Thursday, December 29, 2011

GOP candidates urged to accept climate change by scientists - The Hill's E2-Wire

GOP candidates urged to accept climate change by scientists - The Hill's E2-Wire

.Council wants city to be able to collect property tax on utility poles & conduits

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/node/125692/18661

Hotel by airport closing parking lot | New Hampshire NEWS02

Hotel by airport closing parking lot New Hampshire NEWS02

Only in Print: Water Commission sinks plan to cut rate | New Hampshire NEWS15

Only in Print: Water Commission sinks plan to cut rate New Hampshire NEWS15

North Country: Balsams deal appears key to power plan | Concord Monitor

North Country: Balsams deal appears key to power plan Concord Monitor

Monday, December 26, 2011

Deirdre Fleming: Funding for projects may be headed to Maine | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Deirdre Fleming: Funding for projects may be headed to Maine The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Exeter weight limit on road irks businesses in Brentwood | New Hampshire NEWS06

Exeter weight limit on road irks businesses in Brentwood New Hampshire NEWS06

Story of the year 2011: 9. City clears hurdles in Pennichuck purchase - NashuaTelegraph.com

Story of the year 2011: 9. City clears hurdles in Pennichuck purchase - NashuaTelegraph.com

Around the region: Powering your home - with a Prius? | Concord Monitor

Around the region: Powering your home - with a Prius? Concord Monitor

Concord: Council to keep eye on downtown | Concord Monitor

Concord: Council to keep eye on downtown Concord Monitor

Monitor editorial: Arctic thaw means humans must act | Concord Monitor

Monitor editorial: Arctic thaw means humans must act Concord Monitor

Friday, December 23, 2011

PSNH says Bow scrubber already meeting pollution standards | New Hampshire NEWS02

PSNH says Bow scrubber already meeting pollution standards New Hampshire NEWS02

Seabrook Station VP defends emergency plan | SeacoastOnline.com

Seabrook Station VP defends emergency plan SeacoastOnline.com

Temporary fix allows bridge on Jennison Road in Milford to reopen - NashuaTelegraph.com

Temporary fix allows bridge on Jennison Road in Milford to reopen - NashuaTelegraph.com

State tells towns, 'Put it on our tab' | Concord Monitor

State tells towns, 'Put it on our tab' Concord Monitor

Northern Pass ups offer for Balsams land | Concord Monitor

Northern Pass ups offer for Balsams land Concord Monitor

Sunday, December 18, 2011

I-93 widening project faces shortage of funding for improvements | New Hampshire NEWS

I-93 widening project faces shortage of funding for improvements New Hampshire NEWS

Nashua...From the inside - NashuaTelegraph.com

Nashua...From the inside - NashuaTelegraph.com

Nine Nashua union contracts still unsigned nearly six months later - NashuaTelegraph.com

Nine Nashua union contracts still unsigned nearly six months later - NashuaTelegraph.com

Colors of the season - NashuaTelegraph.com

Colors of the season - NashuaTelegraph.com

Water weeds causing problem in Hudson ponds; town accepts $13K grant to help - NashuaTelegraph.com

Water weeds causing problem in Hudson ponds; town accepts $13K grant to help - NashuaTelegraph.com

Letter: Buy American | Concord Monitor

Letter: Buy American Concord Monitor

Schools: Could school building aid be ranked? | Concord Monitor

Schools: Could school building aid be ranked? Concord Monitor

Monday, December 12, 2011

Memorial Bridge to close for good next month | SeacoastOnline.com

Memorial Bridge to close for good next month SeacoastOnline.com

150-foot sinkhole swallows car | New Hampshire NEWS07

150-foot sinkhole swallows car New Hampshire NEWS07

Deadly stretch of I-93 gets special cable barrier | New Hampshire NEWS07

Deadly stretch of I-93 gets special cable barrier New Hampshire NEWS07

Highway construction project to last until 2015 | Concord Monitor

Highway construction project to last until 2015 Concord Monitor

Franklin: Northern Pass buys 118-acre plot | Concord Monitor

Franklin: Northern Pass buys 118-acre plot Concord Monitor

Sinkhole Closes Beech Street In Manchester - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR New Hampshire

Sinkhole Closes Beech Street In Manchester - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR New Hampshire

Monday, December 5, 2011

US Post Office about to make Fatal Mistake

The US Post Office is about to make an announcement to cut its distribution centers in half. This will save a significant amount of money, but will reduce first class mail delivery times from 1 to 3 days to a minimum of about a week. Before this decision is made, we need to either decide that mail service will be maintained as a subsidized institution that provides vital services to our many businesses or decide to privitize it now before its reduction in reliability destroys its customer base.

