[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6393965,"mediaKeyId","2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef","parentId",2104257,"title","Commissioners set meeting schedule and clarify procedures on legal counsel, agreements and electronic signatures","audioSeconds",675,"startMs",2925000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef&start=2925&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef/thumbnail_2925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6393965/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Commissioners-set-meeting-schedule-and-clarify-procedures-on-legal-counsel-agreements-and-electronic-signatures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393965-fff3decb8d151576b00fb693690f2c1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025319&Signature=fIFEtLV6WaxH0Pr5muWDJjKBXy7fJkrX1WzHPJRy2h0o0hiX-XzSd9t~Kz4NZ0civ5o5nfgDlT7vgtgT7sVZG-Ll9quMzVGV5foyf~Bp8342ojQIXwawopbJf91Sf79kFtiR4rkvcj0x6aT7zpWOw7UQdCtAy~lOfPYSjQ8k4FtDQYcDLv1T3fmjwFvdPT8X5wwttoJ1OKJkTfn9pk9aq4oDPxAO4jUrG8-l~36hMLWlrlCOm5VCAwu25fnW4TBmDuq5Y7jh7VSQxXh4~zt8H5ikYXOEUr1riTG1XP7V3Ec26M2gWyaXWG29b6ermOcvkrMVg87EwMdqpp896dkf4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockingham County NH","date","2025-01-11T16:55:39.817Z","article","At the Jan. 8 meeting the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners confirmed its regular meeting time at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays and discussed options to move sessions to the county's Hilton auditorium on days when mask mandates or public attendance concerns make the regular conference room less practical.

Staff explained that moving to the Hilton requires extra setup by the commissioners' office and IT (audio/visual/Zoom) and recommended that members of the public who want to attend notify the commissioners' office in advance so staff can place the meeting in the larger space when needed.

The board also reviewed internal procedures for legal consultation and contracting. The commissioners recorded that, pursuant to the county's rules implementing RSA 28:1-b, only the commissioners are authorized to enter agreements on behalf of the county; departments must seek approval from their commissioner liaison before contacting legal counsel on new matters where practicable, and the commissioners' office must be notified for billing and reconciliation purposes. The board emphasized that new or revised agreements undergo risk review and legal counsel consultation and that any vendor refusal to accept legal/risk edits will bring the agreement back to the board for final determination.

On electronic signatures, the board confirmed that commissioners' electronic signatures are on file with the commissioners' office and that written consensus is required for each instance of use. Staff will keep an audit trail for instances such as agenda items, letters and certificates.

The board also clarified that the chair is responsible for approving time-off requests and biweekly timesheets for staff who report directly to the board, using the county's timekeeping software.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting 01/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board confirmed weekly Thursday meetings at 8:30 a.m., discussed using the county's Hilton space for public access during mask mandates, and reaffirmed that departments should notify commissioner liaisons before contacting legal counsel; commissioners also reviewed authority to enter agreements under RSA 28:1-b and electronic-signature usage.","taxTitle","Rockingham County, New Hampshire","taxId",54226,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6393969,"Rockingham County nursing home reports staffing turnaround, agency spend falling and new hires expected",0,3498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef&start=3498&end=3498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef/thumbnail_3498000.jpg","/articles/6393969/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Rockingham-County-nursing-home-reports-staffing-turnaround-agency-spend-falling-and-new-hires-expected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393969-8b34bb0414146eef98ca882afe70425f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025319&Signature=NOD2mcWxeaq6yIaXFTxJKZqskrAx~VFHpjUYvzDJE9Il5JArNyeHfPdPXlvDBcHcThrU~xz05evlBWvVYeZcuDaXRhURkSj93yrAfVLqKTeZaM6rJbkDN8TZ5osfGGLJXW0QiCQc1CNyjSqfP3QdMAYMszwNKyNl3vdqPbfv5JlMPym31SfS~5a3PDhZakRYiKxpIW5bx8AUlyAfsMqUV-CQicJhxCFR9rKNL5AB-GF6CwdHDyfQ-M~kJBKQiGeXLogaaptt0KQOw7RCiql1TYaihpnEk1e6JUdY-ZSX2leN2wH4brLkn~girqK-Jn24vlQUBP0ag8jINq79Gk43fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockingham County's long-term care leadership reported a marked improvement in staffing and a reduction in contracted nursing agency costs during the Jan. 8 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Long-term care director Chantelle said the nursing home census is 133 and assisted living census 49. She reported a recent increase in staff illnesses but said new hires and orientation sessions scheduled this month will ease reliance on agency nurses. The department's financial accounting shows agency spend has declined and that, compared with last year, the facility has more in-house staff; leadership characterized the change as a substantial turnaround that has produced hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings.

Finance staff explained that large statewide and benefit-related bills contributed to the accounts-payable total reviewed at the meeting, but that long-term care has reduced contracted nursing bills and expects additional full-time LNAs and an RN to start in the coming weeks. The director said a new director of nursing (DON) begins at the end of the month and that the department will continue recruiting to fill remaining vacancies.

The nursing facility is operating under a temporary masking mandate after a small respiratory outbreak on one unit and one resident testing positive for COVID-19; management said staff are returning and infection-control measures are in place.

