A public hearing has been scheduled on the proposed affiliation of Exeter Health Resources, parent company of Exeter Hospital, and Massachusetts-based Beth Israel Lahey Health.

The hearing will be conducted by New Hampshire’s Charitable Trusts Unit on March 1 and begin at 4 p.m. at Exeter High School. Remote attendance through videoconferencing will also will be available.

The two organizations signed a definitive agreement to merge last July. Exeter official aid at the time that the affiliation was critical for its long-term sustainability.

The state’s Charitable Trusts Unit is one of the state regulators that will need to sign off on the deal. It will also need approval from the state of Massachusetts and the Federal Trade Commission. — JEFF FEINGOLD