NH rolls out latest attempt to get EV chargers on its highways
Developers who want to build fast-charging stations for electric vehicles along interstate highways and Route 202 are being invited to submit plans as part of New Hampshire’s belated efforts to join the EV bandwagon.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is releasing a Request for Proposals as part of the first phase of the plan for electric vehicle infrastructure deployment. New Hampshire will get more than $17 million over five years as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, designed to put half a million new charging stations along major travel routes across the country.
Under Phase 1, EV stations would be built along Interstate 89, Interstate 93 and U.S. Route 202/NH 9 as well as NH 16 along the Maine border. The chosen vendors will be responsible for installing new direct-current (DC) fast-charging stations, along with five years of operation and maintenance.
Such stations are increasingly seen as important for attracting tourists as the number of electric vehicles increases. They are less important for local EV owners, most of whom can charge their vehicles at home.
Compared to the rest of New England, New Hampshire isn’t too far behind when it comes to fast-charging public stations, which can replenish a car battery in as little as 15 minutes. The state has more fast chargers than Rhode Island or Vermont, although less than the national median and less than Maine, Massachusetts or Connecticut, according to the site EVadoption. This is thanks mostly to charging stations built by Tesla to spur sales of its cars.
The Granite State is lagging badly when it comes to the next step down, public Level 2 chargers, which recharge cars in a few hours. These are often installed at workplaces, stores and restaurants. EVadoption says New Hampshire has just 211 of them, about half the number in Maine, one-third the number in Vermont and less than one-tenth the number in Massachusetts.
New Hampshire has previously sought developers to build public stations using money from the Volkswagen “dieselgate” program but little has come of it.
Proposals will be accepted until 2 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023. — DAVID BROOKS/CONCORD MONITOR
Conway Selectmen postpone rental program vote
After taking heat from a code compliance expert, selectmen postponed until Oct. 24 further discussion of expanding the town’s rental inspections to cover buildings with three or more units.
They had started the program in August and held their first public hearing to expand it on Sept. 26.
The town wants all owners of one- or two-unit rental buildings to either be licensed or have applied for a license as of Jan. 1, 2024. Selectmen also were going to ask the same for owners of buildings with three or more rental units.
Selectmen held their second hearing on the program on Tuesday and faced criticisms from Shawn Bergeron of Bergeron Technical Services.
“I’ll open by saying there’s probably no individual or business entity in Carroll County that’s more about building safety than Bergeron Technical,” said Bergeron. “We really support what you’re thinking about doing here.”
But, he said, “I don’t think it’s well planned out yet.”
For instance, the inspection criteria mandates smoke alarms be hardwired, and that interconnected smoke alarms are present near sleeping areas on each level.
“The problem is what we’re dealing with are existing apartment buildings,” said Bergeron. “The life safety code does not require either hardwired or interconnection.”
Bergeron cited other examples of checklist items the town claimed were required under the life safety code but actually are not.
“We run into issues with new construction that was just done that doesn’t meet code,” said Solomon, adding inspectors have seen a case where egress windows don’t meet code.
Bergeron told selectmen they should “take a step back” and start educating the public about what their proposed licensing program will involve.
He said the apartments above the shops in North Conway Village will be a “code nightmare” and the property owners are probably unaware of how the rental licensing program will affect them.
He added that by law there needs to be an appeals process. Bergeron said appeals regarding one- and two-unit buildings should go to the ZBA, and three or more should go to authorities in Concord.
Selectman Steve Porter suggested the board postpone taking a vote.
“I don’t think it’s going to hurt us to wait … I’ve been approached by several individuals that are concerned about how we’re going about this,” said Porter. “I’d rather us take our time and do it right the first time.”
Selectmen voted 4-0 to postpone the discussion to the Oct. 24 meeting.
The newly elected president of the Mt. Washington Valley Association For Responsible Rentals Jerry DeCristofaro issued a statement at Tuesday’s meeting. DeCristofaro is an attorney, former inspector and instructor in administrative inspection law. DeCristofaro replaces David Cavanaugh.
“We do not oppose the development of a license plan,” said DeCristofaro. “We oppose this one for all the identical reasons stated at this meeting. The selectmen just made our case for selective enforcement litigation if they do not likewise put this inspection plan on hold for all dwellings. We are reaching out with our attorney to help the town come up with a legitimate license plan.”
Asked if the inspection program could lead to long-term renters being thrown out in the street in the winter in the event a landlord doesn’t comply, Thibodeau said: “I think you’ve got the cart full of the horse here.
Town Manager John Eastman said, “If they refuse to register, they could be fined, but ultimately how do fines get enforced? Through the court system, and that’s essentially where it will go.” — DAYMOND STEER/CONWAY DAILY SUN
Nashua area sees increase in residential building permits
The Manchester-Nashua metro area is strategically preparing to cater to its growing population and future housing demands, with more permits being issued for larger residential structures, according to a recent report from real estate search portal Point2. As New Hampshire heads towards its 2040 housing unit target, this metro area is taking the lead.