Commissioners praised the turnaround and asked HR and finance to continue tracking agency spend versus in-house staffing in weekly reports.","County long-term care leaders told commissioners that agency nursing usage has dropped, house-staff hiring is rising, and the facility expects multiple full-time hires in the coming weeks; facility census and infection-control status were also reported.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6393974,"Rockingham County Department of Corrections describes new comfort-dog program; handlers, training and funding outlined",788,2806000,3594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef&start=2806&end=3594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","/articles/6393974/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Rockingham-County-Department-of-Corrections-describes-new-comfort-dog-program-handlers-training-and-funding-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393974-55ded1b50ad80c7938ba7f188e5d3aa1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025319&Signature=ZC6lYdUS6rUMUIKI5JJ1aTDmgsFYb0nwRQSDbLFQzq18yx6bfOKV7A2JWcEgOWhPMmXQj3nw7xOvfDybagQBLil3zLQ3mfC7rYAxXsVaS7CIMsHSrtjY~D6kuamcjuRMRG9ZYmKnZFkvCG69EqHzJvqPhLfCNs-MljTdnwk0I39rGfTrf2rVK8~UKbMX23zN-dGFw982A5Xbzy-t5WjDrm3BZwM3-2n1v1gxiGG0-V7OxJ~6eaOlTIJmj4aH8uEd5wZpdkRTQktceUjCzNsZMKGIKqIyKmCf2dRorvKfUnnayoEAf9cjivsy0iS2UAOi25Xr7Y11KWu-7JPEXir4lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockingham County Department of Corrections (DOC) provided details Jan. 8 on a new comfort-dog program intended for use during critical incidents and for general staff and resident support.

Department representatives said the dog is an American bulldog, nicknamed \"Meatball,\" and that Investigator Sherman will serve as the primary handler, with at least two additional trained secondary handlers available to deploy the dog where needed on campus or in community settings. The DOC reported that Tractor Supply will supply the dog's food at no cost and that several local veterinarians have volunteered low- or no-cost services for routine care. Staff said they expect minimal ongoing operating costs and are considering county insurance coverage for the dog.

The department presented a draft policy covering handler responsibilities, retirement of the animal and an option for handlers to buy the dog at a nominal fee if the handler leaves their role. Training plans call for an eight-week course with weekly sessions for the primary handler and certification requirements for deployment with victims, residents and staff. The DOC said the dog would also be available to assist other county departments and community events where appropriate; the board discussed possible use of COVID-related funds to support community deployments.

No formal board vote was required for the program update; commissioners expressed support and interest in a demonstration or meet-and-greet in a future meeting.","The county's Department of Corrections outlined plans for a comfort dog named \"Meatball,\" described proposed handlers and training, and said local partners will supply food and veterinary support at little or no cost.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6393978,"Rockingham County commissioners approve officer appointments, several personnel and finance items",2510,2376000,4886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef&start=2376&end=4886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104257-8ce5ab1350c379e40a4b671bc6a5feef/thumbnail_2376000.jpg","/articles/6393978/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Rockingham-County-commissioners-approve-officer-appointments-several-personnel-and-finance-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393978-6e84dd3757bbe0e080ea461085e7bacd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025319&Signature=eAmiQ0x9HDVA5h7mm0peEvF0qF0bAf5aIlCtvC0IaTnNeTWKGFB-hu5PLlQX9MxPuekMjrnXggV9F~G67lb2molrnxSVpSV0Bo5iqg0J73~IUx~LcvYTrF9q8Ty0NgBSKT1qgOO4rB7bFFzGI4QkoGbCHLPDRFn1rA-7Ygq2vRrQDUK71GcPAO5UsFWutZIag2j~qAvdyz1XZK73s2tco~~FuUMhsyItdnnziRYaRvvOVy0u5XcRu8dkEs6CtgcWhtcjVbJlrZ56Goa6e40SFGT3TWcxIfw9PE6p00sIoQd8h67XPF4ylDaUo5X~B8G-XRgZ~Y1FfbmaxpTz4rUJbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of organizational and fiscal items at its Jan. 8 meeting, including officer appointments, liaison assignments, consent-agenda payments and several personnel- and policy-related motions.

Commissioners voted to confirm officer assignments for the newly seated board: Commissioner Coyle was named chair, the maker of the nominations took the vice-chair position, and Commissioner Tom (last name in record: Tamberrillo/Barrello – recorded as Commissioner Tom in the meeting) was designated clerk. The board also approved a set of departmental liaisons and committee assignments distributed among the three commissioners.

On financial matters the board approved the consent agenda, which included an accounts-payable list totaling $4,166,724.90. The board also declared two long-term-care beds surplus under the county disposal policy and approved the remainder of the consent agenda items.

Personnel and policy votes included: approval of changes to the county's earned-time accrual anniversary policy and a one-time adjustment to correct accrual balances affected by a payroll-system error; approval of emergency dismissal pay for courthouse and county attorney employees on Jan. 2, 2025, after power outages; and approval (after an executive-session follow-up) of a regrade/retitle for a senior office administrator position to business services manager and an associated exception request for a Department of Corrections employee.

The board nominated and appointed Commissioner Tom to the New Hampshire Association of Counties (NHAC) executive committee and approved a request to support a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application from OneSky Community Services for purchase of property in Kensington, including scheduling a required public hearing on the request.

Where motions were moved and seconded the board recorded unanimous approval; most roll calls recorded three \"yes\" votes. Several agenda items were discussed at length before votes, and one personnel item was temporarily tabled for nonpublic review before final action later in the meeting.

The board handled other routine matters, including authorization language about commissioner authority to enter agreements (see separate item on organizational protocols), electronic-signature use by the commissioners and direction on requiring department liaisons to notify the commissioners' office before contacting legal counsel on new matters.","At its Jan. 8 meeting the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners approved officer appointments, liaison assignments and multiple personnel and finance actions, including a $4,166,724.90 accounts-payable list and two motions related to employee accruals and emergency dismissal pay.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners set meeting schedule and clarify procedures on legal counsel, agreements and electronic signatures

Rockingham County nursing home reports staffing turnaround, agency spend falling and new hires expected

Rockingham County Department of Corrections describes new comfort-dog program; handlers, training and funding outlined

Rockingham County commissioners approve officer appointments, several personnel and finance items