NEWPORT, N.H. — The office of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., announced last week federal funding of nearly $4.8 million for the proposed new community center in Newport, but Town Manager Hunter Rieseberg cautioned that it is far too early to bank on the full amount.
The money, if received in full, would boost chances for approval from voters for a new center, but Rieseberg quickly added there is a long way to go before the town sees any money.
“We have confirmed it verbally and in writing with staff,” Rieseberg said. “But there still are some big questions. How much will we get and when will we get it? The times and the terms have yet to be determined.”
Rieseberg’s experience with other recent earmarks is the reason for his tempered enthusiasm. Last fall, Shaheen’s office announced federal funding for a number of New Hampshire projects and Newport was to receive $650,000 to repave the Parlin Field airport runway. Since then, Rieseberg said, he has been in discussions with officials to understand and confirm the Federal Aviation Administration requirements for the money and still does not have all the answers. One concern is what Newport may have to contribute to the project.
After another earmark of $250,000 for new windows and air conditioning in the town offices, which was announced last fall, Rieseberg said the town was later told it required a 50% match from the town.
“We were told we could apply for a waiver (for the match) ,and we did but have not heard a thing since,” he said.
Though the community center money, part of more than $89 million that Shaheen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured for 95 New Hampshire projects, still must gain congressional approval, Rieseberg said he is certain that hurdle will be cleared. But what happens after is less clear.
The project could be referred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Rural Development, Rieseberg said, adding that there could be conditions or limits such as a cap on what percentage of the cost of the center will be covered by federal dollars. It will likely be months before the town knows all the parameters.
In 2019, voters defeated a $6.5 million appropriation for a new community center and in March, a $7 million appropriation for the same purpose was also defeated. Rieseberg said he is reaching out to donors who have pledged about $2.7 million to see if they remain committed to the project.
On Monday, the New Hampshire congressional delegation announced it would provide $6.16 million to Newport in federal funding to improve the town’s wastewater treatment plant, which serves about 2,000 residents.
The money will help address a long-standing pollution problem with a system upgrade that past attempts have failed to correct. This project is funded through the Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Shaheen’s office also said last week the senator procured $500,000 for River Valley Community College in Claremont to update its radiography classroom with the purchase of a fully energized X-ray suite consisting of an X-ray table, X-ray tube, fluoroscopic unit, and an upright X-ray imaging stand and associated control panel.
Turning Points Network in Claremont, which supports victims of domestic violence, is renovating a Broad Street location in Claremont for its new offices. It will receive $162,000 for a purchase and installation of a security system and phone system that includes the 24-hour crisis line, office equipment and office furnishings.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