When analyzing the number of new permits that were issued here during the first half of 2023, results show the following:
Point2 put together a full report on housing permits for the first half of 2023, complete with additional data on housing starts and completed units at national and regional levels.
CBRE arranges sale of grocery-anchored shopping center at 1200 Newport Avenue in Attleboro, Mass.
CBRE recently announced the sale of Bristol Place, a 415,000 square-foot shopping center anchored by The Home Depot and Market Basket Supermarket located at 1200 Newport Avenue in Attleboro, Mass. Unison Realty Partners sold the property to RK Centers in the largest and highest-quality Core Plus investment in the New England region in 2023.
Courtesy photo
The CBRE Retail Platform, led by Nat Heald, Kyle Juszczyszyn, Rob Robledo, Ryan Minihan and Jordana Roet, spearheaded the marketing campaign, and represented Unison in the negotiations and closing.
“We are proud to have represented Unison Realty Partners on this significant transaction,” said Mr. Heald. “Bristol Place is the dominant grocery and home-improvement anchored shopping center in a broad regional trade area and distinguishes itself from competitors by its exceptional tenant performance, best-in-class tenancy, and its high-profile location adjacent to Interstate 95. As a result of its dominance in its trade area, the Bristol Place bidding process was extremely competitive. Our sales process underlines the fact that quality retail is in high demand and that for the best retail centers, today’s capital markets are highly functioning. Many thanks to Unison and RK for a swift and efficient process.”
Located in the heart of Attleboro, Bristol Place is also home to major national retailers including T.J. Maxx, Burlington, Edge, Hobby Lobby and Bob’s Discount Furniture. The shopping center ranks in the top 3% of most visited shopping centers in New England and the top 5% in the country.
The property’s regional trade area is home to major employers including CVS Pharmacy (headquarters), Citizens Bank (headquarters), Fidelity, Bank of America, MetLife, State of Rhode Island, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brown University, and many others.
MVSB supports Root Canal Trail at Ramblin’ Vewe Farm in Gilford
Becky Reposa, MVSB assistant vice president, branch and business development manager, stands with Weldon Bosworth, Ramblin’ Vewe Farm Board of Trustees treasurer, at the beginning of a community trail at Ramblin’ Vewe Farm in Gilford. (Courtesy Photo)
Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) has joined local community efforts to support the Ramblin’ Vewe Farm in its recently completed 43-acre property purchase in Gilford with a $5,000 donation.
The land, which borders Ramblin’ View Farm, was previously owned by Dr. Leo and Polly Sanfaçon, who allowed the farm to create and maintain trails for community use. When the land was listed for sale, the farm’s trustees approached the Town of Gilford Conservation Commission, who agreed to share half of the sale price, provided Ramblin’ Vewe Farm could raise half. The farm was ultimately successful and the Town of Gilford, in a public meeting, approved to contribute the other half from the Town’s Conservation Land Fund.
“When we originally reached out for support, we received an overwhelming response from individuals and businesses in the area,” said Weldon Bosworth, Ramblin’ Vewe Farm Board of Trustees treasurer. “We want to thank MVSB and all the other community donors who helped us complete this important project that will protect this recreation area in perpetuity.”
“Dr. Sanfaçon was a long-time dentist in Laconia and a true friend to the Lakes Region. In his honor, we are proud to support the conservation effort of Ramblin’ Vewe Farm and to sponsor the Root Canal Trail on the property so that it can continue to be enjoyed by community members for many years to come,” said Marcus Weeks, MVSB president.
Another piece of Chinese owned property in Nashua has come to the public’s attention — the former Daniel Webster College property, encompassing some 52 acres. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess encouraged the Board of Aldermen on Sept. 9 to pass a resolution giving him the authority to seek state and/or federal funds to purchase the property, currently owned by Xinhua Education Consulting Services Corp.
The nonprofit and ReVision Energy expand renewable energy portfolio with new solar panels across five properties in the Monadnock Region
While home prices might be moderating in other parts of the country, the median price of a single-family house in New Hampshire rose to $550,000 in August, the second highest price point this current year. That price is just $3,000 more than the $547,000 recorded in July, but it is $47,500 more than January’s $502,500. The highest median price in 2025 was $569,450, recorded in June and the most ever recorded in the state.
ApprenticeshipNH has partnered with Associated Builders and Contractors of New Hampshire/Vermont and Elm Grove Companies to launch New Hampshire’s first registered apprenticeship program (RAP) for maintenance technicians
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Relax & Co., which provided an array of services to property owners in the Lake Sunapee area, had already been forced to lay off workers earlier this month.