Many business failures are the result of a series of small decisions that over time erode customer base. In the end the failure is blamed on the customers' fickle ways with little recognition of how these cost-cutting measures had contributed to the value provided to the customer.

There is no question that mail service has continually changed, but has the post office reacted appropriately to these changes? While express services continue to stay profitable and internet services continue to expand avenues for communication, the post office is losing billions of dollars. To salvage this entity, they must reevaluate their mission statement. Many businesses retain less profitable sectors due to their value to the identity of the company, but they recognize why these sectors are being retained. A good example is Kodak which is still most recognizable to the masses as a camera company even though printing ink cartridges provide most of their profits. To sustain mail service, the postal service will need to expand services into e-mail communication and rapid delivery markets. Without more profitable diversity, the Post Office is doomed if attempts are made to run it as an unsubsidized entity.

The concept of maintaining mail to every citizen is not a profitable business model. If this is the target, mail service will need to be subsidized. As long as that is the understanding, that is fine, but when business practices are applied to a subsidized service it will always lose money or need to significantly reduce service to the outlying (less profitable) elements of the business. Subsidized services can compliment other businesses making for a more profitable society, but when weighed by themselves they continually fall short. Commuter rail service is a good example of this dilema.

Before the Post Office makes this critical decision, it needs to take a  better assessment of its ability to survive in the future as a non-diversified entity providing poor client service. If we are unwilling to maintain postal service through subsidies, then instead of selling off the distribution network, at likely fire-sale prices, the US Post Office should be privatized while it still has significant assets.

Around the Region: Developer floats floodway eatery | Concord Monitor

Around the Region: Developer floats floodway eatery Concord Monitor

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Day - River Crossings Sometimes Involve a Leap of Faith | News from southeastern Connecticut

The Day - River Crossings Sometimes Involve a Leap of Faith News from southeastern Connecticut

Only in Print: Minus rival Southwest, US Airways flight to Philadelphia to cost more | New Hampshire NEWS15

Only in Print: Minus rival Southwest, US Airways flight to Philadelphia to cost more New Hampshire NEWS15

My Turn: Committee unbiased on Northern Pass | Concord Monitor

My Turn: Committee unbiased on Northern Pass Concord Monitor

PSNH: Storm efforts a success - Page 2 | Concord Monitor

PSNH: Storm efforts a success - Page 2 Concord Monitor

Lack of farms to blame? | Concord Monitor

Lack of farms to blame? Concord Monitor

Suncook River could get protections | Concord Monitor

Suncook River could get protections Concord Monitor

Canterbury: Local farmers lose town vote | Concord Monitor

Canterbury: Local farmers lose town vote Concord Monitor

Saturday, November 26, 2011

My Turn: Burying power lines is win-win for taxpayers | Concord Monitor

My Turn: Burying power lines is win-win for taxpayers Concord Monitor

Northern Pass Middle Ground

It has been my experience with cell towers that the sides polarize so quickly that no one is left to negotiate the middle ground. I see many similarities in the Northern Pass debate. That is not to say those against the project need to give in, but what happens if, in spite of their best efforts, the project still moves forward? Making this simply a win or lose proposition is not in the best interest of the state. Someone needs to occupy the middle ground to make sure the best interests of the citizens and their communities are kept in mind regardless of the ultimate outcome.

As reported in a previous blog, New Hampshire electrical rates are the third highest in the country behind only New York and Hawaii. If the project goes through, there should be some stipulation that New Hampshire electrical rates are indexed to the average rate in New England in some manner. As PSNH is not the only electrical company servicing New Hampshire, this will take some legalese, but given the money wasted on ill advised ad campaigns, this is a modest investment.

Easement rights should be defined. Utility easements are significant off-road travel corridors for hiking, horseback riding, ATV, cross country skiing, and snow mobiling. The public access to these corridors should be well defined and methodologies for maintaining these corridors need to be defined and discussed to the benefit of the communities and protection of the environment.

Co-location rights need to be defined. If Northern Pass moves forward, it should be developed as a central highway for multiple utilities. It is likely that having an established trunkline for energy transmission could also inspire a number of wind project developments. If this was a significant roadway, we would be discussing the secondary growth that will be promoted by the new road. Should there be a master plan for northern New Hampshire wind development? That would be speculative and probably overkill, but we should, as a minimum, establish some defined development protocols so that the smaller communities are prepared for any resulting projects.

What is the appropriate mitigation for view sheds, land values, and secondary impacts within a town? Should there be local quotas for labor during construction? Should part of the revenue of the project be dedicated to conservation projects, community development, or other local programs?

