New Hampshire's Business News for April 5

A look at today's top business headlines including: is Saint-Gobain the source for water contamination in NH, cost of recycled material is dropping, March bankruptcy filings in NH, look at the Manchester VA hospital and an update on Exeter Hospital and hepatitis C

Executive Council to decide fate of Mt. Sunapee expansion  The five-member Executive Council is set to vote Wednesday on whether to approve the expansion at Mount Sunapee Resort. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

State: Saint-Gobain likely source of water contamination; treatment plan requested  State officials confirmed Monday that Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is likely the source of water contamination in southern New Hampshire, and that the Department of Environmental Services is asking the company to put in place a public water treatment system by Aug. 1. – NH UNION LEADER

Expanded Medicaid boosts community health centers  Advocates say the current program has spawned a wave of success stories at the state’s 11 federally funded community health centers. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

A threat to health cost transparency  U.S. Supreme Court ruling muddies NH’s efforts to inform consumers. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

Recycled material is worth a lot less than it used to be, which is bad for recycling  The world of recycling is struggling through a collapse in prices that shows no sign of ending any time soon, adding unexpected strain to budgets in many towns and cities – although less so in Concord, thanks to some fortuitous timing fueled by a little risk aversion. – CONCORD MONITOR

No NH businesses filed for bankruptcy in March  But there was a sharp increase in filings by individuals. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

UNH President Mark Huddleston defends salary rates, 'performance-based' pay  He says the school needs to offer competitive rates to attract the best talent — but maintains that the school isn’t “overpaying” in the process. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Report: VA kept NH patients waiting  Staff at the Manchester VA Medical Center manipulated appointment dates and refused to schedule referrals beyond 14 days in some specialty departments, all to make it appear patients were being seen quickly, according to inspector general reports about the Manchester facility. – NH UNION LEADER

Vote soon on taking DNA from non-criminal mentally ill patients at Secure Psychiatric Unit  The House is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would allow prison officials to take DNA samples from people even if they have been found not guilty by reason of insanity or are civilly committed to the Department of Corrections without having committed a crime. – VTDIGGER

Charges result from faulty speedway gas installation  Warrants have been issued for a contractor and members of his company who performed unlicensed fuel gas fitting work at the NH Motor Speedway. – LACONIA CITIZEN

A banker’s view of business borrowing  They really are trying to get to a “yes.” – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

Exeter Hospital settles with 188 'negative' patients  Attorneys for Exeter Hospital are seeking relief from a staffing and an accreditation agency for settlements they reached with 188 patients who were tested after the 2012 hepatitis C update but had negative results. – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Ashooh declares for Congress  In a video announcement partially shot in the Manchester Millyard, former BAE Systems executive Rich Ashooh says that his grandparents were immigrants and his concern that the next generation of his family will be disadvantaged –  by national debt, high student loans and dependent on government for their health care. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Shaheen to meet with Garland on Tuesday, Ayotte next week  Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire is meeting with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland this week, while Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte is meeting with him next week. – FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT

Hassan letter mum on professor  Former Phillips Exeter Academy principal Tom Hassan has said he sent a letter in 2011 to the school community “with the goal of encouraging anyone to report misconduct.” – NH UNION LEADER

Despite fears, Affordable Care Act has not uprooted employer coverage  Health care remains an important recruitment and retention tool as the labor market has tightened in recent years. Desirable employees still expect health benefits, and companies are responding, new analyses of federal data show. – THE NEW YORK TIMES

Oil near one-month low on unexpected U.S. demand drop  Oil traded near one-month lows on Tuesday after a surprise fall in gasoline demand in the United States, the world's largest oil consumer, and on doubts whether oil producers can agree an output freeze to dampen a global supply glut. – REUTERS

Getting to know the SCORE  Regardless of your industry or situation, the organization can probably provide you help from someone who has done it before. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW