Construction Begins On New WRJ DMV Offices

White River Junction — The Department of Motor Vehicles, which has been operating out of the VFW hall adjacent to Northern Stage, will move into a newly renovated space off Sykes Mountain Avenue later this year.

Property owner Valley Land Corp. has been granted a building permit by the Hartford Planning and Development Services Department to renovate 2,450 square feet of space on the first floor at 226 Holiday Drive to accomodate new DMV offices for motor vehicle registration and licensing.

Contractor Leet Ware Construction, of Fairlee, already has begun work on the $110,000 project, said Reg Jones, president of Valley Land Corp.

Jones noted construction could take longer depending upon the availability of certain materials.

The facility will have five employees and is expected to handle 145 visitors per day, according to the construction permit.

Despite the new location, however, the White River Junction DMV’s part-time hours will remain unchanged, with the office open Monday and Tuesday one week, alternating with being open Wednesday the following week.

Shaheen to Meet with Garland Today, Ayotte Next Week

Concord — Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is meeting today with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, while Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte is meeting with him next week.

Shaheen’s meeting is scheduled for this afternoon. Ayotte’s is planned for April 13.

Ayotte faces re-election in one of the Senate’s most high-profile races against popular Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.

She is part of a group of Republicans who have said they are willing to meet with President Obama’s nominee, but remain opposed to hearings and a vote. Shaheen has called for a hearing and a vote.

Ayotte said Monday she will meet with Garland out of courtesy and respect. She plans to explain her view “that the people should have a voice in this important nomination through their votes in November.”

Plymouth State to Build $33M Residence Hall, Center

Plymouth, n.h. — Plymouth State University is planning to build a $33 million residence hall and conference center.

The school says the seven-story, 95,000-square-foot building will help accommodate growing enrollment. The 350-bed residence hall is expected to open in fall 2017.

The facility also will feature a first-floor, 4,300-square-foot conference center.

The project will be funded through Health and Education Facilities Authority bonds issued by the state university system. Those bonds will be funded through revenues generated by students living in the new building. dfdsadf

— Staff and wire reports