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, New Hampshire ranks in the top twenty worst states for emissions from power plants. The top three leading plants for toxic emissions are owned by PSNH including the Merrimack Station in Bow, Schiller Station in Portsmouth, and the Newington Station in Newington. If Northern Pass is going to go through with impacts to northern New Hampshire, is it reasonable to consider using some of this new energy to offset the shutdown of some of these existing plants?

There is a need for a statewide energy master plan to include Northern Pass's effects, Seabrook Nuclear Station, other existing plants, and future plants including renewable energy sources. This would allow a broader discussion of our energy future across the state. Since electrical transmission is a regional commodity, not typically reviewed at the state level, the idea of a statewide master plan is discarded as an uninformed suggestion. This is the easy way out of true leadership at the statewide level. It is the only political division that can properly address this issue to the satisfaction of its citizens.

I would also like to see from the environmental community better definition of their priorities. Again, simply opposing a project is a dangerous position. We need to better define the items that are absolute deal breakers and those areas where mitigative measures could make the project more palatable. Better defining what is at stake environmentally may even strengthen the opposition to the Northern Pass.

We are so focused on whether the Northern Pass will be allowed that we are assuring that if it does go through only one side will be happy. Having someone looking at the middle ground is not admitting defeat, it simply ensures that even if the project moves forward there will be benefits for all parties.

AUDIO: CERN has completed 80% of search for Higgs Boson, but nothing found yet

There have quietly been very interesting findings/achievements in physics. On slow news days I throw in a few for consumption. I will admit a full explaination of Higgs boson will make your head hurt, but its existance is a fundamental part of the standard model of particle physics.

For context here is the Wikipedia entry for Higgs boson:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgs_boson

Here is a current article on the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) progress:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9647000/9647588.stm

Article on unsubstantiated location of Higgs boson:
http://physicsbuzz.physicscentral.com/2009/04/higgs-boson-found.html

Conn., New Hampshire students win EPA grants

Conn., New Hampshire students win EPA grants

Steel framework of municipal complex nearly done | New Hampshire NEWS07

Steel framework of municipal complex nearly done New Hampshire NEWS07

Friday, November 25, 2011

World's Scariest Bridges

Not exactly "NH Infrastructure", but it will make us feel better about our bridges.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-scariest-bridges

A Little Greener Next Year

There are a number of Green Transportation programs developing across the country. To some extent they started with the LEEDs program and worked to adapt the system to the transportation field. Here are a few of those programs:

University of Washington's Greenroads program. See powerpoint presentation for overview.
http://www.greenroads.org/445/presentations.html

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Greenlites program
https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/greenlites

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Green Highways Program
ASCE - Announcing a Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System

A great New Year's Resolution would be to learn more about these programs and try to integrate these practices into our future projects. New Engineers, knowledge of sustainable engineering praqctices is a great opportunity to distinguish yourself.

PennDot's 100-year Bridge Life Initiative

This presentation was dated January, 2007, but still is relevant for its approach and findings.
http://www.pa.pavement.com/documents/presentations/2007/One-hundred%20Year%20Bridge%20Design%20Life.Spangler.070131.pdf

Energy-Which Countries lead in Renewable Energy?

Top Ten Countries in Wind Energy.
http://knol.google.com/k/wind-turbines/top-10-countries-where-wind-energy-is/25fjwptfb1ke6/4#

Top Ten Countries in Solar Energy.
http://1bog.org/blog/top-10-countries-using-solar-power/

Top Countries in Hydro Power.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_hyd_con-energy-hydroelectricity-consumption

Top Countries in Renewable Energy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_electricity_production_from_renewable_sources

Operator had earlier debris dumping case | Concord Monitor

Operator had earlier debris dumping case Concord Monitor

Allenstown: Whistleblower tips dump - Page 2 | Concord Monitor

Allenstown: Whistleblower tips dump - Page 2 Concord Monitor

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

2012 NH Water & Watershed Conference Call for Abstracts

Dredging Today – USA: Hampton Harbor Needs Dredging

Dredging Today – USA: Hampton Harbor Needs Dredging

Irene Brings New Lines, Damage to Tuckerman Ravine - Backcountry Magazine

Irene Brings New Lines, Damage to Tuckerman Ravine - Backcountry Magazine

New Hampshire leads in land conservation - SentinelSource.com: Environment

New Hampshire leads in land conservation - SentinelSource.com: Environment: New Hampshire has conserved more land in the past five years
than most of the country, according to the latest census released
by the Land Tru…

Hand-held scanner assesses integrity of concrete structures

A concrete solution

Sunday, November 20, 2011

International Infrastructure

Since June 28, 2011, I have been posting relevent articles on New Hampshire infrastructure while throwing in occational original blogs. During that time there has been a number of international readers especially from Russia ("Blogger" may be identifying a region more than a country), India, and Germany.

