Manchester VA Doctors ClearedTo Work in Outside Hospitals

Manchester — Gov. Chris Sununu has signed an executive order to allow physicians from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Manchester to treat patients at outside facilities.

A burst pipe caused severe flooding at the Manchester hospital last month, just after the Boston Globe published allegations of substandard care and conditions. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin recently visited the hospital, has removed three top officials and ordered an investigation.

Catholic Medical Center officials last week agreed to allow VA providers to use their hospital to perform endoscopies and other same-day procedures.

But under New Hampshire licensing requirements, doctors with out-of-state medical licenses can only practice at the VA hospital.

Sununu’s order temporarily lifts those requirements for about eight months so VA doctors can see patients at CMC and elsewhere.

Residents Want New Waterfront Marina in Place of Old Bridge

Dover, n.h. — A group of New Hampshire residents is looking to replace a long-closed and rusted out bridge with a waterfront park and marina.

Tom Regan, a retired construction inspector and Dover resident, says the General Sullivan Bridge has been rusting out since it was closed to traffic 32 years ago.

The Portsmouth Herald reports Gov. Chris Sununu was provided an outline of the plans on Thursday.

Regan developed the plan with the assistance of DeStefano Architects in Portsmouth.

Regan’s plan is hypothetical at this point, although he is confident in his plan to replace the old bridge with a waterfront marina and dock on the Piscataqua River for public use.

A spokesman says the Republican governor has not been briefed yet on the plans.

Work Underway on Grand Isle Solar Project

Grand Isle, Vt. — Construction on one of Vermont’s largest solar projects is underway.

The Burlington Free Press reports workers at the Dreamwalker Solar Farm continue to dig trenches and lay pipe three weeks after breaking ground on the Grand Isle property. Bullrock Corp. will exclusively provide energy for the state through a co-op with Vermont Electric Cooperative. According to Bullrock CEO Gregg Beldock, the 18,000-panel solar installation will provide power to about 1,000 homes. Andrea Cohen, government affairs manager for the co-op, says the project will address a healthy demand from the Lake Champlain Islands.

The owners of the Dreamwalker Farm property, Jocelyn Dubuque and her husband Pete Johnson, remain optimistic about the solar project despite public concern from neighbors. Officials hope to complete the project by year-end.

— Wire reports