New Hampshire's Business News for June 1

A look at today's top business headlines, including: Monadnock effort targets $15-an-hour living wage by 2020, judge hands court victory to Northern Pass, state PFOA rule takes effect, Uber coming to Hampton Beach, but will it be welcomed?

Monadnock effort targets $15-an-hour living wage by 2020 Seven Monadnock Region businesses have ledged to pay all employees a living wage of at least $15 an hour by 2020 — and more area businesses are likely to follow suit.  – N.H. BUSINESS REVIEW

Judge: Northern Pass can bury line under conservation land A Coos County Superior Court judge dealt a blow Tuesday to an environmental group’s contention that Northern Pass doesn’t have the right to bury a transmission line beneath 600 feet of conservation land in Clarksville near the Canadian border.  – CONCORD MONITOR

Bill aims to protect homeowners from pipeline expansion A bill to enhance protections for private property owners along the route of any new natural gas pipeline is expected to clear the House and Senate today, and will likely be signed into law by Gov. Hassan. – N.H. UNION LEADER

Hassan vetoes bill that would repeal fireworks ban New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan has vetoed a bill that would repeal a ban on the sale and use of some firecrackers. – WMUR-TV

Emergency rule means N.H. can regulate PFOA and PFOS  The federal government does not regulate PFOA and PFOS — the contaminants found in drinking water in Southern New Hampshire and on the former Pease Air Force Base. But as of today, they are regulated in New Hampshire. – N.H. PUBLIC RADIO

New Hampshire has 71 water bodies with variable milfoil New Hampshire has 71 water bodies infested with the invasive variable milfoil according to the Department of Environmental Services. – WMUR-TV

Hampton Beach boardwalk named among nation's best Hampton Beach was named the seventh best boardwalk in the nation by USA Today Friday in the news organization’s 10 Best website.  – HAMPTON UNION

Uber coming to Hampton Beach, but will it be welcomed? Uber is advertising services at Hampton Beach starting Memorial Day weekend, and local officials said they are not sure how the taxi service fits into the town’s ordinances.  – HAMPTON UNION

NH Supreme Court upholds members-only beach access The New Hampshire Supreme Court has ruled that residents of the exclusive Wentworth By The Sea homeowners association have the right to cross one of the 100 private properties comprising the association in order to access the water. – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Hospitality jobs big in northern counties A study prepared by the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security concludes that the hospitality sector plays a disproportionate role in the economies of Belknap, Carroll and Coos counties.  – THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

Water Country denies negligence in lawsuit over near drowning The owner of Water Country denies that it was negligent in the near drowning of a guest in its wave pool two years ago. – N.H. UNION LEADER

Lack of traffic plan acknowledged in Exeter wrongful death lawsuit Two companies accused of causing the death of an Exeter bicyclist hit by a garbage truck acknowledged they did not submit a traffic plan to the town while a construction project was underway. – N.H. UNION LEADER

Driver in fatal Salem crash blames restaurant in civil lawsuit response A driver charged with manslaughter is arguing that only the Salem restaurant that served him drinks before he got behind the wheel should be held liable in the wrongful death lawsuit. – SALEM OBSERVER

Charities to be hit hard by The Rock's closure When Rockingham Park closes its doors later this year, the community will be losing more than a 110-year-old landmark. It will also lose approximately $2 million a year in charitable gaming revenue. – LAWRENCE EAGLE TRIBUNE

Turning a Loudon gravel pit green  It takes about $10 million, some seriously large greenhouses and high-tech, hydroponic growing equipment to produce those little baby salad greens year-round in the Northeast. – CONCORD MONITOR

Comic book couple create company Michael and Michelle Mitchell have had a love for art and comic books all their lives, and the couple took that love to create a comic book company that has a running series and several other projects in the works.  – LACONIA CITIZEN

Co-defendant in Ponzi scam wrapping up federal sentence The Belmont man who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with the Ponzi scheme that defrauded lenders out of $33 million will finish serving his six-year federal prison sentence in January.  – LACONIA CITIZEN

SEC: Quiros potentially liable for $191.8 million in ‘ill-gotten gains’ The Securities and Exchange Commission told a federal court judge on Friday that there is sufficient evidence to show Jay Peak owner Ariel Quiros violated securities laws, and there is a reasonable likelihood he will re-offend if he isn’t stopped by the court. – VTDIGGER

NHBR Featured Event: Air Emissions Conference   Sessions include Emerging Air Quality Issues, Top 10 Inspection Violations, E-Enterprise, Asbestos/Radon.    Sponsors include The Business and Industry Association, New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association.  Tomorrow in Manchester.