I would be interested in hearing more about the challenges that you face in your own countries. We often face challenges in the physical condition of the infrastructure, regulatory challenges, political challenges, leadership challenges, and always challenges in how to pay for it.

I would also be interested in the cultural aspects. For the number of Northern Pass articles that are in the newspapers there are hundreds of signs along our highways supporting or denouncing the project.

Not to single out Russia, India, and Germany, I would welcome response from any of the international readers.

Advantage, still: NH in the bad economy | New Hampshire OPINION01

Advantage, still: NH in the bad economy New Hampshire OPINION01

Reps. hear Northern Pass plan in Canada | New Hampshire NEWS15

Reps. hear Northern Pass plan in Canada New Hampshire NEWS15

Congress faces new budget battles | Concord Monitor

Congress faces new budget battles Concord Monitor

Letter: Astounding argument on climate change | Concord Monitor

Letter: Astounding argument on climate change Concord Monitor

Exit 17 supermarket violates master plan | Concord Monitor

Exit 17 supermarket violates master plan Concord Monitor

State panel: Repudiate feds' funds - | Concord Monitor

This article cites the use of federal funds to pay for a sewerline in Laconia as one of the typical overreaches of the federal government. I would like a clarification on the mechanisms that should be used to pay for these investments as often the alternative is that they are not funded at all.

State panel: Repudiate feds' funds -  Concord Monitor

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Airport access road dedicated | New Hampshire NEWS02

Airport access road dedicated New Hampshire NEWS02

National security depends on energy security - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com

National security depends on energy security - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com

Trash to remain co-op's prerogative for now | New Hampshire NEWS06

Trash to remain co-op's prerogative for now New Hampshire NEWS06

My Turn: PSNH - like its customers - was really in the dark | Concord Monitor

My Turn: PSNH - like its customers - was really in the dark Concord Monitor

In Her Own Words: 'Pollution does not stop at state borders' | Concord Monitor

In Her Own Words: 'Pollution does not stop at state borders' Concord Monitor

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Dredging awaits federal funds

Dredging awaits federal funds

Estimate says burying power lines would cost $43b | New Hampshire NEWS02

Estimate says burying power lines would cost $43b New Hampshire NEWS02

How did telecom services handle the storm? Hard to say - NashuaTelegraph.com

How did telecom services handle the storm? Hard to say - NashuaTelegraph.com

Legislators trying to get down to most basic issues - NashuaTelegraph.com

Legislators trying to get down to most basic issues - NashuaTelegraph.com

Nashua’s final few grateful to have power restored; City begins damage assessment - NashuaTelegraph.com

Nashua’s final few grateful to have power restored; City begins damage assessment - NashuaTelegraph.com

New England: More steps taken in dead seal probe | Concord Monitor

New England: More steps taken in dead seal probe Concord Monitor

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

PSNH customers still waiting for signs of the calvary - NashuaTelegraph.com

PSNH customers still waiting for signs of the calvary - NashuaTelegraph.com

Berlin: U.S. Senate okays prison funds | Concord Monitor

Berlin: U.S. Senate okays prison funds Concord Monitor

Second UNH Department of Civil Engineering Alumni Conference

You are invited to the Second UNH Department of Civil Engineering Alumni Conference to be held on April 30, 2012 at the University of New Hampshire, Durham campus.  The Conference will be a forum for alumni of the Civil Engineering Department to return to UNH and share with students and faculty their experiences, including professional project work, research, and/or other notable career achievements since leaving UNH. The Conference will also provide a collegial forum for alumni to hear from and interact with both students and faculty.  The Conference will include formal presentations, as well as less formal panel discussions, with topics across the breadth of civil engineering. Social activities and a celebratory banquet are also planned.  You can find more information, including registration information, at the following link:  http://www.unh.edu/ciealumniconference/#

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Engineering the Outer Banks

Even on vacation, civil engineers have a unique ability to recognize engineering accomplishments that somehow our spouses failed to see. As my wife and I are spending a few days in the outer banks, a number of unique engineering challenges are apparent. Some that are similar to what we see in New England, others that are unique to this region.

The ones most evident are the light houses. Touring any local shop in town will provide calendars and pictures of these often photographed features in every possible light from every possible angle. The size of these large brick structures is impressive. Many have been moved since they were active to inland locations less susceptible to erosion, wind, and ocean tides. Lately public access to many national landmarks are slowly disappearing either due a function of maintenance needs or security issues.

