price for Berlin.  A motion was made by Commissioner 
Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to approve the bid from Stiles for West 
Stewartstown LP at $1.4680/gallon and the Director of Finance to verify the LP gas price 
for the Berlin Nursing Home.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 
b. The Sheriff is requesting the Court Security mileage only to be increased from $0.725 per 
mile to $0.760 per mile retroactive to July 1 to align with the State of NH.  A motion was 
made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to approve the 
increase of $0.725 per mile to $0.760 per mile retroactive to July 1 to align with the State 
of NH.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
 
c. On August 5, Brenda Tecce, Senior Vice President – Treasury Management Sales 
Advisor from Camden National Bank gave a presentation to the finance team regarding 
fraud prevention.   
 
 
d. Sophie Goudreau, Finance Assistant and Deputy Tax Collector, is attending the 
NHTCA/NHCTCA Joint Certification program from August 10-14. This her second year 
of the three-year program designed to train municipal employees in skills relevant to 
their jobs as Tax Collectors, as well as important human relational skills. Once the course 
is completed, she will be a NH certified tax collector. 
 
 
e. On 8/6/2026 the first withdrawal was taken from the 2026 Tax Anticipation Note Line 
of Credit in the amount of $800,000.    
 
 
f. 
The US Treasury has issued a “Final Closeout Award Notice” regarding the State and 
Local Fiscal Recovery Funds award.  Treasury has completed its review of Coos 
County’s closeout submission and determined that the SLFRF award has been 
successfully closed.  This program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act 
delivered funds to support the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public 
health emergency. 
 
 
g. The 2025 Financial Audit is near completion.  A single audit is not needed for 2025. 
 
 
h. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and their Payroll Based Journal 
(PBJ) audit contractor (Conrad and Myers and Stauffer) have initiated an audit/review 
for the Berlin Nursing Home on March 27th.   The review has been completed and is 
satisfactory.  Thank you to Christine Labelle for all her efforts in keeping the Berlin PBJ 
reports in order.     
 
13. Report of the HR Coordinator Morgan DeBlois.  The written report that was submitted to the 
Board in advance of the meeting was as follows: 
 

 
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15 
 
a. The month of July staffing report is as follows. 
 
 
Hires 8  
Separations 7  
Change in Status 1 
 
 
b. The Human Resources Department wishes to extend congratulations to Ashley Hodge 
on the completion of the AIT program and becoming the new Nursing Home 
Administrator for the Nursing Hospital. 
 
 
c. Retirement planning sessions will be offered at the Nursing Facilities in September with 
partnerships from Nationwide Retirement Solutions and the New Hampshire 
Retirement System. Sessions include Retirement 101; you’re vested now what? and 
deferred compensation education.  
 
 
d. The HR Coordinator attended the ADA and FMLA training via NH Primex³. 
 
 
e. The HR Coordinator continues to assist with the ongoing negotiations with the Berlin 
AFSCME group. 
 
• 
HR Affiliate Group 
• 
Statewide Healthcare SPI 
• 
HEALTH TRUST Wellness Coordinator meeting 
• 
Coös County Childcare Crisis Coalition 
• 
GCHR Affiliate Group 
 
14. Commissioners’ Committee Reports:  
  Commissioner Gorman reported that the factory in Colebrook, APP, had new owners. 
  Commissioner Théberge reported that AVRRDD will be building two new facilities. 
 
15. Unincorporated Places: 
 
a. Ratification of Building Permits:  
617 
  
Millsfield 
7/22/26 
3-Bedroom,2 1/2 bath cabin/no basement 38.6 x 28.1 slab 
front porch 28.1x10 ' w/slab; rear entrance 28.1 x 6 w/slab 
618 
Cote, Gary 
Odell 
7/22/26 
16'5"x10' deck / 4'x4' outhouse 
619 
Marshall, Thomas / 
Marshall James 
Odell 
7/24/26 
Several Renos to camp. Described on page 3 of application. 
 
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to 
ratify the permits as presented.  The motion was approved 3-0. 
 
16. Hearing of the Public: 
  Lynn Dorman, Stewartstown, presented the following to the Board: 
• 
petitions from some of the Town of Colebrook residents. 
• 
Statistics/information on the former Colebrook Academy property. 
• 
Statistics/information on the lands owned by Coös County. 
 
 
She inquired if anyone had been hired to assist the County Administrator with the project.  
The County Administrator replied not yet.  
 

 
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16 
 
Ms. Dorman announced that WMUR had been contacted and will be coming to West 
Stewartstown to interview concerned residents. 
 
17. Non-public session: RSA 91-A:3 II(g) 
  A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge at 
11:22 a.m. to enter non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II(g).  The motion was approved 3-0.   
 
  A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge at 
12:28 p.m. to exit non-public session.  The motion was approved 3-0.  A motion was made 
by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to seal the minutes for a 
period of one year (8/13/2027).  The motion was approved 3-0.   
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Théberge to 
adjourn the meeting at 12:09 p.m.  The motion was approved unanimously.  
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
 
Commissioner Robert Théberge, Clerk