N.H. Bill to Settle Who Has Power To Delay Elections Fails

Concord — Keep your fingers crossed for good weather next March — the New Hampshire Legislature has failed to resolve the issue of who has the authority to postpone local elections.

Though state law requires towns to hold annual elections the second Tuesday in March, nearly 80 communities rescheduled their 2017 elections when a storm dumped more than a foot of snow across much of the state. That sparked widespread confusion about who has the authority to reschedule elections. But before lawmakers could agree, another storm hit this year.

The Senate later passed a bill to give the secretary of state the final say, while the House gave authority to town moderators. A committee of conference recommended a slightly modified version of the Senate bill, but the House rejected it on Wednesday.

The bill would have given the secretary of state the authority to postpone town elections if the governor has declared a state of emergency or if a town moderator requests a delay. Critics argued town officials are in the best position to evaluate whether it is safe to hold elections.

Critics also argued the bill would wreak havoc with dozens of other state laws because it defines town “meetings” and town “elections” as two disconnected events.

Absent new legislation, the Attorney General’s Office and secretary of state issued memos to towns this year saying no public official is authorized to postpone elections.

Sewage Spill Forces Closing Of 2 Beaches in Burlington

Burlington — Officials have closed two Burlington beaches amid concerns about a sewage spill in the neighboring wetlands of Lake Champlain.

Concerns of a water main break in Burlington on Monday night led to the discovery of the sewage spill. City officials say an estimated 500 gallons of sewage was released into the wetlands, prompting beach closings while testing is done to measure bacteria levels.

Burlington’s Department of Public Works said a city sub-contractor is to blame, saying a protective plate was knocked off a manhole — allowing asphalt and sediment to clog up the sewer line, backing up the system.

The city says it will bill the contractor for repair and clean-up costs. There is no immediate risk to public health.

Police Say Fires in Barre, Vt. Intentionally Set

Barre, Vt. — Investigators said two fires in recent days in the city of Barre were intentionally set. One fire burned a vacant building on North Main Street on Tuesday, the day after a fire at a different property, also owned by Allen Lumber, was also set. Vermont State Police said four firefighters were injured battling the blaze on Tuesday. Police said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to the arson tip line at 1-800-32-ARSON, the Barre City Police or the Vermont State Police. Police say anonymous tips can also be submitted online at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

Welch Demands That EPA Release Results of Chemical Study

Montpelier — Vermont Democratic Rep. Peter Welch has joined 12 other members of Congress in demanding the Environmental Protection Agency release a study on the health effects of chemical contaminants.

Welch signed the bipartisan letter sent to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last week asking him to release the results of the study on PFOA and PFOS and explain why it was withheld in the first place. Politico first reported that the agency was withholding the report, saying an aide with the Trump administration called it a “public relations nightmare.”

PFOA and PFOS are often found in non-stick pans and firefighting foam, and they have been linked to thyroid disease, testicular cancer and fertility issues.

The EPA is currently evaluating the federal safe drinking water standard for the chemicals.

— Wire reports