These are still impressive structures and important landmarks along the shore roads even if they no longer guide mariners safely home. They are especially impressive when considering the time period when they were designed and constructed. Many long before the high rise buildings began gracing the sky lines of this country's major cities. There are many stories on how they were built, events that they witnessed, and even in some cases the storms in which they met their demise. Minot Light comes to mind for New Englanders.
Similar to the Cog Railroad in New Hampshire, the Cape Hatteras light house (upper photo) was recognized as an ASCE civil engineering national landmark. Equally impressive, but probably held back by limited vantage points for photographs is the Currituck Beach lighthouse. Both are valuable features for navigating the roads of the Outer Banks if you didn't bring your GPS unit.

A less publicized engineering feat is the constant battle between the dunes and the ocean. The Outer Banks is a narrow ribbon of land that has been built up with a series of large beautiful vacation houses. On one side of the banks is the ocean and on the other is the sound. The natural world is intent on reconnecting these two large water features at the cost of any structures constructed in between. Every couple of decades the ocean reexerts itself by carving a new channel through the banks taking out any man-made features that exist in between. Signs along the dunes strictly prohibit trespass on the dunes. Special programs have been organized to establish and maintain vegetation to minimize erosion.

Walking along the beach, sections of fencing can be seen oriented to foster the health of the dunes. The fencing would recall for New Englanders the fences set up during the winter to discourage the drifting of snow in exposed sections of highway.

The dunes provide a natural barrier between the ocean and the inland features. They also provide a haven for many of the wildlife in the area. Patrolling the dunes are a number of wild horses that have adapted to the coarse grasses that grow along the dunes. The horses look as tough as the grasses that grow with a higher tolerance for salt, stomachs adapted to the limited vegetation and an acceptance of the many vehicles that share the beach environment.
The sand below the waves also changes continuously and sometimes radically. On lazy days on the beach, one can witness daily changes in the way the waves come ashore as sands under the water shift constantly and create new patterns for the waves rising and breaking on shore. This was very evident following a storm where this large object was spotted for a few days. It was a distance off shore so I didn't have an opportunity to inspect it up close. It appeared to be a large anchor with the head and two spines sticking out of the water. It was visible for two days, but completely gone the third day. It had disappeared before I had a chance to investigate.
Looking at the houses in the outer bank, it is interesting that as spectacular as the architecture and stature of the buildings, the bottom floors are built almost sacrificially. These large structures are built almost like pole buildings with the main living spaces usually on the second or third floor. The bottom floors are often sided with lattice work with the basement rooms almost anticipating a day when the waters could wash through the house.





As with the devastation that recently visited New England, the outer banks can count on being visited by seasonal storms including tropical storms and hurricanes. The recent hurricane that hit Vermont and northern New Hampshire also took its toll on North Carolina. The main road that connects Cape Hatteras to Kitty Hawk (made famous by the Wright  Brothers flight). The road was stabilized with over-sized sand bags about four feet in diameter and about eight feet long. Bridges foundations were hastily made out of steel casings for the piers and sheet piling and concrete for the abutments.

In previous years, we had came south to this area to watch the kite surfing. This year it was a very sobering as we passed through the devastation. Piles of debris lined the road from flooded items removed from the first floors. The worst hit area was a series of beautiful homes with the adjacent road and patios collapsed into a newly formed canal. One house listed precariously to one side leaving no doubt that its foundation had passed the point where simple repairs could restore the building structure. On the ocean side there were a few homes founded on piles with the leading columns touching the water. The failure of these columns had led to deck failures several levels above the water. Posted to the doors were the condemnation papers from the county announcing to the world that they structures were no longer suitable for human habitation.

We drove through very somberly knowing that only a slight change of fates in either North Carolina or even at our home in New Hampshire and we would share the fate of these property owners. Our trips to the Outer Banks are spent with good friends with a lot of stories told and a great deal of laughter. It would be hard to imagine the loss of the vacation home that has been our home away from home for more than five years now.











Landmark chimney may need renovations to meet state requirements for Nashua parkway construction - NashuaTelegraph.com

Landmark chimney may need renovations to meet state requirements for Nashua parkway construction - NashuaTelegraph.com

Friday, October 21, 2011

With $81.4M bid, team promises new bridge by '13 | SeacoastOnline.com

With $81.4M bid, team promises new bridge by '13 SeacoastOnline.com

New Hampshire’s Cranmore Mountain Invests in Snowmaking and Facilities for This Winter

New Hampshire’s Cranmore Mountain Invests in Snowmaking and Facilities for This Winter

