CONCORD: State revenues continue to exceed estimates, with the state having about a $500 million surplus going into the final month of the 2023 fiscal year. For May, the state took in $152.5 million, which is $34.1 million more than estimated for the month in the state revenue plan for the biennium ending June 3. Business taxes produced $43 million in May, which is $15.5 million more than estimated and $3.1 million more than a year ago. The state’s second biggest revenue producer, the rooms and meals tax, produced $22.2 million, which is $2.8 million above estimates but $500,000 less than a year ago.
KEENE: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a nearly $200,000 fine against Monro Inc. after identifying multiple violations at its auto service center in Keene, records from the federal agency indicate. OSHA inspected Tire Choice Auto Service Centers at 580 Main St. in response to a complaint, according to the agency’s records. The inspection found five violations OSHA categorized as “serious,” two as “repeat” and three as “other,” according to the records, with penalties totaling $198,895.
KEENE: Cheshire Medical Center has announced it has hired Dr. Joseph L. Perras as its next president and CEO beginning Aug. 7. Perras joins Cheshire Medical after serving as CEO at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, Vt. since 2017 and as its chief medical officer since 2015. Like Cheshire Medical, MAHHC is a Dartmouth Health system affiliate hospital. Perras’ hiring follows the retirement of longtime president and CEO Dr. Don Caruso, who worked at Cheshire Medical for more than three decades.
DURHAM: A nearly $300,000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant has been awarded to the University of New Hampshire to support development of genomic tools to help guide management of the Atlantic cod fishery. The funding — which was announced by the four members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation — will be provided by the 2023 Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Program, which helps address the needs of fishing communities, support economic opportunities, and build and maintain resilient and sustainable fisheries.
CLAREMONT: The city of Claremont has received $800,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to rehabilitate brownfield sites. The funding will be directed at city-owned sites on the north side of Sugar River, which were formerly home to the Sullivan Machinery Company, a quarrying equipment manufacturer. Manufacturing debris and coal tars left the land requiring environmental testing and pollution abatement.
CONCORD: The Executive Council has approved another five years on top of a 35-year lease for the hospitality group that operates the retail stores and restaurants at the two rest areas in Hooksett on the F.E. Everett Turnpike. The extension allows the company to operate the rest areas through June 2053. Granite State Hospitality LLC, doing business as the Common Man Hooksett, sought the extension to get better terms on private financing for an immediate, planned expansion.
CONCORD: New Hampshire is among 41 states and the District of Columbia that will share a $102.5 million settlement with the maker of Suboxone after accusing the company of illegally suppressing generic competition for the opioid addiction treatment. The settlement ended a lawsuit that began in 2016. Attorney General John M. Formella said New Hampshire will receive approximately $896,400 in the settlement.
PLYMOUTH: The NH Electric Cooperative will be returning over $2 million in capital credit payments to members and former members. The 2023 capital credit retirement will result in the payment of all remaining capital credits from 1984, all of 1985 and part of 1986. Approximately 10,000 current members who had service with NHEC during that time will receive a credit on their July 2023 bills. Former members who no longer receive service from NHEC will receive checks. This is the third consecutive year NHEC will be returning capital credits to its current and former members.