Panel reviews disaster plan for Yankee - Brattleboro Reformer

Panel reviews disaster plan for Yankee - Brattleboro Reformer

Only in Print: Berlin mayor OK with concept of hydropower | New Hampshire NEWS15

Only in Print: Berlin mayor OK with concept of hydropower New Hampshire NEWS15

McCarthy has city growth in mind in alderman-at-large run - NashuaTelegraph.com

McCarthy has city growth in mind in alderman-at-large run - NashuaTelegraph.com

Bow: Town considers new safety building | Concord Monitor

Bow: Town considers new safety building Concord Monitor

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Give back interest rate controls to the States


There is a lot of discussion about cutting taxes and government services in order to reinvigorate the economy. This is a simple subject since anyone paying taxes generally believes they are paying too much. The reasoning behind cutting taxes normally centers around the assumption that the government spends too much and that when people pay less tax they run out and buy consumer goods. It is also assumed that when taxes are cut for higher income individuals, they all run out and expand their businesses. This may be an odd discussion for an Infrastructure blog, but we need to make sound decisions on taxation in order to properly fund our Infrastructure programs.

I think there is an easier way to get more money back in the hands of consumers. This would be by simply better managing the amount of interest the average Americans are paying. I find it criminal that banks can obtain money at the federal prime rate of about 3.25%, then lend the same money out to consumers at rates that can exceed 30%. Recall that when the banks were in financial crisis, the Federal Reserve provided many of the bail out loans at 0%. I am certainly oversimplifying these facts. To walk a mile in the banking industry’s shoes, I should go out and try lending money to one of my neighbors to better understand the risks. The interesting part is that by State of New Hampshire law, I can only charge 10% interest.

For individual State rates see http://www.lectlaw.com/files/ban02.htm

Further research shows that most States have statutory usury laws that prevent individuals from charging much more than about 15%. Since many of the laws were set during the runaway inflation of the 1970’s and 1980’s several of the States have a higher maximum rate, but are then indexed to Treasury bill rates or prime. They were trying to be fair to the banks while home mortgage insurance rates were up around 18%, but the indexes are about 5% over prime or less than 10%. Since then prime has dropped, but the maximums were never adjusted.

So why can banks charge so much for interest rates? Again in the runaway inflationary period of the late 1970’s first the Supreme Court in Marquette vs. First Omaha Services, allowed banks to import the credit laws from the State where they were chartered, then in 1980, Congress passed the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act. Along with other things this allowed federally charted institutions to effectively override state usury laws. With high inflation this provided some parity to the banks at the time, but the intent clearly isn’t the usury, even predatory, practices that are going on today. Again in 1996 the Supreme Court in Smiley vs. Citibank further limited the power of the states to regulate credit cards.

In 2009, the US Census showed that the average American owed about $8400 in credit card debt. Federal Reserve studies show the revolving debt of American families to be about $793.1 billion dollars with the number of households that carry revolving debt more than 30 days being 50.2 million households. That would place the average household using credit cards at about $15,800 in debt. The average credit card interest rate is about 13%, with a range from a 0% introductory rate to about 36% for default rates. Interestingly, default rates were once based upon the history of the actual credit card account. New regulations now allow for banks to raise rates on accounts when the borrower is late on any of their debt, including accounts not managed by the lender!

So here is my incentive program. For the 50.2 million American households paying 13% interest on $15,800 balances or about $2054 per year in interest, and everyone else, let's provide a national interest structure that is fair. It would be best to allow States to dictate the rates, but since the Supreme Court has already ruled that the bank’s home state can dictate the credit terms (allowing banks to relocate to the states with the best terms anyway!), let’s set allowable national rates indexed to prime. The average rate should be closer to about 5% above prime. With the maximum rate about 10% above prime (today the average works out to a little less than 10% above prime with some of the maximum rates over 30% over prime). Note that right now there is no maximum interest rate on credit cards as long as the bank has a repeatable formula and that the formula is detailed in the small print of the credit card application. If the average credit card interest rate was reduced to 8%, the average credit householder as stated above would receive an additional $790 per year. This would provide the same stimulus as a major tax reduction, without deferring critical investments such as infrastructure.


Merrimack to revive pay-as-you-throw | New Hampshire NEWS06

Merrimack to revive pay-as-you-throw New Hampshire NEWS06

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Hollis water problems continue expected to last for days more - NashuaTelegraph.com

Hollis water problems continue expected to last for days more - NashuaTelegraph.com

PSNH: EPA is rushing change in water-usage rules for power plant - NashuaTelegraph.com

PSNH: EPA is rushing change in water-usage rules for power plant - NashuaTelegraph.com

Senate votes down Obama's jobs bill | Concord Monitor

Senate votes down Obama's jobs bill Concord Monitor

Crews take apart east Buck Street dam | Concord Monitor

Crews take apart east Buck Street dam Concord Monitor

PSNH requests more time for permit review | Concord Monitor

PSNH requests more time for permit review Concord Monitor

Maine turnpike boss touts plan to increase E-ZPass use | SeacoastOnline.com

Maine turnpike boss touts plan to increase E-ZPass use SeacoastOnline.com

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Fluoride in Public Water Polarizing Subject

I have been amazed at how polarizing the subject of Fluoridation of drinking water can be to a community. Many years ago I innocently investigated the technical and cost implications of adding fluoride to the community water system for a small town where I was then living. I was surprised to find that the owner of the system would be willing to provide fluoridation for no additional cost, if I could provide documentation that the town supported the measure.

I had mistakenly believed that it would be technology, and ultimately money, that would be the restricting factor. I had begun my inquiry with the understanding that fluoride added to municipal water systems was responsible for a reduction in cavities of about 20-40%  in children assuming they were already brushing. My community had many people not receiving adequate health and dental care, so this appeared to be a reasonable line of inquiry to promote general health.

My first hint that this might be a bigger issue was when I talked to some local dentists. Each supported fluoridation, but just smiled when I suggested they join me in backing the measure. They would support fluoridation if asked individually, but would not support the effort on record. At the time I did not fully understand the difference in these semantics.

Others told me that fluoride was toxic and led to radical facial deformations in high percentages of children. My understanding was that the levels prescribed for public water were between 0.5-1.0 mg/l. When taken in significantly larger doses fluoride is in fact toxic, but that can be said for many of the minerals the body needs. The more people I talked to the more opposition I met.

I had become involved with this subject in hopes of helping children who may not have access to the appropriate dental care, but had somehow become viewed as a revolutionary intent on usurping the individual rights of American citizens. Today I see were the issue has been more carefully framed as an ethical issue. The practice is viewed by some as a mass medication where the consent of all users has not and can not be proven. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention calls the practice one of the greatest public health achievements of the century, but the debate continues as a very polarizing subject.

The recent case in Clearwater, Florida is a good example of the current debate. I never went forward with any suggestion to add fluoride to the water after hearing some of the negative response. I thought at the time of only helping the children. Hopefully no one felt my acts as part of a plot "to keep the people stupid so they don't realize what's going on" as suggested in the Clearwater article.

Pinellas County Commission votes to stop putting fluoride in water supply - St. Petersburg Times

Pinellas County Commission votes to stop putting fluoride in water supply - St. Petersburg Times

Proposed Increase to Davis-Bacon Contract Threshold

On October 6, 2011, HR 3135 was introduced. This resolution proposes to amend Title 40 of the United States code, more commonly known as the Davis-Bacon Act, by increasing the threshold dollar amount for construction contracts subject to the prevailing wage restrictions.

The bill was introduced by congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC). This republican-backed resolution currently has 21 republican co-sponsors (none from NH). There is little information available on the bill at this time including any suggested thresholds.

After introduction, a House Resolution is assigned to House Education and Workforce committee. This is very early in the process. It should be noted that the majority of resolutions never make it out of their respective committees.

Prospect of a wind farm has Temple doing its homework | New Hampshire NEWS15

Prospect of a wind farm has Temple doing its homework New Hampshire NEWS15

Number of NH dentists on the rise, push for more access to fluoridated water in communities | The Republic

Number of NH dentists on the rise, push for more access to fluoridated water in communities The Republic

East Buck Street Dams to be razed | Concord Monitor

East Buck Street Dams to be razed Concord Monitor

BACKGROUND REPORT ON NEW HAMPSHIRE TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE December 1, 2007

An older report on transmission infrastructure needs prior to the Northern Pass discussions. Produced by the PUC for the General Court.

http://www.puc.nh.gov/Transmission%20Commission/Transmission%20Infrastructure/NHPUC%20SB140%20Report%2012-1-07%20REDACTED.pdf

Monday, October 3, 2011

Northern Pass foes: It’s about money | New Hampshire NEWS05

Northern Pass foes: It’s about money New Hampshire NEWS05

GACIT Hearing Schedule See how the Ten-Year Transportation Plan is Developed

~ PUBLIC NOTICE ~
Pursuant to RSA 228:99 and RSA 240, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal
Transportation (GACIT), which is composed of the five Executive Councilors and the Commissioner
of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation announces that Public Hearings will be held to
review and receive input on the update of the State’s Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan
(2013-2022).
The purpose of these Public Hearings is to receive public comments/testimony on the projects and
materials included in the draft 2013-2022 Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan as
recommended by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to GACIT. Those not able to
attend the meetings can submit written testimony within 10 days of the completion of the Public
Hearings, but no later than November 10, 2011.
Copies of any documents related to the Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (2013-2022) will be
available for review on the NHDOT website prior to the first Public Hearing:
http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/typ/index.htm
& Community Assistance at the Department of Transportation (603-271-3344).
Written Comments should be addressed to:
William E. Watson, P.E.
Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
John O. Morton Building, 7 Hazen Drive
P.O. Box 483
Concord, NH 03302-0483
Any individuals needing assistance or auxiliary communication equipment due to sensory
impairment or other disability, should contact Sharon Allaire, (603) 271-3344, NHDOT, P.O. Box
483, Concord, N.H. 03302-0483 - TDD access: Relay N.H. 1-800-735-2964. Notification of the
need for assistance must be made no later than 7 days before the meeting.
The projects developed through the Ten Year Plan process will be administered according to the
requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes to ensure nondiscrimination.

Executive Councilor Raymond Burton
Chairman, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT)
Dated at Concord, NH
this 26th day of August 2011


Public Hearings are scheduled statewide as follows:
or by contacting the Bureau of Planning
Revised September 23, 2011
Public Hearing Schedule for 2013 - 2022 Ten Year Plan
Executive Councilor Date Town/City Time Location

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Charlestown 8:00 AM
Charlestown Town Hall
19 Summer Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Lebanon 10:30 AM
Lebanon City Hall
51 Park St 5
th Floor

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Haverhill 1:30 PM
Town Office
James Morrill Meeting Room
2975 Dartmouth College HW

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Littleton 4:00 PM
Littleton Community Center
Community House Annex
120 Main Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Lancaster 7:00 PM
DRED Building
629B Main Street

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Sept 15 (Thur)
2011 Franklin 7:00 PM
Franklin City Hall
Council Chambers
316 Central Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 19 (Mon)
2011 Wakefield 8:00 AM
Sanbornville Public Safety
Bldg
2017 Wakefield Road

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 19 (Mon)
2011 Moultonborough 11:00 AM
Moultonborough Town Office
6 Holland Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 19 (Mon)
2011 *Conway 2:30 PM
Town Hall Upstairs
1634 East Main Street
Center Conway

District 4
Cnclr. Ray Wieczorek
Sept 21 (Wed)
2011 Derry 7:00 PM
Derry Municipal Center
14 Manning Street

District 3
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Sept 22 (Thurs)
2011 Durham 7:00 PM
Durham Town Hall
Council Chambers
15 Newmarket Road

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Laconia 8:00 AM
City Council Chambers
Room 200-A
45 Beacon Street East

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Plymouth 11:00 AM
Town Hall – upstairs
6 Post Office Square

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Warren 1:30 PM
Town Hall
19 Water Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Lincoln 4:30 PM
Lincoln Public Library
Conference Room
22 Church

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Berlin 7:30 PM
Town Hall Auditorium
168 Main Street

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Sept 28 (Wed)
2011 Northwood 7:00 PM
Northwood Town Hall
818 First NH Turnpike

District 5
Cnclr. David Wheeler
Sept 29 (Thur)
2011 Nashua 7:00 PM
City Auditorium-3
229 Main Street
(use Elm Street Entrance)
rd Floor

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 3 (Mon)
2011 *Concord 7:00 PM
City Council Chambers
41 Green Street

District 4
Cnclr. Ray Wieczorek
Oct 5 (Wed)
2011 *Manchester 7:00 PM
Aldermanic Chambers
3
1 City Hall Plaza
rd Floor, City Hall

District 5
Cnclr. David Wheeler
Co-Hosted with
District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 6 (Thur)
2011 Peterborough 7:00 PM
Town Hall – Upper Hall
1 Grove Street

District 3
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Oct 13 (Thur)
2011 Plaistow 7:00 PM
Plaistow Town Hall
145 Main Street

District 3
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Oct 18(Tue)
2011 Salem 7:00 PM
Salem Town Hall
33 Geremonty Drive

District 4
Cnclr. Ray Wieczorek
Oct 19 (Wed)
2011 *Bedford 7:00 PM
Bedford Cable TV Meeting
Room
10 Meetinghouse Road

District 5
Cnclr. David Wheeler
Co-Hosted with
District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 20 (Thur)
2011 Keene 7:00 PM
Keene Parks & Recreation
312 Washington Street
Room 14

District 3**
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Oct 26 (Wed)
2011 North Hampton 7:00 PM
Town Hall
231 Atlantic Avenue

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 27 (Thur)
2011 Rochester 7:00 PM
Community Center
150 Wakefield Street
Conference Room 1-A

*Denotes Public Hearing to be taped and broadcast by local television stations
**Denotes Meeting moved to October 26
th from October 11th at the same location